Planning commission approves subdivision in Hamlin Beach Historic District for descendant’s single-family home

The Charleston County Planning Commission approved a plat to subdivide one lot into two at 1593 Hamlin Road in the Hamlin Beach Historic District, a decision the commission recorded as its final decision.

Staff presenter Tamara Avery said the parcel is zoned S‑3 and that the plat meets the minimum-lot-size requirements in chapter 4 for the S‑3 district. Avery told the commission that, under South Carolina state law section 6‑29‑340, the Planning Commission reviews and approves subdivision plats, and that the county’s Historic Preservation Commission had reviewed the proposal under the Charleston County Historic Preservation Ordinance (section 21‑6).

Avery said all eight members of the Historic Preservation Commission found the proposed subdivision consistent with the cultural resource element of the comprehensive plan, citing compliance with element goals and strategies labeled CR‑1, CR‑3, CR‑5 and CR‑13 in the plan. Staff recommended approval based on those findings and the plat’s conformance with S‑3 minimum-lot standards.

Applicant representative Lily Johnson said she will be the owner of one of the new lots and intends to build a single-family home. “I will be building a single-family home, and I have already paid the impact fees for the Mount Pleasant Waterworks water and sewer, and there will not be septic on the property,” Johnson said.

Several community speakers supported the subdivision. Myra Snipe Richardson, president of the Hamlin Beach Community Association, described the parcel as ancestral land and said subdivision and homebuilding would help preserve and strengthen the community by encouraging descendants to return. Cassandra Johnson Davis said the Johnson family are direct descendants of Samuel Johnson and urged approval.

Commissioners asked about an ingress/egress easement that will provide legal access to the new lot; Avery said the county ordinance requires either at least 20 feet of frontage or a minimum 20‑foot ingress/egress easement when lots are stacked and the subdivision does not meet flag‑lot frontage rules. When asked, Avery confirmed the easement is perpetual.

A roll-call vote recorded all commissioners present voting aye and the clerk noted, “This is the final decision of the Planning Commission.” The commission also reminded attendees that any party with substantial interest may appeal the decision to the Circuit Court of Charleston County.

The commission adjourned and announced its next meeting for July 14, 2025, at 2 p.m.