Design Review Board grants preliminary approval for Deaton Dental site with conditions

Design Review Board members in the Town of Summerville on Feb. 27 voted to grant preliminary design approval to Deaton Dental, a proposed two‑story medical office at the North Pine Street/Highway 78 intersection, while requiring additional details for final approval.

Board members and staff said the vote clears the project to proceed toward final review but left several items to be submitted later, including a photometric study, material sample board, and any SCDOT/encroachment approvals required for a proposed pocket park adjacent to the state right of way.

Summerville planning staff told the board the application should be considered preliminary on this visit. The applicant noted they have received a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals to allow parking in front of the building and have worked with SCDOT regarding sidewalk tie‑ins. Project engineer Abby Ranson reported the site design includes 30 parking spaces (the ordinance requires 22 for the proposed medical office), two ADA spaces, a new Pine Street sidewalk tie‑in, and a “pocket park” to soften the frontage along Highway 78.

Board members pressed the applicant on tree removal and the pocket‑park location. Staff confirmed the applicant obtained tree protection board approval to remove a 32‑inch sweetgum and said a larger 35‑inch live oak on the site will remain; a certified landscape architect is working on mitigation and additional planting around the lot and adjacent property, Oscar’s. The board also discussed whether the monument sign will sit in the town’s right of way or SCDOT’s; staff advised the applicant to coordinate with SCDOT and the town because an encroachment permit may be required.

Architect Lossy Knight reviewed massing and materials, showing a brick stair tower, fiber cement siding, copper lantern‑style light fixtures and a galvalume roof. Members suggested design refinements — more brick on the low walls, porch details, traditional window muntins and stronger pocket‑park detailing — and asked the applicant to bring material samples and a photometric plan to the next meeting.

Board member motion language for preliminary approval asked that the applicant return with sample boards and incorporate comments given at the meeting. The board approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded roll‑call tally.

The board’s preliminary approval does not waive the outstanding submittal requirements; staff said the application will need a final photometric plan, sign package, and any required SCDOT encroachment permits before final Design Review Board sign‑off.

The project team acknowledged they may need underground detention pending drainage analysis and said they would coordinate utility tie‑ins with the appropriate utilities prior to final review.

Details to watch next meeting: material sample board, photometric plan, finalized pocket‑park design with SCDOT encroachment status, and any required final tree/landscape mitigation plans.