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Commission approves replacement on‑site wastewater system at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Summary
Commission unanimously approved a certificate of historic appropriateness for a new on‑site wastewater drain field to replace an undersized system at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens; staff said the proposed drain field would be sited in an existing employee parking area.
The Charleston County Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a certificate of historic appropriateness for construction of a new on‑site wastewater system at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (TMS 36100001), a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Staff presenter Emily Pigott summarized the project and the site's history of prior approvals: the commission previously approved demolition and reconstruction work on a horse barn and conservatory and approved retroactive carriage house and parking improvements in 2023 and January 2024. Pigott said the applicant proposed to replace an undersized drain field with a new drain field sited in an existing employee parking area; the current pump station pumps via a force main to a drain field about 6,400 feet northwest of the site. Pigott said the applicant provided responses to all applicable approval criteria and staff recommended approval.
Kevin Coffey, who had signed up to speak, told commissioners, "Basically, Emily pretty much hit it on the head. We're basically replacing a drain field that's undersized and is having issues, and putting in a field that will handle what's currently there in future expansions, if any." He added that the new system would pump into the new septic field.
A motion to approve the application "based on the approval criteria" was made and seconded. The roll call vote was: Michael Walsh — Aye; Brent Halvorsen — Aye; Michael German — Aye; Amy Gerard — Aye; Pat Jones — Aye; Chair Melanie Millar — Aye. The ayes carried the motion.
Staff noted the property is zoned AG8 (rural agricultural) and that parts of the parcel fall in AE9, AE10 and shaded X flood zones. Pigott said Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was listed on the National Register on Dec. 11, 1972, and identified areas of significance including horticulture and landscape architecture. The commission recorded the approval and read standard appeal instructions to the public.
