Charleston County commission approves new house and retroactive accessory-structure expansion in 10 Mile Community Historic District

The Charleston County Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to approve a certificate of historic appropriateness for a new single‑family dwelling with an attached garage and the retroactive expansion of an existing accessory structure at TMS 614000013 (4170 Pritchard Green Lane) in the 10 Mile Community Historic District.

Staff planner Emily Pigott told commissioners the applicant provided responses to all applicable approval criteria and recommended approval. Pigott said the parcel is zoned rural residential, lies in flood zone X, and that the 10 Mile Community was designated a Charleston County Historic District in June 2022. She noted no previous CHA approvals had been granted within 500 feet of the property.

Property owner Paul Spees, who said he purchased the parcel in June 2021 before it was moved into the historic district, told the commission the accessory‑structure expansion was completed before the designation and that he obtained a BZA approval and paid a $250 permit fee. Spees also asked staff to correct a tax‑map number; he said the correct TMS begins with 615, not 614. Neighbor David Smith spoke in support, saying the owner has maintained the property and improved the structure.

After public comment, Commissioner Michael Walsh moved to approve the application and later amended his motion to state the motion was to approve because "all three of the approval criteria have been met." The commission then voted: Walsh — Aye; Brent Halvorsen — Aye; Michael German — Aye; Amy Gerard — Aye; Pat Jones — Aye; Chair Melanie Millar — Aye. The ayes carried the motion.

Chair Millar read the standard appeal information: "This is the final decision of the Historic Preservation Commission. If any person with a substantial interest in the decision... chooses to appeal the decision, they may do so to the circuit court of Charleston County" within 30 calendar days.

Details recorded to the public record included the parcel's rural residential zoning and the applicant's provision of responses to the approval criteria; staff recommended approval based on those responses. The vote and the appeal notice were entered into the record.