Florence City design board approves demolition request for 459 West Pine

The Florence City Design Review Board on Oct. 8 approved a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the house at 459 West Pine Street after staff described longstanding neighborhood complaints and building deterioration.

City planning staff said the city is seeking a certificate to carry out a forced demolition of the dilapidated house at 459 West Pine, in the Timrod Park Overlay District. The staff presentation said neighbors have complained about the property “literally for decades,” and that the city has pursued the owner and is finally able to pursue demolition.

The house sits on the corner of Worley and West Pine streets, is zoned NC6.2 (single-family residential) and was built in 1930, staff said. City staff told the board they had submitted both this property and another on Jerome Street to the historical commission for review; staff did not expect findings of historical significance but said the board could condition a COA on the commission’s response.

Board members voted to approve the COA “as submitted pending historical board review.” The motion was seconded by member Steve Powers. The board chair called for the vote and said, “Aye.” The certificate will be issued.

Staff also told the board the property has been associated with loitering and suspected drug activity, which factored into the city’s pursuit of demolition. City staff later explained during discussion on another item that the city has a demolition program administered through community services that includes voluntary and involuntary demolitions; involuntary demolitions proceed through condemnation and the court process when owners are unresponsive.

The board’s approval authorizes the city process to move forward; staff noted the option to make issuance contingent on any historical-commission findings that might later be provided.