Historic preservation commission approves accessory dwelling unit in Hamlin Beach with condition on major changes

The Charleston County Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 17 to approve a certificate of historic appropriateness for an accessory dwelling unit proposed at 57700002791419 Jefferson Road in the Hamlin Beach Community Historic District.

Planner Emily Tiggett presented the application, describing the proposal as a single-story accessory dwelling unit (described in staff materials as approximately 312 square feet) with an open floor plan, kitchen, living area, bedroom and full bathroom. Tiggett said materials proposed by the applicant include vinyl siding, vinyl windows and a flat shingle roof; staff noted those choices are consistent with the primary residence and other houses in the Hamlin Beach district. The parcel is zoned R-4 and currently contains a single-family residence and an in-ground swimming pool.

Tiggett told commissioners that the proposed structure would likely not be visible from the Jefferson Road right of way because of spacing between houses and an existing privacy fence, and that identified contributing historic resources to the district are more than 1,500 feet away and would not see or be affected by the new building. Staff reported no public input had been received before the hearing.

During public comment, neighbor Myra Knight Richardson questioned access to the rear yard and whether the applicant had permission to cross a small triangular parcel owned by someone else to service the accessory structure. Tiggett responded that the only approved access shown on the submittal is the existing driveway; she said any access across a neighboring parcel would be a private civil matter between property owners and is outside the commission's purview.

A commissioner who moved approval cited Section 21-5 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance and said the proposal met the ordinance's approval criteria because the accessory structure's size, materials and likely invisibility from public rights of way would not decrease historic integrity. The roll call recorded unanimous support and the chair said the decision is final; the commission also informed the public of a 30-calendar-day appeal period to the Circuit Court of Charleston County.