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Board approves demolition of damaged Palmetto Street building; owner cites cleanup and redevelopment interest
Summary
Florence City Design Review Board approved demolition of the damaged building at 291 West Palmetto Street after a truck collision. Owner Mark Law said environmental cleanup is nearly finished and described developer interest in mixed-use residential projects for the site.
The Florence City Design Review Board on Feb. 1 approved a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the remaining damaged portions of the commercial building at 291 West Palmetto Street (case DRB2026-O4), following staff reports that the structure suffered significant damage in a vehicle collision.
Staff told the board the building is in the Redevelopment Overlay District and noted prior administrative removal of a damaged portico. Board member Pageant recused themself from the case; a member presented on the applicant’s behalf.
Mark Law, the owner, said cleanup of underground wells and other environmental work related to historic site conditions is “almost finished” and described a long-term interest in replacing the building with more presentable mixed-use or residential development. Law said repair estimates were prohibitively high after the collision: “It was probably three times as much as this thing is worth,” he said, explaining the decision to demolish and prepare the site for redevelopment.
Board members asked about cleanup and future plans; the applicant said developers have expressed interest in commercial ground-floor with residential above. A motion to approve demolition passed and staff reported no other outstanding issues for the board.
