Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves 709 S. Magnolia design but requires fiber‑cement siding instead of vinyl
Summary
The Board of Architectural Review approved the redesigned accessory building at 709 South Magnolia with a condition that the applicant replace the proposed vinyl with a fiber‑cement product (HardiePlank) after concerns that a large, standalone structure in the historic district should not be clad in vinyl.
The Summerville Board of Architectural Review approved plans for a redesigned accessory building at 709 South Magnolia but attached a condition requiring fiber‑cement siding rather than the vinyl siding shown in the submission.
The applicant and designer (speaker S1) said the revised plan was possible after removal of a diseased tree opened additional width on the lot. “We ended up actually bringing down one of the trees that prevented us from going wide,” the presenter said, and the design now features paired double doors and larger windows to match neighboring details. S1 noted the submission specified 7‑inch beaded vinyl siding to match the main house but said the team could consider alternate siding if the board preferred.
Board members pushed back on the vinyl specification. “We have not been approving vinyl — new vinyl siding — unless it was a small addition to an existing building with vinyl siding,” the chair (speaker S3) said. The chair added that this is a “pretty large building that’s independent of the other building,” and said the board would be reluctant to approve vinyl in the historic district.
Members discussed alternatives (HardiePlank/fiber‑cement, painted wood, board‑and‑batten profiles) and the likely cost implications. The applicant estimated an upcharge of roughly 20–25 percent for a fiber‑cement product, saying the higher cost is largely driven by painting and material differences.
A board member moved to approve the plans as submitted with the condition that the applicant replace the proposed vinyl with an approved fiber‑cement product; that motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The approval is conditional on submission of revised plans showing the selected approved siding material and associated trim details. The applicant said the team would coordinate pricing and return confirmation to staff so the project can proceed.
Next steps: staff will confirm the revised material submittal satisfies the condition; the applicant will provide material specification for the file.
