Aiken City design board approves three historic-area projects and farmers market shade upgrade

The Aiken City Design Review Board on June 2 approved a string of property improvements in the historic overlays, including a rear-bedroom addition, façade and porch renovations, and upgraded vendor shades at the downtown farmers market.

Charles Rapalier, the applicant for 610 Colatin Avenue Southeast, presented plans for a 35-by-18-foot rear bedroom addition set 10 feet from the property line, exteriored in Hardy board painted to match the house and capped with a burnished-slate metal roof. Rapalier said the addition “is totally behind the existing structure,” and staff noted the work would not be readily visible from the street. Linda Johnson, a nearby resident, told the board she supported the design and praised the applicant’s effort to preserve the street view. The board moved, seconded and voted to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness, finding the addition “in harmony with the district” and consistent with the design review manual.

Amber Coffee, representing the city of Aiken, asked the board to approve CH26-055 to replace deteriorating canvas shades at 115 Williamsburg Street SE (the Aiken County Farmers Market) with champagne-colored, UV-blocking roll-up shades. Coffee said the new shades will help keep vendors and shoppers cooler and reduce staff safety risks from ladder use. A member of the public supported the upgrade; the board approved the replacement and discussed built-in tiebacks to reduce wind damage.

Winston Good, owner of 726 South Boundary Avenue SE, requested approval for several exterior changes on a contributing property: replacement sash kits for four front windows to match prior approvals, additional Hardy Plank siding to address rot, boxed porch posts and new railings (to meet current code-required heights), replacement lanterns, and stained doors. Board members discussed column dimensions and how to preserve visual character while meeting modern railing height requirements. After reviewing exhibits and prior certificate CRH26-017 approvals, the board voted to approve the package.

Each approval was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote. Board members referenced relevant sections of the Aiken design review manual in making their findings.

What happens next: approved applicants may proceed with building permits and work that conforms to the approved exhibits; the board did not attach additional conditions beyond the exhibits and standard permitting requirements.