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Historic Preservation Commission approves demolition of unsafe accessory garage at 706 W. Fourth St.
Summary
After a public hearing and review of an engineering report, the Greenville Historic Preservation Commission found demolition of a damaged accessory garage at 706 W. Fourth Street congruent with guidelines and approved a certificate of appropriateness; staff noted the statutory delay option but commissioners said preservation alternatives were not viable.
The Greenville Historic Preservation Commission on March 9 approved a certificate of appropriateness (COA) allowing demolition of an accessory garage behind the Charles O'Hagan Horn senior house at 706 W. Fourth Street.
Staff briefed the commission on the design-guidelines standards for demolition and on North Carolina statute that allows a discretionary delay of up to 365 days to seek preservation alternatives. The applicant presented an engineering report and multiple contractor assessments concluding the garage has significant water and termite damage where the main structure meets a side storage area; contractors told the owner they were unwilling to put workers into the structure to attempt stabilization.
The owner said the main house has been restored and that the garage predates their ownership and presents a safety hazard; the owner said the site plan after demolition would retain the existing concrete pad for parking, add landscape screening and address a nearby property line fence. Historic Preservation staff confirmed notices and a DRC review were completed and circulated the engineering report.
Following public comment from the owners describing restoration work on the primary house and the safety concerns posed by the accessory structure, commissioners discussed statutory delay options and preservation alternatives. Commissioners who inspected the structure said the garage rests on nonstandard footings and exhibits wide-ranging rot, limiting practical preservation options. The commission voted to find the request congruent with the design guidelines and approved the COA; commissioners noted staff should document the structure and encouraged the owner to use landscape or fencing compatible with the historic site for the cleared area.
The approval allows the owner to demolish the accessory structure subject to standard permitting; the commission advised that any new construction or fencing on the pad should be congruent with the property's historic character.
