Bluffton commission approves rehabilitation of Allen Lockwood House with two conditions

The Bluffton Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Allen Lockwood House, allowing rehabilitation work on the 1,930-square-foot single-family residence in the Old Town Bluffton Historic District.

Staff presented the item and recounted a timeline of work beginning in January 2023, when site features were approved to address chimney issues, followed by approvals for exterior siding and window repairs. A later site visit found additional, unpermitted work to the foundation and front porch; staff said work stopped at times and a subsequent application was withdrawn in 2023. Staff recommended approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness with two conditions: provide additional information about the location of the service yard and ensure any service-yard fence screens equipment from public view and does not exceed 6 feet in height. "We recommend approval of the packet with 2 conditions," the staff presenter said.

Bruce Trember, who introduced himself during public comment as the interim executive director of the Bluffton Historic Foundation and Hayward House, said he was "excited" that work is happening on the property and expressed general support for the project. The person who identified themselves as the applicant thanked the commission for taking time to review the project: "I really just wanna thank you guys for taking the time to look over this project," they said.

Commission discussion was brief and generally favorable. A motion to approve the project with staff recommendations was made, seconded and passed by voice vote; the commission recorded the motion as approved. Staff said it would send an approval letter and next steps the following morning.

The staff presentation emphasized that the commission was reviewing architectural aspects only; any future proposals for parking, driveways, landscaping or lighting would be reviewed separately under the town's Uniform Development Ordinance. The property was described in the staff packet as a contributing resource to the Old Town Bluffton Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Note on participant names: the meeting agenda listed the COA request as filed by "Tony Crizzetto" on behalf of owner Steve Thomas, but the individual who spoke at the hearing identified himself as Tony Paseo. The transcript also uses both "Allan Lockwood House" and "Allen Lockwood House"; the commission addressed the same historic residence during the discussion and approved the COA with the conditions above.