Commission approves parking-lot COA for 1310 A Walker Street to serve proposed hotel

The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to approve Certificate of Appropriateness (COA 26-24) allowing construction of a new surface parking lot at 1310 A Walker Street to serve an adjacent extended-stay hotel.

Todd Kennedy, planning and development staff, presented the application and told the commission the subject parcel is 1.19 acres at the end of Walker Street and lies at the edge of the downtown historic district. Kennedy described submitted plans, renderings and a landscape plan and noted related zoning actions: a rezoning (z-26-10) recommended by the planning commission on 07/06/2026 and a city commission motion on 07/21 to approve rezoning and a special exception permitting the hotel and associated parking. Kennedy said, "Based on all that information, staff recommends HPC approve this request as proposed."

Applicant Darren Meadows, who identified himself as a partner with a local law firm, told commissioners neighboring businesses supported the project: "both of our neighbors, the Andy Jordan's bicycle warehouse and the Walton Rehab Hospital," submitted letters and attended zoning hearings. Meadows said the developer has submitted building plans and "wants to begin as soon as he can" and hopes to complete the project this year to meet code parking requirements.

Commissioners asked about project timing and whether the parking lot would be completed immediately; Meadows replied that the parking is required to meet the code for the hotel and "this has to be done as part of the overall development." After brief discussion the commission moved to approve the COA; the motion carried by unanimous vote of the eight members present.

The decision implements the staff-recommended conditions and follows related approvals at the planning commission and city commission level. The commission did not record additional conditions beyond staff findings at the time of the vote.