Owner of Parsons asks Horry County HPC to approve addition, stresses 1885 building will remain untouched

The owner of Parsons presented historical photos and a brief history of the property, asking the Horry County Historic Preservation Commission to reconsider and approve a proposed addition to the right side of the building.

The presenter (Presenter, S2) said the property was purchased after decades of prior ownership and that ‘‘We are still not touching the 1885 Building in this process.’’ He described past enclosures and additions dating to the 1970s and 1980s and said the proposed work would preserve original timbers and make the restaurant operationally viable by improving seating and service areas. The presenter told commissioners the building had required approximately $50,000 in humidity‑control encapsulation work to protect original wood, arguing the addition would help sustain the business and the historic site.

Commission members asked detailed questions about rooflines, enclosed porches and which parts of the building date to 1885 versus later additions. Commissioner (Commissioner 2, S4) cited National Park Service rehabilitation standards and asked specifically what period materials would be used and whether the new roofline would visually conflict with existing historic fabric. The presenter and other commissioners said the exterior will be painted to match the existing white color and that the addition would be tied in carefully so it ‘‘looks like it was always there.’’

On procedure, Commissioner (Commissioner 1, S3) moved to approve the addition at the restaurant; the Chair (S1) then indicated a second was available. The transcript does not record a completed roll call vote or a final tally in the public record provided. The motion text in the meeting was to approve the proposed addition; no formal recording of the outcome appears in the transcript.