City of Aiken, SC Design Review Board Meetings, 1 Nov 2022

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From YouTube: Design Review Board November 1, 2022

Description

Design Review Board
November 1, 2022
6:30 PM

Call to Order
Minutes

Old Business:
none

New Business:
A) Application CERH23- 010: Applicant Jessica Campbell requests approval to remove existing paint from the fagade, replace deteriorated wood, repaint the fagade, replace roofing, and excavate the crawl space at 100 Berrie Road SW ( TMP 105- 15- 01- 011).
B) Application CERH23- 011: Applicant David Stinson requests approval to replace windows at 566 Newberry Street SW (TMP 105- 12- 17- 015).
C) Executive Session: The purpose is to receive legal advice relating to pending, threatened, or
potential claims or litigation or other matters covered by the attorney - client privilege from Design Review Board, attorney( s). ( Must be authorized by a motion and vote of the Board.)
D) Application CERH23- 004: Discussion of, and possible action on, Status of the Certificate of
Appropriateness application at 405 Colleton Avenue SE pending administrative approval for the final site plan of a wall replacement ( TMP '121- 09- 06- 001).
E) Executive Session: The purpose is to receive legal' advice relating to pending, threatened, or
potential claims or litigation or other matters covered by the attorney - client privilege from Design Review Board attorney( s). ( Must be authorized by a motion and vote of the Board.)

Adjournment

A

Welcome uh you to the November meeting of our design, view, board and I. Think most of you understand, the purpose of the of our board is to assist Property Owners with changes. They may be, anticipating that are visible from a public right-of-way and we appreciate y'all's participation in the process and we also have procedures where we'll ask an applicant to come to this Middle lacturne, where the where you can be recorded, and you can give your name and and address and then a short summary of of the application.

A

If you'd like we usually Begin by reviewing minutes, I I guess, while our board is reviewing the minutes for October I wanted to announce that we did get a resignation from Hannah Robbins and we we don't accept that we pass that along to city council, to act on, and we also in a moment we'll have a motion regarding the application.

A

A for ripe hatch that was not advertised properly, so it'll it'll come back. A portion of it will come back in December. So if, if you don't mind, if you all would uh I.

B

Have one change I'd like to make to the minutes all right? um At the top of page five, it says board member Lipscomb stated that the wall was beyond repair.

C

B

Asked if it was possible that we could say it was beyond repair and call demolition by neglect.

A

You're, that's a question rather than a statement is.

B

That what you're saying yes I was saying: is it possible that we.

A

Could say that in order to ask whether, yes,.

B

A

Ask whether the wall was beyond repair I think I. Remember that okay, any other.

D

Yes, Mr chairman I was reviewing the minutes and, at the end of the last meeting, uh we had a gentleman from the audience stood up and complimented the board on what we had done with the.

A

D

At the uh on Chester Chester.

E

D

Sorry, Union and Colleton, Avenue and uh and I don't see. Those comments in the meeting did am I the only one that heard that or.

A

I remember at the end of the meeting uh yeah um we Mr Rinaldi, maybe stated.

D

A

Had done a pretty good.

D

Job was that, after the meeting, maybe I mean I'm trying to remember I, just didn't see it in a minute.

A

Eric, do you remember um after the meet after we adjourned, Maybe, okay, okay?

A

Well, maybe we can have him come back and make the state that's.

D

Okay, I, just I, was expecting to see that in the minutes and I didn't so I was just right remembered. If maybe it was just me or if it wasn't. If it was after the meeting, then it shouldn't be in the meeting correct. So it was just a question. I.

F

Just had a question about it: just to satisfy the board's interest, we'll review the end of the the tape and see if it was part of the fisherman.

A

F

Thank you been advised the board, if that's it right. Okay, for sure the uh Rebecca will be glad to do this. Okay, I'll.

E

Take a look at it. Thank.

D

You thank you Rebecca.

A

B

Like to make a motion that we approved the minutes with the changes discussed to the um minutes on page five, okay,.

A

D

Second, okay,.

A

Motion a second all in favor approving the minutes with the change uh raise your right hand.

A

Okay minutes are proof for October now, uh if, if you would uh Rebecca I think that um this first application will move into was was the Berry Road property um and um we we're going to probably have a motion. We don't have an applicant here tonight, so if we could have a motion on that, that would continue it.

D

Yeah I'd be happy to do that. um Mr chairman I'd, like to make a recommendation or a motion that we um continue application cerh23-10 on the raw patch until next month to correct the uh the date typo on the um announcement. Okay,.

A

B

A second a second but I'd also like to ask if we can turn this back into Rebecca, so she didn't have to print it again. It's a lot of paper to throw away.

A

And it may get revised. Okay, we've got a motion. Second, any other discussion. I think we did. We did. uh Maybe uh um we were able to to modify it so there's not quite so much uh approval required for repair and maintenance, so primarily when you talk to them, if they're not clear, it stood downspouts and gutters I believe: okay, good okay, all in favor of the motion to continue that application on ripe hatch raise your right hand.

A

Thank you now that I think now we can read the application. If you don't mind.

A

E

Item B under new business application number.

E

Cerh23-011 applicant David Stinson request approval to replace windows at 566 Newbury Street Southwest tax map parcel 105-12-17-015.

A

Okay, uh would you come forward and give us your name and address? Please.

G

David Stinson the 560 Newbury Street Southwest, Aiken 29801.

A

And um and your reason for replacing the windows is, is just the age of them, the condition of them and the.

G

They're so old, a lot of them don't even have latches um I, don't think any of them open and close, except for the ones that were replaced 10 or 15 years ago, before I owned it um and they're just rattly little single pane windows, and to compensate for that at some point, someone mounted you know the silver metal colored uh storm.

A

Side, storm windows.

G

A

G

That's not very attractive either so.

A

G

Some of those are cracked right.

A

Okay, um you all have questions.

D

D

The um yeah I do Mr Stinson um the windows you're, proposing that that we use you use here. This Ply Gem 400 series windows I noticed that they're made out of like a composite material. Is that right.

G

Yes, sir composite wood, yeah, okay,.

D

And so these are not going to be like replacement windows, you can pull the old windows out and put these new, and so it's the frame and everything not.

G

Gonna be the whole frame and all.

D

G

um Duplicate and.

D

I noticed I checked the website and I noticed that there's an option for a 7 8 inch, simulated, divided, Light, Grid and um and I think that I would be favorable.

E

D

Right, it applies on the outside in the inside. um Are you planning on replicating the grid pattern that you have now the.

G

Six over six right, yeah.

D

Yep, okay, all right! That's all the questions. I have good.

A

Any other questions.

A

Okay, good! Thank you we'll ask if anybody in the public would like to come. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Would anyone like to to speak regarding replacement of the windows at 566, Newbury Street, either in in favor or yes, you can come forward to give your name and address. Please.

C

My name is Donald Maniac I live north of Aitkin. It's not about the windows. I just want to know. Is there going to be an opportunity to comment on non-agenda items at this meeting.

A

C

Can't take the opportunity to do so now, no, and why is it that this board does not allow non-public comments and non-agenda meetings when the city council regulations for public meetings mandate, it.

F

Go ahead, I won't take long and explain.

C

And I do have a question about the historic district in a specific issue that I'd like to ask this.

F

Is a quasi-judicial board and it is not a political board, it's heavily regulated by its procedures and it does not take up just individual items. When someone wants to speak or has a comment, it's very regimented. It is not a political body, it has to go by the rules and adhere to the rules and we're trying to do a better job doing it.

C

Okay, so how do you get an answer to a question because every time I send you all an email you ignore it I've tried to raise the issue of the June 21st minutes that that are inaccurate and I've received no response.

A

I'll just leave it at that: okay, we'll, like yeah.

C

Thank you. Try answering a question once in a while.

F

Yes, sir, thank.

C

A

Okay, any other comment um which I would we've we've got uh this this. We did not change the application so really. If someone would like to make a motion and we'll um discuss it if we need to further.

D

Sure um Mr chairman I'd like to recommend that application cerh23-11 for 566 Newberry Street um be approved as written with the stipulation that they use 7 8 inch simulated divided, like grids that match the existing grid pattern and also like to state that um that recommend to the board that we find this in compliance with our design review guidelines, specifically windows and storm Sash on page 72 in design manual right.

A

Right and uh and I I would add to that. I um looked at them closely and they are an inferior wood manufactured window with with obviously has storm Sash on it. But I think this will be an improvement to the value of the house and also the efficiency of the of the glazing.

A

So we've got a motion and did I hear a second, yet.

B

A

Motion second, any other discussion: okay, all in favor of the application, as he has clarified it with the simulated, divided light, grits eraser right hand. Okay, it's approved you're welcome. Thank you and I think we need a motion now for uh executive sessions. Please do that.

D

um Mr chairman I'd, like to move that we uh adjourn for executive session as per the agenda.

A

Oh uh we'll have a motion. Second, second, all in favor of going on a executive session raise your right hand.

C

F

Chairman, if I may, the the purpose executive session is uh stated in the agenda, but it will focus on the item D, which comes after it on the agenda uh concerning the 405 Carlton Avenue. Okay, thank you. Thank.

A

F

D

I'm out of executive session second.

A

Motion a second that will come out of the executive session. All in favor raise your right hand: okay, okay, we're we're back in our meeting I want to just uh announce that no action was taken in the executive session. uh We do have now an item that uh that we can bring forward. Is item d, I, believe, Rebecca item.

E

D under new business application number cerh23-004.

E

Discussion of impossible action on status of the certificate of appropriateness, application at 405, Colleton, Avenue Southeast, pending administrative approval for the final site plan of a wall replacement tax map parcel 121-09-06-001.

A

Okay and then, and then to further did you have something you were going to say.

F

Yes, sir, just uh if I may after the last meeting and the vote on the certificate appropriateness for the property, I think is it 405, Carlton Avenue.

F

um There was a concern raised by the proposals from the owners as to exactly what their plan was, and it seemed to be changing um from discussion to discussion. What the final plan would be. That would come back for our administrative approval and based on some public comments. We were also concerned with the lack of clarity to the process and what the applicants were asking for.

F

So after uh discussing it with the applicants and the continuing review they're doing or whatever the proposal is going to be for a final plan on the the wall and or fence at that at that property we gave them the option of withdrawing their current application and coming back uh with a new application appropriate time with.

F

Hopefully what would be a final well-described application and course of action that they're request and this withdrawal would not affect their ability to file a new application, uh and so they would be able to do that uh once they have all the appropriate information.

F

The in order for this matter to be considered at the appropriate time there should be a motion to accept that, with with the withdrawal of the application from uh Mr Mrs ball, as well as the withdrawal of the certificate appropriateness that was issued, which would no longer be of any effect uh because of the process we would I would suggest to you that it we would open it up for public comment if there is any on this specific matter with just the withdrawal, not what the plan is going to be eventually, but just the process of withdrawing uh the application and the certificate of appropriateness.

A

Right we've: we have received a signed application for withdrawal of that particular application. You all have it now, I think you have it uh hard copies of it.

F

And if anybody would like a copy of it, yeah.

A

Essentially, I think it's okay. We as owners applicants on application number crh 23-004 hereby withdraw that application, as of the date entered below, without prejudice to us to file a new or different application concerning the same matter and signed by Lawrence ball and Colette ball. That's dated October 25th.

A

So our our motion, if you all, would care to do this, we'll we'll ask if there's any comment first, but our motion then would be to accept this. This app, this uh withdrawal now other. Would anyone like to speak regarding that their withdrawal of this application you're? Welcome to that just give your name and address go ahead and come forward. Please.

H

638 Magnolia Street. Thank you very much for opening this up. Thank you very much for bringing this subject to the design review board meeting uh in a way that people could comment. I. Think that's commendable! Thank you for uh taking the action you've taken. We appreciate that I.

H

Think just the one thing for you to consider is you know the uh the pain and and inconvenience to the applicant from not following procedures is pretty evident in this case uh and I feel sorry for them, because I think it was our design review board caused the problems, not the applicants they could could have and should have been given better guidance as to how to present their application.

H

I think you know more focus on procedures going forward and particular completeness of applications and those kind of things and make sure we get um and Rebecca sorry if, in my letter, I pointed out some things that were done wrong, but I think attention to the application and to the staff report, which you know maybe has been light in the past, because more of these things were routine I hope we can get back to where things are routine.

H

With the design review board, we certainly would like to and stop bothering you and and making comments, but in the meantime, what the things that concerned us were the the lack of clarity for the applicant and then, if we remain silent on it, which you know we didn't particularly have a problem with the decision. It's really more the decision that was arrived at so we weren't commenting on the merits per se.

H

I think the Merit still needs some work to determine that you know the the existing fence is not uh salvageable, but that it's likely that that could be documented. uh But having said that,.

H

Not speaking up would have left a not very good precedent in place, because then you know the way we looked at it. Somebody else could come and present a confusing application accepted a confusing application from somebody else, and it would be very difficult to do and in particular, as we're looking at some big projects in the city and in downtown I.

H

Think it's a time when procedures have to be followed and actually it makes life easier and quicker and smoother for everybody if procedures are followed because uh one of the things that Randy Wilson said in his education seminar is, if you follow the procedures and you follow the guidelines and there's very little question and there's very little issues that people can attack you on and we're we're hoping to get to that. So thank you for your work. So far on that uh and I think also.

H

What I sense changing is you know the design review board is now becoming more open to comment. uh I think you can understand from looking at in the past the comments that we've been making were. They were maybe contentious, but they were intended to be helpful.

H

They were contentious because the community felt offended by what the design review board had done.

H

Most of you weren't on it, so I apologize if I'm speaking to some of you who weren't there when some of those things were done, it's not intended to cover you, uh but if you look back, if you simply listened when we talked earlier, we would have avoided a lot of unpleasant situations and and we'd like to get back to that situation, where we can talk to each other civilly in civil civil Lee and and just make constructive comments where we try to help have a better city. Thank you. Thank.

A

You we appreciate your interest in the process and uh that wall is, it is a difficult one um and uh we'll have we'll see what happens in the future now. So we have now another item here uh which I believe involves another we need to. We need to go ahead and we've got a motion. Yeah.

F

If I may, Mr chairman, be a motion to accept the.

A

F

Ms Ball's withdrawal of the application and then also the board, would be withdrawing the certificate of appropriateness.

A

Okay, y'all got, would you all have.

D

A motion again uh Mr chairman I'd, like to recommend that we accept the uh letter of withdrawal of application uh from the balls and also move that we withdraw the certificate of appropriateness from the previous uh approval. In.

A

The last meeting, okay, do I hear a second second okay. Thank you any other discussion. Okay, all in favor of this uh withdrawal, approving the withdrawal of this certificate raise your right hand. Okay,.

B

I would like to share that. I um spoke with Randy Wilson yesterday and asked him if he had ever uploaded the training session and he forgot so he uploaded it last night and it's now on YouTube on hit under his name I think he said, Aiken a r b, not drb, but it's up there. If anybody wants to share it with anyone.

A

Okay, thank you uh would would someone like him to make a motion on going back into this exercise for one other item.

D

Mr chairman I'd, like to recommend that we adjourn to Executive sessions motion.

A

Motion that we adjourned exactly second in a second all in favor, raise your right hand, okay and.

F

Mr chairman, it would be for the re the reasons listed in the agenda that.

A

Was published? Okay, okay,.