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Tag: Blythewood Board of Architectural Review

  • BAR grants Sandy Level COA with conditions

    Historic interior of Sandy Level Church | Jim McLean

    BLYTHEWOOD – Sandy Level Baptist Church member and attorney Jamie Walters appeared before the Town’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR) for the third time last week to request a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) that would allow the church to replace the existing aging vinyl siding and windows with similar vinyl siding and windows on both the historic sanctuary and the newer classroom addition.

    Sandy Level Church circa 1856 | Hudnalle McLean Sr.

    The almost 170 year old sanctuary of the church has a historical designation in the town, and the BAR had twice previously deferred the request as they tried to convince Walters to bring the sanctuary back to its original state by painting it instead of replacing the vinyl siding which was not original to the sanctuary.

    Walters argued that if the sanctuary is painted, it would have to be repainted about ever six or seven years, something he says the church cannot afford.

    On Monday night after almost three hours of back and forth discussion between Walters and the board, with an expert opinion from former head of Preservation South Carolina, Mike Bedenbaugh, the board granted a complex COA approval under the financial hardship section of the Town’s historic preservation ordinance. 

    While the BAR voted to allow the church to replace the windows and siding with materials that do not meet the historic ordinance’s standards, board members worked with Walters to come up with specifications whereby the building would retain, as nearly as possible, its historical look.

     “We’re happy to be able to move forward and get this project behind us in a way that will help preserve the building and that we can afford,” Walters said.

    “Our responsibility is to enforce the ordinance,” BAR member Jim McLean said. “We tried to meet the church half way, but we wanted to maintain the church’s historical value. Sandy Level and the town hall are the original buildings in Blythewood and were built in the same year, 1865, probably by the same builder. They are of extreme significance to the town as well as to the county and even the state.”

    McLean said Sandy Level predates Abraham Lincoln and is almost exactly as it was when it was built.

    “It’s an essential part of the town’s history,” he said.

    “The struggle in approving this particular COA was the conflict between the board trying to preserve the historical features of the church versus the congregation’s desire to protect themselves from a financial burden,” McLean said. “Unfortunately, I also believe the church had cost numbers that were not accurate…but in the end that became a difficult argument.

    “The building is almost 170 years old,” he said. “It’s a historical gem that we want to protect.”

    The board voted unanimously to approve the COA with special conditions.

  • BAR approves COA for The Park complex

    The Park senior apartment complex proposed to be located next to the IGA received final approval Monday evening from the Board of Architectural Review for a Certificate of Appropriateness.

    BLYTHEWOOD – The Board of Architectural Review spent much of Monday evening’s meeting negotiating with a representative of the Prestwick Company on lighting, landscaping, fencing, business connectivity and more associated with the apartment complex proposed next to the IGA.

    After much discussion and several adjustments to the planned facility, the board voted 4-0 to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for The Park apartment complex.

    It was the BAR’s second meeting with Prestwick representatives who initially proposed a long three-story building that BAR members felt looked plain and institutional.

    While the board approved the color scheme and materials of the building, they were concerned about its placement and design. They also asked for a fence and berm along the northern boundary behind both Zaxby’s and the proposed Starbucks coffee shop that face Blythewood Road. And they asked that paths be provided for the apartment tenants to be able to walk to the IGA stores and perhaps to the Blythewood Road businesses.

    Prestwick came back Monday evening with an L-shaped building and a 20-foot landscape buffer along the northern boundary instead of the 10-foot required buffer.

    “We bought an additional 10 feet of land from the landowners that will allow us to keep a 20-foot buffer of natural trees that you see from Blythewood Road,” Devin Blankenship, senior development manager for Prestwick, told the board.

    Blankenship suggested that with the 20-foot buffer, a fence and berm would no longer be needed. And he said he could not create a path to promote connective foot traffic to an area not designed for traffic.

    “If I create a path onto an existing road [the IGA parking lot] without a sidewalk connection, I’m encouraging our tenants to use that path onto a traffic area we don’t have access to,” Blankenship said. “It’s all legal jargon, but it’s a liability for us unless we have a proper access easement and crosswalk on to an existing sidewalk.”

    “That was part of the reason for the fence as well,” the board’s architectural advisor Ralph Walden added. “It would discourage people from walking through those sites.”

    Blankenship argued that the 20-foot buffer would act as a deterrent to walking through.

    “People will create a path,” McLean said. “It would be an advantage to the apartment complex and to the businesses as well [to have a path]. It’s an issue that at some point in time is going to have to be addressed.” McLean went on to point out, “If you’re not going to have access, then you need to stop access. That’s where the fence comes in, maybe a coated chain link fence that’s a nice neutral color that you won’t see in that wooded buffer.”

    “I think that’s how you solve that issue,” board member Alan George said.

    McLean suggested a coated four-foot chain link fence, but he said he would also like to see the town do something to encourage connectivity.

    Addressing the lighting on the property, the board’s architectural advisor, Ralph Walden, suggested the developer pull the lighting back from the edge of the property into the interior parking area.

    McLean made a motion to approve the site plan as presented in the new and final L-shaped rendering with a 20-foot buffer.

    “I’m also going to include a four-foot chain link fence along the northern border and require the lighting be brought back to the center of the parking lot,” McLean said. “I would also like to see the town do something to encourage connectivity with this, and I guess it can’t be part of the motion, but I think that burden lies with the town to some degree to give connectivity for these folks [tenants] to the businesses and the town, specifically, the IGA and back to Blythewood Road.”

    The board voted unanimously for the motion.

  • Coston named to BAR

    BLYTHEWOOD – Town Council reappointed Gale Coston, a former and longtime member of the Board of Architectural Review. During his 12 years on the board, Coston served as both chair and vice chair. After finishing his last term three years ago, he decided to take some time off.

    Gale Coston

     “We’re excited to welcome you back, Mr. Coston,” Mayor J. Michael Ross said. “It’s a tremendous advantage for the town to have someone with your experience come back to serve again.”

    Coston is a retired professor from The University of South Carolina where he served as head of the Communicative Science and Disorders Department. Coston lives in Ashley Oaks.

    Board and commission members must live in the town limits. Residents interested in serving on a town board can contact Town Hall at 803-754-0501.

  • BAR approves COA’s for Zaxby’s, State Farm and alterations to Doko Depot

    BLYTHEWOOD – It was a busy night for the Blythewood Board of Architectural Review Monday evening. Board members approved Certificates of Appropriateness for construction of a Zaxby’s restaurant, construction of a State Farm Insurance Office and alteration of the Blythewood Depot Building.

    All three projects flew through the BAR with no major adjustments to the COA requests.

    Zaxby’s

    The proposed opening for the Blythewood Zaxby’s is March of 2020.

    The request for the new Zaxby’s fast food restaurant to be constructed at 221 Blythewood Road was submitted by the MRP Design Group. The restaurant will sit on a 1-1/2 acre site next to the Sharpe Shoppe BP service station.

    The restaurant is expected to open in March of 2020.

    A site development plan will be considered at a later time to include all improvements, including plantings, buffer yards, landscaping, signs, lighting, parking, garbage enclosures, curb cuts and pedestrian and vehicular circulation paths.

    State Farm

    Blythewood State Farm agent Sandy Khan, who owns the property at 152 Blythewood Road, requested and received approval of a COA for the construction of a one-story, 3,951 square-foot insurance office building on the property.

    Khan is in the process of removing her previous buildings on the same lot to make way for the new construction.

    The proposed building is comprised of three offices. Construction is expected to begin soon.

    Doko Depot

    Blythewood Depot Property, LLC requested and received approval of the BAR for a COA to permit the alteration of the Depot Building.

    The 3,800 square-foot building is currently being renovated to accommodate two businesses – Freeway Music and Doko Station Pub & Eatery.

    Don Russo, owner of Freeway Music, will occupy a larger portion of the building with 14 rooms for private music lessons and rock band classes plus other spaces. The Doko Station Pub is owned by Lexington’s Old Mill Brewpub owners John and Kelly Clinger.

    Signage will be reviewed by the BAR or in consultation with staff.

  • BAR OK’s COA for picnic shelter

    BLYTHEWOOD – Trinity United Methodist Church has received approval from the town’s Board of Architectural Review to build a picnic shelter on the church’s campus. The Board voted unanimously to award a Certificate of Occupancy (COA)

    “The 30-foot by 60-foot shelter will be constructed just south of the Church’s Youth Building which is located across McNulty Road from the Blythewood Library,” Town Administrator Brian Cook explained to the Board.

    Cook said the project is designed with a burnished slate metal roof to blend with the compatibly designed Youth building nearby.

    Architect Ralph Walden, who designed the shelter, said it meets all the Town’s building requirements.

    “It’s a clean, simple, utilitarian building,” Walden said. He explained that the lighting would be up in the ceiling of the structure to shine down, not out.

    Walden also stated that no trees would be removed for the construction to begin work.

  • Board volunteers needed

    BLYTHEWOOD – The Town of Blythewood has vacancies on three government boards and is seeking volunteers to fill the positions.

    “It’s a great way to serve your community,” Mayor J. Michael Ross said. “We have many individuals who, each year, dedicate their time and expertise to shape the future of boards and commissions and nonprofit organizations in our town through board service. Board members provide the critical intellectual capital and strategic resources necessary to strengthen communities,” Ross said.

    The current vacancies include: Planning Commission – 1 vacancy; Board of Zoning Appeals – 2 vacancies and Board of Architectural Review- 1 vacancy.

    The planning commission makes recommendations to Town Council on zoning and annexation issues; reviews and approves all new subdivisions and is involved in comprehensive planning to improve the health and welfare of the public.

    The board of zoning appeals reviews land use issues, including proposed variations from the Town’s zoning ordinance; special uses that require review to determine compatibility with adjacent properties and appeals of decisions made by the zoning administrator.

    The board of architectural review reviews applications for certificates of appropriateness in the Town Center and Architectural Overlay zoning districts.

    To express interest in serving on a Blythewood board, email contact information along with the board being applied for to: cowanm@townofblythewoodsc.gov.

  • CAB plans expansion

    BLYTHEWOOD – Christian Assistance Bridge filed paperwork with the Town Hall on April 23 requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) to expand its facilities to accommodate a food pantry.

    On Monday evening, the Board, along with the Town Administrator Brian Cook and two town employees convened at the Manor to hear the request.

    But the applicant did not attend, so the Board was unable to get answers to questions and therefore could not make any approvals, according to BAR Vice Chairman Jim McLean.

    The Board did, however, review notes made by the town’s architect, Ralph Walden who noted the following suggestions for items on the project that would need tweaking in order for it to meet the COA requirements for approval.

    • Be sure handicap ramp meets all codes
    • Be sure new shingles match existing shingles
    • Be sure the frieze is the same size all around the building
    • Be sure the new brick is the same as the existing brick

    McLean consulted Board member Alisha Coleman, also an architect, who agreed with Walden’s assessment. She also pointed out the need for adjustments to the proposed retention pool.

    The proposed expansion, which is to the rear of the existing building, is eligible for BAR consideration based on its location in the Town Center portion of the Architectural Overlay District, Cook wrote in a memo to the Planning Commissioners.

    Under the Town’s code, any new construction in the Town Center District must meet the approval of the BAR if it constitutes a major visual impact.

    Cook also reported that the food pantry must reflect the style and material of the principal structure.  The pantry will be constructed of a red semi-smooth brick. The existing building, located at 126 Blythewood Road, is built with similar brick.

    McLean and Cook said the applicant’s representative would also need to bring samples of shingles, brick and other materials to the July meeting.

  • BAR OKs COA for optometrist office

    BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood Board of Architectural Review (BAR) unanimously voted (4-0) to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) last week for Blythewood Eye Care to convert the former Boney home at 204 Langford Road to an optometrist’s office. The BAR also approved four variances for the property.

    The two-acre property, owned currently by Great Southern Homes and located next to a much larger tract also owned by Great Southern Homes, was recently rezoned to the Town Center District (TCD).

    COA approval was given with the understanding that details such as landscaping, trees, signage and lighting would still have to be approved by staff and meet plan requirements.

    “If something is not according to plan and can’t be worked out, it will come back here,” Board Vice-Chair Jim McLean explained to the applicant.

    John Stephens of Crescent Engineering presented the plan. He said the potential owner, Blythewood Eye Care, plans few changes to the exterior of the building other than moving the steps from the front of the porch to the sides to allow for more buffering for the front yard area.

    Stephens also said Blythewood Eye Care preferred to have the parking lot in the front of the building.

    “The question this board has always looked at has been to try to reduce parking on the street side. Either move it to the side or the rear,” McLean said. “We’ve always taken a pretty strong stance to move parking from the front just to not create a parking lot coming down Langford Road. So that’s something we would talk to you about.”

    Stephens said that while the handicap ramp would be located in the rear of the building, “We don’t have any way to enter the rear of the building. I don’t want people to have to walk to the front [from a rear parking lot.] It’s only 8 parking spaces,” Stephens said. He also said that the company might later want to expand the building into the side yard to the south.

    The approval of the COA included granting the following five variances:

    • The protective front yard buffer was reduced from 15 feet to five feet.
    • The shared boundary line buffer on the north (residential) side of the property was reduced from 50 feet to 20 feet with the addition of an eight-foot privacy fence with appropriate landscaping.
    • The natural landscaping located along the boundary on the south side of the property would satisfy the 10-foot landscaping requirement until which time the property to the south becomes developed.
    • A crushed concrete, porous parking lot surface was allowed to be substituted for the required asphalt or concrete non-porous surface.
    • The parking lot was approved to be situated in the front yard instead of the back yard as required by ordinance.

    “It’s important to recognize that this street [Langford] is lined with homes converted into businesses. It’s important not to stand out from the others,” McLean said. “We want to keep the building as residential looking as possible.”

  • BAR approves COA for electrical substation

    BLYTHEWOOD – With the blessing of the town’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR), a new electrical substation will soon be going up on Community Road, across from Midlands Storage.

    While the property at 861 Community Road is in the Town Center District and requires a special exception for an electrical substation, Thomas Black, Vice President of Engineering for Fairfield Electric Cooperative, made the case for the need for a new substation before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) earlier this month and again Tuesday evening before the BAR.

    “We currently have a substation at Blythewood Road and 321 and at Hardscrabble and on Langford Road, and they are all coming to capacity,” Black told the board.  He said projects, both industrial and residential, slated for the area will further increase the need.

    The Board of Zoning Appeals met last week to approve a special exception to the TCD zoning for the substation property contingent on the town’s planning staff and BAR’s approval of a landscaping plan for the site.

    While the Town Center District zoning calls for a 10-foot perimeter landscaping buffer zone and other specific landscaping requirements, Black said his company has other plans.

    “We are planning an 8 to 10-foot stone buffer along the outside of the fence and possibly adding some small bushes. We want to be good neighbors,” Black said.

    The stones would create a patio effect around the substation, however, rather than privacy screening.

    In addition, Black said it would be necessary to cut all of the trees on the site to protect the substation.

    “This may happen,” Cook said, “but is yet to be determined until we receive a plan from a civil engineer. We will work to keep any that we can.

    Fairfield Electric’s other plans for security include surrounding the entire 1.93 acre property with an 8-foot-high, heavy gage, black steel louvered fence that is bulletproof and not climbable.

    “With today’s terrorism and kids going by and shooting transformers, protecting our assets is very important,” Black said. “It (the fence) is another source of security and acts as a shield.”

    Without requiring the 10-foot landscaping buffer zone and other landscaping requirements of the Town Center District, the BAR approved a Certificate of Occupancy unanimously, saying the Town’s administration would work with Fairfield Electric on a landscaping plan at a later time.

    In other business, officers for the board are scheduled to be elected at the next scheduled meeting.

  • Council taps new board members

    BLYTHEWOOD – Town Council approved three new appointees and re-appointed two others to the town’s boards and commissions on Monday night.

    Cruise

    Mark Cruise, a resident of Cobblestone Park, was appointed to the Planning Commission. Cruise is a three-year resident of the town and is the owner of Governance4Good, a consulting firm for nonprofit organizations.

    Cruise is an officer on the Blythewood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a member of the Blythewood Rotary Club.

    Because of a previous commitment in November, Cruise will not begin his term until Dec. 1.

     

    Griffin

    Sloan Griffin III, also a resident of Cobblestone Park, was appointed to the Planning Commission. He said he moved to Blythewood a little over a year ago from the Greenville/Spartanburg area where his career was in fire service and emergency management.

     

    Griffin is employed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control in emergency preparedness covering the PeeDee area.

    “I thought I would jump in and help the town as much as I can with my knowledge and expertise,” Griffin said.

    Coleman

    Alisha Coleman, a resident of Lake Ashley for the last four years, was appointed to the Board of Architectural Review. An architect, Coleman holds a master’s degree in architecture from Clemson University.

    “Ms. Coleman has already done some work for the town,” Mayor J. Michael Ross said. “She created some conceptual drawings of our vision for the farmer’s market in Doko Park.”

    McLean

    Jim McLean, a resident on Sandfield Road, was re-appointed for another term on the Board of Architectural Review. A lifelong resident of the town, McLean has served on the Planning Commission and is a previous Council member. McLean serves as vice-chairman of the BAR.

    Ray Fantone, a resident of Lake Ashley, was also re-appointed for a second term on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

    Coleman, Griffin, Cruise, McLean and Fantone will take office Nov. 1. All appointments are for three year terms.