Task force passes delayed demolition ordinance

After three months of discussion, the Strong Neighborhoods Task Force approved Wednesday a proposed delayed demolition ordinance that would allow the Charleston Historic Landmarks Commission to place a waiting period on structures or districts it deems historic before they could be torn down.

The commission would not be able to stop a structures potential demolition, but the 90-day waiting period would allow challengers to come up with an alternative use for the building and propose it to the owner.

Only structures with historic designation could be subject to delayed demolition. Anyone can nominate a building or a district to be considered, but the nomination process takes longer than a granted stay of demolition.

The process to put something on the list takes months, so someone wouldnt be able to use that as a tactic, said city Planning Director Dan Vriendt.

Neighborhood planner Lori Brannon said the ordinance is intended to make people more proactive in nominating potentially historically significant buildings and parts of the city.

[The landmarks commissions] goal is to go out there and look at neighborhoods with that in mind: is there some building that we dont have covered by that and should protect, because it has great value to the city? Brannon said.

The ordinance places such structures on three tiers. The first designates a structure as historic solely in an effort to honor its significance.

The second tier would impose a temporary stay of demolition on a historic district or properties, but a public meeting would have to be held on both the designation and the delayed demolition.

The third tier would delay demolition, as well as subjects the structure or district to a design review.

Structures and districts that are already locally or nationally registered would be subject to the proposed ordinance.

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Task force passes delayed demolition ordinance