Charleston council passes delayed-demolition bill

More of Charlestons historic buildings could be spared from demolition after the City Council passed Tuesday evening a delayed-demolition ordinance.

The bill originated with the Strong Neighborhoods Task Force and outlines three levels of historic designation.

The first is a badge of honor that recognizes a buildings historical significance. The second allows for a 90-day stay of demolition for historically designated buildings. Community members can take those 90 days to work with developers to figure out an alternative use for the building. The Historic Landmarks Commission, which is charged with approving or denying nominations and stays of demolition, could waive the 90-day delay if a structure is found beyond repair.

The third level gives a structure a historic designation, allows for a demolition delay and requires a design review for any changes made.

Buildings that arent already on the national or local historic register at the time of proposed demolition wouldnt be covered under this ordinance.

The City Council has the final vote on whether a structure would be listed on the local historic register or not.

Councilman Joe Deneault announced at the end of Tuesdays meeting that there will be a community safety meeting held Thursday at Stonewall Jackson Middle School at 6:30 p.m.

The council also heard from retired Charleston Fire Chief Chuck Overstreet about sick days and accruals to be used toward OPEB health premiums for firefighters. Overstreet said firefighters have approached him since the city cut their sick days and said it feels like discrimination, because his department was the only one to experience cuts.

In the Fire Department, the only people that deal with sick people 24-7, 365 days a year they have to have a doctors excuse every time theyre sick, Overstreet said.

City Manager David Molgaard said the city decided in 2012 to parity firefighter sick leave with that of civilian employees. Firefighters now get one-and-a-quarter the number of sick days that regular employees get, Molgaard said.

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Charleston council passes delayed-demolition bill