CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — A quiet shift in Charleston’s zoning rules may soon make it easier for residents in some of the city’s most historic neighborhoods to update their homes while still preserving the character that defines them.
A walk through Wagener Terrace, North Central or Hampton Park shows blocks of century-old architecture that reflect generations of history. With that history comes layers of oversight; many homeowners say those restrictions have created challenges when trying to renovate. That frustration led residents to push for a change.
Before the City Council approved the update last month, the Board of Architectural Review, which works to protect the city’s architectural character, could only weigh in on proposed demolitions of structures 50 years or older in the area between Line and Mount Pleasant Streets. The board had no authority to review full renovation plans, leaving it to evaluate major requests without seeing what homeowners hoped to build in return…