Amendment To The B.A.R. Process Benefits Homeowners

📷 $750K Body-Worn Camera Upgrade Approved
The City of Charleston Ad Hoc Budget Committee discussed a planned $750,000 investment in upgraded body-worn camera equipment for the police department. This funding is included in the base budget rather than tied to a specific grant or one-time allocation. The upgrade aims to modernize equipment, improve evidence quality, and reduce maintenance issues. It reflects the city’s ongoing push for transparency and reliable documentation.

🚌 City Moves Toward Banning Large Motor Coach Buses South of Broad
One major topic at the City of Charleston Traffic & Transportation meeting was whether to restrict large motor coach buses south of Broad Street. Staff cited repeated incidents of buses getting stuck, damaging historic oak trees, and blocking narrow streets. The committee agreed to gather input from the tourism and motor coach industries and asked legal staff to begin reviewing ordinance options.

🌳 Daniel Island Developer Donates 62 Acres to the City
One of the largest surprises from the 10/27/25 Real Estate meeting was the offer from the Daniel Island Development Company to donate roughly 62 acres of land to the city. These parcels sit beside existing city-leased recreation fields and include both wetlands and park-zoned areas. The donation must close before year-end, and the committee voted to move forward immediately. Members praised the generosity of the Brumley family and discussed future park and field uses.

🚒 JIPSD Fire Station 4 Deemed Beyond Repair
At the JIPSD Fire Commission Meeting on October 27, 2025, architects reported that Fire Station 4 is no longer suitable for renovation due to age, flood-zone issues, and structural deterioration. One support column in the apparatus bay has rusted so severely it no longer touches the ground, prompting major safety concerns. The building, constructed in 1981, has exceeded its expected lifespan by more than double. Replacement, not repair, was formally recommended.

🎭 Arts Funding Boost for Piccolo and MOJA
During the City of Charleston Committee on Ways and Means meeting on 10/28/25, council voted to accept an amended $42,500 grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission. The funds will support both the Piccolo Spoleto and MOJA Arts Festival. The item passed with no discussion and unanimous approval.

🏋️ John’s Island Rec Center Moves Forward With Design Work
The committee approved a $25,000 fee amendment for design work at the Johns Island Recreation Center. The amendment, handled through LS3P Associates, supports ongoing planning and upgrades for the facility. The motion passed smoothly without opposition.

🏊 WL Stevens Aquatic Center Continues Progress
Council also approved another $25,000 LS3P fee amendment—this time for the WL Stevens Aquatic Center, playground, and recreation center. This keeps planning and design work on track for the major community project. The item moved through the committee unanimously.

11 Saint Michaels Alley - This 295-year-old carriage house turned single-family home South of Broad is a must-see. Thoughtfully renovated with tons of charm.

2 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1792 sqft | $1,995,000

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The City Council recently advanced a significant amendment concerning the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), referred to as item five, which impacts the BAR’s historic materials demolition district in the Upper Peninsula. This new ordinance aims to address existing challenges faced by both residents and the BAR when evaluating demolition requests.

This amendment did not originate from the city staff alone; it was developed at the request of several prominent neighborhoods located in the upper peninsula. Specifically, Wagner Terrace, Hampton Park Terrace, and North Central sent a letter to the city expressing their interest in amending the code. Neighborhood leaders, including the President of the North Central Neighborhood Association, noted that they had previously witnessed families who wanted to make modest changes to their homes but were unable to do so because the BAR lacked the authority (purview) over what would replace the demolished structure.

The core issue the amendment addresses is that the BAR’s current purview in the historic materials demolition district is restricted solely to demolition applications. This restriction has often given some members of the board "pause" when they wished to grant a partial demolition because they did not know what would come after.

The new provision allows applicants seeking demolition approval to voluntarily submit their plans for the proposed new structure, addition, or change.

Key characteristics of this submission process include:

The amendment garnered very strong support from both local neighborhood associations and preservation organizations. The Planning Commission also recommended its approval.

Advocacy groups stated that this amendment is a "win-win" for both residents and the BAR. Proponents argue that the creative amendment will accomplish several goals:

The President of the North Central Neighborhood Association highlighted that the collaborative effort between neighborhoods, city council members, and advocacy groups solves a lot of problems and is quite invigorating.

During the public hearing, one speaker opposed the measure, calling it "voluntary in name only". The speaker referenced a previous BAR review where the board reportedly rejected an application because they were unable to see what the subsequent plans were.

Council Member Bowen also expressed skepticism, noting difficulty in understanding the problem being solved. Bowen stated concern that the BAR was seemingly not approving demolitions because they lacked purview over the replacements. In this council member’s opinion, if the BAR is playing this "game," the solution should be to give them less purview, not more.

Council Member Gregory countered this concern, emphasizing that the distinction is that the inclusion of replacement plans is entirely voluntary.

The new BAR amendment was approved by City Council after the motion for the third reading of the ordinance (Item 5) carried, with Council Member Bowen casting the sole opposing vote.

1182 Folly Rd A, B, C, D, Charleston, SC 29412

8 beds | 4 baths | 3000 sqft

$999,000

Rare opportunity to own 2 income-producing brick duplexes (8 beds / 4 baths) on prime Folly Road frontage, minutes to Folly Beach and downtown.

Highlights:

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I decided to switch things up a little this week. There are so many things that go through city/county council and committee meetings that might not need a full breakdown, but are still important and interesting. So instead of the “Around Charleston” section that I would put 3-4 headlines in, I want to put in more value for you to be a more well-informed citizen. So I wanted to test out putting snippets from the week’s meetings. I’m going to try it for a few weeks, see how it goes, and then maybe take it to a vote from you, the reader, to see which direction we go in the future. These quick stories make it so I don’t have to link out from the newsletter, making reading much easier for you!

-Bill Olson

If you're looking to buy or sell a home in Charleston, Bill Olson & Pirate Properties can help you. We’re fast, friendly, knowledgeable, and fun to work with. We’ve helped hundreds of clients in real estate. Click below and start viewing what's available in Charleston today, calculate your home’s value, or schedule a no-obligation, no-pressure discovery call.

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