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Design Review -
A tool to preserve historic areas and to protect architectural heritage.
Seneca's Design Review Ordinance allows the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) to designate properties in the city as local historic districts, landmarks, and design review districts. This designation is based upon criteria outlined within the ordinance. This criteria allows the designation of structures and properties which have particular architectural or historic significance in the city's history. A key criteria in the ordinance is the designation of an area which "Individually, or as a collection of resources, embodies distinquishing characteristics of type, style, period or specimen in architecture..."
What are the benefits?
- Protects and preserves a community's significant historic properties and areas through a design review process.
- Protects the historic character and quality of the district with specific standards.
- Designates historic areas on the basis of local criteria and local procedures.
- Stabilization and improvement of property values.
- Does not restrict the use to which the property is put in the district or require property owners to make improvements to their property.
- Does not affect federal, state or local government activities.
- Provides review for proposed demolitions.
- Encourages tourism and local economy.
How does the process work?
If your property is located within a Historic Design Review District and you are planning to...
- Repair or alter a building, structure, or dwelling;
- Construct a building, structure, or dwelling;
- Removal or demolition of a building, structure, or dwelling;
- Moving a building, structure, or dwelling; or
- Adding to an existing building, structure, or dwelling.
Steps to Obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
Step 1: Does the proposed work require a COA?
- A COA is required for any construction, alteration, demolition, or removal of any district or landmark buildings, or structures which requires a building or demolition permit such as additions, demolitions, or moving of buildings.
- A COA is required for any construction, alteration, demolition or removal of structure(s) or appurtenances which would affect the exterior architectural appearance of a property but does not require a building permit.
- A COA is required for major maintenance , such as painting surfaces, porch repair, window and door repair and masonry repair.
- COA's are not required for: Minor maintenance, exterior paint colors, installation of plant materials, and or interior changes.
Step 2: Pre-Application Meeting
Expectations of applicant are:
- Complete an application for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).
- Schedule a pre-application appointment with the Planning & Development Department staff at 864-885-2726.
- Bring to appointment a site plan (if available) indicating the footprint & scale of project and any other information regarding the proposal that would be beneficial.
Expectations of Staff are:
- Review proposed site plan (when available).
- Inform and advise applicant when the proposed action varies from the Design Review Guidelines and would require a Board of Architectural Review (BAR) hearing as prescribed in the South Carolina Code §6-29-870 for the City of Seneca.
- Inform applicant of the regular meeting schedule for the BAR meetings (fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted) and deadline for application submissions.
- Inform applicant of the need for relevant documentation (e.g., photographs, situation plat map or site plan, drawings, material specifications, etc.) to support the proposed action(s).
- Inform applicant that the design review process is a separate function than that of permitting. In the event that action for new construction, remodel or renovation, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and or demolition was proposed it would be necessary to obtain a permit.
- Once a property owner has completed a COA application, a post application meeting with the city staff at the Planning Office is recommended. If the work requires a review by the BAR, the application will be scheduled for the next regular meeting of the BAR (4th Monday of each month at 6:00 pm at City Hall).
Step 3: Obtaining Permits (when applicable)
- Once a COA has been approved, and if a building permit is required for your project, it can be obtained at the Planning and Development Office - City Hall.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if any work to the street visble exterior of the structure occurs prior to the issuance of a COA, a Stop-Work order may be issued. If the violation continues, a property owener may be cited to appear in court. Fines up to $500.00 each day a violation exists may be imposed.
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