Design Review Board Meeting October 2, 2026

The City of Aiken Design Review Board’s October 2, 2026 meeting reviewed historic-property designations and certificates of appropriateness for private construction and alterations. No public procurement, contract awards, vendor selections, or government spending allocations were identified. The board approved a request to designate 120 Morgan Street NW as a contributing property and forward it to the Planning Commission; a request to designate 507 Sumter Street SE as non-contributing was moved forward for consideration at a future regular meeting. The board also approved replacement restaurant signage at 126 Laurens Street NW, including retroactive approval for an existing surfboard hours sign, and approved a replacement garage/storage structure at 326 Williamsburg Street SE and revised board-and-batten siding for the stables at 524 Coker Springs Road.

For a property with deteriorated buildings, the board unanimously approved demolition subject to no demolition beginning until a certificate of appropriateness for new construction is approved; the new-construction application was continued for 90 days so the applicant can submit fuller plans. The board also considered accessibility and site improvements at 120 Chesterfield Street S, including an ADA lift, concrete work, and a fountain; the transcript records a motion to approve the application as submitted but does not clearly capture the vote or outcome. The meeting discussed designation categories’ effect on administrative versus full-board review, and noted the city’s ordinance allowing a 20-year property-tax freeze under the Bailey Bill for qualifying improvements to preserved contributing or landmark properties.