Summerville, SC

Historic District / Board of Architectural Review

Historic District / Board of Architectural Review

Design Review Board

Town Council

The Summerville Town Council is holding a land use workshop to discuss and potentially amend the Unified Development Ordinance, review proposed design guidelines, and consider a draft Future Land Use Map. The council will also hold an executive session on contract negotiations and conduct a first reading of an ordinance to finance up to $2,275,000 for vehicles and equipment.

• First reading of ordinance for $2,275,000 lease-purchase financing of vehicles and equipment
• Discussion of UDO amendments: lot coverage, ADUs, restaurants in N-MX zoning, short-term rentals, non-conforming uses
• Presentation of draft Future Land Use Map by BCDCOG
• Executive session on Nash-Nexton development agreement, sale of town-owned property at Gum Street and Berlin G. Myers Parkway, and Public Safety Complex
• Discussion of proposed design guidelines changes

Planning Commission

The Summerville Planning Commission will hold public hearings and consider amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to add a new Section 4.7 on Public Art and delete Section 10.8.4 on Wall Murals, shifting mural review to the proposed Cultural Arts Commission. The commission will also approve minutes from the July 20 meeting and consider new street names as needed. The agenda includes no other substantive items.

• Public hearing on UDO Chapter 4 amendment to add Section 4.7 – Public Art
• Public hearing on UDO Chapter 10 amendment to delete Section 10.8.4 – Wall Murals
• Approval of minutes from July 20, 2026 meeting
• New street names (as needed)

Town Council

The Summerville Town Council will hold second and final readings on several ordinances, including establishing an Outdoor Entertainment District, annexing and rezoning 927 Central Avenue, and amending the noise ordinance. The council will also consider first readings on a museum lease, the 2026 Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review, a rezoning at 115 S. Magnolia Street, and a property conveyance to Dorchester County, plus resolutions on employee benefits and organizational structure. Several items are recommended for postponement until after an August 24 workshop.

• Second reading: ordinance to establish an Outdoor Entertainment District (replacing Section 16-5)
• Second reading: annex and rezone 927 Central Avenue (1.11 acres) to G-B General Business
• Second reading: amend noise ordinance (Chapter 12, Article II)
• First reading: lease agreement with Summerville-Dorchester Museum, Inc.
• First reading: adopt 2026 Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review (recommended to postpone)

Standing Committee

The Town of Summerville's standing committees will meet to discuss and recommend action on several items, including adopting the 2026 Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review, a rezoning request for 115 S. Magnolia Street, and multiple financial authorizations for vehicle purchases, grants, and a settlement payment. The Parks and Recreation and Public Safety committees have no meetings for August. The Finance Committee will also hold an executive session on contractual matters.

• Adoption of 2026 Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review (ordinance)
• Rezoning of 115 S. Magnolia St. from GR-2 to N-MX (Planning Commission recommends denial)
• Purchase orders: $82,285 to Life Scan Wellness Centers, $106,400 to Branner Emergency Vehicles, $149,972 to Shroader's Services
• Authorization to apply for FEMA BRIC grant ($361,200 federal share) and SC Undiscovered Tourism Grant ($51,667 share) for Hutchinson Square
• Authorization to spend up to $605,000 from Midtown TIF funds for Blythe claim on Maple Street project

The Planning and Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend postponing first reading of the 2026 Comprehensive Plan update and a rezoning request for 115 S. Magnolia Street until after an August 24 land use workshop. The Finance Committee approved several purchases, grants, and other items, including surplus vehicles, service weapons for retiring officers, purchase orders for equipment, and grant applications. No final decisions were made on the comprehensive plan or rezoning; they were only recommended for postponement.

• Recommended postponing Comprehensive Plan update and rezoning at 115 S. Magnolia St. until after Aug. 24 workshop (unanimous)
• Approved surplus of Streets Dept. vehicles SM-128 and S-73 (unanimous)
• Approved surplus of Police Dept. vehicles P262 and P303 (unanimous)
• Authorized presenting service weapons to retiring officers Axson and Daniele (unanimous)
• Approved $82,285 purchase order to Life Scan Wellness Centers for Fire Dept. physicals (unanimous)
• Approved $106,400 purchase order to Branner Emergency Vehicles for two Chevy Silverados (unanimous)
• Approved $149,972 purchase order to Shroader's Services for metal building (unanimous)
• Authorized applying for FEMA BRIC grant for backup generator at Public Safety Complex (unanimous)

Tree Protection Board

The Tree Protection Board will consider three applications to remove grand trees for development projects: 70 trees at 1020 W. Boundary St. for a warehouse, 81 trees on Old Trolley Rd. for townhomes, and 2 trees at 204 Weber Rd. Staff reports note concerns about grading impacts and expired approvals.

• 1020 W. Boundary St.: request to remove 70 trees for new warehouse and parking
• Old Trolley Rd. (TMS 161-00-00-108): request to remove 81 trees for townhome construction
• 204 Weber Rd.: request to remove 2 Loblolly pines (28-inch and 33-inch DBH)
• 111 Waring St. and 215 E. 4th North St. also listed on agenda
• Previous meeting minutes show 5-0 vote to deny removal of a pine tree at 307 Amberjack Way

Historic District / Board of Architectural Review

The Summerville Board of Architectural Review meets to decide on exterior modifications in the Historic District. Five property owners seek approval for porch screens, dormers, porch enclosures, rear additions, and a church demolition and new ministry center. The board also discussed updating demolition-notification guidelines.

• 321 S Laurel Ave — after-the-fact approval of front porch wood screens
• 311 Sumter Ave — request to add white fiber-cement dormer with 6-over-6 windows
• 108 Rutherford St — request to enclose rear wraparound porch with matching wood siding and 6-over-6 windows
• 401 S Magnolia St — request to build rear addition and detached two-car garage with two garage locations proposed
• 111 Waring St — St Paul’s Episcopal Church seeks approval to demolish Skardon Hall and conceptual approval of new Ministry Center design

Historic District / Board of Architectural Review

The Summerville Historic District Board of Architectural Review will hold a special meeting on August 3, 2026, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. This meeting is for educational purposes only and no decisions will be made. The board will conduct site tours to review proposed architectural changes at two locations.

• 111 Waring St — field trip to review campus building architectural style and proposed project scope
• 401 S. Magnolia St — field trip to review placement of proposed addition and garage

Design Review Board

The Design Review Board will evaluate several new construction projects, including apartment complexes and commercial sites. A primary focus is the preliminary site approval for a 288-unit apartment complex on Tupperway Drive.

• Vantage Apartments: Preliminary approval for a 288-unit multi-family development on Tupperway Drive
• 805 Bacons Bridge: Redevelopment for a new McDonald’s location
• 1120 Central Avenue: Buffer reduction request for new commercial use
• 725 Central Avenue: New construction of multi-building commercial development
• Fred Street Apartments and Lincoln Square: New construction of apartments and townhomes

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and consider a resolution to recommend Town Council adopt the Summerville: Our Town, Our Future Comprehensive Plan: 5-Year Review. The plan updates demographics, land use, and adds a resiliency element. The commission will also consider a request to rezone 115 S. Magnolia Street (0.67 acres) from GR-2 to N-MX.

• Public hearing on draft Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review
• Consideration of resolution to recommend adoption of Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review
• Request to rezone 115 S. Magnolia Street (0.67 acres) from GR-2 to N-MX
• Approval of minutes from June 15, 2026

The Planning Commission considered a rezoning request for 115 S. Magnolia Street from GR2 to NMX, submitted by Megan Dungan to continue operating Magnolia Inn. The request was denied, consistent with prior denials. The minutes include letters of support and opposition but no other substantive decisions.

• Denied rezoning of 115 S. Magnolia Street from GR2 to NMX (unanimous, per minutes)

Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will convene for public comment, approve previous minutes, and receive updates. New business includes discussing the Summerville Safety Action Plan update, a Bike Audit grant, the Stop as Yield law, and workflow for town projects. The committee also has upcoming events such as a US-17A public information meeting.

• Summerville Safety Action Plan update
• Bike/Walk Grant- Bike Audit
• Stop as Yield Law discussion
• Workflow for Town projects - Gary

Town Council

The Town Council and staff will travel to Greenville, SC to attend the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Annual Meeting from July 15‑19, 2026. The notice is required under the Freedom of Information Act because a quorum will be present. No votes or actions will be taken at the conference; any recommendations may be placed on a future agenda per town code.

• Attendance at Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency, 220 North Main Street, Greenville, SC, July 15‑19, 2026

Cultural Arts Commission

The Cultural Arts Commission will review a draft ordinance that would require new residential and commercial developments over certain thresholds to either install public art valued at 2% of construction costs or pay into a new public art fund. The commission will also discuss a Garden Club project and an "Adopt-a-Wall" mural program. No votes are scheduled; all items are for discussion only.

• Draft ordinance creating a Summerville Art Fund funded by a 2% set-aside from qualifying developments
• Exemption for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and senior citizen housing projects
• Requirements for public art to be durable, weather-resistant, and maintained for at least ten years
• Garden Club Project Discussion
• "Adopt-a-Wall" Mural Program Discussion

Town Council

The council will hold second and final readings on several ordinances, including establishing an Outdoor Entertainment District, rezoning 102 Pinewood Drive to Neighborhood Business, annexing and zoning two parcels on Pointer Drive and Wilson Drive as General Residential, and amending temporary use rules for road construction. First readings will consider annexing 927 Central Avenue for General Business zoning and amending the noise ordinance. The council will also consider taking over six streets (Cypress, South Oak, South Walnut, South Palmetto, South Laurel, South Pine) from SCDOT.

• Second reading: ordinance to establish an Outdoor Entertainment District
• Second reading: rezoning 102 Pinewood Drive (0.57 acres) from GR-5 to N-B (Neighborhood Business)
• Second reading: annexation and zoning of 0.44 acres on Pointer Drive as GR-5
• First reading: annexation and zoning of 927 Central Avenue (1.11 acres) as G-B (General Business)
• Consideration of taking over Cypress St, South Oak St, South Walnut St, South Palmetto St, South Laurel St, and South Pine St from SCDOT

Council voted to refuse the SCDOT's requirement to take over six specific streets as a condition for ownership of West Richardson Avenue. The council also postponed a vote on an Outdoor Entertainment District ordinance to allow for further feedback. Several rezoning and annexation ordinances received second and final readings.

• Refused SCDOT requirement to take over Cypress St, South Oak St, South Walnut St, South Palmetto St, South Laurel St, and South Pine St (Unanimous)
• Postponed second and final reading of Outdoor Entertainment District ordinance (Unanimous)
• Approved second and final reading for rezoning 102 Pinewood Drive to Neighborhood Business (Unanimous)
• Approved second and final reading for annexation and zoning of Pointer Drive to General Residential (Unanimous)
• Approved second and final reading for annexation and zoning of 228 Wilson Drive to General Residential (Unanimous)
• Approved second and final reading to amend UDO Chapter 3, Section 3.6 regarding road construction rights of way (Unanimous)
• Approved first reading for annexation and zoning of 927 Central Avenue to General Business (5-0)
• Approved first reading to amend Noise Ordinance (Unanimous)

Historic District / Board of Architectural Review

The Board of Architectural Review will hold a public hearing on three items: final approval for an ADU at 210 S Gum St, a new ADU at 125 E Richardson Ave, and a roof replacement at 208 Sumter Ave. The board will also discuss modifying the Historic District Design Guidelines for demolition notification to align with the UDO. Minutes from the June 2 meeting will be approved.

• 210 S Gum St: Final approval to convert garage into ADU with metal roof and wood siding
• 125 E Richardson Ave: New two-story, 1,216 sq ft ADU with carriage house style
• 208 Sumter Ave: Replace gray standing seam metal roof with Drexlume Mill finish
• Section 2.5 DEMOLITION: Proposed change to public notification criteria for Major Certificates of Appropriateness

Historic District / Board of Architectural Review

The Board of Architectural Review will consider final approval for a garage-to-ADU conversion at 210 S Gum St (continued from June), a new two-story ADU at 125 E Richardson Ave, and a roof replacement at 208 Sumter Ave. The board also plans to discuss a modification to the Historic District Design Guidelines Section 2.5 on demolition notification to align with UDO public notification criteria.

• Final approval for conversion of existing garage to ADU at 210 S Gum St, including roof pitch change and standing seam metal roof
• New two-story 1,216 SF ADU (carriage house) at 125 E Richardson Ave with one-bay garage and studio apartment
• Roof replacement at 208 Sumter Ave: replace gray standing seam metal roof with Drexlume Mill finish metal roof
• Proposed modification to Historic District Design Guidelines Section 2.5 Demolition to change public notification from newspaper ad to Town Hall/web posting
• Approval of minutes from June 2, 2026 meeting

The Board of Architectural Review approved a demolition request for a residence on E 4th South St and granted approvals for several renovations and additions. Decisions included conditional approvals for an ADU and window replacements, and a conceptual approval for a restaurant patio.

• Approved demolition of house at 214 E 4th South St (4-1)
• Approved outdoor kitchen and pavilion at 210 S Gum St; conditionally approved ADU pending revised elevations (5-0)
• Approved conceptual plans for Montreux Bar and Grill patio and access lane at 127 W Richardson Ave (5-0)
• Approved wood steps, railing, siding exposure, and gravel paving at 401 S Magnolia Ave (4-0)
• Approved pavilion and outdoor fireplace at 100 Marion Ave (5-0)
• Approved in-kind window replacements at 200 Salisbury Dr; conditionally approved bow window pending external grids (5-0)
• Approved May 5, 2026 minutes (5-0)

Tree Protection Board

The Tree Protection Board will hold a public hearing to decide on two applications for removal of grand trees: a 24-inch Loblolly pine at 307 Amberjack Way (to install a French drain) and a 35-inch Loblolly pine at 215 E. 4th North St. (allegedly leaning toward a church building). The board will also approve minutes from the June 8, 2026 meeting.

• Application to remove a 24-inch Loblolly pine at 307 Amberjack Way to install a French drain for stormwater runoff
• Application to remove a 35-inch Loblolly pine at 215 E. 4th North St., citing lean toward church structure
• Staff reports recommend approval with conditions or note tree health is good but cannot approve at staff level
• Approval of minutes from June 8, 2026 meeting

Standing Committee

Standing Committees will discuss land annexations and rezonings, including a proposed Planned Development District. The Finance Committee is reviewing two Dominion Energy purchase orders and a property purchase on Butler Street. Other items include noise ordinance amendments and street ownership transfers from SCDOT.

• Purchase order of $1,337,074.37 to Dominion Energy for Maple Street underground utility work
• Purchase order of $269,853.00 to Dominion Energy for Maple Street streetlights
• Annexation and zoning of 62.27 acres on Parsons Road and rezoning of 10.31 acres at 710 Central Avenue to PUD
• Annexation of 1.11 acres at 927 Central Avenue to be zoned G-B
• Proposed contract for the purchase of 168 Butler Street

The Finance Committee approved two purchase orders for Dominion Energy and a contract for the purchase of 168 Butler Street. Other committees postponed annexation requests or moved noise and road ordinances to the full Council for further discussion.

• Approved $1,337,074.37 purchase order to Dominion Energy for Maple Street underground utility work
• Approved $269,853.00 purchase order to Dominion Energy for Maple Street streetlights
• Approved contract for purchase of 168 Butler Street (contingent on Charleston County Greenbelt funds)
• Postponed annexation and rezoning of 62.27 acres on Parsons Road and 10.31 acres at 710 Central Avenue
• Moved proposed noise ordinance amendments to full Council for discussion
• Moved discussion on SCDOT road takeovers (Cypress, South Oak, South Walnut, South Palmetto, South Laurel, and South Pine St) to full Council
• Added annexation of 1.11 acres at 927 Central Avenue to Council agenda (5-0)

Design Review Board

The board will review a buffer exception appeal for townhomes at 821 Wassamassaw Road. Other items include a preliminary site layout review for Vantage Apartments on Tupperway Drive, a Schumacher Homes model development, and the Old Trolley Townhomes project.

• Buffer exception appeal: 821 Wassamassaw Road townhome development
• Preliminary site layout review: Vantage Apartments on Tupperway Drive
• New construction review: 360 Holiday Drive Schumacher Homes model/design center
• New construction review: Old Trolley Townhomes

The Design Review Board approved the fence design at 821 Wassamassaw Road, conditioned on the 15-foot landscape buffer meeting all ordinance requirements and a plan being submitted for staff review. The board also gave final approval to the Vantage Apartments early site package for the wetland staging connection. Two conceptual reviews—360 Holiday Drive and Old Trolley Road Townhomes—were discussed with no votes taken.

• Approved fence design at 821 Wassamassaw Road with condition that 15ft buffer meets ordinance (4-1, Irie opposed)
• Granted final approval for Vantage Apartments wetland staging connection (unanimous)
• Approved May draft minutes (unanimous)
• No vote on 360 Holiday Drive conceptual review
• No vote on Old Trolley Road Townhomes conceptual review

Design Review Board

The Board of Architectural Review is attending a training session that is publicly noticed because a quorum of the board will be present. No votes or decisions will be made at this meeting.

• Training for the Board of Architectural Review; DRB, BZA, and Planning Commission members may also attend
• No votes or action will be taken

Board of Zoning Appeals

This is a publicly noticed training session for the Board of Architectural Review, with members of the DRB, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Planning Commission also expected to attend. No votes or official actions will be taken at this training.

• Training only; no agenda items, public hearings, or decisions

Historic District / Board of Architectural Review

The Board of Architectural Review is holding a training session on June 16, 2026. No votes or official actions will be taken during this meeting.

• BAR training session

Planning Commission

This meeting is a training session for the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), with possible attendance from DRB, BZA, and Planning Commission. No votes or official action will be taken; it is solely for informational purposes.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and consider a petition to annex and rezone 927 Central Avenue (1.11 acres) from Dorchester County CG to Town G-B zoning. The property, formerly a Dollar General, is surrounded by town limits and identified as a priority annexation. The meeting will also include approval of previous minutes and new street names as needed.

• Public hearing and petition to annex TMS#136-12-04-056 (927 Central Ave, 1.11 acres) with requested zoning G-B
• Approval of minutes from May 18, 2026 meeting
• New street names to be considered as needed

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended that Town Council approve the annexation of a 1.11-acre property at 927 Central Avenue. The request includes rezoning the land from General Commercial to General Business.

• Approved May 18, 2026 meeting minutes
• Recommended approval to Council for annexation and G-B zoning of 927 Central Avenue (unanimous)

Town Council

The Summerville Town Council will hold second readings on several ordinances, including adopting the FY2026-2027 operating budget, amending development impact fees, and establishing an Outdoor Entertainment District. First readings include rezonings and annexations for multiple properties, and the council will consider memoranda of understanding for tactical medics, trail maintenance, and road maintenance. The meeting also includes public comment periods and an executive session on a lease matter.

• Second reading of ordinance to adopt FY2026-2027 operating budget.
• Second reading of ordinance to amend Chapter 20 – Development Impact Fees.
• Second reading of ordinance to establish an Outdoor Entertainment District.
• Second reading to rezone 727 Central Avenue from GR-5 to N-B (0.23 acres).
• First reading to annex and zone properties on Pointer Drive and Wilson Drive to GR-5.

Town Council approved the operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and passed several rezoning and annexation ordinances. A proposed ordinance to establish an Outdoor Entertainment District was postponed until the July meeting.

• Adopted operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
• Approved rezoning of 103 S. Magnolia Street to N-MX (Neighborhood Mixed-Use)
• Approved rezoning of 727 Central Avenue to N-B (Neighborhood Business)
• Postponed Outdoor Entertainment District ordinance until July meeting
• Approved annexation and zoning as Public Lands for 2.08 acres on Berlin G. Myers Parkway
• Approved amendment to Code of Ordinances Chapter 20 regarding Development Impact Fees
• Authorized MOU with Dorchester County EMS for SWAT tactical medics
• Approved first reading for rezoning of 102 Pinewood Drive to N-B

State Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee

The State Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee will meet to review and consider applications for the 2025 accommodations tax cycle. The committee will then make recommendations to Town Council. No specific applications or funding amounts are listed in the agenda.

• Review and consideration of 2025 accommodations tax applications

Standing Committee

Standing committees will discuss several property annexations and rezonings, including a 62.27-acre site on Parsons Road. The body will also consider a stormwater utility rate study and a partnership for trail maintenance.

• Annexation and zoning of 62.27 acres on Parsons Road to Planned Development District
• Rezoning of 10.31 acres at 710 Central Avenue to Planned Development District
• Purchase order of $139,100 with WSP for a Stormwater Utility Rate Study
• Memorandum of Understanding with Trident Off-Road Cycling Collective for Sawmill Ridge Trails
• Proposed downtown overlay district regarding property use

The Parks & Recreation Committee sent a proposed agreement with a cycling collective to full council. The Planning and Development Committee postponed two annexation and rezoning requests and sent UDO amendments to full council. The Public Safety Committee tabled a proposed noise ordinance change. The Public Works Committee sent three road maintenance and takeover items to full council.

• Sent cycling collective MOU to full council (unanimous)
• Postponed Glenn Segelken annexation/rezoning to July (unanimous)
• Sent UDO amendments to full council (unanimous)
• Tabled noise ordinance amendment (unanimous)
• Sent asphalt restoration request to full council (unanimous)
• Sent West Richardson Avenue takeover request to full council
• Sent West 2nd South Street takeover request to full council (unanimous)
• Sent Parsons Road development approval request to full council

Tree Protection Board

The Tree Protection Board approved the removal of one tree and a landscape plan for a development, while deferring another removal request pending a pool permit. The meeting also approved the minutes from the previous session.

• Approved removal of elm tree at 100 Newcastle Ct.
• Approved landscape plan for 6108 Pinckney Marsh Ln.
• Deferred tree removal at 105 Rosedale Ct. pending pool permit
• Approved minutes from May 11, 2026 meeting
• Approved removal of tree at 105 Egret Ln.

Historic District / Board of Architectural Review

The Board of Architectural Review will hold a public hearing and consider six new business items, including converting a garage into an ADU, renovating a commercial patio, demolishing a home for new construction, and three after-the-fact approvals. They will also approve minutes from the May 5, 2026 meeting.

• 210 S Gum St – Convert garage into ADU, replace roof, add siding, windows, door, bathroom, and outdoor kitchen pavilion.
• 127 W Richardson Ave – Renovate rear patio and access lane for Montreux Bar and Grill, convert driveway to courtyard, replace fence with masonry wall.
• 214 E 4th South St – Demolish existing cinder block home to construct a new home.
• 401 S Magnolia St – Add wood steps/railings, replace concrete walk with brick-lined gravel, remove vinyl siding to reveal wood siding.
• 200 Salisbury Dr – After-the-fact approval for window replacement done without permits; bow window replaced with picture windows, not in-kind.

Design Review Board

The Design Review Board will conduct a final review for a building addition at 407 N. Magnolia Street. Other items include reviews of a coffee shop, multi-family developments, and a redevelopment project. The board will also consider a request to replace an electronic message board sign.

• Addition to existing church at 407 N. Magnolia Street
• New construction of drive-thru coffee shop at 1320 N. Main Street
• Old Light Apartments multi-family/townhome development
• Vantage Apartments revised multi-family proposal
• Redevelopment of 500 N. Main Street (Phase 1)

The Design Review Board approved several projects, including a church addition, a drive-thru coffee shop, a multi-family development, and a sign replacement, all with conditions. A conceptual review for the Vantage Apartments phasing was discussed without a vote, and the 500 N. Main Street redevelopment was reviewed with design preferences noted.

• Approved 421 Old Trolley Road sign replacement (unanimous)
• Approved 407 N. Magnolia Street church addition with comments (unanimous)
• Conditionally approved 1320 N. Main Street coffee shop (unanimous)
• Approved Old Light Apartments/Townhomes with conditions (unanimous)
• No vote on Vantage Apartments conceptual review
• Reviewed 500 N. Main Street redevelopment; no vote taken