Ride along East and West avenues in North Augusta and the homes fit right in with the decor of the downtown area.
On Butler Avenue the Edgefield Star and other homes show craftsmanship of a by-gone era. Even the unmistakable Rosemary and Lookaway halls at the fork of Georgia and Carolina avenues have become North Augusta's calling cards.
But if a buyer of any of the beloved North Augusta homes wants to raze the structure or extensively change the original construction, there's nothing in city ordinances to preserve the homes that create North Augusta's character.
The North Augusta Planning Commission will meet Thursday to discuss what other South Carolina cities have done to preserve historic properties and districts.
During the June planning commission meeting Skip Grkovic, economic and community development director, broke the news that there's no protection on any of the properties locals deem significant.
Both Rosemary and Lookaway halls and the Sesame Lodge, owned by Lynn Thompson, are on the National Register of Historic Places. While the distinction offers tax credits for owners, it doesn't protect the structure.
"A possible buyer could knock down the building," Grkovic said. "Many of us couldn't conceive that that could happen, but it has in the past."
Commission members said they want to look into not only protecting Rosemary and Lookaway halls, but other properties and neighborhoods, like East Avenue.
When Thompson purchased Sesame Lodge on West Avenue, she was the one who spent time plastering walls and ripping wiring, all the while keeping the intention of preserving the integrity of the original property.
"It takes a lot of love and a lot of blood, sweat and tears for restoration and beautification," she said.
"I've always been for historic preservation," Thompson said. "I think there needs to be guidelines of what you can do with historic properties."
Thompson said she'd like to see all of the original city limits of North Augusta included if an ordinance is established.
The South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office will be on hand Thursday to answer questions about financial incentives and how other cities have drawn up ordinances. South Carolina currently has 28 certified historic communities, including part of Aiken.
"It can be so positive for a community if they understand it," said Jennifer Satterthwaite, the state preservation outreach and local government coordinator.
Home values also have the potential to increase once an area receives a historic distinction, said Dan Elswick, the state preservation senior historic architecture consultant.
"It's important for owners to not assume it will keep them from doing what they want to do," he said.
Satterthwaite said if the commission pursues an ordinance, the process will take eight months to a year.
The first step would include surveying the city to see what properties or neighborhoods qualify for distinctions. Homes must be at least 50 years old to qualify under state guidelines.
Both Elswick and Satterthwaite said being a part of the discussion will only benefit homeowners and residents.
Reach Julia Sellers at julia.sellers@northaugustatoday.com.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: North Augusta planning Commission meeting discussion of historic property preservation
WHERE: Municipal building, 100 Georgia Ave.
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
GUESTS: South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office
