New panel to target revitalizing city's Northwest Quadrant

Rather than pulling demolition approval powers from the Historic District Review Board, the Beaufort City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to form a commission to come up with a revitalization plan for the Northwest Quadrant.

The seven-person committee will be made up of representatives from the Historic Beaufort Foundation, the Beaufort Redevelopment Commission, residents of the Northwest Quadrant and the Historic District Review Board. Members will report back to the Beaufort City Council in 120 days to identify problems in the Northwest Quadrant and make suggestions on how to fix them.

An ordinance that would have given the city final say in knocking down 24 homes that are on the city's vacant and abandoned property list was scheduled for a first reading during the City Council's Tuesday meeting. It was tabled after nine residents and representatives from two Beaufort historical foundations said the ordinance was a bad idea.

Many of the homes on the list are in the Historic District, where the Historic District Review Board approves all demolitions.

"It's not clear to me why you need to change the process," said Conway Ivy, who lives on King Street. He was also worried that the words "historic preservation" were not in the language of the ordinance.

John Gadson, the Historic District Review Board chairman, said the board needs to retain demolition approval powers because members ask for plans for a replacement structure when a homeowner applies for demolition to help preserve the area's historical character.

"The essence of what Beaufort is (is) its history," he said.

Jay Weidner, another review board member, told the City Council that it shouldn't have the power to identify homes that they think need to come down, apply for the demolition and subsequently approve it.

Jeffrey Pollock, a Beaufort resident, was the only person who spoke in favor the ordinance. He said that because the city applies for grants to fix the homes, it should have say over what comes down and what goes up.

Gadson and Evan Thompson, executive director of the Historic Beaufort Foundation, said they were relieved the ordinance didn't pass the first reading.

"The result was the right one," Thompson said. "We have to find a way to preserve historical houses."

No residents who live in the Northwest Quadrant attended the meeting.

Beaufort City Council members decided to take up the demolition ordinance during a work session last week. They said they were frustrated with the demolition approval process.

"It's our responsibility to stand this neighborhood up," said Councilman Mike Sutton.

Council members said there is a bigger issue beyond the demolition ordinance: What to do with the many empty or deteriorating homes in the Northwest Quadrant. Members want to balance preserving that neighborhood's historical integrity and revitalizing it. City Council members see that area as one of the only places the city can grow and expand its tax base.

"We see areas in the city, especially in the Northwest Quadrant, that need help," said Councilman Mike McFee.