Beaufort Historic District Foundation advocates for preservation during public hearing

The City of Beaufort held a meeting on December 19, 2024, to discuss an application related to property subdivision within the historic district. A significant focus of the meeting was the preservation of the district's integrity, as voiced by representatives from the Stuart Beaufort Foundation. They expressed strong concerns about the potential impact of subdividing properties on the historic fabric of the area, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the original grid pattern established in Beaufort's codes.

During the discussions, it was revealed that the historic district foundation was unaware of 14 previous subdivisions that had occurred without their knowledge. They indicated that had they been informed, they would have objected to those actions. The foundation's representatives stressed the need to protect the district from further fragmentation, warning that continued alterations could jeopardize its National Landmark status.

The applicant, Ms. Rogers, articulated her family's urgent need to subdivide the property to facilitate inheritance among heirs, particularly in light of health issues affecting family members. She requested to table the application to allow for a revised proposal that would better address the concerns raised during the meeting.

After deliberation, the board agreed to table the application until a revised submission could be presented. The decision was made unanimously, with the board members acknowledging the importance of ensuring that any future applications align with the preservation goals of the historic district.

In addition to the main topic, the meeting also touched on scheduling conflicts for future meetings, with discussions about potential changes to the calendar to avoid overlaps with other city events. The board plans to revisit these scheduling issues in their next meeting, where they will also conduct an election of officers.