Demo at Fort Johnson Rejected by Town BZA

The Town's BZA rejected the request by MUSC to demolish three historic structures at Fort Johnson.

This included what is called the "storage building" which is falling to pieces and a clear health and safety hazard.   MUSC provided substantial documentation of its dilapidated state, including an engineering report.

It also included the "warehouse" building.  While MUSC asserted that it is also a safety hazard and irreparable, they provided no documentation.   The engineering report made no mention of this second building.

Finally, it included  a cistern.   The cistern is not operable.   MUSC provided documentation that it has structural problems, including an engineering report.   No evaluation was made about how the cistern might be saved.  

Councilman Mullinax had suggested that a concrete cap might be used to save it. MUSC's representative said it already had a concrete cap but that it was not safe to stand on.   

The Town had proposed as conditions that MUSC implement the mitigation required by SHPO and also that they maintain the harbor master's house so that it will not fall into disrepair as did the other buildings.

At the BZA meeting, a member of the Board stated that they could either accept demolition of all of the buildings or none.  That was an error.   The BZA could have approved demolition of any or all of the buildings.

The vote was 3 to 2 against approving the demolition.   The conditions were not approved.   The potential agreement to maintain the harbor masters house does not apply.   All of the buildings at the site, including the harbor master's house, appear likely to continue to deteriorate.