Commission approves well pump house and equipment for Mount Pleasant Water Works in 10 Mile Community

The Historic Preservation Commission voted Dec. 17 to approve a certificate of historic appropriateness for a 960-square-foot well pump house and 300 square feet of equipment pads linked to an existing Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) well on North Highway 17 in the 10 Mile Community Historic District.

Monica Eustace presented the project on behalf of the applicant and described the structure as a utilitarian colored CMU block building with a standing-seam metal roof. Monica said the project received conditional site-plan approval on Nov. 26, 2025, and that the pump house would be sited behind a 75-foot vegetative buffer along North Highway 17 and a 50-foot rear buffer. "The proposed site improvements are compatible with the historic cultural and architectural character of the 10 Mile Community Historic District as they will not be seen from the neighboring properties, from the road right of way, or from the driveway due to a 75-foot vegetative buffer," she said.

Tammy Huggins, the project engineer with Ardura Group, and Daniel Darby, the project manager with Mount Pleasant Water Works, answered commissioners' questions about lighting and roof color; Tammy said LEDs are for access and would not light the neighborhood, and Darby said roofing color choices can be adjusted prior to bid. Commissioners expressed support, noting the pump house is consistent with other utilitarian structures nearby, and the motion to approve with staff's standard condition carried.

Monica noted the special exception for major utility services had been granted earlier, and she recommended that any major changes return under the county's historic preservation ordinance.