Board approves demolition of damaged Palmetto Nutrition building after owner recounts truck collision and cleanup

The Florence City Design Review Board approved demolition of the remaining damaged structure at 291 West Palmetto Street after staff described collision damage and the owner outlined remediation and future redevelopment interest.

Staff said the building, the former Palmetto Nutrition Building, was built in 1940 and is about 1,400 square feet; an earlier collision required administrative removal of a damaged portico. The applicant's representative recused himself and the owner, Mark Law, spoke to the board. Law said the site has had wells and cleanup activity tied to an earlier environmental response and that engineers advised full removal because repair costs could exceed the building's value.

"When this thing was hit ... the truck was sitting underneath it ... and they pulled the truck out, and there were about 10 people in that thing," Law said, describing the collision and post-crash structural issues; he told the board he has received commercial and residential interest in redevelopment if the site is cleared. A board member recused from the case per the transcript. The board voted to approve demolition and staff said the certificate will be issued. The owner described potential mixed-use or residential redevelopment prospects; no final redevelopment plan was approved at the meeting.

The board's approval covers demolition only; any rebuilding will be subject to redevelopment-overlay design standards and applicable permitting.