Augusta Historic Preservation Commission approves series of COAs, extends earlier certificate

The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission on a regularly scheduled meeting extended a previously approved certificate of appropriateness and granted a string of conditional approvals for projects across the city.

Todd Kennedy of Planning and Development summarized agenda items before the commission, noting early in the meeting that COA-25-48 (previously approved Sept. 25, 2025) required a renewal because the six-month COA had lapsed. The commission voted to extend COA-25-48 for another six months to allow relocation of three cottages and demolition of an accessory building; the extension passed (six in favor, one abstain).

Staff recommended conditional approvals and the commission approved the following applications (motions and staff conditions as recorded):

Votes at a glance

- COA-25-48 (renewal for relocation of three cottages, Oldtown Historic District): approved — extension for six months (six yes, one abstain). (topicintro: SEG 124; topfinish: SEG 175)
- COA-26-16 (Encompass Health addition, 1355 Independence Drive): approved, staff-recommended conditions (permits/plan review). (SEG 276–370)
- COA-26-17 (2347 Walton Way, Lawrence Sweeney / Mooney Contracting): approved with conditions on materials and roofing specifications; commissioners asked for roof material specs before final sign-off. (SEG 376–761)
- COA-26-18 (1222 John's Road, Carrie Brady Hardy): approved with staff conditions (materials/permits). (SEG 763–925)
- Imperial Theater fencing (745 Broad Street): approved as conditioned to preserve egress and limit height to six feet. (SEG 929–1140)
- COA-26-20 (2544 Henry Street, demo of nonconforming element and new addition): approved with window and roof conditions. (SEG 1146–1343)
- COA-26-21 (122 James Brown Blvd, partial demolition to form pedestrian alley to Augusta Commons): approved subject to documentation and salvage recommendations from Historic Augusta. (SEG 1350–1610)
- COA-26-07 (new single-family infill at 1426 Arsenal Avenue): approved following a BZA variance for lot coverage (BCA26-10); staff conditions included siding profile. (SEG 1620–1812)
- COA-26-09 (119 Telfair Street, rear porch): commission approved the porch with drainage/cricket detail required; commissioners did not retroactively penalize the new owner for prior noncompliant work completed by a previous owner. (SEG 1818–2293)

Staff emphasized that every approval was conditional on obtaining all required permits and meeting the design and documentation items identified by Historic Augusta or staff. The meeting closed with a code-enforcement and process update and the commission noting a resignation by Commissioner Maria Hobbs. The commission adjourned at the end of the agenda period.

Ending: Staff will return with required plan details and permit documentation where noted, and several applicants were asked to provide final roof/window specifications or salvaged-material plans before final sign-off.