Document Type

Report

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Abstract

An Area Character Appraisal (ACA) is a tool in identifying key elements that define a community’s character with the goals of informing community members and future generations, community outreach, and perhaps most importantly guiding future development practices to preserve the character of the community. These documented elements include architectural character, typical lot sizes and coverage, building footprints, county zoning, and flood risk zones. This document can be used as a reference in future community planning for Charleston County, community representatives, and nonprofit organizations.

This ACA is part of a larger set of ACAs conducted under the supervision of Erin Mehard and Lucas Hernandez of Weston & Sampson with the help of Clemson University’s Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP) class of 2026 and professors Amalia Leifeste and Frank Ordia. This series of ACAs focuses on Gullah Geechee communities in the City of Charleston surrounding area and is made possible by the Gullah Geechee Heritage Preservation Project. “The Gullah Geechee Heritage Preservation Project is a multi-jurisdictional collaboration to support documentation, recognition and preservation of historic Gullah Geechee/African American Ancestral Communities and their significant historic and cultural sites” (Gullah Geechee Heritage Preservation Project).

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