HPC Rejects COA Request

Toccoa’s Historic Preservation Commission rejects a Certificate of Appropriateness request for a downtown building.

Last week, the HPC considered Robert Crumley’s request to perform major exterior building renovations to the former Green’s Department Store at 26 Doyle Street.

Back in May, the HPC met with Crumley on the property and gave preliminary approval for Crumley to begin on exterior renovations with final approval on his COA to have been given in June provided that the building’s original footprint was maintained and a drawing of the proposed work was provided.

However, the HPC did not grant final approval in June.

At their June meeting, HPC members expressed concern that they had not been given a drawing far enough in advance of the meeting to study it.

Also in June, HPC members expressed reservations about some of Crumley’s plans for the facade and the bulkhead walls for the building.

Last week, HPC members continued to express reservations about Crumley’s proposal and say that his COA request to do the work was still not complete.

HPC Chair Thurston Estes says the board has bent over backwards for Crumley.

The HPC then rejected Crumley’s proposed COA and encouraged him to re-submit a new one for the work.

Work is not to move forward on the building without a COA because a building permit can not be given without the COA approved if the building is in the historic district, according to city officials.

Crumley was not at last week’s meeting, but is allowed to appeal the HPC’s decision to the City Commission.

He had not filed an appeal as of earlier this week.