When developing a position on a proposed project that will affect a historic property or neighborhood, the Board of the Historic Aiken Foundation (HAF) considers two criteria:

• HAF’s purpose, which is to actively champion the protection, preservation, and appreciation of the historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of Aiken.
• The City of Aiken’s historic preservation ordinances and guidelines, developed over the course of 40 years with significant input from citizens and HAF.

If a proposed project achieves both of these, HAF will not oppose it. If it will not, HAF will use its internal and external resources to help owners and the City identify appropriate modifications that can achieve these criteria. This type of collaboration is often all that is needed to help a project move forward, and the HAF Board believes that supporting projects with constructive input leads to better historic preservation and is preferable to simply opposing projects. However, if an owner or the City continues to pursue a project that does not preserve Aiken’s historic character or does not follow those ordinances and guidelines, HAF will oppose the project.

This approach is the same whether the project involves an existing structure or new infill (new construction) in a historic district. Vacant lots do not contribute to historic character, and HAF welcomes infill in historic districts as long as it follows the City’s historic preservation ordinances and guidelines and respects the integrity of the district. HAF recognizes that the vitality of a historic area depends on appropriate development.

The HAF Board uses the same approach when developing positions on issues such as strategic planning or zoning revisions that will affect historic properties or historic districts

The HAF Board proactively discusses its purpose and these criteria. The Board encourages diverse opinions but asks Board members to make their public statements with respect to historic preservation consistent with HAF’s purpose and criteria.

Many projects raise issues that are important to the community, such as development outside the historic districts, but that are not connected to HAF’s mission. While HAF will not take a position based on such issues, we encourage citizens to be informed and make their views known to their elected officials.

HAF will post its Board-approved positions on specific current projects in this section of our website.  Official positions are only expressed by posting on this section of the HAF website, in written correspondence from the HAF President, or in public comments made by the HAF President specifically on behalf of the Board.  Any other statements by any party should be considered the personal opinion of that party.