The Aiken Planning Commission agreed Tuesday that the height requirement for downtown buildings should be increased; however, the members also agreed to continue discussing the item at a work session in May.
Interim Planning Director Roger LeDuc, who requested the item's discussion, said the Commission wanted to continue talking about whether that height limit should just be applied to the downtown area, or allowed in other zones within City limits.
The City has used its current height rule since the 1970s that no building be constructed higher than about 50 feet; but, with the recent announcement of one of the City's largest public-private parternships with local hotel owner Neel Shah, the City will need to change its ordinances on building height.
Shah is proposing to gut and revitalize Hotel Aiken on Richland Avenue, which will include building an addition to the hotel.
That six-floor addition will include queen- and king-size rooms, a dining area and a possible exercise room on the bottom floor.
LeDuc is requesting the current height ordinance be changed to 65 or 70 feet.
Other cities, including North Augusta, have no height limits for buildings. Other areas, including Sumter and Rock Hill, have height limits that are higher than 50 feet.
LeDuc said some Commission members also questioned whether a height change could carry any safety issues.
Commission member Bob Besley, formerly a Public Safety officer, told the Commission there shouldn't be safety issues, LeDuc said.
Changes to the height ordinance will be discussed during a work session May 12.
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.