THE "GRAND MODELL"
WITH CERTAIN EARLY PLANTATION LINES

A PLATT OF CHARLES-TOWN

The original "grand modell" or city plan was made between
1670-80, probably before 1673. It was lost or destroyed, but
copies existed. The copy owned by the South Carolina Historical
Society was preserved by Gen. W. G. DeSaussure from among
papers marked for destruction at the City Hall. It is accompanied
by a list of landowners which is dated 1725, and entitled: "The
Numbers, Grants, and their Dates, Title Page where entered of
the Several Books, &c of the Town Lots of Land in Charles
Town." A copy of the platt of 1725 was made by the Hon. Henry
A. M. Smith for the *South Carolina Historical and Genealogical
Magazine*, Vol. IX.

134

THE ZONING ORDINANCE

THE ZONING ORDINANCE was adopted and put into operation in 1931. It was drawn up on a basis of a survey of the physical and economic aspects of the city and its buildings made in 1931. It provided for use districts, height and area districts, and an area designated as "Old and Historic," "for the preservation and protection of historic places and areas of historic interest." The Zoning Ordinance is administered by the City Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Engineer. A five member Board of Adjustment may be appealed to for interpretation of the ordinance, and the Board of Architectural Review passes on new construction and alterations in the "Old and Historic Area." When the ordinance was adopted its provision for the protection of historic and esthetic values attracted national attention. It was commended by Charles Henry Cheney of California as "one of the most forward advances in city planning work and architectural control that we have ever yet had in the country," and by Robert D. Kohn of New York, then president of the American Institute of Architects, as "the most progressive ordinance ever adopted in America." Editorial comment in the *Charleston Evening Post* characterized it thus: "It is a very difficult thing to order satisfactorily the growth of an old city, with all the settled ways and all the venerable landmarks it has acquired. The zoning plan which has been worked out after six months of intensive study and which is embodied in the ordinance now submitted for passage by City Council, has most happily disposed of much of this difficulty by following in the main the life lines of the community, recognizing established characteristics and instituting what might be almost called influences rather than regulations for the future to bring about a correction of departure from the true form of the community rather than to change it in any essential element."

The Board of Architectural Review which has under its special protection the area of the city designated as "Old and Historic" is to be credited with the greatest accomplishments of the commission. The Board has undoubtedly prevented many an architectural indiscretion in the years of great restoration activity in the old and historic area, and has exercised a wise and healthy influence upon would-be restorers. However, as illustrated by the accompanying maps, this area protects only some of the historic and valuable buildings of the community.

There is undoubtedly a lack of understanding on the part of the average citizen of the intentions of the Planning and Zoning Ordinance, and consequently there is frequently impatience and resentment of the restraint which it must sometimes necessarily exercise. If the members of the community as