Feb. 21—The leadership of the Aiken Design Review Board will not change this year.

The Design Review Board voted Tuesday evening to reelect McDonald Law as chairman, John McMichael as vice chairman and Planner Rebekah Seymour as secretary of the board.

Law was nominated by Ben Lott. Lott's nomination was seconded by McMichael.

Ahmad Mikell nominated McMichael.

McMichael nominated Seymour. His motion was seconded by Lott.

Luis Rinaldini, one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed to stop the since failed Project Pascalis, asked if the election of officers was subject to public comment.

Jim Holly, the board's attorney, said the election was an internal matter of the board and not subject to the city's public comment requirements.

Rinaldini has been critical of the reappointment of Law to the board on several occasions. He has said the plaintiffs in the lawsuit want to see that the city isn't going to continue with business as usual following the lawsuit and the failure of Project Pascalis.

Rinaldini spoke during another item to say he was not opposed to Law personally but objected to his appointment to the board and reelection as chairman because of his role in Project Pascalis.

He said Law's appointment to the board was invalid.

This was disputed by Holly.

The board also approved a request to remove a 1970s-era chimney from the home at 930 Grace Ave. S.E. and received an update from Economic Development Director Tim O'Briant on maintenance of the Hotel Aiken.

O'Briant said he was working with a team including historical preservationists Craig Bennett and Glenn Keyes. He added the team would have a more definitive plan for the board in March.

The board voted to continue an application to construct nine single-family residences at 1205 Park Ave. S.E., 1209 Park Ave. S.E. and 231 Berkeley St. S.E. to next month.

During the worksession, the board heard from Lara and Guy Riedel concerning a proposal to construct an eight-train car hotel at 616 Park Ave. S.E.