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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

PROJECTS COMMITTEE MEETING

August 18, 2009

Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C.

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Present:

Bill Hobbs, Chair

Richard Alsop, III, HLC Chair

Louis Asbury, IV

Gray Newman

Lynn Weis

Stefan Pienkny

Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

AGENDA

Item #1 – Opening Comments: Mr. Hobbs welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Item #2 – Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill

Dr. Morrill reviewed the adopted guidelines of the HLC regarding the revolving fund projects as follows:

1. The Commission appreciates that each property possesses a unique character that suggests a variety of potential preservation strategies (all of which, to qualify for Commission consideration, must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for Rehabilitation.) In selecting a preservation strategy for a given property, the Commission shall seek to balance the objectives of historic preservation and recovery of investment, in an effort to preserve and enhance the revolving fund as one of its most important preservation tools.

2. As a general rule, the Commission shall restore buildings only to the level necessary to safeguard their physical integrity and to market them effectively for sale or other appropriate disposition.

3. The Commission recognizes that in-fill (the building of new structures) and adaptive reuse are legitimate preservation strategies and in appropriate circumstances shall encourage their use either through its own actions or through the actions of developers.

4. The Commission further recognizes that circumstances can exist in which the recovery of funds invested in a given project may not be assured. In such circumstances, the Commission shall endeavor to balance the objectives of historic preservation and fund preservation by applying the general rule that the greater the risk to recovery of invested funds from a given project the higher the standard that shall be applied in assessing the merits of the project under consideration.

Item #3 – Current Project Status Review

Mr. Gray, Mr. Turner, Ms. Nystrom and Dr. Morrill reviewed the current status of HLC projects:

a. Torrence-Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersivlle.

The HLC expects to acquire ownership of the property in the near future.

b. Rozzel House, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Road.  Mr. Gray reported that the tenant has vacated the rental house on the property.

DR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. ASBURY TO ASK T. R. LAWING COMPANY TO ASSESS WHAT CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE TO THE RENTAL HOUSE LOCATED ON THE ROZZEL HOUSE PROPERTY, 11647 ROZZELLES FERRY ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N.C., TO MAKE IT SUITABLE FOR RENTAL AND TO ESTABLISH A RENTAL RATE FOR THE HOUSE AND TO PRESENT THESE FIGURES TO THE HLC AT ITS SEPTEMBER 14TH MEETING. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

c.  Pineville Buildings at 316 and 330 Main St., Pineville.

The tenant lease is in hand for 330 Main St.  Savvy and Company continues to market the buildings for sale.  The HLC will paint the exteriors of the buildings in accordance with colors approved by Matthew Benson, Chair of the HLC's  Design Review Committee.

d. McQuay House, 3200 Tuckaseegee Road.  The HLC has sold the house and the adjoining lot.  The HLC still owns land to the rear which is zoned multi-family.

e. White Oak, 7729 Hood Road.  Mr. Gray reported CMUD will be constructing a trunk sewer line adjoining the property, that bids have been received for replacing the roof on the main house, and that a lawn mover is about to be purchased.

f.  Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence Road.  Mr. Gray reported that he had visited the property with a Building Inspector to determine what needs to be done to secure a Certificate of Occupancy for the house.  The house, because it has no C.O., does not qualify for a mortgage loan.  The house  has no bathroom and no kitchen and has no electric power.  Dr. Morrill reminded the Committee that the Grier-Rea project was not initiated by staff. Mr. Gray has asked a contractor to develop a scope of work necessary for a Certificate of Occupancy.  The Committee discussed whether the expenditure of additional money on the house would be prudent.

MR. ASBURY PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN TO DIRECT HLC STAFF TO OBTAIN COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR THE WORK THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A C.O. AND WHAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO DO A FULL RESTORATION OF GRIER-REA HOUSE, 7601 PROVIDENCE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N.C.   THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #4 – Discussion of Marketing Strategies for Property offered for sale by the HLC.

The Committee discussed the potential complexities with marketing its own properties.  A consensus emerged that Dr. Morrill and Ms. Nystrom should consult with staff of the Mingle Institute or other appropriate agency about this matter.

Item #5 – Old Business.

There was no old business.

Item #6 – New Business.

a.  Hennigan Place, 3503 Tilley Morris Road.

This property is currently being offered for sale.  Dr. Morrill announced that he and Mr. Alsop would visit the property at the conclusion of this meeting.

b.  McElroy House, 10915 Beatties Ford Road.

This property is currently being offered for sale.  Dr. Morrill stated that he anticipated that a communiqué would be forthcoming from the owner.

c.  Siloam Schoolhouse,  John Adams Road.  Dr. Morrill reported that the owner had made commitments to rehabilitate the schoolhouse. The building is currently in a dilapidated condition. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.