Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

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

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Matthew Benson, Committee Chairman

Richard Alsop, III, HLC Survey Committee Chairman

Louis H. Asbury, IV

Yolanda Johnson, HLC Vice-Chairman

Richard Mattson

Len Norman, HLC Chairman

Gray Newman, HLC Projects Committee Chairman

John Shurley

Lynn Weis

Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Mary Dominick, HLC Consultant

Visitors:

Allison Merriman, Tuscan Development

Rip Famis, Tuscan Development

John Beler, Tuscan Development

Ed McCoy, 1431 W. Morehead St., Grinnel

1. Chairman’s Report: Mr. Benson

Mr. Benson welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the agenda order. He said that the Grinnell property will be considered first.

2. Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill

Dr. Morrill said that he would discuss the properties as they are reviewed.

3. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness: Mr. Gray

Mr. Gray presented the proposed renovation plans for the Grinnell Building.

Mr. Gray said that the plan would involve an addition to the rear of the building, and that a new glass and steel foyer/corridor would be attached to the West side elevation. The owner, Mr. McCoy, was present to answer questions.

MR. SHURLEY PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. WEIS TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION AT ITS AUGUST 13, 2007, MEETING THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE GRINNELL/GENERAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY COMPLEX, 1431 WEST MOREHEAD STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED. ALL THE COMMITTEE PRESENT APPROVED THE MOTION EXCEPT FOR MR. NORMAN AND DR. MATTSON WHO OPPOSED THE MOTION.

The City of Charlotte has required that all proposals for the rehabilitation of the Johnston and Mecklenburg Mills in North Charlotte be reviewed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. The Design Review Committee will formulate a recommendation for four proposals. Each party had fifteen minutes to present a proposal. Tuscan Development, the Conformity Corporation, Winter Properties and Atlantic Properties presented proposed plans. The Committee discussed all presentations. The Design Review of the Historic Landmarks Commission adhered to four principles when evaluating prospective development concepts for the Johnston Mill property and the Mecklenburg Mill property as follows:

1. Any infill structures should be compatible in terms of massing and materials to the existing structures on the site.

2. The Mecklenburg Mill and the Johnson Mill should be preserved in their entirety, including the retention of the interior framing, ceiling and floor systems to the fullest extent feasible in terms of structural integrity.

3. The cotton warehouse/pavilion building should be preserved unless property boundary issues make the preservation of the building impossible.

4. The former dwelling on the property should be preserved in place with the understanding that it could be moved and sensitively placed on site at some future date.

MR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. SHURLEY TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PLANS FOR THE MECKLENBURG MILL AND THE JOHNSON MILL LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF EAST 36TH STREET AND NORTH DAVIDSON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., AS PRESENTED BY TUSCAN DEVELOPMENT, WINTER PROPERTIES AND ATLANTIC PROPERTIES AND TO OPPOSE THE PLAN PRESENTED BY THE CONFORMITY CORPORATION. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT APPROVED THE MOTION WITH MR. NORMAN AND MS. JOHNSON ABSTAINING IN THE VOTE.

Note: Mr. Benson, Committee Chairman, will send a letter to each developer explaining the Design Review Committee’s recommendations. Mr. Alsop had to leave the meeting shortly before the vote.

5. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition

The owner of the Robinson House, a designated historic landmark, has submitted a request for permission to demolish the house. Dr. Morrill reminded the Committee that the HLC cannot deny demolition of a designated historic landmark unless deed covenants are in place, such as those placed on properties bought and sold with revolving funds. The HLC can delay the demolition date 365 days. A previous COA was issued May 16, 2001, but was not acted on.

DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION ON AUGUST 13, 2007, THAT A CERTIFICATE OF DEMOLITION BE ISSUED FOR THE ROBINSON HOUSE, 8716 STEEL CREEK ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., DELAYING THE EFFECTIVE DATE 365 DAYS. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

There was no old or new business. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.