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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING

January 30, 2008

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

Location: 2100 Randolph Rd., Charlotte, NC

Present:

Matthew Benson, Committee Chairman

Richard Mattson, Committee Vice-Chairman

Richard Alsop, III

Louis H. Asbury, IV

Victor Jones

Len Norman, HLC Chairman

John Shurley

Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Mary Dominick, HLC Consultant

Visitors:

Frank Quattrocchi, Home Federal Savings & Loan (architect for Shook Kelley)

AGENDA

Item #1 - Chairman’s Report: Mr. Benson

Mr. Benson welcomed everyone to the meeting

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

Dr. Morrill said that the Coffee Cup Restaurant is standing alone on a tract of land cleared by the Beazer Co. He said the media has reported that Beazer is leaving the Charlotte area. This might mean that since the Coffee Cup was designated historic, the Design Review Committee will probably be considering design issues for the structure in the near future.

Item #3 - Applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness: Mr. Gray

A. Home Federal Savings and Loan Building, 139 S. Tryon St.

Mr. Gray said that the applicant is proposing new signage for the Home Federal Savings and Loan Building. Design plans for signage for the Chima Brazilian Steak house, which will be on the building’s first floor, were presented. The signage is free standing and self supporting. It "frames" the entrance. Mr. Benson reminded Committee members that the Committee needs to follow the guidelines set by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The rules state that new additions to historic properties needs to be differentiated from the original structure but must also be compatible and reversible.

The Committee did not make a motion to approve the presented design plans and asked that new drawings showing smaller modified signage be presented for consideration at the HLC meeting on February 11, 2008.

B. Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House, 2100 Randolph Rd.

Plans were presented showing various options for an accessible ramp on the building, the site of the HLC office.

Mr. Alsop and his architectural firm were thanked for preparing several design plans, at no cost to the HLC, for a ramp to accommodate citizens who cannot use steps. The Committee discussed the situation and agreed that an exterior lift is not an option to consider but that a rear entry ramp can continue to be considered. Mr. Gray said that he will investigate further options and that the matter can be considered at the HLC meeting.

C. Walter Brem House, 211 East Blvd.

The owner of the house proposes to add a new fence around the front and rear of the property. The Historic Districts Commission has already approved the project. The Committee looked at the plans and agreed that the fence is not appropriate for the house. The Committee objected to the height and style of the fence and the fact that the old cement retaining wall in the front is to be removed.

MR. SHURLEY PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. JONES TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE WALTER BREM HOUSE, 211 EAST BOULEVARD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., NOT BE APPROVED. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Gray said that he would report the Committee’s decision to the Historic District Committee and to the applicant.

No old or new business was presented.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.