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Director's Report December 9, 2002 Action Items. 1. The Historic Landmarks Commission has until December 16, 2002, to submit written comments on the Environmental Impact Statement for the South Corridor Light Rail Project.
The Executive Summary of the E.I.S. asserts that the project will have an impact on two historic resources, South 21 Drive-In Restaurant and Charlotte Streetcar No. 85, but that neither impact is adverse. Also, the document states that the Historic Landmarks Commission will be a consulting party for the design of future Light Rail Stations on the South Light Rail Project. Staff recommends that the Committee recommend to the HLC that it submit a written statement concurring with the information regarding historic resources and that it welcome the opportunity to serve as a consulting party for the design of future stations. Information Items. 1. I am happy to report that City Council approved historic landmark designation for the Lee House. An article will appear in the Charlotte Observer highlighting the significance of the house. This is an important step forward for the Commission, since it is the first Modern style house that has been designated as a historic landmark in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. I have always had the hope that one day the Commission would purchase and restore a Modern style structure, since that architectural motif is so endangered today because it has fallen out of aesthetic favor.
2. The Town Board of Davidson did approve the designation of the Bradford Farm as a historic landmark. This is another indication of the Commission's on-going commitment to the preservation of Mecklenburg County's fast disappearing rural landscape.
3. The Town Board of Huntersville has conducted a public hearing on the prospective designation of the Oehler House property and the McAuley House property as historic landmarks. Moreover, the Board has directed the Commission to consider recommending historic landmark designation for the entire tract, approximately 140 acres. Clearly, the preservation of rural landscape is important to the outlying towns of Mecklenburg County.
4. Negotiations regarding the prospective designation of the Washam Farm as a historic landmark continue. 5. Staff will have to submit its operations budget request to the County for Fiscal Year 2003-2004 in late January or early February. I have asked Committee Chairpersons to consider what additions in terms of programming he or she would recommend. The Finance Committee will meet on December 11th to consider a budget recommendation for presentation to the Commission at its January 13th meeting. Historic Charlotte has expressed an interest in entering into a contract with the Commission to further the preservation of African American resources and to coordinate the establishment of educational programming at the Davidson Schoolhouse at Rural Hill. 6. Staff has been busily at work reconfiguring the website. All parts of the site are now under HLC staff control. It is a work in progress. 7. The owner of the Hayes Byrum House and Store in Steele Creek has approached staff about the prospect of submitting a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the house. I suggested a variety of preservation approaches. I do not know what will be forthcoming. Respectfully submitted
Dan L. Morrill |
