1.  I have had discussions during the past month with the County Budget Department. The County has identified the Historic Landmarks Commission as a separate agency again, which means that the HLC’s budget will be examined independently from the Building Standards and Engineering Department. The HLC still receives 60 percent of its funding from demolition permit fees. There will be no betterments recommended by County staff for any agency. HLC staff will also have to recommend budget reductions equal to 5 percent and 10 percent of existing funding levels. I anticipate that I will recommend reductions in the budget for printing, since the website has allowed the Commission to function effectively at a reduced cost in this area. Also, the amount of money previously paid to Historic Charlotte for renting the Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House exceeds by several thousand dollars the amount the County spends to maintain this property.

2.  The issue of the Charlotte Carbarn continues to evolve. Pursuant to HLC’s vote at its January meeting, Bryan Turner and I are working on the Request For Board Action that will be submitted to the BOCC. The plan is to take this matter to the Board at its closed session on March 5^th. Jeff Davis of Charlotte Trolley, Inc. is attempting to persuade a majority of County Commissioners that reimbursement to the County will come from the City and the County trading assets on a ledger sheet. This is an entirely separate initiative from that undertaken by the Commission. Staff also submitted a request to the City for $3.9 million to restore the Carbarn.

3.  Matters are moving ahead with the Palmer Fire School. On February 5^th, the Board of County Commissioners approved the transfer of a portion of the property to the Historic Landmarks Commission. The only remaining hurdle is for the City to remove the restriction that the property must be used as a park. The City should vote on this matter on February 25^th.

4.  There have been several meetings concerning the Grier-Rea House. The owners of the property across Rea Road have agreed to donate a lot to the Commission. Bryan Turner will be discussing this matter with you. The essential issue is whether the Commission finds the suggested location of the house acceptable.

5.  The Town of Davidson is considering approaching the Commission to request that it again become active in designating properties within the town’s zoning jurisdiction. Davidson’s Historic Preservation Commission has apparently become inactive.

6.  Discussions with the Town of Huntersville about creating a rural historic district continue.

7.  Pursuant to a vote of the Commission, staff submitted a request for a Center City Survey Grant to the North Carolina Division of Archives and History.

8.  Bryan Turner has submitted a rezoning petition for the W. T. Alexander property; and Don Yelverton should be completing the documents for the restoration of the main house, the well house, and the garage/apartment in the very near future.

9.  A complication has arisen with respect to Building B of the Charlotte Cotton Mills. The State Historic Preservation Office is asking for additional information to prove that the building was once part of the Charlotte Cotton Mills. Staff is working to provide that information, so that the building can go on the Study List for the National Register of Historic Places.

10.  Staff anticipates that the Grier House will soon be sold to the Commission for the agreed upon price.

11.  Deborah Cox and I will be meeting on February 14th with Ron Tober about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the South Corridor Line and especially with respect to the impact of Light Rail upon the Vintage Trolley operation. 

Respectfully submitted,

Dan L. Morrill