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Director's Report November 11, 2002 ACTION ITEMS. 1. This is to inform you that the prospective buyers of the Gluyas House informed this office that they wished to move ahead with the purchase of the property before the Commission could hold its regular monthly meeting. In order for the Commission to consider exercising its right of first refusal, it would have had to hold a special meeting, because the window of opportunity was only 48 hours. I discussed this matter with the Chairman of the Commission and the Chairman of the Projects Committee. They advised me that they did not believe that a special meeting was warranted, because the new owners have demonstrated their sensitivity to historic structures. I believe it would be wise to put into place a procedure for dealing with rights of first refusal without having to call a special meeting of the Commission. I recommend that the Commission establish a procedure whereby it authorizes a committee composed of the HLC Chairman, the HLC Vice Chairman, and the Projects Committee Chairman, by majority vote to decide whether to exercise a right of first refusal to purchase a historic landmark on behalf of the Commission unless the full Commission is scheduled to meet within the time period available under the first right of refusal. B. INFORMATION ITEMS. 1. The joint public hearing with the Davidson Town Board for the designation of the Bradford House will occur Tuesday, November 12, 2002, in the Davidson Town Hall. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. A quorum of the Commission should be present. 2. The joint public hearing with the Charlotte City Council for the designation of the P. Connor and Harriet Lee House will occur Monday, November 18, 2002, in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. I will give you an estimate of the time via E-mail later in the week. A quorum of the Commission should be present. 3. The Huntersville Board of Commissioners will reschedule the joint public hearing for the Oehler and McAulay Houses. I will inform you of the date when it becomes available. 4. Discussions are on-going with officials of the Arts and Science Council with respect to the future status of the Carolina Theater. 5. Staff has continued to contact the attorney representing the owner of the Washam Farm. Hopefully, a meeting will be scheduled in the near future. The Commission might want to move forward with the designation of the Washam House, since the owner is in favor of designation. 6. Staff did talk with the Director of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. It is clear that Jerry Orr's influence concerning the entire issue of designation is paramount. The Carolinas Aviation Museum must maintain a most cordial relationship with the Airport. 7. Staff has had contact with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools about the prospective designation of the Parks Hutchinson School. School officials have informed staff that they will cooperate with historic landmark designation of the building. 8. Barwick Associates has signed the contract for the Palmer Fire School and is now in its due diligence period. 9. City Council designated the new site for the Grier-Rea House, and the Board of County Commissioners has approved the purchase of the site by the HLC. The house should be moved to the new site in the next few weeks. 10. Brian Turner, as directed by the Commission, is negotiating contracts with Yelverton Architects for the Grier-Rea House and with Copeland Architects for the Sidney and Ethel Grier House. 11. Staff has been investigating the status of Memorial Stadium. It is included in a list of possible sites for a new baseball stadium. Staff has visited the stadium and has determined that it retains its historic physical integrity. The Survey Committee will be considering this issue at its next meeting. 12. Staff has been contacted about the prospect of the Commission's sponsoring a study of a proposed local rural historic district in the Huntersville E.T.J. The study would be paid for by private parties. The Survey Committee will consider this issue at its next meeting. Respectfully submitted
Dr. Dan L. Morrill |
