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Director's Report September 11, 2000 Action Items. 1. The Commission's Fiscal Year 2001 Budget contains $10,000 for administrative assistance for the Consulting Director, principally to be used in the areas of initial project overview, design review, education, and processing properties for historic landmark designation. There are currently two part-time consultants under contract -- Lara Ramsey and Marilyn Croteau. I have identified a potential third, Nathan Kellett, a student in the graduate public history program at UNCC. I hereby request a motion approving a contract for Mr. Kellett in the amount of $11 per hour as a part-time consultant. His services would be called upon as needed and within the parameters of the existing budget line. Staff Recommendation: Approve the Motion. 2. The owner of the John Milton Alexander House has expressed his opposition to the designation of the property as a historic landmark. On January 11, 1999, the Commission amended its policy to allow designation over owner opposition. I need direction as to whether the Commission wishes to move ahead with the designation process. The letter did not arrive until September 7th or after the regular monthly mailing, so the Commission might want to delay this decision until the October Meeting. Staff Recommendation: Terminate the Processing of the John Milton Alexander House for historic landmark designation. 3. The owner of the Thies House has expressed his opposition to the designation of the land associated with the house as a historic landmark but has stated that he will not oppose the designation of the exterior of the house. See the previous item to review the policies of the Commission regarding recommending property for designation as a historic landmark. Staff Recommendation: That the Commission move forward with processing the exterior of the house and the land for designation as a historic landmark. In my judgment, the proper does possess individual historic significance. The inclusion of the land is crucial to the protection of the setting of the house. 4. Patricia Nystrom has been able to work out an arrangement for the HLC's acquisition of an access easement to the Davis Properties land to the immediate west of the Alexander Plantation. Here is the arrangement. The HLC will pay the legal fees for acquiring the easement and for obtaining an appraisal for the value of the easement. Davis Properties will obtain a tax deduction for providing the easement, meaning that it will be granted to Mecklenburg County and then conveyed to the Commission. Staff Recommendation: Agree to pay the legal fees for the donation of the easement to Mecklenburg County and for an appraisal of the value of the easement. 5. The Historic Landmarks Commission has voted to recommend the designation of the Helms-Bell House as a historic landmark, including the grounds and the interior and the exterior of the original portion of the house. State Law mandates that the Division of Archives and History comment on prospective historic landmark designation. The Commission has received a letter regarding the Helms-Bell House. The comment is advisory. The letter questions whether the house has individual significance and whether it is prudent to include the designation of only a portion of the building. The issue before the Commission is whether it wishes to continue the designation process for the house. Staff Recommendation. The ultimate decision of whether you should recommend the property or any portion thereof for historic landmark designation rests with the Commission. The letter from Archives and History is advisory. The test is "individual significance." I believe the original portion of the house is individually significant, because it represents a rare survivor from the Caldwell St. section of the Dilworth neighborhood. Therefore, I believe that the Commission should continue the designation process and stand by its original recommendation. Information Items. 1. The joint public hearing with City Council to consider the historic landmark designation of the Nebel Knitting Mill Annex and the Textile Mill Supply Company will occur on October 18th during the regular meeting of the Charlotte City Council, which commences at 6 p.m.
2. Joe Grier, Jr. has contacted me about a structure which his family owns in Newell. He is interested in working with the Commission to develop a preservation strategy. Mr. Grier is interested in selling the property to the Commission. The issue is whether the property will qualify for historic landmark designation. In my judgment, if a portion of the house was originally a one-room schoolhouse for Newell, the property might qualify. If the Commission is interested in pursuing this matter, it would seem to me that two committees would be directly involved -- the Survey Committee and the Projects Committee. The Survey Committee will need to determine whether it should be processed for historic landmark designation. The Projects Committee will need to determine whether the property should be purchased. Mr. Grier told me that his family will tear the building down if a preservation solution is not found in the near future. Also, the house is presently open and unprotected..
3. Dorothy Coplon as contacted me about the status of the Grier Farm on McKee Road near its intersection with Tilley Morris Road in southern Mecklenburg County. Portrait Homes has filed a rezoning petition. I talked with members of the Planning staff who have told Portrait Homes to approach the Commission about a preservation strategy for the historic resources on the property. I will maintain contact with John Parker about this issue.
4. I received a telephone call from Wanda Towler, Assistant County Manager, within the last two weeks. She told me that Commissioner Bill James had sent an E-Mail inquiring about the status of the Rea House on Rea Road. The Historic Landmarks Commission approached the family over ten years ago about historic landmark designation for the house and the farm, which was largely intact at that time. The family did not support historic landmark designation. Recently Colony Road was extended just to the west of the house. The Division of Archives and History considered the impact of Colony Road upon the Rea House and determined that the house is not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. and Mrs. Rea have died, and the property is in the hands of their children. In my judgment, the Rea House is not a rural resource of the highest level of importance because of its compromised context. Also, I am virtually certain that the house will have to be moved to be saved. In this as in most cases it is the attitude of the owner that is crucial to whether a structure can be saved.
5. Lara Ramsey has been working hard on assembling the materials for processing the Helms-Bell House, the Textile Mill Supply Company, and the Nebel Knitting Mill Annex for historic landmark designation. Emily Ramsey has been doing the same for the Neely Slave Cemetery, the former Charlotte Post Office, and the John Milton Alexander House. 6. Jeff Brasher and I met with the owners of the Neely Slave Cemetery and Dr. Vernon Herron of Comprehensive Genealogical Services to discuss an on-going maintenance program for the cemetery. Discussions are on-going. 7. I am happy to report that the Commission is now the owner of the W. T. Alexander Plantation on Mallard Creek Church Road. Marilyn Croteau has been working hard to activate the alarm system, to have the house cleaned, and to make sure that yard maintenance is performed. The dismantling of the barn will begin this week. Patricia Nystrom continues to work on securing an access easement to the road to the west of the barn. 8. I have heard from Bob Blythe who represents the owners of the Oehler Farm. He stated that the owners are "learning toward another offer for the property." He stated that he would get in touch with me as soon as he gets authorization from the owner. 9. I am teaching my Introduction to Historic Preservation Course at UNCC this fall. The students will be doing reports on houses in the Myers Park neighborhood. 10. The Commission's offer to purchase the Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House (2100 Randolph Road) has been submitted to Tony Pressley, president of Historic Charlotte, Inc. He has acknowledged receipt and has informed me that no response should be expected until after the Board of Historic Charlotte meets on September 14, 2000. 11. Jeff Brasher, John Parker and I did meet with the Wesley Heights Neighborhood Association on Saturday, September 8th, to determine how the Commission might be involved in assisting the neighborhood. It was a most interesting and worthwhile session. 12. A. Bryan Turner will be joining the Engineering and Building Standards Department on October 4th. His principal responsibility will be to manage HLC Revolving Fund Projects. His main office will be in the Hal Marshall Center. Respectfully submitted,
Dan L. Morrill |
