| Director's Report 1. Beazer Homes has not contacted the Commission since they met with staff in mid-August about the future of the Coffee Cup Soda Grill. Staff assumed that Beazer would be returning with a specific preservation solution for the property. That has not occurred. Also, nobody has applied for any Certificates of Appropriateness on the property, including one for demolition. We await developments. Rumor has it that Beazer intends to sell the property.
2. Staff is concerned about the future of the William Newell House. The Commission approved on June 11th a Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition of the house but delayed its demolition for 365 days. It is clearly the most historic house in the Newell Community. Staff will be discussing the situation with the Projects Committee at its upcoming meeting.
3. Staff continues to work with Pineville officials on several issues. Staff met with Pineville Planners to review design concepts for the redevelopment of historic landmarks on the south side of Main Street. There will be a public hearing with the Town Board of Pineville at 6:30pm on October 9th to consider designation of the commercial buildings on the north side of Main Street. Staff hopes to identify commercial structures in Pineville for prospective purchase.
4. There will be a joint public hearing with the Town Board of Huntersville on November 5th at 6:30PM to consider the prospective designation of the McAuley Road and the Ranson House as a historic landmarks.
5. There will be a joint public hearing with the Town Board of Davidson on November 13th at 6:30PM to consider the prospective designation of the Davidson Colored School as a historic landmark.
6. Bryan Turner has been working to obtain a site plan that will accompany the application for a rezoning request for the Grier-Rea House. That process should be finished soon, and the rezoning request will be filed with the Planning Commission. Staff anticipates that office zoning will greatly facilitate selling the property. Bryan Turner is also consulting with the County Attorney to resolve outstanding issues with the contractor on the project.
7. The request to have the Torrence Lytle School Building conveyed from the County to the Historic Landmarks Commission will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners in October. This promises to be a most interesting project for the Commission. The building has been declared eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
8. Staff continues to work on advising the Projects Committee as to whether it would be feasible for the Commission to purchase the P&N Thrift Depot. Toward that end an appraisal of the approximate value of the property has been ordered.
9. Staff secured an appraisal of the McElroy House on Beatties Ford Road. The property is for sale, but the asking price for the property is substantially higher than the appraised value. Consequently, staff is waiting to see if the private market will produce a buyer who supports preservation. The owner has requested a copy of the appraisal. Pat Nystrom is checking with the County Attorney.
10. Bryan Turner has worked out an arrangement with the County to secure the materials upfront that Robert Schmitt needs to begin work on the Sidney&Ethel Grier House. Work should begin soon.
11. Stewart Gray continues to monitor the situation at White Oak Plantation. A tenant is now in the rental house. The swimming pool is clean. Lexie Longstreet continues to market the property.
12. Staff has been discussing the status of the Charlotte GM Fishbowl bus which the Commission has owned since 1992. CATS is currently restoring the bus and is developing a budget for putting it in full operational condition. At some point in the near future a determination will have to be made regarding potential uses for the bus.
13. Linda Kidd continues to market the Rozzel property. No offers have been received.
14. Stewart Gray will be working with Bryan Turner to secure bids for moving and restoring the McAuley House on the Huntersville-Concord Road.
15. Lynn Weis, Laurie Smith, and Yolanda Johnson will be serving on a committee to meet with Charlotte Trolley to discuss the future of Trolley Number One. This car was brought from Greece to Charlotte in the 1980s and was the centerpiece of a fundraising campaign to build support for a vintage trolley line in Charlotte. CATS has determined that the car will not be able to operate on the Light Rail Line in South End. Charlotte Trolley is considering seeking another location for the car to operate and maybe selling or leasing it to another city.
16. A graduate UNCC student will be serving as an intern for the Commission this Fall. His charge is to update the Commission's survey of modernist architecture in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. He will be working 9 hours per week for 15 weeks. As before, I request approval for a $1500 fee for the internship.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan L. Morrill
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