October 9, 2006

Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C.

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.

Mr. Richard Alsop, III/Mayor, Survey Committee Chairman

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Committee Chairman

Mr. William T. Hobbs/County, White Oak Committee Chairman

Ms. Yolanda Johnson/City, HLC Vice-Chairman, Projects Com. Chairman

Mr. Joseph B. C. Kluttz, III/County

Ms. Valerie Lewis/City, HLC Secretary, Education Liaison

Dr. Richard L. Mattson/County, Survey Committee Vice-Chairman

Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Vice-Chairman

Mr. Len Norman/County, HLC Chairman

Mr. Lynn Weis/City

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Ms. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Absent:

Ms. Yolanda D. Law/County, HLC Treasurer

Ms. Laura C. Smith/City, Nominating Committee Chairman

Ms. Ruth Faye Griffin, UNCC Student

Mr. Jade Eastridge, Beazer Homes, 914 S. Clarkson(Coffee Cup)

Mr. Brian Sigmon, Turnbull-Sigmon Design (Coffee Cup)

Mr. David Richards, UNCC Student

Mr. David Dorsch, Colliers-Pinkard

Mr. Brad Gron, Colliers-Pinkard

Mr. Bou Rojahn, Projects

MR. ALSOP PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT THE MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 11, 2006, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Mr. Norman

Mr. Norman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He said that attendance reports can be found at each seat. He asked Commissioners to check the reports and to report any errors to Ms. Morrill.

Mr. Norman reported that a public hearing will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006, at 6:00 p.m., to consider the prospective designations of additional portions of White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Road, Charlotte, N. C., and the City House located at 500 E. Kingston Ave., Charlotte, N. C.

Mr. Norman reported that there was a fine turnout at Historic Charlotte’s event at the Charlotte Cotton Mills on October 4, 2006. He said that the Cotton Mills looked good. Mr. Turner and Ms. Nystrom were thanked for donating their time and expertise to the event.

Item #3 - Director’s Report: Dan Morrill

Dr. Morrill reported that attendees to the annual meeting of Preservation North Carolina in Wilmington this past weekend contributed to the Commission’s Certified Local Government education requirements. Mr. Gray and Mr. Weis attended on behalf of the HLC. Dr. Morrill requested that the attendees be reimbursed up to $250.00 each for documented expenses resulting from attendance at the event.

MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT HLC ATTENDEES AT THE PRESERVATION N. C. MEETING IN WILMINGTON BE REIMBURSED UP TO $250.00 EACH FOR DOCUMENTED EXPENSES RESULTING FROM ATTENDANCE AT THE EVENT. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill said that prospective tenants for White Oak Plantation and a tenant for the Rozzel property will need consideration in Executive Session later in the meeting.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Matthews Town Board did designate the Massey Clark House, 232 N. Trade St., Matthews, N. C., as a historic landmark on September 25, 2006. Dr. Morrill said that the comment letter from the N. C. Division of Archives and History was not received within the time limit allowed by State statue, so staff proceeded with the joint public hearing. The letter, when received, questioned the physical historical integrity of the house. HLC Staff will make the Town of Matthews aware of this comment and will urge the Town to take the comments into account when moving ahead with the preservation of the house.

Dr. Morrill reported that in addition to the public hearing at 6 p.m. with City Council on Oct. 18, 2006 for White Oak and the City House, that a public hearing in scheduled for 7:00 p.m., November 14, 2006, with the Davidson Town Board to consider four properties for historic designation.

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC has received its first rent check for parking spaces at Grace A.M.E. Zion Church. The money is being deposited into the HLC’s revolving fund.

Dr. Morrill reported that vandalism is occurring at the Rozzel House, which has been listed with Ms. Linda Kidd, a realtor familiar with the area. Dr. Morrill said that alarm systems are to be installed on both houses on the property.

Dr. Morrill reported that considerable time has been spent during the past few weeks assisting with the upcoming purchase of White Oak Plantation. Dr. Morrill said that he, Mr. Hobbs and Ms. Morrill spent several hours Sunday afternoon (yesterday) photographing the interior of the house and guest house.

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC Staff continues to work with the prospective purchasers of the Oehler House and space in the Charlotte Cotton Mills.

Dr. Morrill reported that Mr. Norman, Mr. Benson, Mr. Gray and he met recently with the owners of the Coffee Cup to discuss possible preservation solutions.

Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Mr. Benson

Mr. Benson reported that the Design Review Committee will meet Wednesday, October 25, at 8:00 a.m., at the HLC office, 2100 Randolph Road.

Item #5 - Projects Committee Report: Ms. Johnson

Ms. Johnson reported that Projects Committee business will be handled later in the meeting in Executive Session.

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Alsop, III

Mr. Alsop reported that the Survey Committee met September 26, 2006. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

Mr. Alsop reported that the Committee reviewed HLC Staff’s recommendation regarding the preparation of Survey and Research Reports on representative gasoline station in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Owners have been contacted, and none has expressed direct opposition to historic landmarks designation.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE NOTEWORTHY ROADSIDE ARCHITECTURE (GAS STATIONS) LOCATED AT N. TRYON STREET (OBLONG BOX MODERN), 4731 CENTRAL AVE. (BOX EXAGGERATED), 5401 WILKINSON BLVD. (HOUSE AND BAY), 5315 WILKINSON BLVD. (HOUSE AND CANOPY), WILKINSON BLVD. (HOUSE AND CANOPY), 4733 MONROE ROAD (COTTAGE STYLE), 1501 CENTRAL AVE. (COTTAGE STYLE), AND MAIN ST., DAVIDSON (COTTAGE STYLE) BE PUT ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST, AND THAT THE HLC AUTHORIZE PAYMENT FOR THE PREPARATION OF A THEMATIC SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Alsop said that the Survey Committee agreed with HLC Staff that a more in-depth study of the history of White Oak Plantation is needed, especially since the HLC plans to purchase the property October 19, 2006.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION FUND AN UPDATE ON THE HISTORY OF WHITE OAK PLANTATION, 7729 HOOD ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES BY PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST:

1) WHITLEY HOUSE, 8407 WOODFORD BRIDGE DRIVE, HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. 2) MYRTLE APARTMENTS, 1121 MYRTLE AVE., CHARLOTTE, N. C. 3) RANSON HOUSE, 412 OLD STATESVILLE ROAD, HUNTERSVILLE, N. C. 4) CURRIE HOUSE, 559 NORTH MAIN ST., DAVIDSON, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Alsop reported that the Survey Committee considered the Coffee Cup Restaurant, 914 Clarkson St., Charlotte, at the meeting. He said that a motion was approved to process the property for historic designation.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE COFFEE CUP RESTAURANT, 914 CLARKSON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION.

Note: Since the Survey Committee meeting representatives,(present this evening,) of the owners of the Coffee Cup have met with HLC representatives and request that the HLC consider delaying a recommendation for one month in order that a possible solution can be worked out to preserve the building. They assure the HLC that they will not demolish nor remove any of the structure’s original fabric during this time period.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A SUBSTITUTE MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION DELAY THE CONSIDERATION OF THE COFFEE CUP RESTAURANT, 914 CLARKSON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., FOR PROCESSING FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION, UNTIL THE HLC MEETS NOVEMBER 13, 2006. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: ABSTAIN: KLUTTZ, NEWMAN FAVOR: BENSON, HOBBS, JOHNSON, LEWIS, MATTSON, NORMAN OPPOSE: ALSOP, WEIS.

The Historic Landmarks Commission owns two GM "New Look" Buses which are eligible for consideration for designation as historic landmarks.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE TWO GM BUSES WHICH THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION OWNS BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARKS DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #7 - Education Liaison: Ms. Lewis

Ms. Lewis reiterated Mr. Norman’s comments that Historic Charlotte’s event on October 4, 2006, at the Charlotte Cotton Mills, owned by the HLC, was a fabulous success enjoyed by all.

Item #8 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Law

Mr. Turner distributed a financial report concerning the status of the HLC’s Revolving Fund. Mr. Turner reported that the County approved requested funds from the Revolving Fund for the N. S. Alexander House and the Grier-Rea House. Mr. Turner said that he cannot give an exact completion date for the Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence Road, Charlotte, N. C., due to a situation with windows which the DeConti Company ordered but which were not deemed appropriate by Archives and History. The windows must be correct in order that the tax credits are not withheld. He said that the siding cannot be put on the house until the windows have been installed. Mr. Turner said that the HLC is fortunate that it has not had a difficult situation such as this before. Ms. Nystrom said that she will study the situation and will advise the HLC accordingly.

MR. ALSOP PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. LEWIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE HLC RECONVENE IN ITS REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: In Executive Session the HLC considered offers for the purchase of space in the Charlotte Cotton Mills, approved tenants for White Oak, lease terms and boundary issues for White Oak, and approved a tenant for the Rozzel House.

Mr. Benson said that all HLC members are invited to attend the Design Review Committee meeting on October 25, 2006, as Coffee Cup issues will be addressed.

Mr. Norman invited everyone to visit the house he and his wife recently purchased on Crescent Avenue after tonight’s meeting.

Mr. Benson said that he and Dr. Morrill recently visited the Grier House, 4647 McKee Road, Charlotte, N. C. The HLC has been unable to sell the property for the amount of money it has in the site. He said that two of the three baths are to be completed and that carpet is to be installed on the back stairs and in the upstairs room "newly created" suite. Mr. Benson said that the property is in dire need of landscaping to screen the house. Ms. Nystrom said that watering is a problem to keep plantings alive until they take hold.

Mr. Gray said that Ms. Linda Kidd, realtor for the Rozzel property, has asked the HLC to consider lowering the price for the site.

MS. JOHNSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LEWIS THAT THE HLC RECONVENE IN ITS REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: In Executive Session, the HLC voted on a new price for the Rozzel Property, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Road, Charlotte, N. C.

The HLC meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.