Location: 2100 Randolph Rd., Charlotte, N. C.
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Richard Alsop, III/Mayor, HLC Chair
Mr. Louis Asbury, IV/County
Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Com. Chair
Mr. Frank Bragg/City
Mr. William T. Hobbs/County
Dr. Richard Mattson/County, Survey Com. Chair
Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chair
Mr. Len Norman/County
Ms. Laura C. Smith/City, HLC Treasurer
Dr. Lynn Weis/City, HLC Secretary
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
Ms. Mary Dominick, HLC Consultant
Absent:
Ms. Yolanda Johnson/City, Finance Com. Chair
Ms. Yolanda Law/County, HLC Vice-Chair
Visitors
Rich Rosenthal
Luike Volkmar
Bryman Suttle
Andrew Beary
Carol Ambrose
Patrick Frye, III
AGENDA
Item #1 - Approval of Minutes
DR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE
HLC MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 8, 2008, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE
COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MR. BRAGG PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT THE
HLC’S EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 8, 2008, BE APPROVED AS
DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Richard Alsop, III
Mr. Alsop welcomed everyone to the meeting. He said everyone
should check the information on the current distributed roster and
attendance sheet and let Ms. Morrill know if changes are needed.
Item #3 - Consulting Director’s Report: Dan Morrill
Dr. Morrill reported that Historic Charlotte, Inc., will
hold its Blast for the Past event this coming Thursday, October 16,
2008
MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. SMITH THAT THE
HLC PAY FOR HLC STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS AND A GUEST AT A COST OF $45 PER
INDIVIDUAL OR $80 PER COUPLE TO ATTEND HISTORIC CHARLOTTE’S BLAST FOR THE
PAST EVENT ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2008. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE MOTION.
Dr. Morrill reported that repairs for the rental house at
White Oak have been completed under the supervision of Mr. Gray.
Dr. Morrill reported that the closing on the Sidney and
Ethel Grier House, 4747 Grier Farm Lane, Charlotte, N. C., has occurred
during this past month. The HLC received $237,241.24 from the sale. The HLC
still owns the following properties: the Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence
Rd., the Rozzel House, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Rd., the McAuley House on the
Huntersville-Concord Rd., and White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Road.
Dr. Morrill said that the HLC has not received a proposal
from Mr. David Furman about a possible joint project in Dilworth.
Dr. Morrill said that public hearing will be held on October
20, 2008, with the Charlotte City Council to consider the designation of
prospective historic landmarks - the Solomon and Shirley Levine House and
the McCausland -Thacker’s Building.
Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC is still awaiting a
resolution of the issue as to whether it can pass through Tax Credits on
projects it initiates. He said that Ms. Nystrom has been directly involved
in this process and will report later in the meeting in Executive Session.
Dr. Morrill said that HLC Staff is in the process of
developing brief videos on designated historic landmarks to explain the
reasons for the special significance of each property. The videos will
appear on the INTERNET.
Dr. Morrill reported that HLC Staff continues to work on
initiating a discussion with the Charlotte Historic Districts Commission
about possibly instituting regulations regarding prevention of "demolition
by neglect" of historic landmarks. Staff is finding it difficult to arrange
a time for the Assistant City Attorney to appear before the HLC to discuss
these and associated matters because the HLC meets at the same time the City
Council assembles.
Dr. Morrill reported that HLC Staff has completed the annual
Certified Local Government report which is being circulated for mandated
signatures.
Dr. Morrill reported that the matter of resolving
encroachment issues at the Torrence Lytle School continues. Mr. Turner and
Ms. Nystrom are working on the issue.
Dr. Morrill said that the Charlotte Regional Visitors
Authority has invited him to come to an upcoming Board meeting to raise
again the issue of the historic designation of the original Charlotte
Coliseum on Independence Boulevard. He said he plans to appear at the
November meeting.
Dr. Morrill said that letters have been sent to adjoining
property owners of the Gluyas House stating the importance of the observance
of protective regulations for the border of the land surrounding the house.
Dr. Morrill said that it is necessary to hold a public
hearing this evening for two properties being processed for historic
designation:
Solomon & Shirley Levine House, 2300 Cloister
Drive, Charlotte, N. C.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. WEIS THAT THE
HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER HISTORIC
STATUS FOR THE SOLOMON & SHIRLEY LEVINE HOUSE, 2300 CLOISTER DRIVE,
CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
The property (interior, exterior and tax parcel associated
with the property) was reviewed and discussed by the HLC.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. WEIS THAT THE
PUBLIC HEARING BE CLOSED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. WEIS THAT THE
HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION AFFIRM ITS ORIGINAL MOTION TO RECOMMEND THAT
THE SOLOMON & SHIRLEY LEVINE HOUSE, 2300 CLOISTER DRIVE, CHARLOTTE, N. C.,
BE DESIGNATED A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE MOTION.
McCausland Building - Thacker’s Restaurant,
221 Tryon St., Charlotte, N. C.
DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. GRAY THAT THE
HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER HISTORIC
STATUS FOR THE McCAUSLAND BUILDING-THACKER’S RESTAURANT, 221 TRYON ST.,
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
The property was reviewed and discussed by the HLC.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE
PUBLIC HEARING BE CLOSED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE
HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION AFFIRM ITS ORIGINAL MOTION TO RECOMMEND THAT
THE McCAUSLAND BUILDING-THACKER’S RESTAURANT, 221 TRYON ST., CHARLOTTE,
N.C., BE DESIGNATED A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE MOTION.
Note: Both properties will be presented for consideration
for historic landmark designation at the City Council meeting scheduled for
October 20, 2008.
Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Matthew Benson
A. Parking Deck at American Legion Memorial Stadium
Mr. Benson said that a $16,000 fee has been paid by the
applicant for "express" consideration for a Certificate of Appropriateness.
HLC Staff has reviewed the application and recommends that the Certificate
of Appropriateness be approved as requested. The property under
consideration for the parking deck is designated historic due to its current
importance in relation to the Stadium. The subject property was not
originally part of the historic landscape for the stadium. HLC Staff said
that even though the issue of scale of the multi-story parking deck (to be
used as a student parking deck for Central Piedmont Community College) is
somewhat problematic, it is worth noting that this is an infill building
which can be subsequently removed.
The Commission reviewed and discussed the application for
the proposed parking deck on the land designated historic adjacent to the
designated American Legion Memorial Stadium. Concerns were expressed about
the height and large size of the structure and the fact that it will block
the view of the stadium, and also concerns were stated about the fact that
when the pilings are driven into the earth for the structure, the historic
stadium could suffer cracking, structural damage, etc. Nearby neighbors
expressed opposition to the construction of the parking deck for a variety
of reasons.
MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT THE
APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE PARKING DECK AT THE
AMERICAN LEGION MEMORIAL STADIUM BE DEFERRED FOR ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION TO
AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE HLC’S DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE FOLLOWED UP BY AN
EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION. MR. HOBBS SECONDED
THE MOTION WHICH ALL COMMISSIONERS PRESENT APPROVED EXCEPT FOR A VOTE OF
OPPOSITION CAST BY DR. WEIS.
At this point in the meeting, Ms. Nystrom requested that the
HLC convene in Executive Session to consider information about tax credits.
DR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRAGG THAT THE
HLC CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
MOTION.
MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT
THE HLC RE-CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE MOTION.
Note: In Executive Session the HLC received information from
Attorney Bob Mendenhall about the HLC’s historic properties regarding tax
credits.
Item #5 - Survey Committee Report: Richard Mattson
Dr. Mattson reported that the Survey Committee met October
1, 2008, at 8:00 a.m., at the HLC office. Minutes from the meeting can be
found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE
FOLLOWING TWO PROPERTIES BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION: 1) LONG
CREEK HIGH SCHOOL & GYMNASIUM & GRANDSTAND, 9213 BEATTIES FORD ROAD,
CHARLOTTE, N. C. AND 2) DAVIDSON SCHOOL, 251 S. DAVIDSON STREET,
DAVIDSON, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT A
SURVEY BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER AND CONDITION OF OTHER EARLY
MYERS PARK HOMES SIMILAR IN AGE AND STYLE TO THE CHARLES MOODY HOUSE, 949
GRANVILLE, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE
FOLLOWING PROPERTIES BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST:
1) SHAVER HOUSE, 345 EASTOVER ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C.
2) LUCAS HOUSE, 265 CHEROKEE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C.
3) ELLISON-MOORE HOUSE, 3824 MOORELAND FARMS RD., CHARLOTTE,
N.C.
THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT SURVEY
AND RESEARCH REPORTS BE FUNDED BY THE HLC FOR 1) RAEFORD’S GRILL, MOCK
CIRCLE, DAVIDSON, N. C., AND 2) CHARLOTTE FIRE STATION #5, 224 TUCKASEEGEE
ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE
SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT ON THE TUCKASEEGEE FORD AND TRAIL, LOCATED ON THE
CATAWBA RIVER SOUTHWEST OF THE LONG CREEK AND THE PAW CREEK AREA AND
NORTHWEST OF CHARLIE HIPP ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE UPDATED FOR
PRESENTATION TO AND CONSIDERATION BY THE HLC. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE MOTION.
Item #6 - Projects Committee Report: Gray Newman
Mr. Newman reported that the Projects Committee met today at
4:30 p.m.
THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE
PROPOSED LEASE ON WHITE OAK PLANTATION, 7729 HOOD ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE
APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE BUT THAT STAFF DEVELOP SPECIFIC LANGUAGE FOR REVIEW
AND APPROVAL BY MR. NEWMAN AND MR. HOBBS. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT
ADDITIONAL INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GRIER-REA HOUSE, 7601 PROVIDENCE
ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., NOT EXCEED $10,000. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE
MOTION WITH DR. WEIS VOTING IN OPPOSITION.
THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE
PURCHASE OF THE W. B. NEWELL HOUSE, 8325 OLD CONCORD RD., NOT BE PURSUED.
THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH MR. NEWMAN VOTING IN OPPOSITION.
At the Projects Committee meeting it was the consensus of
the Committee that
1) The HLC submit the standing offer for the Charles H.
and Beth Smith House ,220 West 10th St.;
2) That the HLC not pursue purchase of Dilworth houses
located at 1917 Lennox Ave., and 1014 E. Worthington Ave.;
3) That a sub-committee be established to investigate
further the prospective purchase of Walker’s Grocery and the
Fatback Queen, 1125 Belmont Ave.
Item #7 - Treasurer’s Report: Laurie Smith
A report was presented on the revolving fund expenditures
and balance.
Item #8 - Old Business
No old business was presented.
Item #9 - New Business
No new business was presented.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.