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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission
Minutes
November 10, 2003
6:00 p.m.
Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C.
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Present:
Ms. Tattie Bos/Mayor, HLC Sec., Des. Rev.
Vice-Chair
Mr. Jeff Bradsher/County, HLC Chairman
Ms. Amy Hockett/City, Design Review Committee
Chairman
Ms. Yolanda Johnson-Gess/City, Projects Com V.
Chairman
Mr. Joseph B. C. Kluttz/County, Projects Com.
Chairman
Ms. Valerie Lewis/City, Education com.
Vice-Chairman
Mr. John E. Misenheimer/County, HLC
Vice-Chairman, Rural Hill School Chr.
Mr. Len Norman/County, Survey Committee
Chairman
Mr. John J. Parker, III/Mayor, Survey Committee
V. Chairman
Ms. Ross Richardson/County, Education Committee
Chr.
Ms. Laura C. Smith/City
Mr. Michael Sullivan/County, HLC Treas.,
Finance Committee Chr., Bond Com. Chr.
Dr. Dan L. Morrill, Director
Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Mgr.
Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Consultant
Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant
Absent:
None
Visitors:
Dana Heath Morton
Donald Morton
Jeff Pruett
Hope Murphy
Millicent Little
Sabrena Kauffmann
AGENDA
Item #1 - Approval of Minutes
MS. BOS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS.
JOHNSON-GESS THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 13, 2003 BE APPROVED AS
DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Mr. Bradsher
Mr. Bradsher welcomed everyone to the meeting.
He reminded everyone to check his or her attendance sheets and to talk
with Ms. Morrill if there are any questions or concerns. The next cycle
of attendance requirement regulations begins on January 1.
Mr. Bradsher thanked those who attended the
public hearings in Huntersville and Davidson during the past month. He
said that two public hearings are scheduled during December - December
9/Pineville (Younts House) and December 15/Charlotte City Council
(Lassiter House.) Mr. Bradsher reminded the HLC that every property
voted to be recommended for historic designation requires a public
hearing. Properties cannot be bought with bond fund money unless they
are designated historic or are located in a local historic district.
Item #3 - Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill
Dr. Morrill asked that the HLC consider a
waiver of Right of First Refusal to purchase the James A. Blakeney
House.
MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS.
BOS THAT THE HLC WAIVE ITS RIGHTS TO PURCHASE PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE
BLAKENEY HOUSE LOCATED AT 9214 BLAKENEY HEATH ROAD, CHARLOTTE, NC, UNDER
THE SPECIFIC TERMS CONTAINED IN A CONTRACT EXECUTED BY THE CURRENT
OWNERS DATED 10/31/03, WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PROPERTY TO BE SOLD TO THE
PURCHASER IN THAT CONTRACT, BUT SAID WAIVER DOES NOT MODIFY HLC’S RIGHT
OF FIRST REFUSAL AS CONTAINED IN THE RECORDED RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
AFFECTING THE PROPERTY IN ANY MANNER.
Dr. Morrill reported that upon reflection and
consultation, Staff has come to the belief that an ad-hoc Bond Oversight
Committee should be created to shepherd the campaign seeking to have
historic preservation bonds placed on the ballot and approved by voters
in November 2004. This approach would allow the Commission to draw upon
individuals, including non-HLC members, from several committees, e.g.
Education, Projects, and Survey, that would be impacted by the approval
of such bonds. Staff recommends that the HLC Chairman appoint the
Chairperson for this Committee and that the Chairperson of the Committee
work with staff to recruit other members. The HLC agreed with this
suggestion and Mr. Bradsher appointed Mr. Sullivan as Chairman of the
Ad-Hoc Bond Oversight Committee for the HLC.
Dr. Morrill reported that the Town Board of
Huntersville held a joint public hearing on November 3, 2003, to
consider the removal of a portion of land at Cedar Grove from the
historic landmark and to consider the designation of the Washam Farm as
a historic landmark. The Town Board will vote on these matters in early
December.
Dr. Morrill reported that the issue regarding
the Charlotte Union Bus Terminal continues to evolve. The Charlotte
Historic Districts Commission has imposed a one-year delay on
demolition. There seems to be little interest in incorporating the
building into the adjoining development. The decision about what will
happen with the property will rest with the owner, Bank of America.
Staff believes that for now the best approach would be for the HLC to
await developments and to allow Staff to keep the HLC informed.
MS. BOS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS.
HOCKETT THAT HLC STAFF BE DIRECTED TO PREPARE A SURVEY AND RESEARCH
REPORT ON THE UNION BUS TERMINAL ON WEST TRADE STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C.
THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FAVOR: BOS,
BRADSHER, HOCKETT, LEWIS, MISENHEIMER, PARKER, RICHARDSON, SMITH,
SULLIVAN OPPOSE: NONE ABSTAIN: JOHNSON-GESS, KLUTTZ, NORMAN.
Dr. Morrill reported that Charlotte Trolley
held a most successful fundraiser on November 6 for the trolley. There
was a large, enthusiastic turnout. Plans are to move ahead with the
acquisition and restoration of the trolley barn. The HLC deserves great
credit, Dr. Morrill said, for its initiative in beginning the process of
bringing vintage trolleys to Charlotte, now over twenty years ago.
Dr. Morrill reported that he meets tomorrow
with the Board of County
Commissioners to explain the work of the
Historic Landmarks Commission. He said that this is part of a
comprehensive overview of County expenditures.
Dr. Morrill reported that Staff will be
developing a request to the County in the upcoming weeks for the FY
2004-2005 HLC operational budget. Committee Chairmen should submit to
Dr. Morrill by December 15th what new initiatives they would like for
the HLC to undertake. Dr. Morrill will meet with the HLC’s Finance
Committee to consider the budget request shortly after January 1, 2004.
Dr. Morrill reported that Staff is planning to
apply again for a Survey Grant from the North Carolina Division of
Archives and History to conduct a survey of bridges, water towers,
signs, and other such structures in Mecklenburg County. This will be a
matching grant and will be contingent upon the County providing funding
in the HLC’s FY 2004-2005 Budget.
Item #4 - Education Committee Report: Ms.
Richardson
Ms. Richardson reported that the Education
Committee met October 28, 2003, and that the Committee is scheduled to
meet again on November 18, 2003. Minutes can be found on the HLC’s
website - www.cmhpf.org and are also on file at the HLC office.
THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
MOTION THAT THE MECKLENBURG COUNTY WEBSITE FEATURE A HOME PAGE ON THE
HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION AND LINK TO THE HLC’S CURRENT WEBSITE. THE
COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Item #5 - Rural Hill Schoolhouse Report: Mr.
Misenheimer
Mr. Misenheimer reported that he keeps check on
the Davidson Schoolhouse and the new bathroom/classroom facility built
by the HLC.
Item #6 - Projects Committee: Mr. Kluttz
Mr. Kluttz reported that the Projects Committee
met November 4, 2003, and is scheduled to meet again December 1, 2002.
Minutes can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org and are on
file at the HLC office.
Mr. Kluttz said that the HLC will not consider
the Projects Committee’s motion that the Education Committee oversee the
HLC’s efforts to secure the inclusion of $10 million on the November
2004 bond issue since Mr. Bradsher appointed Mr. Sullivan earlier in the
meeting as chairman of an HLC ad hoc committee to oversees the efforts.
The committee will be established in the near future.
THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
MOTION THAT THE STABILIZATION BUDGET FOR THE RICHARD ROZZELL HOUSE BE
INCREASED FROM $175,000 TO $250,000. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE MOTION.
THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
MOTION THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH
DeCONTI ODDEN & GRIFFITH FOR $243,457.80 FOR STABILIZATION/RENOVATION TO
THE ROZZELL HOUSE. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Mr. Kluttz reported that the HLC and Johnson C.
Smith University will not pursue the renovation of the Dr. George E.
Davis House as had been projected.
Mr. Kluttz reported that a contract has been
signed to purchase the Bathesda School and that HLC Attorney, Patricia
Nystrom, is investigating the possibility of the HLC’s acquiring 3/10 of
an acre adjacent to the property.
THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
MOTION THAT ATTORNEY PATRICIA NYSTROM BE AUTHORIZED TO WRITE A
DESCRIPTION FOR PRESENTATION TO THE HLC DESCRIBING NON-TRADITIONAL
HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS AND ACQUISITION TECHNIQUES, E. G. , ROADWAYS,
EASEMENTS, ETC. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
The Commissioners agreed with a suggestion from
Ms. Ross that Ms. Nystrom’s written description include a description of
the array of preservation techniques legally available to the
Commission.
Mr. Kluttz reported that the Projects Committee
asked Mr. Turner at the meeting to get estimates for lead paint removal
on the interior of the Grier-Rea House by the company currently doing
the exterior lead paint removal for a cost of approximately $39,000 plus
contingencies. Mr. Turner reported that he got the estimate which was
close to $50,000. The HLC agreed that due to this estimate which is much
greater than had been expected Mr. Turner should get estimates from
other companies.
MR. MISENHEIMER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY
MS. SMITH THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE
SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR.
NORMAN THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION RECONVENE IN ITS REGULAR
SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Note: In Executive Session the HLC voted to buy
an easement for the W. T. Alexander property. It also agreed that a
realtor should be obtained for the Oakley House in Pineville.
Item #7 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Norman
Mr. Norman reported that the Survey Committee
will meet Monday, December 17, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office.
Item #8 - Design Review Committee: Ms. Hockett
Ms. Hockett reported that the Design Review
Committee will meet Tuesday, November 25, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC
office.
Item #9 - Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan distributed the current bond fund
financial report prepared by Mr. Turner. The current balance is
$880,257.00. Mr. Turner reported that the County Audit is complete and
will be ready at the December HLC meeting.
Item #10 - Old Business
No old business was presented for
consideration.
Item #11 - New Business
No new business was presented for
consideration.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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