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Charlotte-Mecklenburg
HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION
Minutes
December 8, 2003
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.
Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
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
Mr. John E. Misenheimer,/County, HLC
Vice-Chairman, Rural Hill School Chr.
(Note: Mr. Misenheimer arrived at 7:00 p.m.)
Mr. Len Norman/County, Survey Committee
Chairman
Mr. John J. Parker, III/Mayor, Survey Committee
V. Chairman
Ms. Ross Richardson/County, Education Committee
Chair
Ms. Laura C. Smith/City
Mr. Chase Saunders, MHA President (Ex-officio)
Dr. Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director
Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager
Ms. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney
Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Consultant
Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant
Absent:
Ms. Valerie Lewis/City, Education Com.
Vice-Chairman
Ms. Ross Richardson/County, Education Committee
Chair
Mr. Michael Sullivan/County, HLC Treas.,
Finance Committee Chr., Bond Com. Chr.
Visitors:
Mr. Wade Finger/Pappas Properties (Charlotte
Cotton Mill)
AGENDA
Item #1 - Approval of Minutes
MS. HOCKETT PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS.
JOHNSON-GESS THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 10, 2003, BE APPROVED AS
DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS.
JOHNSON-GESS THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 1, 2003, BE APPROVED AS
DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MS. HOCKETT PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR.
NORMAN THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 10, 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 extended a special welcome to Mr. Saunders, the newly elected MHA
(Mecklenburg Historical Association) president.
Mr. Bradsher reminded the Commissioners about
the public hearing tomorrow night in Pineville to consider the Younts
House for historic designation and the public hearing with City Council
December 15th to consider the Lassiter House for historic designation.
Mr. Bradsher asked the Commissioners to review
the distributed attendance reports which are turned in to the City and
County at the end of this month. Yearly attendance begins again on
January 1, 2003.
Item #3 - Consulting Director’s Report: Dr.
Morrill
Dr. Morrill reported that he will be developing
the operational budget request for the HLC in early January and will
review it with Mr. Sullivan, the HLC Treasurer. A recommended budget
will be discussed at the HLC’s January meeting.
Dr. Morrill reported that discussions continue
regarding the Trolley barn between Crescent Resources, Pappas Properties
and the County. County Staff will present a recommendation to the Board
of County Commissioners in open session on December 16th.
Dr. Morrill reported that discussion continues
with Bank of America and the Historic Districts Commission with respect
to the Charlotte Union Bus Terminal. Dr. Morrill said that he plans to
attend Wednesday’s meeting of the HDC to learn what action that body
might take with respect to this matter.
Dr. Morrill reported that he and Mr. Gray will
be taking training on the County software so that they can begin
uploading website material to the County server.
Dr. Morrill told the Commissioners that he met
today with Autumn Rierson who is moving to Charlotte and will open a
Southwestern Office of Preservation North Carolina in Shelby. He said
that he and she discussed how the two agencies might work together in
the future.
Dr. Morrill said that he met with
representatives of the Arts community during the past month to discuss
how parts of the Carolina Theater might be incorporated into an
auditorium uptown.
Dr. Morrill reported that Mr. Gray and he met
with the developer of the property at the corner of Sharon Road and
Colony Road. The preservation of the African American Cemetery on the
property will be preserved, and the Commission will have input on how it
is interpreted.
Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Ms. Gray
Ms. Gray reported that the Design Review
Committee met November 25, 2003. Minutes from the meeting can be found
on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org - under Design Review.
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A
SECONDED MOTION THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE PROPOSED
SIGN AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARKING AREA AT RURAL HILL, 4431 NECK ROAD,
HUNTERSVILLE, N. C., BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. THE COMMISSION
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A
SECONDED MOTION THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE ISSUED FOR THE
PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF THE FLAT ROOFED ADDITION AT THE REAR OF THE
TRELOAR HOUSE AND TO THE SOUTH OF THE TRELOAR HOUSE, 328 NORTH BREVARD
STREET, CHARLOTTE, N.C . THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A
SECONDED MOTION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF
APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE ALTERATIONS TO CHARLOTTE STREETCAR #85 BE ISSUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRESENTED APPLICATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE MOTION.
Item #5 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Kluttz
Mr. Kluttz reported that the Projects Committee
met December 1, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office. Minutes are on
file at the HLC office and can also be found on the HLC’s website -
www.cmhpf.org - under Projects Committee.
HLC Staff learned recently that a prospective
sale of the P & N Station on the Old Mt. Holly Road did not occur.
Consequently, the building remains highly endangered from neglect.
THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
MOTION TO PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE CONCERNING THE P & N STATION ON THE OLD
MOUNT HOLLY ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE MOTION.
Mr. Finger of Pappas Properties distributed the
latest marketing review on the Charlotte Cotton Mill Building "B" which
is owned by the HLC. He updated the Commissioners on the marketing
strategies and answered questions.
Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Norman
Mr. Norman reported that the Survey Committee
met November 17, 2003. Minutes from the meeting are on file at the HLC
office and can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
MOTION THAT THE CEMETERY AT THE NORTHWEST INTERSECTION OF SHARON ROAD
AND COLONY ROAD BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST, THAT A SURVEY AND
RESEARCH REPORT BE PREPARED FOR PRESENTATION AT THE HLC’S FEBRUARY, 2004
MEETING, AND THAT THE HLC MAKE AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ABOUT THE ZONING
PROCESS. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
MOTION THAT A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT BE PREPARED FOR THE VICTOR SHAW
HOUSE, 2400 MECKLENBURG AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
MOTION THAT OWNERS OF THE LIST OF PROPERTIES RECOMMENDED BY STAFF BE
CONTACTED IN ORDER TO SOLICIT THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT THEIR PROPERTY BEING
CONSIDERED AND THAT THE RESPONSES RECEIVED BE PRESENTED TO THE SURVEY
COMMITTEE FOR EVALUATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
MOTION.
The HLC has voted to purchase the Bethesda
School. The property must be designated as a historic landmarks before
the HLC can close on the property. Mr. Gray presented the Survey and
Research Report to the HLC for consideration.
MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS.
JOHNSON-GESS THAT THE BETHESDA SCHOOL HOUSE , 13129 ALEXANDERANA ROAD,
CHARLOTTE, N. C. (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR AND LOT ON WHICH THE STRUCTURE
SITS) BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE MOTION.
Item #7 - Education Committee Meeting: Ms.
Richardson
Dr. Morrill reported for Ms. Richardson that
the Education Committee met November 18, 2003. Minutes can be found on
the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org - under Education Committee.
THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED
THAT HOPE MURPHY BE RETAINED BETWEEN JANUARY AND MAY 2004 AS AN INTERN
FOR THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SURVEY, THAT SHE WORK FOR 145 HOURS AND THAT HER
STIPEND BE $9 PER HOUR, FOR A TOTAL OF $1305. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE MOTION.
Item #8 - Rural Hill Schoolhouse Report: Mr.
Misenheimer
Dr. Morrill reported for Mr. Misenheimer who
had not yet arrived at the meeting that everything is going well at the
Davidson Schoolhouse. Also, the Catawba Valley Scottish Society has
approved the hosting of a Revolutionary War Battle at Rural Hill in
2005.
Item #9 - Finance Report: Mr. Sullivan
Dr. Morrill reported for Mr. Sullivan that the
Finance Committee will meet in January to work on a budget proposal for
the HLC FY’2004. Mr. Turner reported that he and Mr. Sullivan continue
to work on the Revolving Fund report.
Mr. Misenheimer entered the meeting at this
point - 7:00 p.m.
Item #10 - Old Business
Dr. Morrill said that discussions have occurred
regarding the future of the old Union Bus Terminal on West Trade Street.
The Survey and Research report will be presented on the property in
January 2004. Dr. Morrill said that tentative arrangements were
discussed with Bank of America officials. Essential provisions included
the following.
1. Bank of American and the HLC would split the
cost of hiring the architectural firm LS3P to investigate what portions,
if any, of the building could be incorporated into an economically
viable project that would enhance the vitality of the West Trade
streetscape.
2. This investigation would last for six weeks
and would commence only after the Charlotte Historic Districts
Commission removes its stay of demolition on the former Union Bus
Terminal and the building to the immediate west of the bus terminal.
3. Once the six-week period of investigation is
completed, Bank of America could move forward with its plans for the
property, and the HLC would not impede the demolition of the bus
terminal if Bank of America chooses to remove the building.
4. Bank of America will allow the preservation
consultants who are preparing the Survey and Research Report to enter
the bus terminal for purposes of making an assessment of the amount of
historic fabric remaining.
MS. BOS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR.
MISENHEIMER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH BANK OF AMERICA TO SPLIT THE COST TO HIRE THE
ARCHITECTURAL FIRM LS3P TO INVESTIGATE WHAT PORTIONS, IF ANY, OF THE BUS
TERMINAL COULD BE INCORPORATED INTO AN ECONOMICALLY VIABLE PROJECT THAT
WOULD ENHANCE THE VITALITY OF THE W. TRADE STREET STREETSCAPE, AND THAT
THE HLC SPEND $5,000 ON THE UNION BUS TERMINAL ON WEST TRADE STREET,
CHARLOTTE, NC. , SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OF ALL THE
HLC’S PROPOSED LEGAL AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS IN THE SITUATION. THE
COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FAVOR:
MISENHEIMER, BOS, HOCKETT, SMITH, PARKER, BRADSHER ABSTAIN: KLUTTZ,
NORMAN, JOHNSON-GESS OPPOSE: NONE.
MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR.
MISENHEIMER THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MS. HOCKETT PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS.
JOHNSON-GESS THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION RECONVENE IN ITS
REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Note: The HLC voted in Executive Session to
enter into a contract to sell the Grand Theater, 333 Beatties Ford Road,
Charlotte, N. C.
Item #11 - New Business
No new business was presented.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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