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

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Richard Alsop,III/Mayor, HLC Vice-Chairman, Survey Committee Chairman

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Committee Chairman

Mr. Frank Bragg/City, Finance Vice-Chair

Mr. William T. Hobbs/County, Projects Com. Vice-Chair, White Oak Chair

Ms. Yolanda Johnson/City, HLC Secretary, HLC Education Chair/Liaison

Mr. Joseph B. C. Klutt, III/County, Nominating Committee Vice-Chair

Ms. Yolanda Law/county, HLC Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair

Dr. Richard Mattson/County, Design Review Committee Vice-Chair

Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chair

Mr. Len Norman/County, HLC Chairman

Ms. Laura C. Smith/City, HLC Nominating Committee Chair

Mr. Lynn Weis/City, Survey Committee Vice Chair

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Absent:

None

Diane Althouse

Ronald Touchstone/Queens Towers

D. Sweezy/Queens Towers

Harron Rudisill/Queens Towers

Colleen Thomas/ 112 S. Tryon

Charles Dickerson/Ass’t V. Principal, Garinger High School

Vicki Saville/CMS, Garinger High School

Donald Campbell, HLC Survey Committee

MR. BRAGG PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. SMITH THAT THE MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 12, 2007, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

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

Everyone was welcomed to the meeting.

Item #3 - Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill

Dr. Morrill reminded the Commissioners that at least two Commissioners must attend the Preservation workshop in Lincolnton in January if the HLC is to retain its Certified Local Government status. He said that he and Mr. Gray plan to attend.

Dr. Morrill reported that an appraisal has been ordered for the John Price Carr House on McDowell St. in Charlotte. The owner is interested in selling the house to the HLC. The advantage for preservation would be the placement of covenants in the deed when the HLC sells the property. This matter should be ready for discussion at the January meeting.

Dr. Morrill said that the Dilworth Community Development Association would like for the HLC to purchase endangered properties in the Dilworth historic district. Dr. Morrill said that he anticipates that representatives of the HLC will appear at the January HLC meeting. Three specific properties have come to HLC Staff’s attention. All are on Tremont Ave. The HLC can legally purchase properties in local historic districts. HLC Staff would appreciate direction on whether the HLC wants to pursue the purchase of such properties.

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC continues to await a response from CSX concerning its willingness to sell Thrift P & N Depot. He congratulated everyone associated with the sale of Grace AME Zion Church, 219 S. Brevard St., Charlotte, N. C. He said that this is a tremendous victory for historic preservation. Two UNCC graduate students will be working with Mr. Jim Donnelly, the new owner, to develop historic interpretations for the building.

Dr. Morrill said that Ms. Patricia Nystrom, the HLC’s attorney, has sent revised listing documents to the realtor who prospectively will serve as a buyer’s and seller’s agent for the HLC for the commercial buildings in Pineville. He said that a response should come soon.

Dr. Morrill said that the HLC continues to await clearance from the Bank of America so the HLC can move ahead with the purchase of the Richard Wearn House, 4928 Tuckaseegee Rd., Charlotte, N. C. He reported that the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to vote later this month on the transfer of the former Torrence-Lytle School property to the HLC.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Davidson Town Board voted this month to designate the Ada Jenkins School as a historic landmark. It also approved the new interlocal agreement confirming that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission functions for the Town of Davidson.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Huntersville Town Board voted this month to designate the Ranson House as a historic landmark. It also approved the new interlocal agreement confirming that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission functions for the Town of Davidson.

Dr. Morrill said that HLC Staff continues to study the issue of how the website might be improved. County Staff believes that the incorporation of the site into the County software system would not be feasible at this time.

Dr. Morrill reported that CATS has virtually completed the restoration of one of the GM New Style Fishbowl Buses that the HLC owns. Discussions will begin early next year with CATS and possibly with Charlotte Trolley about how the bus might be put into service. The bus was retired from service in 1992 and acquired by the HLC in hopes that it would one day be restored. Thankfully, Dr. Morrill said, that has now happened.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Charlotte Woman’s Club, 1001 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, N. C., is for sale.

A. Dr. Elmer H. Garinger High School, 1100 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, N. C.

MR. ALSOP PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN SESSION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER HISTORIC STATUS FOR THE DR. ELMER H. GARINGER HIGH SCHOOL, 1100 EASTWAY DRIVE, CHARLOTTE, N. C.

Mr. Charles Dickerson, Assistant Principal at Garinger High School, said that he and his Garinger colleagues are thrilled, excited and very pleased about prospective historic designation status for the school.

Ms. Vicki Saville, a CMS representative, said that there are concerns about the layers of added reviews and restrictions that might come with historic designation, but she assured the HLC that CMS will work with the HLC if historic designation does occur.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING BE CLOSED AND THAT THE HLC RE-CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN THAT THE HLC AFFIRM ITS RECOMMENDATION THAT THE DR. ELMER H. GARINGER HIGH SCHOOL, 1100 EASTWAY DRIVE, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE DESIGNATED A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

B. Charles & Bess Smith House, 220 W. 10th Street, Charlotte, N. C.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN SESSION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER HISTORIC STATUS FOR THE CHARLES AND BESS SMITH HOUSE, 220 W. 10TH STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

No one was present to oppose historic designation status for the property.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING BE CLOSED AND THAT THE HLC RE-CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. ALSOP THAT THE HLC AFFIRM ITS RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CHARLES & BESS SMITH HOUSE, 220 W. 10TH STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE DESIGNATED A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

C. First National Bank Building, 110-112 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, N. C.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN SESSION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER HISTORIC STATUS FOR THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, 110-112 S. TRYON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Thomas said that the owner is in favor of local historic designation.

DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. WEIS THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING BE CLOSED AND THAT THE HLC RE-CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT THE HLC AFFIRM ITS RECOMMENDATION THAT THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, 110-112 SOUTH TRYON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE DESIGNATED A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #5 - Design Review Committee Report: Mr. Benson

Mr. Benson reported that the Design Review Committee met November 28, 2007. Minutes from the meeting are on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

A. Consideration of an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Century Building, 412 W. Trade St., Charlotte, N. C.

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE PROPOSED PLANS FOR A NEW STOREFRONT ENTRANCE AND DOORWAY FOR THE CENTURY BUILDING, 412 WEST TRADE STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: A historic photograph shows the building with separate entrances in the storefront bays.

Mr. Benson reported that the Committee received an explanation from the Assistant City Attorney regarding the HLC’s ability to prevent demolition by neglect. The Committee instructed HLC staff to work with the Assistant City Attorney to gain additional information about what other municipalities in N. C. are doing with respect to this issue.

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Alsop

Mr. Alsop reported that the Survey Committee met December 3, 2007. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

A. Consideration of Properties for placement on the HLC’s Study List

1. Queens Terrace (Queens Towers), 1300 Queens Road, Charlotte, N. C.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A MOTION THAT THE QUEENS TERRACE (QUEENS TOWER), 1300 QUEENS ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: Ms. Johnson said that she lives at the Queens Towers and that there is broad support by the owners.

Mr. Alsop said that Survey and Research Reports for the S. B. Alexander House, the Unity Church Cabin/Lingle Hut, the Solomon and Shirley Levine House, and the McCausland Building-Thacker’s Restaurant were reviewed by the Committee and recommended for processing for historic designation. The properties will be considered by the HLC after the N. C. Division of Archives and History reviews the reports and returns comments to the HLC office.

Mr. Alsop said that the Committee reviewed additional Modernist properties for placement on the HLC’s Study List.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST: RADIO CENTER, 7TH STREET CLEANERS, STONEWALL ST. COMMERCIAL BUILDING, MODERNIST MYERS PARK HOUSE ON CHILTON PLACE, AND THE BERKELY JACKSON COMPLEX ON E. MOREHEAD STREET. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Benson said that consideration of the modernist houses in the Hyde Park neighborhood off Beatties Ford Road will await the completion of a survey on the neighborhood by Mr. Brandon Lundsford, a UNCC graduate student.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE CHARLOTTE COLISEUM ON INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD, OVENS AUDITORIUM, THE SECOND WARD GYMNASIUM AND THE SHIRLEY AND SOLOMON LEVINE HOUSE ALL BE PRESENTED TO CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL AT THE SAME TIME FOR CONSIDERATION FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #7 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Newman

Mr. Newman reported that the HLC is in good financial shape regarding its revolving fund. The HLC currently owns and is restoring the Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence Road, Charlotte, N. C., the Sidney and Ethel Grier House, 4647 McKee Road, Charlotte, N. C., White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Road, Charlotte, N. C., the Rozzel property, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Rd., Charlotte, N. C., and the McAuley House on the Huntersville-Concord Rd. Mr. Turner and Mr. Gray told details about the work that needs to be completed to sell the properties.

Item #8 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Law

Ms. Law distributed the current financial report for the projects. Mr. Turner said that he has very lengthy, detailed records for anyone who would like to see them.

No motions were presented.

No motions were presented. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.