February 11, 2008

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

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

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

Mr. Frank Bragg/City, Finance Vice-Chair, Torrence Lytle School Com. Chair

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

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

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

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

Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chairman

Mr. Len Norman/County, HLC Chairman

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

Dr. 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. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Committee Chairman

Ms. Yolanda Law/County, HLC Treasurer, Finance Chair

Mr. Frank Quattrocchi, Home Federal Savings & Loan (architect for Shook Kelley)

Ms. Christine Rahrig, Exit Realty Advantage

Mr. David Nouctny, State St. Co.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR JANUARY 14, 2008, 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 an attendance report can be found at each sheet . Mr. Norman said that the next scheduled meetings are Design Review on February 27th at 8:00 a.m., Survey on March 4th at 8:00 a.m., and HLC on March 10th.

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

Dr. Morrill said that CSX has notified staff that it would be willing to donate the Thrift P & N Depot to the HLC if it can be moved to a new site. Staff believes that this would not be economically feasible. Staff does believe, however, that this is a structure of special significance and will recommend to the Survey Committee that the property be processed for historic landmark designation.

Dr. Morrill reported that Ms. Lexie Longstreet has signed the listing agreement to become the HLC’s realtor for attempting to purchase and subsequently to sell a commercial structure in Pineville.

Dr. Morrill said that the HLC continues to await clearance from Bank of America so the HLC can move ahead with the purchase of the Richard Wearn House. Ms. Nystrom said that the HLC should hear word by the end of the month.

Dr. Morrill reported that Staff is moving ahead with processing Fire Station No. 4 for prospective historic landmark designation. The HLC will hold its public hearing on April 14, 2008, and the hearing before City Council for Fire Station Number 4 will occur on April 21, 2008.

Dr. Morrill said that the following additional properties are being processed for historic landmark designation. They are: Winghaven, Solomon Levine House, S. B. Alexander House, the Lingle Hut, and the McCausland Building. He said that the letter regarding the McCausland Building raised questions which Staff will take to the Survey Committee for consideration.

HLC Staff has not received a report from the City Attorney’s Office with respect to how other communities are handling the issue of demolition by neglect, Dr. Morrill said. Staff will continue to maintain contact with appropriate officials.

Dr. Morrill said that the annual budge process for the HLC has begun, and Staff is involved in negotiations with appropriate officials concerning the HLC’s operations budget. Staff will keep the Commission informed as the process moves forward.

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC received an application for a Demolition Permit today for the McNeil Paper Company Warehouse, 3-5 E. 8th Street, Charlotte, N. C. The Application will be reviewed by the Design Review Committee on February 27, 2008, and recommendations will be presented by the Committee to the HLC on March 10, 2008.

Dr. Morrill said that he has been informed that Holly Bend, a historic landmark on Neck Rd., is prospectively to be purchased by Mecklenburg County. He said that the HLC has been asked to give advice.

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

Due to Mr. Benson’s absence, Dr. Mattson and Mr. Gray reported. The Committee met January 30, 2008, at the HLC office. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

A. First Federal Savings and Loan, 139 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, N. C.

The Committee did not approve a motion at the meeting for the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for proposed new signage design plans for the Chima Brazilian Steakhouse that will occupy the ground floor of the building. The Committee asked that new drawings showing smaller modified signage be presented for consideration by the HLC at tonight’s meeting. The new plans were presented for the freestanding signs.

DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DESIGN PLANS PRESENTED FOR SIGNAGE FOR THE FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN BUILDING, 139 S. TRYON ST., CHARLOTTE, N.C . AT THE HLC MEETING ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

B. Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House, 2100 Randolph Rd., Charlotte, N. C.

Plans were shown to the Design Review Committee showing various options for an accessible ramp on the building, the site of the HLC office. The Committee discussed the situation and agreed that an exterior lift is not an option to consider but that a rear entry ramp can continue to be considered.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRAGG THAT A SUITABLE HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE BE CONSTRUCTED AT THE REAR OF THE RATCLIFFE-OTTERBOURG HOUSE, 2100 RANDOLPH ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N.C., AND THAT STAFF AND THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE BE AUTHORIZED JOINTLY TO SELECT THE FINAL DESIGN. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

C. Walter Brem House, 211 East Boulevard, Charlotte, N. C.

The Design Review Committee reviewed plans already approved by the Historic District Commission for a security fence (brick and black metal) for the property. The Committee voted to recommend to the HLC that the proposed fence not be approved and that a new proposal be presented for a fence at tonight’s meeting. New plans were presented showing a fence that retains the original knee wall and has stucco columns.

MR. BRAGG PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT SECURITY FENCE PLANS PROPOSED AT THE FEBRUARY 11, 2008, MEETING OF THE HLC FOR THE WALTER BREM HOUSE, 211 EAST BOULEVARD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE APPROVED, AND THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE ISSUED WITH THE CAVEAT THAT THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION BE GIVEN THE AUTHORITY FOR FINAL APPROVAL OF THE MATERIAL TO BE USED IN THE MASONRY PORTIONS OF THE SECURITY FENCE. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH A VOTE OF OPPOSITION CAST BY DR. MATTSON.

Item #5 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Newman

Mr. Newman reported that the Projects Committee met February 5, 2008. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website -www.cmhpf.org. All current projects can be reviewed in the Projects Committee minutes.

Mr. Newman said that the HLC does need to vote on a couple of matters. He said that the Dilworth Community Development Association (DCDA) is requesting that the HLC consider the prospective purchase of four strategic properties in Dilworth that are currently for sale. The HLC can use its funds not only for designated historic landmarks but also for contributing properties in Historic Districts.

THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT HLC STAFF BE AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE PURCHASE PRICES, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE AND THE HLC FOR ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES: 424 E. TREMONT AVE., 712 E. TREMONT AVE., 1012-1014 E. WORTHINGTON AVE., AND 1015 E. BLVD. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH MR. KLUTTZ AND MR. BRAGG OPPOSING THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill said that he will ask Ms. Lexie Longstreet to investigate the properties.

Mr. Newman said that the HLC has received an appraisal for the Charles H. and Bess Smith House in Fourth Ward and that the matter needs consideration in Executive Session.

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

DR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRAGG THAT THE HLC RE-CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION AND REPORT ITS ACTION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: In Executive Session, the HLC voted to present an offer to purchase the Charles H. and Bess Smith House, 220 West Tenth Street, Charlotte, N. C.

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Alsop

Mr. Alsop reported that the Survey Committee will meet March 4, 2008.

Item #7 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Law

Mr. Turner presented the financial report to the HLC for Ms. Law.

Item #8 - Old Business:

There was no old business.

There was no new business. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.