Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Committee Chairman
Mr. William T. Hobbs/County, White Oak Com. Chair, Proj. Com.
Vice-Chairman
Ms. Yolanda Johnson/City, HLC Vice-Chairman
Dr. Richard L. Mattson/County, Survey Committee Vice-Chairman
Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chairman
Mr. Len Norman/County, HLC Chairman
Ms. Laura C. Smith/City, Nominating Committee Chairman
Mr. Lynn Weis/County
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
Absent:
Mr. Richard Alsop, III/Mayor, Survey Committee Chairman
Mr. Joseph B. C. Kluttz, III/County
Ms. Yolanda Law/County/HLC Treasurer
Visitors:
Ms. Jean Shepherd
Mr. Louis H. Asbury, III
Mr. Brian Bumann, ADW Architecture
Mr. Jim Donnelly, Home Federal Savings
AGENDA
Item #1 - Approval of Minutes
MR. NEWMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE MINUTES
FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2007, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT THE EXECUTIVE
SESSION MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2007, 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 reminded the
Commissioners to check their distributed attendance record and to tell Ms.
Morrill if they see errors.
Mr. Norman reminded everyone about the public hearing scheduled with City
Council for next Monday, March 19, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. The public hearing is
being held to consider historic designation for the Coffee Cup Restaurant.
Ms. Smith told the Commissioners that Groups A and C are assigned to this
public hearing.
Mr. Norman said that nominations for Valerie Lewis’s seat will be made by
City Council April 9, 2007, and that the appointment will be made April 23,
2007. He said that the HLC’s Nominating Committee will present a slate for
HLC officers for next year at the HLC meeting on May 14. Laurie Smith is
Chairman of the Nominating Committee, and members are Joe Kluttz and Matt
Benson. Mr. Norman told the Commissioners to let Ms. Smith know if they are
interested in serving as an officer.
Mr. Norman reported that he met recently with Mr. Harry Jones,
Mecklenburg County Manager, to thank him for the support he has given the
Historic Landmarks Commission over the years and to obtain support from him
for bond funds.
Mr. Norman reminded the Commissioners that no HLC meetings are held in
July. He said that the fiscal year ends June 30, 2007.
Item #3 - Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill
Dr. Morrill reported that the Citizens Capital Budget Advisory Committee
met with Mr. Norman and him on February 21, 2007. He said the Committee and
the County Manager will be formulating a recommendation regarding the HLC’s
request to have bond funds for the HLC’s revolving fund placed on the ballot
in the fall.
Dr. Morrill reported that the County Budget Department will be completing
its recommended budget for the HLC’s operating funds for next year. He said
that he will bring this before the HLC for action when the Budget Department
has completed its work.
Dr. Morrill said that the issue of the future of Spirit Square has become
highly political, and it looks like the HLC will most likely not be involved
in the proposed sale of the property. It is his belief, he said, that the
use of the building is not a preservation issue unless the proposed use
would alter the historic integrity of the former First Baptist Church.
Dr. Morrill reported that there is approximately $10,000 remaining in the
account for preparing Survey and Research Reports. He said that this money
must be spent by June 30th. The HLC has approved $2,500 for preparation of
Survey & Research Reports.
MR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT DR. MORRILL BE
PAID $5,000 TO PREPARE RESEARCH REPORTS FOR THE CAROLINA TIRE AND RIM
COMPANY BUILDING, 312 NORTH GRAHAM STREET, CHARLOTTE, N.C., AND THE FORMER
FIRE STATION NO. 4, 420 WEST FIFTH STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., WHICH WERE
IDENTIFIED AS HAVING SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN THE UPTOWN CHARLOTTE SURVEY
CONDUCTED BY THE HLC. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Dr. Morrill reported that the heavy clear plastic coverings for the
windows at Grace AME Zion Church should be installed by next weekend. Staff
is still talking with a prospective buyer who is attempting to arrange
financing to buy the property.
Dr. Morrill said the HLC staff continues to work with Ms. Nystrom in
obtaining approval for the interlocal agreement that will allow the HLC to
continue to function for the outlying towns in Mecklenburg County.
Dr. Morrill reported that HLC staff has met with the prospective buyer
for the Hayes Byrum Store in Steele Creek. He said that discussions are
on-going about the fate of three historic landmarks that would be affected
by the development.
Dr. Morrill reported that rehabilitation of the N. S. Alexander House,
5014 N. Sharon Amity Rd., continues. He said that there is an issue with
respect to the prospective buyer’s wishes about the HLC’s replacing window
frames which will need consideration in Executive Session later in the
meeting.
Dr. Morrill said that the closing on the Oehler House has occurred and
that HLC staff continues to work with the County Park and Recreation
Department to obtain final approval for the lot for the McAuley House, so
the house can be moved to its permanent location.
Dr. Morrill told the Commissioners that he and Mr. Norman will meet with
the new director of the Park and Recreation Department on March 16, 2007, to
discuss how the two agencies can continue to work together to advance their
shared interests.
Dr. Morrill said that he has asked Mr. Robert Schmitt to develop cost
estimates for expanding the scope of the renovation of the Sidney and Ethel
Grier House, 4647 McKee Road, to include the completion of the kitchen and
an additional bathroom. He said that Mr. Turner will present cost estimates
soon and will work to move the project forward in order that the property
can be sold soon.
Dr. Morrill reported that the owner of the Home Federal Savings and Loan
Building supports the removal of the historic landmarks designation of
substantial portions of the interior of the structure due to the loss of
much of the historic integrity. The owner, Mr. Jim Donnelly, was present in
support of the de-designation of the building’s interior except for those
parts of the firest floor and mezzanine identified in materials displayed by
Mr. Gray. Mr. Donnelly said that he has removed nothing from the interior
since he became the owner. The previous owner of the building removed the
ceiling, floor covering, and all non-load bearing partitions from the upper
five stories of the building.
DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN TO AMEND THE
ORDINANCE FOR THE HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN BUILDING, 130 SOUTH TRYON
STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., TO REMOVE DESIGNATION FOR ALL OF THE INTERIOR OF
THE STRUCTURE EXCEPT FOR THE PORTIONS OF THE LOBBY AND MEZZANINE SHOWN ON
THE PRESENTED DRAWINGS. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Dr. Morrill said that the ordinance for the N. S. Alexander House must be
amended to make the land coincide with the upcoming sale of the property.
Originally designated in 1980, HLC staff recommends that the designation be
amended to include the newly surveyed four acres that surround the house.
MR. HOBBS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. WEIS THAT THE ORDINANCE FOR
THE N. S. ALEXANDER HOUSE, 4601 SHAMROCK DRIVE, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE AMENDED
TO INCLUDE ALL THE NEARLY FOUR ACRES OF LAND SURROUNDING THE PROPERTY WHICH
WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SALE. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
MOTION.
Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Mr. Benson
Mr. Benson reported that the Design Review Committee met February 28,
2007. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website -
www.cmhpf.org.
At the meeting the Committee considered a Certificate of Appropriateness
Application for the Wadsworth House Carriage House, 400 S. Summit Ave. The
proposed project would involve the addition of 454 square feet of floor
space to the rear of the carriage house. The addition would contain
bathrooms, a kitchen, and storage. The addition would be sided with shingles
and would contain new aluminum clad windows. Most of the existing interior
walls would be demolished, but existing trim on the remaining walls would be
retained. Flooring will be repaired or patched. New differentiated flooring
would be added over an existing slab in a portion of the building. An ADA
compatible ramp would be added to the front of the building. New garage
doors would be installed.
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE
APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE WADSWORTH HOUSE,
400 S. SUMMIT AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N.C., BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED WITH
PROVISOS THAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE INTERIOR OF THE
STRUCTURE BEFORE RENOVATION FOR THE HLC FILES, THAT ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURAL
ITEMS SUCH AS THE DOORS BE SAVED AND STORED ON SITE IN A SAFE, DRY
ENVIRONMENT, AND THAT SHINGLE SIDING COMPATIBLE WITH THE SIDING ON THE HOUSE
BE USED ON THE CARRIAGE HOUSE ADDITION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE MOTION.
Item #5 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Alsop
Dr. Mattson, Committee Vice-Chairman, said that Survey Committee business
was covered in the Directors Report.
Item #6 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Newman
The Projects Committee will meet Thursday, March 29, 2007, at 6:00 p.m.,
at the HLC office. Tonight’s Projects Committee business, Mr. Newman
reported, must be handled in Executive Session.
Item #7 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Law
HLC financial reports can be seen in the notebook on the shelf in the
meeting room. Mr. Turner distributed financial reports for the projects. He
had complete financial reports available for everyone to see on all HLC
projects.
MS. JOHNSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE HLC
CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
MOTION.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE HLC
RE-CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
MOTION.
Note: In Executive Session the HLC approved motions 1) to allow
additional funds for window work at the N. S. Alexander House, 5014 N.
Sharon Amity Road, 2) to allow additional funds for bathroom, fence and
kitchen work at the Sidney and Ethel Grier House, 4647 McKee Road 3) to
table decisions on the Torrence-Lytle School, 302 Holbrook Road, until the
HLC has appraisal information and 4) to extend the listing agreement with
the realtor for the Charlotte Cotton Mills, 508 W. 5th Street.
Item #8 - Old Business.
No old business was presented.
Item #9 - New Business.
No new business was presented.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.