Charlotte-Mecklenburg

HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION

April 14, 2008

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

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

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

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Com. Chair

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

Ms. Yolanda Law/County, HLC Treas., Finance Com. Chair

Dr. Richard Mattson/County, Design Review Com. 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. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

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

Ms. Karen Shugart, Creative Loafing

Mr. Paul Jamison, Rozzel property

Ms. Linda Kidd, realtor, Rozzel property

Ms. Lexie Longstreet, realtor, Sidney & Ethel Grier House

Mr. Peter Faber, Rozzel property

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR MARCH 10, 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 told everyone that the attendance report and monthly calendar are at each seat .

Mr. Norman said that the election of HLC officers will be held at the June HLC meeting. No HLC meetings are held in July.

Mr. Norman said that the HLC will host a meeting on May 20, 2008, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., at White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Road, Charlotte, N. C. This meeting will provide the HLC with CLG credits provided that at least two HLC members attend the meeting. Mr. Norman said that Mr. Stewart Gray is handling arrangements for the meeting.

Mr. Norman showed the premier issue of Center City Living which features an article written by HLC member Dr. Lynn Weis on Elmwood Cemetery, a designated historic landmark. He also showed the Spring 2008 issue of Charlotte Magazine’s Home and Garden featuring the home of HLC member Matt Benson, an architect, and his wife, Barrie Benson, an interior designer.

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

Dr. Morrill said that there has been discussion among Commissioners about the prospect of the HLC’s becoming more active in providing financing for prospective buyers of historic landmarks. In the past this has only been done when it was absolutely necessary to make transactions occur. The Commissioners discussed the issue and agreed that such possible situations will be dealt with only when necessary on a case by case basis - that no blanket position will be adopted. Mr. Frank Bragg volunteered to advise the HLC regarding any case that might arise.

Dr. Morrill reiterated the fact that HLC members need to attend the afternoon training session at White Oak Plantation on May 20th if at all possible. Mr. Paul Fomberg of the N. C. Division of Archives and History will speak on tax credits for Historic Preservation. The Director of the Catawba Lands Conservancy will explain conservation easements. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion. There is no charge. Members of other preservation commission in the area will be present. Dr. Morrill confirmed that Mr. Gray is handling the arrangements.

Dr. Morrill said that the City has approached HLC Staff about the prospect of the HLC’s working with the City to save the former Walker’s Grocery in the Belmont neighborhood. The City is negotiating with the owner about a purchase price. The City would like to assign the option to the HLC. Dr. Morrill said that he will let Commissioners know when a purchase price is available.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Town of Huntersville will hold a rezoning hearing on May 5th for the tract on which the Tomlinson-Wilson House is located. The Town Manager has directed his Staff to meet with HLC staff and the developer before May 5th. HLC Staff will appear at the hearing to stress the importance of the house and to advocate its preservation.

Dr. Morrill reported that the City Manager advised HLC Staff to table the processing of Fire Station Number 4 as an historic landmark so that discussions could be held between the HLC and Bank of America, the owner of the building. A majority of HLC Commissioners voted to table the designation process. The City Manager has advised HLC Staff that the meeting with Bank of America will occur in the near future.

Dr. Morrill reported that the following properties are being processed for historic designation: the Solomon Levine House, the S. B. Alexander House, the Lingle Hut and the McCausland Building. The letter from the Division of Archives and History regarding the McCausland Building raised questions which staff will take to the Survey Committee for consideration.

Dr. Morrill said that he has discussed the issue of Demolition by Neglect with the City Attorney. If the HLC wishes to pursue a specific ordinance, the next step will be for the HLC to open discussions with the Historic Districts Commission about the issue and then approach the Planning Staff about a possible approach to City Council. The key will be to obtain City Council approval for a Demolition by Neglect Ordinance. The same would have to be done for each of the other municipalities, e.g. Huntersville, Matthews, for which the HLC functions. The matter will be brought before the Survey Committee at its next meeting.

Dr. Morrill reported that there has been no action regarding the development of contracts for purchase of endangered properties in Pineville or Dilworth. He also said there is no additional word on the prospect of purchasing the Thrift P & N Depot.

Dr. Morrill reported that the closing on the Sidney and Ethel Grier House is scheduled for April 24th. Mr. Turner and Ms. Longstreet are coordinating the final upfits that need to be made to the house.

Mr. Turner continues to work to resolve issues with the general contractor for the Grier-Rea House. Once the issues are resolved, HLC will move ahead with an expeditious completion of the house.

Dr. Morrill said that the staging of White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Rd., Charlotte, N. C., is complete, and that the property is being aggressively marketed. The house needs roof repair. Mr. Gray is overseeing the property for the HLC and is also moving ahead with securing the drawings for the relocation and reconstruction of the McAuley House.

Dr. Morrill said that the County Manager will soon be issuing his recommended budget. HLC Commissioners will be kept informed about the matter.

A. Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte, NC

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRAGG THAT THE HLC OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER HISTORIC STATUS FOR WING HAVEN, 248 RIDGEWOOD AVE., CHARLOTTE, N. C.

The property consisting of the house and grounds was reviewed and discussed by the HLC.

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.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE HLC AFFIRM ITS RECOMMENDATION THAT WING HAVEN, 248 RIDGEWOOD AVE., CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE DESIGNATED A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill said that City Council will vote on historic designation status for Wing Haven on April 21, 2008.

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

Mr. Benson reported that the Design Review Committee met April 23, 2008. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR GRACE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH, 219 S. BREVARD STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED WITH THE PROVISION THAT THE POSTS AND GAS PIPING IN THE BASEMENT BE RETAINED, THAT THE COMMUNION RAIL BE PRESERVED, THE ORIGINAL FLOORING IN THE FRONT TOWERS BE RETAINED AND THAT RECORD PHOTOGRAPHS BE MADE AND DEPOSITED WITH THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION SHOWING THE AREA IN WHICH THE BATHROOMS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE SANCTUARY. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Benson told the HLC members that Historic Latta Plantation is proposing to relocate the Cathey-Deese Cabin to a location on a site outside the boundaries of historic designation, so no action by the HLC is required.

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Alsop

Mr. Alsop reported that the public hearing for Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary will be held next Monday night. The owner is in favor of historic designation, and the Division of Archives and History has commented affirmatively upon the prospect. The Survey and Research report for the property can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

Item #7 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Newman

Mr. Newman told the Commissioners that the HLC would need to convene in Executive Session to handle business matters.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN 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 voted to approve a contract for the sale of the Rozzel House and property, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Rd., Charlotte, N. C. and agreed to get another appraisal for the Sidney and Ethel Grier House and property, 4647 McKee Road, Charlotte, N. C.

Item #7 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Law

Ms. Law distributed the current financial report and reviewed the information with those present.

Item #8 - Nominating Committee Report: Ms. Smith

Ms. Smith reported that the Nominating Committee presents the following slate of nominees for HLC officers for fiscal year 2009:

Chairman: Mr. Richard Alsop, III

Vice-Chairman: Mr. Yolanda Law

Secretary: Mr. Lynn Weis

Treasurer: Ms. Laurie Smith

The election will be held at the June HLC meeting.

No old business was presented.

Dr. Morrill reported that a special event, "Back on Track", celebrating the return of the trolleys running on the new tracks is scheduled at the Atherton Mill Sunday, April 20, 2008, at 1:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.