Charlotte

MR. SULLIVAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT THE MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 10, 2006, MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. HOCKETT THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION DATED APRIL 10, 2006, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Sullivan welcomed everyone to the meeting. He reminded the Commissioners that we do not schedule any HLC meetings in July.

Mr. Sullivan reminded everyone to check the attendance sheets and to report any errors to Ms. Morrill.

Mr. Sullivan said that a public hearing in Huntersville is scheduled for Monday, June 5. Two properties will be considered for historic designation - the McAuley Road farmland and the Bradford Store. He said that a public hearing with the City of Charlotte is scheduled for Monday, June 19. Two properties will be considered for historic designation - the Dilworth City House and the Siloam School. Ms. Smith said that Groups A (Law, Lewis, Norman, Sullivan ) and B (Alsop, Mattson, Johnson, Smith) are scheduled to attend the public hearing June 5th and that Groups B and C (Benson, Newman,Hockett, Kluttz) are scheduled to attend the public hearing June 19th.

Dr. Morrill asked that the Commission hold a public hearing on the Sidney and Ethel Grier House, 4647 McKee Road, Charlotte, N. C., to receive public comment on whether the subject property is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

MR. SULLIVAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT THE HLC OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. HOCKETT THAT THE HLC RECOMMEND THAT THE SIDNEY AND ETHEL GRIER HOUSE, 4647 McKEE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. HOCKETT TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC has received a letter from Archives and History affirming the special significance of the McAuley Road Farmland but questioning the inclusion of two portions of the land currently included in the proposed historic landmark. Dr. Morrill said HLC staff believes that the adjustment in the boundaries is justified and recommends that the HLC continue with the designation process.

MS. HOCKETT PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE HLC CONTINUE THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROCESS FOR THE McAULEY ROAD FARMLAND AND INCORPORATE THE CHANGES PROPOSED BY THE DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill said that HLC staff has received a letter from Archives and History affirming the special significance of the Siloam School but wants the Survey and Research Report to include information regarding the similarity of the design of the school to that found in Rosenwald Schools. HLC staff, he said, believes that with the inclusion of this information in the Survey and Research the designation process should continue.

MS. HOCKETT PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT INFORMATION THAT NEEDS INCLUSION IN THE SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT ON THE SILOAM SCHOOL, JOHN ADAMS ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., AS SUGGESTED BY THE N. C. DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY, BE ADDED TO THE REPORT AND THAT THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROCESS CONTINUE. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC prepared a Survey and Research Report on the Tuckaseegee Ford in 2000 but postponed processing the property for historic designation because of uncertainties arising from the development of a White Water Park on the site. Dr. Morrill said that HLC staff believes that the time has come to initiate the processing of the Tuckaseegee Ford for historic landmarks designation and will bring this matter before the HLC at the June meeting.

Dr. Morrill reported that Mr. Jason Nichols, a student intern, has completed identifying the contents of the N. S. Alexander House, 5014 N. Sharon Amity Road. Dr. Morrill said that he will meet with Mr. Nichols later in the week to arrange a meeting with the owner. Interestingly, a large collection of historic photographs of the family and house have been found.

Dr. Morrill reported that Ms. Jennifer Payne, a UNCC graduate student, continues to work with the Town of Davidson on its comprehensive preservation plan. Dr. Morrill said that Ms. Payne has completed the contextual essay on the built environment of Davidson and has worked with Stewart Gray in completing three Survey and Research Reports.

Dr. Morrill reported that Mecklenburg County continues to work on a proposed operational budget for the HLC. He will inform the HLC when he has more data.

Dr. Morrill informed the Commissioners that HLC staff has submitted an Application for a Preservation Honor Award to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He said that winners will be notified in the fall of 2006.

Dr. Morrill reported that two historic landmarks might be subject to development in the near future. He has met with realtors who are listing the Parks Cramer property in South End and is scheduled to meet with prospective buyers of a portion of the Blakeney House property.

Dr. Morrill said that a situation has arisen with respect to the stabilization of the Bathesda School at Rural Hill. Officials of the Catawba Valley Scottish Society are questioning the level and timing of improvements to the building. Mr. Turner and Mr. Gray will visit the site tomorrow to assess the situation. In October 2005 the HLC voted to spend an additional $22,000 on the Bathesda School for a permanent foundation and for a roof. Dr. Morrill showed a photo of the current condition of the school. The school does have a new foundation and roof but the siding, windows and door are in poor condition. The HLC had thought that the Catawba Valley Scottish Society planned to restore the rest of the school once the move, roof and foundation had been paid for by the HLC but there seems to be a misunderstanding. The HLC’s revolving fund is designed to be spent on projects where money can be regained at the time of sale. This property cannot be sold. Discussion will continue at the next HLC meeting.

Due to Mr. Norman’s absence, Mr. Benson reported the Committee’s business. He said that the meeting of the Survey Committee was held May 4 but a quorum was not present. Consequently, the Committee is bringing forth recommendations, not seconded motions. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org (see Survey Committee section & minutes section.)

Mr. Gray presented the Survey and Research Report on the Yandell building located at 325-329 Main Street, Pineville, N. C. Owners were present to state that they do not want historic designation for the property. The Commission asked if the owners intended to tear down the buildings at 325-329 Main Street, Pineville, in the next 30 days. The owners pledged that they would not tear down the buildings before the next meeting of the HLC.

MS. LAW PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON TO TABLE CONSIDERING 325-329 MAIN STREET, PINEVILLE, N. C., FOR PROCESSING FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION UNTIL THE HLC’S MEETING ON JUNE 12. 2006. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH A SINGLE VOTE OF OPPOSITION CAST BY DR. MATTSON.

1) THE VANCE HIGH SCHOOL CEMETERY BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST AND THAT THE HLC PAY ONE-HALF THE COST OF A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT WITH CMS PAYING THE OTHER HALF OF THE COST;

2) THAT THE PHILLIPS HOUSE AND BARN, MATTHEWS, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST AND THAT THE HLC PAY FOR THE COST OF A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT;

3) THAT $700 BE PAID BY THE HLC FOR THE PREPARATION OF A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE WOODLAWN AVENUE APARTMENT BUILDING, 210 SOUTH IRWIN AVE, CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Mr. Benson reported that three properties in Davidson, N. C., 1) The Armour-Adams House, 626 North Main St. 2) Hood-Lore House, 829 Concord Rd. & 3) the Holt-Henderson-Copeland House, 305 N. Main St., will be considered for processing for historic designation at the June HLC meeting. He said that the Clark House in Matthews, 232 Matthews Station St. N. C., will also be considered at the June meeting. The Clark House is owned by the Town of Matthews.

Ms. Johnson was present to conduct the Projects Committee business for Mr. Kluttz, who was absent. She said that the Committee did not meet this month but that Ms. Nystrom and Mr. Turner had information to present.

Mr. Lindsey and Mr. Wilson were present to discuss the prospective purchase of the Grand Theater, 333 Beatties Ford Rd. A proposed design plan booklet was presented. Mr. Gray discussed proposed plans with the Commissioners. The HLC agreed that conceptually nothing about the proposed plans seems to present a "red flag." The owners understand that if the interior of the building is processed for historic designation (only the exterior is currently designated) proposed changes will need to be reviewed by the HLC’s Design Review Committee. Ms. Nystrom said that she is hopeful that a satisfactory closing on the building will occur soon.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT THE HLC AUTHORIZE THE POTENTIAL PURCHASER OF THE GRAND THEATER TO OFFER THE BUILDING, SUBJECT TO ITS PURCHASE OF THE BUILDING, PROVIDED HLC’S ATTORNEY APPROVE ANY DOCUMENTS TO BE EXECUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION

Ms. Nystrom reported that issues continue regarding overlapping boundaries and survey matters for Grace AME Zion Church, 219 S. Brevard St., Charlotte, N. C., which the HLC is trying to purchase. She said that 440 square feet are in question. She said that the HLC can explore the boundary issues further, which may cost a lot of money to resolve, or can accept the property with the understanding that 440 square feet of the property may be lost as other surrounding property owners have come over the original boundaries of the church.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE HLC CONTINUE WITH ITS PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR GRACE A. M.E ZION CHURCH, 219 S. BREVARD STREET, CHARLOTTE, N.C., DESPITE THE BOUNDARY DISPUTES. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

The Design Review Committee will not meet in May as no major applications for Certificates of Appropriateness have been received.

Ms. Lewis reported that an Education Committee meeting is not scheduled for May.

Ms. Johnson reported that the Nominating Committee presented the following slate of HLC officers for fiscal year 2007:

Ms. Johnson said that the election will be held at the June meeting and that nominations from the floor are premissible.

Mr. Sullivan reported that he continues to work to identify a home for the historic Charlotte mural. Dr. Morrill conversed with Mr. Ron Kimble about the matter last week.

Dr. Morrill reported that a developer has stated an interest in White Oak and the Oehler property.