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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Minutes

August 14, 2000

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

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Present:

Ms. Ava Autrey/County, Design Review Committee Chr.

Ms. Tattie Bos/Mayor, Design Review Committee V. Chr.

Mr. Jeff Bradsher/County, HLC Chairman

Ms. Deborah Cox/City, HLC V. Chr., Survey Committee Chr.

Mr. Bernard Felder/City, (1st meeting)

Ms. Phiderika Foust/County, Projects Committee V. Chr.

Mr. Scott Hirsch/City, HLC Treas.

Mr. D. Grier Martin, III/City, Education Com. V. Chr.

Mr. John Misenheimer/County, Education Com. Chr.

Mr. John J. Parker, III/Mayor, Projects Com. Chr.

Mr. David T. Ritch, MHA Representative (ex-officio)

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Absent:

Ms. Ross Richardson/County, Survey Com. V. Chr.

Visitors:

Ms. JoAnne Miller (Oehler House)

Ms. Mary Beth Gatza, S & R Report (Frederick Apartments)

Ms. R. Marilyn Brown (Oehler House)

Mr. Brian Jenest (Oehler House)

Mr. Steve VanLeer (Frederick Apartments)

Mr. Jeff Dan (Oehler House)

Ms. Kathryn Lawrence (Oehler House)

Ms. Ann Hammond (Oehler House)

Ms. Catherine Browning (Oehler House)

Mr. Guy Pearlman (Oehler House)

 

AGENDA

Item #1 - Approval of Minutes

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. AUTREY THAT THE MINUTES FOR JULY 10, 2000, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Bradsher distributed copies of Executive Session minutes from the last meeting for approval.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. FOUST THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR JULY 10, 2000, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Mr. Jeff Bradsher

Mr. Bradsher welcomed everyone to the meeting. He extended a special welcome to Mr. Felder as a new member of the HLC. He also congratulated Ms. Richardson on the birth of a baby boy.

Mr. Bradsher reported that he has been meeting individually with commission members. He said that some of the suggested goals are to continue educating the community about its history, to be more proactive and to have fun doing the HLC’s important work.

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

A copy of the Director’s Report is attached.

Dr. Morrill reminded the Commissioners that HLC information is updated regularly on the website: cmhpf.org. He said that he is pleased that Mr. A. Bryan Turner will join the Engineering and Building Standards Department as a full-time County employee October 4th. Mr. Turner will act as Project Manager for the Historic Landmarks Commission’s real estate projects.

Item #4 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. John Parker

Mr. Parker asked that the Commissioners consider an Offer on the Oehler Farm. Mr. Brian Jenest of ColeJenest & Stone (Land Planning, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Design) presented a proposed schematic site plan for the approximately 140 acres (Oehler Property Master Plan) along with projected costs.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. PARKER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. FELDER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION RECONVENE IN ITS REGULAR SESSION AND REPORT THE ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Bradsher reported to the public present that the HLC voted to make an offer to purchase the Oehler property. He reported that the HLC also voted in Executive Session that a subcommittee composed of Mr. Felder, Mr. Hirsch and Mr. Parker negotiate the contract to purchase.

Mr. Parker asked that the HLC consider a procedure whereby contingency offers on real estate can be made by the Historic Landmarks Commission.

MR. PARKER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HIRSCH THAT THE CONSULTING DIRECTOR, WITH THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE CHAIRS OF THE COMMISSION AND THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE, IS AUTHORIZED TO PRESENT OFFERS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY PROVIDED THAT ANY SUCH OFFER IS CONTINGENT UPON AND SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION AT ITS NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN TO AMEND THE PRESENTED MOTION TO STATE THAT OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION WILL BE NOTIFIED WITHIN THREE WORKING DAYS OF ANY OFFER BEING EXTENDED TO PURCHASE PROPERTY ON BEHALF OF THE HLC AND THAT A MAJORITY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS AUTHORIZED TO PRESENT OFFERS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY PROVIDED THAT ANY SUCH OFFER IS CONTINGENT UPON AND SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION AT ITS NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING. THE MOTION FAILED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FAVOR: COX, MARTIN OPPOSE: AUTREY, BOS, BRADSHER, FELDER, FOUST, HIRSCH, MISENHEIMER, PARKER.

MR. PARKER PRESENTED A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO HIS ORIGINAL MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HIRSCH THAT THE CONSULTING DIRECTOR, WITH THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF A MAJORITY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (HLC CHAIRMAN, HLC VICE-CHAIRMAN, HLC SECRETARY, HLC TREASURER AND HLC REVOLVING FUND LIAISON-CHAIRMAN OF THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE) IS AUTHORIZED TO PRESENT OFFERS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY PROVIDED THAT ANY SUCH OFFER IS CONTINGENT UPON AND SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION AT ITS NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Parker asked the Commissioners to consider purchase of the Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House, 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C., the HLC’s office, from Historic Charlotte, Inc., formerly called the Historic Preservation Foundation, Inc. A history (minutes, financial reports, fund raising projects, etc.) of the situation was distributed from the time when the Historic Landmarks Commission and the Historic Preservation Foundation, which was established to assist the HLC, had the same Board.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. AUTREY THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. FOUST THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION RECONVENE IN ITS REGULAR SESSION AND REPORT THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Bradsher reported that the HLC voted in Executive Session to make an offer to purchase 2100 Randolph Road from Historic Charlotte, Inc. A subcommittee composed of Mr. Parker, Mr. Felder and Mr. Hirsch will negotiate the offer on behalf of the HLC.

Mr. Hirsch and Ms. Foust left the meeting at this point - 8:10 p.m.

Mr. Parker asked that the HLC reconsider the purchase of the W. T. Alexander Plantation due to the fact that Cambridge Properties failed to notify the adjacent tract buyer, Davis Properties of Atlanta, that an easement, as agreed upon, was to be granted to the HLC providing access to the new road that borders the property.

MR. MARTIN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. PARKER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION MOVE AHEAD WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE W. T. ALEXANDER PLANTATION AT THE CORNER OF MALLARD CREEK ROAD AND U. S. HIGHWAY 29. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Parker asked the HLC to consider the well for the Gluyas House, which the HLC recently sold to Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Mattingly.

MR. PARKER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. FELDER THAT UP TO $1500 BE SPENT TO PLACE THE WELL WITHIN THE PROPERTY LINES AT THE GLUYAS HOUSE, 7314 MT. HOLLY-HUNTERSVILLE ROAD. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #5 - Survey Committee Report: Ms. Deborah Cox

Ms. Cox asked the Commissioners to consider the Survey and Research Report on the Frederick Apartments, 515 N. Church Street, Charlotte, N. C. Ms. Gatza presented slides and told about the historical and architectural significance of the property. Mr. VanLeer, developer of the property, distributed manuals to each Commissioner telling about the history of the property and showing plans for the structure.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. AUTREY THAT THE FREDERICK APARTMENTS, 515 N. CHURCH STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., (EXTERIOR, INTERIOR AND THE TAX PARCEL ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPERTY) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARD MOTION, BE APPROVED BY THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION FOR SUBMISSION TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY, AND THAT THE COMMISSION SCHEDULE A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY UPON RECEIPT OF A FAVORABLE COMMENT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF ARCHIVE AND HISTORY. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FAVOR: AUTREY, BOS, BRADSHER, COX, FELDER, MARTIN, MISENHEIMER, PARKER, OPPOSE: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE.

Ms. Gatza reported that the HLC must have a consultant under contract by September 30th to conduct a survey of industrial and institutional buildings in Charlotte-Mecklenburg dating from the first half of the twentieth century and that the deadline for proposals is August 15th. There needs to be a procedure approved so that a recommendation can be made to the HLC at its September meeting.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER THAT A SUBCOMMITTEE REVIEW CONSULTANTS’ PROPOSALS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HLC AT THE SEPTEMBER 11TH MEETING. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Cox said that concern has been expressed about the Alexander Slave Cemetery.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER THAT THE ALEXANDER SLAVE CEMETERY BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Cox told the Commissioners that the media has reported that the Thomas Griffith Warehouse Building , 209 E. 7th Street, which was processed for historic designation in 1987 by the HLC but not designated due to owner opposition, is threatened by possible demolition.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. BOS THAT A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT ON THE THOMAS GRIFFITH WAREHOUSE BUILDING, 209 EAST SEVENTH STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PRESENTED FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE SEPTEMBER 11TH MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Cox reported that the Survey Committee will meet Thursday, October 5, 2000 at 6:00 p. m.

Item #6 - Report on Designated Historic Landmarks

Mr. Martin reported on nine properties in Steele Creek and three properties in West Mecklenburg.

Item #7 - Old Business

No motions were presented.

Item # 8 - New Business

Mr. Bradsher said that any member of associated history boards could report at this time if desired. No reports were presented.

Meeting times for committees for the year are as follow:

Projects Committee: 1st Thursday every other month beginning September 7th at 7 p.m.

Design Review Committee:: Meets each month on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. 10 days following the HLC meeting ( 2nd Monday night monthly.)

Education Committee: Meets the 3rd Thursday every other month beginning Oct. 19th at 6:00 p.m.

Survey Committee: Meets first Thursday every other month beginning October 5th at 6:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.