Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Historic Landmarks Commission
Minutes
August 9, 2004
6:00 p.m.
Location: 2100
Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C.
Time: 6:00 p.m. –
8:00 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Scott
Abernethy/County – 1st Meeting
Mr. Matt
Benson/Mayor – 1st Meeting
Mr. Jeff Bradsher/County
– HLC Chairman
Ms. Amy Hockett/City
– Design Review Com. Chairman
Mr. Joseph B. C.
Kluttz/County – Projects Com. Chairman
Ms. Valerie
Lewis/City – HLC Secretary, Education Com. Chairman
Mr. Len
Norman/County – Survey Com. Chairman
Mr. John J. Parker,
III/Mayor – Projects Com. Vice-Chairman
Ms. Laura Chalk
Smith/City – HLC Treasurer
Mr. Michael C.
Sullivan/County – HLC Vice-Chairman
Dr. Dan L. Morrill,
HLC Consulting Director
Mr. Stewart Gray,
HLC Assistant Consulting Director
Ms. Mary Lynn
Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant
Mr. Bryan Turner,
HLC Projects Manager
Ms. Patricia Nystrom,
HLC Attorney
Absent:
Ms. Yolanda Johnson-Gess/City
– Projects Com. Vice-Chairman
Ms. Yolanda
Law/County – Education Com. Vice-Chairman
Visitors:
Mr. Roger Lauer,
Croft Properties (S. W. Davis House)
Mr. Brad Frazier,
Croft Properties (S. W. Davis House)
Ms. Angie Lauer,
Croft Properties, ALB Architecture (S. W. Davis House)
Mr. Douglas Pugh,
owner (Gluyas House)
Mr. Brent Torstrick,
Robinson, Bradshaw, & Hinson (1st Pres.Ch./Builders Bldg.)
Mr. Patrick Cannon,
Charlotte Mayor Pro-tem (Builders Building)
Mr. John Misenheimer,
former Commissioner (HLC)
Mr. Peter A. Pappas,
Pappas Properties (Charlotte Cotton Mills)
Mr. Wade Finger,
Pappas Properties (Charlotte Cotton Mills)
Mr. Jim Coates,
realtor (Jordan Farm)
AGENDA
Item #1 –
Approval of Minutes
MR. NORMAN PRESENTED
A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. SULLIVAN THAT THE MINUTES FOR JUNE 14, 2004, BE
APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
MOTION.
Item #2 –
Chairman’s Report: Mr.
Bradsher
Mr. Bradsher
welcomed everyone to the meeting. He extended a special welcome to
Mr. Abernethy and Mr. Benson as new HLC members.
Mr. Bradsher
announced the following appointments and meeting dates for the new fiscal
year:
Ms. Amy Hockett –
Design Review Committee Chairman
8:00 a.m. - meets Tues. Aug. 24, 2004
Ms. Valerie Lewis –
Education Committee Chairman
9:30 a.m. – meets Wed. Aug. 25, 2004
Ms. Laurie Smith –
Finance Committee Chairman
Mr. Joe Kluttz –
Projects Committee Chairman
6:00 p. m. – meets Tues. Sept. 7, 2004
Mr. Len Norman –
Survey Committee Chairman
6:00 p.m. – meets Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004
Mr. Bradsher
reminded those present that the HLC’s website –
www.cmhpf.org – should be consulted on a regular basis for
information.
Item #3 –
Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill
Dr. Morrill reported
that the Town of Matthews has approached the HLC about participating
jointly in a preservation program for the Bost House on W. John St.
He said that he, Mr. Turner and Mr. Gray visited the house and that they
all agree that it is a most significant historic structure
architecturally. He said that Mr. Turner is developing cost
estimates and that the issue will be brought to the Projects Committee at
one of its upcoming meetings.
Dr. Morrill reported
that Staff developed and distributed to the Executive Committee a draft of
a letter of intent to be submitted to the realtor for the owner of the
Jordan Farm on Hus McGinnis Road. He said that the Town of
Huntersville will be deciding on August 16th whether it wishes
to participate with the HLC in purchasing and offering the property for
development.
Dr. Morrill reported
that the Executive Committee has met during the past month with the
realtors for the Charlotte Cotton Mills and the Oakley House.
Negotiations with prospective buyers for these properties continue.
Dr. Morrill said
that a prospective buyer of the S. W. Davis House has submitted a purchase
contract to the realtor who represents the owner. The issue before
the HLC is whether it wishes to exercise its right of first refusal to
purchase. The buyers are present this evening to present their
conceptual plans for the property.
Dr. Morrill reported
that there have been meetings regarding the relocation of the Bethesda
School to Rural Hill Plantation. The Executive Committee, acting on
behalf of the HLC, has waived its right of first refusal to purchase.
The owner has signed an agreement stipulating that the HLC has until
December 31, 2004, to move the structure elsewhere or allow the building
to be destroyed. The Catawba Valley Scottish Society is supportive
of the plan to move the schoolhouse to Rural Hill. The issue before
the HLC is whether it wishes to take the funds from its revolving fund to
move and restore the structure or whether it wishes to make an appeal to
the Board of County Commissioners for a special allocation to fund the
project.
Dr. Morrill reported
that the Board of County Commissioners did not act favorably on the
Citizens Capital Budget Advisory Commission’s recommendation that $1.5
million be replenished to the revolving fund. Dr. Morrill said
that he discussed this matter with County staff and that they stated that
the HLC could submit a betterment request in the 2005 – 2006 budget.
Dr. Morrill reported
that three properties have been designated by City Council as historic
landmarks since the last HLC meeting in June. The properties are the
Victor Shaw House, the American Legion Memorial Stadium, and the First
United Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Morrill reminded
that several public hearings will be held between now and the end of the
calendar year. Staff will advise HLC members of the time, place and
date when the data is known.
Dr. Morrill said
that the HLC is aware that some owners of historic landmarks are not fully
aware of their responsibilities to submit applications for Certificates of
Appropriateness. He said that a meeting will be scheduled with the
Building Standards Department to discuss the matter and to devise
remedies.
Dr. Morrill reported
that owners of a substantial amount of farmland in northern Mecklenburg
have approached the HLC about processing their land for historic landmark
designation, including the road upon which the land borders.
Item #4 – Design
Review Committee Report:
Ms. Hockett
Ms. Hockett said
that the Design Review Committee will meet Tuesday, August 24, 2004, at
8:00 a.m., at the HLC office.
Item #5 – Survey
Committee Report: Mr.
Norman
Mr. Norman reported
that the Survey Committee will meet Thursday, September 5, 2004, at 6:00
p.m., at the HLC office.
Mr. Norman reported
that he approved, in keeping with the vote of the HLC, Dr. Morrill’s
preparing the Survey and Research Report for the Builders Building.
Dr. Morrill presented the prepared report and said that he suggests that
only the exterior of the building be approved for designation. He
said that he does not recommend that the interior be designated or that
the land be designated since the building is owned by one party and the
land by another. The owner of the land is First Presbyterian Church.
The lease expires in 2015.
MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED
A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT CONSIDERATION OF PROCESSING THE
BUILDERS BUILDING, 312 WEST TRADE STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE DEFERRED TO
THE HLC’S SEPTEMBER MEETING IN ORDER THAT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CAN
FURTHER INVESTIGATE ITS POSITION REGARDING THE PROSPECTIVE DESIGNATION.
ALL THE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT APPROVED THE SECONDED MOTION EXCEPT FOR MS.
SMITH WHO ABSTAINED FROM VOTING.
Church officials
will meet August 22, 2004, to consider the matter further, and the HLC’s
Survey Committee will discuss the situation at its September 2, 2004,
meeting.
Item #6 –
Projects Committee Report:
Mr. Kluttz
a. Consideration of
Waiver of Right of First Refusal on S. W. Davis House.
Prospective buyers
of the house told about their desire to purchase the property to use for
commercial purposes rather than as a residence. Ms. Lauer showed
conceptual renovation plans for the interior of the house and answered
questions. The HLC has the right of first refusal to purchase the
property ($550,O00 contractual price) due to deed covenants which were put
in place when the HLC sold the house after purchasing it with bond funds.
MS. HOCKETT
PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. KLUTTZ THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS
COMMISSION WAIVE ITS RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO PURCHASE THE S. W. DAVIS
HOUSE, 9132 BOB BEATTY ROAD, MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N. C., IN ORDER THAT
CROFT PROPERTIES CAN PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. THE COMMISSION
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
b. Consideration of
how to acquire funding for the Bethesda School
The HLC has entered
into an agreement with the owner and buyer of the Bethesda School whereby
the HLC will have until December 31, 2004, to move the building to another
location. Preliminary investigations suggest that the building could
be moved to Rural Hill and renovated as a public historic site for
$102,940. The issue before the HLC is whether it intends to use
revolving fund money for this purpose or whether it wishes to pursue a
special allocation of County funds to move and restore the building.
If it chooses to follow the special allocation route, the HLC will make
its request at the September 8, 2004, meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners or at the earliest suitable meeting thereafter.
MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED
A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBMIT A SPECIAL REQUEST TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO FUND 1)
MOVING THE BETHESDA SCHOOL FROM ITS CURRENT SITE AT 13129 ALEXANDERANA
ROAD TO RURAL HILL ON NECK ROAD AND 2) A SUBSEQUENT RESTORATION OF THE
BUILDING FOR USE AS A PUBLIC HISTORIC SITE. THE COMMISSION
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED
A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. SMITH THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION
CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE MOTION.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED
A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS RECONVENE IN
ITS REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
In Executive Session
the HLC approved the submission of a letter of intent to the realtor
representing the owner of the Jordan Farm stating that the HLC is will
support one-half the costs associated with the purchase of the Jordan
Farm, contingent upon the Town of Huntersville sharing equally in the
costs.
The Charlotte Cotton
Mills situation was discussed, and the HLC approved a motion to consider
purchase proposals that are better defined and to pay money for gated
parking.
Item #7 –
Education Committee Report:
Ms. Lewis
Ms. Lewis reported
that the Education Committee will meet Wednesday, August 25, 2004, at 9:30
a.m. at the HLC office.
Dr. Morrill reported
that a major opportunity has arisen with respect to the HLC’s education
function. Specifically, the History channel, with Bank of America as
a major sponsor, has selected Charlotte as one of twenty cities in which
it will be partnering with local institutions to develop a preservation
educational program for the public schools. A representative of the
History Channel will meet with the Education Committee at the August 25th
meeting to discuss the program. Representatives of Charlotte
Trolley, Inc., will also attend.
Item #8 –
Treasurer’s Report/Finance Committee Report:
Ms. Smith
Ms. Smith
distributed the current financial report for the HLC’s projects. HLC
members discussed the finances and asked questions which Ms. Smith and Mr.
Turner answered.
Item #9 – Old
Business
No old business was
presented.
Item #10 – New
Business
MR. PARKER PRESENTED
A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE TOWN OF HUNTERSVILLE REGARDING HISTORIC
DESIGNATION FOR THE OEHLER FARM AND THE MCELROY FARM. THE COMMISSION
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED
A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE SCHEDULED WITH
THE TOWN OF MATTHEWS FOR CONSIDERING THE COMMISSION’S
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE FUNDERBURK BROTHERS BUILDING, 157
N. TRADE ST., MATTHEWS, N. C., BE
DESIGNATED AS A HISTORIC LANDMARK. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE MOTION.
The meeting
adjourned at 8:00 p.m.