Charlotte-Mecklenburg

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

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:25 p.m.

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

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Committee Chairman

Mr. Frank Bragg/City, Finance Vice-Chairman

Mr. William T. Hobbs/County, Projects Com. Vice-Chairman, White Oak Chairman

Ms. Yolanda Johnson/City, HLC Education Chair/Liaison

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

Ms. Yolanda Law/County, HLC Treasurer, Finance Chairman

Dr. Richard L. Mattson/County, Design Review Committee Vice-Chairman

Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chairman

Ms. Laura C. Smith/City, Nominating Committee Chairman

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Ms. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Ms. Mary Dominick, HLC Consultant

Mr. Len Norman, HLC Chairman

Mr. Lynn Weis, Survey Committee Vice-Chairman

Mr. Jeff Harper (Robinson House)

Mr. Jim Robinson (Robinson House)

Ms. Lisa Gray, Charlotte Trolley, Inc.

Ms. Ginger Rolfes, Charlotte Trolley, Inc.

Mr. Ed McCoy, 1431 W. Morehead St.

Mr. Donald Peadon, 1431 W. Morehead St.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR JUNE 11, 2007, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Mr. Alsop, HLC Vice-Chairman

Mr. Alsop welcomed everyone to the meeting. He asked Commissioners to check the distributed attendance report and to notify Ms. Morrill if changes or corrections are needed. He also asked the Commissioners to look at the sheet showing Committee Assignments for next year.

Mr. Alsop reported that the next public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 9, 2007, in Pineville. He said that Ms. Smith will contact everyone about the meeting closer to the meeting hearing date.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Historic Preservation Commission of Lincoln County will be hosting a preservation workshop in January 2008. It will be imperative, he said, that three or more members of the HLC attend this workshop so the HLC can meet its Certified Local Government continuing education requirements. He said that Staff is working to complete the annual report for the Certified Local Government Program. The HLC should be able to reimburse expenses. HLC Staff will attend the workshop and will be assisting with arrangements. Dr. Morrill said that the HLC has been asked to reciprocate by sponsoring a workshop in 2009.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION HOST A PRESERVATION WORKSHOP IN 2009. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that Ms. Lisa Gray, Director of Charlotte Trolley, has informed HLC Staff that discussions about the future use of Trolley No. 1 (One) continue. Ms. Gray updated the HLC on the status of Streetcar #85 and explained the impact of an educational program, "History on Call," which Charlotte Trolley conducted.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE HLC’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BE AUTHORIZED TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF TROLLEY NUMBER ONE TO CHARLOTTE TROLLEY, INC. , IF THE DOCUMENT CONFORMS IN ALL RESPECTS TO THE MOTION REGARDING THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP APPROVED BY THE HLC IN NOVEMBER 1999. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Town Board of Pineville has approved the new interlocal agreement with the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The agreement will now be circulated among the outlying towns of Mecklenburg County.

Dr. Morrill said that the designation program is moving ahead in Pineville. The designation of commercial buildings on the north side of Main Street and additional properties on the south side of Main Street will come before the Town Board of Pineville in a joint public hearing on October 9, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. This will be the day after the October meeting of the HLC.

Dr. Morrill reported that there have been significant developments with respect to the Coffee Cup Soda Grill. He said that the present tenants will be vacating the structure, and discussions between the owner and the tenant have included the possibility of creating an exhibit at the African American Cultural Center celebrating the Coffee Cup. HLC Staff will be meeting with the owner on Wednesday to discuss future plans for the property.

Dr. Morrill announced that the closing recently occurred on the final portions of the Charlotte Cotton Mills, 508 W. 5th St., Charlotte, N. C. He thanked the HLC and Ms. Nystrom and Mr. Turner for bringing this substantial project to a successful conclusion.

Dr. Morrill said that HLC Staff has received expression of concern about the physical condition of the Overcarsh House, 326 W. 8th Street, Charlotte N. C., located in Fourth Ward. He said that Staff has been informed that the property is not being adequately maintained and that the matter will be investigated.

Dr. Morrill thanked Mr. Len Norman for his kind donation of the book, Of Pleasure and Power: The Story of the Charlotte City Club, by Jack Claiborne to the HLC’s library.

Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Mr. Benson

Mr. Benson reported that the Design Review Committee met June 20, 2007. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

A. Consideration of Proposals for the Johnston and Mecklenburg Mills: (for information only)

The City of Charlotte has required that all proposals for the rehabilitation of the Johnston and Mecklenburg Mills in North Charlotte be reviewed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. The Design Review Committee at its June 2007 meeting did evaluate proposals to determine whether in its judgment the proposed developments would be appropriate in terms of protection of historic elements. A motion was passed by the Committee to approve conceptual design plans for the Mecklenburg Mill and the Johnson Mill located at the intersection of E. 36th Street and N. Davidson St., Charlotte, N. C., as presented by Tuscan Development, Winter Properties and Atlantic Properties and to oppose the plan presented by the Conformity Corporation.

The applicant is requesting approval of a plan that would involve an addition to the rear of the building and a new glass and steel foyer/corridor that would be attached to the west elevation.

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE GRINNELL/GENERAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY COMPLEX, 1431 WEST MOREHEAD STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED. ALL COMMISSIONERS PRESENT APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DR. MATTSON WHO OPPOSED THE MOTION.

The owner of the house is submitting a request for permission to demolish the house. A copy of the owner’s letter was distributed at the meeting. The HLC cannot deny the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness, but it can vote to delay the effective date of the certificate for up to 365 days. A Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition with a one-year delay was issued on May 16, 2001. As with all Certificates of Appropriateness, it was valid for only six months after the one-year delay. The owner did not demolish the structure during the six month period, and therefore the original Certificate of Appropriateness expired. The Design Review Committee presented the following approved motion:

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR DEMOLITION BE ISSUED FOR THE ROBINSON HOUSE, 8716 STEELE CREEK ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., DELAYING THE EFFECTIVE DATE 365 DAYS. ALL COMMISSIONERS PRESENT VOTED TO OPPOSE THE MOTION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DR. MATTSON WHO SUPPORTED IT.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. KLUTTZ THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR DEMOLITION BE ISSUED WITH NO DELAY OF DEMOLITION FOR THE ROBINSON HOUSE, 8716 STEELE CREEK ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C. ALL COMMISSIONERS PRESENT APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DR. MATTSON WHO OPPOSED THE MOTION.

Mr. Kluttz said that the minutes should reflect the fact that the vote of the HLC does not set a precedent for future properties when demolition is requested. Mr. Kluttz said that the record should show that this is an extraordinary case as the property is of marginal significance, its integrity has been compromised by vandalism and neglect and substantial financial hardship is involved. Dr. Mattson expressed concern over the fact that the owners had benefited from historic landmark designation but had allowed the property to fall into disrepair. He urged staff to attempt to maintain contact with owners to determine the status of designated landmarks.

Item #5 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Gray

The HLC currently has $2.8 million currently available to purchase endangered historic properties. The Commissioners agreed that the HLC needs to always have approximately $1Million in reserve funds. The Projects Committee will be considering endangered properties or properties available for sale, such as the Piedmont and Northern Thrift Depot, the McElroy House, and the Pineville Commercial Block.

Work on the relocation and stabilization of the McAuley House continues. The survey of the site has been completed and the property has been approved for septic. Staff is working with a contractor to develop an estimate for the rehabilitation costs, so the money can be recognized by the County.

Linda Kidd, realtor, continues to show the Rozzel House, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Road. Mr. Stewart Gray is the project manager for the property.

HLC Staff will be recommending to the White Oak Plantation Committee that at the expiration off the current lease the lease arrangement be changed so that the only one living on the property will be a caretaker in the log house behind the main house. T. R. Lawing continues to show the tenant house and has secured a commitment to rent subject to the actual signing of a lease. The front gate to the property has been damaged and is being repaired. Cleanup of the swimming pool continues. Mr. Stewart Gray is the project manager.

HLC Staff continues to work on completing the renovation of the Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence Road, Charlotte, N. C. Meetings with the contractor have occurred to discuss the issue of outstanding payments and the amount of work that still has to be done. The rezoning of the property is moving forward. A site plan will be developed in the near future showing how the property could be used for offices. Mr. Bryan Turner is Project Manager.

Ms. Nystrom reported that she got an e-mail from Mr. Jim Donnelly who has Grace AME Zion Church under contract stating that he would like an extension beyond the August 27, 2007, due diligence ending date and is willing to let the $20,000 earnest money be non refundable if the extension is granted.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT MR. JIM DONNELLY BE GRANTED AN EXTENSION OF 60 (SIXTY) DAYS ON GRACE AME ZION CHURCH, 219 S. BREVARD STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., AS REQUESTED WITH THE PROVISION THAT THE HLC KEEPS THE $20,000 EARNEST MONEY IF THE CONTRACT IS NOT FULFILLED. ALL THE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT APPROVED THE MOTION EXCEPT FOR MR. BRAGG WHO ABSTAINED IN THE VOTE.

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Alsop

Mr. Alsop reported that the Survey Committee will meet Friday, September 7, 2007, at 8:00 a.m., at the HLC office.

At the May Survey Committee meeting (minutes can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org) motions were presented.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDINGS AND THE GROUNDS AT THE CHARLES H. AND BESS SMITH HOUSE, 220 WEST TENTH STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARKS DESIGNATION. ALL COMMISSIONERS PRESENT APPROVED THE MOTION EXCEPT FOR MR. NEWMAN WHO VOTED TO OPPOSE THE MOTION.

Item #7 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Law

Ms. Law distributed the current financial report.

No old business was presented.

Mr. Gray reminded all Commissioners that they are invited to the Design Review Committee meeting on August 29, 2007, and that it will have a full agenda.

The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.