Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Historic Landmarks Commission

Minutes

October 11, 2004

 

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

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.

 

Present:

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor - Design Review Com. Vice-Chairman

Mr. Jeff Bradsher/County - HLC Chairman

Ms. Amy Hockett/City - Design Review Com. Chairman

Ms. Yolanda Johnson-Gess - Projects Com. Vice-Chairman

Ms. Valerie Lewis/City - HLC Secretary, Education Com. Chairman

Mr. Len Norman/County - Survey Com. Chairman

Ms. Laura Chalk Smith/City - HLC Treasurer

Mr. Michael C. Sullivan/County - HLC Vice-Chairman

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Ms. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Assistant Cons. Dir.

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Cons.

Absent:

Mr. Scott Abernethy/County

Mr. Joseph B. C. Kluttz/County - Projects Com. Chairman

Ms. Yolanda Law/County - Education Com. Vice-Chairman

Visitors:

Ms. Rosalie Reynolds

Ms. Carrie Frye, Narmour Wright, Corder Philips Wilson, (Charlotte Cotton Mill)

Mr. Paul Jamison, owner, (Sykes Building)

Mr. Bob Lore, Meca Properties, (Oakley House)

 

AGENDA

Item #1 - Approval of Minutes

 

MS. HOCKETT PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON-GESS THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2004, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED.  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

 

MS. HOCKETT PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE HLC’S EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 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.

 

Mr. Bradsher announced that tonight Dr. Morrill finishes thirty (30) years as Consulting Director of the Historic Landmarks Commission.  Dr. Morrill has never missed a single monthly HLC meeting in the years of service.

 

Mr. Bradsher reported that the Mayor has not appointed a replacement for Mr. John Parker who resigned in August.

 

Mr. Bradsher reminded the Commissioners about the Public Hearing scheduled for next Monday night, October 18th, in Huntersville.  A Public Hearing is scheduled for November 9th with Davidson, and one is scheduled for November 15th with the City Council.  Ms. Smith distributed public hearing assignments to the Commissioners.

 

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

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC would need to convene in Executive Session to consider the Jordan Farm on Hus McGinnis Road, the Oakley House on Main Street in Pineville, and an offer submitted by a prospective buyer of the Charlotte Cotton Mills.  The HLC agreed to meet in Executive Session later in the meeting.

 

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC continues to work to attempt to preserve the Bethesda School.  The building must be moved to another site by December 31st or it will be destroyed.  The issue before the HLC is that it appears virtually certain that the County staff will not recommend special funding to move and restore the building.  In other words, the HLC will have to draw money from its revolving fund if it wishes to save the building.  A potential approach would be for the HLC to pay to move the building and place it on a foundation at Rural Hill.  Funds for the restoration of the building would be requested from the county in its next budget cycle.  The HLC needs to decide if it wishes to move forward with the project.  Mr. Turner said that to move and restore the building at Rural Hill will cost $135,000.   $30,000 is needed to move the structure and to place it on a foundation.

 

MR. SULLIVAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON-GESS THAT $30,000 BE SPENT BY THE HLC TO MOVE  THE BETHESDA SCHOOL TO A NEW FOUNDATION AT RURAL HILL .  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

 

Dr. Morrill reported that Staff continues to work with Grubb Properties with respect to scheduling the hearing for the prospective designation of the Lloyd Presbyterian Church Cemetery as a historic landmark.  Grubb Properties is still working on the exact boundaries of the prospective historic landmark.  The hearing was continued in September, and the same might happen this month.  These matters are simply procedural.  There is no question about the eventual designation of the property.  Dr. Morrill said that he will keep everyone informed as the matter moves forward.

 

Dr. Morrill reported that the Matthews Town Board has submitted a letter to the HLC saying that the Town would like to work collaboratively to preserve the Bost House on West John St.  The Town will be approaching the owner to determine if the owner is willing to sell the property.  This matter will be brought to the Projects Committee at its next meeting.

 

Dr. Morrill said that the Town of Huntersville is scheduled to vote next Monday on whether it will participate with the HLC in purchasing and eventually selling the Jordan Farm on Hus McGinnis Road.

 

Dr. Morrill reported that the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission did vote unanimously to endorse the concept of moving the Bethesda School to Rural Hill.

 

Dr. Morrill said that Mr. Paul Archambault has essentially completed the Survey of the built environment of Pineville.  He will be presenting the Survey to the Survey Committee at its next meeting.  It is scheduled to come before the HLC at its November meeting.

 

Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Ms. Hockett

     a. Consideration of an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Charlotte Cotton Mills, Building B.

            Ms. Hockett told the Commissioners that a Certificate of Appropriateness is requested by the proposed buyer for a section of the HLC’s Building B in the Charlotte Cotton Mills.  Ms. Frye was present in support of the Application which addressed a stairwell, walls, etc.  The Application was explained to the Commissioners, and questions and concerns were addressed.

 

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. HOCKETT THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE ISSUED AS PRESENTED FOR THE CHARLOTTE COTTON MILLS, 508 WEST FIFTH STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C.,  WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT MR. BRYAN TURNER MUST APPROVE FINAL DESIGN PLANS AS DISCUSSED BY THE HLC FOR THE DEMISING WALL.  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

 

 

 

Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness and copies of issued Certificates of Appropriateness are on file at the HLC office.

 

Item #5 - Projects Committee Report:  Mr. Kluttz

a. Projects Manager’s Report: Mr. Turner

Mr. Turner reported that the Rozzell House will be ready to market in early November.

 

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report:  Mr. Norman

Mr. Norman reported that the Survey Committee met October 7, 2004.

 

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE JOSEPH SYKES BROTHERS BUILDING, 1445 SOUTH MINT STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING AND THE ENTIRE TAX PARCEL.)  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: The owner, Mr. Paul Jamison, was present in support of historic designation.

 

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE PACKARD BUILDING, 1310 SOUTH TRYON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST OF PROSPECTIVE HISTORIC LANDMARKS.  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

 

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION  TO APPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY IN THE SURVEY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES IN CENTER CITY CHARLOTTE AS FOLLOWS:

A. INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS.  THE COMMISSION SHOULD MAKE EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT TO INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY AND, JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, OF WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION MEAN.  MANY IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT HISTORIC DESIGNATION MANDATES THAT THE STRUCTURE BE SAVED.  THAT IS NOT WHAT IT MEANS.  HISTORIC DESIGNATION REQUIRES INSTEAD THAT THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STRUCTURE BE CONSIDERED IN FUTURE PLANNING.  IN SOME INSTANCES PRESERVATION IS WARRANTED.  IN OTHERS PARTIAL PRESERVATION OR PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION MIGHT BE THE PROPER COURSE TO FOLLOW.  ALSO, MANY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO THINK THAT HISTORIC PRESERVATION IS EXCLUSIVELY INVOLVED WITH THE PRESERVATION OF BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDINGS, AS ONE SEES IN CHARLESTON, S. C. OR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.  THE COMMISSION NEEDS TO UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARLOTTE’S BUILDINGS AS “HISTORIC ARTIFACTS” THAT DOCUMENT THE HISTORY OF THIS COMMUNITY.  TO BUILD PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORT, THE COMMISSION SHOULD WORK WITH LOCAL MEDIA TO PUBLICIZE THE FINDINGS.  ALSO, PRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE MADE TO HISTORIC CHARLOTTE AND LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES OF PRESERVATION NORTH CAROLINA, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVOCACY GROUPS, SUCH AS THE MECKLENBURG HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

B. PROCESSING ENDANGERED PROPERTIES.  CERTAIN PROPERTIES IN CENTER CITY CHARLOTTE ARE ENDANGERED AND REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IF THEIR FATE IS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS.  THE COMMISSION SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH SEEKING HISTORIC DESIGNATION BY THE CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE FOLLOWING ENDANGERED RESOURCES.  THE USUAL DESIGNATION PROCEDURES WILL BE FOLLOWED, INCLUDING THE SOLICITATION OF THE ATTITUDES OF OWNERS WHICH THE COMMISSION CAN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AS IT CHOOSES.

C. CONSULTING WITH THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG PLANNING COMMISSION.  THE COMMISSION SHOULD ARRANGE WITH THE PLANNING STAFF TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE FINDINGS OF THIS SURVEY AND TO SOLICIT ITS INPUT AS TO THE BEST MEANS AVAILABLE, INCLUDING HISTORIC DESIGNATION, TO ASSURE THAT THE IDENTIFIED PROPERTIES ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FUTURE PLANNING FOR CENTER CITY CHARLOTTE.

D. PROCESSING REMAINDER OF IDENTIFIED PROPERTIES.  AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG PLANNING COMMISSION THE COMMISSION SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH SEEKING HISTORIC DESIGNATION BY THE CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL OF THE REMAINDER OF THE IDENTIFIED HISTORIC RESOURCES IN CENTER CITY CHARLOTTE.  THE USUAL DESIGNATION PROCEDURES WILL BE FOLLOWED, INCLUDING THE SOLICITATION OF THE ATTITUDES OF OWNERS, WHICH THE COMMISSION CAN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AS IT CHOOSES.

 

Mr. Norman informed the Commission that Dr. Morrill will receive a stipend for assisting with the preparation of the Survey and Research Reports on the Matthews Post Office and the Lemmond House in Matthews.  The reports are being funded by the owner.

 

Item #7 - Education Committee Report:  Ms. Lewis

Ms. Lewis reported that the Education Committee will meet when word is received from the History Channel regarding the part the HLC will need to play in a presentation, and when there are further developments regarding the Kenneth Whitsett historic mural.

 

 

Item #8 - Treasurer’s Report:  Ms. Smith

 

Ms. Smith distributed copies of the current Projects Financial Report.

 

At this point in the meeting the HLC convened in Executive Session.

 

MS. HOCKETT PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. SMITH THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

 

MS. JOHNSON-GESS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE COMMISSION RECONVENE IN ITS REGULAR SESSION.

Note: In Executive Session the Commission voted on a selling price for the Oakley House, 129 Main Street, Pineville, N. C.;  discussed an offer for the Charlotte Cotton Mills; and voted to approve a contract regarding the Jordan Farm in Huntersville.

 

Item #9 - Old Business

 

No old business was presented.

 

Item #10 - New Business

 

No new business was presented.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.