Applications

Click Here For Annual Report

Click Here For Agenda

The Historic Landmarks Commission have directed Dr. Morrill to provide each January an annual report of the previous year's activities.  Click Here for Annual Report.

1.  Approval of Minutes.  Click Here For Draft Of Minutes.

2.  Director's Report.  Click Here For Director's Report.

3.  Design Review Committee Items.  Click Here For Design Review Committee Minutes.

MR. MISENHEIMER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BOOKOUT TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE S. W. DAVIS HOUSE, 9132 BOB BEATTY ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROPOSED BARN THAT THE STAFF OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION CAN REQUIRE THE OWNERS TO PLANT SCREENING BUSHES OR TREES IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE NEW CONSTRUCTION COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE CROFT SCHOOLHOUSE. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.  Click here to see plans.

Staff Recommendation:  Issue Certificate as recommended by the Design Review Committee.

MR. FELDER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BOOKOUT TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE ALEXANDER L. JAMES HOUSE, 260 CHEROKEE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE APPROVED REGARDING INTERIOR CHANGES TO THE HOUSE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TWO ORIGINAL DOORS LEADING TO THE FAUX CLOSET ARE TO BE LABELED AND STORED IN THE ATTIC; THAT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE HALF-STORY SECTION OF THE BATHROOM OVER THE EXISTING NORTH WING NOT BE APPROVED BUT THAT THE APPLICANT BE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT TO STAFF AND AN AD HOC COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF AMY GRAY AND MATT BENSON DESIGN SOLUTIONS THAT WOULD DIFFERENTIATE THE EXISTING HALF-STORY BATHROOM EXTENSION OVER THE EXISTING NORTH WING FROM WHATEVER ADDITIONAL EXTENSION MIGHT BE PROPOSED AND THAT THE ADDITIONAL EXTENSION BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE ORIGINAL CHARACTER OF THE HOUSE. THE MOTION CONTEMPLATES THAT THE APPLICANT WILL SUBMIT A PLAN APPROVED BY STAFF AND THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION AT ITS MEETING ON JANUARY 14, 2002. THE MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Click here to see original plans.  The applicant has submitted revised plans. See below.

Front and Side Elevations

Rear Elevation

The Committee feels that an attempt should be made at this time to market the property to a developer using the documents on the barn-like structure that Don Yelverton has already completed.  Hopefully, a developer will step forward, thereby allowing the Commission to spend less money on the project. 

Don Yelverton's work on the restoration of the house, the well house, and the garage apartment will proceed as scheduled.  Also, the rezoning of the property will proceed, so that the site can be made ready for development.

5.  New Business -- Trolley Barn

Background.  In 1982, the Historic Landmarks Commission undertook the restoration of Streetcar 85 as the centerpiece of a Vintage Trolley System for Charlotte.  It created the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Preservation Foundation specifically to raise private money for the restoration of the streetcar.  To say the least, this was a massive undertaking.  The Commission raised approximately $200,000 of private money and oversaw the restoration of Streetcar 85.  The Commission also used private money to purchase and begin the restoration of a second vintage streetcar, Streetcar No. 1.

Streetcar Number One

Streetcar 85

The Commission has transferred ownership of Streetcar No. 1 to Historic Charlotte, Inc.  The Commission continues to own Streetcar 85, which is now leased to Historic Charlotte, Inc. The Carbarn of the Vintage Trolley System is currently located in the Atherton Mills Complex.  It is totally inadequate for the maintenance of the streetcars.  Also, Charlotte Trolley, Inc. has a month-to-month lease, and the owner has stated that it will eventually have to instruct Charlotte Trolley, Inc. to vacate the space.  The question is not whether the Vintage Trolley System will have to relocate?  The only question is where will the new carbarn be located? The Historic Landmarks Commission has prepared a Survey and Research Report on the historic carbarn but has not processed it for designation pending the development of a preservation strategy. Preservation Strategy.  The following historic preservation strategy is being proposed.  The Board of County Commission will take money from its Land Bond money ($1.5 million) in the immediate future to allocate it to the HLC to allow the HLC to enter into a contract with Crescent Resources to purchase the historic carbarn.  The Commission would make closing contingent upon the City providing approximately $2.5 million to renovate the building as a home for Charlotte Trolley, Inc.  If the City does provide the renovation money, closing will occur soon after July 1, 2002. The HLC will apply to the City through its regular Capital Budget Process for money to renovate the carbarn (approximately $2.5 million).  Preliminary response from City staff is favorable. The HLC will seek a commitment from Charlotte Trolley, Inc. to repay the County the Land Bond money ($1.5 million) the HLC uses to purchase the building.  Upon full repayment, under terms and conditions yet to be negotiated, the carbarn will be the property of Charlotte Trolley, Inc.  Until then it will be owned by the HLC. If necessary, the HLC will use the proceeds of future Revolving Fund Projects to pay back the County for all or some portion of the money ($1.5 million) it receives to acquire the carbarn. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is scheduled to establish its priorities for Land Bond money on Tuesday night.  If the HLC agrees to this preservation strategy for the carbarn, the BOCC can approve funding on Tuesday night, the HLC can move ahead with the designation process, and the HLC can ask the City for the renovation money. Staff Recommendation:  Implement proposed preservation strategy.