Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C.
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.
Present:
Gray Newman, Committee Chairman
Bill Hobbs, Committee Vice-Chairman
Yolanda Johnson
Ben Rojahn
Lynn Weis
Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director
Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner
Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager
Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney
Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Comments: Gray Newman
Mr. Newman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Director’s Comments: Dan Morrill
Dr. Morrill said that when the HLC had $7.5 million of
bond money to spend, the money had to be spent with wisdom but
aggressively to prevent arbitrage and loss of the money back into the
County general fund. The approximately $2.6 million currently available
for immediate expenditure in the HLC’s revolving fund cannot be
recaptured by the County, but the HLC does need to keep the money
judiciously revolving in a timely manner to acquire historic properties.
Dr. Morrill said that the HLC can legally spend money for designated
historic landmarks and for contributing properties in local historic
districts. He said that three criteria are used in selecting properties
to be purchased with the revolving funds: 1) historic significance, 2)
level of endangerment, and 3) economic viability. Dr. Morrill said
that the HLC tends to select properties that the private market will not
buy because not enough profit can be made. He added that the HLC does
allow infill if necessary and does allow adaptive reuse, all under the
guidance of the Design Review Committee which uses the Secretary of
the Interior’s Guidelines to judge the appropriateness of material
alterations.
3. Update on Current Projects
a. Grace AME Zion Church, 219 S. Brevard St.,
Charlotte, NC: Stewart Gray
Ms. Nystrom reported that the exam period under the
purchase contract has been extended to October 26, 2007. The HLC will
receive $1.4 million for the property.
b. Rozzel House, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Rd.,
Charlotte, N. C.: Stewart Gray
Mr. Gray reported that the realtor has shown the
property many times but has received no offers.
c. McAuley House, 11401 Huntersville-Concord
Road: Stewart Gray
The house needs to be moved about 400 more yards at a
cost of about $17,000 due to septic issues. Rehab (shell type) estimates
have been received from two potential contractors - one for $112,000 and
the other for $125,000. The perk test went well. BOCC action is needed
to recognize funds for the project.
d. White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Rd.,
Charlotte, N. C.: Stewart Gray
The tenants in the main house will move soon when the
lease expires. The realtor has suggested that the house be staged in
order to help it to sell better. The tenant in the log cabin behind the
main house will remain. T. R. Lawing Realty is handling the rental house
on the property across the road from the main house. The HLC spent
$12,000 on rental house repairs. Mr. Hobbs is Chair of the White Oak sub
committee. The boxwoods on the property have suffered during the current
drought.
e. Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence Rd.,
Charlotte, N. C.: Bryan Turner
Mr. Turner said that this house has been a good learning
experience. DeConti, the contractor, lost his license which has been
reinstated. The house is 95% completed. Meeting will be held with the
contractor in an effort to resolve outstanding issues. The matter
of the rezoning has not been resolved but is moving forward toward
resolution.
f. Sidney & Ethel Grier House, 4647 McKee Rd.,
Charlotte, N. C.: Bryan Turner
Additional funds have been appropriated for bath and
kitchen work.
g. Richard Wearn House, 4928 Tuckaseege Rd.,
Charlotte, N. C.: Bryan Turner
Bank of America said that a closing on the property
should take place in November 2007.
4. Consideration of Special Projects
a. Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks
The property, a former African-American School, has
appraised for $1.75 million. The HLC hopes that the County, the owner,
will convey the property to the HLC for $1.00, like the Palmer Fire
School. The current recommendation is to await a decision from the Board
of County Commissioners.
b. Thrift Piedmont & Northern Depot, Old Mt.
Holly Rd., Charlotte, N. C.
Dr. Morrill said that this important C. C. Hook designed
depot is highly endangered. Ground contamination continues to be an
issue. CSX has asked the Commission to submit its best offer. The HLC is
waiting for a current appraisal.
c. Tomlinson-Wilson House, 11400 Old Statesville
Rd., Charlotte, N. C.
This 1840s house is a designated historic landmark.
Huntersville is considering the matter of rezoning in order that a major
development can go on the property. The family will move out of the
house in January 2008. The developers plan demolition for the structure.
The Committee agreed to investigate the HLC’s possibly acquiring the
property on site.
d. Treloar House, 328 N. Brevard St., Charlotte,
N. C.
The Levine Family owns the property. The Committee
agreed that it is interested in submitting an offer to purchase this
brick two-story duplex, a designated historic landmark, on its current
site, but is not interested in moving the structure. The City can
acquire the property through eminent domain if the owner applies for
demolition.
e. McElroy House, 10915 Beatties Ford Rd.
The property, a designated historic landmark which is
for sale, has been appraised. The owner is asking more than the
appraised value. The Committee agreed to let the private market deal
with the property.
f. Endangered Dilworth Properties
There are three properties involved - an old apartment
building at the corner of Tremont and Euclid, a bungalow, c. 1915, on
Tremont, and a small Colonial Revival cottage on Tremont. The Committee
agreed not to do anything until a rezoning decision is made by the City.
g. Smith House, 220 W. 10th Street, Charlotte, NC
The HLC is processing the property, in Fourth Ward, for
historic designation. The Committee agreed that Dr. Morrill should
consult the City Attorney about imposing prohibitions against allowing
the owner to demolish this property by neglect.
5. Old Business
The W. B. Newell House, 8325 Old Concord Rd., is under a
one-year delay of demolition. Dr. Morrill stated that he would contact
the owners about their current intentions.
Ms. Nystrom reported that she received a call from the
Fireman’s Association about their ownership in the Palmer Fire School.
6. New Business
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
.