Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

December 6, 2004

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

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

Joe Kluttz, Committee Chairman

Yolanda Johnson, Committee Vice-Chairman

Tattie Bos

Len Norman

Laura Smith

Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Catherine Browning, First Charlotte Properties(Grier House & Grier-Rea House)

Bob Lore, Meca Properties (Oakley/Yandell House, W. T. Alexander Plantation)

Jim Coates, Jordan Farm Realtor

Yolanda Law

Mike Sullivan

Mr. Kluttz welcomed everyone to the meeting. He said that Ms. Browning would report at this point. Ms. Browning said that the Grier House, 4647 McKee Road, has been marketed at $449,500, but that no concrete offer has been received. She suggested that the house could be offered at auction. Ms. Browning also suggested that a newspaper article about the importance of the property might help to inform the public about the availability of this historic landmark. Dr. Morrill said that he will contact the Charlotte Observer.

Patricia Nystrom reported that the listing agreement with First Charlotte Properties has expired, and Catherine Browning requested that it be extended through May 30, 2005.  As HLC has previously authorized Bryan Turner, Dan Morrill and Pat Nystrom to handle the listing of properties, including execution of agreements:

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT ANY OF THEM (BRYAN TURNER, PAT NYSTROM AND DAN MORRILL) EXECUTE THE LISTING AGREEMENT EXTENSION THROUGH MAY 30, 2005. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

2. Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill

Dr. Morrill said that he would like to schedule an appointment with Mr. Parks Helms, County Commission Chairman, to discuss how more money recommended by the Citizens Capital Budget Advisory Committee can be obtained for the Historic Landmarks Commission’s revolving fund. He said that Mr. Coates, the realtor for the Jordan Farm, Hus McGinnis Road, is present this evening. It is a disappointment that the Huntersville Town Board did not vote to split the cost ($595,000) of the Jordan Farm purchase with the HLC. The HLC does not have the liquidity at this time to bear the full purchase and restoration costs. The Committee agreed to consider the matter in Executive Session later in the meeting. Dr. Morrill told Mr. Coates that he would contact him about the HLC’s recommendations.

Mr. Lore reported that he continues to work with a potential buyer. The prospective buyer has asked to meet with HLC staff about design review issues. The asking price for the property is $874,500. Mr. Lore said that rezoning is necessary if the client pursues the purchase. An extension of the listing agreement with MECA Properties needs to be considered.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT MR. WALTER FIELDS BE RETAINED BY THE HLC FOR UP TO TEN HOURS TO REPRESENT THE COMMISSION’S INTERESTS IN THE REZONING OF THE W. T. ALEXANDER PLANTATION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT MS. NYSTROM BE AUTHORIZED TO SIGN THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS WITH MECA PROPERTIES TO EXTEND THE LISTING AGREEMENT THROUGH JUNE 30, 2004.

THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Lore distributed a copy of a letter form Structural Integrity Engineering, P. A., about a counter-offer for the Oakley/Yandell House, 129 Main St., Pineville, N. C.

MS. JOHNSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE RECONVENE IN ITS REGULAR SESSION.

NOTE: In Executive Session, the Committee voted to recommend the following to the HLC at the December 13, 2004 HLC meeting: 1) A response to the counter offer regarding the Oakley/Yandell House, 129 Main St., Pineville, N. C. 2) A termination of the contract for the Jordan Farm on Hus McGinnis Road and 3) An adjustment with Pappas Properties regarding the parking places that the HLC can purchase at the Charlotte Cotton Mills, granting power to the HLC’s Executive Committee regarding the closing with Corder Phillips. In Executive Session it was agreed that Mr. Peter Pappas should address the HLC’s concerns about the fact that the HLC can only purchase four more parking spaces when the HLC has expected to purchase ten spaces. Ms. Nystrom reminded the Committee members that the HLC needs to consider the renewal of the listing agreement with Pappas Properties for the Charlotte Cotton Mills.

4. Relocation of Bethesda School, 13129 Alexanderana Rd.

Mr. Turner reported that relocation documents are being prepared for the move. The owner of the school, has agreed to a one-month extension on the removal of the school from its current location. The building will be moved to Rural Hill Plantation.

5. Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence Road

Mr. Turner reported that all HLC renovation work should be finished by June, 2005.

6. Rozzel House, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Road.

Mr. Turner reported that Mr. Dean Gates of Allen Tate Realtors, would like to discuss marketing aspects with the HLC.

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.