Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

August 24, 2006

8:00 a.m.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.

Richard Alsop, III, Committee Chairman

Richard Mattson, Committee Vice-Chairman

Len Norman, HLC Chairman

Gray Newman

Lynn Weis

Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

None

Mike Thomas, Fox Charlotte

Virginia Woolard, Third Ward Preservation Committee

Tammy R. Bostick, Resident (voice for the People)

Terri Joelle - Hospitality & Entertainment

Bob Bunn - W. S. Yandell Rental & Investment

Mike Rose - Town of Pineville

Brian Sigmon - Turnbull Sigmon Design

Mary Payne

Michael L. Schmidt

Marsha Pearson

C. Raymond Harris

Tiffany Webb

Jumaane Torrence

Valerie M. Starks - WCNC-TV

Malcolm Graham - State Senate

Anthony McCarver - Coffee Cup

Gardine Wilson, Coffee Cup

Elizabeth Wilson

Daisy Raeford

Dora E. DuBose, Recreation Coordinator, Meck. Co. Park & Recreation Dept.

Dr. Ada Fisher

2. Director’s Report: Dan Morrill

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC staff will be arranging for a consultant to prepare the Survey and Research Report for the cemetery on the Vance High School Campus. CMS has agreed to pay one-half the cost.

Dr. Morrill said that the HLC has voted to develop a Survey and Research Report on the Phillips House and Barn in Matthews. The owners have subsequently stated that they are not in favor of historic landmark designation. HLC staff is delaying the completion of the report until the Town determines whether it will move ahead with the designation process regardless.

Dr. Morrill reported that a joint public hearing will be held between the Historic Landmarks Commission and the Town Board of Pineville on September 12, 2006, to consider historic landmark designation for the McCoy Barbershop/Former Pineville Post Office and the Yandell Hotel and Grocery Store.

Dr. Morrill reported that a joint public hearing will be held between the Historic Landmarks Commission and the Town Board of Matthews on September 25, 2006, to consider historic landmark designation for the Massey-Clark House, 232 North Trade St., Matthews, N. C.. This Survey and Research Report was taken directly to the HLC which has recommended historic landmark designation for the property.

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC staff continues to work on preparing the Survey and Research Report on the Woodlawn Apartments.

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC staff is sending letters to the owners of properties in the Center City Charlotte Survey and the Post World War Two Survey to determine their attitudes toward the prospect of historic landmarks designation. The information will be presented at the next Survey Committee meeting.

Dr. Morrill reported that four properties in Davidson have been approved by the HLC for historic landmark designation: The Armour -Adams House, 626 North Main St.; the Copeland House, 305 North Main St.; Restormel, 829 Concord Road; and the Cashion-Moore Cemetery. A joint public hearing of the HLC and the Town Board of Davidson will occur in November to consider these properties for historic landmark designation.

a. Lawing House (c.1916), 6100 Neck Road, Huntersville, N. C.

Dr. Morrill said that this is a well-preserved early 20th century Craftsman Style farmhouse. The owner desires designation but wants the HLC to pay for the Survey and Research Report estimated to cost $2,000.

MR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE LAWING HOUSE, NECK ROAD, HUNTERSVILLE, BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST AND THAT THE HLC PAY FOR A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

b. The Coffee Cup Restaurant, 914 South Clarkson St., Charlotte, N. C.

Dr. Morrill reported that this is a significant example of neon signage and endangered small scale mid-20th century commercial architecture. The tenants are asking that the building be placed on the HLC’s Study List, and that the property be processed for historic landmark designation. A letter from Jade Eastridge of Beazer Homes, Charlotte Division, representing the owner, Beazer Homes, Corp., states that historic designation for the property is "vehemently opposed." The letter states that Beazer has "been working over the past year to complete the engineering on the site and has been working hand-in-hand with the City of Charlotte to build a neighborhood that fits the vision of the Uptown revitalization." The letter also states that "We are working diligently to help the proprietors relocate. The Coffee Cup can move its business operation, while remaining in the same general area." Many people present expressed strong feelings that the Coffee Cup (since 1947) should remain in the current location due to the important part it has played in the community’s history. It was stated that the restaurant promoted harmonious integration of whites and blacks in the segregation era. Many stated how important the Coffee Cup has been to them, their relatives, friends and business associates for years. Dr. Ada Fisher, who has served on the Board of Preservation N. C. , said that the Coffee Cup has architectural significance because of its hexagonal windows and other distinctive architectural features.

MR. NEWMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. WEIS TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT PAY FOR A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE COFFEE CUP RESTAURANT, 914 SOUTH CLARKSON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reminded everyone present that the HLC will vote on this motion regarding the Coffee Cup on September 11, 2006, at the 6:00 p.m. meeting. Dr. Morrill said that if the HLC approves the motion, a report will be prepared for consideration by the HLC. If the HLC approves the Survey and Research Report and recommends processing of the property for historic designation, the information will be considered by the N. C. Dept. of Archives and History and the Commission can delay the demolition of the building up to 180 days or until such time as the City Council holds a joint public hearing with the HLC, whichever occurs first. After this process has been completed a public hearing is scheduled with the Charlotte City Council, the body that has the final authority to vote whether or not to approve historic landmark designation for the property. If the property becomes a designated historic landmark the HLC has the power to delay demolition for up to 365 days. During this interval the City can use the power of eminent domain to acquire the building.

Dr. Morrill reported that gasoline stations have evolved since the arrival of the automobile in Mecklenburg County soon after 1900. Initially gasoline was sold in tins. The first pumps were placed along the curbs of center city streets, but by the 1920s the number and speed of automobiles brought about the need for gasoline stations into which automobiles could drive. Dr. Morrill asked that the owners of stations identified as noteworthy be contacted. The stations pictured are as follow: 5401 Wilkinson Boulevard (House and Bay), 5315 Wilkinson Boulevard (House and Canopy), Wilkinson Boulevard (address not on building - house and canopy), 4733 Monroe Road (Cottage Style)1501 Central Avenue (Cottage Style), Main Street Davidson (Cottage Style), North Tryon St. (Oblong Box Modern), 4731 Central Avenue (Exaggerated Box).

DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE ATTITUDES OF THE OWNERS, REGARDING HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF THE PRESENTED NOTEWORTHY GAS STATIONS, BE OBTAINED. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

The HLC owns two fishbowl buses given to it years ago by the City of Charlotte. CATS is storing the buses for the HLC and is willing to restore one of the buses. Dr. Morrill said that a bus can be designated historic. Charlotte Trolley #85 is a designated historic landmark. Dr. Morrill reported that in 1959, General Motors introduced its so-called New Style bus, nicknamed the "Fishbowl" because of its expansive, projecting front windshield. Cities throughout the United States and Canada, including Charlotte, greeted "Fishbowl" buses with enthusiasm. Their riveted, aluminum bodies, large windows, and overall streamlined appearance produced an aura of optimism that was characteristic of the era and suggested that the future would be even brighter. In January 1992, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) announced that it was retiring the "Fishbowls" still in its fleet. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission arranged to have two New Style GM buses transferred to its ownership. They were buses 1074 and 1076.

MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HLC THAT IT FUND A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT FOR ITS FISHBOWL BUSES. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that the school was built in 1937 as a W. P. A. project. It was the public school in Davidson for the African American community. The owner, the tenant desires designation but wants the HLC to pay for the Survey and Research Report.

DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN TO RECOMMEND TO THE HLC THAT THE ADA JENKINS SCHOOL, 312 GAMBLE STREET, DAVIDSON, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST AND THAT THE HLC PAY FOR THE SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

a, Pineville N. C. Properties, 312-330 Main St., Pineville, N. C.

Dr. Morrill said that Mr. Gray has prepared a report on the properties. Mr. Gray presented the findings on the properties (Survey and Research Report.)

MR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE PROPERTIES (EXTERIOR AND LAND ASSOCIATED WITH EACH PROPERTY), 312-330 MAIN STREET, PINEVILLE, N.C., BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

No old business was presented.

No new business was presented.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.