Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

SURVEY COMMITTEE MEETING

September 2, 2004

6:00 p.m.

 

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

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

 

Present:

Len Norman, Committee Chairman

Scott Abernethy

Matt Benson

Richard Mattson

Dan Morrill,  HLC Consulting Director

Stewart Gray, HLC Assistant Consulting Director

Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Absent:

Jack Boyte

Visitors:

Howie Paul Hartnatt, Charlotte Observer

Allen Brooks, Fennell House

Jeff Douglas, Fennell House

Jeff Feemsta, Peace Building, Inc.

Brent Torstrick, Robinson, Bradshaw, Hinson(First Presbyterian Church)

Bette Rae Thomas, Enderly Park (McQuay House)

 

AGENDA

Mr. Norman welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Agendas were distributed to everyone present.  The following motions were presented after presentations, considerations and discussion.

 

1. MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. ABERNETHY TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE McCONNELL HOUSE, 4009 BEATTIES FORD ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR AND ENTIRE TAX PARCEL) BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

 

2. DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE HINSON STORE, 8925 ARLINGTON CHURCH ROAD, MINT HILL, N. C. (EXTERIOR AND A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF LAND TO BE DETERMINED BY HLC STAFF),  BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: The consultant did not gain access to the interior of the building and therefore could not determine the level of integrity of the interior.

 

3. MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. ABERNETHY TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE BUILDERS BUILDING, 312 WEST TRADE STREET,  CHARLOTTE, N. C. (EXTERIOR OF BUILDING) BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: Presbyterian Church owns the land on which the building sits and does not oppose the designation of the exterior of the building.

 

4. DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE RENFROW-LEMMOND HOUSE, 344 WEST JOHN STREET, MATTHEWS, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: The 1920 two-story house at 344 West John Street in Matthews appears to have a high degree of integrity and may have special significance in Matthews as a rare example of a substantial Craftsman style House.

 

5. MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT McAULEY ROAD, MECKLENBURG COUNTY (HUNTERSVILLE AREA), N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: The McAuley House is currently on the Study List.  The McAuley Road is one of few dirt roads left in Mecklenburg County.

 

6. MR. ABERNETHY PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT 5.4 ACRES OF LAND SURROUNDING HENNIGAN PLACE, 3503 TILLEY MORRIS ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., A DESIGNATED HISTORIC LANDMARK, BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: Hennigan Place, an 1845 Greek Revival house, was designated historic in 1980.  Betty and Peter Snow are the long-time owners.

 

7. MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. ABERNETHY TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE FENNELL HOUSE, 301 E. KINGSTON AVE., CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: The Committee discussed the fact that the Fennell House is in the Dilworth Historic District which provides protection, but the house may have been designed by C. C. Hook which could make it of special historic significance.

 

8. DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION  THAT THE ELIZABETH LAWRENCE HOME AND GARDEN, 348 RIDGEWOOD AVE,  CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: Elizabeth Lawrence was a noted author and journalist who possessed expertise in ornamental gardening.  The property derives its significance primarily from the garden. 

 

9. DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE McQUAY HOUSE, 3200 TUCKASEEGEE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE HLC FUNDED FOR A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.  The McQuay House is a rare example of  a late nineteenth farmhouse on the western fringes of Charlotte.

 

10. MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE ROLAND-CLAY HOUSE, 606 E. CHARLES STREET, MATTHEWS, N. C.  BE HLC FUNDED FOR A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT.   THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: This house was identified during the HLC’s 2002 survey of African American historic resources and has been found eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.  The house is significant for its masonry construction and as one of the few surviving historic African American homes in Matthews.  The owner desires historic designation.

 

11. MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. ABERNETHY TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT MARTIN’S GROCERY, 2718 MONROE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., NOT BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION AT THIS TIME BUT THAT THE PROPERTY CONTINUE TO BE MONITORED FOR ENDANGERMENT.  THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

 

Other business considered.

 

-        The Committee discussed funding a Survey and Research Report for the former Matthews Post Office.  Although the structure is historically and potentially eligible for landmark status, the building does not appear to be in any way threatened at this time.  Due to limited funds to pay for Survey and Research Reports (the HLC has $15,000 this budget year to fund Survey and Research Reports which cost $1500 to $2000 each) the Committee agreed to give greater consideration to more endangered properties.

-        Dr. Morrill presented an interim report on the Center City Survey which he and Mr. Gray are preparing.  The Survey can be found on the HLC’s website – www.cmphf.org.  The ten most endangered properties listed in the website report will be considered for historic designation at the next Survey Committee meeting.  Owners will be  notified and their opinions will be reported at the next meeting of the Survey Committee on October 7, 2004, 6:00 p.m.

 

There was no new business, and the meeting ended at approximately 7:45 p.m.