1. Consideration of Minutes Click Here for November 4th Minutes
2. Chair’s Report: Jeff Parsons
3. Director’s Report: Dan Morrill
a. Torrence Lytle School (Huntersville Colored School), 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, N.C.
A prospective buyer has submitted a Letter of Intent to purchase the Torrence Lytle School.
b. John H. Mayes House, 435 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte, N.C.
The owner of the Mayes House intends to join with a neighboring property in marketing both parcels for sale. He hopes to place the properties on the market in May 2020. The owner is securing a sales price for the Mayes House parcel and anticipates having it by the end of this year. Of the two parcels, only the Mayes House qualifies as a historic landmark. The issue before the Commission is whether it wishes to assume the leadership in seeking an Offer to Purchase the Mayes House parcel. This item must be considered in Closed Session.
c. Victor Shaw House, 2400 Mecklenburg Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.
Terranova, Inc. has signed a contract to purchase the Victor Shaw House. The prospective buyer is performing due diligence. Closing is scheduled for February 1st. Two actions by the HLC will be required if the project is to occur. They are: 1) approval of an amendment to the historic landmark ordinance that will reduce the size of the historic landmark, and 2) approval of the demolition of the breezeway and attached garage on the western end of the Shaw House. Terranova will place preservation easements on the property that will assure the preservation of the house in perpetuity.
d. Frank R. McNinch House, 2401 Sharon Lane, Charlotte, N.C.
The owner has stated his interest in seeking a preservation solution for the McNinch House and the construction of sensitive infill on the remainder of the property. He supports approval of the recommendation of the Design Review Committee that the Commission give conceptual approval of the site plan as presented. This item will be considered later in the meeting.
e. Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.
Efforts to establish contact with Darius Anderson, the prospective buyer, have been unsuccessful. Contact has been made with Steve Robinson, the owner’s realtor. He says that a “dramatic announcement” will be made in the near future. I told Mr. Robinson that I believe the HLC will take the stand that design review will be performed on the portion of the property which is a historic landmark. The current COA to demolish the structure expires on December 12th. Thereafter, the owner will have to apply for a new demolition COA, the effective date of which could be delayed for 365 days.
f. McConnell House, 4009 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.
On December 6, 2019, the McConnell House was standing. The current COA to demolish the structure expires on December 12th. Thereafter the owner will have to apply for a new demolition COA, the effective date of which may be delayed for up to 365 days.
g. Former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 412 Campus Street, Charlotte, N.C.
The Historic Landmarks Commission and Johnson C. Smith University continue to negotiate a memorandum of understanding whereby the HLC will spend money up to $1 million to remove code violations. Once the memorandum of understanding is approved, Staff will move forward with preparing a Request for Board Action for the Board of County Commissioners to approve the project.
h. John Douglas House, 7601 Christie Lane, Charlotte, N.C.
Staff continues to prepare the materials necessary to submit a Request for Board Action for the Board of County Commissioners to approve an Option to Purchase for the John Douglas House.
i. Former Wesley Heights United Methodist Church, 205 Grandin Road, Charlotte, N.C.
Developers planning to place condominiums in the church have until December 15th to close. A party with necessary financial resources has a backup offer to purchase the church, preserve the interior, and use the property for a community purpose.
4. Treasurer’s Report: Diane Althouse December 2019 Project Budget Report
5. Senior Preservation Planner’s Report: Stewart Gray
a. Public Hearing for Historic Landmark Designation for the Cornelius High School Agriculture Building, 21126 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, N.C.
Cornelius High School Agriculture Building
Revised Survey and Research Report on the Cornelius High School Agriculture Building
SHPO Letter on the Cornelius High School Agriculture Building
b. Stafford Slave Cabin Update
6. Design Review Committee Report: Garrett Nelson Click Here for Design Review Committee Minutes
a. Frank R. McNinch House, 2401 Sharon Lane, Charlotte, N.C.
McNinch House
McNinch House
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT CONCEPTUALLY APPROVE THE PLAN AS PRESENTED FOR THE FRANK R. MCNINCH HOUSE, 2401 SHARON LANE, CHARLOTTE, N.C., WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OWNER WILL PLACE A PROTECTIVE EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY THAT WILL PREVENT THE DEMOLITION OF THE HISTORIC HOUSE. ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE FOR THIS MOTION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MR. PURSLEY WHO ABSTAINED.
b. Johnston Building, 212 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C.
Johnston Building
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT APPROVE PLANS AS PRESENTED FOR THE JOHNSTON BUILDING, 212 S. TRYON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N.C. ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE FOR THIS MOTION.
c. Charles E. Barnhardt House, 3217 Maymont Place, Charlotte, N.C.
Charles E. Barnhardt House
Charles E. Barnhardt House
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT APPROVE PLANS AS PRESENTED FOR THE CHARLES E. BARNHARDT HOUSE, 3217 MAYMONT PLACE, CHARLOTTE, N.C., WITH THE STIPULATION THAT THE FINAL DESIGN FOR THE DRIVEWAY WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL. ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE FOR THIS MOTION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MR. NELSON AND MR. PURSLEY WHO OPPOSED THE MOTION.
7. Survey Committee Report: Len Norman Click Here for Survey Committee Minutes
a. Consideration of the Survey and Research Report for the Butler House, 240 Sylvania Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.
Butler House
Revised Survey and Research Report
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT PROCESS THE BUTLER HOUSE, 240 SYLVANIA AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N.C., FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT BE REVISED TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS OF INTEGRITY AND SIGNIFICANCE.
b. Consideration of Amending the Designation Ordinance for the Victor Shaw House, 2400 Mecklenburg Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.
Victor Shaw House
Conceptual Plan for the Shaw House Property
THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT AMEND THE DESIGNATION ORDINANCE FOR THE VICTOR SHAW HOUSE, 2400 MECKLENBURG AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N.C., TO DE-DESIGNATE THE PROPERTY EXCEPT FOR THE LOT CONTAINING THE ORIGINAL HOUSE AND THE TWO PROPOSED LOTS THAT WILL BORDER MECKLENBURG AVENUE ON THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
c. Additions to the Study List of Prospective Historic Landmarks
The Survey Committee added the following properties to the HLC’s Study List of Prospective Historic Landmarks:
i. Simmons House, 625 Hermitage Court, Charlotte, N.C.
Simmons House
Excerpt from Legacy: The Myers Park Story
ii. Ca. 1936 YMCA Building, 317 S. Caldwell Street, Charlotte, N.C.
YMCA Building
iii. Pentes Log House and Property, 6510 Sharon Hills Road, Charlotte, N.C.
Pentes Property
More Information on the Property
iv. Morris Field Chapel, 5415 Airport Drive, Charlotte, N.C.
Morris Field Chapel
v. Davidson Log House, Eastfield Road, Huntersville, N.C.
Davidson Log House
8. Projects Committee Report: Edwin Wilson Click Here for Projects Committee Minutes
a. Wallace House Property, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte, N.C.
Wallace House
THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT EXPLORE ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A DEVELOPER AND INVESTIGATE SUBDIVIDING A PORTION OF THE LAND AROUND THE WALLACE HOUSE, 9425 ROBINSON CHURCH ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N.C., WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE HOUSE AND A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE LAND CONTIGUOUS AROUND THE HOUSE WILL BE PRESERVED.
b. Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, N.C.
Torrence Lytle School
i. A prospective buyer has submitted a Letter of Intent to purchase the Torrence Lytle School. This item must be considered in Closed Session.
ii. THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE COMMISSION’S PREVIOUS APPROVAL FOR THE DEMOLITION OF ALL BUILDINGS EXCEPT THE ORIGINAL BUILDING AT THE TORRENCE LYTLE SCHOOL, 302 HOLBROOKS ROAD, HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., SO THAT CONSIDERATION OF OTHER OPTIONS CAN OCCUR AFTER DECEMBER 9, 2019, WHEN JACK THOMSON WILL BECOME THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION.
9. Old Business
10. New Business