Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Author: Dan Morrill

Projects Committee Agenda – October 2019

Agenda - Projects Committee
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October 8, 2019 – 8:00 a.m.

1.  Chair’s Report: Edwin Wilson

2.  Director’s Report: Dan Morrill

 a.  Former Wesley Heights United Methodist Church, 205 Grandin Road, Charlotte, N.C.

Former Wesley Heights Methodist Church

Map of Property

Approved Site Plan

This church was designed by Louis Asbury, Sr., and opened in December 1927. It is currently owned and occupied by a congregation that has placed the property for sale for $1.95 million. Leaders of the west side of Charlotte believe that this property is worthy of preservation. Staff and two Commissioners have visited the church, and it is an impressive building. The property includes the church building and one adjoining house. The property has conditional zoning, which assures the preservation of the building, but would place fifteen residential units on the property, including eight in the church. 

3.  Update On Projects

a.  Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, N.C.

Proposal for Demolition

The prospective buyers of the Torrence Lytle School, originally known as the Huntersville Colored School, are no longer under contract, and the property is not currently listed for sale. The Historic Landmarks Commission has voted to demolish all buildings on the property except the original 1937 school building in preparation for offering the property for sale again. There is some feeling that it would be unwise to proceed with that arrangement because the most economically viable building for adaptive reuse is Building C – the Cafeteria Building.

Objective: To prepare the Torrence Lytle School for listing by a realtor familiar with north Mecklenburg in anticipation of the completion of the renovation of the Waymer Center by February 2020: 

1)  Demolish the ca.1950 wing buildings adjoining either end of the original school building;

2)  Secure the services of an architectural firm or other appropriate party to investigate development options for the property;

3)  If necessary, perform essential repairs to the Cafeteria Building in hopes that a buyer can make use of the building, which is in the best shape of all the buildings on the campus;

4)  Perform repairs on the original school building, including the auditorium, which are necessary to make it ready to offer for sale. 

b.  Wallace House Property, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte, N.C.

The closing on the Wallace House property will occur on Tuesday, October 8th. The current owners, William and Dixie Kelly, would like to remain in the house as tenants for at least three months to move personal property to their new home. There are many issues which must be addressed, such as: whether to connect to City water and sewer, whether to subdivide the property, and whether to approve a lease arrangement with the owners. Staff assumes that the Commission will want to list the property for sale in the near future.

Objective: To prepare the Wallace Property for listing by a realtor familiar with east Mecklenburg:

1)  Consider the establishment of a process for public input into future uses of the property;  

2)  Determine whether the property will be sold as a whole or subdivided into more than one parcel. If appropriate, a site planner should be hired to prepare a plan for the property; 

3)  Prepare and execute a lease with the Kellys to assure that the Wallace House and property remain secure. If necessary, a lease will be executed with subsequent lessees to achieve the same objective.

c.  Charles E. Barnhardt House, 3217 Maymont Place, Charlotte, N.C.

The closing on the Barnhardt House occurred on Thursday, September 19th. The Commission has received $678,520.83 from the sale. The money has been deposited in the revolving fund.

4.  Explanation of Policy for Processing Options to Purchase

1)  All Options to Purchase must be approved by the BOCC.

2)  Purchase price must be “reasonable” as determined by appraisal or realtor’s comps.  If latter is used, language must be included stating that price could be adjusted.

3)  HLC should seek to identify buyer to whom to assign the option.

4)  If the HLC decides to purchase the property, the HLC must return to the BOCC for approval after performing full due diligence.

5)  In instances when the HLC isn’t planning to purchase the property, it may choose to perform some elements of due diligence.  However, it would be based on HLC direction to the Consulting Director.

5.  The Committee will consider several matters in closed session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11. 

6.  Old Business

7.  New Business

Projects Committee Agenda — September 3, 2019

Agenda - Projects Committee
Comments Off on Projects Committee Agenda — September 3, 2019

1.  Chair’s Report — Edwin Wilson

2.  Director’s Report — Dan Morrill

a.  Prospective Demolition of the Building at 331 East Boulevard, Charlotte.   

Staff Recommendation: The Projects Committee Recommend that the HLC seek to negotiate an exclusive, assignable option to purchase the property.

b.  Staff recommends that the Projects Committee initiate a program to secure preservation easements on existing historic landmarks and on properties that hereafter are processed for historic landmark designation. Staff also recommends that meetings be held with neighborhood associations of local historic districts to explain the benefits of historic preservation easements. 

c.  Staff recommends that the Projects Committee notify owners of historic landmarks of the benefits of entering into an Option to Purchase by the Historic Landmarks Commission when their property is offered for sale. Also, this information should be presented to the neighborhood associations of local historic districts. 

3.  Status of Current Projects.

a.  Torrence Lytle School.  Earnest money has been deposited in the HLC Account.  

b.  Former Mount Carmel Baptist Church.  Preservation strategies continued to be examined.

c.  Wallace House Property.  The Due Diligence Period has been extended until November to allow sufficient time to complete environmental studies of the property.  The HLC is still under contract to purchase the property.

d.  Ingleside.  The closing has occurred.  The settlement sheet contained an initial installment payment of $57,425,32.

e.  Charles E. Barnhardt House.  The closing on the Barnhardt House will occur in September.

4.  Consideration of New Projects.

a.  John Douglas House, 1760 Christie Lane, Charlotte.

Staff Recommendation: The Projects Committee Recommend that the HLC seek to negotiate an exclusive, assignable, renewable option to purchase the property.

b.  John Mayes House, 432 E. Morehead Street Charlotte.

Staff Recommendation: The Projects Committee Recommend that the HLC seek to negotiate an exclusive, assignable, renewable option to purchase the property.

c.  Frank R. McNinch House, 2401 Sharon Lane, Charlotte.

Staff Recommendation: The Projects Committee Recommend that the HLC support Preserve Mecklenburg’s seeking to negotiate an exclusive, assignable, renewable option to purchase the property.

5.  Old Business.

6.  New Business.

Director’s Report — August 12, 2019

Directors Reports
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1.  Standards for Preparing Survey and Research Reports on Prospective Historic Landmarks

State Statute requires that all Survey and Research Reports be submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office for comment. Amber Stimpson is the individual responsible for producing letters of comment. Ms. Stimpson has recently circulated a checklist of items which Survey and Research Reports should contain. Staff recommends that Ms. Stimpson be invited to meet with the Historic Landmarks Commission to explain the purpose of the checklist.  

2.  Future Revolving Fund Activities

Currently, the Historic Landmarks Commission has six active real estate projects. They are: Ingleside, Torrence Lytle, Wallace Property, Barnhardt House, Louise Cotton Mill House, and Former Standard Oil Service Station. I believe that until the new Director is hired, the Commission should focus on completing existing projects and not undertaking new projects.  Depending upon HLC action tonight, the Commission might only have two properties within its purview — Torrence Lytle and Wallace Property.

The HLC might want to be less active in securing fee simple interest in properties.  Activities that might be considered are securing options to purchase historic properties, including structures in local historic districts.  The Commission might also want to approach owners of historic landmarks about establishing preservation easements on their property.  As you know, historic landmark designation alone does not assure the preservation of the historic landmark.

3.  Consequences of Historic Landmark Designation

The Commission might consider expanding the consequences of historic landmark designation to include retaining designation, consequently design review, after the principal structures on the landmark have been demolished. Another dimension of designation might be to pursue including in the ordinance the prohibition of demolition by neglect. 

4.  Bland Street Shotgun Houses

I have learned that the City plans to build affordable housing on the site presently occupied by two Shotgun Houses that the Commission moved to the location in the 1980s. The Commission should consider alternative locations to which the Shotgun Houses might be moved.  

5.  Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.

On Friday, representatives of several agencies involved in historic preservation met with Darius Anderson, the prospective buyer of the Excelsior Club. Mr. Anderson reported that he plans to close on the property in the near future. He also explained that restoring the building because of its deteriorating condition is unrealistic. Mr. Anderson stated that he would seek to develop the property in a way that respects the heritage of the Excelsior Club. He will be returning to Charlotte and wants the group to visit the building and to react to concepts for developing the property as an adaptive reuse. 

6.  The County Commission voted last week to approve the sale of the James C. Dowd House and Former Charlotte Fire Station No. 10.  This is an important preservation victory, especially because Former Charlotte Fire Station No. 10 was scheduled for demolition by the County.  The HLC should anticipate receiving some money for its Revolving Fund from this sale.

7.  Preserve Mecklenburg.   Preserve Mecklenburg continues to work on preservation strategies for Edgewood Farm and the Shaw House Property.  Preserve Mecklenburg welcomes on-going cooperation with the HLC.

Below is a video on the Former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 412 Campus Street, Charlotte, N.C.

 

Below is a video on the status of the McConnell House, 4009 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.

Director’s Report — June 10, 2019

Directors Reports
Comments Off on Director’s Report — June 10, 2019

1.  Standards for Preparing Survey and Research Reports on Prospective Historic Landmarks

State Statute requires that all Survey and Research Reports be submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office for comment. Amber Stimpson is the individual responsible for producing letters of comment. Ms. Stimpson has recently circulated a checklist of items which Survey and Research Reports should contain. Staff recommends that Ms. Stimpson be invited to meet with the Historic Landmarks Commission to explain the purpose of the checklist.  

2.  Future Revolving Fund Activities

Currently, the Historic Landmarks Commission has six active real estate projects. They are: Ingleside, Torrence Lytle, Wallace Property, Barnhardt House, Louise Cotton Mill House, and Former Standard Oil Service Station. Staff believes that until the new Director is hired, the Commission should focus on completing existing projects and not undertaking new projects. Activities that might be considered are securing options to purchase, including structures in local historic districts.

3.  Consequences of Historic Landmark Designation

The Commission might consider expanding the consequences of historic landmark designation to include retaining designation, consequently design review, after the principal structures on the landmark have been demolished. Another dimension of designation might be to pursue including in the ordinance the prohibition of demolition by neglect. 

4.  Bland Street Shotgun Houses

I have learned that the City plans to build affordable housing on the site presently occupied by two Shotgun Houses that the Commission moved to the location in the 1980s. The Commission should consider alternative locations to which the Shotgun Houses might be moved.  

5.  Dowd House/Fire Station No. 10 Project 

The completion of an agreement between the County and prospective buyers of the subject properties has been delayed.  The Historic Camp Greene Neighborhood Association has expressed reservations about the terms of the project.

6.  Preserve Mecklenburg Inc.

a.  Excelsior Club Most Endangered List

Preserve Mecklenburg, a newly established private preservation group, was responsible for cooperating with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in publicizing the selection. The overall effort was most successful. 

b.  Edgewood Plantation

Preserve Mecklenburg has identified a prospective buyer for Edgewood Plantation, a designated historic landmark. The buyers will present their site plan for approval by the Historic Landmarks Commission through the regular design review process. 

c.  Victor Shaw House

This is to inform you that the owner of the Victor Shaw House preferred to enter into an option to purchase with Preserve Mecklenburg, because Preserve Mecklenburg is a non-governmental entity. The option to purchase is in place, and Preserve Mecklenburg will be seeking buyers for the property. Whatever site plan might be produced will be presented to the Historic Landmarks Commission for approval through the regular design review process. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dr. Dan L. Morrill

Director’s Report — May 13, 2019

Directors Reports
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1.  Ingleside, 7225 Bud Henderson Road, Huntersville, N.C.

The prospective buyers of Ingleside continue to perform due diligence.  Staff is confident that the property will sell.  This is a major accomplishment for the Historic Landmarks Commission.  

2.  Patterson Grocery Store, 2515 Booker Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.  

Patterson Grocery Store

The HLC has placed the Patterson Grocery Store on the Study List of Prospective Historic Landmarks.  Staff continues to work to arrange a meeting with the owner to inspect the building and to determine the owner’s attitude about the prospect of the building being processed for designation as a historic landmark.

3.  Former Fire Station Number Ten, 2136 Remount Road, Charlotte, N.C., and the James C. Dowd House, 2216 Monument Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.

 

Mecklenburg County continues to discuss strategies for the preservation of the properties.  Sandy Carnegie has been reviewing the Memorandum of Agreement.

4.  VanLandingham Estate, 2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, N.C.

The VanLandingham Estate has been sold.  Staff has met with the owner to review conceptually the plan for the development of the property.  The plan will be submitted to the HLC for review by the Design Review Committee.

5.  Steele Creek Presbyterian Church, 7401 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte, N.C.

Charlotte International Airport is scheduled to close on the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church.  The present sanctuary was built in 1889.  Steele Creek Presbyterian Church is among the oldest Christian churches in Mecklenburg County.  I urge the Commission to undertake an assessment of how it can assure the preservation of the property.

6.  Standard Oil Company Service Station, 1010 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C.

Earnest money has been deposited, and due diligence is underway.

7.  Louise Cotton Mill House, 1104 Pamlico Street, Charlotte, N.C.

Earnest money has been deposited, and due diligence is underway.

8.  Barnhardt House, 3217 Maymont Place, Charlotte, N.C.

Charles E. Barnhardt House

Email from Eric Gamble

Eric Gamble has provided an update on showings for the Barnhardt House.

Items to be Discussed Later in the Agenda

1.  Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, N.C.

Tyson and Regina Bates have not submitted a purchase agreement.   

2.  Wallace House, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte, N.C.

The Due Diligence period for the HLC’s prospective purchase of the property has been extended so that the owner can perform environmental tests of the property.

3.  McConnell House, 4009 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.  

McConnell House

Preserve Mecklenburg has submitted an offer for a lot to which the McConnell House could be moved.  The owner has not responded to the offer.

4.  Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 412 Campus Street, Charlotte, N.C.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church

Staff has met with officials of Johnson C. Smith University.  JCSU will be submitting a proposal for HLC assistance in stabilizing the building.  JCSU wishes to retain ownership of the property. 

5.  Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.

Excelsior Club

Negotiations continue to consider preservation strategies for the property.  The effective date of the Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition is June 12, 2019.

6.   Edgewood Farm, 11124 Eastfield Road, Charlotte, N.C.

HLC Staff is working with the owner to determine possible preservation strategies for the property, which is currently for sale.

7.  Victor Shaw House, 2400 Mecklenburg Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.

Preserve Mecklenburg has approved the submission of an Offer to Purchase the property.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dr. Dan L. Morrill