July 26, 2019 – 7:30 a.m.
1. Chair’s Report: Edwin Wilson
2. Director’s Report: Dan Morrill
a. Edgewood Farm. Preserve Mecklenburg has played an important role in bringing the owner of the property and a prospective buyer together to enter into a contract to purchase Edgewood Farm, a 20-acre site which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The prospective buyer is currently conducting due diligence.
b. Victor Shaw House Property. Preserve Mecklenburg has obtained an exclusive, assignable option to purchase the Victor Shaw House Property. Preserve Mecklenburg is working with a prospective assignee to secure a rezoning of the property. A site plan will be submitted to the Historic Landmarks Commission for design review if the rezoning is approved.
3. Update on Projects: Dan Morrill
a. Former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 412 Campus Street, Charlotte, N.C.
The Charlotte Housing Authority on July 16th granted a 60 day continuance on the order of demolition which it has imposed on the Former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. The principal reason for granting the continuance was the Board’s expectation that the Historic Landmarks Commission and Johnson C. Smith University, the property owner, would be able to agree on shared funding for bringing the church building into conformance with the building code. JCSU will present a proposal with specific requests for funding to the Committee.
b. Wallace House, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte, N.C.
The owners of the Wallace property have been asked to perform additional test sites on the property to determine the amount of dispersion of environmental contamination. The owners were scheduled to present a report and copy of the sealed opinion letter on July 22nd. The attorney for the owners has informed the Commission that the report will be delayed because of the inability to perform the field work within the time period which was established.
c. Former Standard Oil Company Service Station, 1010 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C.
The Historic Landmarks Commission is under contract to close on the property at the end of due diligence, which shall occur on October 10th. Sandy Carnegie, HLC attorney, reports that the survey of the property indicates that part of the building is on an adjoining parcel. Also, no phase two environmental or structural inspection has been made on the property to date. The Committee will have to consider whether it will recommend that the Commission continue to pursue prospective purchase.
d. Louise Cotton Mill House, 1104 Pamlico Street, Charlotte, N.C.
The Historic Landmarks Commission is under contract to purchase the Louise Cotton Mill House at the end of due diligence, which shall occur on September 10th. A structural inspection of the property reveals that a fire occurred in the attic at some point in the past and caused considerable damage. The owner has been advised of this fact and has agreed to reduce the price of the property by $10,000. The Committee will have to consider whether it will recommend that the Commission continue to pursue prospective purchase.
e. Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, N.C.
The prospective buyers of the Torrence Lytle School are scheduled to complete due diligence on July 25th. At its meeting the Committee will consider the present status of the property in terms of sale.
f. Ingleside, 7225 Bud Henderson Road, Huntersville, N.C.
The Design Review Committee reached a consensus to accept plans for modification, which will be acted on by the HLC at the August 12th meeting. The prospective buyers are scheduled to close on the property soon after approval of their Certificate of Appropriateness.
g. Barnhardt House, 3217 Maymont Place, Charlotte, N.C.
The Historic Landmarks Commission is under contract to a prospective buyer of the Charles E. Barnhardt House at the end of due diligence, which shall occur in mid-September. Staff is aware that vandalism continues to occur at the house and has directed Peter Wasmer to establish or activate an alarm system.
h. Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.
Mr. Parsons, Mr. Hughes, and Dr. Morrill met with the prospective buyer of the Excelsior Club and expressed their interest and desire to be of assistance to the buyer.
i. Frank McNinch House, 2401 Sharon Lane, Charlotte, N.C.
The owner of the Frank McNinch House is offering the property for sale. The owner is not interested in placing preservation easements on the property and will allow the eventual buyer to determine whether the house will remain. The asking price for the property is $3,950,000. Preserve Mecklenburg has contacted the owner and is pursuing the possibility of an exclusive, assignable option to purchase.
j. Mayes House, 435 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte, N.C.
The owner of the Mayes House, a designated historic landmark, reports that prospective buyers want to demolish the house, buy an adjoining lot, and construct a new building. Dr. Morrill explained the legal consequences of historic landmark designation to the owner. Dr. Morrill anticipates that it is likely that an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the house will be forthcoming. Preserve Mecklenburg is considering approaching the owner to obtain an option to purchase the property.
4. Old Business
5. New Business
a. Wesley Heights Methodist Church. Preserve Mecklenburg is considering seeking an option to purchase the Wesley Heights Methodist Church on Grandin Road. It is for sale for $1.95 million. Designed by Louis Asbury, Dr., the church opened in December 1927. The church is in the Wesley Heights Historic District. Consequently, the HLC could secure the fee simple of any lesser included interest in the property.
July 2, 2019
Dr. Dan Morrill, Consulting Director for the Historic Landmarks Commission, recently participated in a discussion on preservation efforts in Charlotte as part of Charlotte Talks on WFAE.
The entire program can be found here:
“Charlotte Talks: Preserving Charlotte’s Historic Buildings”
June 28, 2019 – 7:30 a.m.
1. Chair’s Report: Jeff Parsons
2. Director’s Report: Dan Morrill
I have confirmed that any joint venture the HLC might enter into is still governed by the statutory requirements associated with the expenditure of public money even if a partner or partners spend private money. In my judgment, this underscores the wisdom of focusing the HLC’s attention on securing easements and options to purchase in the future.
The flexibility of the HLC’s real estate projects has decreased greatly, and projects have become more costly since the the County Assets and Facilities Management Department has assumed greater administration control over the HLC real estate activities.
3. Discussion of HLC Financial Assistance for the Stabilization of the Former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 412 Campus Street, Charlotte, N.C.
Background
Johnson C. Smith University has submitted a request that the Historic Landmarks Commission contribute money toward the stabilization of the Former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
4. Discussion of the Status of the Wallace House Property, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte, N.C.
Background
The owners of the Wallace House Property have proposed actions to test the environmental status of the property. The issue before the Committee is whether to recommend acceptance of what they propose to perform.
5. Consideration of Securing Consulting Services from Stefan Pienkny for Design Review
Background
Stewart Gray, Senior Preservation Planner for the HLC, will be committing considerable time to major design review projects, such as the VanLandingham Estate, Independence Park, Edgewood Farm, and the Shaw House Property. Staff believes that the performance of routine design review activities needs the securing of consulting services. Stefan Pienkny, architect, has agreed to fill that position. The Committee needs to consider its recommendation regarding this potential new consulting position.
6. Discussion of the Status of the Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.
Background
A California investor is under contract to purchase the Excelsior Club and the two parcels of land adjoining it. At this date, it appears that the only involvement of the Historic Landmarks Commission will be to exercise its power of design review. However, I have talked with the realtor and have tentatively scheduled a meeting next week to discuss how the HLC might assist in considering preservation options for the property.
7. Consideration of HLC Holding Covenants on Edgewood Farm, 11132 Eastfield Road, Charlotte, N.C., and the Shaw House Property, 2400 Mecklenburg Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.
Background
Preserve Mecklenburg has secured a buyer for Edgewood Farm and is likely to secure a buyer for the Shaw House Property. Both buyers have agreed to place preservation deed covenants on a portion of the subject properties. The issue before the Executive Committee is to consider whether the HLC or some other institution should hold the covenants.
8. Discussion of the Status of the Charles E. Barnhardt House, 3217 Maymont Place, Charlotte, N.C.
Background
The Historic Landmarks Commission has received an offer to purchase the Charles E. Barnhardt House. Mr. Tonsmeier has offered $550,000. It is a cash offer with a quick close, and the prospective buyer has inspected the property. Also, the Easlan Group, developers of the Cramer’s Pond neighborhood, has discussed with Staff possible acquisition and restoration of the Charles E. Barnhardt House in cooperation with Grandfather Homes.
9. Old Business
10. New Business