Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Author: Elizabeth Stuart

The September 14 meeting of the Historic Landmarks Commission will be a virtual meeting. Please note there will be no accommodation for any in-person attendance. If you need special accommodations, please contact the HLC office at 980-314-7660.


1.  Consideration of Minutes  August 10th Minutes

2.  Chair’s Report: Jeff Parsons

3.  Treasurer’s Report: Diane Althouse  August 2020 Project Budget Report

4.  Design Review Committee Report: Garrett Nelson  Design Review Committee Minutes

a.  Ranson House, 412 S. Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, N.C.

Documents for the Road Widening

Photographs of the Road Widening

Owner Comments on Project

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT APPROVE THE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT AT THE RANSON HOUSE, 412 S. OLD STATESVILLE ROAD, HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1) THAT THE EXACT CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT BE SPECIFIED; 2) THAT THE TOWN OF HUNTERSVILLE WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OWNERS OF THE RANSON HOUSE TO ENSURE TREE PROTECTION FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT; AND 3) THAT ANY NEEDED VARIATIONS TO THE CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT BE PROPOSED TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION AND THE OWNERS OF THE RANSON HOUSE BEFORE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS.

Ranson House

b.  Freeman House, 201 S. Ames Street, Matthews, N.C.

Polaris Map of the Current Location of the House

Documents for the Proposed Move

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT APPROVE THE RELOCATION OF THE FREEMAN HOUSE, 201 S. AMES STREET, MATTHEWS, N.C., TO MECKLENBURG COUNTY TAX PARCEL 22702446 AND CONCEPTUALLY APPROVE THE PROPOSED PLANS FOR THE ADDITION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MASSING ON THE SECOND FLOOR. 

Freeman House

c.  Charlotte Fire Station #10, 2136 Remount Road, Charlotte, N.C.

Proposed Plans

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT APPROVE PLANS AS PRESENTED FOR THE CHARLOTTE FIRE STATION #10, 2136 REMOUNT ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N.C. 

Former Charlotte Fire Station #10

d.  Cedar Grove, 8229 Gilead Road, Huntersville, N.C.

Polaris Map of the Property

Proposed Plans

The Commission will consider an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a parking lot and bridge on the County-owned land across from the historic house to access a greenway on the south side of the creek.  

Cedar Grove

5.  Survey Committee Report: Brian Clarke  Survey Committee Minutes

a.  Johnson Sherrill Farmhouse, 21525 Shearer Road, Davidson, N.C.

Polaris Map of Property

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION  TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT PROCESS THE JOHNSON SHERRILL FARMHOUSE, 21525 SHEARER ROAD, DAVIDSON, N.C., INCLUDING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE AND THE LAND AS SHOWN IN THE DESIGNATION REPORT FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION.

Johnson Sherrill Farmhouse

Johnson Sherrill Farmhouse

Johnson Sherrill Farmhouse

b.  F.M. Simmons House, 625 Hermitage Court, Charlotte, N.C.

Polaris Map of Property

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT PROCESS THE F.M. SIMMONS HOUSE, 625 HERMITAGE COURT, CHARLOTTE, N.C., INCLUDING THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE AND THE OUTBUILDINGS AND LAND AS SHOWN IN THE DESIGNATION REPORT FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION.

Simmons House

c.  Brooklyn YMCA Building, 416 E. 3rd Street, Charlotte, N.C.

Polaris Map of Property

Mr. Thomson and Mr. Clarke will report on the property.

Brooklyn YMCA Building

6.  Projects Committee Report: Edwin Wilson  Projects Committee Minutes

7.  Executive Committee Report: Jeff Parsons  Executive Committee Minutes

8.  Staff Report: Jack Thomson and Stewart Gray

9.  Old Business

10.  New Business   



August 28, 2020

The restoration of the VanLandingham Estate, located at 2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, N.C., is close to completion. This project illustrates a successful collaboration between the current property owners who have undertaken the property’s rehabilitation and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission and the Charlotte Historic District Commission. 

Charlotte Business Journal has more: “What’s next for historic VanLandingham Estate after restoration


August 27, 2020

Plans to rehabilitate the historic Excelsior Club are moving forward. As The Charlotte Post article below notes, the buyer of the property “has put out a call to action for a “dream team” of Black professionals to revitalize the site.”

Darrel Williams, founder of Neighboring Concepts, spoke with The Charlotte Post about his work on the revitalization of the Excelsior Club and what the building means to the African American community: “Darrel Williams’ task: Build the Excelsior Club’s future, nod to past


August 25, 2020

Camp North End, which includes the newly-designated historic landmark, Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, has been named “one of the first four properties in North America to receive a Fitwel Community Design certification for implementing health benefits as part of their design.” Commercial Property Executive recently interviewed Tommy Mann, Development Director for ATCO Properties & Management, on how the organization is bringing new life into the historic site.

Read the full interview here: “Wellness Meets History at Charlotte’s Camp North End

Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant