Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Agenda – HLC Meeting

The September 13 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 August HLC Minutes

2.  Chair’s Report: William Hughes

3.  Public Comment Period – Up to 3 Minutes Per Person

4.  Financial Report: Jack Thomson

5.  Public Hearings for the Following Properties: William Hughes

a.  Stough-Cornelius/Potts Barber Shop Building, 21324 and 21328 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius

Map of Property

Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

Designation would include the exterior of the building and the land associated with the tax parcel. 

b.  Stafford-Holcombe Farm, Plaza Road Extension, Charlotte

Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

Designation would include the interior and exterior of the main house, the interior and exterior of the log slave quarter-tenant house, and the land associated with the tax parcel. 

c.  Kimberlee Apartments, 1300 Reece Road, Charlotte

Map of Property

Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

Designation would include the common areas within the interior of the building, the exterior of the building, the building’s landscape and hardscape elements and associated auxiliary structures, including without limitation the elevated walkway, and the land associated with the tax parcel. 

d.  Brooklyn McCrorey Branch YMCA, 416 E. 3rd Street, Charlotte

Map of Property

Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

Designation would include the exterior of the building and the footprint of the building within tax parcel 12506401 but excluding the remainder of the land comprising tax parcel 12506401. 

6.  Survey Committee Report: Brian Clarke  Survey Committee Minutes

The following item is for informational purposes:

The Survey Committee voted unanimously to place the following properties on the Study List of Prospective Historic Landmarks:

a.  500 Clement Avenue, Charlotte

Additional Images

History of Property

500 Clement Avenue

b.  3116 Country Club Drive, Charlotte

“Sinister Wisdom” Origin Site – 3116 Country Club Drive

For much of American history, LGBTQ magazines and journals were censored. In the 1957 Supreme Court case One, Inc. v. Olesen, the judges determined that LGBTQ content was obscene and did not warrant First Amendment protection. So when Sinister Wisdom was founded in Charlotte in 1976, it was a vital platform for Appalachian lesbians to express themselves, read lesbian-friendly content, and participate in a shared reading community of other LGBTQ women. As the journal grew in popularity, it attracted a wide audience. Now, Sinister Wisdom continues to publish their literary journal and is the oldest remaining lesbian journal in the United States. This site is also significant because Sinister Wisdom is one of the few nationally popular LGBTQ journals based in Appalachia.

3116 Country Club Drive

c.  3601 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte

CharlotteEAST Information on The Computer Room

3601 E. Independence Blvd

d.  801 E. 8th Street, Charlotte

801 E. 8th Street, Charlotte, is one of the few surviving pre-WWII homes in 1st Ward. This house was once part of a large African American community that has been lost due to Urban Renewal and modern development pressures.

801 E 8th Street

7.  Staff Report: Jack Thomson and Stewart Gray

a.  Updates on Projects

b.  Revisions to the Rules of Procedure

c.  CLG Training Videos

To maintain its CLG status, the HLC must have at least two Commissioners view and email a brief synopsis to three or more training videos by September 30. 

d.  HLC Social Media

e.  New Commissioner Appointments

8.  Old Business

9.  New Business



The August 9 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 June HLC Minutes

2.  Chair’s Report: William Hughes

3.  Public Comment Period

4.  Treasurer’s Report: Edwin Wilson

5.  Survey Committee Report: Brian Clarke  Survey Committee Minutes

The following items are for informational purposes:

a.  The Survey Committee voted unanimously to place the following properties on the Study List of Prospective Historic Landmarks: Johnston Farm, 8520 Dixie River Road, Charlotte and WBT Transmission Facility, 9201 Nations Ford Road, Charlotte

b.  Update on Beatties Ford Road Corridor Study

6.  Projects Committee Report: Jeff Parsons  Projects Committee Minutes

a.  Update on Streetcar #85 Lease

THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT ENTER INTO LEASE NEGOTIATIONS WITH BELMONT TROLLEY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING STREETCAR #85 BY LEASE WITH THE INTENT TO MAKE IT OPERATIONAL WITHIN THE TOWN OF BELMONT. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

7.  Design Review  

Red Front Shell Renovation General Drawings

Red Front Shell Renovation Architectural Drawings

The owners of the Red Front Department Store are planning a rehabilitation of the building to prepare it for market as a commercial property. Staff has reviewed the project and consulted with HLC Secretary Robert Barfield on the COA application and has approved the project as a Minor Works COA. This is a significant project, but it preserves or replicates nearly all of the surviving historic materials, and does not involve any significant changes to the building’s architecture. Having adopted a quasi-judicial review for Major Works COAs, Staff and the HLC Secretary are endeavoring to process projects as Minor Works if the projects have little negative impact on the historic character of the property.  

8.  Staff Report: Jack Thomson and Stewart Gray

a.  Update on the Addendum for the Designation Report for Edgewood Farmhouse Addressing the History of Slavery Associated with the Property  

b.  Update on Upcoming Designations

c.  Update on Rules of Procedure

d.  Update on CLG Training Requirements

To maintain its CLG status, the HLC is required to have at least two Commissioners view and email a brief synopsis to three or more training videos by September 30. We encourage all Commissioners to participate.

e.  Feedback on Facebook/Social Media 

9.  Old Business

10.  New Business


The June 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 May HLC Minutes

2.  Chair’s Report: Jeff Parsons

3.  Public Comment Period

4.  Treasurer’s Report: Jack Thomson on behalf of Treasurer

5.  Public Hearing for the Following Five Properties: Jeff Parsons

a.  William H. Peeps House, 831 E. Worthington Avenue, Charlotte

Map of Property

Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

Designation would include the interior and exterior of the house and the land associated with the tax parcel.

b.  Edgewood Plantation, 11132 Eastfield Road, Charlotte

Site Plan

Amended Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

The area of land associated with the landmark in tax parcel numbers 02761104 and 02761105 would be reduced to approximately 2 acres as shown on the site plan.

c.  Ervin Building, 4037 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte

Map of Property

Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

Designation would include the interior and exterior of the building, and the land listed under Tax Parcel Numbers 13111110 and 13111114.

d.  Larkwood-Chadbourn Hosiery Mill Plant, 451 Jordan Place, Charlotte

Map of Property

Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

Designation would include the interior and exterior of the mill building and boiler house, the smokestack, and the land listed under Tax Parcel Number 08306707.

e.  Victor Shaw House, 2400 Mecklenburg Avenue, Charlotte

Site Plan

Amended Designation Report

SHPO Staff Comments

The ordinance designating the Victor Shaw House as a historic landmark would be amended to de-designate all of the land associated with the historic landmark with the exception of the three lots bordering Mecklenburg Avenue, consisting of the lot that contains the historic house and the two adjacent lots lying immediately to the east and west of the historic house. 

6.  Staff recommends that the Commission adopt the following motions to reaffirm its earlier decisions:

a.  To recommend that the Charlotte City Council designate the Larkwood-Chadbourn Hosiery Mill Plant a local historic landmark including the interior and exterior of the mill building and boiler house, the smokestack, and the land listed under Tax Parcel Number 08306707.

b.  To recommend that the Charlotte City Council designate the Ervin Building a local historic landmark including the interior and exterior of the building, and the land listed under Tax Parcel Numbers 13111110 and 13111114.

c.  To recommend to the Charlotte City Council that the ordinance for the Victor Shaw House be amended to de-designate all of the land associated with the historic landmark with the exception of the three lots bordering Mecklenburg Avenue, consisting of the lot that contains the historic house and the two adjacent lots lying immediately to the east and west of the historic house.  Site Plan

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

a.  McNinch House, 2401 Sharon Lane, Charlotte

Polaris Map of Property

Development Site Plan

At its April meeting, the Commission voted to approve the development plans for the McNinch House with the condition that lots 3 and 4 not be approved with the understanding that the design of lots 3 and 4 and the landscape plan would be reviewed at a later date. In accordance with this motion, the applicant has submitted architectural plans for the two houses that face Sharon Lane. 

Elevations

Marked Up Elevations

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT LOTS THREE AND FOUR FACING SHARON LANE AND LOTS ONE AND SIX FACING THE MCNINCH HOUSE, 2401 SHARON LANE, CHARLOTTE, N.C., BE REVISED TO ADDRESS THE STREET EDGE MORE SENSITIVELY AND THAT THE SUBMITTAL OF THE LANDSCAPE PLAN BE REVIEWED BY STAFF AND THE DESIGN REVIEW CHAIRPERSON. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

b.  VanLandingham Estate, 2010 The Plaza, Charlotte

Polaris Map of Property

In 2015, the HLC approved a development plan for the VanLandingham Estate that included 18 townhomes and a community pool and pool house.  The development plan was never executed and no COA was issued.

The Historic District Commission has approved the presented plan. 

Current Development Plans

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT APPROVE DEVELOPMENT PLANS AS PRESENTED FOR THE VANLANDINGHAM ESTATE, 2010 THE PLAZA, CHARLOTTE, N.C., WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: THAT THE LANDSCAPE PLAN AND PLANTING OF NATIVE SPECIES BE BLENDED INTO THE EXISTING FABRIC OF THE PROPERTY AND SUBMITTED TO STAFF FOR APPROVAL, AND THAT WALKS AND DRIVEWAYS BE EITHER LOOSE PEA GRAVEL TO MATCH EXISTING DRIVES OR EXPOSED AGGREGATE GRAVEL THAT MATCHES IN COLOR OR TEXTURE. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

8.  Survey Committee Report: Brian Clarke

The Survey Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 23. 

9.  Projects Committee Report: Edwin Wilson

a.  Charlotte Streetcar #85

b.  Wallace House, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte

c.  Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville

10.  Nominating Committee Report: Laura Hoover   

The Commission will vote on a slate of officers for FY 2021/2022.

Officer Nominations Slate

11.  Staff Report: Jack Thomson and Stewart Gray

Dendrochronology Project Update

12.  Old Business

13.  New Business


The May 10 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

a. Consideration of April HLC Minutes

b. Consideration of April Closed Session HLC Minutes

2.  Chair’s Report: Jeff Parsons

3.  Public Comment Period

4.  Treasurer’s Report: Jack Thomson on behalf of Treasurer

5.  Design Review Committee Report: Garrett Nelson

Staff recommends that the Commission adopt Proposed Limited Design Review Recommendations for the HLC for Single-Family Home Additions and Infill Development

Staff believes that the adoption of the recommendations would provide the Commission, property owners, and developers a good starting point for discussing home additions and infill development. 

6.  Survey Committee Report: Brian Clarke  Survey Committee Minutes

a.  Stafford Properties  

Designation Report

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT PROCESS THE STAFFORD PROPERTY FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION, INCLUDING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE LOG SLAVE QUARTER-TENANT HOUSE AND THE OUTBUILDINGS, AND THE ASSOCIATED SITE AS SHOWN ON THE BOUNDARY MAP IN THE DESIGNATION REPORT. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Technical difficulties at the April Survey Meeting made it difficult for the owner to clearly relay her concerns to the Committee. The following substitute motion is recommended by Staff and reflects the wishes of the property owner:

A MOTION THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION PROCESS THE STAFFORD PROPERTY FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION, INCLUDING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE LOG SLAVE QUARTER-TENANT HOUSE AND THE APPROXIMATELY 27.780 ACRES OF LAND ASSOCIATED WITH TAX PARCEL 10521107.

b.  Kimberlee Apartments  

Designation Report

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SECONDED MOTION TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT PROCESS THE KIMBERLEE APARTMENTS FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION, INCLUDING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDINGS AS WELL AS THE ASSOCIATED AUXILIARY STRUCTURES, THE LAND, AND THE LANDSCAPE AND HARDSCAPE ELEMENTS ON THE APPROXIMATELY 4.61-ACRE PARCEL AS SHOWN ON THE BOUNDARY MAP IN THE DESIGNATION REPORT. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

The following item is for informational purposes:

c.  Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte

At its April 21st meeting, the Survey Committee reached a consensus to recommend to the owners of Camp North End to proceed with a designation report for portions of the property as shown on the attached plan.  The ongoing development of the property includes recent and ongoing rehabilitation of some buildings, infill development outside of the proposed landmark boundary, and the demolition of portions of some buildings proposed for landmark designation.  

Development Site Plan

7.  Projects Committee Report: Edwin Wilson  Projects Committee Minutes

8.  Nominating Committee Report: Laura Hoover   

9.  Staff Report: Jack Thomson and Stewart Gray

a.  CLG Training Update  Current Virtual Training Opportunities

10.  Old Business

11.  New Business