Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C.

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:25 p.m.

Mr. Richard Alsop, III/Mayor, HLC Vice-Chairman, Survey Committee Chairman

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Committee Chairman

Mr. Frank Bragg/City, Finance Vice-Chair

Mr. William T. Hobbs/County, Projects Com. Vice-Chairman, White Oak Chair

Ms. Yolanda Johnson/City, HLC Secretary, Education Com. Chair/Liaison

Mr. Joseph B. C. Kluttz, III/County, Nominating Committee Vice-Chair

Ms. Yolanda Law/County, HLC Treasurer, Finance Chair

Dr. Richard Mattson/County, Design Review Committee Vice-Chair

Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chairman

Mr. Len Norman/County, HLC Chairman

Ms. Laura C. Smith/City, Nominating Committee Chair

Mr. Lynn Weis/City, Survey Committee Vice-Chair

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Ms. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

None

Mr. Donald Campbell, HLC Survey Committee

Ms. Thomasina Massey, 2001 Oaklawn Ave.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 10, 2007, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Mr. Norman

Mr. Norman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He reminded Commissioners that attendance started over January 1, 2008.

Mr. Norman reported that HLC Staff and some HLC members will attend the Historic Preservation Conference in Lincolnton, N. C., this coming Thursday and Friday. This will give the HLC its required CLG educational training for the year.

Item #3 - Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill

Dr. Morrill asked HLC members to consider the following Action Items:

1) On January 11th a Gala was held to raise funds for Charlotte Trolley, Inc., which is now headed by Mr. Ron Tober. Dr. Morrill said that he and Mr. Norman attended representing the Historic Landmarks Commission. The cost per ticket was $100. HLC Staff requests that Dr. Morrill and Mr. Norman be reimbursed for this expense. Mrs. Morrill and Mrs. Norman also attended the event, and they paid $100 each for tickets.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT DR. MORRILL AND MR. NORMAN BE REIMBURSED $100 EACH FOR ATTENDING THE CHARLOTTE TROLLEY, INC., EVENT ON JANUARY 11, 2008. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

2) Mattson-Alexander Associates has submitted a bid of $5120 to prepare the National Register nomination form for the Torrence Lytle School. HLC Staff requests a motion approving the HLC’s securing the above services from Mattson-Alexander Associates.

MR. BRAGG PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN THAT MATTSON-ALEXANDER ASSOCIATES BE PAID $5120 TO PREPARE THE NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION FORM FOR THE TORRENCE LYTLE SCHOOL. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH MR. MATTSON ABSTAINING IN THE VOTE.

3) At least three HLC members and two HLC Staff person are attending the Preservation workshop in Lincolnton on January 17th and 18th. The registration fee has not yet been set, but it should be minimal - approximately $10 per person. HLC Staff requests a motion approving reimbursement of expenses for attending the workshop, including mileage and meals.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN THAT HLC MEMBERS AND HLC STAFF BE REIMBURSED EXPENSES FOR REGISTRATION, MILEAGE AND MEALS FOR ATTENDING THE PRESERVATION WORKSHOP IN LINCOLNTON ON JANUARY 17TH AND 18TH. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC staff has not received a report from the City Attorney’s Office with respect to how other communities are handling the issue of demolition by neglect. Staff will continue to maintain contact with appropriate officials.

Dr. Morrill reported that a law firm has purchased the John Price Carr House, 200 N. McDowell St., Charlotte, N. C. Therefore the order for an appraisal has been canceled, and there was no cost to the HLC.

Dr. Morrill said that the Dilworth Community Development Association has notified the HLC that it will be bringing recommendations regarding what properties it would like for the HLC to consider purchasing in Dilworth. Staff anticipates that these recommendations will be reviewed by the Projects Committee at its next meet, scheduled for February 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

Dr. Morrill reported that Ms. Nystrom is reviewing realtor listing documents received from Ms. Lexie Longstreet by which she would serve as a buyer’s and seller’s agent for the HLC for the commercial buildings in Pineville. The initial realtor who was contacted never responded.

Dr. Morrill reported that the owner (Ms. Thomasina Massey, present this evening) of the house at 2001 Oaklawn Ave., Charlotte, has contacted the HLC to determine whether the property is eligible for historic landmarks designation. Dr. Morrill said the house was identified in the African American Survey conducted by the HLC. It was built and lived in by a physician, Dr. Robert H. Greene, in 1937. The owner requests that the HLC fund a Survey and Research report. The Survey Committee will consider the property at its next meeting.

Item #4 - Public Hearings on prospective National Register Properties.

The HLC is required to hold a public hearing to receive public input as to whether properties should be nominated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The following properties will be considered at this meeting:

1) N. S. Alexander House, 4601 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, N. C.

MS. JOHNSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE HLC HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS FOR THE N. S. ALEXANDER HOUSE. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

The property was discussed. It is a local designated historic landmark.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE HLC RE-CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION AND VOTE ON THE N. S. ALEXANDER HOUSE. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION OFFICIALLY STATE THAT IT JUDGES THAT THE N. S. ALEXANDER HOUSE, 4601 SHAMROCK DRIVE, CHARLOTTE, N. C., MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR LISTING IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

2) Grace A.M.E. Zion Church, 219 S. Brevard St., Charlotte, N. C.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NEWMAN THAT THE HLC HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS FOR GRACE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

The property was discussed. It is a local designated historic landmark.

MR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. KLUTTZ THE HLC RE-CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION AND VOTE ON GRACE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION OFFICIALLY STATE THAT IT JUDGES THAT THE GRACE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH, 210 S. BREVARD ST., CHARLOTTE, N. C., MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR LISTING IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #5 - Design Review Committee Report: Mr. Benson

Mr. Benson reported that the HLC needs to consider three Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness.

1) Villalonga- Alexander House, 301 E. Park Ave., Charlotte, N. C.

The proposed plans for a bathroom and a hallway partition were presented to the HLC.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE ISSUED FOR THE VILLALONGA-ALEXANDER HOUSE, 301, EAST PARK AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N.C., AS REQUESTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

2) Home Federal Savings and Loan Building, 139 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, N. C.

A Certificate of Appropriateness was issued at the September HLC meeting regarding some of the proposed plans for the structure. The owner was asked to return with a new plan, as transparent as possible and detachable, for the entrance. Condos will be in the upper part of the building with a restaurant (Chima Brazilian Steakhouse) on the first floor. The HLC considered the most recent proposed plan and agreed that the entrance with signage still needs review. The matter will be considered at the Design Review Meeting scheduled for January 30, 2008, at 8:00 a.m., at the HLC office. Mr. Gray will inform the owner that the issue of appropriate "transparency" continues to be an issue in order that another plan can be presented.

MS. JOHNSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT A PLAN FOR THE ENTRANCE OF THE HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN BUILDING, 139 SOUTH TRYON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE CONSIDERED BY THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 30, 2008. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

3) Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House, 2100 Randolph Rd., Charlotte, N. C.

A temporary handicapped ramp has been placed at the front of the building. Mr. Gray presented several design plans drawn by Mr. Alsop’s architectural firm at no cost to the HLC for permanent handicapped access to the building. The HLC agreed that the matter should be reviewed at a future date by the Design Review Committee.

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Alsop

The Town of Davidson has requested that the Davidson Elementary School, which has already been identified as eligible for historic landmark status, be processed for historic landmark designation. The Town has also agreed to pay one-half of the cost of the Survey and Research Report. HLC Staff recommends that the subject property be processed for historic landmark designation and the HLC pay one-half the cost of the Survey and Research Report.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE HLC PAY ONE-HALF THE COST OF THE PREPARATION OF A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE DAVIDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS A REQUIREMENT IN PROCESSING THE STRUCTURE FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #7 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Newman

The Projects Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Information about current projects was presented as follows:

A. Smith House, 220 W. 10th St., Charlotte, N. C.: The HLC will receive by January 25, 2008, an appraisal for the Charles H. and Bess Smith House at 220 W. 10th St., The HLC will thereafter need to determine what course of action it wishes to take regarding the matter. Staff has learned that the property has been listed for $1.3 million.

B. White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Rd., Charlotte, N. C.: Ms. Lexie Longstreet has prepared a sales price estimate for the portion of the White Ok Plantation property on the east side of Hood Rd. The HLC will have to consider whether it wishes to put this portion of the property up for sale. The tenants have vacated the main house. Tenants remain in the rental house on the east side of Hood Rd., and in the log house immediately behind the main house. Ms. Longstreet will be working with staff to prepare an updated marketing program for the property. A map was shown to HLC members. After much discussion, the HLC agreed to not market the property on the east side of Hood Rd. separate from the main house and its property.

C. Sidney and Ethel Grier House, 4647 McKee Rd., Charlotte, N. C.: Bathroom and kitchen upfits are nearing completion. Ms. Lexie Longstreet is working with the contractor in selecting carpet and paint colors. A major push will be made to sell the house in the spring.

D. Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence Rd., Charlotte, N. C.: The rezoning of the property to allow residential infill has been submitted and should be heard in March. Mr. Turner is working to resolve issues with the contractor regarding the fulfillment of obligations under the contract. Mr. Turner was instructed to consult with Ms. Nystrom regarding this matter.

E. Rozzel House, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Rd., Charlotte, N. C.: Ms. Linda Kidd continues to market the property and says that she still has a prospective buyer.

F. Torrence-Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Rd., Huntersville, NC: Staff will be working with an ad-hoc committee to determine the best marketing strategy for the property. Staff has visited the site with Mr. Frank Bragg, Chairman of the Torrence Lytle ad-hoc committee.

G. McAuley House, Huntersville-Concord Rd.: HLC Staff is working with the architect to secure final plans to move and rehabilitate the house.

H. Thrift Piedmont & Northern Depot: The HLC is awaiting approval from CSX regarding purchase.

I. Richard Wearn House, 4928 Tuckaseegee Rd., Charlotte, N. C.: Bank of America continues to work on the papers necessary for conveying the house to the HLC.

Item #8 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Law

Ms. Law distributed copies of the current financial report regarding HLC projects.

No motions were presented.

No motions were presented. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.