Charlotte-Mecklenburg

November 10, 2008

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

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

Mr. Richard Alsop, III/Mayor, HLC Chair

Mr. Louis Asbury, IV/County

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Com. Chair

Mr. Frank Bragg/City

Ms. Yolanda Johnson/City, Finance Committee Chair

Ms. Yolanda Law/County, HLC Vice-Chair

Dr. Richard Mattson/County, Survey Com. Chair

Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chair

Mr. Len Norman/County

Ms. Laura C. Smith/City, HLC Treasurer

Dr. Lynn Weis/City, HLC Secretary

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Ms. Mary Dominick, HLC Consultant

Mr. William T. Hobbs/County

Mr. Steven Sweat - Mecklenburg County, Historic Courthouse

MR. BRAGG PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 13, 2008 AND OCTOBER 23, 2008, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. BRAGG PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE HLC’S EXECUTIVES SESSION MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 13, 2008, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Richard Alsop, III

Mr. Alsop welcomed everyone to the meeting. He said that a list of the HLC’s 319 designated Historic Landmarks, since 1974, is at each seat, along with tonight’s agenda, the director’s report, the attendance sheet, and the current HLC calendar.

Item #3 - Director’s Report: Dan Morrill

Dr. Morrill asked that the Commissioners consider Action Item A. in the Director’s Report. Ms. Dominick left the room at this point. Dr. Morrill said that Ms. Dominick has been a consultant for the HLC for two years and that she recently received a B.A. degree in Communications from UNCC. He said that her HLC responsibilities have been expanded to include assisting with the production of instructional videos for the HLC’s website. Mr. Gray said that she also assists him with HLC responsibilities.

MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT MARY DOMINICK’S HLC CONSULTING STIPEND BE RAISED TO $12.00 PER HOUR, WITH A CAP OF 30 WORKING HOURS WEEKLY. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that the prospective tenant of the plantation house at White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Road, Charlotte, N. C., has withdrawn. Dr. Morrill said that Mr. Gray and he will be working to locate a tenant, and that any assistance HLC members can provide would be appreciated. HLC Staff recommends that the terms of the lease be essentially unchanged from what have been developed except that the monthly rent be $500 if the tenant provides lawn care or $1000 per month if the HLC continues to be responsible for lawn care. The HLC members present agreed that this is a satisfactory arrangement to handle the situation.

Dr. Morrill said that a new tenant, paying $600 per month, is in the rental house at White Oak and that house repairs have been completed.

Dr. Morrill reported that public hearings were held on October 20, 2008, with the Charlotte City Council to consider the designation of the Solomon and Shirley Levine House, 2300 Cloister Dr., Charlotte, N. C., and McCausland Building - Thacker’s Restaurant, 221 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, N. C. Designation of the McCausland Building-Thacker’s Restaurant was approved. Dr. Morrill said that for the first time in the history of the HLC the Charlotte City Council rejected a designation which the owner favored - the Levine House. He said he talked with City officials, and they suggested that three factors might be involved. First, there is growing concern about deferred property taxes especially in view of the present state of the economy. Second, there is less support among Council people for the designation of Modernist structures. Some doubt that such buildings are "historic." Third, there is a procedural issue. Until now, Council has held the public hearing and voted for designations at the same meeting. The feeling exists that hearings for prospective historic landmarks should be treated the same as zoning hearings - hold the hearing one month and have the vote the next month. Dr. Morrill said that the final issue has already been resolved. Hereafter, the HLC will follow the same procedure as exists for zoning issues. The first issue is not within the jurisdiction of the HLC. The deferral of property taxes on a historic landmark is provided by State law. The second issue, concerning Modernist buildings, is primarily a matter of education. HLC staff plans, as originally proposed, that Modernist structures be taken before City Council as a group, probably in the Spring. HLC Commissioners are encouraged to become involved in talking with City Council members about the worthiness of modernist designations. On the front page of the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org - modernist architecture is discussed. Both the National Trust and Preservation N. C. are encouraging historic organizations to investigate and be supportive of worthy modernist architectural styles which are threatened in our society much as Victorian architecture was 35 years ago.

Dr. Morrill reported that several properties in Charlotte are being processed for historic landmarks designation. The GM "New Look Buses" Nos. 1074 and 1076 (also called fishbowl buses), currently housed in the Charlotte Area Transit System’s bus barn, and the S. B. Alexander House, 250 Cherokee Rd., Charlotte, N. C., are ready to be presented to City Council for public hearings. Dr. Morrill said that the Carolina Rim and Wheel Building, 306 N. Graham St., Charlotte, N. C., is ready to be presented to City Council, but the Survey Committee has recommended that the HLC hold its own public hearing first in order to attempt to have the owner come forward to express the views about the prospect of historic designation. Dr. Morrill said that Survey and Research Reports are being prepared for the Dr. Green House, 2001 Oaklawn Ave., Charlotte, N. C., and Fire Station No. 5 on Wesley Heights Way (224 Tuckaseegee Rd.) An update of the Survey and Research Report on Tuckaseegee Ford, 820 Hawfield Rd., is also being prepared.

Dr. Morrill said that HLC Staff has developed a second educational video which describes the historic significance of Independence Park located on Hawthorne Lane. The video can be seen on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC Staff has contacted the Staff of the Historic Districts Commission to arrange a meeting to discuss the possibility of instituting regulations regarding prevention of "demolition by neglect" of historic landmarks.

Dr. Morrill said that the N. S. Alexander House, 5014 Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte, N. C., is for sale for $1.9 million. The HLC will have has the right of first refusal to purchase.

HLC Staff, according to Dr. Morrill, continues to work on securing the Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Rd., Huntersville, N. C. A subdivision plan has been submitted to the Town of Huntersville.

Dr. Morrill reported that he will meet with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority on November 13, 2008, to raise again the issue of the historic designation of the original Charlotte Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, N. C.

Dr. Morrill said that the Design Review Committee will meet on November 19, 2008, to consider an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for placing, on a permanent basis, a Gandhi Statue in front of the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 700 E. Trade St., Charlotte, N. C.

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC Staff is meeting with architects for a new classroom building at Garinger High School, 1100 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, N. C.

Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Matthew Benson

An application for an Express Review Certificate of Appropriateness has been submitted for the former Mecklenburg County Courthouse. The project involves the replacement of the existing metal sash casement windows, with new metal sash of a similar design on the first floor. The existing metal window frames would be preserved and kept in place; thus the impact of the new window sash on the appearance of the building should be minimal. Photographs and drawings were presented. The Commission agreed that the muttons should be on the interior and exterior. HLC Staff recommends that the proposed project be approved.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR WINDOWS AT THE MECKLENBURG COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 700 E. TRADE STREET, CHARLOTTE, N.C., BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #5 - Survey Committee Report: Richard Mattson

A. The State Historic Preservation Office has commented on the Survey and Research Reports for the Long Creek High School Gymnasium and Grandstand, 9213 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville, N. C., and the Crane Company Building, 1307 West Morehead Street, Charlotte, N. C. HLC Staff will continue processing the properties for historic designation.

B. Study List Properties:

1. James and Elizabeth Purcell House, 206 Hillside Dr., Davidson, N. C.

Although this 1956 house has experienced some alterations, the Purcell House is one of the best examples of residential modernism in Davidson. James Purcell, an English professor who came to Davidson in 1948, and subsequently became the dean of the English department, first saw "flat-roofed," modernist houses in Florida and determined that he would build one for his family when the opportunity arose. His chance came when the Board of Trustees of the College purchased the land that is now Lorimer Road and Hillside Drive as lots for faculty residences. The College allowed the faculty to choose the styles of their homes. Some chose Modernism, and several houses of that architectural motif survive on Hillside Drive. Charlotte architect Harold Cooler was responsible for the design. If the HLC places the house on the Study List, HLC Staff will contact the owner to determine his or her attitude regarding designation. If the owner responds favorable, Staff would like to have the authority to have the HLC pay for the Survey and Research Report.

2. Sustare House, 13700 Idlewild Rd., Matthews, N. C.

The Sustare House, ca.1900, is a substantial one-story Victorian farmhouse near Matthews and Mint Hill. The once rural area is now largely suburban. A renovation of the house is underway. While the renovation includes a new rear addition, it also includes a sensitive restoration and preservation of the original interior and exterior woodwork. Based on a reconnaissance survey of Matthews historic resources conducted the HLC in 2007, the Sustare House is one of the most significant and well preserved houses outside of the traditional town limits. If the HLC places the house on the Study List, Staff will contact the owner to determine if the current renovation would be compatible with landmark designation. If the owner responds favorable, HLC Staff would like to have the authority to have the HLC pay for the Survey and Research Report.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON THAT THE JAMES AND ELIZABETH PURCELL HOUSE, 206 HILLSIDE DRIVE, DAVIDSON, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST, AND THAT THE HLC PAY FOR A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE PROPERTY IF THE OWNER RESPONDS FAVORABLY TO THE PROPERTY’S BEING PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION AND THAT THE SUSTARE HOUSE, 13700 IDLEWILD ROAD, MATTHEWS, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST, AND THAT THE HLC PAY FOR A SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE PROPERTY IF THE OWNER RESPONDS FAVORABLE TO THE PROPERTY’S BEING PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION AND IF HLC STAFF DETERMINES IF THE CURRENT RENOVATION IS COMPATIBLE WITH LANDMARK DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #6 - Projects Committee Report: Gray Newman

A. The McAuley House, 14335 Huntersville-Concord Rd., Huntersville, N. C., has been moved to its new location. Work is proceeding on the foundation.

B. The realtor for the Edward M. Rozzell House, 11647 Rozzelles Ferry Rd., Charlotte, N. C., has suggested that the HLC reduce the asking price for the property to $375,000, for the house and the five acres of land. The house on three acres is currently listed for $375,000. The Commission agreed that Ms. Linda Kidd, the realtor, should attend the HLC’s next meeting to discuss the situation.

Item #7 - Treasurer’s Report: Laurie Smith

Ms. Smith distributed a copy of the current financial report and discussed the budget with those present.

No motions were presented.

No motions were presented.

The HLC meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.