Charlotte-Mecklenburg

August 11, 2008

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

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Mr. Richard Alsop, III/Mayor, HLC Chairman

Mr. Louis Asbury, IV/County (First Meeting)

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

Mr. Frank Bragg/City

Mr. William T. Hobbs/County

Ms. Yolanda Law/County, HLC Treasurer

Dr. Richard Mattson/County/Survey Committee Chairman

Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chairman

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

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Ms. Mary Dominick, HLC Consultant

Ms. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Ms. Yolanda Johnson, City, Finance Committee Chair

Captain Mark Bergen

Frankie Howell, First Baptist

Nancy Kistler, First Baptist

Lexie Longstreet-Savvy Co. (Sidney & Ethel Grier House)

Paul Babinski, LTCMsLLC

Kathy Finger, Charlotte Business Journal

Joe Elliott, the RBA Group

Ken Marfreda - LTCMsLLC

Desiree Smittman, visitor

W. Floyd Moore, Moore Properties, Ltd.

Dave Moore

Myler Haynes

Ken Roth

Collin Brown, K&L Crages

Barry Blackwell, First Baptist

James Raeford

Daisy Raeford

Ron Raeford

Shelly Hughes

Wendy Godfrey

Carol Burnett, First United Realty

Item #1 - Approval of Minutes

MR. BRAGG PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR JUNE 9, 2008, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR JUNE 9, 2008, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

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

Mr. Alsop welcomed everyone to the meeting. He extended a special welcome to Mr. Asbury as a new member of the Commission. Mr. Asbury replaces Mr. Joseph B. C. Kluttz, who completed his six year term with the Commission in July. Mr. Alsop congratulated Mr. Bragg, Dr. Mattson, Mr. Newman and Dr. Weis on their re-appointments to the HLC. He said that Dr. Weis will meet with us by phone tonight.

Mr. Alsop asked the Commissioners to check the information on the new HLC roster and to let Ms. Morrill know if changes are needed. He also reminded the Commissioners to look at their attendance data and to see Ms. Morrill if there is a question about anything related to this issue.

Mr. Alsop said that Committee rosters for the coming year are at each seat. (The HLC Chair appoints Committee Chairs and committee members.)

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

Dr. Morrill reviewed the items on the agenda for this evening. Dr. Morrill said that consideration of an offer to purchase and contract on the Sidney and Ethel Grier House, 4747 Grier Farm Lane, Charlotte, N. C., will be considered in Executive Session.

Dr. Morrill asked that the HLC consider a part-time consulting contract to assist with special HLC projects for Mr. Bill Jeffers which would be applicable under the same terms as Ms. Mary Dominick’s contract whenever Ms. Dominick terminates her part-time HLC contract.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. LAW THAT A CONSULTING CONTRACT BE ISSUED TO MR. BILL JEFFERS FOR A MAXIMUM OF 20 HOURS WEEKLY AT $11.00 PER HOUR FOR THE HLC WHENEVER MS. MARY DOMINICK TERMINATES HER HLC CONSULTING CONTRACT. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill said that the City Economic Development Department has asked the HLC to attempt to negotiate a purchase of Walker’s Grocery in the Belmont neighborhood. Once the purchase price is determined, the City would consider how it might assist the HLC in acquiring the property. HLC Staff will attempt to bring a proposal to the Projects Committee at its next meeting.

Dr. Morrill said that the Torrence Lytle project continues to evolve. The survey has been completed, and the County has reviewed it. Mr. Turner will be working on submitting the application for sub-dividing the property to the Town of Huntersville; Mr. Bragg is contacting prospective developers; and Mr. Gray is writing design guidelines for prospective developers.

Dr. Morrill said that the final payment for the sale of the Charlotte Cotton Mills was received last month. He extended special thanks to Mr. Tuner for all he did to make the project a success. He said that Fire Station No. 4 has been bought and sold with protective covenants in the deed.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Charlotte Woman’s Club Clubhouse has been sold for an adaptive reuse. HLC Staff spent considerable time and effort working with the buyer to bring an acceptable proposal to the Design Review Committee.

Dr. Morrill said that HLC Staff has met with a prospective buyer of the Sidney & Ethel Grier House to explain the consequences of historic landmarks designation.

Dr. Morrill said that an issue has arisen concerning the ability of the HLC to pass on Federal income tax credits to buyers of property listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A prospective buyer of the Grier-Rea House contacted an official of the I.R.S., who told him that a private letter ruling on another project had stated that this was not possible, because the entity passing on the credits must be a tax-paying entity. Ms. Nystrom recommends, he said, that the HLC consider contacting a tax lawyer to obtain a private letter ruling on the Grier-Rea House project. The inability of the HLC to pass on tax credits would adversely affect the operation of the Revolving Fund. Solutions might be to spend as little as possible on property before selling it or forming partnerships with developers whereby the HLC purchases the property and the developer rehabilitates it and takes advantage of the tax credits.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. SMITH THAT MS. PATRICIA NYSTROM AND MS. YOLANDA LAW BE AUTHORIZED TO OBTAIN A SUITABLE TAX ATTORNEY FOR THE HLC TO OBTAIN TAX CREDIT RULING ON HLC PROPERTY PURCHASES. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #4 - Consideration of Survey and Research Reports:

A. Charlotte Fire Station No. 7, 3710 North Davidson Street, Charlotte, N. C.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT CHARLOTTE FIRE STATION NUMBER 7 (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, AND TAX PARCEL), 3710 N. DAVIDSON STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PROCESSED FOR LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

B. Crane Company Building, 1307 W. Morehead St., Charlotte, N. C.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CRANE COMPANY BUILDING (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR AND TAX PARCEL), 1307 W. MOREHEAD STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PROCESSED FOR LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH DR. MATTSON ABSTAINING IN THE VOTE.

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

The Design Review Committee met June 18, 2008, at the HLC office. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmhpf.org.

A. Consideration of an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Charlotte Womans’ Club, 1001 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, N. C.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE ISSUED FOR THE CHARLOTTE WOMANS’ CLUB CLUBHOUSE, 1001 E. MOREHEAD ST, CHARLOTTE, N. C. AS APPLIED FOR EXCEPT FOR PLANS REGARDING THE PORCH. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

B. Consideration of an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Grand Theater, 333 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N. C.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE GRAND THEATER, 333 BEATTIES FORD ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED WITH THE PROVISO THAT HLC STAFF REVIEW THE PLANS TO ASSURE THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING STOREFRONT WINDOWS BE ACCOMPLISHED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO EMULATE THE APPEARANCE OF THE ORIGINAL WINDOWS INCLUDING THE PROFILE OF THE MUNTINS. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Alsop, Dr. Mattson

The Survey Committee met June 18, 2008, at the HLC office. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website - www.cmphf.org.

Dr. Morrill reminded those present that consideration of the Survey and Research Reports was handled under Item #4 on this agenda. Dr. Morrill said that placement on the HLC’s Study List means that a property is eligible for complete historical and architectural documentation and consideration for processing for historic designation.

A. Consideration of Placement of the following properties on the Study List:

1) Raeford’s Grill, Mock Circle, Davidson, N. C.

Note: The owner, Mr. James Raeford, was present and spoke in favor of pursuing historic designation for the property.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT RAEFORD’S GRILL, MOCK CIRCLE, DAVIDSON, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

2) Phillips’s Barn, Library Lane, Matthews, N. C.

MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. SMITH THAT CONSIDERATION OF PHILLIPS’S BARN, LIBRARY LANE, MATTHEWS, N. C., BE DEFERRED TO A LATER DATE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PLACEMENT ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

B. Consideration of Placement of the following properties on the HLC Inventory List.

Dr. Morrill said that letters were sent to owners of properties being considered for the HLC’s Inventory list. He said that the Inventory List is the first step for properties deemed to have community architectural/and or historic significance. Dr. Morrill said that placement on the Inventory List means that even though a specific property may not be processed for historic designation for a variety of reasons, at least placement on the list provides the opportunity for the property to be documented in Mecklenburg County’s historic records for posterity indicating the important significance.

1) First Baptist Church, 300 S. Davidson St., Charlotte, N. C.

Note: Representatives from the church (see Visitor List) were present and said that the history of their church is important to its members, and that they are honored to be considered for placement on the HLC’s Inventory List.

2) Park Terrace Movie Theater, Park Road Shopping Center, Charlotte, N. C.

Note: No representatives were present on behalf of the structure.

3) Park Road Shopping Center Sign, Park Road Shopping Center, Charlotte, N. C.

Note: No representatives were present on behalf of the structure.

4) Sharon United Methodist Church, 4411 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, N. C.

Note: Representatives for the church (see Visitor List) were present to state that they do not want the property placed on the HLC’s Inventory List .

5) Moore House, 2049 Moore Rd., Matthews, N. C.

Note: Representatives for the house (see Visitor List) were present to state that they do not want the property placed on the HLC’s Inventory List.

6) Walker’s Grocery Store, 1125 Belmont Ave., Charlotte, N. C.

Note: The owner has stated support for placement on the Inventory List.

MR. NEWMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRAGG THAT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 300 S. DAVIDSON ST., CHARLOTTE, N. C., THE PARK TERRACE MOVIE THEATER, PARK ROAD SHOPPING CENTER, CHARLOTTE, N. C., PARK ROAD SHOPPING CENTER SIGN, PARK ROAD SHOPPING CENTER, CHARLOTTE, N. C., AND WALKER’S GROCERY STORE, 1125 BELMONT AVE., CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S INVENTORY LIST. THE MOTION PASSED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FAVOR: NEWMAN, BRAGG, LAW, SMITH, ASBURY, HOBBS OPPOSE: ALSOP, BENSON, MATTSON, NORMAN ABSTAIN: NONE.

Note: Mr. Weis lost contact at this time on the phone.

Item #7 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Newman

The work of the Projects Committee is daily and is a major part of the HLC’s operation. See Projects Committee under www.cmhpf.org.

MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MR. NEWMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HOBBS THAT THE HLC RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: In Executive Session the HLC voted to approve the sale of the Sidney and Ethel Grier House, 4747 Grier Farm Lane, Charlotte, N. C.

Item #8 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Smith

Ms. Smith distributed the monthly financial report. She the current financial data and answered questions.

Mr. Turner asked the HLC members to approve funding for the McAuley House.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT UP TO $200,000 BE ALLOCATED IN THE REVOLVING FUND FOR WORK ON THE McAULEY HOUSE ON THE HUNTERSVILLE-CONCORD ROAD. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Nystrom said that CATS wants to use the HLC’s 1972 Silverside bus in the Labor Day parade.

MS. LAW PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT CATS OR CHARLOTTE TROLLEY, INC. BE GRANTED PERMISSION TO USE THE HLC’S SILVERSIDE BUS IN THE LOCAL PARADE AS DESCRIBED BY MS. NYSTROM. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that Mr. David Furman has contacted him about the HLC’s possibly "playing a part" in the restoration of the complex on the corner of Tremont and Euclid in Dilworth. Dr. Morrill said he would keep everyone informed.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.