The Chapel Hill Historic District Commission met on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Room 110 (Council Chamber). Chair Don Tise presided, with Vice-Chair Brian Daniels, Glenn Connolly, Josh Gurlitz, Nancy McCormick, and Laura Moore present (6 members). Staff liaisons Charnika Harrell and Anna Scott Myers, and Counsel Kevin Hornik were also present. The meeting opened with a Women's History Month acknowledgment and a reading of the public charge. The agenda was approved unanimously, as were the February 10, 2026 meeting minutes.
This item dominated the meeting, involving a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to renovate the existing house and construct a new detached duplex on the same property. The following key events occurred:
We've officially called the meeting to order and going through the roll call. I'm going to start over. Brian Daniels. Here. Glenn Conley. Here. Josh Gerlitz. Here. Nancy McCormick. Here. And Lori Moore. Here. Okay. And I'm Don Tice. I'm here. Okay. Before we get to the Secretary's comments or I read the public charge, we're going to acknowledge Women's History Month. And I'm going to read a little predetermined bit for you here. March is Women's History Month. Each March we join the nation in celebrating Women's History Month, a time officially designated by presidential proclamation to honor women's contributions to American history from civic leadership and scientific breakthroughs to arts, education, and social justice. It began as a local women's history week in 1978 and grew into a month-long observance in 1987, reflecting a growing recognition that inclusive history is good history. We proudly recognize several trouble raising women of Chapel Hill whose courage, intellect, and perseverance paved the way for future generations. One is Sally Walker Stockard. In 1898, she became the first woman to earn a degree from UNC Chapel Hill, even as she was barred from ceremonies and class photographs. Wow. Susan Gray Acres, in 1942, she became UNC's first ever female dean leading the School of Library Science. Gwendolyn Harrison Smith in 1951, she became the first black woman to study at UNC, challenging segregation by filing a federal lawsuit to live on campus and register for classes. Arlene Parker Neal. In 1960, she became the first black woman to earn a master's degree from UNC School of Library Science, defying persistent racial barriers. Betty Baldwin Greer and other local women freedom fighters. These courageous Chapel Hill residents organized sit-ins and civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s. Betty famously continued singing protest songs when many people passed out because of the heat. Reminding us that the fight for justice is carried in song, solidarity, and resilience. She stood up in the 1960s and 70s filing complaints against sex discrimination as a scientist and joining local consciousness raising groups that uh help ignite the women's movement here. This woman's history month, we honor these this woman's history month, we honor these inspiring women, pioneers in education, civil rights, science, and community activism, whose determination and courage shape not only Chapel Hill but the nation. Their legacies empowered us to move forward together, ensuring that the voices of women, especially those who have been marginalized, are heard, honored, and continue to inspire future generations. Okay, now Secretary Reed Procedures, please. I'll now read the following. I'll now read into the record the following. The commission operates under NC General Statutes 160 D-940, which gives local governments historic preservation authority, and the Chapel Hill land use management ordinance, including Article 3, which establish the local historic districts and sets forth regulations governing them, and the Chapel Hill Historic District's design principles and standards, which sets forth standards for changes in the historic districts and the rules of procedure adopted by the Chapel Hill Historic District Commission, as well as the significance reports from all three historic districts and photographs. I also call to your attention each of the applications and associated materials in your agenda packet. All of these items are hereby entered into the record. Thank you. Okay, now I'm gonna read the public charge. Should decorum fail to be restored, the chair will recess the meeting until a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. Property owners may represent themselves or be represented by attorney. However, professionals such as architects, engineers, designers, and others may provide factual evidence and expert opinion so far as they are qualified, but not legal arguments on behalf of the property owner. And that is the public charge. Next is the approval of the agenda. The agenda is from February 10th, 2026.