The Chapel Hill Historic District Commission met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chamber (RM 110) of Town Hall (405 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard). Chair Don Tise presided with Vice-Chair Brian Daniels, Josh Gurlitz, and Laura Moore present; Glenn Connolly was absent. Staff liaisons Charnika Harrell and Anna Scott Myers, along with Commission Counsel Kevin Hornik, were also present. The meeting began with a roll call and an acknowledgement of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and National Historical Preservation Month. The agenda was amended by unanimous vote to add the written decision for 308 W. Cameron Avenue as a consent item and to add discussions on recruitment, levels of review, and public charge revisions.
All right, like to call this meeting to order, please. Hang on one second. Okay. So we're gonna start with a roll call. Josh Gerlitz. Here. Laura Moore. Here. Brian Daniels. Here. I'm Don Tice. I'm here, and Glenn Conley is not here. So there are four of us this evening. And this month, the month of May, is the uh Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month as well as Jewish American Heritage Month and National Historic Preservation Month. So I have a um a quick read here, an acknowledgement. Before we begin this evening's meeting, the Historic District Commission would like to recognize several important observances that take place in May. This month is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and National Historic Preservation Month. Each offers an opportunity to reflect on the diverse stories, contributions, and places that shape our shared heritage. Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have influenced North Carolina for more than a century through scholarship, entrepreneurship, arts, and public service. At Chapel Hill and UNC, AAPI students and faculty have been part of the community since the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, helping build international academic connections and contributing to the cultural and civic life of our town. Their work across research, medicine, small business, and community organizations continues to strengthen Chapel Hill today. We also recognize Jewish American Heritage Month, honoring over 350 years of Jewish life in the United States. Jewish communities have been present in North Carolina since the early 1800s, contributing to commerce, education, and civic leadership across the state. In Chapel Hill institutions such as UNC Halil and local synagogues have played important roles in fostering culture, scholarship, service, and community connection. Jewish residents and leaders have helped shape the town's academic, artistic, and social landscape. Finally, May is National Historic Preservation Month, established to create the places, stories, and cultural traditions that help define our communities. Here in Chapel Hill, preservation efforts have been protected, have been protected significant historic districts, landmarks, and landscapes that tell the story of the town's growth and many communities that built it. As a commission, this month reminds us of the importance of carefully stewarding these resources so that they will continue to inform and enrich future generations. We honor the individuals, families, and heritage traditions that have contributed to the history we are entrusted to preserve. Okay, so Secretary, read the procedures, please. I'll now read into the record the following. The commission operates under NC General Statutes 160D-940, which gives local governments historic preservation authority, and the Chapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance, including Article III, 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, thank you very much. I'm gonna read the public charge before we get started. The advisory body pledges its respect to the public. The body asks the public to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the body and with fellow members of the public. Should any member of the body or any member of the public fail to observe this charge at any time? The chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual gains personal control. 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 opinions so far as they are qualified, but not legal arguments on behalf of the property owner. Okay, now approval of the agenda. So I I'd like to move that we approve the agenda with two addendums. Consideration of the decision for 308 West Cameron, which was distributed earlier today by Kevin for discussion with the commission. And then last on the agenda discussion of recruitment efforts for the historic district commission. Can we also add a discussion about our summer break?