Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 16, 2022
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 16, 2022
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on June 16, 2022, to consider several applications for exterior alterations and new construction within historic districts. The meeting included public comments, staff presentations, and commissioner deliberations. Key items included a revised proposal for 411 South 2nd Street, a roof replacement at 507 South Fifth Avenue, a rear addition at 1807 Princess Street, and exterior renovations at 509 South Fifth Avenue.
Consent Calendar
- The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- 411 South 2nd Street: Jeff from 412 South Third Street presented an arborist report predicting a pecan tree would decline to a health score of 56/100 after construction, and expressed concerns about business impact on the CW Worth House bed and breakfast. Sean Maxwell from 405 South 2nd Street raised questions about drainage, tree protection, concrete surfaces, gutters, and the lack of an engineered drainage plan; he stated city officials directed them to civil remedies. Richard Bunting from 409 South 2nd Street requested preservation of an existing brick wall. Travis Gilbert from Historic Wilmington Foundation supported Condition 16 requiring professional archaeological investigation during pool excavation, noting the property lies within 1781 British fortifications. Two neighbors (Angela Smith and Carol Chapel) submitted letters in full support of the revised plans.
- 507 South Fifth Avenue: No public comments were made; the applicant was not present.
- 1807 Princess Street: No public comments were made.
- 509 South Fifth Avenue: No public comments were made.
Discussion Items
- 411 South 2nd Street (Continued Old Business): The applicant sought approval for rear facade modifications, a one-story garage, a one-story cabana, an in-ground pool, a louvered fence, and landscaping. Staff reviewed the design standards. Commissioners questioned the applicant about roof heights, drainage, materials, and tree impacts. The applicant agreed to use pervious materials for the parking pad and confirmed height limits (garage 14 ft, cabana 12 ft). The commission deliberated on congruity and added conditions including pervious parking pad and documented height limits.
- 507 South Fifth Avenue (Continued Old Business): The applicant proposed replacing the existing standing seam metal roof with asphalt shingles. The applicant was absent; a representative from Historic Wilmington Foundation stated they were working with the applicant on funding for a metal roof. The commission discussed whether asphalt shingles were historically appropriate. They decided to approve a standing seam metal roof via bypass, with a condition that if the HWF agreement fails, the applicant must return with a new application for a different roof.
- 1807 Princess Street (New Business): The applicant proposed a two-story rear addition and a one-story rear porch. Staff found the addition compatible and mostly not visible from the public right-of-way. Commissioners praised the design and approved the application with conditions from the staff report.
- 509 South Fifth Avenue (New Business): The applicant proposed exterior alterations including roof replacement, new siding, paint colors, porch restoration, and replacement doors and windows. The applicant's representative agreed to match the original door's horizontal panels and retain the original one-over-one window configuration. The commission also discussed the appropriateness of fiberglass brackets. The transcript ends before a final vote; no decision is recorded.
Key Outcomes
- 411 South 2nd Street: Approved with 20 conditions from the staff report plus added conditions 20 (pervious parking pad) and 21 (height limits not to exceed 14 ft for garage, 12 ft for cabana). Motion passed unanimously.
- 507 South Fifth Avenue: Approved for standing seam metal roof (bypass permitted) with conditions 2–5 from the staff report; if bypass not completed within 30 days, applicant must submit a new application. Motion passed unanimously.
- 1807 Princess Street: Approved with conditions 1–6 from the staff report. Motion passed unanimously.
- 509 South Fifth Avenue: Discussion occurred but no vote was recorded in the provided transcript; outcome unknown.
Meeting Transcript
Districts and landmarks and the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Evidence submitted by to the Commission for review will become part of the record. Appeal of a commission decision must be submitted to the Wilmington Board of Adjustment within 30 days of the date of the Commission's action. Further appeal must be submitted to Superior Court. Evidence pertaining to an agenda item must be presented during the evidentiary portion of that item. Individuals who wish to address the commission will be sworn in as witnesses to present material and substantial evidence. The chair will recognize each witness who wishes to address the commission during the evidentiary portion. In order to ensure that witness evidence is properly recorded, each individual should come to the podium and clearly state their name and address before addressing the commission. As a brief reminder, members of the commission are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of city council. Our charges with respect to the protection and preservation of properties located within the city's designated historic districts. The commission is held to the requirements of the Wilmington design standards for historic districts and landmarks, as well as the applicable North Carolina state law. We are to determine whether exterior changes to a building are congruous with the special character of the city's historic districts. It is important that the commission deliberate the merits of each request in a manner that provides a record of the basis for our decisions. Please remember that our deliberation should be centered on how a project meets the Wilmington design standards and whether the changes are congruous. Commissioners, if you have received or been made aware of any information outside this evidentiary hearing related to any agenda item before the commission, please recuse yourself from that agenda item. Before the meeting begins, please ensure that all cell phones are in silent mode or turned off. Tonight we have a very long agenda, and we will be adhering to the Roberts Rules of Order and ask that public comments are limited to 10 minutes. Um who are with us tonight. Jessica Baldwin is our senior planner. Amy Bradshaw is our planning coordinator. Melissa Huffman is our assistant city attorney. Ron Satterfield is assistant director of planning. No, Megan's not here tonight. Okay. Um I'm Kathleen Egan. I'm chair of the commission. And if the other commissioners would please introduce themselves. Ashley. Ashley Wilson. Stephen Salke. Ron Wilson. Michael Smith. Thank you. Now we will swear in those present who wish to present evidence related to an agenda item. If I could have all staff applicants and anyone in the audience who wishes to speak tonight to please stand up and raise your right hand. Do you affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Thank you. Thank you. All right, we will begin by asking if there are any corrections to the minutes from our last meeting. Okay, thank you. Then the evidentiary proceeding may now begin with the first agenda item. And we will start with old business. The first one is 41 South Second Street. I'm sorry, can you do a vote on the minutes? We need a motion. I forgot. Okay, the same thing. Sorry to interrupt. Okay, sorry. Okay, we'll have a motion to approve the minutes.
openpublica.com