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.