Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission - April 12, 2018 Meeting Summary

On Thursday, April 12, 2018, the Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The agenda listed the meeting at the Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, while the minutes identify the City Council Chambers, 102 North 3rd Street. Vice-Chair Rob Romero presided. Commissioners present were Sherry Demas, Mary Ann Keiser, Daniel Hill, and Joan Keston; absent were John Muzzey, Edward McCaleb, Lynne Boney, and Chairman Tara Murphy. Staff included Assistant City Attorney Melissa Iverson Hales and Historic Preservation Planner Dawn Snotherly. Witnesses were sworn before testimony. The Commission approved every application before it except the requested reduction of the 90-day demolition stay at 1402 Ann Street.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Georgia Root Sasavis, applicant for 612 Grace Street, expressed support for the proposed one-story Craftsman bungalow and accessory building, said the location followed historical Sanborn maps, agreed to increase the front walkway from 3 feet to 4 feet for ADA compliance, and asked that the 9-foot-wide concrete landing remain to preserve the porch symmetry.
• Stacy McPherson and Michael Odeary, applicants for 124 Princess Street, expressed support for the rooftop deck, saying staff recommendations were helpful and the project was congruous with downtown and Princess Street.
• A representative of Port City Capital for 307 North 16th Street (identified as Ed Tundabreze in the minutes and Anton DeVries in the transcript) said the house was in very poor condition when purchased, described water penetration and termite damage, and accepted staff's recommended conditions.
• No applicant or public comment was presented for 1402 Ann Street.
• Turner Wortham, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, supported the front-door replacement at 1624 Princess Street, saying the church purchased the building in 2016 and was eager to use it for mission work.
• Christopher Yermal, applicant for 101, 105, and 109 South 2nd Street, supported the window modifications and the removal of three Ailanthus altissima (Trees of Heaven), calling them invasive and unsafe; he proposed planting three large replacement trees and requested frosted glass in shower/bath windows for privacy.
• Joe Pollock, a Wilmington Tree Commission member speaking as an interested resident, supported removal of the Trees of Heaven, noted he could see through one tree, recommended Live Oak or Cathedral Oak instead of maple, and suggested replacing with two street trees and one large canopy tree.
• Eric Jabaley, applicant for 2 & 6 South Front Street/18 & 20 Market Street and for 405 South 4th Street, supported both proposals. For the Front/Market storefront he described a phased plan to restore the historic facade; for 405 South 4th Street he said the windows and chimney change satisfied egress requirements and improved the design, and he later noted the fence near the neighboring property had removable panels to allow access.
• Karen Witt, 408 Nun Street, strongly objected to the 405 South 4th Street property, stating the entire project, not just the windows and chimney, was inappropriate and that the pool house, fence, and height blocked her view and made living in her house miserable. She asked the Commission to reevaluate the Certificate of Appropriateness and cited possible code violations, lack of notification, and devaluation concerns.
• Greg Thompson, 109 South 5th Avenue, objected that 405 South 4th Street was incongruous with the neighborhood because of vertical siding and dark windows, and questioned why his HVAC screening was required while this property's HVAC was not screened.

Discussion Items

612 Grace Street

Staff presented a proposal for a one-story, two-bedroom Craftsman-style bungalow and detached accessory structure on a 55-foot by 132-foot vacant lot. The applicants requested removal of a tree due to the structure's setback. The Commission approved the project with conditions, including retaining the 9-foot-wide front concrete landing, increasing the front walkway from 3 feet to 4 feet, approval of paint/lighting/landscaping by staff, tree protection, and stormwater infiltration requirements. Motion carried 5-0.

124 Princess Street

The applicant requested a new rooftop deck on the non-contributing Barclays Bank Building (built 1980), with a steel frame, cable railings, and a metal stair. Staff noted that proposed storefront window replacement and mansard roof removal were not part of the advertised application and would require a separate application. The Commission approved the rooftop deck with conditions; Vice-Chair Romero recused himself because he helped with the design. Motion carried 4-0.

307 North 16th Street

This was an after-the-fact request involving removal of an accessory building, a tree, and asbestos siding, plus exterior alterations including porch repairs and new wood windows at the 1914 Albert M. King House. The property had been the subject of a demolition-by-neglect case. The Commission approved the alterations and after-the-fact removals with conditions, including JELD-WEN W-4500 wood windows with simulated divided lights, clear glass, staff approval of the front porch design, and replacement tree planting. Motion carried 5-0.

1402 Ann Street

The owner requested a reduction of the 90-day demolition stay for a 1916 front-gable bungalow in the Westbrook-Ardmore National Register District. The stay was set to expire May 6, 2018. The applicant was not present. The Commission declined to reduce the stay, allowing it to run its course. Motion to not reduce carried 4-1, with Ms. Demas voting no.

1624 Princess Street

St. Paul's Episcopal Church requested replacement of the existing front door on the 1953 non-contributing structure. The proposed wood door had two panels with three-panel glazing at the top and was designed to echo the ribbed sidelight. Approved with conditions, including clear glazing, preservation of the ribbed sidelight, and wood trim matching existing details. Motion carried 5-0.

2 & 6 South Front Street and 18 & 20 Market Street

The applicant proposed exterior alterations to the first-floor north and east facades of the circa-1870 commercial building formerly occupied by Finkelstein's. Work included base supports under the cantilevered storefront, wood pilasters and trim, and full-light wood doors. The applicant described this as the first phase of a longer storefront restoration. The Commission approved with conditions. Motion carried 5-0.

101, 105, and 109 South 2nd Street (Arrive Hotel)

The applicant sought to modify an existing Certificate of Appropriateness for the rear windows and to appeal the City Arborist's decision to preserve three Ailanthus altissima (Trees of Heaven). The Commission approved the window modification, changing the paired windows to smaller 24-inch windows with brick infill and requiring frosted glass in the bathroom/shower windows for privacy; the staff condition requiring clear glass was removed. It then approved removal of the three trees with conditions requiring replacement trees on site or payment-in-lieu, and encouraging additional street trees along Dock Street if approved by the City Arborist and compatible with underground utilities. Both motions carried 5-0.

405 South 4th Street

The Commission considered after-the-fact installation of two windows on the rear second story and modification of the chimney profile on a new residential structure previously approved in January 2017. No conditions were attached. Public testimony opposed the larger project, but the Commission limited its review to the requested modification and noted that code and setback issues were outside its jurisdiction. Motion carried 5-0.

Minutes and Commission Items

The Commission approved the December 14, 2017 meeting minutes. Under Items from the Commission, Ms. Keiser asked about the appeal process for the neighbor at 408 South 4th Street. Assistant City Attorney Melissa Iverson Hales explained that the appeal window had passed, notice had been given in the customary manner, and any remaining dispute was a civil matter. There were no items from staff or the Assistant City Attorney.

Key Outcomes

• 612 Grace Street: approved 5-0.
• 124 Princess Street: approved 4-0 (Romero recused).
• 307 North 16th Street: approved 5-0.
• 1402 Ann Street: 90-day demolition stay not reduced; motion carried 4-1.
• 1624 Princess Street: approved 5-0.
• 2 & 6 South Front Street and 18 & 20 Market Street: approved 5-0.
• 101, 105, & 109 South 2nd Street: window modification approved 5-0; tree removal approved 5-0.
• 405 South 4th Street: approved 5-0.
• December 14, 2017 minutes approved 5-0.
• The next regular Historic Preservation Commission meeting was scheduled for Thursday, May 10, 2018.