Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – July 12, 2018
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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – July 12, 2018
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers to consider eight new business items and other administrative matters. All votes were unanimous (6-0). The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Meeting Preliminaries
- Swearing in of witnesses.
- Motion to reorder agenda to hear Item 7 first due to weather and representative availability; passed 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 7: No public speakers.
- Item 1: No public speakers.
- Item 2: No public speakers.
- Item 3: No public speakers.
- Item 4: No public speakers.
- Item 5: Libby Beccarino (5908 Chester Street) spoke in favor of applicant Harry Smith, noting Smith saved the structure and stabilized the neighborhood.
- Item 6: No public speakers.
New Business – Discussion and Decisions
Item 7: 414 South 8th Street – Reduction of 90-Day Stay of Demolition
- The property suffered a severe fire on November 27, 2017, causing total loss; owner’s son was injured. Applicant Gregory Webb (Universal Loss Consultants) requested reduction to zero days due to extreme hardship and difficulty settling the insurance claim. The Commission approved 6-0, finding that the owner would suffer extreme hardship or be permanently deprived of beneficial use.
Item 1: 606 Walnut Street – After-the-Fact Approval for Exterior Alterations
- The 1907 Bertram Quelch House (contributing structure) had numerous unpermitted changes by the previous owner. New owners Thomas Bentley and Cindy Fung requested approval for a fence, deck, door, light fixture, and other alterations. Staff recommended conditions and a preservation agreement. After discussion, the Commission approved with conditions: fence reduced to 6 feet, deck to be removed within 15 years or when deteriorated, rear dormer window design to return in 90 days, painting of dormer white, and other conditions. Motion passed 6-0.
Item 2: 115 Ann Street – Remove Deck and Construct Screened Porch
- Non-contributing townhouse. Applicant absent; contractor Eric Lazzari present. Request approved with conditions including a preservation agreement to replace vinyl windows with wood windows when they deteriorate. Motion 6-0.
Item 3: 115 South 7th Street – Modification of COA for Door Design
- Originally approved wood doors; applicant proposed fiberglass doors for cost reasons. Commission approved 6-0 (Commissioner Hill recused). Doors are consistent with craftsman style.
Item 4: 507 Ann Street – After-the-Fact Approval for Windows and Siding
- Historic 1830 Federal-style house; property had a long history of violations. Owner Nancy Hoffer apologized for proceeding without approvals. Extensive discussion about removal of original windows and siding. Commission approved with conditions: wood siding matching original, wood muntins on windows, building permit required, submit front entry design by September 13, 2018 meeting. Motion 6-0.
Item 5: 402 North 7th Street – After-the-Fact Approval for Siding and Fence
- Applicant Harry Smith discussed challenges with break-ins and efforts to restore the former funeral home. Commission approved after-the-fact installation of synthetic siding on the addition and the wood fence, with conditions: install trellis instead of tall fence posts, remove vinyl decal from front door, delegate approval of future wood doors to staff. Motion 6-0.
Item 6: 709 Walnut Street – Modification of COA for Storm Door, Driveway, Landscaping
- Applicant Libby Beccarino requested changes: allow a storm door with a horizontal bar, use standard concrete driveway runners instead of pervious pavers, and relocate a Japanese maple to the street. Commission approved, allowing standard concrete and requiring city arborist approval for the street tree. Motion 6-0.
Other Business
- Approval of April 12, 2018 Minutes: Approved 6-0.
- Staff Items: Dawn Snotherly reported on improper lead-based paint removal by non-certified contractors; two sites were reported to the state. Staff will hold an information session.
Key Outcomes
- All eight agenda items were approved unanimously (6-0).
- Several decisions included preservation agreements and conditions to comply with the Wilmington Design Guidelines.
- Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Test. Should I hit it? Hit it on the test. Do we need to wait for um Edward? Uh yeah, just a few minutes. Okay, we'll wait. I think that's missing from last night. He doesn't need it. What the gavel? Yeah. Okay. Do we need to add more I think we're good, right? With her. Oh, I see. All right, welcome everybody to this uh historic preservation commission meeting of j uh Thursday, July twelfth, twenty eighteen. And just just to make sure with you, uh city city attorney, we're gonna start. We have quorum, even though we have a couple people who are not here yet. We'll go ahead and begin. All right. Hearings before the the historic preservation commission are quasi-judicial in nature. This is a design review process to determine if the proposed project is congruous with historic aspects and special character of the storic district or landmark. Decisions of the commission are based on the record of these proceedings, the Wilmington Design Guidelines for Historic Districts and Landmarks, and the Secretary of the Terrier's Standards for Rehabilitation. Evidence submitted to the commission for review becomes part of the record. Appeals of commission decisions are to the Wilmington Board of Adjustment and then to Superior Court and are based on the record. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the date of the commission's action. Public comment is heard during the public comment portion of the agenda item, and those who want to address the d address the commission are sworn as witnesses. The chair recognizes those who want to address the commission during the public hearing. Comments should be directed to the commission. And to ensure that all comments are properly recorded, please come to the podium to address the commission, state your name and address, speak clearly. This room is uh equipped with an assisted hearing system for people with hearing loss, and to to use, please switch on the T coil and your hearing aid or ask city staff for assistance. And at this time I'd like to request that all cell phones be either turned off or put on silence mode. And this is the reminder to us commissioners that if you've received or been made aware of any outside evidence related to any of the matters to please recuse yourself. Daniel Hill. John Muzzy, Lynn Boney. Rob Romero. And I'd like to introduce our staff, Don Snowley, Tamara Mercer, Assistant City Attorney, Melissa Iverson Hales, and Jeff Walton. All right. Ready when you are, Donald Trump, uh Mr. Chairman. I'd like to um begin, I believe, with a swearing in of witnesses. Oh, that's right. Let's do that. Tamara. For those who are about to give testimony, if you'll please stand and take the oath. Thank you very much. Do you affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? I do. Thank you. Uh Mr. Chairman, I'd like to request, if um we may, to move item seven to uh the first item of consideration tonight.
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