Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

November 1, 2018 | 5:30 p.m. | City Council Chambers

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (noted as Skyline Center on the agenda but City Hall in the minutes). Vice‑Chairman Rob Romero presided in the absence of Chair Tara Murphy. The commission heard two continued old‑business items; new business was deferred to December 13, 2018 due to a publishing error. Oaths of office were administered to reappointed members Mary Ann Keiser and Joan Keston and new member Michael Smith.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke on either agenda item.

Discussion Items

1. 110 North 7th Street (HD) – New Construction

• Continued from October 11, 2018. Applicant Gary Fossum (605 Chestnut Street) presented revised designs for a two‑story single‑family house and detached two‑story garage on a vacant lot (~66' x 154'). Revisions included roof pitch options (5:12 or 6:12), simplified porch balusters, and symmetrical front windows. The applicant expressed no preference on pitch. Commissioner Hill surveyed the historic district and found similar two‑story‑to‑one‑story transitions and compatible Craftsman elements. The commission favored the 6:12 pitch.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve with 18 conditions (including 6:12 roof pitch, 6" siding reveal, clear glass, silver screen, staff review of lighting/landscaping, tree protection, stormwater infiltration, replacement trees). Motion by Hill, seconded by Keiser. Passed 8‑0. Only commissioners who attended the October meeting (or listened to the audio, per attorney ruling) could vote.

2. 402 South 3rd Street (HD‑R) – Exterior Alterations

• Continued from October 11, 2018. Applicant Scott Burns (402 S. 3rd Street) sought approval for after‑the‑fact replacement windows (2nd and 3rd floors), relocation and widening of the driveway from 10 to 18 feet, a low brick wall with iron fencing, a 6‑foot wood fence in the side yard, a koi pond in the front side yard, and a wooden arbor on the north elevation. The property is the 1887 McKoy House, a Stick‑style Queen Anne.
• Windows: Staff noted the 3rd‑floor windows are aluminum‑clad wood 1‑over‑1, not the original 2‑over‑2 wood; 2nd‑floor windows are wood but may not match historic profiles. The commission denied the 3rd‑floor windows and delayed a decision on the 2nd‑floor windows pending an on‑site inspection by staff.
  • Key Outcome: Motion by Keston, seconded by Smith, to deny the after‑the‑fact 3rd‑floor windows and continue the 2nd‑floor window decision. Passed 8‑0.
• Driveway: The applicant argued an 18‑foot curb cut was needed for side‑by‑side parking; staff and commissioners found it out of scale. The commission denied the request but stated it could be reconsidered with a future garage proposal.
  • Key Outcome: Motion by Keston, seconded by Keiser, to deny the driveway expansion. Passed 8‑0.
• Fencing, Koi Pond, Arbor: Commissioners expressed concerns about the brick columns (too heavy), the koi pond in the front yard, and the lack of a complete site plan showing landscaping, the proposed garage, and pool. The commission opted to continue these items.
  • Key Outcome: Motion by Keiser, seconded by Keston, to continue the fencing, koi pond, and trellis to the December 13, 2018 meeting pending a full site plan including landscaping. Passed 8‑0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (8‑0): 110 North 7th Street – new construction with conditions, including 6:12 roof pitch.
• Denied (8‑0): After‑the‑fact replacement windows on the 3rd floor at 402 South 3rd Street.
• Deferred (8‑0): Decision on 2nd‑floor windows at 402 South 3rd Street pending staff inspection.
• Denied (8‑0): Relocation and widening of driveway at 402 South 3rd Street (from 10 to 18 feet).
• Continued (8‑0): Fencing, koi pond, and arbor at 402 South 3rd Street to the December 13, 2018 meeting, subject to a complete site plan.
• All new business items (306 North 6th Street, 211 South 5th Avenue, minutes, items from commission/staff) were placed on the December 13, 2018 agenda due to a publishing error.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.