Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - July 11, 2019
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Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – July 11, 2019
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m. by Vice-Chairman Rob Romero with 7 members present. The agenda listed the meeting location as Skyline Center (929 N. Front Street), but the minutes state it was held in City Council Chambers at City Hall (102 N. 3rd Street). The Commission considered eight items, all passing unanimously except where noted.
Old Business
- 209 North 7th Street – Metal Roof Replacement: The applicant withdrew the request after reaching an agreement with his insurance company to replace the metal roof with like-kind materials. Motion to withdraw carried 6-0.
- 1419 Market Street – Exterior Alterations: The applicant, Nick Balding (Balding Brothers), presented a revised design replacing a Charleston-style door and masonry stoop with wood materials and adding a window on the side elevation. The Commission approved with conditions (7-0).
New Business
- 22 & 24 North Front Street – After-the-Fact Exterior Alterations: Applicant Qiong Chen (represented by Eliza Santos) installed laminate flooring on walls and ceiling of the recessed entry, believing it was interior work. Staff noted the material was incompatible and that the original stucco finish was characteristic of the Art Deco building. The Commission denied the request (7-0), directing restoration to original stucco or seeking future approval for alternative material.
- 113 South 5th Avenue – Extension of Certificate of Appropriateness: Applicant Sherman McKinney requested a six-month extension due to difficulty securing contractors. The Commission approved the six-month extension (7-0).
- 501 Red Cross Street – Exterior Alterations (St. Stephen’s A.M.E. Church): Applicant Beth Pancoe (SDI Construction) sought approval to use polymer material to replicate damaged metal ornamentation on the spire and steeple, and to open covered louver panels. The Commission approved with conditions (7-0).
- 18 South Water Street – Exterior Alterations (Brooks Building): Applicant Eric Jabaley proposed converting a window to a full-light aluminum door with sidelights and transom for a future gelato store accessing the Riverwalk. The Commission approved Option A (aluminum) with conditions (7-0).
- 616 South 2nd Street – Reduction of 90-Day Stay of Demolition: Applicant Don Croteau (CV Property Group) requested a reduction to zero days to demolish non-historic rear additions that were causing structural issues and to eventually realign the building. After discussion about the additions’ lack of historic significance, the Commission approved the reduction to zero days (7-0).
- Meeting Minutes – April 29, 2019 and May 9, 2019: Approved 7-0.
Items from the Commission and Staff
- Commissioner Sulkey asked about staff recommendations on surveillance cameras in historic districts. Staff (Dawn Snotherly) replied that benchmarking with other cities is underway, and a subcommittee may be formed.
- Staff reported that City Council adopted a $100 application fee for after-the-fact requests effective July 1, 2019, to discourage such submissions. Staff also noted that commercial projects require building permits, and that they discovered the unauthorized work at 22 N Front Street and the demolition at 616 S 2nd Street through permit reviews.
The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Hello, everybody. Thanks for coming to this story preservation commission meeting for July eleventh, twenty nineteen. I'd like to uh state that the hearings before the historic preservation commission are quasi judicial in nature. 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 Interior 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 thirty days of the date of the Commission's action. Public comment is heard during the public comment portion of the agenda item. Those who want to address the commission are sworn as witnesses. Thank you. When you're ready, Don. Start us off. Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out that the assistant planning director is here this evening, Ron Satterfield. Certainly would like to acknowledge his presence. The first request is at 209 North Seventh Street. We don't have a picture. If you recall, this item has been continued twice. The applicant's request was to go from a metal roof to a asphalt shingle roof. It appears that he has come to an agreement with his insurance company. An intern tends to put metal back on. So he is requesting withdrawal of this item. That's great. So moved. There's second to that. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. This is unanimously. Thanks. Don? The next request again is a continuance from the June 13th meeting. This is uh 1419 Market Street, a request for some exterior alterations. Um you saw in your uh case summary and staff reports, as well as the submittal items, that uh this involves a redesign of that rear entry. Um I think we presented to you the submittal for June as well as the proposed changes for tonight. Um this is the subject property at 15th and Market Street. This is the rear elevation showing an area that is proposed to removal. Uh, if you recall, there was a request to um construct a new exterior entryway with the Charleston style door. The project has been uh modified based on comments received by the commission at the June 13th meeting. Um there's also a request to remove this door. The applicant is going to be presenting to you a modification of this entry, so keep this in mind, and he will be presenting the change from the podium. Okay. Originally they were going to remove this door and uh just enclose the area. Now the applicant would actually like to create a window in that space. Again, I'll let the applicant present that change. Again, this is the uh this is a window, I believe, on the west elevation they're proposing to remove. It's not an original window. Um that's part of the exterior alterations proposed.
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