Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - October 10, 2019

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Rob Romero and adjourned at 6:44 p.m. All eight members present voted unanimously on all items requiring a vote. The commission welcomed new commissioner Ashley Wilson.

Old Business

• 214 North 7th Street (HD-R): Exterior alterations and building addition – The applicant's attorney, Matt Nichols, requested a continuance to December 12, 2019, citing recently being retained and the unavailability of the designer in November. The commission voted 8-0 to continue the item.

Public Comments & Testimony

• For items 2, 3, and 4, the public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers for or against.

Discussion Items

• 708 Chestnut Street (HD-R): Paint color – Applicant Lydia Currie proposed painting the porch gable ("Gleeful Joy"), door and rear door ("Tantalizing Teal"), and shutters ("Spring Parade"), and replacing a non-original door with a six-panel wood door. Staff noted the house was constructed around 1986 and is a non-contributing structure, though listed as contributing in error. Commissioner McCaleb expressed concern that the colors had no historical reference, but others noted similar colors appear in the design guidelines (page 66). The commission approved the request 8-0.
• 7413 Masonboro Sound Road: Local Landmark Study List – Applicant Algernon Butler presented extensive historical and architectural evidence for designating the property (including the main house, kitchen/servants' quarters, hunt cottage, dairy spring, and sundial) as a local landmark. The property is within the Masonboro Sound National Register Historic District and is a rare surviving example of an 1870s recreational summer cottage. The commission voted 8-0 to place the property on the study list.
• Wilmington Design Guidelines for Historic Districts and Landmarks: Proposed guidelines for ATMs, telecommunication facilities, and security cameras – Staff intern Robert O'Quinn presented benchmark research and proposed guidelines. Guidelines addressed camera placement, wiring concealment, telecommunications cabinet restrictions, and ATM dimensions (minimum 3 feet depth, 6 feet width). Existing facilities would be grandfathered. The guidelines were not voted on; a public hearing is scheduled for the December meeting, after which they will be submitted to City Council.
• Meeting minutes – August 8, 2019 – Approved 8-0.
• Items from the Commission – Commissioner Keston raised a question about recent case law requiring the commission to consider the entire historic district rather than just the block when reviewing compatibility. Staff confirmed they are adjusting presentations and motions accordingly.
• Items from Staff – Planner Dawn Snotherly announced a partnership with the Sturgeon Wilmington Foundation and Cape Fear Community College to develop a curriculum for training craftsmen in historic building trades, certified by the foundation.

Key Outcomes

• Continuance granted: Item 214 North 7th Street continued to December 12, 2019 (8-0).
• Paint color approved: 708 Chestnut Street (8-0).
• Local Landmark Study List approval: 7413 Masonboro Sound Road placed on study list (8-0).
• Minutes approved: August 8, 2019 meeting minutes (8-0).
• Design guidelines: No vote taken; public hearing scheduled for December 12, 2019.

The next regular meeting is Thursday, November 14, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in the CresCom Building, 5th floor conference room.