Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – November 14, 2019

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Skyline Center to consider 14 agenda items. The meeting included public hearings, staff presentations, and votes on demolition requests, exterior alterations, new construction, and a public hearing on proposed revisions to the Wilmington Design Guidelines for Historic Districts and Landmarks. The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 624 South 4th Street: Bennie James, representing applicant Bertha Moses, requested a reduction of the 90-day demolition stay to zero days, citing severe hurricane damage and the owner's dislocation since Hurricane Florence. He offered to donate salvageable materials.
• 507 South 5th Avenue: Beth Rutledge of Historic Wilmington Foundation urged the commission not to demolish the house sooner than the 365-day stay, noting its good condition despite being uninhabited for three years and surviving two hurricanes.
• 212 South 6th Street: Applicant Robert Atwood explained the rear addition was needed to provide space for aging parents and agreed to all staff conditions.
• 414 Walnut Street: Applicant Rhonda Bachelor described extensive hurricane damage, insurance delays, and financial constraints preventing a metal roof replacement; she requested approval for asphalt shingles. Commissioner Sulkey suggested exploring a HydroStop membrane system.
• 121 North 8th Street: Applicant Christopher Krumm explained the roof was replaced after Hurricane Florence due to failure, and he was unaware that a non-historic home in the district required approval.
• 609 Grace Street: Applicant Tim Johnson described the new two-story accessory structure to replace an existing non-historic shed.
• 1917 Princess Street: Applicant Jeff Serens stated the owners changed from a master suite to a simpler screened porch, which is smaller and does not require tree removal.
• 11 & 13 Market Street: Applicant J. Michael Hudson noted the existing metal windows are failing and heavy; he agreed to 8-over-8 windows with exposed muntins.
• 520 Nun Street: Applicant Mark Smith detailed his extensive search for a salvaged wood column to match the historic originals, including out-of-state trips.
• Design Guidelines: Beth Rutledge spoke in support of the revised guidelines but requested allowing more than one security sign per building; the commission later amended to allow one sign per elevation with a door.

Discussion Items

• 624 South 4th Street (Reduction of Demolition Stay): Staff presented that the 1920s house was severely damaged by Hurricane Florence and deemed a total loss by an engineer. The applicant requested zero-day reduction. Commissioner Smith expressed disappointment at losing a historic home. The commission conditionally approved the reduction to zero days with conditions to donate architectural components and protect trees. Motion carried 6-1 (Smith nay).
• 507 South 5th Avenue (Intent to Demolish): Chief Code Enforcement Officer Brian Renner detailed the city's years-long efforts to address code violations and the property's abandonment. The city intends to use the 365-day stay to pursue foreclosure and preservation. Beth Rutledge urged preservation. The commission conditionally approved the 365-day stay from August 30, 2019, with conditions. Motion carried 7-0.
• 212 South 6th Street (Rear Addition): Staff presented the proposal for a rear addition with matching materials. Applicant agreed to all 13 staff conditions, including wood doors. Motion to approve carried 7-0.
• 6 Church Street (Solar Panels): Staff noted state law restricts prohibiting solar panels; the proposed panels on the rear roof are not visible from Church Street. Applicant not present but had agreed to conditions. Motion to approve carried 7-0.
• 414 Walnut Street (Roof Replacement): The request was to replace historic metal roof with asphalt shingles due to cost. Commissioner Sulkey proposed exploring HydroStop system. Motion to continue to December 12, 2019 carried 6-1 (Keston nay).
• 121 North 8th Street (After-the-Fact Roof): The non-historic house had a failed 5V metal roof replaced with architectural shingles after Hurricane Florence. The commission approved after-the-fact, noting the gray shingles are more appropriate. Motion carried 6-1 (Smith nay).
• 609 Grace Street (New Accessory Structure): The proposed two-story garage was deemed more congruous than the existing shed. Motion to approve with 14 conditions carried 7-0.
• 1917 Princess Street (Porch Addition): The screened porch addition is smaller than previously approved master suite. Motion to approve with 8 conditions carried 7-0.
• 11 & 13 Market Street (Window Replacement): Replacement of non-historic metal windows with 8-over-8 metal windows with simulated divided lights. Motion to approve with 5 conditions carried 7-0.
• 520 Nun Street (After-the-Fact Porch Column): Applicant replaced a previously denied fiberglass column with a salvaged wood column that closely matches originals. Motion to approve with conditions (excluding condition 1) carried 7-0.
• Design Guidelines (Public Hearing): Intern Robert O'Quinn presented proposed guidelines for security cameras, telecommunications, and ATMs. After public comment and discussion, the commission amended the guidelines to remove the 3-foot depth requirement for ATMs, adjust "shall"/"should" language, and allow one security sign per elevation with a door. Motion to approve as amended carried 7-0.
• Meeting Minutes: The September 12, 2019 minutes were approved with corrections (changing "impervious" to "pervious" and fixing a typo). Motion carried 7-0.
• Items from the Commission: Discussion on the definition of "congruity" in light of a recent lawsuit. Commissioner Keston expressed desire for distinction between block-level and district-level significance. Chairman Murphy noted the issue would be discussed further. Commissioner Sulkey reported on the Tree Root and Sidewalk Study subcommittee, expressing concern that the historic component was not adequately addressed. The commission agreed to compile comments and bring the study back as a formal agenda item in December.
• Items from Staff: Beth Rutledge announced a new partnership with Cape Fear Community College to develop a certification program in historic preservation construction, which was praised by the commission. Staff also noted that intern Robert O'Quinn was attending his last meeting before graduation.

Key Outcomes

• 624 South 4th Street: Approved reduction of demolition stay to zero days (6-1).
• 507 South 5th Avenue: Approved 365-day stay from August 30, 2019 (7-0).
• 212 South 6th Street: Approved rear addition (7-0).
• 6 Church Street: Approved solar panel installation (7-0).
• 414 Walnut Street: Continued to December 12, 2019 for further research (6-1).
• 121 North 8th Street: Approved after-the-fact roof replacement (6-1).
• 609 Grace Street: Approved new accessory structure (7-0).
• 1917 Princess Street: Approved screened porch addition (7-0).
• 11 & 13 Market Street: Approved window replacement (7-0).
• 520 Nun Street: Approved after-the-fact porch column (7-0).
• Design Guidelines: Approved as amended (7-0). Amendments included removal of 3-foot ATM depth, "shall"/"should" adjustments, and one security sign per elevation with a door.
• Meeting Minutes: Approved with corrections (7-0).
• Tree/Sidewalk Study: Subcommittee to compile comments for December meeting; no formal action taken.