Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - December 12, 2019
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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - December 12, 2019
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (note: the meeting location is listed as Skyline Center on the agenda but as City Hall in the approved minutes). Chairman Tara Murphy presided. The Commission considered eight applications and approved all meetings’ minutes and the 2020 meeting calendar. All votes were unanimous (9-0) unless otherwise noted.
Consent Calendar
- Meeting Minutes (October 10 & November 14, 2019): Approved as presented (9-0).
- 2020 Meeting Calendar: Approved as amended, moving the November 2020 meeting to Thursday, November 19, 2020, to avoid a conflict with Cucalorus (9-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- 214 North 7th Street: Elizabeth Poisson (adjacent property owner, 212 North 7th Street) spoke in favor of the proposed rear addition but expressed concern about the historical accuracy of the new side door and urged that resources not be diverted from repairing the main house. The Commission noted that its review was limited to the application before it.
- 122 North 7th Street: Robert Huse (adjacent property owner, 118 North 7th Street) raised questions about access for garbage cans and responsibility for moving an overhead power line crossing the lot. The applicant agreed to coordinate with Duke Energy and assist with access.
Discussion Items
- 214 North 7th Street (Old Business): Exterior alterations – rear addition, continued from October 10, 2019. The applicant (represented by attorney Kurt Fryer and contractor Shasta White) provided complete elevation and roof plans as previously requested. The Commission discussed the side entrance, copper downspouts, and the proposed flat roof. Staff recommended matching all gutters and downspouts to the existing white. The motion to approve with 12 conditions carried 9-0.
- 414 Walnut Street (Old Business): Exterior alteration – roof replacement, continued from November 14, 2019. The applicant was not present; staff requested a continuance. Motion to continue to January 9, 2020, carried 9-0.
- 107 Ann Street (New Business): Exterior alteration – rear addition (sunroom). Staff recommended six-over-six windows and a preservation agreement for future window replacements. The applicant, Dale Albrecht (Ingram Brothers), agreed. Motion to approve with 11 conditions carried 9-0.
- 1802 Grace Street (New Business): Fencing on a corner lot in the Carolina Heights/Winoca Terrace Historic District Overlay. The applicant, Alexandra Dorr, proposed a four-foot dog-eared wood fence reusing existing posts. The Commission requested the fence be painted or stained white to match the existing posts; the applicant agreed to a white stain. Motion to approve with eight conditions, including the white finish, carried 9-0.
- 416 South Front Street (New Business): Exterior paint color – request to paint all wood and decorative elements Charleston Green. The applicant, Dan Spinello, explained the color’s historical relevance. The Commission expressed concern that a single dark color would obscure architectural detail and suggested a three-color scheme. After discussion, the applicant agreed to paint sample areas (window sash, balusters) using the green and white trim and return with photos. Motion to continue to January 9, 2020, carried 9-0.
- 205 North 15th Street (New Business): Window replacement – remove existing glass block and install a wooden six-over-six JELD-WEN window. The applicant, Tim Johnson, said the window is not original. Motion to approve with seven conditions carried 9-0.
- 122 North 7th Street (New Business): New residential construction – two-story single-family dwelling on a vacant lot. The applicant, Libby Beccarino, addressed concerns about a ridge vent and a condition requiring street trees. After discussion, he agreed to plant two trees in the right-of-way on Chestnut Street. Motion to approve with 20 conditions carried 9-0.
- 2008 Wrightsville Avenue (New Business): Reduce the 90-day stay of demolition for an accessory structure (automobile garage) in the Westbrook-Ardmore National Register District. Staff noted the structure is deteriorating and not contributing to the district. Motion to approve with two conditions (recommend donating architectural components and protect trees) reducing the stay to zero days, carried 9-0.
Key Outcomes
- Approved seven conditional certificates of appropriateness and continued two items to the next meeting on January 9, 2020.
- All votes were 9-0.
- Chairman Murphy reported that the sidewalk/tree guidelines study will not be presented to City Council at this time; further information will be provided.
- The next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, January 9, 2020.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I would like to go ahead and call the Thursday, November. Nope. December. Speaker Dorf. I thought it sounded weird. Sounds good. Okay, good evening. I'd like to go ahead and call the Thursday, December twelfth, two thousand and nineteen meeting of the City of Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission to order. Thank you for coming. We appreciate your interest and participation in this evening's proceedings. Hearings before the Historic Preservation Commission are quasi-judicial in nature. This is a design review process to determine if the proposed project is congruous with the historic aspects and special character of the historic 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 Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Evidence submitted to the Commission for review becomes part of the record. Appeals of the Commission's 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. Those who want to address the commission are sworn in as witnesses. Comments should be directed to the commission. To ensure that all comments are properly recorded, please come to the podium, state your name and address, and speak clearly. Ashley Wilson. A public comment portion of the meeting will be opened, and that is the time for interested parties to speak in favor or in opposition. Once we close the public comment portion, the commissioners will deliberate prior to a motion and a vote. Miss Netherly, would you please continue with item one? Thank you, Madam Chairman. First of all, could I ask if can everyone in the audience hear us? We we have to operate the fans apparently because we have no heat. So I'm afraid to turn them off. But if it becomes a problem, please let us know. Madam Chairman, members of the commission, this is a request at 214 North 7th Street. If you recall, this item was continued from the October 10th meeting. The request is for a rear addition. This is the subject property located on North 7th Street between Chestnut and Grace. This is the front elevation of the existing structure. She's not coming across from the and this is the 1875 Evert House, two-story side passage, L-shape Italian 8 style with a wraparound porch. Again, this is the front elevation facing west. This is the south portion of the wraparound porch. And you'll see right here, and I'm going to proceed. Well, can't proceed. This is the area where the applicant is proposing the addition. One of the things that the commission had asked for at the at the October meeting were some more complete elevation drawings, which has have been provided by the applicant and are in your packets. So this is the front elevation, the wraparound porch, and this is the area of the proposed addition. This is off-street parking. Again, the these are elevation drawings of the proposed addition. There is greater detail in your packet, and hopefully I have a few slides that will show more detail. The existing area where the addition is proposed is in very deteriorated condition. It appears that it was a former porch, and it is now taking on water, and is uh in very dilapidated condition. We do have a demolition by neglect, a violation on this property, which the owner has been pursuing repairs for the last few years. When I went over towards the end of November to take pictures of the site, I noticed a dumpster, some boarded up windows were now open and being repaired, so it looks like uh repairs are proceeding again.
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