Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - January 9, 2020
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Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - January 9, 2020
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a regular meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2020, from 5:33 p.m. to 7:13 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Chair Tara Murphy and included consideration of old and new business, public comments, and other administrative items. Eight commissioners were present; Edward McCaleb was absent. Note: The agenda listed the location as the City Council Chambers at Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, while the minutes indicate the meeting took place at City Hall, 102 North 3rd Street.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Beth Rutledge, Executive Director of Historic Wilmington Foundation, spoke in favor of the paint color request at 416 South Front Street, commending the homeowner for working toward a compromise and stating the colors are historically accurate and congruent with the district.
- Beth Rutledge also spoke in favor of the front door replacement at 118 North 7th Street, praising the reuse of a salvaged door.
- Martha Gazak, neighbor at 114 North 7th Street, spoke in favor of the front door replacement at 118 North 7th Street.
Old Business
- 414 Walnut Street – The applicant requested withdrawal of the roof replacement item (continued from November and December 2019). The commission voted unanimously (8-0) to withdraw the request.
- 416 South Front Street – The applicant, Dan Spinello, proposed changing exterior paint colors from white to Charleston Green on trim, with window sashes remaining white. After discussion, the commission approved the request with conditions (including retaining white on crown molding and porch panels) by a vote of 6-2, with Michael Smith and Ashley Wilson voting nay.
New Business
- 35 North Front Street – Approval of replacement of 26 non-historic wood windows with JELD-WEN two-over-two simulated divided light wood windows. Approved 8-0 with conditions (clear glazing, wood trim, no alteration to lintels/sills, etc.).
- 118 North 7th Street – Replacement of a non-historic metal-clad front door with a wooden quarter-lite door (salvaged from Legacy Architectural Salvage). Approved 8-0 with conditions (restore original door opening, match trim, paint color subject to staff review).
- 109 North 8th Street – After-the-fact approval for roof replacement, window removal/installation, and door replacement on a property that had been vacant for 10 years and subject to demolition-by-neglect. Approved 8-0 with conditions (remove ridge vents, match new door and trim to existing, staff review).
- 121 South Front Street & 105 Orange Street – Approval for rear storage addition, new storefront door (replacing roll-up door), and relocation of HVAC condensers to the roof. Approved 8-0 with conditions (materials compatible, roof screening, painting reviewed by staff; condition #5 regarding mimicking existing windows was struck).
- 1609 Grace Street – Installation of eight operable Bahama shutters on the west elevation. The applicant initially proposed aluminum but agreed to consider wood after commissioner suggestion. Approved 8-0 with conditions (no damage to historic fabric, matte finish, ivory color).
Other Business
- 7413 Masonboro Sound Road – Consideration of local landmark designation was continued to the February 13, 2020 meeting at the applicant’s request (8-0).
- Meeting Minutes – Minutes from December 12, 2019 were approved 8-0.
- Annual Report – Staff presented the 2019 Annual Report, highlighting Hurricane Florence recovery, increased bypass permits (112-125), and challenges with insurance underpayment and contractor shortages. The commission agreed to remove the new construction at 1623 Rankin Street from the report before presenting to City Council.
- Election of Officers – The commission elected Rob Romero as Chair and Joan Keston as Vice-Chair for the upcoming two-year term (8-0).
Key Outcomes
- Withdrawn: 414 Walnut Street (applicant request).
- Approved with conditions: 416 South Front Street (paint), 35 North Front Street (windows), 118 North 7th Street (door), 109 North 8th Street (exterior alterations), 121 South Front & 105 Orange Street (addition, doors, mechanical), 1609 Grace Street (shutters).
- Continued: 7413 Masonboro Sound Road (landmark designation) to February 13, 2020.
- Approved: December 12, 2019 meeting minutes.
- Elected: Rob Romero as Chair, Joan Keston as Vice-Chair.
- Next meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I would like to go ahead and call the Thursday, January 9th, 2020 meeting of the City of Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission to order. Thank you for coming. We appreciate your interest and your participation participation in this evening's presentation. Hearings before the Historic Preservation Commission are quasi judicial in nature. This is a design review process to determine if the proposed project is congruent 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 commission decisions are made 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. Rob Romero. Tara Murphy. Joan Keston. Michael Smith. We are also joined this evening this evening by the following city staff members. Don Snotherly, Historic Preservation Planner. Amy Bradshaw, planning coordinator, Jeff Walton, associate planner, and Melissa Huffman, Assistant City Attorney. At this time, if there is anyone in attendance that wishes to speak and has not been sworn in to date, please stand to be sworn in by Miss Bradshaw. Go ahead. That's the front door. If you're sworn in and you do you are not forced to speak, but it will allow you the ability to do so if you'd like. Thank you. We have eight items on the agenda this evening. And if uh Miss Notherly like you'd like to present the first item, we would be happy to hear it. Madam Chair, members of the commission. This is a request at 414 Walnut Street. The applicant has requested withdrawal of this item. Um I believe we need a formal acceptance of that withdrawal. Move to accept that withdrawal. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. The next request is under old business. It's a request to change paint colors at 416 South Front Street. I'll just kind of walk you through some of the particulars of the property. So the subject property is located here on South Front, 416. This is the Governor Square condominiums to give you reference to the location of the site. This is the property. So the applicant has proposed changing the color, the white, uh primarily the white on the subject property to a Charleston green. So this is what the applicant is proposing. This is the Charleston Green. This is the proposed Canton blue. And again, this is the Charleston green, and the applicant is requesting to paint the window sashes white, the balustrade, and all other elements on the house except for the porch ceiling, the front door, and the porch decking. Everything else will you have white sashes and everything else? They're asking for the Charleston green. It's closed off, so that's why these shutters are here.
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