Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – January 14, 2021

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the Wilmington Convention Center (though the agenda listed the location as City Council Chambers, Skyline Center). The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m. and adjourned at 6:14 p.m. Commissioners considered six agenda items: a window replacement request, a request for continuance, a side addition, a modification to a certificate of appropriateness (COA), a rear addition with screened porch and deck, and an annual report. All votes were unanimous except for one item (7-1).

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the November 19, 2020, and December 10, 2020, Historic Preservation Commission meetings were approved as presented. Motion carried 8-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the evidentiary hearings for any agenda item.

Discussion Items

1. 208 North 6th Street – Window Replacement (MJW-21-31): The applicant, Dave Reubenstein, proposed replacing 14 wood windows with new Pella Lifestyle Series aluminum-clad wood windows. The home, built in 1996, is non‑contributing to the historic district. Staff recommended approval with conditions; the applicant requested removal of condition #2 to allow replacement of rotted wood trim. The commission approved the request 8-0 with conditions (including clear glazing, matching window configuration, and compliance with all applicable codes), noting that aluminum-clad windows are acceptable for non‑contributing structures.

2. 515 Princess Street and 101 North 6th Street – Porch Addition, Fence, Pool, etc. (MJW-21-32): The applicant requested a continuance to the February 11, 2021, meeting. The commission granted the continuance unanimously (8-0).

3. 208 North 16th Street – Side Addition (MJW-21-33): The applicant proposed constructing a one‑story side addition (16 feet wide, 10 feet deep, 8 feet 9 inches tall) behind an existing bump‑out on the south elevation. The property lies within the Carolina Heights/Winoca Terrace Historic District Overlay, so only elements visible from the public right‑of‑way are subject to design review. Commissioner Michael Smith expressed concern about the use of TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) roofing material, which he considered a commercial product, but other members noted the material would not be visible from the right‑of‑way. The motion to approve, with seven conditions (including clear glass, no roof vents, matching paint, and standard building code compliance), passed 7-1, with Commissioner Smith voting no.

4. 622 Ann Street – Modification to Certificate of Appropriateness for Siding and Doors (MJW-20-40-M121): The applicant, Lynne Hingtgen, requested after‑the‑fact approval for a 7‑inch siding reveal (instead of the originally approved 6‑inch reveal) and fiberglass entry doors (in place of the originally approved four‑panel design). The modifications were deemed minor and compatible. The motion to approve the modification, retaining all other conditions from the March 4, 2020, COA, passed 8-0.

5. 410 South 4th Street – Rear Addition, Screened Porch, and Deck (MJW-21-34): The applicant, represented by Rob Zapple, proposed constructing a 131‑square‑foot one‑story rear addition, a 188‑square‑foot screened porch, and a 361‑square‑foot deck. All materials would match the existing house. The HVAC unit would be relocated behind the addition. The commission approved the request unanimously (8-0) with conditions including clear windows, matching paint, and standard building code compliance.

6. Annual Report: Staff requested deferral of the annual report to the February 11, 2021, meeting due to staff turnover. The commission agreed.

Key Outcomes

• Window replacement (208 N 6th St): Approved 8-0 with conditions, removing condition #2.
• Continuance (515 Princess St): Granted 8-0 for February 11, 2021.
• Side addition (208 N 16th St): Approved 7-1; Commissioner Michael Smith dissented.
• COA modification (622 Ann St): Approved 8-0.
• Rear addition (410 S 4th St): Approved 8-0.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, February 11, 2021.