Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - February 11, 2021
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - February 11, 2021
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in the Wilmington Convention Center (agenda stated City Council Chambers but minutes note Convention Center; meeting called to order at 5:32 p.m.). The meeting covered six agenda items: one old business item continued from January 14, five new business items, and staff reports on the FY2020 annual report and proposed Land Development Code changes. All applicants were sworn in, and evidentiary hearings were held with no public testimony beyond the applicants and their representatives.
Old Business
1) 515 Princess Street and 101 North 6th Street – Construct porch addition, fence, pool, patio, parking pad, and two accessory buildings (MJW-21-32)
- Applicant: Dr. Dominador Gobeleca, representing the owner, sought approval for extensive site work to return the historic Italianate-style Bissinger House (c. 1890) to residential use. The project included a side porch, pool house, breezeway, brick retaining wall extension, aluminum fence with brick piers, and a parking pad.
- Commission Deliberation: Concerns were raised by Commissioner Smith about the fence design being more typical of new construction, and by Commissioner Wilson that the pool house too closely mimicked the original house. Others noted that new materials and the pool would differentiate old from new. The applicant stated the intent was to be consistent and congruent, not exact.
- Outcome: Motion to conditionally approve with 19 conditions (e.g., pool house height ≤18 ft, fence max combined height 6 ft, landscaping plan required, materials consistent with findings of fact). Passed 7-1 (Mr. Smith opposed).
New Business
2) 307 South 2nd Street – Construct rear second story addition (MJW-21-35)
- Applicant: Charlie and Diane Connor, owners, proposed a 10’2” x 18’8” second-floor addition and a box window on the rear to add a bathroom and bedroom, citing functional need and restoration of a previous addition removed in 1975.
- Commission Questions: Addressed roof pitch (metal standing seam), ceiling height (10 ft), and siding (pine, with pre-priming advice). Applicant accepted all staff conditions.
- Outcome: Motion to conditionally approve with 6 conditions (dimensions, materials, clear glass, compliance). Passed 8-0.
3) 2 South Water Street – Remove covered pavilion and seating area at Riverwalk visitor center (MJW-21-36)
- Applicant: Everett Pannkuk (Statute Engineering) for the City, sought to waive the 365-day stay of demolition and obtain after-the-fact approval for removal of a picnic pavilion and seating (removed Sept. 24, 2020) to open river views. City Council had briefed on Jan. 4, 2021.
- Commission Deliberation: Some members expressed concern that the remaining building would look disproportionate, but others supported removal for safety and light. The applicant noted the structure houses the only public restrooms on the Riverwalk, limiting redesign options.
- Outcome: Motion to conditionally approve with 5 conditions (waive stay, finish to match existing materials, use alternative #2 design, compliance). Passed 8-0.
4) 121 North 8th Street – After-the-fact front door installation (MJW-21-37)
- Applicant: Steven and Helen Bath, purchased the house in May 2020, installed a metal six-light glass door without a COA, citing security. The house is non-contributing (built 1997).
- Commission: No objections after staff presentation.
- Outcome: Motion to conditionally approve (door to remain as installed, clear glass, no tint). Passed 8-0.
5) 312 North 6th Street – After-the-fact installation of eight-foot tall fence (MJW-21-38)
- Applicant: Hannah Highfill, sought approval to retain an 8-ft wood shadowbox fence along 40 ft of the south property line, installed without a COA. The fence had been partially cut to 6 ft after a zoning violation notice on Jan. 14, 2021, but an 8-ft section remained. Applicant cited privacy from neighbors’ elevated deck.
- Commission Deliberation: Concerns included the fence height (exceeding 6-ft standard), style (stockade-like), and lack of proper process. The applicant declined a continuance and requested a decision.
- Outcome: Motion to deny based on incongruity with the district, improper process, and height exceeding allowable standard. Passed 8-0. The applicant will work with staff to bring fence into compliance.
6) 119 South Water Street – Install functional garage door in place of existing garage-style window (MJW-21-36)
- Applicant: Brad Nuznoff (owner of The Cheese Board) proposed a steel Clopay sectional garage door with four glass panels to replace a fixed, deteriorating wood-framed plexiglass window, allowing open-air seating. The building is contributing but has undergone serious alterations.
- Commission Questions: Addressed door color (white), material (aluminum/steel vs. wood for weight and safety), and operation (only top panels raise).
- Outcome: Motion to conditionally approve (materials per findings, clear glass, compliance). Passed 8-0.
Staff Reports
FY2020 Annual Report – Presented by Ivy Freitag. Major works applications totaled 51 (down from 75), minor works (bypass) totaled 223 (up from 200), attributed partly to COVID-19 cancellations. Highlights included new construction approvals (e.g., 622 Ann Street, 138 N 4th St), the Solomon Building restoration, and the designation of the Kazoo Williams Crow House as a local landmark. Demolition-by-neglect cases dropped to 72 open cases. Commission commended progress.
Land Development Code (LDC) Rewrite Discussion – Staff sought feedback on two potential changes: 1) moving corner-lot fence approvals to the administrative bypass process, and 2) removing paint color from COA review. After extensive discussion:
- Fences on corner lots: Commissioners expressed mixed views; some favored streamlining with clearer standards, but others wanted to retain HPC review due to site-specific impacts. Consensus: no change at this time; further standards clarification needed.
- Paint colors: Strong opposition to removal; commissioners argued color is integral to historic character and feared chaos (e.g., neon colors). Suggestions included developing an approved palette for administrative bypass. Staff noted that the LDC draft will be available for public comment by April 1, 2021.
Key Outcomes
- All new business items approved with conditions (items 2,3,4,6) or denied (item 5) as noted.
- The old business item (item 1) was conditionally approved.
- Minutes from January 14, 2021, approved 8-0.
- No changes to current fence or paint color review requirements; further workshops and LDC revisions will address ambiguities.
Meeting Transcript
Hello. Um, welcome to the Historic Preservation Commission meeting this 11th day of February 2021. Um, 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 special character of the historic district or landmark. Decisions of the commission are based on the record of these proceedings, the Wilmington design standards for historic districts and landmarks, and the Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehabilitation. Evidence submitted to this commission for review becomes part of the record. Appeals of commission decisions are to the Wilmington Board of Adjustment and then to the Superior Court and are based on the record. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the date of the commission's action. Evidence is received during the evidentiary hearing portion of an agenda item. Those who want to address the commission are sworn as witnesses to present material and substantial evidence to the commission. The chair recognizes those who want to submit such evidence during the evidentiary hearing. Evidence should be directed to the commission. To ensure that evidence is properly recorded, please come to the podium in the hall to address the commission, state your name and address, and speak clearly. A brief reminder that members of the HPC are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the city council. Our charge is with respect to the protection and preservation of properties in the city's designated historic district. We're held to the standards of the Wilmington design standards for historic districts and landmarks and per applicable North Carolina state law to determine if exterior changes are congruous with the special character of the city's historic districts. It is important that we deliberate the merits of each request in a manner that provides a record as to the basis for our decisions. Please remember that our deliberation should be centered on how a project meets the design standards and whether the proposed change is congruous or is not congruous. Commissioners, if you have received or been made aware of any outside evidence related to any of the matters, please recuse yourself. At this time, I would like to request that all cell phones be either turned off or put on silence mode. Thank you. If each one can say their name. Christopher Yermal. Ashley Wilson. Michael Smith. Marianne Kaiser. Joan Keston. Stephen Salby. Kathy Egan. Ron Wilson. And also thank you to our presence of staff, Christina Hughes, Senior Planner, Ivy Frytag, Historic Preservation Planner, Jeff Walton, Associate Planner, Melissa Hughes, Assistant City Attorney, Amy Bradshaw, the planning coordinator, and Greg Artech Guy. Are we going to swear the witnesses in everyone who wishes to speak tonight could please stand up and raise your right hand? Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Okay, thank you. Okay, so I guess we can start with item number one on the agenda. Oh, Christine. Good evening. The request before you is for 515 Princess Street to construct a porch edition, fence, pool, patio, parking pad, and an accessory building. The Bissinger House was built around 1890, and it is an Italian eight-style one-story house with lap siding and a hipped roof projecting front with a projecting front gable. The house features attic vents in the frieze with brackets, peaked window hoods, and a segmental arch transom. The windows on the front are floor length, two over two sash windows. The house is a contributing building in the theater historic district. Facades of a building, landscaping, and a pertinent features are subject to design review in the historic district, regardless of whether they can be seen from the public right of way. The new door would replace the existing window nearest Princess Street on the east elevation. The pool house would be connected to the historic house via a breezeway. The bulk of the new construction would be on what is now a parking lot. A brick parking pad is proposed at the northeast corner of the property with an automatic gate at the driveway. A six-foot tall metal fence with brick piers is proposed along portions of the Princess Street property line from the house to the corner. Along the North Sixth Street side of the property and along the northern property line at the rear. The existing brick retaining wall along the front of the property would be repaired and extended around the property, making the top of the fence approximately six feet tall as measured from the sidewalk.
openpublica.com