Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – April 8, 2021

A regular meeting of the Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, April 8, 2021, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The commission considered five agenda items, including one continued application, three new applications, and one request that was continued to the next meeting. All votes were 9-0. Note: The agenda listed the location as City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, while the minutes and transcript indicate the meeting was held at the Wilmington Convention Center, 10 Convention Center Drive.

Old Business

• 7 South 2nd Street, Unit 9 (MJW-21-43) – A request to replace four windows on a portion of the second floor, continued from the March 11, 2021 meeting. The applicant requested a continuance to a date certain. The commission voted 9-0 to continue the item to May 13, 2021.

New Business

• 20 North 4th Street (MJW-21-44) – The applicant, Meade Van Pelt, executive director of the Harrelson Center, requested site improvements including landscaping, a sculpture, a grow wall, directional floodlights, conversion of the community garden space, and removal of a portion of fencing. During the hearing, the applicant modified the request to change the sculpture material from stainless steel to carbon steel. The commission voted 9-0 to approve the request with conditions, including a new condition specifying the carbon steel change. Conditions addressed floodlight placement, root protection for the Japanese maple, compliance with the Land Development Code and State Building Code, and staff review of minor changes.
• 314 Orange Street (MJW-21-45) – The owner, Jim Luddy, requested after-the-fact approval for alterations to three windows on the side and rear elevations. Staff discovered the work had already been completed during a March 24, 2021 site visit. The applicant stated his contractor “jumped the gun.” The commission voted 9-0 to approve the after-the-fact alterations with conditions, including clear glazing, painting siding to match the house, permit compliance, and staff review of minor changes.
• 609 Dock Street (MJW-21-46) – The applicant, Fred Myers, proposed window and door alterations to the rear second floor elevation, including removal of an existing door, installation of a four-panel sliding French door, and two new fixed windows. Commissioner Yermal recused himself due to professional knowledge of the project; Vice-Chair Keston noted she lives across the street but did not recuse. Commission members expressed concerns about the amount of glass, the variety of window styles, the modern character of the sliding doors, and the impact on the historic rear elevation. The commission voted 9-0 to continue the item to May 13, 2021, and directed the applicant to work with staff to revise the design.
• 321 South 3rd Street (MJW-21-47) – The applicant, John Henderson, requested removal of a second-floor window and restoration of siding on a detached garage/accessory dwelling unit. The commission discussed the age of the structure and recommended edge priming and donating the window to a local architectural salvage organization. The commission voted 9-0 to approve the request. The motion stated there were no additional conditions, though the commission encouraged material salvage and edge priming.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public presented evidence during the evidentiary hearings. All evidentiary hearings were opened and closed with no outside speakers.
• Applicants spoke on their own behalf: Meade Van Pelt (20 North 4th Street), Jim Luddy (314 Orange Street), Fred Myers (609 Dock Street), and John Henderson (321 South 3rd Street).

Other Commission Discussion

• Minutes Process – Commissioner Ron Wilson asked how meeting minutes are captured. Planning Coordinator Amy Bradshaw explained that minutes are not verbatim but are intended to capture substantive comments and that video recordings are also part of the record.
• Pour Haus Mural / Board of Adjustment Appeal – The commission discussed the Board of Adjustment decision remanding the mural case to the HPC. Assistant City Attorney Melissa Huffman said the applicant intends to appeal the decision to Superior Court and that she was limited in what she could discuss. She explained possible outcomes: the court could uphold the Board of Adjustment decision, remand it, or overturn it. Commissioner Sulkey noted the Board of Adjustment determined the mural was not a sign, and questioned whether a standard for murals would be established. Attorney Huffman said that would depend on the appeal process.
• Land Development Code – Planning Director Glenn Harbeck stated the draft Land Development Code is scheduled to go before City Council in July 2021.

Key Outcomes

• Continued to May 13, 2021: 7 South 2nd Street, Unit 9 (9-0) and 609 Dock Street (9-0).
• Approved: 20 North 4th Street with conditions (9-0); 314 Orange Street with conditions (9-0); 321 South 3rd Street (9-0).
• The next regular Historic Preservation Commission meeting was scheduled for May 13, 2021.