Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 10, 2022

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission held its regular meeting on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in the Wilmington Convention Center. The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m. and adjourned at 7:43 p.m. The commission considered approval of minutes, two items of old business, and nine items of new business, including evidentiary hearings on fence, roof, demolition, and exterior alterations. Decisions were based on quasi-judicial proceedings with sworn testimony.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from January 13, 2022, and February 10, 2022: Motion to approve carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 624 Dock Street (Item 3): The applicant, Josh Adams, read a letter from neighbor Jack (108 S. 7th Street) expressing support for the six-foot fence, stating "all of his requests are fine with us" and that it would provide mutual privacy. Commissioner Joan Keston disclosed she was a neighbor but did not recuse. Julie Mintz (307 S. 5th Avenue) suggested an alternative fence height transition.
• 1920 Chestnut Street (Item 8): Travis Gilbert with Historic Wilmington Foundation opposed the demolition of the contributing garage but requested 30 days to salvage materials, stating "we do have adequate time to salvage that Yellow Pine German ship lap siding."
• 319 N. 7th Street (Item 9): Travis Gilbert requested a condition for salvage of reusable building materials, specifically columns.

Discussion Items

• 226 South 4th Street (Old Business): Applicant Dave Seamer provided extensive evidence of roof deterioration, including 9 documented leaks, interior damage, delamination, cracks, slipping tiles, and previous repairs. He cited a Department of Interior preservation brief and statistical analysis of five previous slate roof replacements approved by the commission, showing an average roof life of 119 years (this roof was 120 years old). The roof was a character-defining feature of the contributing resource. Commission approved with conditions including salvage of usable slate tiles.
• 214 Church Street (Old Business): Applicant requested a continuance to the April 14, 2022 meeting; motion carried 7-0.
• 624 Dock Street (New Business): Proposed replacement of three-foot chain link fence with six-foot wooden fence, stone pavers, tree removal (3 cherry laurel, 1 yaupon). Extensive debate on fence height along the S. 7th Street side. The applicant cited security concerns (SWAT team incident, thefts). Commission accepted a compromise: six-foot fence on rear property line; along the side, five feet of solid fence with a lighter one-foot treatment between five and six feet, subject to administrative bypass. Motion carried 4-3.
• 20 Orange Street (New Business): Exterior staircase extension to rooftop, metal painted gloss black, visible from Orange Street. Building non-contributing. Approved 7-0.
• 1801 Chestnut Street (New Business): Demolish and rebuild second story of non-contributing accessory building (built mid-1990s). Approved 7-0 with conditions.
• 418 S. 5th Avenue (New Business): Applicant withdrew the request; motion carried 7-0.
• 307 S. 5th Avenue (New Business): Rear dormer addition, window/door changes, repairs. Applicant Julia Mintz stated desire to reuse historic windows. Approved 7-0 with conditions including true divided lights.
• 1920 Chestnut Street (New Business): Demolition of contributing garage (c. 1930) with waiver of stay. Commission debated lack of immediate rebuild plan. Assistant City Attorney clarified commission could only delay demolition up to 365 days, not deny. Motion to approve with 30-day salvage delay carried 4-3.
• 319 N. 7th Street (New Business): Window modifications, door-to-window conversions, roof replacement, porch repairs. No applicant present. Approved 7-0 with salvage condition.

Key Outcomes

• Approved items (7-0): 226 S. 4th Street (roof replacement with conditions), 20 Orange Street (staircase), 1801 Chestnut Street (accessory building), 307 S. 5th Avenue (alterations), 319 N. 7th Street (exterior alterations).
• Approved items (4-3): 624 Dock Street (fence and landscaping – Yermal, Smith, R. Wilson voted no); 1920 Chestnut Street (accessory building demolition – Smith, R. Wilson, Sulkey voted no).
• Continued: 214 Church Street to April 14, 2022 (7-0).
• Withdrawn: 418 S. 5th Avenue (7-0).
• Administrative bypass referrals: Several items delegated minor design details to staff bypass process.
• Staff announcement: Senior Planner Christine Hughes departing March 16, 2022. New preservation planner Jessica Baldwin starting March 14. CFCC construction class to attend next meeting.