Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - May 12, 2022

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, May 12, 2022, starting at 5:31 p.m. and adjourning at 6:31 p.m. The meeting was held in City Council Chambers; however, the agenda listed the location as Skyline Center (929 North Front Street) while the minutes listed City Hall (102 North 3rd Street). All five present members (Chair Egan, Vice-Chair Yermal, Ms. Keston, Mr. Sulkey, Ms. Wilson) voted unanimously on all items. The commission considered five evidentiary hearings, approved minutes, and received staff updates.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (March 10, 2022 and April 14, 2022): Approved 5-0 with no discussion or changes.

Discussion Items

411 S. 2nd Street – Continuance (Old Business)

• The applicant requested a continuance to June 9, 2022, for a proposed addition, pool, new garage, cabana, and fencing. The commission unanimously granted the continuance (5-0).

507 Ann Street – Window Preservation Agreement and Tree Removal

• Staff summarized the request to enter into a preservation agreement allowing existing windows with aluminum muntins to remain until they deteriorate, then be replaced with wood muntins matching originals. The applicant, Ms. Pathak (owner since November 2021), also sought removal of a magnolia tree without replacement due to small lot size and future infrastructure damage. She stated all violations occurred before her purchase and she has been working to comply.
• Commissioner Keston asked about prior violations; staff clarified the current owner is resolving them. Commissioner Sulkey expressed preference for replacing the tree to maintain tree canopy. The applicant offered to plant a tree in the public right-of-way if permitted.
• The commission approved the preservation agreement and tree removal with conditions, including planting an approved tree in the public right-of-way pending approval from the City Arborist and Engineering. Vote: 5-0.

507 S. 5th Avenue – Roof Material Replacement (Metal to Asphalt)

• Staff presented the request to replace a deteriorated standing seam metal roof with architectural asphalt shingles (Owens Corning Oakridge in Onyx Black). The house is a contributing resource. The applicant, Mr. Caldwell, cited cost differences ($20,000–$30,000 for metal vs. about three times less for asphalt).
• Some commissioners noted the design standards prefer in-kind replacement, but Ms. Keston said past approvals had allowed asphalt. Commissioner Yermal suggested retaining metal on the visible porch roof. Assistant City Attorney Huffman reminded the commission that cost cannot be considered in congruity determinations. Commissioner Wilson expressed concern about weight differences affecting structure.
• Travis Gilbert of Historic Wilmington Foundation indicated potential financial assistance for a metal roof and requested a continuance to explore options. The applicant agreed to dry in the roof with underlayment and wait until the June 9 meeting. Motion to continue passed 5-0.

214 McRae Street – Rear Addition

• Staff presented a proposal for a rear half-story addition with two operable and one fixed window to convert an attic into a third-floor bedroom. The property is a contributing resource in a row of nine townhouses (c. 1915). The applicant, Mr. King, confirmed engineering support for structural load.
• Commissioners found the addition well thought out and beneficial. Motion to approve with conditions (clear glass, matching stucco, parapet cap wrapping south edge) passed 5-0.

509 S. 4th Street – Non-Contributing Rear and Front Addition

• Staff presented a proposal for a 242 sq ft rear addition with roof deck and brick stairs, plus enclosure of 47 sq ft of the front porch and relocation of the main entry. The house was built in 2007 and is non-contributing.
• The applicant, Mr. Lisle, explained the owners needed more space due to cramped entrances. Commissioners noted the house is young and had no concerns. Motion to approve with conditions (bypass applications for roof deck flooring color, balustrade elements, landscaping modifications, and front door color) passed 5-0.

Other Business

• Items from the Commission: Ms. Keston requested that staff provide information on original roof materials for future roof replacement cases to avoid arbitrary decisions. Staff agreed to include that in case summaries.
• Items from Staff: Interim Planning Director Ron Satterfield reported that the City Manager’s proposed budget includes funding for an update of six of the eight National Register inventory areas. The budget still requires public hearings, work sessions, and two readings before final adoption by July 1.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Continuances: 411 S. 2nd Street (5-0) and 507 S. 5th Avenue (5-0, to June 9, 2022).
• Approved with Conditions: 507 Ann Street (window preservation agreement and tree removal, including tree planting in right-of-way), 214 McRae Street (rear addition), and 509 S. 4th Street (rear addition, roof deck, porch enclosure). All votes 5-0.
• Approval of Minutes: March 10 and April 14, 2022 minutes approved 5-0.
• Staff Directive: Staff will include original roof material information in future case summaries.
• Budget Update: Funding for National Register inventory update is proposed but not yet final.