Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - September 8, 2022
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Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - September 8, 2022
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 5:32 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC, and adjourned at 6:13 p.m. The commission considered a public hearing for a local landmark designation, an evidentiary hearing for an after-the-fact fence installation, and received the annual staff report.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes – August 11, 2022: The minutes were approved unanimously by a vote of 7-0.
Public Hearing
- 1406 Orange Street and 213 S 14th Street – Local Landmark Designation: The commission held a public hearing to consider recommending to City Council that the property (the former home of Dr. Hubert Eaton Sr. and training site for tennis star Althea Gibson) be designated as a local landmark. Staff presented the historical significance, noting the property meets age, special significance, and integrity criteria. Travis Gilbert of the Historic Wilmington Foundation spoke in support, emphasizing the property’s role in civil rights and its contribution to geographic and architectural diversity among local landmarks. No opposition was voiced. The commission unanimously voted 7-0 to recommend the designation to City Council.
Evidentiary Hearing
- 419 N 7th Street – After-the-Fact Fence Installation: The commission reviewed an application for approval of a six-foot-tall wooden vertical board fence installed without prior approval on a corner lot in the Historic District Mixed Use (HD-MU) zone. Staff explained that the fence meets height standards (four feet on front/side, six feet on rear) and setbacks. The applicant, Sam Campbell, apologized for not filing paperwork and stated the fence was left natural. Tenant Carl Murphy testified that the previous shrubs and fence were removed due to safety hazards (poison ivy, rust). Commissioner Ron Wilson expressed concern about the removal of shrubbery that had acted as a barrier. Commissioner Michael Smith worried about the six-foot rear fence extending to the sidewalk, obstructing sightlines and visual pleasure. After discussion, the majority found the fence compliant with standards. A motion to approve with three conditions (including a bypass application for an adjoining property at 415 N 7th Street) passed 6-1, with Commissioner Smith voting against.
Key Outcomes
- Local Landmark Recommendation: Approved 7-0 to recommend City Council designate 1406 Orange Street and 213 S 14th Street as a local landmark, citing age (dwelling 93 years, tennis court ~70 years), special significance to civil rights and sports history, and integrity.
- After-the-Fact Fence: Conditionally approved 6-1. Conditions: (1) Submit a bypass application for the continuation of the fence at 415 N 7th Street prior to issuing the Certificate of Appropriateness; (2) All construction must comply with applicable codes and permits; (3) Any changes to the project must be reviewed by the commission or through staff bypass. The fence was deemed congruous with the district per design standards 2.3 (fences and walls) and related Secretary of Interior standards.
Other Business
- Annual Historic Preservation Commission Report: Staff presented a summary of FY2022 (July 2021 – June 2022), highlighting 56 cases reviewed (major works and bypass applications steady at ~50 and ~200 per year, respectively), one denial, one withdrawal, and progress on demolition-by-neglect properties. The report noted ongoing rehabilitation at 208 N 17th Street and new construction at 312 S Third Street. The commission received the report without formal action.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. We're going to begin the meeting tonight. Welcome to the September 8th meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Hearings before this commission are quasi-judicial in nature. This is a design review process to determine whether a proposed project is congruous with the special character of the historic district or landmark in which it's located. 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 Interior standards for rehabilitation. Evidence submitted to the Commission for review will become part of the record. Appeal of a commission decision must be submitted to the Wilmington Board of Adjustment within 30 days of the date of the Commission's action. Further appeal must be submitted to Superior Court. Evidence pertaining to an agenda item must be presented during the evidentiary portion of that item. Individuals who wish to address the commission will be sworn in as witnesses to present material and substantial evidence. My name is Kathleen Egan. I'm the chair, and my fellow commissioners will please introduce yourselves. Stephen Sulkey. Christopher Yermal. Ron Wilson. Michael Smith. Thank you. We will now swear in those present who wish to present evidence related to an agenda item. If I can have all staff applicants and anyone in the public in the audience who will be speaking this evening, to please stand up and raise your right hand. Do you swear that the testimony you're about to provide is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you. The last part of the administrative portion of the meeting is review of the minutes for any suggested edits or corrections of the draft minutes from our last meeting. Please bring them to our attention. We're good. All right. Can I have a motion then to approve the minutes? I so move. Second. Second. All in favor? Aye. Now we'll move to the evidentiary portion of the meeting. And the first item on the agenda tonight is a public hearing with respect to 1406 Orange Street and 213 South 14th Street. Um as a landmark designation. Good evening, Commissioners. Today we have a public hearing for an application for the designation of local landmark at 1406 Orange Street and South South 14th Street. 213 South 14th Street. 1406 Orange Street and 213 South 14th Street are adjoining lots located on the south side of Orange Street and the east side of South 14th Street. The property is located within the Westbrook Ardmore National Register Historic District. The Westbrook Ardmore National Register Historic District Report notes that the area that makes up the district was purchased in 1922 by the home reality company. The development of roads, sidewalks, the divisions of lots, and the construction of new dwellings began almost immediately following. While a large part of the area was completely developed by the mid-1920s, construction continued well into the 20th century. A 1926 article from the Wilmington's Morning Star stated that Ardmore was the last subdivision which would be placed on the market within the present city limits. The Great Depression brought most construction to a halt, but the area saw a resurgence post-World War II, leading to further growth. Here in this slide, you'll see ads and a development plan for areas in and around Westbrook Ardmore. Also included is an ad for the Crescent Heights, which was a development of Budding Westbrook, specifically designed for the black community of Wilmington. 1406 Orange Street and South and 213 South 14th Street are referred to as the Decover House in the district report. The house was built in 1929 and is the pink dot on this map shown in the gray historic district. The Decover House, the Cover family never owned the home but rented the house until sometime before the 1940 census.
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