Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - December 8, 2022
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Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - December 8, 2022
This meeting of the Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The commission considered seven agenda items, including evidentiary hearings for after-the-fact alterations, new construction, and renovations within the city's historic districts. Key decisions included approval of a rear addition at 219 S 3rd Street, denial of after-the-fact vinyl window installation at 1615 Grace Street and 618 Grace Street, approval of an elevator addition at 401 S 4th Street, and withdrawal of one application.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The commission approved the draft minutes from the October 13, 2022, and November 10, 2022, meetings by a unanimous voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- 710 Walnut Street: Don Helms of the Historic Wilmington Foundation expressed full support for the proposed rear addition and exterior alterations, noting the property's preservation easement and collaboration with staff. He acknowledged a minor discrepancy in window specifications but endorsed the application as presented.
Discussion Items
219 S 3rd Street (Old Business)
- The applicant, Sean McGaghan, proposed a rear addition (approximately 1,320 sq ft), exterior renovations, and a carport with a roof deck at the Bailey House (built 1864, Italianate style). Staff noted revisions from the previous month: an accessory garage removed and replaced with an open carport, and a switched-back exterior egress stair connected to the carport.
- Commissioners expressed satisfaction with the revised design. No public testimony was offered.
1615 Grace Street (New Business)
- Applicant Cameron and Michael Joyner sought after-the-fact approval for installing Hardy board siding, vinyl windows, infilling the front entry door, and other alterations at the William C. Owen House (c. 1914). They claimed ignorance of the historic overlay district. Staff noted that vinyl windows are inappropriate for historic districts and that work continued despite a stop-work order.
- Commissioners questioned the applicant about discrepancies in materials (asbestos vs. Hardy board), window sizing, railing style, and the relocation of the front door. The applicant argued the changes were necessary for adding a bathroom and that many features predated their ownership.
- The commission denied the request after deliberation, citing non-compliance with design standards.
710 Walnut Street (New Business)
- The applicant (not present) proposed a 600 sq ft rear addition, exterior repairs, and new wood windows (Ply Gem 100 double-hung, four-over-four) at a shotgun-style house (c. 1898-1904). Staff noted that the existing windows and sliding door are not historic, and the Historic Wilmington Foundation (HWF) approved the plans.
- Public testimony from Don Helms confirmed HWF support despite a discrepancy in window type. The commission approved the request with conditions.
401 S 4th Street (New Business)
- The applicant, Deb Butler (owner-occupant), proposed constructing an enclosed rear elevator at the Russell-Miller House (c. 1870, Italianate). The elevator shaft (approx. 19' x 5.2' x 5.4') would be clad in wood siding and placed on the northeast side of the rear facade, visible from Nunn Street. Staff recommended approval, noting elevators should be at the rear if not internally located.
- The applicant explained the elevator was needed for accessibility and that the driveway was non-functional. No public testimony was offered. The commission approved the request unanimously.
618 Grace Street (New Business)
- The applicant (not present) sought after-the-fact approval to install vinyl windows (RealBuilt series 3100) on side facades of a contributing cottage (c. 1890). Staff confirmed existing windows were wood and that vinyl is not appropriate for contributing buildings. The applicant had not responded to staff recommendations for wood windows.
- The commission denied the request, noting the windows could be repaired or replaced with wood.
503 Dock Street (New Business)
- Item 6 was withdrawn at the applicant's request; the commission approved the withdrawal.
19 S 6th Street (New Business)
- The applicant requested a continuance to gather additional information about the standing seam metal roof installation (after-the-fact). The commission continued the item to the January 12, 2023, meeting.
Key Outcomes
- 219 S 3rd Street: Approved with 14 conditions (motion carried unanimously). The addition, carport, and renovations were found compatible with the historic district.
- 1615 Grace Street: Denied (motion carried, no conditions). The commission found the after-the-fact alterations (vinyl windows, door infill, etc.) non-compliant with applicable design standards (1.6, 2.35, 3.2, etc.), leading to loss of historic integrity.
- 710 Walnut Street: Approved with conditions (motion carried). The addition and renovations were deemed compatible.
- 401 S 4th Street: Approved with 7 conditions (motion carried). The elevator addition was found compatible.
- 618 Grace Street: Denied (motion carried). The vinyl window installation did not comply with design standards.
- 503 Dock Street: Withdrawal approved.
- 19 S 6th Street: Continued to January 12, 2023.
- 2023 Meeting Calendar: Approved as submitted (meetings scheduled for the second Thursday of each month).
Meeting Transcript
Okay, we're gonna get started. Good evening and welcome to the December 8th, 2022 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 is 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 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. The chair will recognize each witness who wishes to address the commission during the evidentiary portion. In order to ensure that witness evidence is properly recorded, each individual should come to the podium and clearly state their name and address before addressing the commission. As a brief reminder, members of the commission are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of city council. Our charge is with respect to the protection and preservation of properties located within the city's designated historic districts. It is important that the commission deliberate the merits of each request in a manner that provides a record of the basis for our decisions. Please remember that our deliberation should be centered on how a project meets the Wilmington design standards and whether the changes are congruent. Commissioners, if you have received or been made aware of any information outside this evidentiary hearing related to any agenda item before the commission, please recuse yourself from that agenda item. Before the meeting begins, please ensure that all cell phones are in silent mode or turned off. At this point, I'd like to introduce the city staff, Miss Melissa Huffman, who is the assistant city attorney, Ms. Linda Painter, our planning director, Ms. Jessica Baldwin, the historic preservation planner, Megan Basick, Associate Planner, and Ms. A. B. Amy Bradshaw, our planning coordinator. We'll begin with the administrative portion of the meeting. Ross Thomas Ellie. Ashley Wilson. Christopher Yermal. Thank you. And next we will swear in our newest commission member, Ross Thomasini. And um and after that, then we'll swear in those present who wish to present evidence on an agenda item. All right. I will obey the laws of the ordinances of the city of Wilmington and faithfully discharge the duties of the office to which I have been appointed. So help me, God. I do. Thank you. All right, and now if I can get all members, um, applicants, staff, and members of the public who wish to speak tonight to please stand up and raise your right hand. In order to speak this evening, you will need to be sworn in and stand up to be sworn in. Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you. Thank you. All right, we have been provided with uh two months of minutes, and we've had an opportunity to review them. Um there any suggested edits or corrections to the draft of the minutes we've received. Okay. Um go ahead and make a motion. I motion to accept the minutes. I'll second. All in favor? Aye. All opposed.
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