Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 9, 2023
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Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 9, 2023
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. Chair Kathleen Egan presided. The commission approved the minutes from January and February 2023 and held evidentiary hearings on six new business items, all of which were approved with conditions. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes from January 12, 2023, and February 9, 2023 (motion by Stephen Sulkey, second by Ron Wilson; vote 6-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Travis Gilbert, representing the Historic Wilmington Foundation, expressed support for the new construction at 112 N 8th Street, noting the foundation holds an easement at a neighboring property.
- Travis Gilbert, on 214 Market Street, supported the material changes but recommended a condition for a vegetative buffer to screen the new parapet; he also noted that board-and-batten siding is not in keeping with the Neo-Colonial Revival style but accepted the compromise to paint it to match the roof.
- Bryan Hampton (621 Dock Street) voiced concerns about the lack of detail on the gate design and the potential destabilization of the historic cistern if the adjacent concrete pad is removed during driveway installation at 101 S 7th Street.
- No public testimony was offered for items 4 (520 N 15th Street), 5 (714 Walnut Street), or 6 (19 N 8th Street, where the applicant spoke as part of the presentation).
Discussion Items
1. 112 N 8th Street – New Construction
The applicant, Libby Beccarino, proposes a two-story single-family dwelling on a vacant lot. Key discussion points included preserving the existing brick driveway and historic sidewalk, the height of the rear fence (applicant initially requested 8 feet but agreed to 6 feet), and foundation height flexibility (24–30 inches). The commission approved the project with 13 conditions, including tree protection, clear glazing, and a 6-foot fence. (Motion by Vice-Chair Yermal; second by Sulkey; vote 6-0.)
2. 214 Market Street – Modification of Materials (ADA Ramp, Boundary Wall, Dormers)
Applicant Nick Johnson (Pony Sauros Brewing Company) sought to change previously approved materials due to structural load and cost. Changes included exposed aggregate concrete for the ramp, a lower boundary wall (2 ft 6 in), and cement fiber panels with batten joints for dormers. Commissioners supported the changes, noting safety improvements. The motion approved the modifications with conditions incorporating the original COA requirements. (Motion by Sulkey; second by Wilson; vote 5-0, with Vice-Chair Yermal recused.)
3. 101 S 7th Street – New Driveway on Corner Lot
Applicant Merritt Hon proposed a 10 ft × 40 ft blue slate gravel driveway with a metal gate. Six trees would be removed and replaced. The historic cistern and magnolia tree would remain. Concerns about the cistern's stability were raised. The commission approved with conditions including tree removal limited to those reviewed, preservation of the cistern, and gate design through administrative bypass. (Motion by Wilson; second by Sulkey; vote 6-0.)
4. 520 N 15th Street – Rear Addition and Window Replacement (Oakdale Cemetery)
John Wessell proposed a 35 ft × 9 ft rear addition with brick and EPDM rubber roof, plus new windows. The structure is non-contributing. Discussion included brick matching and window materials. Approved with standard conditions. (Motion by Sulkey; vote 6-0.)
5. 714 Walnut Street – Rear Addition
Christian Peterson proposed a 334 sq ft rear addition with wood siding. The structure is non-contributing. Commissioners praised the recessed design that differentiates old and new. Approved with conditions. (Motion by Watts; second by Tomaselli; vote 6-0.)
6. 19 N 8th Street – Local Landmark Designation (Giblem Lodge)
Staff presented the history of Giblem Lodge No. 2 F.&A.M., built 1871–1873, the second oldest Prince Hall Masonic lodge in North Carolina. Travis Gilbert (Historic Wilmington Foundation) provided additional context and noted that funding for rehabilitation is entirely grant-based, with the building being considered for national preservation grants. The commission voted to recommend City Council designate the property as a local historic landmark. (Motion by Sulkey; second by Yermal; vote 6-0.)
Key Outcomes
- All six agenda items received conditional approval or recommendation, with votes of 6-0 (except item 2, which passed 5-0 due to one recusal).
- Staff announced that a proposal to update the Historic District Design Standards has been accepted.
- Staff is preparing a text amendment to allow standard demolitions and solar panel installations through administrative bypass, moving those items out of commission hearings.
- No update was provided on a previously heard demolition case within the 365-day timeline; the Historic Wilmington Foundation continues to work with the property owner.
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 13, 2023.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the March 9th, 2023 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. Evidence submitted to the commission for review will be 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. 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 the properties located within the city's designated historic districts. The commission is held to the requirements of the Wilmington design standards for historic districts and landmarks, as well as the applicable North Carolina state law. We are to determine whether exterior changes to a building are congruous with the special character of the city's 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 congruous. 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. I'd like to introduce the city staff who will be helping us this evening. Ms. Melissa Huffman, our assistant city attorney, Ms. Linda Painter, our planning director, Ms. Jessica Baldwin, our historic preservation planner, Ms. Megan Basick, our associate planner, and Miss Amy Bradshaw, our planning coordinator. This is the administrative portion of the meeting. I am Kathleen Egan, the Commission Chair, and my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves. Ross Thomaselli, Stephen Sulkey, Christopher Yermal. Ron Wilson. Allie Watts. Thank you. We will now swear in those present who wish to present evidence related to any agenda item. If I could have all staff applicants and members of the public, please rise. Raise your right hand. 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. Members of the commission have received drafts of the minutes from our last two meetings. If anyone has any corrections or edits to the minutes, could you bring it to our attention now, please? No. Okay. Thank you. Then I make a motion to accept the last two minutes that we were provided by staff. I so move. Second. All um approval all approval. Say aye. Aye. Okay. Now we'll move to the evidentiary portion of the meeting. And we will start with the first agenda item, which is 112 North 8th Street, and we will start with the staff report.
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