The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at the Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street. Chair Kathleen Egan presided over the meeting with all seven commissioners present. The meeting included approval of minutes, five evidentiary hearings (one continued from the previous meeting), and adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Old Business
New Business
2. 117 S 2nd Street (New Infill Commercial Construction)
The applicant proposed a two-story commercial building (approximately 10,570 sq ft) with two masses connected by a second-story bridge, designed to be compatible with the residential and commercial context. Commissioners praised the design and scale. The commission approved 6-0 (Vice-Chair Yermal recused) with conditions including archaeological investigation during excavation, review of retaining wall and waterfall details, and material consistency.
221 S 5th Avenue (Roof Replacement – Change in Materials)
The applicant sought to replace a deteriorating standing seam metal roof with asphalt shingles due to cost ($38,000 for metal vs. $8,500 for shingles) and inability to repair the original roof. Several commissioners expressed concern about losing metal roofs in the district and questioned whether cost alone was sufficient reason. The commission voted 7-0 to continue the item to the May 11, 2023 meeting to allow the applicant to consult with the Historic Wilmington Foundation about potential funding for a metal roof replacement.
512 S 4th Street (Accessory Structure)
A request to construct a 483 sq ft rear-yard accessory structure with a contemporary design (shed roof, vertical board-and-batten siding). Commissioner Wilson expressed concerns about congruity. The applicant agreed to modify the siding to horizontal clapboard to better match the primary structure. The commission approved 6-1 (Sulkey opposed) with conditions including breezeway material review and landscape approval.
21 Market Street (Storefront Alterations)
The applicant proposed removing existing stucco and aluminum storefront, enlarging window openings, and installing new aluminum windows with Hardie board infill and a cloth shed awning. Commissioners supported the larger ground-floor windows and the use of Hardie board. The commission approved 7-0 with conditions that the awning not be installed into the brick face and that paint colors be submitted for bypass approval.
Good evening. Welcome to the April 13th 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. 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. 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. 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. Stephen Hulk. Ross, Thomas Ellie. Wilson. Thank you. If I could please have all staff, members of the public who wish to speak and applicants, please stand up and 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. We've received uh each of us received a copy of the draft minutes from our last meeting. Um if you have any suggested suggested edits or corrections, could you please bring them to our attention now? I do. Okay. In which case I move to accept the minutes as presented. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you. We will now move on to the evidentiary portion of the meeting, and we will begin with the first agenda item, which is old business. All right. The applicant proposes to go that's not the applicant proposes to approve the after-the-fact installation of a standing seam metal roof. 19th South 6th Street, known as the Agostini House, was built circa 1855, and the gable bays were added circa 1910. The house is a one-story, five bay wide gabled dwelling with projecting crossbays on the north and south. The three bay wide central porch features round tuscan columns with a simple picket balustrade and a wide off-center brick entry stairs. The projecting gable ends feature diamond cut shingles with half circle vents. The house was moved to this location in 1898 from the corner of Dock and South Sixth Streets. The subject property is located on the east side of South Six between Dock and Market Streets. The subject property is a contributing resource in the historic district residential. Revisions to offsides of the building and the site are subject to design review within this district. The applicant seeks for after-the-fact approval of the removal of the flat panel stand of a tin shingle roof and the installation of a new striated standing seam metal roof. The current roof installed is a 40-year light stone ribbed 29-gauge metal roof. Staff notes that no new vents or changes to the roof line have been made, and then the chimney remains. Staff also has been we met with the applicant came forward in January, and we, as the commission decided to let her let her do some additional research and have a conversation with some structural engineers and things like that about possibilities. So she's here tonight to review those. So staff would like to enter tonight's report in its entirety to the proceedings.