Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - May 11, 2023
Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - May 11, 2023
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission held a quasi-judicial evidentiary hearing on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The meeting addressed four agenda items: one continuance, two applications for composite window replacements that were denied, and one application for a fence and driveway alteration that was approved.
Consent Calendar
- None.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 2 (120 Church Street): The homeowner (late 70s) testified in support of replacing rotting, inoperable wood windows with Renewal by Andersen Fibrex composite windows for energy efficiency, ease of use, and reduced maintenance. She stated she had not found reliable craftsmen for restoration and that her storm windows did not open, creating a fire hazard. A commissioner (identity not confirmed in transcript) argued against the proposal, stating wood windows are infinitely repairable, that replacement would set a harmful precedent, and that there are local companies able to restore windows (e.g., a company in Greensboro that restored windows in the trust building). The commissioner also noted that storm windows can protect originals without replacement.
- Item 3 (614 Walnut Street): The owner, Anthony M. Durant Jr. (79 years old, resident since age 4), testified in support, stating that the iron window weights had fallen off, windows were unsafe to open, and utility bills were nearly $300/month compared to $118 at his newer home in Leland. He said contractors quoted $4,000–$5,000 per window for restoration and recommended Renewal by Andersen. A commissioner again argued for restoration, noting alternative energy efficiency measures (e.g., attic insulation, sealing ducts) and existence of repair companies.
- Item 4 (102 N 15th Street): Two neighbors spoke in favor of the proposed brick and wood fence. William (1505 Princess Street) stated no objections from neighbors. Donald James, a masonry contractor, testified that he had discussed the project with the applicant for months and confirmed the footing and design would be solid. The applicant’s attorney also noted that neighbors across the street (the Odens) endorsed the plan via a written statement.
Discussion Items
- Old Business – 221 South Fifth Avenue: The applicant requested a continuance; the commission voted to continue to the next month (motion carried).
- New Business – 120 Church Street (HD-R): Composite Windows: The applicant (Renewal by Andersen representative) presented the Fibrex composite window as an insert replacement that fits within existing frames, does not disturb interior/exterior trim, and mimics wood appearance. The homeowner described severe rot and energy loss. Commissioners debated whether composite windows comply with design standards; staff noted non-wood windows have only been approved on non-contributing buildings in HD-R districts. The commission voted to deny (motion by Ashley Wilson, seconded, all in favor, none opposed), citing non-compliance with Wilmington Design Standards 1.6 and Secretary of the Interior Standards 3.2.
- New Business – 614 Walnut Street (HD-R): Composite Windows: The applicant again presented the same composite window product. The homeowner described falling weights, inoperable windows, and high energy bills. The commission denied the request with the same reasoning (motion by a commissioner, seconded, all in favor, none opposed), citing standards 1.6 and 3.2.
- New Business – 102 N 15th Street (HD Overlay): Fence and Driveway: The applicant proposed a six-foot brick fence with lattice design along the south yard (set back 4'-4" from existing retaining wall), a six-foot wood board-on-board fence on rear/north property lines, a 12-foot-wide concrete driveway with brick outline, and removal of four trees. Staff noted the house (Albert S. Williams House) was designed by John Russell Pope and is a contributing resource. The commission approved the request (motion by Ashley Wilson, seconded, all in favor, none opposed), finding it compatible with design standards 1.6.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.3, and 13.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1 (221 South Fifth Avenue): Continuance granted to the next meeting.
- Item 2 (120 Church Street): Denied. The application to install new composite windows was denied for non-compliance with design standards.
- Item 3 (614 Walnut Street): Denied. The application to install new composite windows was denied for non-compliance with design standards.
- Item 4 (102 N 15th Street): Approved. The application to construct a brick fence, wood fence, and alter the driveway was approved with conditions as noted.
- Staff Updates: A community meeting on design standards update will be held May 23 at the MOK Center; a realtor training on historic properties is scheduled for May 12; and a disaster planning/resiliency class will be held June 9.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. Um welcome to the May meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Commission are quasi-judicial in nature. This is a design review process to determine whether a proposed project is congruent 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 the Superior Court. Evidence pertaining to an agenda item must be presented during the evidentiary portion of that item. Individuals who wish to wish to address the commission will be sworn in as witnesses to present material and substantial evidence. 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. 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 the 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'll introduce city staff with us tonight. We have Melissa Huff. No, Melissa is on vacation. So we have Whitney Stavish, who is the associate city attorney, Brian Chambers, who is the new assistant planning director, Linda Painter, who is planning director, Ms. Jessica Baldwin, Historic Preservation Planner, Ms. Megan Basic, who is associate planner. Ms. Amy Bradshaw, who is planning coordinator. I am Kathleen Egan, the Commission Chair, and my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves. Stephen Salke. Ashley Wilson. Christopher Yermal. Alison Watts. We will now swear in those present who wish to present evidence related to an agenda item. If I could have everyone, all applicants, members of the public, and staff who wish to speak tonight. So everyone who has an item that's going before the commission tonight needs to stand up. And please 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. And so we will begin the meeting with the first agenda item. The applicant has requested a continuance, so I make a motion to continue this until next month. Can we have a second? Second. Okay, that motion is passed. So we will move on to the second agenda item, which is 120 Church Street. The applicant proposes to install new composite windows. The subject property is located on the southeastern corner of church and South 2nd Streets. The subject property is a contributing resource in the historic district residential. Revision suit all facades of a building and the site are subject to design review in this district. The Captain Taft House was built circa 1888 with significant alterations sometime between 1904 and 1910. The one-story, three bay wide, three bay deep dwelling has a cross-gable roof and two interior chimneys. The front facade features a half-width recessed porch with side entry steps, a projecting gable bay on the northeast corner, and pedimented three-sided bay on the northeast corner. Above the pedimented bay is a rectangular louver vent with an archetype trim, and the projecting gable bay has an arched vent with a matching archetype trim.
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