Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 8, 2023
Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 8, 2023
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at Skyline Center. The meeting covered seven evidentiary hearings (one continued, five approved with conditions, one denied) and one administrative item. Votes were 7-0 or 6-0 on all motions.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (April 13, 2023 and May 11, 2023): Motion to approve passed 7-0 without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 (516 S 5th Avenue): Mr. Travis Gilbert of the Historic Wilmington Foundation spoke in opposition to the proposal to coat a striated metal roof, stating that the commission had previously required two similar roofs to be removed and that approving a coating would set a bad precedent.
Discussion Items
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Item 1 – 221 S 5th Avenue (Old Business): Applicant Linda Potts requested to replace an existing standing seam metal roof with asphalt shingles. Commissioners expressed concern about lack of written evidence from contractors regarding the roof’s condition and the feasibility of coating. The request was continued to July 13, 2023, by a 7-0 vote to allow the applicant to provide roofing reports and photographs.
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Item 2 – 322 South Front Street (New Business): Applicant David Lisle proposed a rear addition and exterior alterations (including painting, shutter removal, and siding repair). The commission discussed the use of synthetic materials; the applicant agreed to use wood for fascia and frieze instead of Azek. Approved 7-0 with nine conditions (e.g., clear glazing, archaeological monitoring, no synthetic materials below soffit).
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Item 3 – 516 S 5th Avenue (New Business): Applicant Weiss Nassar sought to coat a striated standing seam metal roof (installed without a COA) with Henry Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating. Commissioners questioned whether the coating would hide striations and raised concerns about longevity and precedent. A motion to deny passed 7-0.
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Item 4 – 533 South Front Street (New Business): Applicant Eric Jabley proposed a garage, pool house, in-ground pool, driveway, and brick fence. The staff report noted a corrected setback. Approved 7-0 with nine conditions (landscaping, paver specs, tree protection, archaeological provisions, etc.).
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Item 5 – 128 South Water Street (New Business): Applicant Terri Espy requested installation of a porch enclosure with aluminum frame and clear vinyl panels on a non-contributing commercial building. Commissioners noted the panels are temporary and the structure is non-contributing. Approved 7-0 with two conditions.
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Item 6 – 215 South 6th Avenue (New Business): Vice-Chair Yermal recused himself. Applicant Rob Romero proposed a second-story addition, rear addition, pool, and accessory structure. The existing chimneys will be reconstructed. Approved 6-0 with 11 conditions (roof specs, pool details, stucco colors, archaeological recommendations, etc.).
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Item 7 – 2 Church Street (New Business): Applicants Jay and Rachel Larsen sought after-the-fact approval for a 6-foot brick fence (partial construction had already begun). A stop work order had been issued. Approved 7-0 with six conditions, including payment of after-the-fact fee and fence not exceeding six feet.
Key Outcomes
| Item | Address | Decision | Vote | |------|---------|----------|------| | 1 | 221 S 5th Ave | Continued to July 13, 2023 | 7-0 | | 2 | 322 S Front St | Approved with conditions | 7-0 | | 3 | 516 S 5th Ave | Denied | 7-0 | | 4 | 533 Front St | Approved with conditions | 7-0 | | 5 | 128 Water St | Approved with conditions | 7-0 | | 6 | 215 S 6th Ave | Approved with conditions | 6-0 (Vice-Chair recused) | | 7 | 2 Church St | Approved with conditions (after-the-fact) | 7-0 |
- Other Business: The commission voted 7-0 to become a concurring party on a programmatic agreement between the City of Wilmington, SHPO, and Community Services for CDBG and HOME grants (FY2023-24 through FY2027-28). No additional responsibilities were added.
- Commissioner Sulkey commended staff and the public for their engagement at a recent community meeting on design guidelines, noting that most attendees wanted stronger enforcement and clearer guidance.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the June eighth two thousand twenty-three meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Hearings before this commission are quasi-judicial in nature, and it's 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 District and Landmarks, and the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Evidence submitted to the commission for review will become part of the record. Individuals who wish to address the commission will be sworn in as witnesses to present materials and substantial evidence. I'll now introduce city staff who will be assisting us tonight. I'll begin with Brian Chambers, our new assistant planning director. Melissa Huffman, our assistant city attorney. Jessica Baldwin, historic preservation planner, Amy Bradshaw, our planning coordinator. Megan Basick, our associate planner. I'll now move to the administrative portion of the meeting. I am Kathleen Egan, the Commission Chair, and my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves. Ross Thomas Selly. Wilson. Ashley Wilson. Christopher Yermel. Stephen Solkey. Allie Watts. Thank you. And now we will swear in those present who wish to present evidence relating to an agenda item. If I could have everyone in the audience who is an applicant, any staff, any members of the public who wish to speak, to please stand up and raise your right hand. Please note if you do not stand up and be sworn in, you may not speak this evening without being sworn in at a later time. 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. If not, then I will make a motion to approve the last two sets of minutes. A second. All in favor? Aye. We'll now move to the evidentiary portion of the meeting, and we will begin with a staff report for the first agenda item. The applicant proposes to replace all existing roofing materials with asphalt shingles. The subject lot is located on the eastern side of the South Fifth Avenue between Orange and Ann Streets. The subject property is a contributing resource in historic district residential. Provisions to all facades of the building and the site are subject to design review in this district. 221 South Fifth Avenue was built in 1895 and is a two-story Queen Anne House with East Lake style details. The hipped roof dwelling features a gable roof, free-sided projecting bay and clapboard siding. The front facade features a one-story half-with porch supported by turned columns. The porch has an elaborate spindlework freeze and scrolling support brackets. This facade also features a half-light two panel entry door with a transom and a circular colored glass window located to the east of the entry door. A second story half width porch on the rear is supported by simple square columns and is covered by the main body's hipped roof. A half-with first story porch has been attached and has a gable roof with simple square columns. The first story rear windows feature a six over six light patterns. The remaining windows on the all facades are two over two sash windows, and all windows and entry doors feature architrived style surrounds. The applicant proposes to remove the main body of the dwelling's standing seam metal roof, the front and rear porches, asphalt shingle roofs, and the rear mechanical rooms rolled roof. They would then install on all roofs, certained landmark pro asphalt shingles in the color max death colonial slate. The map here indicates a variety of roofing materials in the surrounding blocks of the subject lot. The applicant provided the following photos, also indicating the variety of roofing materials in adjacent properties. Shown here are photos taken by the applicant of water mitigation methods to protect the rest of the home from the leak infiltration. Staff notes that roof are character defining features. The texture, depth, and form are physical elements that contribute to its defining features.
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