The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, July 13, 2023 (2023-07-13) at 5:30 p.m. for an evidentiary design review. Staff and applicants were sworn in before testimony. The agenda listed the meeting at City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, while the minutes state City Council Chambers, City Hall, 102 North 3rd Street. The Commission unanimously approved the June 8, 2023 minutes, accepted withdrawal of one old business item, conditionally approved one after-the-fact fence by a 4-3 vote, approved demolition of a fire-damaged garage 7-0, and continued the new garage construction request to September 14, 2023. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the July 13th, 2023 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Hearings before this commission are quasi judicial in nature. It 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. And further appeal must be submitted to Superior Court. Evidence pertaining to an agenda item must be presented during the evidentiary portion of that item. 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 the city council. 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. Miss Melissa Huff Huffman, the assistant city attorney. This is the administrative portion of the meeting. I am Commissioner Egan, the Commission Chair, and my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves. Ross Thomaselli. Stephen Sulkey. Ashley Wilson. Christopher Yermal. Ron Wilson. Allison Watts. Thank you. We will now swear in those present who wish to present evidence relied related to an agenda item this evening. If I could have all staff and applicants please stand up and raise your right hand to be sworn in. Thank you. Thank you. We've received a copy of the minutes for the last two meetings. If there are any suggested edits or corrections to the draft minutes, please bring them to our attention now. No, they look good. Okay, uh, may I have a motion to accept the minutes as drafted? Move to accept. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. We'll now move to the evidentiary portion of the meeting, and we will have well. We have an old business item where the applicant has requested to withdraw this item. And so, Amy, you want us to have a motion to withdraw the item? Yes, we'll need someone to make a motion to accept the withdrawal, a second, and then a vote like normal. Okay. I motion for the withdrawal of the item at 221 South Fifth Avenue. A second. All in favor? Motion passed. Now we'll move on to new business, and the first item will be 11 South Fourth. The applicant seeks approval for an after-the-fact installation of a rear yard fence. The subject property is located on the east side of South Fourth Street between Dock and Orange Streets and is a contributing resource in historic district residential. Revisions to all facades of a building and the site are subject to design review in this district. The Jones Mitchell House was built circa 1849 with significant alterations in 1870. The Italian eight style, side passage, two-story, three bay-wide dwelling features clapboard siding, two over two windows, interior chimneys, and a peaked roof line.