The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The meeting was called to order by Chair Kathleen Egan with a moment of silence to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Wilmington Massacre. Commissioners present: Chair Egan, Alison Watts, Stephen Sulkey, Ashley Wilson. Staff present: Assistant City Attorney Melissa Huffman, Assistant Director Brian Chambers, Senior Planner Jessica Baldwin, Associate Planner Megan Bacik, Planning Coordinator Amy Bradshaw. All witnesses were sworn in. The commission reviewed four evidentiary hearings for new business, all of which received unanimous approval with conditions. The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
Note on vote counts: The published agenda for this meeting showed motions passing 7-0 for the first two items, but the minutes and transcript confirm only four members were present, resulting in 4-0 votes. This discrepancy is recorded but not resolved.
You might have trouble parking because we're still waiting for someone, but we're gonna get started so we don't hold you up. Um so good evening. This is the Historic Preservation Commission, and it is the November 9th, 2023 meeting. Um this evening, we would like to take a few quiet moments or relatively quiet moments to commemorate the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the Wilmington Massacre, and in that quiet time reflect on the hardship and suffering endured that day by members of this community who mattered then and who matter now. 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 subjected 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 the witness evidence is properly recorded, each individual is asked to 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. 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 congruent with the special character of the city's 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 all cell phones are in silent mode or turned off. We have Melissa Huffman, our city attorney, Brian Chambers, our assistant planning director, Jessica Baldwin, Historic Preservation Planner, Amy Bradshaw, our planning coordinator, and Megan Basick, our associate planner. We will now commence with the administrative portion of the meeting. I am Kathleen Egan, the commission chair, and my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves. Stephen Solkey. Ashley Wilson. Alison Watts. We will now swear in those present who wish to present evidence related to an agenda item. If I could have all staff applicants and members of the public who will be speaking this evening, if you have an item to 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. We will now move on to review and approval of the minutes. Are there any suggested edits or corrections to the draft minutes from our October 12th meeting? I don't have any. No. Okay. Could I just have a motion then? Motion to approve. Okay. All approved. Aye. Okay. The minutes are approved. Now we will move on to the evidentiary portion of the meeting. And we will have the first agenda item to 16 South Third. The subject property is located on the west side of South Third Street between Orange and Ann Streets, and is a contributing resource to the historic district residential. All facades and the site are subject to design review in this district. 216 South 3rd Street, built circa 1900, is a two-story side passage, three bay wide dwelling with a hip roof, lap siding, and two over two windows. The front facade features a small stoop with a hip roof supported by Tuscan columns. The main entry door in the northernmost bay is surrounded by divided side lights and a transa. A centrally located gable end dormer with six light window is visible along the roof line.