Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – March 14, 2024

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 N Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Christopher Yermal. Six commissioners were present, with Chair Kathleen Egan absent. The commission held evidentiary hearings on three applications, approved two, and denied one. A public comment was received regarding a gas line issue at a neighboring property. Staff provided updates on a design standards workshop and the National Register Survey project.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes – February 8, 2024: The minutes were approved unanimously (6-0) with no discussion or changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dorothy Sutton McBride (410 N 5th Ave, Apt 1): During the evidentiary hearing for 416 N 5th Avenue, Ms. McBride expressed concern about an unauthorized gas line that had been installed on her property adjacent to her back porch. She stated that she did not request the work and that Duke Energy/Piedmont Natural Gas initially had no record of it. The gas line was turned to face the neighboring property and was separated from existing lines. The commission acknowledged the issue was outside its purview and offered to help direct her to the appropriate agencies (N.C. Natural Gas and New Hanover County Building Inspections).

Discussion Items

1. 319 S 6th Street – Installation of Pool (MJW 21-2403)

• Applicant: Shawn Seidel.
• Staff Summary (presented by Megan Bacik): The property is a contributing resource in the HD-R district. The applicant proposed an 11' x 20' fiberglass in-ground pool with a concrete apron (2–5 feet wide). The pool would be set back from property lines and not visible from the street. Two rear yard trees would be protected.
• No public comments.
• Commission Deliberation: No opposition. Conditions were added to protect trees, review handrail through bypass, comply with archaeological requirements, and adhere to building codes.
• Vote: Motion to approve with conditions (6-0).

2. 416 N 5th Avenue – Exterior Alterations (MJW 22-2403)

• Applicant: Michael Lasonde (property owner, purchased in fall 2023).
• Staff Summary (presented by Jessica Baldwin): The property had a 2022 COA for repairs (wood siding, window repairs, storm windows). The current owner has since removed all existing siding and installed vinyl windows on all facades and James Hardie Plank lap siding (Arctic White). No elevations were provided. The previous owner had removed siding and windows, leaving the house in poor condition. The applicant admitted to not checking historic district requirements before purchase.
• Public Comment: Dorothy Sutton McBride (see above).
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners noted that vinyl windows and Hardie Plank siding are not congruous with the historic district. The standard is wood windows and wood siding. They considered whether to approve with conditions requiring wood materials but ultimately decided to deny because the applicant had already installed non-compliant materials. Per policy, after-the-fact requests are considered as if work had not been done.
• Vote: Motion to deny (6-0). The motion cited non-compliance with design standards 1.6, 3.2, and 3.3.

3. 112 S 7th Street – Construction of Accessory Structure (MJW-23-2403)

• Applicants: Jake Dubinski and Tori Fish.
• Staff Summary (presented by Jessica Baldwin): The property is a contributing resource. Applicant proposed a one-and-a-half-story accessory structure (21'5" x 11'5" x 16' high, ~264 sq ft) in the rear yard, plus an outdoor shower, cold plunge tub, and outdoor sauna. Materials: wood clapboard siding, asphalt shingles (estate gray), wood windows (two-over-two). The structure would have minimal visibility from the street.
• No public comments.
• Commission Discussion: No opposition. Conditions were added for low-e glazing (no tint), bypass review of lighting, plunge tub/sauna, landscaping, compliance with building code, and minor changes through bypass.
• Vote: Motion to approve with conditions (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous, 6-0 each): Pool at 319 S 6th St (with conditions); Accessory structure at 112 S 7th St (with conditions).
• Denied (unanimous, 6-0): Exterior alterations at 416 N 5th Ave; the applicant must remedy the non-compliant work (vinyl windows and Hardie Plank siding).
• Staff Updates: Jessica Baldwin noted a successful COA/design standards workshop with the Historic Wilmington Foundation (11 attendees despite rain). A Request for Proposals (RFP) for the National Register Survey has been distributed, covering four of the six historic districts. The goal is to sign a contract by the end of the fiscal year.
• Next Meeting: Thursday, April 11, 2024.