OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - April 11, 2024

Historic Preservation CommissionThursday, April 11, 2024
BodyWilmington, North Carolina
SessionHistoric Preservation Commission
DateThursday, April 11, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 42:19

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening, everybody.

0:04

Welcome to the April 11th meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission.

0:10

Hearings before this commission are quasi-judicial in nature.

0:14

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's located.

0:25

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 Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation.

0:37

Evidence submitted to the Commission for review will become part of the record.

0:42

Appeal of the commission decision must be submitted to the Wilmington Board of Adjustment within 30 days of the date of the Commission's action.

0:50

Further appeal must be submitted to Superior Court.

0:54

Evidence pertaining to agenda items must be presented during the evidentiary portion of that item.

1:00

Individuals who wish to address the commission will be sworn in as witnesses to present material and substantial evidence.

1:07

The chair will recognize each witness who wishes to address the commission during the evidentiary portion.

1:13

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.

1:24

As a brief reminder, members of the commission are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of City Council.

1:30

Our charge is with respect to the protection and preservation of properties located within the city's designated historic districts.

1:39

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.

1:50

We are to determine whether exterior changes to a building are congruous with the special character of the city's historic districts.

1:58

It is important that the commission deliberate the merits of each request in a manner that provides a record on the basis for our decisions.

2:06

Please remember our deliberation should be centered on how a project meets the Wilmington design standards and whether the changes requested are congruous.

2:17

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.

2:29

Before the meeting begins, please ensure that all cell phones are in silent mode or turned off.

2:36

I'll begin the meeting by introduction of city staff who are here to help us tonight.

2:43

Brian Chambers, who is assistant planning director, Melissa Huffman, Assistant City Attorney, Jessica Baldwin, Historic Preservation Planner, Amy Bradshaw, Planning Coordinator, and Megan Basick, our associate planner.

3:04

And my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves.

3:09

Ross Thomas Sally, Stephen Salke.

3:13

Ashley Wilson.

3:14

Christopher Yermal.

3:15

Allison Watts.

3:16

Joan Keston.

3:18

Thank you.

3:20

We will now swear in those present who wish to present evidence related to any agenda item.

3:29

If I could have all staff applicants or members of the public who are will be speaking this evening, please stand up and raise your right hand.

3:38

If you have an item on the agenda, you'll need to stand up and be sworn in.

3:44

Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

3:49

Thank you.

3:51

Thank you.

3:53

We received um drafts of the minutes from the March meeting.

3:58

Does uh do any of the commissioners have any suggested edits or corrections?

4:04

No.

4:05

Then I'll make a motion to approve the minutes as drafted.

4:10

Second.

4:11

All in favor?

4:12

Aye.

4:14

Passes.

4:15

We'll now move to the evidentiary portion of the meeting and begin with new business agenda item number one.

4:47

Sorry, give me one second.

4:55

Amy.

4:57

It's not working.

4:59

Oh, it did.

5:16

The subject property is located on the corner of Princess and North 16th Streets and is a contributing resource to the Carolina Heights Winnica Terrace Historic District Overlay.

5:26

Only that which can be seen from the public right of way, excluding the alleys is subject to design review.

5:34

The Bergen Carpenter House, built circa 1923, is a two and a half story, prairie style of colonial revival elements dwelling.

5:43

The dwelling features sandy colored brick, a hipped roof with wide overhanging eaves and supporting brackets, and exterior chimneys on the side facades.

5:52

The first story windows and doors feature a simplified archetyped trim with divided light upper sash over single light windows.

6:01

The full width front porch is supported by brick pillars with a wide fascia band and core bold brackets at each pillar.

6:10

Between the pillars is an iron balustrad.

6:13

The centered paneled door is flanked by divided light and paneled side lights.

6:17

Tripart window bays flank the entry.

6:20

These bays feature a large central window with eight over one lights and two four over one windows on either side.

6:27

In the center bay on the second story, three twelve-light casement windows are grouped together.

6:33

The outer bays have eight over one sash windows.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████63%
Procedural████████████17%
Zoning And Land Use████████11%
Public Engagement█████7%
Property Maintenance2%
Summary of Proceedings

Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - April 11, 2024

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The commission approved the March 14, 2024 minutes and considered five evidentiary hearings. All votes were 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (March 14, 2024): Approved unanimously (7-0) with no discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • 1607 Chestnut Street (Item 4): Thomas J. Porter Jr., neighbor at 1615 Chestnut Street, spoke in support of replacing the damaged accessory structure. He stated the structure had been present since he moved into his home in 2009.

Discussion Items

  • 1519 Princess Street – Fence and Landscaping on Corner Lot: Staff presented a proposal to remove existing chain-link fence and concrete driveway, install a board-on-board fence, and add new plantings. The applicant answered questions. Approved with conditions: walkway lighting to be submitted for administrative bypass, compliance with codes, and changes subject to commission or administrative review. (Motion carried 7-0)
  • 410 Orange Street – Accessory Structure: The applicant requested a continuance. Approved to continue to June 13, 2024. (Motion carried 7-0)
  • 1804 Market Street – Fence and Major Landscaping: Proposal to install a brick wall with rowlock header and aluminum gate, crushed shell patio, and new plantings. Approved with conditions: side and rear yard fences shall not exceed 6 ft in height; any fence within 1 ft of the dwelling foundation shall be sand set; compliance with codes. (Motion carried 7-0)
  • 1607 Chestnut Street – Accessory Structure: Replacement of a metal prefabricated structure damaged in Hurricane Florence, to be built on an existing foundation. Also a board-on-board fence to match existing. Approved with conditions: structure height not to exceed dwelling height; fence finished side away from property; fence not to exceed 6 ft in height; compliance with codes. (Motion carried 7-0)
  • 512 Ann Street – New Residential Infill: Construction of a new two-story dwelling on a vacant lot. The applicant noted changes from a previous proposal to provide variety. Approved with 16 conditions, including: foundation height not exceed 24 inches; house height not exceed 30 ft; all siding and trim smooth side out; fencing finished side out; window and door glazing clear low-e; driveway curb cut requires right-of-way permit; and all landscaping and exterior lighting to be approved via administrative bypass. (Motion carried 7-0)

Key Outcomes

  • All five evidentiary items were decided: four approved with conditions, one continued.
  • The item for 410 Orange Street was continued to the June 13, 2024 meeting.
  • Assistant City Attorney Melissa Huffman announced her departure; the commission expressed thanks and well wishes.
  • The Planning Department announced it had moved to 929 North Front Street (Skyline Center) effective April 12, 2024; HPC meetings will continue at the current location until further notice.
  • The next regular HPC meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2024.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the April 11th 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's 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 Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation. Evidence submitted to the Commission for review will become part of the record. Appeal of the 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 Superior Court. Evidence pertaining to agenda items 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 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. 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 congruous with the special character of the city's historic districts. It is important that the commission deliberate the merits of each request in a manner that provides a record on the basis for our decisions. Please remember our deliberation should be centered on how a project meets the Wilmington design standards and whether the changes requested are congruous. 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 that all cell phones are in silent mode or turned off. I'll begin the meeting by introduction of city staff who are here to help us tonight. Brian Chambers, who is assistant planning director, Melissa Huffman, Assistant City Attorney, Jessica Baldwin, Historic Preservation Planner, Amy Bradshaw, Planning Coordinator, and Megan Basick, our associate planner. And my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves. Ross Thomas Sally, Stephen Salke. Ashley Wilson. Christopher Yermal. Allison Watts. Joan Keston. Thank you. We will now swear in those present who wish to present evidence related to any agenda item. If I could have all staff applicants or members of the public who are will be speaking this evening, please stand up and raise your right hand. If you have an item on the agenda, you'll need to stand up and be sworn in. 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. We received um drafts of the minutes from the March meeting. Does uh do any of the commissioners have any suggested edits or corrections? No. Then I'll make a motion to approve the minutes as drafted. Second. All in favor? Aye. Passes. We'll now move to the evidentiary portion of the meeting and begin with new business agenda item number one. Sorry, give me one second. Amy. It's not working. Oh, it did. The subject property is located on the corner of Princess and North 16th Streets and is a contributing resource to the Carolina Heights Winnica Terrace Historic District Overlay. Only that which can be seen from the public right of way, excluding the alleys is subject to design review.

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