Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – September 12, 2024

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 5:35 p.m. in City Council Chambers to consider one old business item and eight new business items. All nine agenda items involved evidentiary hearings for Certificate of Appropriateness requests in the city’s historic districts. After deliberation, the commission approved each request with specific conditions. The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

• The commission approved the draft minutes from the August 8, 2024 meeting by a 6‑0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 420 Church Street (Item 7): Isabelle Shepherd, representing the Historic Wilmington Foundation, expressed support for the much‑needed repairs to the historic Hewett House but raised concerns about the proposed use of modern materials, including composite decking, frosted glass windows, and a wide‑ribbed metal roof. She recommended traditional materials to preserve the building’s historic integrity.
• 416 North 5th Avenue / 505 & 509 Common Cap Way (Item 9): Dorothy McBride, a neighboring property owner, voiced concerns about two new homes that would be built behind her property, stating they would face her backyard and affect her privacy. The commission noted that its review authority is limited to exterior design and landscaping, and that the lot subdivision and access road had already been approved by the city.

Discussion Items

Old Business

1. 216 South 3rd Street (HD‑R) – After‑the‑fact driveway and landscaping; fence and gate installation; construction of a detached garage.
   • Staff presented the application for a 1,350 sq ft concrete driveway, a six‑foot‑high wood stockade fence with double gates, and a 30 ft × 20 ft two‑car garage with a metal roof and wood siding. The applicant, Lynda Sheehan, explained the need for security and storm protection. After discussion on impervious surface reduction, the applicant agreed to remove two feet of concrete along the entire southern property line and replace it with pervious material. The garage door was also relocated to improve pedestrian access.

New Business 2. 310 ½ McRae Street (HD‑R) – Carport installation.

• The applicant, Reginald Smith, proposed a 10 ft × 10 ft steel carport in the front yard. The commission noted that front‑yard carports are contrary to historic district guidelines, which recommend side or rear locations. The applicant agreed to place the carport in the rear yard instead. Awnings for the front windows were suggested as an alternative for sun control and could be approved through administrative bypass.

3. 315 North 15th Street (Carolina Heights/Winoca Terrace Overlay) – Install new fence and driveway on a corner lot.

   • The applicant, Ron Hinderer, sought to replace two sections of deteriorating wood stockade fencing (40 ft along Rankin Street and 23 ft perpendicular to the house) and install a stone driveway accessed from an alley. The driveway width was reduced from 25 ft to 20 ft to meet city standards. A plastic reinforcing grid was recommended to stabilize the stone surface. A right‑of‑way permit from the city engineer was required.

4. 21 Dock Street & 28 South Front Street (CBD‑HDO) – Change in awning materials (after‑the‑fact removal of fabric awning; installation of metal awning).

   • The applicant, Ted Trzos, requested approval to replace a black fabric awning with a metal awning using the existing support structure. The commission accepted the use of galvalume (painted finish) instead of untreated aluminum. The panels were required to be flat with no striations, and the existing structural support was to be reinforced. Two separate motions were made for the two addresses, each approved 6‑0.

5. 319 South 5th Avenue (HD‑R) – Shed installation.

   • The applicant, Chris Santucci, proposed a 12 ft × 22 ft gable‑roof shed (264 sq ft) in the rear yard. The shed would be set back 3 ft from the rear property line and 18 in from the side property line. The commission discussed the proposed black color but was advised that paint colors on painted surfaces are not regulated; the staff had no objection. Conditions included preservation of an adjacent hardwood tree.

6. 111 North 7th Street (HD‑R) – Modification to MJW‑02‑2507: Construction of a screen porch and pergola.

   • The applicant, Libby Beccarino, sought to enlarge a previously approved rear stoop into a screened porch (13 ft 4 in × 12 ft) and add a pergola carport (21 ft 4 in × 14 ft). Concerns about stormwater runoff from the pergola roof were addressed by adding a gutter and downspout on the north side. The roofing material was changed from a ribbed metal to a 5V flat panel with no striations to fit the historic context.

7. 420 Church Street (HD‑R) – Construction of an addition; exterior alterations; roof replacement in‑kind; modification to existing corner lot wall.

   • The applicant, Susan Boone, presented a plan to restore the historic Hewett House (built circa 1875). The project included a rear addition, roof replacement, chimney reconstruction, new brick foundation, and window replacements. The commission required several changes: porch decking to be tongue‑and‑groove wood (not composite), the existing stained brick foundation to be removed and replaced with a continuous stem wall with protruding piers using new brick, the roof to be flat galvalume with no ribs, and French doors to be wood. These conditions were to be approved through staff bypass where noted.

8. 116 Dock Street (CBD‑HDO) – Exterior alterations.

   • The applicant, Jan Oden, proposed to modify the storefront of a circa 1937 building for a brewery. Changes included removing a non‑original window and door to create a recessed entry with a relocated historic French door, replacing a fixed window with two wood one‑over‑one windows, and adding an additional row of glass panels to the existing garage door. The commission approved the request with conditions to preserve the historic character.

9. 416 North 5th Avenue and 505 & 509 Common Cap Way (HD‑R) – Private access installation.

   • The applicant, Ben Miller of Clover Group, requested approval for a 16‑ft‑wide concrete private access drive to serve two new residential lots. The subdivision and access easement had already been approved by the city. The commission discussed alternative materials (e.g., brick, gravel with grid) but noted that final approval of any alternative would require city engineer concurrence. Three separate motions were made for the three parcels, each approved 6‑0.

Key Outcomes

• All nine items were approved with conditions by votes of 6‑0, except 116 Dock Street which passed 5‑0 (Vice‑Chair Yermal recused himself).
• Notable conditions included:
  • Reduction of impervious concrete area at 216 S 3rd St.
  • Rear‑yard placement of the carport at 310 ½ McRae St.
  • Use of plastic reinforcing grid for gravel driveway at 315 N 15th St.
  • Flat, non‑striated galvalume roofing for awnings and the pergola at 21 Dock St/28 S Front St and 111 N 7th St.
  • Replacement of stained brick foundation with new brick continuous stem wall at 420 Church St.
  • Removal of non‑original storefront elements with installation of salvaged historic doors at 116 Dock St.
  • Requirement that alternative paving materials for private access drive must be approved by the city engineer.
• Staff and commission farewell: The meeting concluded with thanks to Planner Megan Bacik for her service as she departs the position. The position is currently being advertised.
• Next meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024 (corrected from “October 11” as stated in minutes; the minutes indicate “October 11” but the agenda shows Thursday October 10 — the transcript confirms “October 11” but the actual date for second Thursday in October 2024 is October 10; a minor discrepancy is noted).