The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. Due to only four commissioners being present, a unanimous vote was required for each item. The meeting addressed seven evidentiary hearings, approval of minutes, and staff announcements. The meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the November 14th 2024 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 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. 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 assist 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 this 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 of 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 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 will start with the introduction of city staff. Brian Chambers is our assistant planning director. Amy Bradshaw is our planning coordinator. We have Gina Esse, who is the assistant city attorney. Catherine Thurston is our zoning administrator, and Linda Painter is our planning director. And I am Kathleen Egan, the Commission Chair, and my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves. Stephen Sulkey. Ashley Wilson, Alison Watts. We will now thank you. We will now swear in those present who wish. No, I'm sorry. Yes, that's right. The next thing is we need to swear in those present who wish to present evidence related to an agenda item. If I could have all staff, members of the public or applicants please stand up. If you wish to speak this evening, you must be sworn in. 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. And for the record, I'm announcing that there is a quorum present with four members present. And this is a notice to all present at this hearing that a unanimous vote must occur in order to pass a matter. Thank you. The commission has received a draft of the minutes, and are there any suggestion, suggested edits or corrections? Could I have a motion then to approve those minutes? I motion to approve. Second. All in favor aye. The minutes are approved. We will now move on to the evidentiary portion of the meeting and the agenda for tonight. And the first item is 114 North 7th. And Catherine Thurston is going to walk us through it.