The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. The Commission considered three new business items, all of which were approved with conditions, and handled routine administrative matters. Chair Kathleen Egan presided with six members present; Commissioner Alison Watts was absent, and Vice-Chair Christopher Yermal recused himself from one item.
Okay. Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the December 12th, 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 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 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 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 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 charges 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 for the basis of 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 begin by introducing city staff who are here this evening to help us with the meeting. We have Brian Chambers, who is assistant planning director, Amy Bradshaw, Planning Coordinator. One second. And Ben Regal, who is historic preservation manager, and Monica Davis, who is a preservation planner. Okay. I am Kathleen Egan, the Commission Chair, and my fellow commissioners will now introduce themselves. Ross Thomas Helly, Stephen Sulkey. Ashley Wilson. Christopher Yermal. 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, and members of the public. If you wish to speak tonight, you're going to need to stand up and be sworn in the gentleman. Okay. 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 were provided with the draft of the minutes from the last meeting. Does anyone have edits or corrections they would like to offer to city staff? No. Then I make a motion that we accept the minutes as written. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Motion passes. Okay, we will now open up the evidentiary portion of the meeting and move to the first item on the agenda, which is for two pieces of property 505 and 509 Common Cap Way. Good evening, Madam Chairman's Commission. The applicant proposes to construct two new dwellings at 505 or 509 Common Cap Way.