Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 12, 2025
Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 12, 2025
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 5:36 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, to conduct a quasi-judicial hearing on six evidentiary items and other business. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m. All votes and positions are based on the official minutes and transcript.
Approval of Minutes – May 8, 2025
- Approved 7-0 without discussion.
Discussion Items
121 North 8th Street (Old Business) – Driveway improvements, concrete patio, rear porch removal, and back step reconfiguration. The applicant revised the proposal to use permeable concrete and to salvage the existing steps and handrail for a landing. Approved 7-0 with conditions: permeable concrete spaced at least 2 feet from foundation, reuse of salvaged steps/handrail, no removal of mature trees or historic landscaping.
312 South Front Street (New Business) – Replacement of two duplex entrances with a single side entrance and replacement of three windows and a rear door with four sliding doors. The Commission split the request: approved the side entrance (wood door, clear glazing) with conditions (salvage removed doors/windows for reuse or donation to Legacy Architectural Salvage) and continued the rear sliding door portion to the July meeting, requesting detailed renderings and a design that preserves the historic character of the existing windows. Motion carried 7-0.
501 South 5th Avenue (New Business) – Exterior alterations including removal and replacement of two chimneys, removal of two non-original doors (replaced with windows), and a new side door. Applicant Logan Cavanaugh (age 24) stated the chimneys conflict with interior plans and a structural engineer verbally indicated possible structural issues, but no written report was provided. Commissioners expressed concern that chimneys are contributing resources and may be structurally necessary. They also recommended consulting local carpenters for window restoration rather than replacement, noting the original four-over-four windows are repairable. The request was continued 7-0 due to insufficient structural documentation and window details.
507 Grace Street (New Business) – Replacement of an existing slate roof with asphalt shingles (Owens Corning Duration, Onyx Black). Cost estimates presented: approximately $100,000 for slate repair/replacement, $37,000 for a slate-mimicking asphalt product (Grand Manor), and $23,000 for standard architectural shingles. The applicant confirmed the roof is leaking. Approved 5-2 (Sulkey and Yermal dissenting) with conditions: remove slate without compromising roof integrity, keep all chimneys intact.
9 South Front Street (New Business) – Revision to a previously approved storefront design (COA MJW-34-2512). During deconstruction, evidence showed the existing transom was not original; ghost marks indicated fully inset original entries. The applicant proposed an undivided light inset transom and decorative cornice, based on research including architect Henry Bonitz’s other buildings. Chair Yermal recused himself (motion 6-0); Vice Chair Keston presided. Approved 6-0 with conditions: clear glazing, no tint; other conditions from original COA remain.
513 South 2nd Street (New Business) – Replace existing rear wood deck with a new rear screened porch, and remove existing patio and pergola. The new porch (22’ x 12’) will have wood framing, metal roofing matching the house, and a centered wood staircase. Approved 7-0 with conditions: porch shall not extend beyond the rear elevation; metal roofing to be flat channeled with no striations; no mature trees or historic landscaping removed.
Other Business
Fire Safety and Siding Materials – Commissioner Sulkey raised the possibility of encouraging fire-resistant siding (e.g., fiber cement) on side elevations close to neighboring structures, while maintaining visual compatibility. The Commission discussed that soffits are more prone to ignition than siding, and noted a thicker cementitious product (Artisan by Hardie) is now available.
Agenda Packets – Assistant City Attorney Gina Essey explained that including examples of similar past cases in packets was discontinued because North Carolina case law (Sanchez v. Town of Beaufort, 2010) prohibits cherry-picking specific properties for comparison. Decisions must be contextual and based solely on evidence presented during the hearing.
Election of Chair and Vice Chair – Christopher Yermal was re-elected Chair (6-1, Yermal voted no). Joan Keston was re-elected Vice Chair (6-1, Keston voted no).
Staff Announcement – Planning Director Linda Painter announced that Historic Preservation Planner Monica Davis has accepted a position as Director of the Master of Historic Preservation program at the Pratt Institute in New York City. The Commission expressed congratulations and gratitude for her service. The city will post a vacancy for her position.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved 7-0.
- Item 1 (121 N 8th St) approved 7-0.
- Item 2 (312 S Front St) partially approved (side entrance) and partially continued (rear sliding doors) 7-0.
- Item 3 (501 S 5th Ave) continued 7-0.
- Item 4 (507 Grace St) approved 5-2.
- Item 5 (9 S Front St) approved 6-0 (Chair recused).
- Item 6 (513 S 2nd St) approved 7-0.
- Chair and Vice Chair elected for the term.
- Monica Davis’ departure noted; the next regular meeting is scheduled for July 10, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Thursday, March. I'm sorry, Thursday, June 12th, 2025. Hearings before the historic preservation commission are quasi-judicial in nature. This is a design review process to determine if the proposed project is congruous with the special character of the historic district or landmark. Decisions, 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 becomes part of the record. Appeals of commission decisions are to the Wilmington Board of Adjustment and then at the Superior Court and are based on the record. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the date of the commission's action. Evidence is received during the evidentiary hearing portion of an agenda item. Those who want to address the commission are sworn as witnesses to present material and substantial evidence to the commission. The chair recognizes that those who want to submit such evidence during the evidentiary hearing. Evidence should be directed to the commission. To ensure that the evidence is properly recorded, please come to the podium and the hall in front of us to address the commission, state your name and address, and speak clearly. Adjust the microphone if necessary. Members of the HBC are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the city council. Our charges with respect to the protection and preservation of properties in the city's designated historic district. We are held to the standards of the Wilmington Design Standards for Historic Districts and Landmarks and per applicable NC state law to determine if exterior changes are congruous with the special character of the city's historic districts. It is important that we deliberate the merits of each request in a manner that provides a record as to the basis of our decisions for our decisions. Please remember that our deliberation should be centered on how a project meets the design standards and whether the proposed change is congruous or is not congruous. Commissioners, if you have received or been made aware of any outside evidence related to any of the matters, please recuse yourself. At this time, I would like to request that all cell phones be either turned off or put in silent mode. Thank you. And staff, I'd like to introduce staff, Gina Essey, Assistant City Attorney. Linda Painter, Director of Planning and Development. Ben Riggle, Planning Manager, Monica Davis, Historic Preservation Planner, Emmy Bradshaw, Planning Coordinator, Tracy Manning Administrative Support Specialist. And then if commissioners could introduce themselves, please. Stage right. Ross, Thomas Sally, Stephen Salke. Ashley Wilson. John Keston. Allison Watts. Beth Rutledge. At this time, we'll swear in witnesses that will be speaking this evening. If you know you'll be speaking this evening, if you could please stand. Um face this area over here, please. Staff, applicants, and members of the public who wish to speak. Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Thank you. Please be seated. First order of business is to approve minutes. Anyone have any changes to those minutes? If not, would someone please make a motion? I motion to approve the process. Second. All in favor? Aye. That passes. And our first order of business, evidentiary hearing, old business, actually. 121 North Eighth Street. Uh, with Mr.
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