Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - July 10, 2025

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, July 10, 2025, convening at 5:36 p.m. and adjourning at 6:56 p.m. Chairman Christopher Yermal presided, with members Joan Keston, Alison Watts, Ashley Wilson, Beth Rutledge, and Stephen Sulkey present. Member Ross Tomaselli was absent. Staff included Assistant City Attorney Gina Essey, Assistant Planning Director Brian Chambers, Historic Preservation Planning Manager Ben Riggle, Planner II Hillary Taylor, and Planning Coordinator Amy Bradshaw. Chairman Yermal read the procedures and appeals statements, and all witnesses were sworn in by Amy Bradshaw. The agenda and minutes conflict on the meeting location: the agenda lists City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, while the minutes list City Council Chambers, City Hall, 102 North 3rd Street.

Administrative Items

• The minutes of the June 12, 2025, meeting were approved unanimously, 6-0.
• The item at 501 South 5th Avenue was continued to the August 14, 2025, Historic Preservation Commission meeting by a 6-0 vote. Staff recommended the continuation because no additional information had been received and the documentation remained incomplete.

Evidentiary Hearings - Old Business

• 312 South Front Street - The applicant proposed removing three seven-over-one wood windows and a 10-light wood door on the rear elevation and replacing them with four wood-frame sliding glass doors, plus replacing the first-floor seven-over-one windows with Marvin Ultimate wood double-hung windows with simulated divided lights. The applicant, Rob Romero, cited rot and repair costs but provided no formal cost estimate. Staff noted the rear elevation faces the Cape Fear River and is not visible from the public right-of-way. Commissioners questioned the condition of the first-floor windows; Ashley Wilson said the photos did not appear to show poor condition, and Beth Rutledge argued that original wood windows are designed for repair and should be retained. Vice-Chair Keston expressed support for replacing windows with new wood windows. The commission approved the rear elevation door/window replacement but denied the first-floor window replacement. The motion carried 5-1, with Vice-Chair Keston voting no. Conditions included: clear glazing only; removed windows retained for possible reuse; the remaining first-story windows shall not be replaced; the applicant may use full-height sliding or hinged doors, or shorter doors with transoms; code compliance; and Historic Preservation Commission review of any changes.

Evidentiary Hearings - New Business

• 2-18 Nun Street - The applicant requested replacing the existing composite slate roof with architectural shingles on a non-contributing townhouse complex. A representative from Patriot Roofing requested substituting Owens Corning Duration shingles for the originally proposed GAF Camelot shingles, citing better wind resistance, local availability, and a 20-year warranty. The representative said the existing roof had extensive damage and required full replacement. The commission approved the roof replacement unanimously, 6-0, with conditions that the removed roofing be properly disposed of, the shingles be Owens Corning Duration, and all construction comply with applicable codes and review requirements.
• 501 South 3rd Street - The applicant, Michelle Morrison, requested a six-foot horizontal wood privacy fence with a gate on a corner lot at a non-contributing circa 1950 house. She preferred six feet for privacy and a horizontal design to complement the low-profile house. Vice-Chair Keston expressed concern that horizontal fencing looked too modern, but the commission agreed the mid-century design made the horizontal style reasonable. The motion to approve carried 6-0 with conditions: the finished side must face outward and be no taller than six feet; the fence shall be installed from the corner of the porch rather than the corner of the house; any gate must not swing over public right-of-way or neighboring parcels; no mature trees or historic landscaping shall be removed; code compliance; and Historic Preservation Commission review of changes.
• 420 Church Street - The applicant, Sue Boone, requested after-the-fact approval for an in-kind replacement of a six-foot wood privacy fence and installation of new 42-inch picket fences on the east and west elevations at the contributing Hewlett House, constructed circa 1875. The applicant stated the new buyers requested a natural wood finish instead of white, and the fence was intended for privacy and to screen utilities. The commission approved the request unanimously, 6-0, with conditions that the existing privacy fence remain natural wood at six feet, the picket fences be natural wood at 42 inches, finished sides face the public right-of-way, gates not swing over public property or neighbors, no mature trees or historic landscaping be removed, and all code and review requirements be followed.
• 304 South 2nd Street - The applicant, Sunny Stueve, requested exterior alterations at the contributing Durham House, circa 1910: replacement of a rear covered stoop with a screened porch and deck extending 27 feet, 8 inches along the rear elevation and projecting approximately 8 feet; resurfacing concrete front steps with brick veneer; construction of a front brick wall with an iron fence totaling four feet above the sidewalk, with a 30-inch iron railing and a four-foot inward-swinging iron gate; and extension of the brick driveway runners approximately 20 feet. The applicant acknowledged the new driveway brick would not match the existing historic street brick but said the extension would be set well back from the right-of-way. The commission approved the request unanimously, 6-0, with conditions including proper disposal of removed materials, finished side facing outward, inward-swinging gate, driveway brick manufactured specifically for driveways, no removal of mature trees or historic landscaping, code compliance, and Historic Preservation Commission review of changes.

Other Business

• Wilmington Iron Works Study List Application, 201 South Water Street - The commission considered an application from the property owner to add the former Wilmington Iron Works Machine Shop building to the study list for potential local landmark designation. Staff reported the building is a contributing resource in the Central Business District Historic District Overlay and is the last remaining resource associated with Wilmington Iron Works. Its history includes naval stores storage, later manufacturing for Wilmington Iron Works, and participation in World War I and World War II production. The applicant, Clayton Hamerski, spoke in support, emphasizing the building’s industrial and commercial significance. The commission noted that study list approval does not designate a landmark. The motion to approve the study list application carried unanimously, 6-0, with the condition that a formal landmark application must be completed before official designation.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved 6-0.
• 312 South Front Street: partial approval of rear door/window replacement; first-floor window replacement denied; vote 5-1.
• 501 South 5th Avenue: continued to August 14, 2025, by unanimous vote.
• 2-18 Nun Street: roof replacement approved unanimously, 6-0, with Owens Corning Duration shingles.
• 501 South 3rd Street: six-foot privacy fence approved unanimously, 6-0, with conditions.
• 420 Church Street: privacy and picket fences approved unanimously, 6-0, with natural wood finish and conditions.
• 304 South 2nd Street: porch, brick wall, iron fence, and driveway extension approved unanimously, 6-0, with conditions.
• 201 South Water Street: Wilmington Iron Works building added to the study list unanimously, 6-0.
• There were no items from the commission or staff. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m., and the next meeting is scheduled for August 14, 2025.