Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - October 9, 2025
Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - October 9, 2025
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. Chairman Christopher Yermal called the meeting to order; all speakers were sworn in. The commission considered nine evidentiary hearing items and reviewed the FY25 Annual Report. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes – September 11, 2025: Corrected meeting venue from Thalian Hall to Skyline Center. Motion to approve as amended carried unanimously (6-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
515/517 South 4th Street – Applicant T.J. Christopherson stated budget constraints (metal replacement ~$50,000 vs. asphalt ~$15,000–$20,000) and failing coatings were primary concerns. He had only verbal contractor assessments and had not considered industrial silicone coatings.
822 Macumber Alley – Agent Anthony Demmings said the owner is not interested in repairs due to deterioration and cost, and that the proposed four-over-one composite windows would be more historically appropriate than one-over-one replacements seen elsewhere. He cited fire safety concerns with painted-shut windows.
208 Market Street – Designer Rob Romero and owner Joseph Hou presented a physical model, explaining the contemporary design was inspired by the mid-century First Bank building at 201 Market Street and intended to be "a product of its time" compatible with the streetscape. The building name may change but sign location and character remain.
411 North 15th Street – Applicant Perry Allen was present with no additional comments.
106 North 6th Street – Applicant Kurt Arthur confirmed existing Masonite siding is deteriorating and new siding will have a wider reveal than original.
214 North 6th Street – Applicant not present; no public comments.
515 South 3rd Street – Agents Kevin Geer and Travis Morris read a letter from owner Susan Silver stating the small home is intended for her adult daughter with disabilities to live independently. They expressed willingness to add architectural details per commission suggestions.
312 South 6th Street – Agent Brandon Bowden stated the ADU is custom-designed to minimize site disturbance; the owner intends to replace the removed laurel oak with an approved tree and use the same paint palette as the main house.
323 South 4th Street – Applicant not present; no public comments.
Discussion Items
1. 515/517 South 4th Street – Roof replacement with change of material
- Proposal: Replace existing standing-seam metal roof with CertainTeed Landmark 30-year architectural shingles (Silver Birch) over new plywood. Inspection (June 17, 2025) noted corrosion and rust at fasteners.
- Discussion: Commissioners debated repair feasibility with industrial silicone coatings. Vice-Chairperson Keston was open to material change; Ms. Wilson wanted more evidence. Chairman Yermal suggested researching silicone systems. Applicant cited budget. Ms. Rutledge noted leaks are not substantial.
- Outcome: Continued to November 13, 2025 (6-0). Applicant advised to consult Historic Wilmington Foundation for contractor referrals.
2. 822 Macumber Alley – Windows replacement with change of material
- Proposal: Replace existing wood 4-over-1 double-hung windows with Andersen 100 Series Fibrex composite windows (white, divided light).
- Discussion: Staff recommended repair. Agent argued windows are cracked, leaking, painted shut, and a fire hazard. Commissioners emphasized design standards preferring repair and like-for-like material; concerns about precedent.
- Outcome: Denied (6-0) as inconsistent with design standards.
3. 208 Market Street – New 3-story mixed-use building
- Proposal: Contemporary building with ground-floor commercial and upper-story residential. Materials: stucco, glass, cementitious gloss panels, steel balconies, white TPO roof. Signage pending name finalization.
- Discussion: General support. Commissioners praised compatibility with mid-century context and streetscape.
- Outcome: Approved with conditions (6-0): clear glazing, sign permit, construction permits, code compliance, changes subject to review.
4. 411 North 15th Street – Pool installation
- Proposal: 14-ft x 30-ft fiberglass pool, 8½-ft x 9½-ft spa, 10-ft x 12-ft wood gazebo with standing-seam metal roof in backyard. Minimal visibility from Campbell Street.
- Discussion: Commissioners asked about gazebo anchoring and roof material (metal, not matching house shingles).
- Outcome: Approved with conditions (6-0): flat channel metal roofing, archaeological find protocol, code compliance.
5. 106 North 6th Street – Garage renovation with change of material
- Proposal: Replace deteriorated fiberglass/cement roof with Owens Corning Oak Ridge architectural asphalt shingles (Onyx Black); replace Masonite siding with James Hardie fiber-cement lap siding; replace garage doors with 16-panel steel doors (white).
- Discussion: Structure first on Sanborn maps 1910, labeled "Auto" by 1915; contributing status unconfirmed for outbuildings. Applicant confirmed deterioration.
- Outcome: Approved with conditions (6-0): proper disposal of old roof, compatible siding and doors, smooth-side-out installation.
6. 214 North 6th Street – Porch column replacement with change of material
- Proposal: Replace one deteriorated wood support column with composite Tuscan round column (white); repair column bases and railings with pressure-treated pine.
- Discussion: Commissioners noted difficulty finding salvaged columns. Chairman Yermal recommended priming all sides with oil-based primer.
- Outcome: Approved with conditions (6-0): column and pressure-treated elements to match existing in dimension, style, color; code compliance.
7. 515 South 3rd Street – Subdividing lot, access road, and new small house
- Proposal: Subdivide lot, construct 12-ft wide concrete access drive, build 732 sf one-story house (front gable, Hardie siding, asphalt shingles) for owner's daughter with disabilities. Design described as "beachy bungalow."
- Discussion: Commissioners felt the design was plain and not congruent with historic character. Agent willing to add architectural details. Tree preservation and ADA compliance noted.
- Outcome: Continued to November 13, 2025 (6-0). Applicant to work with staff on improved design.
8. 312 South 6th Street – Constructing accessory dwelling unit (ADU)
- Proposal: 1,007 sf ADU in rear yard; requires removal of a mature laurel oak (declining health, on footprint). Applicant proposes replacement tree from city-approved list.
- Discussion: Commission debated tree removal. City code ensures replacement hardwood will thrive. Some concern about losing mature tree.
- Outcome: Approved with conditions (5-1, Rutledge dissenting): smooth-side-out siding, clear glazing, tree replacement per city code, no other mature trees removed.
9. 323 South 4th Street – Roof replacement with material change
- Proposal: Replace existing asphalt shingles (installed 2016) on front-facing roof and porch roof with standing-seam metal roof; rear to be done later. Color not specified.
- Discussion: Commissioners lacked information on original roof material and color; concerned about partial replacement creating mixed appearance. Applicant not present.
- Outcome: Continued to November 13, 2025 (6-0). Staff to seek more details.
Other Business
- Historic Preservation Commission FY25 Annual Report: Staff presented it for review. District survey (Wilmington and Sunset Park) field work is being finalized; completion expected early 2026. Report will serve as official record and planning resource.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved 6-0.
- Three applications continued to November 13, 2025: items 1, 7, 9.
- One application denied: item 2 (6-0).
- Five applications approved with conditions: items 3, 4, 5, 6 (all 6-0), and item 8 (5-1).
- Next regular meeting: Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center.
Meeting Transcript
Really good starting time, we all set. Yeah. Welcome to the excuse me, Historic Preservation Commission meeting on this Thursday, October 9th, 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 congruent with a special character of the historic district or landmark. 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 the Interior standards for rehabilitation. Evidence submitted to the Commission for review becomes part of the record. Appeals of commission decisions are made to the Wilmington Board of Adjustment and then to the Superior Court and are based on the record. Appeals must be filed within thirty days of the date of the commission's action. Evidence is received during the evidentiary hearing portion of agenda item, and those who want to address the commissioner sworn as witnesses to present material and substantial evidence to the commission. The chair recognizes those who want to submit such evidence during the evidentiary hearing. Evidence should be directed to the commission. Members of the historic preservation commission are appointed by the city council and serve at its discretion. Commissioners, if you have received or been wait made aware of any outside evidence related to any of the matters, please refuse yourself. And if you would also turn off your cell phones or set them to silent mode, and thank you for that. Stephen Salke. If I can have all staff applicants and members of the public to please 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. Uh first order of business to approve or modify as necessary any any um any items from the minutes of September 11th last month. Any issues other than the fact that I think um Ben it was uh the address was listed as Thalian Hall, or that was the venue, but actually it was here at the Skyline Building at 929 North Front. Right? So that's the one change that we know of. Anything else? Nope. Okay. Is there a motion? I motion to accept the minutes as is there a second or second. All in favor, aye. The pass unanimously. Um I think our first order of business is uh item number one, five fifteen, five seventeen South Fourth Street. Good evening, Commissioners. Um public hearing number one is a request for roof replacement at 515 to 517 South Fourth Street. The Brian Brady House, located at 515 to 517 South Fourth Street, was constructed circa 1914 and is a contributing resource within historic district residential. As such, revisions to all facades of the building and the site are subject to design review. The subject property is located on South Fourth Street between Church Street and Castle Street. On the left of this slide is a photo provided by the applicant with a view of the existing metal roof looking southeast from the South Fourth Street right of way. The blue portion of the image to the right depicts the extent of the roof. To the left is an aerial image depicting the condition of the existing roof provided through the roof inspection conducted by high tide home inspection on June 17th of 2025. Corrosion and rust was identified at the surface fastener of the existing metal roof, which the inspection um which the inspector noted could result in leaking. The photo to the right is an example of the proposed certainty landmark fortified 30-year architectural shingles in the color silver birch. If approved, staff recommend the following conditions. The existing roofing material to be removed shall be properly disposed of and not left on the property. All construction shall comply with code and changes shall be reviewed. Staff would like to enter the presentation and report into the record of tonight's proceedings. Um this concludes my presentation. I'm happy to answer any questions, and the applicant is here as well. Any any questions for I have one? Do you know if there were internal gutters originally on this house that were covered over? No.
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