Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission – January 8, 2026

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The quasi-judicial hearing was held to review proposed exterior changes to properties in local historic districts under the Wilmington Design Standards and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The commission approved the December 11, 2025 minutes, considered eight new-business applications after one item was withdrawn, and approved all considered applications. No applications were denied or continued. Commissioner Beth Rutledge recused herself from the first application and stated a recusal for the 35/23 North Front Street items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes – December 11, 2025: Approved unanimously, 5-0, without changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Greg Thompson (109 South Fifth Avenue): Spoke in favor of the 119 South Fifth Avenue driveway replacement and the 110 South Fifth Avenue porch column replacement, stating the projects would be congruous with the neighborhood and the houses. He also thanked the commission for its service.
• Christina Haley (President/CEO, Wilmington Downtown Incorporated, 226 North Front Street): Expressed WDI’s support for the 35 North Front Street enclosed stair removal and the 23 North Front Street rear renovations, describing the property owner’s work as transformational and aligned with downtown revitalization.
• Applicant representatives provided sworn testimony and answered questions on each application. No members of the public spoke in opposition to any agenda item.

Evidentiary Hearings – New Business

• 119 South Fifth Avenue (driveway replacement with change of material): The applicant proposed removing deteriorated poured-concrete driveway runners and installing two brick-paver runners (Villagio by Techno-Block, Champlain Gray) approximately 2.5 feet wide and 34 feet long. Staff recommended conditions regarding disposal, tree/landscaping protection, right-of-way work, and code compliance. Neighbor Greg Thompson testified in support. Approved unanimously, 4-0, with Commissioner Beth Rutledge recused.
• 315 North 17th Street (building expansion): The applicant proposed expanding the eastern facade of the non-contributing building, enclosing two porches, adding a new entrance, and installing signage, landscaping, and parking signs. Agent Ronald Sparks (Sparks Engineer) answered questions. Staff conditions included zoning approval of signage, city arborist review of plants, code compliance, and staff/commission review of changes. Approved unanimously, 5-0.
• 1619 Chestnut Street (rear addition and garage): The applicant proposed removing a small rear addition and constructing a 25-foot-2-inch by 13-foot-6-inch rear addition, plus a new 25-foot by 25-foot garage to replace a damaged shed, with materials matching the Dutch Colonial Revival house. Owners testified about wood windows and noted an exhaust fan location was not yet finalized. Staff conditions applied. Approved unanimously, 5-0.
• 110 South Fifth Avenue (porch column replacement with change of material): The applicant proposed replacing existing cast-iron porch columns, balustrade, and railing with traditional wood elements on the contributing house. Agent Daniel Russell (424 South Fifth Avenue) answered dimension and attachment questions. Neighbor Greg Thompson spoke in favor. Some commissioners expressed a personal preference for a slightly more decorative or weightier column, but they did not oppose the application. Approved unanimously, 5-0.
• 514 Ann Street (new house construction): The applicant proposed constructing a new two-story hipped-roof house (28 feet wide by 62 feet deep, approximately 2,576 heated square feet) on a vacant non-contributing lot, with a shed, patio, fire pit, grill area, landscaping, and rear fence. The owner also owns 306 South Sixth Street and will use it for access and parking. Representatives Libby Beck Areno and Nick Beckerino of Shelter Rock Builders testified. Staff conditions included smooth-side-out HardiePlank, clear glazing, protection of specified trees, and administrative review of unspecified details. Approved unanimously, 5-0.
• 415 South Third Street (rear porch removal and rear addition): The applicant proposed removing the existing two-story rear porch and constructing a three-part rear addition on the 1885 Curry Small Bones House, using wood lap/shingle siding, standing-seam metal roof, and Marvin wood windows. Agent Noel Tierpak (Landfear Builders) testified. The work will not be visible from a public right-of-way. Staff conditions applied. Approved unanimously, 5-0.
• 304 North 15th Street (backyard pool): Withdrawn by staff.
• 35 North Front Street (remove rear enclosed staircase): The applicant proposed demolishing the non-historic enclosed rear staircase and metal steps on the rear elevation of the Munson Building (c. 1880), reopening and reglazing masonry openings to match existing windows. Agent Laurie Jackson (Maurer Architecture) testified. Christina Haley of Wilmington Downtown Inc. spoke in support. Staff conditions included clear glazing, proper disposal, and code compliance. Approved unanimously; the agenda records the vote as 5-0, although the chair had announced a recusal for this item and the transcript does not record a numeric tally.
• 23 North Front Street (rear renovations and alterations): The applicant proposed rear renovations to the McCray/Iron Front Building (1878), including new storefront glazing, a membrane roof, rooftop-unit screening, egress doors, new wood windows, and storm windows. Laurie Jackson noted the project is a historic tax credit application under state and National Park Service review. Christina Haley spoke in support. Staff conditions applied. Approved unanimously; the agenda records the vote as 5-0, with the same recusal/tally caveat noted above.

Other Business

• Commissioners discussed a national preservation webinar on replacement materials and logistics for an upcoming Jan. 22 webinar; staff agreed to ensure registration notices are forwarded.
• In response to a commissioner inquiry about the Greystone Inn, staff said no specific update was available, but noted visible activity, including palletizing of usable slate at the site.
• The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved: December 11, 2025, approved 5-0.
• All eight remaining applications approved with staff-recommended conditions; one application (304 North 15th Street) was withdrawn.
• No denials or continuances. Appeals of any commission decision must be filed with the Wilmington Board of Adjustment within 30 days of the action.