Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - June 11, 2026
Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - June 11, 2026
The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The meeting included evidentiary hearings on three agenda items, adoption of revised rules of procedure, and discussions on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement and archaeological monitoring. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (May 14, 2026): Motion to approve passed 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- 814 Macumber Alley (New House Construction): Multiple neighbors spoke in opposition. Michael Belmonty (816 Grace Street) expressed concern about parking and fence damage from backing vehicles. Anthony Demings (812 McCumber Alley) argued the proposed two-story house (1,800 sq. ft.) is too large and tall for the alley, which is only 10 feet wide, and would exacerbate parking and drainage issues. He stated the house would be nearly double the size of other houses on the street. Tim Schaumberg (211 Pole Vote Alley) echoed concerns about scale, short-term rentals, and parking, noting three to four of the 12–13 houses in the area are already short-term rentals. Eloise Fennel (address given as 816, likely the property at 816 McCumber Alley) stated the proposed house would block sunlight and worsen drainage on her property, which is only 4 feet away. The applicant, Kurt Anderson, responded that the revised design (hip roof, additional windows) addressed prior comments and that the gravel parking area can accommodate two cars, which is unusual for downtown. He noted that a one-story house would still have three bedrooms, so the number of cars would not change.
- 503 S. 3rd Street (Arbor): No public comments.
- 126 S. 3rd Street (Window Heat Pumps): No public comments.
Discussion Items
- 814 Macumber Alley (Old Business): Staff presented the revised design for a two-story hipped-roof house on a vacant lot. The house would be 26 ft x 42 ft, 30 ft 10 in tall, with a 15.8 ft front setback. A gravel parking area (20 ft wide) is proposed. Staff noted that if used for short-term rentals, parking must be behind the front facade per code. After public testimony, commissioners debated congruity with the predominantly one-story neighborhood. Commissioner Joan Keston stated the house is not congruent and would deny it. Commissioner Ross Thomaselli noted the original 1915 house was two stories, but the massing is heavy. Commissioner Beth Rutledge emphasized the strong neighbor opposition. A motion to deny was made by Joan Keston, seconded by Beth Rutledge, but before the vote, staff asked if the applicant would consider a one-story design. The applicant requested a continuance to explore options. The commission voted 6-0 to continue the item to the July 9, 2026 meeting.
- 503 S. 3rd Street (Arbor): Staff reported that a fence crew mistakenly installed the arbor on June 10 before approval. A stop-work order was issued. The applicant, Matt Ragland, apologized and explained the arbor (81.5 in tall, 36 in wide, 60 ft long, with a 48 in passage) is intended to match the approved picket fence. Commissioners approved the arbor 6-0 with conditions (no removal of mature trees, compliance with code).
- 126 S. 3rd Street (Window Heat Pumps): Staff presented the request to install four window-mounted heat pump units in an 1852 accessory building (former enslaved quarters) owned by the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society. The applicant, Darren McIntyre, explained that the existing HVAC system has mold in inaccessible ductwork, and mini-splits would require brick penetrations costing $40,000–$50,000, exceeding their $10,000 budget. The window units are a temporary solution. Commissioners approved the request 6-0 with conditions, including a fifth condition that the units are temporary and will be removed when major renovations occur.
- Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement: Commissioner Joan Keston raised concerns about the two proposed bridge options (A and B), both requiring tolls (~$3 per crossing). She noted Option B would empty onto Fifth Avenue, impacting historic neighborhoods. A petition is available at change.org. The commission discussed forming an ad hoc committee to develop a resolution for the July city council meeting. The city planning director noted that the Greater Downtown Plan, to be adopted June 16, includes four advocacy points: retaining the bridge landing at Third Street, avoiding historic impacts, ensuring an iconic design, and including multimodal capacity. Commissioners agreed to work toward a recommendation by July.
- Archaeological Monitoring at First Presbyterian Church: Commissioner Beth Rutledge reported that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recommended comprehensive archaeological monitoring during tree removal and replanting at First Presbyterian Church, but the city has declined because no federal or state funding is involved. She moved that the commission recommend the city engage archaeological services (volunteer or professional) during the work. The motion passed unanimously.
- Wood Window Replacement Policy: Commissioner Stephen Salke raised concerns about the administrative bypass allowing replacement of historic wood windows with new wood windows. He proposed forming an ad hoc committee to study the issue and educate homeowners. Staff clarified that the guidelines encourage repair over replacement, but like-for-like replacement is allowed. The item will be revisited in a future meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: Unanimous (6-0).
- 814 Macumber Alley: Continued to July 9, 2026, by unanimous vote (6-0).
- 503 S. 3rd Street Arbor: Approved with conditions (6-0).
- 126 S. 3rd Street Window Heat Pumps: Approved with conditions, including temporary nature (6-0).
- Ad Hoc Committee on Bridge Replacement: Formed to develop a recommendation for city council by July 2026.
- Archaeological Monitoring Recommendation: Passed unanimously; to be forwarded to city management.
- Rules of Procedure: Approved with amendments (unanimous). The amendments include clarifying that a four-member quorum requires unanimous votes for COAs, and that professional opinions are considered competent material evidence.
Meeting Transcript
Are based on the record of these proceedings, the Wilmington Design Standards for Historic District 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 made 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 those who want to submit such evidence during the evidentiary hearing and evidence should be directed to the commission. To ensure that evidence is properly recorded, please come to the podium to address the commission, state your name and address and speak clearly. Members of the historic preservation commission are appointed by the city council and serve at its discretion. Our responsibility is to protect and preserve properties within the city's designated historic districts. We adhere to the Wilmington Design Standards for historic districts and landmarks as well as the applicable North Carolina state laws and to assess whether exterior changes align with the unique 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 of the basis for our decisions. Please remember that our deliberation should center on how a project meets the design standards and whether the proposed change is congruous or not. Commissioners, if you have received or been made aware of any outside evidence related to any of the matters, please recuse yourself. If you would also, if everyone would please turn off your cell phones or set them to silent mode, and thank you for that. I'd like to introduce staff to my left, Whitley. I'm sorry, is it Stannish? Stavish with a V, uh, assistant city attorney, uh, Linda Painter to Whitley's left, uh, planning director, Ben Riggle in front here, historic preservation planning manager, Alden Filnholm, uh, historic preservation planner, and Amy Bradshaw to our right, uh, the planning coordinator. Uh, if I can have commissioners introduce myself, please, audience left. Ross Thomaselli, Stephen Salke, uh, Christopher Yermal. Joan Keston, Allison Watts, Beth Rutledge. Uh, and staff, uh, Amy over here will swear in any witnesses who wish to speak this evening. If I can have all staff applicants and members of the public who wish to speak tonight, to please stand up and raise your right hand. Please note that if you're going to speak this evening, you do need to be sworn in, so you will need to stand up and raise your 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, to begin. Uh regarding minutes from the May 14th meeting. Are there any modifications? Um, if not or questions. If not, please if someone would um make a motion to approve these. I move to approve. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. That passes unanimously. Um then uh I think we're on already to old business, the 814 McCumber Alley. Bening, Commissioners. Case one is for the proposed construction of a new hipped roof two-story house at the currently vacant parcel at 814 McCumber Alley. The proposed new house was initially presented at the May 14th HPC meeting and has since been had its design revised based on comments provided at the at that meeting to include changing the roofline from a funk gable to a hip design and adding additional windows on the side elevations. As described by staff, based on direct observation, the parcel at 814 McCumber Alley is currently a vacant grassy lot. The property is a non-contributing resource to the historic district residential. Revisions to all portions of the site are subject to design review in this district. The subject property is located on the south side of McCumber Alley, the second pool parcel east of its intersection with Polevgot Alley. Although currently vacant, the existing parcel was previously developed with a small two-story frame dwelling as depicted on the sandboard maps from 1915 through 1955. Based on publicly available historic aerial photographs, the house that was previously located on the parcel was demolished circuit 1965. Unfortunately, no photographs of that house could be found in the archives.
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