Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - July 9, 2026

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC, with Vice-Chair Joan Keston presiding (Chair Christopher Yermal was excused). The commission conducted six evidentiary hearings on certificates of appropriateness, approved the June 11, 2026 draft minutes, and adopted a written statement on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement. All votes were unanimous (6-0). The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m., and the next regular meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes - June 11, 2026: Approved unanimously, 6-0 (motion by Stephen Sulkey, seconded by Kari Williams).

Evidentiary Hearing 1: 814 Macumber Alley - New House Construction (MJW-65-2605)

• Ben Riggle, Historic Preservation Manager, presented a completely redesigned application for a new one-and-a-half-story, bungalow-style house on a vacant parcel in the Historic District-Residential (HD-R) district. Revisions made in response to May and June commission feedback include a side-gable roof in place of the front-gable design, added side windows, relocation of parking from the front yard to a side gravel driveway, a full-width front porch, removal of the proposed second-story porch, Hardi lap siding, architectural shingles, vinyl single-hung windows, and a raised masonry foundation.
• Key statistics: the house would be 21 ft wide x 47.33 ft deep and 28 ft 4.5 in tall, with 1,613 heated sq ft (985 sq ft first floor, 628 sq ft second floor), an 8.8-ft front setback at the northwest corner and 25 ft at the northeast corner, a 10-ft rear setback, a 3.1-ft west side setback, and an approximately 9.5-ft east side setback.
• Public comments: Anthony Demings (812 Macumber Alley) opposed the project, arguing the house remains too large and overpowering for the lot, the 8.8-ft corner setback departs from the staggered "sawtooth" pattern (neighbors are generally 12-15+ ft back), and the increase from three to four bedrooms would worsen parking and neighborhood character. Michael Belmonty (816 Grace Street) also opposed, citing the four bedrooms and likely Airbnb-related parking problems. Jack Schrader (807 Chestnut Street) spoke in support; Demings alleged a conflict of interest because Schrader was the previous owner, but Vice-Chair Keston noted the lot division was a legal transaction. Vice-Chair Keston and Assistant City Attorney Gina Essey confirmed the commission has no jurisdiction over the number of bedrooms or parking demand.
• Deliberation: Applicant Kurt Anderson presented data on the footprints of neighboring homes to rebut size concerns. Commissioners found the applicant responsive to all prior feedback and concluded the varied setbacks continue the non-uniform staggered pattern along the alley.
• Vote: Approved with staff conditions, 6-0 (motion by Commissioner Ashley Wilson; the minutes read "Mr. Wilson," an apparent typographical error; seconded by Beth Rutledge).

Evidentiary Hearing 2: 310 Chestnut Street - Exterior Renovations of Thalian Hall (COA-2026-0153)

• Preservation Planner Alden Finholm presented the proposal for Thalian Hall (contributing resource, HD-R; constructed circa 1855; owned by the City of Wilmington, with the adjacent parking lot owned by New Hanover County). The project includes: restoring and repainting the historic exterior; replacing the non-original 1930s-40s front entry steps with code-compliant granite-clad stairs with a slip-resistant thermal finish while restoring the original brownstone stair walls and bronze entrance doors (restored by original manufacturer Ellison using 1939 archives); a new accessible backstage entrance and ramp; a new scene shop and relocated loading dock sized for two trucks; utility and dumpster enclosure modifications; enclosing an existing covered area with a glass curtain wall; a new glass and aluminum canopy over the drive aisle; and a new illuminated marquee blade sign (about 18-20 ft tall, designed by artist Greg Hall) on the 1989 addition. The Princess Street playhouse entry is deferred to a later application.
• Disclosures: Commissioners Beth Rutledge and Paul Lawler disclosed affiliations with the Thalian Association (capital campaign committee and community theater board, respectively) but declined to recuse, stating they could remain impartial.
• Applicant: Shane Fernando (with architect John Sawyer) provided a granite sample and showed historic photographs demonstrating that blade signs were common on early 1900s Wilmington theaters. Windows are designed for 140 mph wind loads; the accessible ramp extends about 5 ft into Innes Park.
• Public comments: None.
• Deliberation: Commissioners strongly supported the project, praising it as an investment in one of Wilmington's most significant landmarks that balances historic character with accessibility improvements.
• Vote: Approved with conditions, 6-0 (motion by Stephen Sulkey, seconded by Ashley Wilson).

Evidentiary Hearing 3: 20 North 4th Street, Unit 310 - Window Renovation (COA-2026-0170)

• Ben Riggle presented the Harrelson Center (non-contributing resource, HD-R) request to enlarge three existing interior-courtyard windows from approximately 2.5 ft to 5 ft in width and add one new six-unit ribbon window (29 ft 10 in x 4 ft 4 in) on the west elevation facing North 4th Street, using non-reflective glass and bronze-colored aluminum frames matching the existing building. Staff noted consistency with prior window modifications approved under COAs MJW-15-05, MJW-15-60, and MJW-16-29 (2014-2015).
• Applicant: Bruce Bowman (Bowman Murray Hemingway architects), agent for the project, said the modifications add natural light and courtyard views for new office spaces.
• Public comments: None.
• Vote: Approved with conditions, 6-0, with no commissioner discussion (motion by Beth Rutledge, seconded by Stephen Sulkey).

Evidentiary Hearing 4: 115 South 7th Street - Paving a Strip of Gravel Driveway (COA-2026-0177)

• Ben Riggle presented a proposal to install a 30-inch-wide concrete paver walkway extending approximately 132 ft along the south side of the property adjacent to an 8-ft gravel access easement, using 30 x 30-inch Travertina Raw Slab pavers in Rock Garden Brown. The walkway would remain entirely within the parcel. Responding to Vice-Chair Keston's emailed question, staff stated the alley maintenance agreement applies only to the gravel easement, and the proposed walkway sits outside that easement.
• Applicant: Bruce Bowman, the homeowner, said the walkway provides durable pedestrian and trash-cart access and further defines the property line because an adjacent duplex operating as an Airbnb with no off-street parking frequently blocks the shared gravel drive.
• Public comments: None.
• Deliberation: Staff confirmed the walkway would not affect the shared easement, utilities, or emergency vehicle access, and that the site is already 100% impervious (crushed granite over compacted marl). Staff conditions included keeping the pavers within the parcel, no removal of mature trees (the transcript reads "New mature trees shall be removed," evidently a transcription error), and code compliance.
• Vote: Approved with conditions, 6-0 (motion by Stephen Sulkey, seconded by Ashley Wilson).

Evidentiary Hearing 5: 1403 Market Street - Window Type Change for Two Windows (COA-2026-0178)

• Ben Riggle presented the request for Trinity United Methodist Church (contributing resource, Carolina Heights/Winoca Terrace Historic District Overlay, R7-HDO; constructed circa 1921). Two second-floor windows on the west elevation of the education building would be infilled with custom bronze-colored aluminum storefront windows because the existing brick openings cannot accommodate watertight manufactured double-hung windows. The storefront windows match those previously approved for the first floor under COA MJW-11-2608, and the existing window openings would remain unchanged in size.
• Applicant: The minutes name the applicant speaker as Chad Brennan, while the transcript identifies him as Pastor Brock Meyer of Trinity; the record is inconsistent on the name. The speaker said the work is part of a larger rehabilitation that preserves the historic building, creates a safe stairwell, addresses moisture concerns, and adds natural light.
• Public comments: None.
• Deliberation: In response to a question about the building's six-over-six windows, the applicant explained that manufactured double-hung windows would not fit the openings and that the 1921 sanctuary's ground floor also uses storefront windows. Commissioners expressed support.
• Vote: Approved with conditions, 6-0 (motion by Ashley Wilson, seconded by Beth Rutledge).

Evidentiary Hearing 6: 1812 Grace Street - Front Porch Alterations and Rear Addition (COA-2026-0179)

• Alden Finholm presented the proposal for the Charles A. Thomas House (constructed circa 1925, contributing resource, R7-HDO); only work visible from the public right-of-way (excluding alleys) is subject to review. The proposal would replace the existing front entry portico with a full-width covered front porch (approximately 11 ft 6 in tall including foundation, 10 ft deep, set 18 ft 7 in from the northern property line), install a new mahogany front door with transom and new entry lanterns, and construct rear side additions on the west and east elevations (matching brick foundation, wood lap siding, shingle roofs, painted wood columns, tongue-and-groove porch ceiling). Renderings were stated to be conceptual only; the east addition's windows will be submitted for review at a later date.
• Public comments (all opposed to the front porch expansion): Michael Dell (216 N. 19th St.) presented 1980s newspaper articles stating that developer Mary Bridgers required 30-ft front setbacks when Carolina Heights was developed in 1908; the proposed porch would reduce the setback to 18 ft and set a precedent. John Stevens, Gretchen Stevens, and Emma Stevens (1813 Grace St.) and Kathleen Tyler (1810 Grace St.) opposed the porch expansion as incongruous with the surrounding properties and harmful to the streetscape; Tyler said the neighbors do not object to the door or lanterns.
• Deliberation: Commissioners found the full-width porch incompatible with the home's Colonial Revival character and the established streetscape, citing the city design standards and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. They supported the remaining elements but continued the case so the applicant could revise the design. Brian Chambers clarified that rear setbacks are governed by the Land Development Code and outside the commission's purview since the rear is not visible from a public right-of-way; a code provision allows an addition to maintain an existing grandfathered side setback.
• Vote: Continued until August 13, 2026, 6-0 (motion by Stephen Sulkey, seconded by Vice-Chair Keston).

Other Business: Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement

• Vice-Chair Keston read into the record a written statement (at Assistant City Attorney Essey's recommendation) for presentation to City Council. The commission's positions: the 65-ft lift bridge is the only option that minimizes adverse effects on historic districts, while the 135-ft fixed bridge would cause substantial harm, including severe traffic congestion, noise and vibration, and incompatibility with the character of historic Wilmington; the lift bridge would retain the existing right-of-way and exit onto continuous four-lane Third Avenue, while the fixed bridge would exit onto two-lane Fifth Avenue; tolls should not be implemented because they would shift traffic into historic downtown and harm businesses, tourism, and daily travel patterns; and the NEPA study area should be expanded to include all local historic districts and National Register districts between Marcellus Street (per the minutes; the transcript reads "Marsteller Street") and the Isabel Holmes Bridge.
• Deliberation: Commissioners decided not to cite recent downtown investments (bike lanes, medians, Kenan Fountain improvements) because those could be characterized as modernization of the historic streetscape. They added language emphasizing the importance of maintaining the historic visual outline of the current lift bridge and referencing the Greater Downtown Plan. Staff noted City Council will consider a resolution on the programmatic agreement at its August 4, 2026 meeting.
• Vote: Approved the amended statement and designated Vice-Chair Keston to present it to City Council, 6-0 (motion by Paul Lawler, seconded by Beth Rutledge).

Items from Staff

• Ben Riggle reminded the commission of the Council for Local Government training on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the Zale Room; registration is required.

Key Outcomes

• Every vote was unanimous (6-0).
• Approved with staff conditions: 814 Macumber Alley new house construction; 310 Chestnut St. Thalian Hall exterior renovations; 20 North 4th St. Unit 310 window renovation; 115 South 7th St. paver walkway; and 1403 Market St. window type change.
• Continued to August 13, 2026: 1812 Grace St. front porch alterations and rear addition.
• Approved the June 11, 2026 minutes; adopted the amended Cape Fear Memorial Bridge statement for presentation to City Council.
• The next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, August 13, 2026.