Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – September 10, 2026

The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Skyline Center, 929 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The meeting was called to order by Chair Christopher Yermal and adjourned at 8:07 p.m. The Commission considered nine evidentiary hearings (three old business items continued from August 13, 2026, and six new business items), approved minutes, and discussed additional matters including property conditions and the annual report. Seven commissioners were present throughout; Chair Yermal recused himself from items 1–3 due to a professional conflict, with Vice Chair Joan Keston presiding for those items. All votes on contested items were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes – August 13, 2026: The minutes were amended to clarify that a prior decision for the church at 1403 Market Street considered the property as an institutional building specifically religious in nature. The motion to approve as amended passed 7–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4 (120 N 8th St): Glenn Wilson, 806 Chestnut Street, asked when construction would begin. The applicant estimated 4–5 weeks subject to approval and permitting.
• Item 5 (620 Orange St): Bruce Bowman, 115 South Seventh Street, expressed concern about the South Seventh Street elevation’s window treatment and the visibility and vulnerability of the condenser unit near the sidewalk. He requested a larger first-floor window, horizontal band boards, and relocation of the condenser. The applicant agreed to these changes.

Discussion Items

Old Business (Items 1–3, chaired by Vice Chair Keston)

• Item 1 – 23 N. Front St. (Courtyard design, COA-2026-0204): Staff presented plans for a rear courtyard redesign at a contributing resource in the CBD-HDO. The courtyard would include a pergola with clear polycarbonate roof, cantilevered planted steel trellis, landscaping, and permeable pavers. The applicant (David Mauer, Mauer Architecture) explained the courtyard would serve outdoor seating for a restaurant and wine bar occupying the three buildings. Commission supported the reuse. Motion to approve with conditions passed 6–0 (Yermal recused).
• Item 2 – 27 N. Front St. (Masonry, windows, rear exit door, steps, COA-2026-0205): Staff described masonry repairs, reopening an infilled opening for basement entry, installing storm windows on all six rear windows (as revised), and removing stucco. The applicant clarified no new rear stairs would be built; egress would be via interior stairs and an elevator in the adjacent building. Motion to approve with conditions (including storm windows) passed 6–0 (Yermal recused).
• Item 3 – 35 N. Front St. (Storefront replacement, masonry, COA-2026-0206): Staff outlined storefront glazing replacement with bronze-finished insulated glass, masonry infill, new rear window, and courtyard wall/gate. Commissioner Lawler asked about fire code regarding gate swing; the applicant noted gates would be recessed to swing outward without encroaching on the right-of-way. Motion to approve with conditions passed 6–0 (Yermal recused).

New Business (Items 4–9, chaired by Chair Yermal)

• Item 4 – 120 N 8th St. (New house construction, COA-2026-0208): Staff presented a two-story, 2,826-sq-ft Victorian-inspired house on a corner lot (non-contributing in HD-R). Setbacks: 5 ft (8th St), 2 ft (Chestnut St), 11 ft (east), 4 ft (south). The Commission discussed window placement on the Chestnut Street elevation. After deliberation, the applicant agreed to enlarge three existing windows to full-height and add one window on the second floor (three windows total enlarged). Motion to approve with this condition passed 7–0.
• Item 5 – 620 Orange St. (New house construction, COA-2026-0226): Staff described a 23-ft-wide, 2-story house (approx. 1,800 sq ft per applicant) on a sunken corner lot, noting grading/stormwater issues and a sycamore tree in the right-of-way. Public comment requested improvements to the South Seventh Street elevation. The applicant agreed to: add a full-size first-floor window near the base of the stairs, horizontal band boards separating floors on both side elevations, and relocate the condenser to the opposite side toward the rear. Motion to approve with these conditions passed 7–0.
• Item 6 – 511 Grace St. (Pool installation, COA-2026-0227): Staff presented a 15’×30’ in-ground pool with a 20’×10’ wood pergola, travertine deck, and water-feature wall (contributing resource in HD-R). The applicant showed a revised rendering adding two waterfalls and replacing an entry railing with two 5-ft planters. Commission asked about landscaping and construction access. Motion to approve with conditions (including the planter substitution) passed 7–0.
• Item 7 – 712 Red Cross St. (Renovations, COA-2026-0228): Staff presented a complete renovation: standing-seam metal roof, long shed dormers, foundation stabilization, front porch reconstruction, new wood windows/doors, screened rear porch, and landscaping (contributing resource in HD-R). The applicant, Sue Boone, noted the chimney had collapsed and would be replaced with a replica; the distinctive diamond-shaped gable would be restored with a matching diamond-shaped window. Motion to approve with conditions (including diamond-shaped gable window) passed 7–0.
• Item 8 – 19 N 5th Ave. (Securing and underpinning, COA-2026-0229): Staff described installing wood lattice underpinning (1×4 members, 2.5”×4” openings) to secure open bays, and custom carriage-style garage doors matching a 1966 photograph (contributing resource in HD-R). The applicant (Bruce Bowman, BMA Architects) stated the building was purchased by First Baptist Church and would be used for adult classes after repairs. Commission appreciated the security improvements. Motion to approve with conditions passed 7–0.
• Item 9 – 407 & 411 S 3rd St. (Pool and setbacks, COA-2026-0202): Staff proposed installing a 12’6”×26’ fiberglass pool with integrated spa on two commonly owned parcels, adjusting the property line to place the pool in the rear yard of 407 (after midpoint) to comply with code (contributing resource in HD-R). The applicant, Paige Tootoo, noted a large oak tree prevented siting directly behind the house. An existing 6-ft fence and automatic pool cover would provide screening and safety. Motion to approve with conditions passed 7–0.

Key Outcomes

• All items approved unanimously: Nine Certificates of Appropriateness were issued, each with specific conditions as noted above.
• Meeting duration: The meeting convened at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026.

Other Business

• Items from the Commission: Members discussed a county condemnation notice for the historic church at Fourth and Church Streets (structurally unsound walls); the congregation’s board had been notified with a 30-day response period. Concerns were raised about the continued condition of the “Greystone” property (no roof, unresolved insurance, incomplete structural assessment). A commissioner reported the availability of factory-painted storm windows in custom colors, encouraging their use to preserve historic windows.
• Items from Staff: Assistant Planning Director Brian Chambers noted the FY 2026 Annual Report was included for information only. He also advised that NCDOT is accepting comments on the bridge-replacement project, with public meetings scheduled for the following Monday and Tuesday; project details are on the city website. Staff noted a decline in after-the-fact cases (now 8% of total) and a rise in commission applications and administrative approvals, attributed to increased activity and awareness. A commissioner identified an attendance error in the annual report (April); staff agreed to review and correct.