Location: 2100 Randolph Rd., Charlotte, N. C.
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.
Present:
Matthew Benson, Committee Chairman
Richard Mattson, Committee Vice-Chairman
Louis Asbury, IV
Victor Jones
Len Norman
John Shurley
Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director
Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner
Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant
Visitors:
Joe Elliott, The RBA Group
John H. Vieregg, Piedmont Properties
Scott Hensley, Piedmont Properties
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Mr. Benson
Mr. Benson welcomed everyone to the meeting. He reminded
everyone present that the HLC holds no meetings in July. The business
considered today will be brought before the HLC on August 11, 2008.
Item #2 - Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill
Dr. Morrill briefly reviewed today’s agenda.
Item #3 - Charlotte Woman’s Club, 1001 E.
Morehead St., Charlotte, N. C.
The applicant is a potential buyer of the building. The
proposed project would involve limited changes to the exterior of the
building. These include new tile on the front porch, new porch on the rear
of the building, new windows on the rear of the building, removal of
exterior stairwell, and removal of metal fire escape. Interior changes would
be extensive, affecting the great majority of the interior rooms and would
involve changes in trim, new partition walls, a new stairwell, demolition of
the existing stairwells, demolition of the stage, removal of other millwork
such as doors and posts, and the addition of new millwork such as
fireplaces.
The HLC voted at its June 9, 2008 meeting to submit a
de-designation proposal, as requested by the owner of the property, for the
interior of the building for consideration by City Council, which would
probably at its August meeting. The prospective buyer is still interested in
what the HLC would be willing to accept design wise in order to retain the
historic designation status of the interior of the building.
Mr. Gray presented proposed plans for the structure. Mr.
Elliott, Mr. Vieregg and Mr. Hensley were present to answer questions. Mr.
Paul Fomberg of the State Historic Preservation Office will meet with those
parties interested at 11:00 a.m. today. Mr. Fomberg will inform those
present what the state would be willing to accept in order for the property
to be eligible for tax credits.
HLC Staff Recommendations are as follow:
* Exterior- Elevations need to be supplied to the HLC so
that the changes to the rear of the building can be better understood.
* Tile on the front porch should match the existing.
* The heights of the parapet walls should not be altered.
* No changes to the designs of the existing windows should
be allowed.
* Interior - The interiors of the three front rooms of the
Charlotte Woman’s Club are critical interior elements, and every effort
should be made to preserve the original design of those rooms including the
architectural features (millwork, flooring, etc.,) and the interior space
itself. No new significant architectural features should be added to those
rooms, and the existing space should not be compromised with the addition of
new walls or doorways.
Recognizing the need to make the property work in a new
capacity, the interior of the building beyond the three front rooms could be
significantly altered to accommodate a change of use. With the understanding
that some original features would be lost, the owner would be encouraged to
rehabilitate the building using practices that allow for the retention of as
much original material as possible and that new features be installed in
such a way that they could be removed in the future without damaging the
remaining original features.
The Committee discussed all aspects of the situation
regarding potential restoration plans.
DR. MATTSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. JONES THAT A
RECOMMENDATION BE MADE TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STAFF
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CHARLOTTE WOMAN’S CLUB, 1001 E. MOREHEAD ST.,
CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE MOTION WITH MR. ASBURY
ABSTAINING IN THE VOTE.
Item #4 - The Grand Theater, 333 Beatties Ford
Road, Charlotte, N. C.
The owner of the Grand Theater is proposing to install a new
marquee on the building, replacing the existing windows and front doors, and
adding new awnings to the side and rear elevations. The project would also
include repair to the brickwork and rehabilitation of the interior.
MR. JONES PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. ASBURY TO
RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE GRAND THEATER, 333 BEATTIES FORD
ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED WITH THE PROVISO THAT HLC
STAFF REVIEW THE PLANS TO ASSURE THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING
STOREFRONT WINDOWS BE ACCOMPLISHED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO EMULATE THE
APPEARANCE OF THE ORIGINAL WINDOWS, INCLUDING THE PROFILE OF THE MUNTINS.
THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
No old business was presented. No new business was
presented. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.