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Director's Report
May 8, 2006
A. Action Items.
1. Staff has
received a letter from Archives and History affirming the special
significance of the McAuley Road Farmland but questioning the inclusion
of two portions of the land currently included in the proposed historic
landmark. Staff believes that the adjustment in the boundaries is
justified and recommends that the Commission continue with the
designation process.

2. Staff has
received a letter from Archives and History affirming the special
significance of the Siloam School but wants the Survey and Research
Report to include information regarding the similarity of the design of
the school to that found in Rosenwald Schools. Staff believes that
with the inclusion of this information in the Survey and Research Report
the designation process should continue.

B. Information
Items.
1. The Historic
Landmarks Commission prepared a Survey and Research Report on the
Tuckaseegee Ford in 2000 but postponed processing the property for
Historic Landmark designation because of uncertainties arising from the
development of a White Water Park on the site. Staff believes that
the time has come to initiate the processing of the Tuckaseegee Ford for
historic landmark designation and will bring this matter before the
Commission at the June meeting. This will give ample time to
notify the owner of the impending action by the Commission.
Click here to see the Survey and
Research Report on the Tuckaseegee Ford.
2. . Jason Nichols, a
student intern, has completed identifying the contents of the N. S.
Alexander House. I will be meeting with him this week to arrange a
meeting with the owner. Interestingly, a large collection of
historic photographs of the family and house have been found.
3. The Charlotte
City Council did approve a change of the boundaries of the Neel House
Historic Landmark at its meeting on April 17th. Stewart Gray
appeared for the Commission.

4. Jennifer Payne,
a UNCC graduate student,
continues to work with the Town of Davidson on its comprehensive
preservation plan. She has completed the contextual essay on the
built environment of Davidson and has completed three Survey and
Research Reports.
5. Public hearings
will occur on June 19th with the Charlotte City Council. Staff
will advise you of the time. The properties involved are the Siloam
School and the Dilworth City House.
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| Dilworth City House |
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| Siloam School |
5. Public hearings
will occur on June 5th with the Huntersville Town Board regarding
the McAuley Road Farmland and the Bradford Store. Staff will advise
you of the time. The properties involved are the Siloam School and the
Dilworth City House.
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| McAuley Farm Land |
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| Bradford Store |
6. The County Staff
is still working on a proposed operational budget for the Historic Landmarks
Commission. Work is still underway.
7. Staff has
submitted an Application for a Preservation Honor Award to the National
Trust For Historic Preservation. Notification of winners will
occur in the fall.
8. Two historic
landmarks might be subject to development in the near future.
Staff has met with realtors who are listing the Parks Cramer property in
South End. Also, prospective buyers of a portion of the Blakeney
House historic landmarks have asked to meet with Staff.
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Historic Photograph of the Blakeney House |
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Parks Cramer |
9. A situation has
arisen with respect to the stabilization of the Bathesda School at Rural
Hill. Officials of the Catawba Valley Scottish Society are
questioning the level and timing of improvements to the building.
Bryan Turner and Stewart Gray will be visiting the site tomorrow to
assess the situation. In October 2005 the Historic Landmarks
Commission passed the following motion.
MS. SMITH PRESENTED
A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. HOCKETT THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION
PAY AN ADDITIONAL $22,000 FOR PUTTING THE BATHESDA SCHOOL BUILDING ON A
PERMANENT FOUNDATION AND FOR A ROOF ON THE BATHESDA SCHOOL. THE
COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Respectfully submitted
Dan L. Morrill
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