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Director's Report October 10, 2011
Action Items. 1. Guidelines for HLC funding of Survey and Research Reports. Staff was directed to develop guidelines to govern the Commission's paying for Survey and Research Reports on prospective historic landmarks. There is $12,500 in the HLC Budget to fund five such reports, assuming that each report costs $2500. The Director has been given the authority to prepare reports for $2500 each if the Chair of the Survey Committee concurs. The Director has been given the authority to select consultants to perform reports if the total fee for each report does not exceed $2500. Otherwise, the Commission must approve the selection of the Consultant. To date the Commission has not established guidelines to govern when it funds Survey and Research Reports. It has given approval for such funding on an ad hoc basis. Here are the proposed guidelines staff has developed. They are presented for your discussion and possible action. As a general rule, the Commission may pay up to $2500 for Survey and Research Reports on prospective historic landmarks when funds for such purpose exist and when: 1. The Commission has placed the property on its list of prospective historic landmarks; and 2. The owner of the property demonstrates that funding a report on his, her, or its own would constitute an extreme economic hardship; or 3. The Commission determines that expediting the completion of the report is warranted because of the severe level of endangerment which the property possesses: or 4. The Commission determines that the property possesses a high level of historic or cultural significance and ascertains that there is little or no prospect that alternative sources for funding a report exist. 2. Preservation Strategy for the Abernethy House on W. Eastway Dr., Charlotte, N.C.
On Friday, September 30th, staff received a letter (see below) from NorthEnd Partners. The letter proposes that the HLC and Preservation North Carolina work with NorthEnd Partners to investigate preservation solutions for the Abernethy House on W. Eastway Drive. The house, most likely erected in the early 1900s, originally stood on North Tryon St. where a Ford Automobile dealership is now located. The house is not a designated historic landmark. Staff recommends that the HLC participate in such an effort. Accordingly, Staff recommends that the HLC place the Abernethy House on its Study List of prospective historic landmarks and fund a Survey and Research Report.
Attn: Dr. Dan Morrill, Consulting Director
Dear Dr. Morrill,
In 2009, the Abernethy House, a Colonial Revival house moved in 2001 to the heart of the N. Tryon redevelopment area, was designated a Historic Property by Preservation North Carolina. The house was purchased and renovated by Angeline Dunlap, returning it to its original elegance. Following a series of adverse circumstances, the house is now approaching foreclosure. We humbly request and suggest that the Commission step-in and save this historic residence.
If the house is not purchased, it will go into foreclosure on October 20th, 2011.
Members of the Board of NorthEnd Partners, the advocacy group for the businesses and communities along the N. Tryon corridor, propose to work with Preservation North Carolina to find, at minimum, an individual or organization to lease the property until it can be sold. We realize that the Commission’s goal is to put the property in the hands of a responsible owner, and we will work toward that end.
We look forward to talking with you and to working with you to save the Abernethy House.
Sincerely
Charity Kimmel Executive Director Information Items. 1. White Oak Plantation, 7729 Hood Road, Charlotte, N.C. The original contractor selected has been unable to perform. Bryan Turner is arranging for another contractor to undertake the work. 2. Grier-Rea House, 6701 Providence Road, Charlotte, N.C. An issue has arisen regarding how a lease would affect the status of the Federal and State Investment Tax Credits available to a buyer. Staff is investigating the matter. The rezoning is otherwise in process. 3. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, N.C. At its October meeting the Design Review Committee will consider an Application For A Certificate of Appropriateness for a Visitors Center at Rural Hill. 4. Park Avenue Streetscape, 408 – 427 Park Avenue, Pineville, North Carolina. The Town Board of Pineville voted to continue until November its Public Hearing to consider the designation of the Park Avenue Streetscape. 5. Thrift Depot of the Piedmont and Northern Railroad Company, 8030 Old Mt. Holly Road, Charlotte, N.C. Staff has talked with City officials who have expressed a willingness to work with the Commission to attempt to develop a preservation strategy for the building. Discussions with the North Carolina Department of Transportation are on-going. 6. Dr. George E. Davis House, 301 Campus Street in Charlotte, N.C. A A Groundbreaking Ceremony for the renovation of the house will be held on October 13th at 8 a.m. I will attend. I am sure all Commissioners would be welcome. 7. Pineville Savings and Loan, 314 Main Street, Pineville, N.C. The Commission will consider a counterproposal for the prospective purchase of the Pineville Savings and Loan Building. 8. Younts House, 136 Main Street, Pineville, N.C. The house has been purchased by a party that will renovate the house and occupy it as an office. 9. Upcoming Public Hearings. The Charlotte City Council will vote this month on resolutions to hold Public Hearings for the prospective historic landmark designation of the Eastover School and the John B. Ross and Company Mill. 10. Torrence-Lytle School. Staff was contacted by the County Manager's Office about neighborhood complaints about the condition of the buildings. Staff has responded and has made the neighbors aware of the HLC's efforts to secure an agreement with the Landmarks Group to renovate the property. Neighbors may appear at the November meeting of the Commission to express their concerns.
12. S.W. & C.S. Davis General Store, Bob Beatty Road, Charlotte, N.C. The first phase of work has been completed.
Respectfully submitted, Dan Morrill
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