Videos

Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C.

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Present:

Ms. Ava Autrey/County, Design Review Committee, Education Committee

Mr. Jeff Bradsher/County, HLC Vice-Chairman, Projects Committee V. Chair,

Survey Committee

Ms. Deborah Cox/City, HLC Sec., Survey Committee Chair, Projects Committee

Ms. Lindsay Daniel/County, Projects Committee, Survey Committee

Mr. Scott Hirsch/City, HLC Treas., Finance Com. Chair, Design Review Com.

Mr. D. Grier Martin, III/City, Design Review Committee, Survey Committee

Mr. Barry Miller/City, HLC Chairman, Design Review Committee Chairman

Mr. John Misenheimer/County, Survey Com. V. Chair, Projects Committee

Mr. John J. Parker, III/Mayor, Education Committee Chair, Projects Committee

Ms. Ross Richardson/County, Projects Committee, Survey Committee,

Parliamentarian

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Absent:

Ms. Tattie Bos/Mayor, Projects Committee Chair, HLC Revolving Fund Liaison,

Design Review Committee, Finance Committee

Mr. Van T. Hill, MHA (ex-officio)

Visitors:

Mr. Tony Pressley, President of Mecca Properties

Item #1 - Approval of Minutes

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRADSHER THAT THE MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 13, 1999, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Barry Miller

Mr. Miller welcomed everyone to the meeting. A copy of the Chairman’s Report is attached regarding HLC priorities. Mr. Miller reviewed attendance policies with the commissioners.

Item #3 - Director’s Report: Dan Morrill

A copy of the Director’s Report is attached.

Dr. Morrill congratulated the Commissioners on the HLC’s accomplishments for the past year. He said that the true secret of the HLC’s success has been its willingness to be on the cutting edge of preservation. Illustrations of such include the Post World War II Survey, the completion of the restoration of Street Car #1 by Charlotte Trolley, Inc., which was established by the HLC, the passage of the revolving fund bonds ($7.5million), and the completion of the James A. Blakeney House. He said that in the coming year he thinks that the HLC should establish procedures to assure the ongoing effectiveness of the revolving fund, seek money from the City for the revolving fund and enhance the quality of the website: cmhpf.org.

Mr. Miller asked that the Commissioners advance to Item #12, Old Business, on the Agenda in order to reconsider whether or not to recommend the Nebel Knitting Mill Annex for historic designation.

Item #12 - Old Business

Dr. Morrill distributed copies of a letter to the HLC from Dr. Richard Mattson regarding the significance of the Nebel Knitting Mill Annex. Dr. Mattson said that the potential significance of the property lies not in its architectural importance, but in its historical association with the Nebel Knitting Mill. He further added that changes in the fenestration, the signage, and the main entrance on the front facade have significantly altered the original 1946 design, but that the Annex may possess industrial significance, as it represents the physical evolution of the Nebel Knitting Mill Complex. He said that the building does retain its integrity of location, form, and materials, and illustrates the mill’s expansion after World War II to meet the demands of changing technology in hosiery manufacturing as well as consumer tastes. Mr. Pressley was present in support of the request for historic designation. Dr. Morrill reminded the Commissioners that the N. C. Division of Archives and History did not recommend historic designation of the Annex. The Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of recommending historic designation.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRADSHER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION CONTINUE THE DESIGNATION PROCESS FOR THE NEBEL KNITTING MILL ANNEX, 127 WEST WORTHINGTON AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N. C. (EXTERIOR AND LAND ASSOCIATED WITH THE TAX PARCEL) AND THAT THE COMMISSION SCHEDULE A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: ABSTAIN: MARTIN FAVOR: AUTREY, BRADSHER, DANIEL, HIRSCH, PARKER, MISENHEIMER OPPOSE: COX, MILLER, RICHARDSON.

Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Barry Miller

Mr. Miller reported that the Committee met Wednesday, January 5, 2000. Minutes are on file at the HLC office.

Mr. Miller reported that two historic properties were considered for Certificates of Appropriateness at the meeting.

a. Certificate of Appropriateness Application #99-35 for the Henry McAden House, 920 Granville, Road, Charlotte, N. C.

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE ISSUED TO THE OWNERS OF THE HENRY MCADEN HOUSE, 920 GRANVILLE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., APPROVING THE SWIMMING POOL AND THE PERGOLA AS DEPICTED ON THE PROPOSED PLANS SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION AND APPROVING THE FENCE AS DEPICTED ON THE AFORESAID PLANS EXCEPT THAT THE FENCE GATE, WHICH MAY BE ARCHED, SHALL BE COMPOSED OF THE SAME DESIGN AS THE FENCE, URNS CANNOT BE USED ON THE FENCE AND GATE COLUMNS, AND SCREEN PLANTINGS MUST BE PLACED IN FRONT OF THE FENCE AT THE OUTER EDGES OF BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE SO THAT THE HOUSE CAN CONTINUE TO BE IDENTIFIABLE AS A DISTINCT MASS. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

b. Certificate of Appropriateness Application #99-36 for the VanLandingham Estate, 2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, N. C.

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE PART OF APPLICATION #99-36 FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE ORANGERY (GREENHOUSE) AT THE VANLANDINGHAM ESTATE, 2010 THE PLAZA, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE ISSUED AS APPLIED FOR. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE PART OF APPLICATION #99-36 REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPOSED GARDEN ROOM BE APPROVED IN CONCEPT BUT THAT FINAL APPROVAL OF THE GARDEN ROOM MUST AWAIT SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS SHOWING HOW THE GARDEN ROOM SHALL ACTUALLY CONNECT TO THE HOUSE AT THE NEXT DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN TO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ORIGINAL MOTION A MOTION DISAPPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GARDEN ROOM PLAN CONCEPTUALLY AND AS PROPOSED IN APPLICATION #99-36 FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS DUE TO FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH STANDARDS #9 AND #10 IN THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR’S STANDARDS ; HOWEVER, SHOULD THE APPLICANT WISH TO RESUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR A GARDEN ROOM WITH AN ALTERNATE DESIGN WITHIN 90 DAYS, THE HLC WILL WAIVE THE APPLICATION FEE. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: ABSTAIN: NONE OPPOSE: BRADSHER, HIRSCH FAVOR: AUTREY, COX, DANIEL, MILLER, MISENHEIMER, PARKER, RICHARDSON.

THE MOTION, AS SUBSTITUTED, WAS APPROVED AS FOLLOWS: ABSTAIN: NONE OPPOSE: BRADSHER, HIRSCH FAVOR: AUTREY, COX, DANIEL, MARTIN, MILLER, MISENHEIMER, PARKER, RICHARDSON.

Item #5 - Projects Committee Report: Tattie Bos

Mr. Bradsher, Committee Vice-Chair, reported that the Projects Committee met January 6, 2000. Minutes are on file at the HLC office.

THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION SEEK TO AMEND THE CURRENT ORDINANCE WHICH STATES THAT THE REVOLVING FUND MONEY CAN ONLY BE SPENT ON LOCALLY DESIGNATED HISTORIC LANDMARKS TO INCLUDE A STATEMENT THAT THE REVOLVING FUND MONEY CAN ALSO BE USED TO PURCHASE, RENOVATE AND RESELL QUALIFIED PROPERTIES IN LOCALLY DESIGNATED HISTORIC DISTRICTS. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT LEE-MORGAN, INC., BE HIRED TO PERFORM PHASE I (TOTAL COST OF $32,247.00) OF THE W. T. ALEXANDER HOUSE RESTORATION PROJECT, MALLARD CREEK CHURCH ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., AS PRESENTED AND DESCRIBED BY LEE-MORGAN, INC., AT THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE MEETING ON JANUARY 6, 2000. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #6 - Revolving Fund Liaison’s Report: Tattie Bos

Mr. Bradsher reported that Dr. Morrill notified the Engineering and Building Standards Department that the HLC desires a projects manager for the HLC’s revolving fund projects who will be an employee of Building Standards and will provide part-time service as needed to the HLC for projects management of the HLC’s revolving fund and that the HLC expects to have a voice in the selection of the individual for this project management position. Mr. Bradsher said that Mr. Bill Warren, associate director of Engineering and Building Standards, wants to work with the HLC in selecting a project manager. He said that the HLC will need a team and that Building Standards will provide a team to select the project manager. The job description will be written by Building Standards; County Personnel will determine compensation; the position will be advertised, and the aim is to get five good candidates to be interviewed. The two teams would work under Bobby Shields, Director of Engineering and Building Standards. Mr. Miller asked Commission members to inform him if they are interested in being on the interview team.

Item #7 - Education Committee Report: John Parker

Mr. Parker reported that the Education Committee met January 4, 2000, at 6:00 p.m., at the HLC office. Mr. Parker said that four issues were discussed: 1) Regional Preservation Conference 2) Job Description for Commission Members 3) Budget Request 4) HLC Website. A copy of the Chairman’s Report which discusses each issue is attached.

THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION WILL ORGANIZE AND HOST IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY A HALF-DAY REGIONAL PRESERVATION CONFERENCE OF THE COMMISSION AND STAFFS OF THE PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS OF COUNTIES CONTIGUOUS TO MECKLENBURG COUNTY TO BE HELD SOMETIME IN THE SPRING, AND THAT THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING THE CONFERENCE. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #8 - Survey Committee Report: Deborah Cox

Ms. Cox reported that the Survey Subcommittee/Study List will meet January 12, 2000, at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office. She reported that the Survey Committee Meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2000, at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office.

Item #9 - Treasurer’s Report: Scott Hirsch

No motions were presented.

Item #10 - Reports on Designated Historic Landmarks

a. Ms. Autrey/Fourth Ward (17; Third Ward (2)

Ms. Autrey visited all of the properties and commented on the condition of each property in the attached report.

Item #11 - Associated Boards Report:

a. Lynnwood Foundation: Grier Martin

Mr. Martin reported that he is attending the meetings of the Lynnwood Foundation as scheduled. Ms. Sharon Decker was replaced as director by Ms. Cindy Patterson.

b. Charlotte Trolley, Inc: John Misenheimer

Mr. Misenheimer reported that he attended the December meeting of Charlotte Trolley, Inc. on behalf of the HLC. The HLC currently owns Trolley #85 and Trolley #1, but the HLC expects to transfer title of Trolley #1 to Charlotte Trolley, Inc., within a few weeks.

c. Historic Charlotte, Inc.: Tattie Bos

Mr. Martin reported that the next board meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2000. He presented a gift of an engraved plate to the HLC in appreciation for its support of Historic Charlotte’s 1999 fall fundraising event.

d. History Consortium: John Parker

Mr. Parker reported that he had not attended a recent meeting of the Consortium, but that he plans to attend the next scheduled meeting.

e. Mecklenburg Historical Association: Van Hill

Dr. Morrill reported that Dr. Thomas Hanchett will speak at the next meeting.

f. 2010 Center City Plan/Citizens’ Advisory Board: Deborah Cox

Ms. Cox reported that a draft copy of the plan is expected to be presented soon.

Item #12 - Old Business

No further motions were presented.

Item #13 - New Business

Dr. Morrill reported that he and Mr. Miller met with Dr. Tom McCoy, Mr. Parks Helms, and Mr. Ron Aldridge of the Catawba Lands Conservancy to discuss the prospect of the County’s using its land bank funds to purchase the McCoy Slave Cemetery (McCoy Road) and its environs for preservation purposes.

MR. BRADSHER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. COX THAT DR. MORRILL BE AUTHORIZED TO WRITE A LETTER TO H. PARKS HELMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ON BEHALF OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION STATING THAT THE HLC ENDORSES THE FACT THAT THE McCOY SLAVE CEMETERY IS AN IMPORTANT REMNANT OF MECKLENBURG COUNTY’S HISTORY AND THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD GIVE THE MOST SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO PURCHASING IT AND ITS ENVIRONS WITH COUNTY LAND BANK FUNDS. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Daniel said that she continues to be concerned about the preservation of creek basins in Mecklenburg County. The Commissioners agreed that Ms. Daniel should pursue conversations with the Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission concerning the need to identify and preserve historic creek basins in Mecklenburg County.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.