Charlotte-Mecklenburg

September 9, 2008

Location: 2100 Randolph Rd., Charlotte, NC

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Mr. Richard Alsop, III/Mayor, HLC Chair

Mr. Louis Asbury, IV/County

Mr. Matthew Benson/Mayor, Design Review Com. Chair

Mr. William T. Hobbs/County

Ms. Yolanda Johnson/City, Finance Committee Chair

Dr. Richard Mattson/County, Survey Com. Chair

Mr. Gray Newman/County, Projects Committee Chair

Ms. Laura C. Smith/City, HLC Treasurer

Dr. Lynn Weis/City, HLC Secretary

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Preservation Planner

Ms. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Ms. Mary Dominick, HLC Consultant

Mr. Frank Bragg/City

Ms. Yolanda Law/County, HLC Vice-Chair

Mr. Len Norman/County

Diane Althouse, Ex. Director Historic Charlotte, Inc.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE HLC MINUTES FOR AUGUST 11, 2008, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

DR. WEIS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR AUGUST 11, 2008, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Mr. Alsop

Mr. Alsop welcomed everyone to the meeting. He told the Commissioners to consult with Ms. Morrill if changes are needed on the distributed roster or attendance sheet.

Item #3 - Consulting Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill

Dr. Morrill asked that the Commissioners consider an Action Item regarding the rental house at White Oak Plantation which is owned by the HLC.

MR. HOBBS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. SMITH THAT UP TO $3500 BE ALLOCATED FROM THE REVOLVING FUND FOR REPAIRS FOR THE RENTAL HOUSE AT WHITE OAK PLANTATION ON HOOD ROAD. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that Ms. Mary Dominick will be continuing her work with the HLC until January 1, 2009. Thereafter, if necessary and if he is available, Mr. Bill Jeffers will assume her responsibilities.

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC staff met with the realtor of the Walker’s Grocery Store in the Belmont neighborhood. Subsequently, the realtor discussed possible value with the owner and reported the sales price. The difference was so substantial that HLC Staff concluded that further negotiations would be fruitless. This past Friday the realtor for the owner called and suggested that the HLC submit its maximum price. Dr. Morrill said that the HLC can consider the situation in Executive Session later in the meeting.

Dr. Morrill said that HLC Staff anticipates receiving a proposal from Mr. David Furman about a possible joint project in Dilworth. When received, Staff will review the proposal with the Projects Committee.

Dr. Morrill said that Mr. Robert Schmidt and son, Mr. Karl Schmidt, have been working to complete the final upfit of the Sidney and Ethel Grier House, 4747 Grier Farm Lane. Everything is on schedule for a late September closing.

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC is still awaiting a resolution of the issue as to whether or not it can pass through Tax Credits on projects it initiates. Ms. Nystrom reported that she and Ms. Yolanda Law are consulting with a tax attorney on the matter.

Dr. Morrill reported that HLC Staff is opening commercial charge accounts with several vendors, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Queen City Lumber Co. and Duron Pain Co. These accounts will allow the HLC to work more efficiently with small contracting firms. This will be used exclusively for projects, and the invoices will be paid from the revolving fund.

Mr. Steve DeConti, the contract for the Grier-Rea House, 7601 Providence Rd., Charlotte, N. C., has met with HLC Staff, according to Dr. Morrill. Mr. Bryan Turner is the Project Manager for the Grier-Rea House. Mr. DeConti expects to finish his work on the structure by September 15, 2008. Thereafter, a determination will be made as to what work still needs to be done to market the house effectively. Mattson-Alexander Associates is processing the house for potential listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

The issue of resolving encroachment issues at the Torrence Lytle School continues, Dr. Morrill reported. He said that Mr. Turner and Ms. Nystrom are working on the matter.

Dr. Morrill said that an issue arose during the past month regarding the prospective use of the New Style GM Bus in a Labor Day parade. CATS was unwilling to provide liability coverage, and on the advice of Ms. Nystrom, Staff did not allow the bus to be used.

Dr. Morrill reported that a public hearing with the Charlotte City Council to consider the designation of the Second Ward High School Gymnasium as a historic landmarks will occur on September 15, 2008.

Dr. Morrill said that the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority has invited him to come to an upcoming Board meeting to raise again the issue of the historic designation of the original Charlotte Coliseum. He will appear at the November meeting.

Dr. Morrill said that the HLC Staff has been endeavoring for months to obtain CSX Railroad’s agreement to sell the P & N Railroad Thrift. Those efforts have not been successful. HLC Staff will be working to make the community more aware of the historic significance of the structure.

Dr. Morrill reported that an issue has arisen with respect to the Gluyas House which was a revolving fund project. Deed covenants stipulated that an undisturbed buffer was to be maintained at the boundaries of the property. Some adjoining property owners are violating those covenants. HLC Staff will write a letter to those owners stipulating that the covenants were an important component of the preservation plan for the house.

Item #4 - Design Review Committee Report: Mr. Benson

Mr. Benson reported that the next Design Review Committee meeting is scheduled for October 29, 2008.

Item #5 - Survey Committee Report: Dr. Mattson

Dr. Mattson reported that the next Survey Committee meeting will be held October 1, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. at the HLC office.

MR. BENSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE SOLOMON AND SHIRLEY LEVINE HOUSE (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR AND LOT ON WHICH THE HOUSE SITS) BE PROCESSED INDEPENDENTLY FROM OTHER MODERNIST STRUCTURES FOR CONSIDERATION FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that the comment letter has been received from the N. C. Division of Archives and History for the S. B. Alexander House.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BENSON THAT THE S. B. ALEXANDER HOUSE, 250 CHEROKEE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N.C CONTINUE IN THE PROCESSING FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH DR. MATTSON ABSTAINING IN THE VOTE.

Item #6 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Newman

Mr. Newman said that the HLC needs to consider the Walker’s Grocery Store in the Belmont neighborhood. Ms. Johnson left the room at this point and returned at the end of the Executive Session.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY DR. MATTSON THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. SMITH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. ASBURY THAT THE HLC CONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Note: In Executive Session the HLC voted that the HLC’s Projects Committee discuss the Walker’s Grocery Store in the Belmont neighborhood and make recommendations for the HLC’s consideration.

Item #7 - Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Smith

Ms. Smith distributed the current financial report and explained the data.

No old business was considered.

Ms. Althouse distributed invitations to Wing Haven on Friday, September 26, 2008, 6:30 p.m., to celebrate Wing Haven’s being designated as a local historic landmark. She also invited the HLC to Historic Charlotte’s Blast for the Past event on Oct. 16. Mr. Weis commended Ms. Althouse for her good work. The HLC applauded her.

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.