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

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.

Ms. Tattie Bos/Mayor, HLC Sec., Des. Rev. V. Chairman

Mr. Jeff Bradsher/County, HLC Chairman

Ms. Amy Hockett/City, Design Review Committee Chairman

Ms. Yolanda Johnson-Gess/City, Projects Com. V. Chairman

Mr. Joseph B. C. Kluttz/County, Projects Com. Chairman

Ms. Valerie Lewis/City, Education Com. V. Chairman (1st Mtg.)

Mr. John E. Misenheimer/County, HLC Vice-Chairman, Rural Hill School Chr.

Mr. Len Norman/County, Survey Committee Chairman

Mr. John J. Parker, III/Mayor, Survey Committee V. Chairman

Ms. Ross Richardson/County, Education Committee Chairman

Ms. Laura Smith/City (1st Meeting)

Mr. Mike Sullivan/County, HLC Treas., Finance Committee Chairman

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager

Ms. Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney

Mr. Stewart Gray, HLC Consultant

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

None

Mr. Peter Pappas, Pappas Properties

Mr. Fritz Reshkoff, Pappas Properties

Ms. Scott Hirsch, HLC member for seven years (1996 - 2003)

MR. PARKER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. RICHARDSON THAT THE MINUTES FOR JUNE 9, 2003, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. BOS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN THAT THE EXECUTIVE MINUTES FOR JUNE 9, 2003, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

MS. RICHARDSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. SULLIVAN THAT THE MINUTES FOR JULY 16, 2004, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

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

Mr. Bradsher welcomed everyone to the meeting. He extended a special welcome to Ms. Lewis and Ms. Smith as new members.

Mr. Bradsher presented Mr. Hirsch with an HLC Appreciation Plaque and a Certificate of Appreciation for his seven years of service as a member of the HLC. Mr. Bradsher told Mr. Hirsch that the time, energy, expertise, interest and dedication he has contributed are appreciated by everyone.

Mr. Bradsher said that HLC rosters for the coming year can be found at each seat. He asked that Ms. Morrill be informed when changes are needed for addresses, etc. He said that he has made the following appointments for the new fiscal year: Projects Committee Chairman - Mr. Kluttz, Vice-Chairman - Ms. Johnson-Gess; Education Committee Chairman - Ms. Richardson, Vice-Chairman - Ms. Lewis; Design Review Committee Chairman - Ms. Hockett, Vice-Chairman - Ms. Bos; Survey Committee Chairman - Mr. Norman, Vice-Chairman - Mr. Parker; Finance Committee Chairman - Mr. Sullivan, Rural Hill Schoolhouse Chairman - Mr. Misenheimer; Nominating Committee Chairman - to be appointed in the second half of the new year. Mr. Bradsher said that he had made committee appointments and that Committee Chairmen are only required to serve on one committee. He said that all HLC members are welcome to attend meetings of the Projects, Survey, Design Review and Education Committees.

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

Dr. Morrill reported that since the June HLC meeting, four properties have been designated as historic landmarks. These included the Oakley House, the Calvin Neal House, Bryant Park and Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery.

Dr. Morrill reported that Staff continues to work on the final determination of boundaries for the Washam Farm. As soon as that process is complete, the HLC will move forward with processing the property for prospective designation by the Huntersville Town Board.

Dr. Morrill said that the owner of Cedar Grove Plantation is requesting that the amount of land included in the designation be reduced. He said that the HLC must consider the matter for action.

MS. BOS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO THE TOWN BOARD OF HUNTERSVILLE THAT THE CEDAR GROVE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED TO REFLECT THE INCLUSION OF THE REDUCED ACREAGE. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill told the Commissioners that the HLC was asked by the Huntersville Town Board to consider recommending historic designation for the entire 135 plus acre parcel located on Huntersville-Concord Road, containing the historic Oehler House and the historic McAuley House. Commission Staff has judged that the property possesses special significance and bases its judgment on the following consideration:

a (approximately 98.5 acres of the current property appears to have been purchased by George Oehler in 1852. The Oehler House is located on this portion of the property. the property was willed to two of the Oehlers’ sons, Miles and James, by Elizabeth Oehler in 1883. b) In 1895 Miles, who inherited the Oehler House, purchased the remainder of the current acreage from the widow, Margaret Pharr. c) The farm property is a tangible reminder of the agricultural economy that shaped life in largely rural nineteenth-century Mecklenburg County. d) Designation of the additional farm property could enhance the rural setting of the George and Elizabeth Oehler House, recalling the rural landscape of pre-twentieth century Mecklenburg County.

MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. KLUTTZ THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION TABLE THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROCESS CONCERNING THE McAULEY AND OEHLER PROPERTY UNTIL JANUARY 2004 AND THAT A LETTER BE WRITTEN TO THE COUNTY ASKING THAT NO CHANGES BE MADE IN THE LAND SURROUNDING THE OEHLER HOUSE UNTIL THE HLC VOTES ON THE SITUATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill showed a photograph of the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant and said that Eckerd Corporation owns the original plant buildings designed by industrial architect Albert Kahn. After several months of consideration, Eckerd has decided to oppose designation for the property. The sprawling complex has a total of five owners, and two have voiced support for historic designation. Dr. Morrill reported that the building appears not to be in immediate danger and that the building owned by Eckerd is the most significant historic component of the complex.

MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION TERMINATE THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROCESS FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that Queens University, owner of the Lethco House, 2038 Roswell Avenue, Charlotte, N. C., is seeking historic designation for only the exterior of the house itself. A letter was distributed to the HLC from Laurie Guy, Vice President of the University.

MS. BOS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. RICHARDSON THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION RECOMMEND ONLY THE EXTERIOR OF THE LETHCO HOUSE, 2038 ROSWELL AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N. C., FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill said that Mr. Wayne Weston, Director of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, has requested that the matter of historic designation for the American Legion Memorial Stadium, be tabled until such time as HLC Staff and an HLC subcommittee can enter into discussions with the Park and Recreation Commission’s Special Projects Subcommittee to determine what portions of the stadium might be preserved as future development of the site occurs. Dr. Morrill distributed a copy of the letter from Mr. Weston. Dr. Morrill said that staff recommends that the designation process be tabled until January 2004 so that discussion with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation can occur.

MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON-GESS THAT THE DESIGNATION PROCESS FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION MEMORIAL STADIUM BE TABLED UNTIL JANUARY 2004 SO THAT DISCUSSIONS WITH MECKLENBURG COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION CAN OCCUR. THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FAVOR: BRADSHER, HOCKETT, JOHNSON-GESS, KLUTTZ, LEWIS, MISENHEIMER, NORMAN, PARKER, RICHARDSON, SMITH, SULLIVAN OPPOSE: BOS ABSTAIN: NONE.

Dr. Morrill said that Mr. Merle King, owner of the Bethesda School, at the corner of Eastfield and Alexandriana Roads, which has been placed on the Study List for the National Register of Historic Places and which is the oldest extant African American primary school building in Mecklenburg County, is requesting that the HLC determine whether it would commit itself to purchase the aforesaid property when sufficient money from the Revolving Fund becomes available. Mr. King has agreed to a specific selling price and is willing to withdraw the property from the market if the HLC agrees to purchase it at some point in the future. Dr. Morrill said that HLC Staff recommends that Staff strongly consider making a commitment to purchase the Bethesda School and refer the matter to the Projects Committee for a recommendation to be presented at the October meeting of the HLC.

MS. RICHARDSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. HOCKETT THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION STRONGLY CONSIDER MAKING A COMMITMENT TO PURCHASE THE BETHESDA SCHOOL AND THAT THE HLC REFER THE MATTER TO THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE FOR A RECOMMENDATION TO BE PRESENTED AT THE OCTOBER MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that Pappas Properties has worked with Staff during July to develop plans for a new entrance to Building A at the Charlotte Cotton Mills and modifications to the rear of the building. Dr. Morrill showed photographs of the property. He said that the owner is requesting that the HLC consider whether the proposed changes meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines and to act on it Application for a Minor Works Certificate of Appropriateness. The proposed canopy will be made of steel tube and channel with a standing seam roof. It will abut and will not be affixed to the brick face of the building. The owner has agreed to take record photographs of the window that will be removed and to deposit the photographs and negatives with the Historic Landmarks Commission. This will allow the windows to be replaced in the future. The rear doorway is being placed in an existing doorway and will not require the removal of original material. Mr. Pappas answered questions from Commissioners. Dr. Morrill said that HLC Staff judges that the proposed changes and associated requirements for documentation meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines.

MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER THAT A MINOR WORKS CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS BE ISSUED FOR A NEW ENTRANCE TO BUILDING "A" AT THE CHARLOTTE COTTON MILLS AND FOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE REAR OF THE BUILDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRESENTED PLANS. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FAVOR: BRADSHER, HOCKETT, JOHNSON-GESS, KLUTTZ, LEWIS, MISENHEIMER, NORMAN, PARKER, RICHARDSON, SMITH, SULLIVAN OPPOSE: BOS.

Dr. Morrill reported that the recent buyer of the former Hunter Dairy property on Shopton Road in southern Mecklenburg County intends to demolish the Lizard Hill School House in the near future unless it is moved. He said that he has contacted Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and arranged a meeting for August 20th with Mr. John DeKemper. The purpose will be to discuss if there is park land to which it could be moved. The HLC would have to pay to move the structure and would have to arrange for continuing upkeep. The issue is whether or not the HLC wishes to pursue the matter. Dr. Morrill reported that Dr. Billy Graham’s father attended the Lizard Hill School House.

MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. JOHNSON-GESS THAT DR. MORRILL PRESENT FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIZARD HILL SCHOOL HOUSE REGARDING THE INTENTIONS OF PARK AND RECREATION, ETC. AT THE HLC’S SEPTEMBER MEETING. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC has received an appraisal on the W. T. Alexander Plantation. Negotiations continue with the prospective buyer with the adjacent property owner concerning an access easement.

Dr. Morrill reported that conversations with Russ Crider, Associate County Manager, and Tom Cox, BOCC Chairman, were most informative and productive. The HLC will be asked this fall, as will all other County agencies, to make a presentation explaining the value of its endeavors.

Dr. Morrill reported that the Auxiliary Pavilion at Rural Hill Plantation is completed. Plans are underway to have a formal dedication.

Dr. Morrill reported that he and Mr. Gray have begun the Survey of Center City Charlotte. He said that the results are on the website. He said that he and Mr. Gray welcome all comments and that they hope to have the Survey completed by the first part of 2004.

Dr. Morrill reported that the County Public Service and Information Department will be meeting with the Education committee to discuss placing the HLC’s website homepage on the County server.

Item #4 - Education Committee Report: Ms. Richardson

Ms. Richardson reported that the Education Committee met at 5:30 p.m. today. Minutes from the meeting can be found on the HLC’s website.

Item #5 - Projects Committee Report: Mr. Kluttz

Mr. Kluttz reported that the Projects Committee will meet Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office. He said that after this meeting the Projects Committee will meet the first Monday in each month.

Mr. Turner distributed a Projects Status Report.

Item #6 - Survey Committee Report: Mr. Norman

Mr. Norman reported that the Survey Committee will have its first meeting of the new fiscal year on Monday, September 29, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office.

Item #7 - Design Review Committee Report: Ms. Hockett

Ms. Hockett reported that the Design Review Committee will meet Tuesday, August 26, at 6:00 p.m., at the HLC office.

Item #8 - Rural Hill Schoolhouse Report: Mr. Misenheimer

Mr. Misenheimer reported that he has been elected to the Board of the Catawba Valley Scottish Society. He said that an Executive Director is being sought for Rural Hill Plantation. He said that the HLC might wish to celebrate the grand opening of the Davidson Schoolhouse at Rural Hill in conjunction with the welcoming event for the new director.

Item #9 - Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Sullivan

Mr. Sullivan reported that he has been in contact with Mr. Turner about the financial condition of the HLC’s bond funds. He said that before the HLC votes on using money that it needs to know how much money is available. He said that Mr. Turner prepares monthly financial reports showing expenditures, obligations and balances and that he, Jr. Kluttz and Ms. Johnson-Gess will constantly monitor the financial situation. Mr. Turner said that the Internal Audit Department of the County will be assisting the Commission sometime this fall.

Mr. Sullivan said that he hopes that the HLC can campaign for more bond fund money. He said that the Finance Committee is responsible for seeking political support for monetary needs and requests from the HLC. He said that he will keep everyone informed about all developments.

Mr. Sullivan reported that the HLC received $136,099 for its operating budget for the new fiscal year which began July 1 and ends June 30. He said that the breakdown of the allocations and the monthly reports from the County’s Finance Department are kept in the finance notebook and are available for inspection by HLC members. HLC invoices are paid by the Finance Department and the monthly computer reports from the County reflect the expenditures.

There was no old business.

There was no new business.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.