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Minutes

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

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Present:

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

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

Design Review Committee Finance Committee

Mr. Jeff Bradsher/County, Projects Committee V. Chairman, Survey Committee

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

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

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

Ms. Kay Majeski/MHA (ex-officio)

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

Mr. Barry Miller/City, HLC V. Chair, Design Review Com. Chair, Education Committee

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

Mr. Frank Whitney/County, Education Committee, Projects Committee

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director

Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant

Ms. Emily D. Ramsey, Consultant /Nebel Knitting Mill Annex Report

Absent:

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

Visitors:

Tom Evans, Baxter Davidson House owner

Dave Ritch, Historic Charlotte, Inc. President

Dottie Coplon, Jonesville A.M.E. Zion Church

Bob Bradshaw, Jonesville A.M.E. Zion Church adjoining property( Attorney)

Louie B. Davis, Jonesville A.M.E. Zion Church

John Robinson, Jonesville A.M.E. Zion Church

Margaret Robinson, Jonesville A.M.E. Zion Church

Frankie B. Johnson, Jonesville A.M. E. Zion Church

The Rev. Monroe Culp, Jonesville A.M. E. Zion Church

Ms. Jen Pilla, Charlotte Observer

Item #1 - Approval of Minutes

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. BOS THAT THE MINUTES FOR AUGUST 9, 1999, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #2 - Chairman’s Report: Lindsay Daniel

A copy of the Chairman’s report is attached.

Ms. Daniel welcomed everyone to the meeting. Ms. Daniel said that Ms. Lisa Hankin has resigned her position on the Historic Landmarks Commission and as Chairman of the Design Review Committee. She said that Ms. Hankin is moving to New York immediately due to her husband’s new job. Ms. Daniel said that we would all miss Ms. Hankin and will remember her fine contributions to the HLC. She said that Mr. Miller will assume the job as Chairman of the Design Review Committee.

Ms. Daniel asked Mr. Ritch, President of Historic Charlotte, Inc., to present information regarding the Davidson Schoolhouse at Rural Hill. Mr. Ritch reported that the Catawba Valley Scottish Society is interested in the Schoolhouse, which is under the jurisdiction of the Historic Landmarks Commission and Historic Charlotte, Inc., being the theme of a maze, School Days Maze, July 15 - September 30, 2000 at Rural Hill.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MILLER THAT THE DAVIDSON SCHOOLHOUSE AT RURAL HILL BE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN THE SCHOOL DAYS MAZE JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 2000. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Daniel asked that the Commissioners give special consideration to the distributed suggestions concerning time allowed for Design Review, the powers given to HLC Committees, etc. in the interest of shortening the length of the monthly HLC meetings.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MILLER THAT MS. DANIEL’S RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING WAYS TO SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF THE MONTHLY HLC MEETINGS BE DISCUSSED AND CONSIDERED AT THE OCTOBER MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #3 - Vice Chairman’s Report: Barry Miller

No motions were presented.

Item #4 - Director’s Report: Dan L. Morrill

A copy of the Director’s Report is attached.

Dr. Morrill asked the Commissioners to consider continuing the designation process for the E. L. Baxter Davidson House, 1115 Colville Road, Charlotte, N. C. due to the fact that the N. C. Division of Archives and History contends that a case for individual significance of the site has not been made. Dr. Morrill said that the house, a two-story brick-veneered house with Craftsman-style features, is one of the very first built along this particular section of Providence Road and is one of the very oldest houses in the Pharrsdale Section. He said that this is the only structure remaining in Mecklenburg County that is directly associated with E. L. Baxter Davidson’s life as an adult. He said that Mr. Davidson was a major donor to Davidson College and was responsible for the building of the stone walls at Williams Memorial Presbyterian Church, Hopewell Presbyterian Church, the Rural Hill marker at Neck Road and Beatties Ford Road, the General William Lee Davidson Marker at Beatties Ford Road and Highway 73, the wall surrounding the Rural Hill Cemetery (where he is buried) and the Mecklenburg County Marker(now destroyed) on "Meck Neck." Mr. Evans was present in support of the house being considered for historic designation.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRADSHER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION MOVE FORWARD WITH THE DESIGNATION PROCESS FOR THE E. L. BAXTER DAVIDSON HOUSE, 1115 COLVILLE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Daniel asked that the Commission consider moving to the Survey Report next on the agenda due to the fact that most of the visitors are present for this portion of the agenda regarding the consideration of placements of properties on the HLC’s Study List.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRADSHER THAT THE SURVEY COMMITTEE’S REPORT BE CONSIDERED NEXT ON THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION‘S AGENDA. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #9 - Survey Committee Report: Deborah Cox

Ms. Cox reported that the Survey Committee met September 2, 1999. Minutes from the meeting were distributed in the monthly mailing and are on file at the HLC office. Ms. Cox said that sub-committee meetings are scheduled regarding the Study List (Sept. 15, Sept. 29, Oct. 13) and Betterments (Sept. 16, Sept. 30, Oct. 14). She reported that a sub-committee meeting was held September 9th to review applicants for the HLC’s Post World War II Survey.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE JONESVILLE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH PROPERTY, 5527 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PARKWAY, CHARLOTTE, N. C., AND A PORTION OF THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNED BY CATO FAMILY ENTERPRISES, L. L. C., THAT WOULD PRESERVE THE CHURCH PROPERTY’S VISTA, BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST.

Dr. Morrill showed slides of the property. Mr. Bradshaw, an attorney representing Cato Family Enterprises, L. L. C., said that his client is opposed to the proposed portion of property being considered which is not owned by the church being placed on the HLC’s Study List. Church members and representatives spoke in support of the historic significance of the land.

MR. MARTIN PRESENTED A SUBSTITUTE MOTION SECONDED BY MR. PARKER THAT THE JONESVILLE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH PROPERTY, 5527 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PARKWAY, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN TO TERMINATE DEBATE REGARDING THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FAVOR: AUTREY, DANIEL, HIRSCH, MARTIN, PARKER, WHITNEY OPPOSE: BOS, BRADSHER, COX, MILLER ABSTAIN: NONE.

A very lengthy discussion ensued regarding the property before and after the above motion.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MARTIN TO TERMINATE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE DISCUSSION. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE THE MOTION.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE SMITHFIELD ROSENWALD SCHOOL, 19412 SOUTH HILL STREET, CORNELIUS, N. C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE HISTORIC OUTBUILDINGS AT THE W. T. ALEXANDER PROPERTY, 214 MALLARD CREEK CHURCH ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N.C., AND THAT PORTION OF THE 4.67 ACRES TO BE PURCHASED BY THE HLC THAT IS NOT YET A HISTORIC LANDMARK, BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Cox said that her Committee discussed the fact that it is not helpful in the HLC’s trying to help document and preserve Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s most important history fabric for property owners to be required to pay $100 (residential property) or $200 (Commercial property) to have properties considered as appropriate for study and consideration for historic designation. She said that properties may be deemed worthy of recognition as historic by the HLC despite the fact that the owner may not desire the recognition and would not be willing or able to pay the fees which currently are required by Mecklenburg County to give potential historic property eligibility for study and consideration.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT DR. MORRILL ENTER INTO A DIALOGUE WITH ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER, MS. WANDA TOWLER, TO CONSIDER RECOMMENDING TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THAT THE CURRENT FEES FOR A PROPERTY TO BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST BE ELIMINATED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

THE SURVEY COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT BRYANT PARK IN THE 2000 BLOCK OF WEST MOREHEAD STREET, CHARLOTTE, N.C., BE PLACED ON THE HLC’S STUDY LIST. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Ms. Cox reported that a sub-committee meeting of the Survey Committee was held September 9, 1999, to consider the applications by parties interested in being hired to perform the survey of Post World War II (1945-1965) properties. Ms. Sherry Joines Wyatt, Historic Preservation Specialist, is associated with the firm. She co-authored the report "Historic Rural Resources in Mecklenburg County", in 1997 as a summer intern at the Historic Landmarks Commission.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. HIRSCH THAT THE FIRM, DAVID E. GALL., A.I.A., ARCHITECT, 938 WEST FIFTH STREET, WINSTON-SALEM, N. C., BE HIRED TO PERFORM THE SURVEY OF IMMEDIATE POST-WORLD WAR TWO COMMERCIAL AND ARCHITECT-DESIGNED BUILDING IN CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

At this point, Dr. Morrill presented the Survey and Research Report on the NEBEL KNITTING MILL ANNEX, 127 West Worthington Avenue at Camden Road in Charlotte, N. C. Ms. Ramsey was present as the writer of the report. Dr. Morrill presented slides of the property and told about the history of the property and its associations with other historic property in the community.

MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION WHICH DID NOT RECEIVE A SECOND TO DISAPPROVE PROCESSING THE NEBEL KNITTING MILL ANNEX DUE TO ITS LOSS OF INTEGRITY, 127 WEST WORTHINGTON AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N.C. FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.

MR. WHITNEY PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BRADSHER THAT THE NEBEL KNITTING MILL ANNEX, 127 WEST WORTHINGTON AVENUE, CHARLOTTE, N. C. (EXTERIOR OF BUILDING AND LAND ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUILDING), IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARD MOTION, BE APPROVED BY THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION FOR SUBMISSION TO THE DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY, AND THAT THE COMMISSION SCHEDULE A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY UPON RECEIPT OF A FAVORABLE COMMENT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: ABSTAIN: MARTIN APPROVE: AUTREY, BRADSHER, DANIEL, HIRSCH, WHITNEY OPPOSE: BOS, COX, MILLER, PARKER.

Item #5 - Design Review Committee Report: Barry Miller

Mr. Miller reported that the Design Review Committee will meet September 22, 1999, at the HLC office. Dr. Morrill said that he will put pertinent information concerning the upcoming meeting on the website: cmhpf.org.

Item #6 - Projects Committee Report: Tattie Bos

A copy of the Projects Committee Report by Ms. Bos is attached. Ms. Bos reported that the minutes from the August 26, 1999 meeting were distributed in the monthly mailing and are on file at the HLC office., 2100 Randolph Road. She said that the next meeting is scheduled for September 23, 1999. The current projects that the Committee is overseeing are the Gluyas House ( 7628 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road), the W. T. Alexander Homesite (216 and 218 Mallard Creed Church Road), and the Croft Schoolhouse, (9200 Bob Beatty Road) which are discussed in Ms. Bos’s attached report.

Ms. Bos reported that the Committee discussed and recommended, in accordance with the procedures for determining future projects voted on last spring and the staff analysis, a list of ten projects. She said that the projects were evaluated in terms of significance, feasibility and endangerment.

MS. BOS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. COX THAT THE FOLLOWING TEN PROPERTIES BE INVESTIGATED AS PROJECTS FOR THE REVOLVING FUND USING AS A CRITERIA A) LEVEL OF ENDANGERMENT B) ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY C) HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE IN THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY: 1) CHARLOTTE COTTON MILLS 2) WILLIAM TRELOAR HOUSE 3) ATHERTON MILL HOUSE 4) ROCKWELL ROSENWALD SCHOOL 5) THRIFT P & N DEPOT 6) JOHN MILTON ALEXANDER HOUSE 7) GRIER-REA HOUSE 8) THAD ADAMS HOUSE 9) CROFT FILLING STATION 10) SAMUEL NEEL HOUSE. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Item #7 - Revolving Fund Liaison’s Report: Tattie Bos

No motions were presented.

Item #8 - Education Committee Report: John Parker

Mr. Parker reported that the Education Committee met August 24th and September 20th. Mr. Parker distributed a report of the August 24th meeting in the monthly mailing. The report is on file at the HLC office. He said that he and Dr. Morrill have been meeting with the Bond Referendum Steering Committee since the HLC is on the November 2, 1999 ballot. Mr. Parker reported that the Committee meets every Tuesday morning, and that so far he has attended every meeting. He said a lot of what the HLC can do to promote the $7.5 million on the bond ballot for the HLC’s Revolving Historic Landmarks Fund will depend on what the Steering Committee determines that it wants the HLC to do regarding mailings, yard signs, speakers, advertising, etc. All efforts must be financed by the Steering Committee’s $350K budget as the HLC has no funds for this type of promotion. Mr. Parker reported that Dr. Morrill will be available to the media to give information about the HLC’s work and that Dr. Morrill will also put together a fact sheet for Commissioners to use to familiarize themselves with the revolving fund to use when promoting the bond request. The sheet will show the various projects that the HLC has revolved and will emphasize the fact that nine historic restoration projects have been accomplished, several are currently underway, and none of the original bond funds have been lost ($1.5 million). September 20th a follow-up meeting was held at the HLC office.

Mr. Parker reported that the HLC’s website position on cmhpf.org, sponsored by Historic Charlotte, Inc., was discussed.

Item #10 Treasurer’s Report (Note that the Survey Committee Report, #9, appeared earlier)

Mr. Hirsch distributed the quarterly HLC report to each Commissioner.

Item #11 - Reports on Designated Historic Landmarks

a. Mr. Van Hill will report next month.

b. Mr. Martin reported on nine properties in Steele Creek and three properties in West Mecklenburg.

Item #12 - Associated Boards Reports:

a. Lynnwood Foundation: Lisa Hankin/Due to Ms. Hankin’s move to N. Y., Mr. Martin has agreed to fill this position as the HLC’s representative. A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning which Mr. Martin plans to attend.

b. Charlotte, Trolley, Inc.: Grier Martin/Due to Mr. Martin’s assuming the position on the Lynnwood Foundation, Ms. Cox has agreed to fill this position as the HLC’s representative.

c. Historic Charlotte, Inc.: Tattie Bos/Ms. Bos reported that plans continue for the Fundraising Event scheduled for October 26, 1999, at the Design Center. Tables continue to be sold for the event, Blast for the Past, for $5,000, $2500 and $1000. Individual tickets can be purchased for $50 each for the walking buffet. Preservation awards will be presented, and Dr. Morrill will be roasted and toasted in honor of his 25 years as Consulting Director of the Historic Landmarks Commission.

d. History Consortium: Deborah Cox/Ms. Cox reported that she attended the meeting on behalf of the HLC on Tuesday, August 31, and paid the HLC’s $25.00 annual dues. She said that the next meeting is scheduled for November 9th.

e. Mecklenburg Historical Association: Van T. Hill/Ms. Majeski, Program Chair for the MHA, reported for Mr. Hill that the next MHA meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 4, 1999, at Christ Episcopal Church. Mr. John Dysart, the manager of the Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site in Stanfield, N. C., will speak on 200 Years of Southern Gold. She said that Dr. Morrill will speak at the MHA meeting Wednesday, November 10, 1999, on the History of Churches in Mecklenburg County. Dr. Tom Hanchett will speak February 7, 2000 on Sorting Out the New South City, and Mr. Dan Hood will be speak April 3rd on Historic Gardens in N. C.

f. 2010 Center City Plan/Citizens’ Advisory Board: Deborah Cox/Ms. Cox reported that she attended the meeting August 24, 1999, and will attend the next meeting September 20, 1999. She said that Dr. Morrill will e-mail Commissioners to remind them about the Community Workshop, which is open to the public, scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 1999.

Item #13 - Old Business

No motions were presented.

Item #14 - New Business

Concern was expressed about the future of the old stone walls, which are designated historic property, in the front of Hopewell Presbyterian Church on Beatties Ford Road. Dr. Morrill said that he would call the Reverend Jeffrey Lowrance, minister of the church, about the matter.

Dr. Morrill reported that the HLC can expect a request of help soon regarding the Palmer Fire School, 2601 E. 7th St., a designated historic landmark.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

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