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The Historic Landmarks Commission will meet next on June 11, 2001, in its offices in the Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House at 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte.

Special Note:  Ron Tober is scheduled to explain to the Commission how the South Corridor Light Rail Line will impact the Vintage Trolley Line.

1.  Consideration of Minutes.  Click Here For Draft Of May Minutes.

2.  Director's Report.  Click Here To Read Report.

Staff did meet with an ad hoc committee to consider what properties to recommend to the Finance Department what historic projects or portions thereof might be funded with Land Bond monies.  Click here to read the report sent to the County Finance Department.

3.  Project Committee Issues.  Click Here For Project Committee Minutes

a.  Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House

MR. FELDER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. FOUST TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE COMMISSION PROCEED WITH THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PURCHASE CONTRACT WITH HISTORIC CHARLOTTE, INC. FOR THE RATCLIFFE-OTTERBOURG HOUSE, 2100 RANDOLPH ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., TAKING NOTE OF THE RESULTS OF THE HOUSE INSPECTION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

The issue is that the inspection of the house revealed that there are approximately $1500 in repairs needed at the Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House.  The Committee is recommending that the Commission move ahead with closing on the Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House and not raise the issue of repairs with Historic Charlotte.

Staff Recommendation.  Approve motion as presented.

b.  Grier-Rea House

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. WALDEN TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE COMMISSION ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT AS PROPOSED BY THE OWNER OF THE GRIER-REA PROPERTY AT THE CORNER OF REA ROAD AND COLONY ROAD WHEREBY THE COMMISSION SHALL INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ACCEPTING THE DONATION OF THE HOUSE AND LOCATING IT ELSEWHERE. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

The owners have offered to sign an agreement with the Historic Landmarks Commission in which the owners state that they will donate the house to the Commission subject to several conditions, the most important of which is that the house must be moved to another site.  Click Here To Read The Agreement Offered By The Owners.  The committee is recommending that the Historic Landmarks Commission enter into the agreement with the owners of the Grier-Rea House.

Staff Recommendation.  Approve motion as presented.

c.  Oehler House and McAuley House

MR. FELDER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. BAESZLER AUTHORIZING MR. TURNER TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH JOE OPPERMAN ARCHITECT ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION FOR A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE RESTORATION NEEDS OF THE OEHLER HOUSE AND THE McAULEY HOUSE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IF MR. TURNER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE NEGOTIATION THAT HE BE AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH AB ARCHITECT ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE SAME SCOPE OF SERVICES. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

This matter requires no action by the Commission, because the Projects Committee was authorized to make a decision regarding this matter.

Staff Recommendation.  Accept for information.

d.  Charlotte Cotton Mills.

MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. PARKER TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT MR. TURNER NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH COPLAN ARCHITECT TO DESIGN THE ROOF FOR BUILDING B OF THE CHARLOTTE COTTON MILLS. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Staff Recommendation.  Approve motion as presented.

e.  W. T. Alexander Plantation

MS. FOUST PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. FELDER INSTRUCTING MR. TURNER TO NEGOTIATE A PROSPECTIVE CONTRACT WITH YELVERTON ARCHITECTS TO COMPLETE A MASTER SITE PLAN AND TO PERFORM DESIGN SERVICES FOR REBUILDING THE BARN AT THE W. T. ALEXANDER PLANTATION AS RESIDENTIAL UNITS FOR SALE AND THAT SUCH PROSPECTIVE CONTRACT BE PRESENTED TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION FOR ACTION AT ITS MEETING ON JUNE 11, 2001. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Staff Recommendation.  Accept for information and consider awarding contract.

f.  Grier House.

Portrait Homes has a contract to purchase the house and approximately 20 acres of land on which it intends to build multi-family housing.  A rezoning petition will be forthcoming.  The site plan does show the retention of the house and approximately two acres of land.  Neither Portrait Homes nor the current owner is willing to donate the house and land to the Commission. The house has been identified as significant in the Commission's Survey of Rural Resources and is so identified in the Small Area Plan.  It is not now designated as a historic landmark, however.   In my judgment, if the Commission does not acquire the house, it will most likely be demolished.  It is an outstanding example of its house type and is rare in Mecklenburg County.  The interior appointments of the house are well preserved.  The issue of the marketability of the house is questionable, but, as you know, that should not be the primary consideration of a Historic Preservation Revolving Fund.  Marvin Wyatt, the realtor for Portrait Homes, is planning to come to the meeting Monday night.  He has suggested that the Commission submit an offer to the owner.

Staff Recommendation:  Move into executive session to discuss whether the Commission wishes to make an offer on the Grier House and approximately two acres of land.

4.  Survey Committee Issues.  Click Here For Survey Committee Minutes

a.  Historic Landmark Designation Of The Charlotte Coliseum (Original) and Ovens Auditorium

The Survey Committee of the Historic Landmarks Commission has voted to recommend Ovens Auditorium and the Charlotte Coliseum (Original) for designation as a historic landmark. Negotiations with the Coliseum Authority have failed to achieve owner consent.  Click here to read letter from Mike Crum of the Coliseum Authority.  Mike Crum is planning to attend the meeting Monday night.  The issue before the Commission is whether it wishes to continue the designation process for these buildings and their setting.  Please be advised that owner consent is required for historic landmark designation of the interiors of the buildings.  Dave Ritch has asked that a letter he wrote on this matter be posted on the website.  Click here to read Dave Ritch's letter.  Here is the motion approved by the Survey Committee at its June 7th meeting.

MR. RITCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BROOKS TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT PROCEED WITH ITS RECOMMEDATION THAT THE ORIGINAL CHARLOTTE COLISEUM AND OVENS AUDITORIUM BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Staff Recommendation:  Approve Motion as Presented.

b.  The owner of the Electric Supply and Equipment Company continues to seek historic landmark designation for the property.  The Survey Committee is recommending that the property not be designated, because the committee believes that the building does not possess sufficient physical integrity.  Click here to read the Survey and Research Report on the Electric Supply and Equipment Company.  The owner is scheduling a tour of the building for 4:30 p.m. on June 11, 2001.  You should meet Miller Nicholson at the building.  The Survey and Research Report contains a map.  The issue before the Commission is whether it wishes to recommend the property for historic landmark designation.  Click here to see slide show of "before and after" pictures.

Electric Supply & Equipment Company Building

Staff Recommendation:  Staff has no recommendation.

c.  Prospective designation of the Mallard Creek School.  

MR. BROOKS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. RITCH TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT MALLARD CREEK SCHOOL (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, AND ASSOCIATED TAX PARCEL SITE), 11400 MALLARD CREEK ROAD IN CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY MEETS THE CRITERION OF INTEGRITY OF DESIGN, SETTING, WORKMANSHIP, MATERIALS, FEELING AND/OR ASSOCIATION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Staff Recommendation:  Schedule vote for August 13th meeting, so owners can be notified.

Click here to read Survey and Research Report on the Mallard Creek School.

d.  Prospective designation of Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery.  

MR. RITCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. BOYTE TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE ELMWOOD/PINEWOOD CEMETERY LOCATED ON THE 700 BLOCK OF WEST SIXTH STREET IN CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION AND THAT THE SURVEY AND RESEARCH REPORT INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE CARETAKER'S HOUSE AND A STATEMENT THAT A PORTION OF THE CEMETERY IS LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF I-77. ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION EXCEPT FOR MS. AUTREY, WHO VOTED IN THE NEGATIVE.

Staff Recommendation:  Schedule vote for August 13th meeting, so owners can be notified.

Click here to read Survey and Research Report on Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery.

e.  Prospective designation of the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.

MS. RICHARDSON PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. RICHARDSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE MECKLENBURG COUNTY COURTHOUSE (EXTERIOR OF BUILDING, A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF YARD DEEMED NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY, AND ELEMENTS OF THE INTERIOR THAT HAVE SUFFICIENT HISTORICAL INTEGRITY) 700 EAST TRADE STREET, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE PROCESSED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.

Staff Recommendation:  Schedule vote for August 13th meeting, so owners can be notified.

Click here to read Survey and Research Report on the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.

f.  Removal of Designation of a portion of Cedar Grove Plantation.

The owner is requesting that 20 acres of the historic landmark be removed from historic landmark designation, so that it can be sold as the location of a new church.  The decision will rest with the Huntersville Town Board.  Click here to read owner's letter. The issue before the Commission is whether it wishes to make a recommendation regarding this matter.

I asked Marvin Bethune, County Attorney, to provide a legal opinion as to the powers of the Historic Landmarks Commission with respect to this matter.  Click here to read Mr. Bethune's memorandum.

Staff Recommendation.  Recommend approval upon the condition that the prospective buyer demonstrates to the seller that it possesses sufficient funds to buy the property.

5.   Design Review Committee Issues.  Click here for Design Review Committee Minutes.

Staff Recommendation.  Approve motion as presented.