Historic District Commission

Town Hall TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Historic District Commission Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Meeting Minutes Chair Sean Murphy Josh Gurlitz Vice-Chair Duncan Lascelles Nancy McCormick Deputy Vice-Chair Polly van de Velde Anne Perl De Pal Chris Berndt David Schwartz Brian Daniels Tuesday, January 11, 2022 6:30 PM Virtual Meeting Language Access Statement Virtual Meeting Notification Board members will attend and participate in this meeting remotely, through internet access, and will not physically attend. The Town will not provide a physical location for viewing the meeting. The public is invited to attend the Zoom webinar directly online or by phone. Register for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n83Hv9hdTXOryUuOriqNBQ. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar in listen-only mode. Phone: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 899 0733 7026. Opening Roll Call Anya Grahn, Liaison to Commission, Charnika Harrell, Liaison to Commission, Kevin Hornik, Counsel to Commission Present 8 - Chair Sean Murphy, Vice-Chair Duncan Lascelles, Deputy Vice-Chair Polly van de Velde, Christine Berndt, Brian Daniels , Josh Gurlitz, Nancy McCormick, and Anne Perl De Pal Page 1 of 8 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2022 Excused 1 - David Schwartz Secretary reads procedures into the record Commission Chair reads public charge Approval of Agenda Commissioner Perl de Pal requested to postpone the masonry wall discussion so a craftsman can attend a future meeting and contribute to the discussion. Chair Murphy stated the discussion could be continued. There were no objections to the amendment. A motion was made by Commissioner Van de Velde, seconded by Commissioner Daniels, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Announcements Petitions Commissioner McCormick stated she had met with Commissioners Van de Velde and Gurlitz to discuss outreach activities. McCormick requested the commission petition the Council to designate May as Historic Preservation Month. She offered to draft the proclamation with input from staff and the commission’s counsel to have it heard at the earliest feasible Council meeting so they can begin planning activities and advertising events. Council Member Amy Ryan, liaison to the commission, suggested they explore the process for proclamations rather than petitioning for a proclamation. She recommended they work with the Mayor’s aid. Ryan also suggested the Commission vote on the wording of the proclamation. Van de Velde asked if the draft proclamation could be circulated to commissioners via email for input. Hornik advised the commission to be mindful about circulating and receiving feedback via email as it could be considered a meeting between a public body that was not duly noticed. He said the subcommittee can solicit feedback from other members, and members can reply individually to Van de Velde, Gurlitz, and McCormick rather than replying all to an email. He also said the commission could authorize the subcommittee to move forward with the language the subcommittee deems appropriate if the goal is to get the proclamation finalized and to Council before their February meeting. Council Member Ryan suggested they reach out to Town staff for support if they need assistance. McCormick said they hoped to have someone from the Town’s Page 2 of 8 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2022 communications team help with community outreach, but they recognized they would have limited access to staff resources given the time frame. Commissioner Perl de Pal suggested the subcommittee keep a list of who they contact so there is more inclusion in planning the events. Commissioner Daniels spoke in support of the subcommittee’s work and explained how he found it to be in the spirit of the commission’s goal of raising awareness and educating the community on the importance of conservation. Commissioners Berndt and Lascelles also voiced their support of the subcommittee’s work. Approval of Minutes 1. December 14, 2021 Action Minutes [21-0987] Commissioner Berndt suggested an edit to the discussion summary about the rules of procedure in the December 14, 2021 minutes. Berndt requested “she” in the second paragraph be changed to “the commission” as the commission recommended time limits for speakers. Commissioner Perl de Pal requested that subsequent meeting minutes consistently mention when commissioners arrive late or depart before the meeting ends. A motion was made by Commissioner Van de Velde, seconded by Commissioner Daniels, to approve the minutes as amended. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Information 2. Requests for Maintenance & Repair [21-0988] Consent 3. 317 N. Boundary Street [21-0989] Grahn summarized the applicant’s request to replace the existing stucco, wood windows and doors with aluminum-clad wood windows and doors for this non-historic house. A motion was made by Commissioner Van de Velde, seconded by Commissioner Perl De Pal, that the application was not incongruous with the special character of the historic district. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Page 3 of 8 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2022 A second motion was made by Commissioner Van de Velde, seconded by Commissioner Perl De Pal, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. New Business 4. 512 E. Rosemary Street [21-0990] Grahn summarized the applicant’s request to extend the existing wood deck around to the south (rear) elevation of those and modify the door and window pattern on the south (rear) and east (side) elevations of the house. Chair Murphy asked for disclosures. Commissioner Perl de Pal disclosed that she was aware of the application but not the details for the request. Heather and Mark Rothert, the applicants and property owners, presented photos and drawings describing their proposal. Heather Rothert described their plan to renovate the rear of the house to reorient the outdoor space from the side deck towards the backyard. She said that the proposed changes are on a family room addition that was completed in the 1980s. She described their plan to extend the deck and match the height of the existing deck, relocate an existing window near the fireplace to install a French door leading to the rear deck, and remove an existing window and door with a transom in the kitchen. She explained that the kitchen wall would be patched with wood siding to match the existing. She stated that the changes to the back of the house would be shielded by the screen porch and she would only be visible from the neighbors. Rothert explained how the project complies with the Design Standards as it there will be no changes to the house visible from the street. She emphasized that the work is on a previously renovated portion of the house, the project is consistent with building materials and styles, and there are no changes to the historic stone chimney at the back of the house. Commissioner Perl de Pal asked about the materials and manufacturers for the proposed windows and doors. Rothert explained they plan to purchase the French doors from Simpson Door Company and the doors would match those found on the existing screen porches. She said the doors would be simulated divided light and made of wood. She also explained they plan to reuse the existing window by reinstalling it to the east of the stone chimney. Commissioner Berndt asked if the wall they plan to patch on the east side Page 4 of 8 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2022 elevation is part of the historic house. Rothert explained the kitchen was renovated in the 1980s when the family room was added, and she did not believe the window is historic. Rothert also found the door with transom was part of the later addition. Mark Rothert explained that the door with the transom is like others in the house, but the materials and construction are contemporary. Commissioner Berndt asked how the deck expansion would impact the stone chimney. Heather Rothert explained that the deck will wrap the chimney but not attach to the chimney; it will be a free-standing deck. Where the deck would block the existing metal grate on the chimney, there would be a cutout or trap door to ensure access. Alternatively, Mark Rothert said they may consider converting the chimney to gas, so a cleanout is not required. There was no public comment. Commissioner Perl de Pal appreciated how the applicant incorporated Sanborn maps in their presentation. She thought the applicant responded to the new standards and concentrated the work to the rear of the house. Commissioner Van de Velde reiterated that the work is at the rear of house on non-historic additions and not visible from the right-of-way. She appreciated the owners’ commitment to preserving the historic chimney. A motion was made by Commissioner Gurlitz, seconded by Commissioner Daniels, that the application was not incongruous with the special character of the historic district. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. A second motion was made by Commissioner Gurlitz, seconded by Commissioner Daniels, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Certified Local Government (CLG) Report 5. Certified Local Government (CLG) Report [21-0991] Grahn presented information about the Certified Local Government (CLG) Report. She explained that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) designates local communities, like Chapel Hill, as CLGs. Grahn explained the requirements to obtain the designation and benefits of the designation, including competing for grants, reviewing nominations to National Register of Historic Places, and continuing education. She discussed the number of Page 5 of 8 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2022 Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) received, the number of COA rulings, and demolition requests for Chapel Hill from 2016 to 2021. She included information about revenue obtained from COA fees and violations for that same period. She also highlighted the commission’s accomplishments over the past year, including adopting the Historic District Design Principles and Standards and making updates to the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO). Commissioner Van de Velde asked for clarification on how after-the-fact fees are charged. Grahn explained staff may charge applicants double the fee for those working without a permit; however, this was typically associated with projects that had also received a Notice of Violation. Staff typically does not charge the fee is the applicant is working with staff to come into compliance with the regulations. Chair Murphy stated they need to remain neutral regarding the application of after-the-fact fees and review applications as submitted. Commissioner Berndt asked if the Franklin-Rosemary historic district was a commercial district. Grahn explained that the report didn’t have an option for mixed use, but she had listed it as a residential district because there were more homes than commercial buildings. Grahn committed to confirming whether it was residential or commercial. Berndt also asked if a house on Pritchard Avenue that the Town was acquiring was included in the report. Grahn advised the Town is in the process of acquiring the property though a land swap and it would be captured in the report next year after its acquisition. Berndt also asked about a supreme court appeal case. Grahn described a case where a sorority replaced brick with painted concrete. She said the case was appealed to the Board of Adjustment and then to the Supreme Court. She advised the case is on hold due to the ongoing pandemic. Commissioner Perl de Pal reiterated Chair Murphy’s comment about their duty being to review applications. She commented that large, complex projects and smaller, simpler projects are handled financially equally by the Town and the commission. She said the commission should review the larger projects in a more global fashion. Discussion: Retreat Debrief Next Steps & Action Items Following the Retreat Design Standards & Stone Wall Petition Page 6 of 8 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2022 6. Retreat Debrief [21-0992] Commissioner Van de Velde discussed a survey the Town conducted in 2017 about the needs of the Historic District. She said the survey found that realtors were not familiar with the district. She had spoken with the realtor association and they had requested an informational video about the district to increase their awareness. She suggested rewriting the “Owning a Home in the Chapel Hill Historic District” brochure. Commissioner Gurlitz stated that he is helping rewrite the brochure. They plan to have Counsel Hornik and the Town’s Plain Language Group review it. Commissioner McCormick stated that she is working on a FAQ with basic information about preservation month. She also mentioned she had been in contact with others about preservation month. Commissioner Gurlitz said he is working with Preservation Chapel Hill on a presentation in May. He also reached out to the Jackson Center about participation in preservation month as people living in districts like Northside built or worked in houses in the historic district. He is working on scheduling a meeting with Delores Baily of EmPOWERment, Inc. He also reached out to the Chapel Hill Historical Society. Commissioner McCormick is looking for contacts in the Native American, Hispanic, or Asian-American communities because they want to be inclusive and creative in representing the full spectrum of Chapel Hill history. Chair Murphy suggested contacting the University to see if a grad student or student group would like to participate as the student population is also a big part of Chapel Hill. Adjournment Next Meeting - February 8, 2022 Order of Consideration of Agenda Items: 1. Staff Presentation 2. Applicant’s Presentation 3. Public Comment 4. Board Discussion 5. Motion Page 7 of 8 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2022 6. Restatement of Motion by Chair 7. Vote 8. Announcement of Vote by Chair Public Charge: The Advisory Body pledges its respect to the public. The Body asks the public to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the Body and with fellow members of the public. Should any member of the Body or any member of the public fail to observe this charge at any time, the Chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control. Should decorum fail to be restored, the Chair will recess the meeting until a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. Unless otherwise noted, please contact the Planning Department at 919-968-2728; planning@townofchapelhill.org for more information on the above referenced applications. See the Advisory Boards page http://www.townofchapelhill.org/boards for background information on this Board. Page 8 of 8