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 Brian Daniels David Hawisher Vice-Chair Polly van de Velde Duncan Lascelles Deputy Vice-Chair Nancy McCormick Clarke Martin Michael Booth Don Tise Josh Gurlitz Tuesday, November 12, 2024 6:30 PM RM 110 | Council Chamber 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_LJgxyMXwQiiZB0HZVoizsg. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar in listen-only mode. Phone: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 864 1895 2496 Opening Roll Call Anya Grahn-Federmack, Staff Liaison, Charnika Harrell, Staff Liaison, Anna Scott Myers, Staff Liaison, Kevin Hornik, Counsel to the Commission Present 7 - Chair Brian Daniels , Vice-Chair Polly van de Velde, Deputy Vice-Chair Nancy McCormick, Michael Booth, Josh Gurlitz, David Hawisher, and Don Tise Absent 2 - Duncan Lascelles, and Clarke Martin Page 1 of 4 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes November 12, 2024 Secretary reads procedures into the record Commission Chair reads the Public Charge Approval of Agenda A motion was made by Deputy Vice-Chair McCormick, seconded by Vice-Chair van de Velde, to approve the agenda. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Announcements Grahn-Federmack announced the 2025 Historic District Commission’s meeting dates were attached to the agenda. She also informed the commission there were four applications on the December agenda and the commission would meet in person. Chair Daniels introduced Don Tise, a new commissioner. 1. 2025 Meeting Dates and Deadlines [24-0514] Petitions Approval of Minutes 2. October 8, 2024 Action Minutes [24-0515] A motion was made by Vice-Chair van de Velde, seconded by Deputy Vice-Chair McCormick, to approve the October 8,2024 meeting minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. New Business 3. Administrative Certificate of Appropriateness Approvals [24-0516] Discussion 4. Pattern Books [24-0517] Grahn-Federmack gave a brief presentation on pattern books. She focused on the background and history of pattern books and the benefits and the challenges for developers and the municipality. Commissioner McCormick asked if prefabricated homes were an option and why they are not used more frequently. Commissioner Gurlitz explained that prefabrication is often used for tiny homes, Commissioner Tise added prefabrication can take longer and is more difficult, so it is not used as much. Gurlitz explained that prefabrication construction can add extra challenges for Page 2 of 4 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes November 12, 2024 the municipality, often requiring inspectors to visit factories to review construction materials and processes. Commissioner Hawisher asked about the application of the pattern book and the Historic District Commission’s role for Certificates of Appropriateness. Counsel Hornik explained by developing the pattern book to include materials, designs, etc. that the HDC would deem to be not incongruous with the special character, the pattern book might create an expectation for COA approval. Hornik further explained that applicants would still need to provide materials in an evidentiary hearing, but the pattern book could create a baseline of understanding for property owners of what is likely to be approved. McCormick voiced concerns about the lack of buildable space and wanted to know how many sites within the Historic Districts the pattern book would apply to. Daniels said his understanding of the pattern books was to promote complimentary design for infill development in areas that are under intense development pressure. McCormick asked how restrictive covenants would fit into the pattern books. Hornik responded that restrictive covenants are largely irrelevant in the COA process. A motion was made by Chair Daniels, seconded by Vice-Chair van de Velde, to create an exploratory subcommittee with the charter to further investigate the feasibility and implications of a pattern book for the Historic Districts. Daniels, Tise, Gurlitz and Booth volunteered to participate in the subcommittee. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Adjournment Next Meeting - December 10, 2024 Order of Consideration of Agenda Items: 1. Staff Presentation 2. Applicant’s Presentation 3. Public Comment 4. Board Discussion 5. Motion 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 Page 3 of 4 Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes November 12, 2024 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 4 of 4