Historic Preservation Commission

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 9, 2016 City High of Point Municipal Office Building City Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Benjamin Briggs, Chair Janet Catania Julius Clark Gloria Halstead Tom Lugarich MEMBERS ABSENT: Hollis Anderson Glenn Chavis STAFF PRESENT: David Fencl, Senior Planner Gina Lindsey, Recording Secretary The meeting began at 6:02 p.m. in council chambers. A. Call to Order and Determination of Quorum Mr. Briggs called the meeting to order and it was determined that a quorum was present. B. Approval of November 11,2015 Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission Ms. Halstead made a motion to approve the November 11, 2015 minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lugarich. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0. C. Public Hearing Items 1. Craig Ratchford 221 Woodrow Avenue Case 16-01 A request to replace the home's existing wood windows and aluminum triple track storm windows with composite windows. The applicant also proposes to construct an 11' x 16' (172 square feet) deck attached to the rear wall of home. David Fencl, senior planner, presented Certificate of Appropriateness Case CA-16-01 and recommended approval of the COA as outlined in the staff report.  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 9, 2016 Page 2 of6 Mr. Fencl noted in his presentation that: • The applicant has selected a high-quality replacement window that will have the appearance of the original windows in most respects • The replacement windows are deemed a reasonable alternative that is not incongruous with the period of original construction • The replacement windows will be white on the exterior and custom made to fit each opening and will have the same light pattern as the existing windows • The proposed deck would be 90 inches above grade (7.5 feet) and would likely not be visible from the street right-of-way • The deck would be constructed of pressure-treated wood for the structural components, GeoDeck mahogany-colored composite decking material, and Slimline by Fairway aluminum railings that are black in color Speaking in favor of the request: Speaking in favor of Certificate of Appropriateness Case CA-16-01 was the applicant, Craig Ratchford, 221 Woodrow Avenue, High Point, N.C. Mr. Ratchford explained that replacing the windows is a necessity, because they do not function properly since they don't open-and he said you can feel the cold air coming through them. He said the windows also have other problems, including rotten wood in places and they are not plumb with the wall. As for the deck, Mr. Ratchford said he intends to keep with a simple design, but use modern materials that will last longer and not rot. When Ms. Halstead asked about the potential to rehabilitate his windows, the applicant responded that he did look into that option. Mr. Ratchford said he obtained a quote to have it done and it was extremely expensive, far exceeding the cost of the high-quality replacement windows he selected. He also noted that removing the windows and sending them away to be restored would create too much disruption in his home. Speaking in favor of Certificate of Appropriateness Case CA-16-01 was Becky Bailey, 700 Brookside Dr., High Point, N.C. Ms. Bailey noted that she also wants to replace the windows in her home. She said that she believes the windows that Mr. Ratchford has selected are a cost-efficient alternative to rehabilitating windows in historic homes.  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 9, 2016 Page 3 of6 Speaking in favor of Certificate of Appropriateness Case CA-16-01 was Sylvia Sutton, 217 Woodrow Dr., High Point, N.C. Ms. Sutton said she was in favor of the applicant's request. She said you can spend a lot of money restoring original windows, but you will never get a return on that investment when the home is sold. She said Mr. Ratchford's choice of window seems suitable and fair. Speaking in opposition of the request: No one spoke in opposition of the request. Mr. Briggs noted that the windows in Mr. Ratchford's home are approximately 80 years old. He explained that while rehabilitating the original windows would be ideal, he said to the best of his knowledge, the commission has never prevented owners from using suitable replacement windows. Mr. Clark made a motion to approve Certificate of Appropriateness Case CA-16-01 as presented. Mr. Lugarich seconded the motion. The Historic Preservation Commission voted in favor of the request by a vote of 4-1. Ms. Halstead abstained from voting. D. Old Business 1. Design Guidelines Mr. Fencl said he and Bob Robbins, Development Services Administrator, made the decision to apply for grant funding to hire a consultant to help create new design guidelines for the city's historic districts. He said he should find out if the grant application is successful in late April or early May. Mr. Fencl also noted that if successful, the process will involve a community outreach component to find out what area residents feel should be included in the new design guidelines. He said the project would be expected to take about a year to complete. Mr. Fencl added that the end product should be a more attractive document with more guidance for the owners of historic homes. It may also include information about various options, such as restoring original windows versus installing replacement windows. Mr. Briggs noted that the design guidelines haven't been substantially changed in about 20-25 years and creating new guidelines would be of greater benefit than changing the existing ones. Commissioners also echoed Mr. Fencl in the need for community input and  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 9, 2016 Page 4 of6 the need to better inform homeowners in the historic districts about the process for making changes to their homes. Another suggestion was working with realtors to get the information about the guidelines to home buyers looking at purchasing a historic home. E. New Business 1. City of High Point Historic Marker Policy Mr. Fencl presented information about the new City of High Point Historic Marker Policy. The policy is designed to provide guidelines and criteria to facilitate the selection and placement of City of High Point Roadside Historic Markers. Mr. Fencl explained that the City Council adopted the marker policy in January. He said the Historic Preservation Commission was tasked by City Council to serve as the review body to evaluate all proposed roadside historic markers prior to City Council's consideration. 2. Request for Approval of Historic Marker for Highland Cotton Mills Village Neighborhood at the intersection of Mill Avenue and S. Elm St by Southwest Renewal Foundation of High Point, Inc. David Fencl, senior planner, presented the request, and recommended approval as outlined in the agenda packet. The Highland Cotton Mills Village is an industrial and residential historic district in the southwestern section of the city that was built over a span of 15 years beginning in 1913. The focal point of the district is Highland Cotton Mills, which is accompanied in the district by the mill office, the Highland Methodist Church and parsonage, and nine streets of mill houses. The Highland Cotton Mills Village has been recognized by the NC State Historic Preservation Office since the early 1970s and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. Mr. Fencl noted the minimum evaluation criteria for the request as follows: • Any site or event requested to be recognized must be at least 50 years old and for any individual to be recognized with a Marker, the individual's contribution that is the subject of the request must have occurred at least 50 years before the request. • There may not be any current markers, public or private, currently recognizing the site or event within the City of High Point. • The location requested to be recognized must be within the corporate limits of the City of High Point and within public view.  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 9, 2016 Page 5 of6 Speaking in favor of the request: Speaking in favor of the marker request on behalf of the applicant was Dorothy Darr, 501 W. High Ave, High Point, N.C. 27260. Ms. Darr gave a brief explanation of the request. She said the marker would take four months to cast and would be done by the same company that casts the state's historic markers. Speaking in favor of the market request was Dee Meadows, 1608 Walker Place, High Point, N.C. 27260. Ms. Meadows stated that she was in support of the marker. Speaking in favor of the marker request was Phyllis Bridges, 5040 Samet Dr., Apt. 3- E, High Point, N.C. 27265. Ms. Bridges, a former member of the Historic Preservation Commission, noted that she had previously suggested a marker be placed at Oakwood Cemetery denoting the section where the city's first black settlers are buried. Mr. Briggs commented that Oakwood Cemetery would be another potential location for a historical marker. Ms. Halstead made a motion to approve the request for a historic marker for Highland Cotton Mills Village Neighborhood. Ms. Catania seconded the motion. The Historic Preservation Commission approved the request by a vote of 4-1. Mr. Clark voted against the motion. 3. 2016 Meeting Schedule Ms. Halstead made a motion to approve the 2016 meeting schedule of the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Clark seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0. 4. Vacant home at 322 Woodrow Avenue Commissioners briefly discussed a vacant property, located at 322 Woodrow Avenue that is now bank owned. Ms. Bailey brought up a concern that weeds and rodents are prevalent around that home.  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 9, 2016 Page 6 of6 Ms. Catania mentioned that the home is now owned by the bank and that the former resident of the home is still in the process of moving her belongings out. She said the city has been called about it and the bank has been called. Mr. Lugarich said that Jim Davis is working on changing the codes so code enforcement officers can better address and enforce matters involving abandoned properties. 5. Commission Vacancies Mr. Fencl noted there are now two vacant positions on the Historic Preservation Commission after Peter Freeman stepped down after completing his second term. He encouraged commission members to direct anyone they know who may be interested in serving on the commission to submit an application. F. Adjournment There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7: 17 p.m. Gloria Halstead, Vice Chair t! I J.olfo Date