Wilmington preservation panel approves eight projects, including new house at 514 Ann Street

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission approved eight certificate‑of‑appropriateness requests at its Jan. 8 meeting, granting design review approvals for driveway and porch material changes, rear additions and a new single‑family house at 514 Ann Street.

The commission’s decisions were based on the Wilmington design standards for historic districts and landmarks and the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation, the chair said at the start of the quasi‑judicial hearing.

Staff introduced each application and recommended conditions tailored to visibility from the public right of way, material specifications and permitting. Highlights included approval of a driveway replacement at 119 South 5th Avenue using two brick paver runners; a building expansion and new signage for 315 North 17th Street; a rear addition and new garage at 1619 Chestnut Street; and replacement of cast‑iron porch columns with wood at 4110 South 5th Avenue after commissioners discussed column profile and attachment details.

The panel also approved a new two‑story infill house at 514 Ann Street. Shelter Rock Builders’ representative said parking will be accessed from an adjacent vacant parcel and that the large sycamore tree shown in submittals will remain outside the project area. "We gave a lot of thought to this," one applicant said, adding that a prior nearby project had won a historic‑preservation award.

The commission unanimously approved rear porch removal and a rear addition at 415 South 3rd Street and removal of a non‑historic enclosed rear staircase at 35 North Front Street. The latter project drew support from Christina Haley, president and CEO of Wilmington Downtown Incorporated, who said the owner’s work is "transformational" for the block and that WDI supports the proposal.

Laurie Jackson, the architect for two downtown projects, told commissioners the rear renovations to 23 North Front Street (the McCray or Iron Front Building) are part of a historic tax‑credit submission. "We are seeking tax credits and we are in the process of submitting our applications with the State and NPS," she said, noting the State and the National Park Service will also review the work.

Votes at a glance

- 119 South 5th Avenue (driveway replacement): Approved unanimously; Beth Rutledge recused from this item. - 315 North 17th Street (building expansion and signage): Approved unanimously. - 1619 Chestnut Street (rear addition and garage): Approved unanimously, conditions 1–5. - 4110 South 5th Avenue (porch column and railing material change): Approved unanimously; commissioners requested structural/connection details. - 514 Ann Street (new single‑family house): Approved unanimously, conditions 1–6; applicants said some small trees and a cluster will be removed but the large sycamore will remain outside the project limits. - 415 South 3rd Street (rear porch removal and addition): Approved unanimously. - 35 North Front Street (removal of enclosed rear staircase): Approved unanimously; commission noted code/egress requirements must be met. - 23 North Front Street (rear renovations / curtain wall, storefronts, courtyard planned separately): Approved unanimously; project is being pursued as a historic tax‑credit application.

What commissioners discussed

Commissioners focused on material compatibility, visibility from the public right of way and construction details they expect to see on permit submittals. On the column replacement at 4110 South 5th Avenue one commissioner said the chosen column profile "doesn't seem to reflect the gravitas" of the house and would prefer a slightly weightier turned column, while others noted the proposed boxed base and multiple contours along the shaft would provide appropriate massing. The applicant said the columns will be wood, purchased rather than fully custom, and attached with engineered connection details to meet code.

On 514 Ann Street commissioners asked about foundation, siding (James Hardie lap siding noted in the staff report) and the proposed backyard parking; applicants said the applicant owns the adjacent parcel and will use it for two spaces through an easement.

Public comment and community stakeholders

Neighbors spoke in favor of several applications. Greg Thompson, a resident at 109 South 5th Avenue, spoke twice in support of nearby projects (119 South 5th Avenue driveway and the column replacement across the street), saying the proposed changes "add to the beauty of the neighborhood." Christina Haley of Wilmington Downtown Incorporated testified in support of downtown renovation projects at 35 and 23 North Front Street, calling them important to downtown revitalization.

Next steps

Approved projects will proceed with the standard permitting and administrative‑bypass reviews identified by staff. The McCray Building rear‑renovation project will proceed through the state historic tax‑credit application process and National Park Service review, as noted by the architect. The commission adjourned the meeting after brief staff and commissioner items.