Historic Preservation Commission
Within the city's local historic districts and historic overlays, design review is required for exterior alterations to properties located to ensure compatibility with the historic character of the district. The design standards do not impose a particular architectural style, but encourage compatible design and congruity, whether traditional or contemporary.
A certificate of appropriateness (COA) is required for exterior changes to a property. Approval is based on the Wilmington Design Standards for Historic Districts and Landmarks.
Major work requires review and approval by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) pursuant to Section 18-597 of the Land Development Code.
Agenda
Evidentiary Hearings for March 12, 2026
- 218 North 17th Street: New garage construction. (MJW-49-2603)
Case Materials for 218 North 17th Street(PDF, 6MB)
- 226 South Front Street: Major renovation project, including rear addition. (MJW-50-2603)
Case Materials for 226 South Front Street(PDF, 22MB)
- 1822 Chestnut Street: Fence on a corner lot. (MJW-51-2603)
Case Materials for 1822 Chestnut Street(PDF, 7MB)
- 7 South 4th Street: Enclose second story of rear porch. (MJW-52-2603)
Case Materials for 7 South 4th Street(PDF, 5MB)
- 315 North 7th Street: New walkways and steps. (MJW-53-2603)
Case Materials for 315 North 7th Street(PDF, 12MB)
- 312 South 6th Street: Hardscaping project. (MJW-54-2603)
Case Materials for 312 South 6th Street(PDF, 12MB)
- 230 McRae Street: New house construction. (MJW-55-2603)
Case Materials for 230 McRae Street(PDF, 9MB)
- 1605 Grace Street: Demolish existing house and construct a new house. (MJW-56-2603)
Case Materials for 1605 Grace Street(PDF, 21MB)
Schedule
| Meeting Date |
Submission Deadline |
| January 8, 2026 |
December 2, 2025 |
| February 12, 2026 |
January 6, 2026 |
| March 12, 2026 |
February 3, 2026 |
| April 9, 2026 |
March 3, 2026 |
| May 14, 2026 |
April 7, 2026 |
| June 11, 2026 |
May 5, 2026 |
| July 9, 2026 |
June 2, 2026 |
| August 13, 2026 |
July 8, 2026 |
| September 10, 2026 |
August 4, 2026 |
| October 8, 2026 |
September 1, 2026 |
| November 12, 2026 |
October 6, 2026 |
| December 10, 2026 |
November 3, 2026 |
| January 14, 2027 |
December 8, 2026 |
| February 11, 2027 |
January 5, 2027 |
Membership
Members can expect to commit approximately eight (8) hours per month for regularly scheduled HPC meetings, including time for preparation and/or research.
The seven (7)-member commission is comprised as follows:
- At least two (2) Historic District residents (HD/HDR or HD-MU)
- At least one (1) Historic District Overlay (HD-O)
- One (1) member may be a building owner or proprietor in HD-O
- Three (3) At Large members
Current Members
Chris Yermal, Chair
At Large
Term Expiration: 01/18/2028
Joan Keston, Vice Chair
At Large
Term Expiration: 05/08/2028
Ross Tomaselli
At Large
Term Expiration: 07/01/2026
Alison Watts
Historic Separate Use, HD-R
Term Expiration: 07/01/2026
Beth Rutledge
Historic Separate Use, HD-R
Term Expiration: 06/21/2027
Ashley Wilson
Overlay District, HD-O
Term Expiration: 05/08/2027
Stephen Sulkey
Resident Overlay, HD-R
Term Expiration: 05/08/2027
Appeals
Appeals of commission decisions are to the Board of Adjustment. Appeals must be filed within 30 days from the written decision of the HPC action.
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is a seven-member board appointed by City Council to "promote, enhance and preserve the character of the Wilmington historic districts." The HPC hears and decides requests for certificates of appropriateness in accordance with the Wilmington Design Standards for Historic Districts and Landmarks.
Meetings
At 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month unless otherwise noted
Upcoming Agenda
March 12, 2026
Location
Council Chambers
Skyline Center
929 North Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Live Stream
GTV8