Burgaw considers establishing historic preservation district

A newcomer to Burgaw’s Board of Commissioners sparked a discussion about whether the town should adopt preservation standards within its downtown historic district.

It’s a topic that draws fire from some in the business community because it would create rules for any changes to exteriors in the district.

A public information meeting will held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Town Hall. No formal action or vote will occur that evening.

What’s proposed is creation of a historic preservation commission that could recommend establishing a locally designated historic district. Any renovations and improvements to the outside of structures would require the commission’s approval. This would ensure that any changes were in keeping with the historical architecture of the building, Chad McEwen, the town’s planning administrator, said in an interview.

Not everyone, however, favored the proposal.

“I don’t really see any sense in it. It’s a small town. It’s only a block,” said lifelong Burgaw resident Martha Thomas, owner of Martha’s Flower Shoppe, 113 S. Wright St., referring to the businesses clustered in the Burgaw Historic District. “And, I don’t see why it would be that big of a draw to the public.”

Another shopkeeper, Elizabeth “Liz” Nash, one of five owners of Antiques on Fremont, 115 W. Fremont St., sees the same proposal as a boon to business. “It should only serve to enhance the community and the downtown area,” she said.

Currently, the downtown area is zoned as a central business district, which allows uses including residential, business and government, McEwen said. The historic area under discussion is bounded by Bridgers, Fremont, Cowan and Dickerson streets. It holds the Pender County Courthouse, shops, restaurants and bars.

Commissioner Louis Davis, who was appointed to the board in April, said he had introduced the topic at an earlier board meeting as a means to help business downtown and encourage improvements to properties.

Davis said last month that he supports establishing a historic preservation commission if the public gets behind it. “I don’t want to implement something that the public hasn’t had any input in,” he said.

“We’re hoping that it will encourage renovation,” Davis added. “I’d like to preserve the character of Burgaw, of the buildings that are there.”

But concerns of some in the historic district include a lack of property owner control and the anticipated cost of making changes that are historically accurate.

Dale Thompson Jr., owner of Dale’s Thrift Store, said the town already has enough regulations that affect any actions he can take at his property, at 203 S. Dickerson St .

Lane Ezell, who owns Lane’s Trends and Casual Wear, at 104 W. Fremont St. , sees the proposal as an added expense. “That’s more paperwork, more money,” she said. “Right now, it’s easy access. You can do it (improvements) without having to go through all of that.”

At Harrell’s Department Store, the sign above the door reads “Established 1903.” Assistant Manager Vernon Harrell’s father, Charles, owns the store at 107 S. Wright St., and another of his four sons, Herb, is its general manager.

Vernon Harrell said he’s on the fence about the potential change. “It has benefits and it also creates some problems,” he said. “The benefits are that it increases property values by making sure that changes are within prescribed limits. It creates problems because not all people agree with these limits.”

Before Harrell weighs in on the issue, he wants to know its parameters. Questions like Harrell’s, as well as explanations about the state and federal rehabilitation tax credits available for approved renovations, will be fielded at Monday’s meeting by Maggie O’Connor, the historic preservation planner for Wilmington , and Mary Ann Keiser, who serves on the Wilmington City Council-appointed Historic Preservation Commission.

“Because of the historic nature of Burgaw, we figure it’s worth consideration,” Burgaw Mayor Kenneth Cowan said of the concept. “We just feel like it would enhance the overall historic aspects of the town.”