Summerfield council approves Martin House rezoning

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council voted unanimously this past Tuesday, June 13, to rezone the historic Martin house property, clearing the way for the renovation of the two-story structure for a new business to be named Martin’s Mercantile.

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The name “is going to the town’s lobbyists informed him the legislature plans to break for the Fourth of July and resume work later in the month.

Berger “can stretch out the session as long as he likes,” Sessoms said. “I walk around every day with my phone in my pocket, knowing that gun can go off at any second.”

Sessoms envisions two scenarios for de-annexation in Summerfield: It wins legislative support or “the legislature tells Mr. Couch that they don’t think he’s exhausted his options” in negotiating with town leaders.

If the General Assembly adjourns without dealing with de-annexation in Summerfield, it may revisit the issue in future sessions, according to Sessoms. “This is a gun that’s always going to be pointed at us,” he said.

Aside from the threat of de-annexation, the mayor said numerous bills pending in the legislature would give developers more freedom to build in municipalities statewide, in some cases at higher densities than allowed by local zoning rules.

“One of these bills could be just as bad as the de-annexation,” Sessoms said.

File photo

Northwest Greensboro resident Lauren Cox received approval for her rezoning request earlier this week, and hopes to close on the purchase of the historic Martin house at the corner of N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road in late July. Soon afterward she’ll begin the renovation process, with plans to open as “Martin’s Mercantile” next spring or summer.

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your QUESTIONS

The restoration of this 1896 house on Summerfield Road in Summerfield will include a 2,000-squarefoot addition in the back, as well as a garage with an apartment and a swimming pool.

I noticed an old house on Summerfield Road in Summerfield’s historic district has been gutted and a portion of the back has been torn down. Can you find out what the plans are for this house?

Johnathon Landwehrmann, owner of JL Construction, is a Greensboro-based contractor who is handling the renovation of the house at 7702 Summerfield

Road. He explained that the owner of the property (who doesn’t want to be identified at this point) plans “to pay homage to the history” in restoring the house, dating back to 1896.

The renovation project started about three months ago with the removal of the back portion of the house that had been added to the original two-story, four-room structure. The rear consisted of a small living room and what Landwehrmann believes may have been the original kitchen separate from the house.

In the 19th century, detached kitchens were fairly common as a way to keep the heat and smells from cooking out of the main house. It also reduced the risk of the house catching fire if there were an accidental blaze in the kitchen.

Landwehrmann said he plans to complete the project by late next summer, assuming there are no unexpected delays.

“It’s a slow process when you’re dealing with older homes,” he said in an interview earlier this week.

The renovation and expansion will create four bedrooms and 5 ½ bathrooms, he said.

The gutting of the original structure exposed the heavy wood timbers, held up by field stones. Earlier this month, a brick mason rebuilt the foundation with bricks to provide adequate support, Landwehrmann told us.

The renovation will restore the original rooms – two upstairs and two downstairs – and the double-flue chimneys on either end of the house. Downstairs there will be a bedroom and living room and upstairs there will be two more bedrooms, the contractor said.

A two-story addition in the rear will add more than 2,000 square feet for the kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathrooms, an office and a recreation room.

The owner is also building a garage with an apartment and a swimming pool on the 3.4 acres which stretches from Summerfield Road to U.S. 220, Landwehrmann said.

The demolition of a chicken house may provide lumber for decorative moldings and cabinets in the house, he added.

COUNCIL APPROVES REZONING

...continued from p. 3 be a good umbrella for all the different things we’re going to do,” future owner Lauren Cox said in an interview after the council voted to rezone the nearly half-acre lot at 4118 Oak Ridge Road (N.C. 150).

The zoning went from single-family residential (RS-30) to the conditional zoning neighborhood business district (CZ-NB) to accommodate Cox’s plan to sell food, starting with to-go orders and coffee, and host do-it-yourself workshops.

Carolina (PNC) last year to find a buyer. Now that the property has been rezoned, Cox plans to complete the purchase in late July.

The sale price is $85,000, with $75,000 going to the town and $10,000 to PNC for marketing the property and negotiating the sale, according to Town Manager Scott Whitaker.

Cox, who lives in northwestern Greensboro, said she envisions opening for business next spring or summer, after renovating the house. She said she’s working with an engineer to determine the location for the water well and septic field.

78th Annual Horse Show & Rodeo

The property at the intersection of Highway 150 and Summerfield Road is owned by the town of Summerfield, which hired Preservation North

Raleigh-based PNC is also trying to sell the historic Gordon Hardware building across Summerfield Road from the Martin house. The property is under contract to prospective buyers, with the closing of the sale possible in late August, Whitaker said.

AZALEAS, PEONIES, DAFFODILS?

in the circa 1930s house would have grown, according to members. They want plants to bloom from early spring through fall and avoid blocking the view of the house’s stone foundation.

“I know we’re not going to get Grandma’s garden,” council member Martha Pittman said. But, she added, “I would like to see more of the old-fashioned plants.”

The planting of trees, shrubs and other plants is projected to cost $22,105, 12.2% of the $180,823.50 estimated cost for beautifying the park’s entrance.

Other expenses include a new parking lot along Lisa Drive, sidewalks and lighting. Those plans will go to the town’s Planning and Zoning Board and Historical Preservation Commission for

...continued from p. 2 consideration and approval.

The selection of plants remains a work in progress. Town Manager Bill Bruce told the council he plans to circle back to Hill Studio to incorporate council members’ suggestions in a revised landscaping plan.

The appropriate landscaping “is in the eyes of the beholder,” Bruce said.

Members agreed that plantings should be spaced far enough apart so they don’t overcrowd each other when they reach maturity. Leaving space around the house would create the opportunity for planting new varieties later, as tenant families did when neighbors gave them plants for their gardens.

Sullivan said he’d prefer the plantings to appear to be spaced randomly, rather than laid out formally.

“We can always add more,” Schneider said. Added Pittman, “we need room for creativity a few years down the road.”