by Katie Orlando

The Davidson School –  former home of Davidson IB Middle School and currently home to Lake Norman Christian School – could become a historic landmark.

Stewart Gray, preservation planner with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, explained the history, and possible designation, ofthe 251 South St. building during the Davidson town board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Built in 1948, Gray said the building is one of the best and only post-WWII New Deal public works projects still standing in the area. Charlotte native Luis Asbury designed the building.

Historic landmark designation would not prevent renovations or development on the property, Gray said, but would require any material changes to be approved by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission and could be delayed up to one year.

The landmarks commission would be able to purchase the property if it became necessary to preserve it, and if a private owner ever bought the property, it would be eligible to pay 50 percent less taxes.

Lake Norman Christian Principal Sarah Beam said she and the school support the designation as long as it does not prevent them from expanding or improving the building, while maintaining its historic integrity.

Since Davidson IB was forced last year to move operations to Alexander Middle, Davidson planners have wanted to find a way to preserve the building.

In other board news

• Clare Meyer of Tinsley & Terry, CPA, gave the town a good audit report, saying some of its previous financial issues had been resolved for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

Issues like failures to reconcile banking issues on a timely basis or properly monitor ledger accounts, Meyer said, seemed to be resolved in the new fiscal year under interim finance director Holli Rogozinski.

• Mecklenburg County is planning to create fire tax districts to fund fire protection in unincorporated areas. Town Manager Leamon Brice tentatively plans to request the county implement a 4.5 to 5 percent tax on the ETJ to fund Davidson Fire Department protection of the area. See more on fire tax districts on page 11.

• The town and planning boards will meet Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in town hall to discuss a proposed retirement home.