Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
to consider in drafting a local ordinance. Information was also <br /> provided about the annual application process for Planning and <br /> Survey Grant funds with which to initiate and carry out a historic <br /> inventory. Authorization was subsequently sought and obtained from <br /> the Board of Commissioners to apply for such funds. If the <br /> application is approved, an inventory of the unincorporated <br /> portions of Chapel Hill Township will be undertaken. Concurrent <br /> with the development of an application for survey funds, an <br /> ordinance was drafted for the purpose of establishing a Historic <br /> Preservation Commission. Authorization for counties to create such <br /> boards is contained in Part 3C of Article 19 of G.S. 160A. The <br /> basic provisions of the proposed ordinance are as follows: <br /> 1 . A historic Preservation Commission comprised of seven <br /> members would be created. Members much have special <br /> interest, education or experience in history, <br /> architecture, landscape architecture, archaeology or <br /> related fields. <br /> 2 The Commission may undertake an inventory of properties <br /> of historical , prehistorical , architectural , and/or <br /> cultural significance. <br /> 3 The Commission may recommend to the Board of <br /> Commissioners areas to be designated as "historic <br /> districts" and individual structures, buildings, sites, <br /> areas or objects be designated as " landmarks" . <br /> A recommendation to designate a landmark would be <br /> contingent upon the voluntary application of the property <br /> owner. Since historic districts would be created as <br /> overlay zoning districts, such designations may be <br /> initiated by request of the property owner(s) , the <br /> Historic Preservation Commission or the Board of <br /> Commissioners. A request would be handled in the same <br /> manner as a zoning ordinance or atlas amendment; e.g. , <br /> following notification of property owners, conducting a <br /> public hearing, recommendation of the Planning Board, and <br /> approval of the Board of Commissioners. Before either <br /> designation could be initiated, the inventory referenced <br /> in #1 about must be completed. <br /> 4 The Commission may conduct an educational program with <br /> respect to historic districts and landmarks. <br /> An educational program is partially mandated by the <br /> proposed ordinance, since it requires the notification <br /> of property owners of the significance of their sites <br /> and/or structures as identified in the inventory. The <br /> ordinance also requires that property owners be informed <br /> of the procedures for designating historic districts and <br /> landmarks. <br /> 5 The Commission may review and act upon proposals for <br />