Agenda - 05-26-1998 - C-2(a-d) - Laserfiche WebLink

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_. ,.. ~~ . J EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 Introduction This report, Preserving the Orange Tradition, updates and expands upon a previous departmental report on landmazk designation. Preserving the Orange Tradition provides an in-depth discussion of the designation of historic landmarks in Orange County. It describes the authority for instituting such a program, describes the local historic designation process, and examines the costs of the program. The report includes draft ordinances for designation of Orange County's first local historic landmazks. It also includes draft design guidelines. Landmazk designation programs are an accepted practice of local governments in North Cazolina. Seventy-three historic landmazks, districts or preservation commissions have been established in the state, representing 120 local governments. Among these, twenty counties have established preservation commissions. 2 Background Under authority granted by the North Carolina General Statues, Orange County adopted an ordinance on April 1, 1991, and established a historic preservation commission. The Orange County HPC has undertaken a comprehensive preservation program to date. The County has completed historic architectural resource inventories in all its townships, an archeological survey, and a historic preservation element to the Comprehensive Plan. Most recently, the Historic Preservation Commission has completed a manuscript of Orange County's azchitectural history. A National Register nomination for the Cedaz Grove Rural Historic District is in progress. For the 1997-98 fiscal yeaz, the development of a historic landmazks designation program will be the Commission's most significant undertaking. A local designation program would be the most effective means available in preserving historical resources from degradation and destruction, providing regulatory protection of those sites deemed important to the County's heritage and history. The HPC will establish a priority list of the County's best National Register and National Register-eligible properties and seek the owners' participation in the landmazk designation program. The Commission has requested an allocation of $10,000 in the FY 1997-98 County budget to establish a Historic Preservation Program Fund. The fund would be used to prepare National Register nominations for high-priority, eligible sites.