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o~~ <br />..~ . , <br />3 <br />Designation of Historic Landmarks <br />Historic landmark designation of a building, site, or district occurs by adoption of an <br />ordinance by the Boazd of Commissioners. Along with the requirements and benefits <br />incurred by the designation, landmazk designation is an honor of distinction. It is a <br />source of pride for the property owner, whose property has been formally recognized as <br />important to the history and cultural heritage of Orange County. <br />Orange County's landmazk designation program will be voluntary. Owners of eligible <br />properties will be invited by the HPC to participate, with the option to decline if they <br />wish. <br />There aze two major consequences of landmazk designation for property owners. First, an <br />owner who wishes to make certain changes to the exterior of his or her property must <br />have plans reviewed and approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. Secondly, <br />an owner of a designated landmazk may apply for an annual fifty percent property tax <br />deferral for as long as the property's historical significance is maintained. <br />A certificate of appropriateness (COA) is required before making any changes to the <br />site's exterior. The Historic Preservation Commission will review the application and <br />rule on the appropriateness of the proposed change. The Commission may deny the <br />applicant a COA if it finds the proposed work will adversely affect the special character <br />of the landmazk. HPC review is not required for routine maintenance and upkeep. <br />The enabling legislation allows the Boazd of County Commissioners to establish a fifty <br />percent tax deferral for designated landmazks. This is a substantial financial benefit <br />available to landmazk property owners. To receive the deferral, the owner must apply to <br />the Tax Assessor for a reduced valuation of the property. The reduction in value is <br />assigned only to real property (land and structures). The property owner will remain <br />eligible for the tax deferral as long as the historical or azchitectural integrity of the <br />landmazk is maintained. If the property loses its eligibility for the tax deferral, the owner <br />must pay the deferred taxes for the current yeaz and the three preceding yeazs, plus <br />interest. <br />Other incentives for participating in the landmazks designation program include the <br />preparation of a National Register nomination at no cost to the owner. This applies to <br />National Register-eligible properties, pending available funds. Also, a bronze historic <br />mazker may also be made available for designated properties. <br />At present, there are eight sites in Orange County's planning jurisdiction listed on the <br />National Register of Historic Places. The first group of County-designated landmazks <br />will be selected from these sites. Thirty-nine other sites aze included on the National <br />Register Study List, and considered potentially eligible for the National Register. (The <br />2 <br />