Orange County NC Website
�� <br /> � � i � <br /> Environmental Significance <br /> (Excerpted from fhe Nationaf Park Service(NPS)classification of eleven(11}landscape characteristics as detailed in <br /> Nafional Register Builetin No. 30: Guidelines for Evaluating and Dacumenfing Rura!';Hisforic Landscapes) <br /> A classification system of eleven characteristics has been devefoped for reading a riiraf landscape and far understanding I <br /> the naturai and cultural forces that have shaped it. The first faur characteristics are processes that have been <br /> inst�umental in shaping the land,such as fhe res�oanse of farmers to fertile soils. 7h�remaining seven are h sical <br /> components that are evident on the land, such as barns or orchards. Many, but not II, rural properties confain all eleven <br /> characteristics. As information a�out existing characteristics is related to the historic,contexts#or a geographical area, <br /> ass�ssments af significance, integrity,and boundaries can be made for speci#ic properties. <br /> Processes: <br /> 1.Land Uses and Activitles: Land uses are the major human forces fhat shape and organize rural communities. <br /> 2.Patterns of 5patial Organization:The organization of land an a large scale depends on the relationship among major <br /> physical components, predominant landforms,and natural features, <br /> 3.Response to the Natural Environment:Major natural features,such as mountains, prairies, rivers, lakes, forests,and <br /> grasslands, influenced both the location and organization of rural communities. <br /> 4.Cultural Traditians: Culfural traditian�affect fhe ways that land is used, occupied, and shape��. ReEigious beliefs, <br /> social customs, ethnic identity, and trades and skills may be evident today in both physica!features and uses of the land. <br /> Phvsicaf Compflnents: <br /> 5.Circulation Networks:Circulation networks are systems for transporting people, gaods, and raw materials fram one <br /> point to another. They range in scale from livestock trails and foofpaths,to roads, canals, major highways,and even <br /> airstrips. <br /> 6. 13oundary Qemarcations: Boundary demarcations delineate areas of ownership and land use, such as an entire <br /> farmstead or open range. They afso separate smaller areas having speciaE functions,such as a fenced field or enclosed <br /> corral. <br /> 7.Vegetatian Related to Land Use:Various types of vegetation bear a direct rela#ionship to fang-established patterns of <br /> {and use.Vegetafion includ�s not only crops,trees, or shrubs planted for agriculturai and ornamental purposes, but also <br /> trees that have grown up incidentally along fence lines, beside roads,or in abandoned fields, <br /> 8. Buitdings,Structures,and ObJects:Various fypes of buildings,structures,and objects serve human needs related to <br /> the occupation and use af the land. <br /> 9.Clusters: Groupings of buildings,fences,and other features,as seen in a farmstead, ranch,or mining complex, resulf <br /> from function, social traditian, climate,or other influences, cultural or natural. <br /> 10.Archeological Si#es:The sites of prehisto�ic ar historic activities or occupafion, may be marked by foundations, ruins, <br /> changes in vegetation, and surface remains. <br /> 11.Small-scale elements: Small-scale elements, such as a faot bridge or road sign, add to the historic setting of a rural <br /> landscape.These features may be characteristic of a region and occur repeatedly throughout an area,such as limestone <br /> fence posts in Kansas or cattle gates in the Buffa(o River Valley of Arkansas.While most small-scale eEements are long- <br /> lasting, s�me, such as bales 4f hay, are temporal ar seasonaL i <br /> 1 I <br /> I <br /> � <br /> I <br /> 9/27/2010 Draft Orange County Design Standards 56 i <br /> ; <br /> � <br />