RES-2005-016 Orange County's 2005 Legislative Agenda

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEMORAI~IDUM To: County Commissioners From: Historic Preservation Commission Date: March 1, 2005 Subject: NC Rehab Code Copies: Cathleen Turner, Executive Director, Alliance for Historic Hillsborough Margaret Schucker, Staff, Hillsborough Historic District Commission John Link, Orange County Manager David Stancil, Environment & Resource Conservation Director Craig Benedict, Planning & Inspections Director Susan Mellott, Code Enforcement Supervisor What is it? On August 17, 2001, Governor Easley signed into law the North Carolina Rehabilitation Pilot Code (Rehab Code). A distinct and separate building code from the standard 2002 North Carolina State Building Code, the new Rehab Code was developed after the success of similar codes in New Jersey and Maryland. It is designed to focus on the particular issues associated with existing buildings to allow contractors to meet building code standards, without having to modify the key elements that make historic buildings significant and give older buildings character. Why is it important? One of the most frustrating aspects of historic preservation (restoring, preserving, and renovating older buildings) is balancing code requirements with the need to retain a building's historic and architectural integrity. Certain features in older buildings, such as doors and stair components (tread depth, riser height, baluster spacing, handrail height) typically do not meet current building code requirements. These are the same features that contribute to the architectural significance of a building. If a property owner with a federal plantation house, for example, wishes to renovate a room he or she may have to replace the door with astandard- size unit. Even if the new door is a custom-made reproduction, the owner may have to enlarge the opening, rebuild the doorjamb, and reproduce a line of molding to match the existing trim. Not only will the modified door opening no longer contribute to the historic value of the house, it may actually detract from it. Another common difficulty with older buildings and the building code is the tendency for one issue to lead to another. Property owners seeking approval to repair one minor area are often required to bring other areas up to code as well. This situation can actually lead to more safety issues, because property owners try to avoid getting a permit in the first place.