Agenda - 04-19-2011 - 8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 and draft designation ordinance. At the close of the public hearing, the Board referred the designation ordinance to the Historic Preservation Commission for its formal recommendation. At its March 23, 2011 regular meeting, the HPC voted unanimously to recommend the adoption of "An Ordinance of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners Designating the Property Known as the Murphey School in Orange County, North Carolina as a Local Historic Landmark". The Murphey School would be the fifth property to receive local designation, joining the ranks of Chatwood, Moorefields, Riggsbee's Rock House and the Bingham School Inn. Murphey School was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 2009 under Criteria A for its association with statewide efforts to improve education and Criteria C for its distinctive architecture. Named for North Carolina's "Father of Public Education" Archibald D. Murphey, Murphey School was constructed in 1923 as part of the early twentieth century consolidated school movement. Well-preserved, the rectangular one-story brick building features elements of the Classical and Spanish Revival styles. An auditorium was added to the west side of the building in 1936 and fronted with atwo-story classical Doric portico (temple front). The building was designed by Henri Colvin Linthicum, a specialist in school design and partner with his father in the architectural firm of Linthicum and Linthicum. A handful of outbuildings survive on the property dating to the first half of the twentieth century, including a 1923 frame bungalow that served as the teacherage. Though primarily honorary in nature, designation programs remain the most powerful tool to promote historic preservation at the local level. With the BOCC's adoption of the County's design standards (October 5, 2010), the HPC is eager to promote the local landmark program more diligently to further identify and protect the County's most significant cultural assets. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Should the Board adopt the proposed ordinance designating Murphey School as a Local Landmark, the owner of the property would be eligible for the 50-percent property tax deferral. Mr. Miller purchased the Murphey School in 2009. The assessed value of the property at that time was $181,820; the total property tax bill due on September 1, 2008 was 1 981. The current (post renovation) assessed value of the Murphey School property is $533,207. This year's property tax bill due on September 1, 2010 was $4,969. Should Mr. Miller apply for the 50-percent property tax deferral, the property tax bill would be approximately 2 485. This equates to an approximate $500 net gain for the County tax base. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the attached ordinance to designate the Murphey School as an Orange County Local Historic Landmark, and thank Mr. Jay Miller for his outstanding efforts to restore Murphey School and make it available for public events so that the residents of Orange County may continue to learn and appreciate the significance of this landmark property.