ORD-2011-015 Ordinance Designating Murphey School as Local Historic Landmark

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during the 1920s and 1930s. The main building was constructed in two parts. The original classroom wing was constructed in 1923 and a large (almost stand-alone) auditorium was constructed in 1936 along the west side of the original building so that the hallway of the classroom wing leads directly into a side door near the auditorium's stage. The building is particularly remarkable in that the original classroom wing displays elements from the less common Spanish Revival Style, including stylized metal roof shingles designed and painted to imitate terra cotta. The auditorium building is fronted with a classical (temple-front) portico supported by colossal square columns. The original teacherage, a circa 1923 one-and-one-half story frame bungalow, also survives on the site along with the well house and water tower. In NC, individual landmarks are eligible for a 50% property tax reduction Local designation programs are a form of overlay zoning. Should the Murphey School become designated properties are subject to design review-COA and demolition delay of up to 365 days. HPC reviews COA in quasi-judicial format. The Local Landmark Program and the National Register of Historic Places are two entirely distinct and separate programs. Both offer honorary status to historic properties through a formal designation process. The specific benefits of each program, however, are quite different. • Administered by Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) • Properties designated individually or as part of historic districts • Individual Landmarks eligible for 50% reduction in property taxes • Proposed changes require Certificate of Appropriateness from HPC • Properties may lose designation if historic/architectural character is compromised (subject to three year back taxes A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger to approve an ordinance designating the Murphey School as an Orange County Local Historic Landmark. VOTE: UNANIMOUS AN ORDINANCE OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE MURPHEY SCHOOL IN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK Whereas, all of the prerequisites to the adoption of this ordinance prescribed in Part 3C, Article 19, Chapter 160A (Historic Districts and Landmarks) of the General Statutes of North Carolina and an ordinance creating the Historic Preservation Commission of Orange County (the "Historic Preservation Ordinance") have been met; and Whereas, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has taken•into full consideration all statements and information in the application and the designation report prepared by the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission and presented to the Board of County