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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 7, 2013 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-a <br /> SUBJECT: Local Historic Landmark Designation for Captain John S. Pope Farm <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1) Draft Ordinance Designating the Rich Shaw, 245-2514 <br /> Captain John S. Pope Farm as an Peter Sandbeck, 245-2517 <br /> Orange County Local Historic <br /> Landmark <br /> PURPOSE: To consider and adopt an ordinance to designate the Captain John S. Pope Farm <br /> in Cedar Grove as an Orange County Local Historic Landmark. <br /> BACKGROUND: In 1991 Orange County adopted the "Ordinance Creating the Historic <br /> Preservation Commission (HPC) of Orange County", also referred to as the "Historic <br /> Preservation Ordinance". A few years later, in 1997, the County adopted a voluntary program to <br /> designate properties of local historic and architectural significance called the Local Landmark <br /> Program. One of the HPC's duties is to recommend properties for local landmark designation. <br /> Properties may be designated as individual landmarks or as part of historic districts. Properties <br /> must meet a higher standard of historic and/or architectural significance to be designated as an <br /> individual landmark. The higher standard is appropriate since landmark property owners are <br /> eligible for a 50 percent property tax deferral as long as the site continues to retain its historic <br /> character, as provided by NC General Statutes under 160A-400.1-400.14. <br /> The adoption of the attached landmark ordinance is the final step in the County's historic <br /> landmark designation process, outlined in Article 3 of the County's Historic Preservation <br /> Ordinance. The BOCC, at its March 7, 2013 meeting, held a required joint public hearing with <br /> the HPC to obtain public input and comment about the proposed landmark designation for the <br /> Captain John S. Pope Farm. At the close of that hearing, the BOCC returned the draft landmark <br /> designation ordinance back to the HPC to allow for final editing and review. <br /> The attached final version of the proposed landmark ordinance has been approved by the HPC <br /> and is ready for consideration and adoption by the BOCC. <br /> At present, five historic properties in Orange County have been designated as Local Historic <br /> Landmarks: Moorefields (south of the Eno on Moorefields Road, near Hillsborough); Bingham <br /> School (Mebane Oaks Road); the Faucette House and Mill (or Chatwood, on Faucette Mill <br /> Road); Rigsbee's Rock House (US 70A East at Lawrence Rd.); and the Murphey School <br /> (Murphey School Road). <br />