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BACKGROUND: constructed of white flint rubble rock. The house is known in local folklore as the <br /> (continued) center of Prohibition bootlegging activity in Orange County. It was built for Mack <br /> Rigsbee, one of Hillsborough's most colorful characters during the 1930's and <br /> 1940's. The house interior contains unusual architectural features that created <br /> large internal storage areas, providing possible corroboration for the Rigsbee <br /> moonshine legend. Rigsbee's Rock House was listed on the National Register of <br /> Historic Places on October 20, 1988. <br /> Draft ordinances designating these properties as Orange County Historic <br /> Landmarks are attached. <br /> Designation as a Local Historic Landmark has several significant benefits. Local <br /> landmark designation provides a higher level of protection than National Register <br /> listing alone. Landmark designation effectively protects the historic resource <br /> against inappropriate changes that would lessen the site's significance. Owners of <br /> historic landmarks who wish to make changes to the exteriors of their properties <br /> must receive approval from the Historic Preservation Commission before <br /> commencing work. As compensation for accepting the responsibilities of landmark <br /> status, owners of locally designated properties are eligible for a fifty percent <br /> property tax deferral, which will remain in effect as long as landmark status is <br /> maintained. Owners of local historic landmarks are also given extra consideration <br /> during the development review process. <br /> Finally, local landmark designation is a prestigious honor. Landmark property <br /> owners can take pride in knowing their property is important to the heritage of the <br /> County. <br /> RECObEMW14DATTON: The Ordinance Creating the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) of <br /> Orange County, adopted in April 1991, authorizes the HPC to recommend <br /> designation of historic landmarks. The four (4) proposed Orange County <br /> Historic Landmarks will be the first properties to be designated in <br /> accordance with this Ordinance. <br /> Adndnistrcuion Recommendation <br /> The Administration recommends that ordinances for the designation of <br /> four(4)proposed Orange County Historic Landmarks be referred to the <br /> Historic Preservation Commission for recommendations to be returned <br /> to the Board of County Commissioners no sooner than June 22, 1998. <br />