S ORD-1998-014 Designation of Orange County Historic Landmarks

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o4 ` 3 Designation of Historic Landmarks Historic landmark designation of a building, site, or district occurs by adoption of an ordinance by the Board of Commissioners. Along with the requirements and benefits incurred by the designation, landmark designation is an honor of distinction. It is a source of pride for the property owner, whose property has been formally recognized as important to the history and cultural heritage of Orange County. Orange County's landmark designation program will be voluntary. Owners of eligible properties will be invited by the HPC to participate, with the option to decline if they wish. There are two major consequences of landmark designation for property owners. First, an owner who wishes to make certain changes to the exterior of his or her property must have plans reviewed and approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. Secondly, an owner of a designated landmark may apply for an annual fifty percent property tax deferral for as long as the property's historical significance is maintained. A certificate of appropriateness (COA) is required before making any changes to the site's exterior. The Historic Preservation Commission will review the application and rule on the appropriateness of the proposed change. The Commission may deny the applicant a COA if it finds the proposed work will adversely affect the special character of the landmark. HPC review is not required for routine maintenance and upkeep. The enabling legislation allows the Board of County Commissioners to establish a fifty percent tax deferral for designated landmarks. This is a substantial financial benefit available to landmark property owners. To receive the deferral, the owner must apply to the Tax Assessor for a reduced valuation of the property. The reduction in value is assigned only to real property (land and structures). The property owner will remain eligible for the tax deferral as long as the historical or architectural integrity of the landmark is maintained. If the property loses its eligibility for the tax deferral, the owner must pay the deferred taxes for the current year and the three preceding years, plus interest. Other incentives for participating in the landmarks designation program include the preparation of a National Register nomination at no cost to the owner. This applies to National Register-eligible properties, pending available funds. Also, a bronze historic marker may also be made available for designated properties. At present, there are eight sites in Orange County's planning jurisdiction listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The first group of County-designated landmarks will be selected from these sites. Thirty-nine other sites are included on the National Register Study List, and considered potentially eligible for the National Register. (The 2