Planning - Application for 1994 Historic Survey and Planning Grant Funds

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i 4 Since the inception of its comprehensive plamiing program, a goal of Orange County has been the completion of detailed inventories of its cultural, historical, recreational, biological, and geological resources. In 1986, the Planning Department completed a general listing of such sites in the unincorporated portions of the county. In 1988, a Master Recreation and Parks Plan was prepared for Orange County. During the same year, the Triangle Land Conservancy completed an Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange County. These studies provided the detailed inventory of recreational, geological, and biological sites. Consistent with the above goal, Orange County applied for Survey and Planning Grant Funds to undertake inventories of historic and archaeological sites in the unincorporated portions of the county. These inventories as well as the preparation of a publication manuscript were undertaken in the following phases: Grant Year Phase Project 1991 I Inventory of unincorporated portions of Chapel Hill Township (159 structures identified) 1992 II Inventory of unincorporated portions of remaining six townships (507 structures identified) 1993 III Archaeological survey and preparation of publication manuscript (Project currently underway) The results of the archaeological survey as well as the architectural survey were to be used in completing Phase IV of Orange County's program. That phase consisted of the preparation of a preservation plan; e.g., the Historic Preservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, and nominations for the National Register of Historic Places. Rather than a four-phase project, Orange County proposes to expand the project to five phases. Phase W will involve the preparation of the Historic Preservation Element, while Phase V will consist of the preparation of the National Register nominations. The rationale for this shift in priorities is based on Orange County's long-term use of its Comprehensive Plan to guide land use decisions. While the Historic Preservation Element is but one part of that Plan, it will provide a framework within which the Board of Commissioners, the Historic Preservation Commission,on, and the Planning Board can work to preserve the county's rural character and heritage. In that sense, the process and product produced from the project could serve as a prototype for other rural counties threatened with the loss of historic,architectural, and archaeological resources from growth and development. It is an overall program approach to preservation rather than piecemeal initiatives which may gain some immediate benefits but provide limited long-term results.