Minutes 03-03-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rob Golan Jaime Grant Grace White Peter Sandbeck discussed PowerPoint photos of the White Cross building, and the landmark process. He said this hearing is a routine step in the landmark process, as required by the County ordinance for historic preservation and by state law. He said it is important to note that the landmark designation program is voluntary in Orange County. He said neighbors are notified when a landmark is being proposed, and these nearby residents are generally very supportive. He reviewed the background of the creation of the program in the 1970's. He said the goal was to encourage and promote the preservation and maintenance of historic properties for public benefit. He said properties must possess special historical, archeological, architectural or cultural significance for Orange County. He said this determination is then reviewed and approved by the State Historic Preservation Office, and landmark status can only be conferred through an ordinance passed by elected officials of a local government entity. He said landmark owners are entitled to receive a 50 percent deferral on their property, but these residents must maintain the historic character of the property. He reviewed the following background information from the abstract: Background: One of the HPC's duties is to recommend properties to the BOCC for local landmark designation. Properties must meet a high standard of historic and/or architectural significance to be designated as an individual landmark. The higher standard is appropriate since landmark property owners are eligible for a 50 percent property tax deferral as provided by state law, as long as the property is preserved and retains its historic character. The historic landmark designation process, outlined in Article 3 of the County's Historic Preservation Ordinance, involves several steps culminating with the adoption of an ordinance by the BOCC for each individual landmark. At its October 22, 2014 meeting, the HPC accepted a Part 2 application from Ms. Danielle Sunde to consider her property, the White Cross School, for designation as an Orange County Local Historic Landmark, thus initiating the application process. Ms. Sunde's application materials were submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for review and comment as required by state law. The HPC received a favorable response from the SHPO staff. The HPC concurred with the SHPO's evaluation that the White Cross School was worthy of consideration for local landmark designation. The HPC voted unanimously to request a joint public hearing with the BOCC, as required by Section 3.7 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Built in 1933, the White Cross School is one of only three brick consolidated schools to survive in rural Orange County. The property consists of the 1933 brick school, built in the Colonial Revival style, along with the cafeteria wing added in 1948. Both portions retain a high degree of architectural integrity, with most of its original historic exterior and interior features still preserved. The White Cross School played a pivotal role in the social and cultural life of lower Bingham Township until it closed in 1961. It now serves as the home for a privately-operated preschool. This is a routine joint public hearing required by state enabling legislation and the county's Historic Preservation Ordinance. Following this joint public hearing, the BOCC and the HPC will take into consideration any public comments in preparing the final ordinance. The HPC will then return the final version of the proposed ordinance back to the BOCC for the Board's consideration and adoption this spring. PUBLIC COMMENT: