Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
6 <br />Article 2. Procedures for Establishing Historic Districts <br />Historic districts, as provided for in this Section, may <br />be designated, amended or repealed, but not until the <br />following procedures have been carried out. Where historic <br />districts are to be designated, they shall be established as <br />districts which overlay other zoning districts as set forth <br />in the Orange County Zoning Ordinance. <br />The enabling legislation requires that certain <br />procedures be carried out before historic districts are <br />designated. The enabling legislation also allows historic <br />districts to be created as separate use zoning district <br />classifications or as overlay zoning districts (G.S.16OA- <br />400.4). Overlay districts are proposed for use by Orange <br />County, since they require less modification to the Zoning <br />Ordinance and do not alter the underlying regulations. <br />Section 2.1 Inventory Required <br />As a guide for the identification and evaluation of <br />historic districts, the Commission shall, at the earliest <br />possible time and consistent with the resources available to <br />it, undertake an inventory of properties of historical, <br />architectural, prehistorical, and cultural significance <br />within the unincorporated portions of Orange County. <br />Following completion of the inventory, the Commission <br />shall submit a copy of the inventory as expeditiously as <br />possible to the Division of Archives and History. The <br />Commission shall also notify each property owner of the <br />significance of his /her property and /or the structures <br />located thereon. The Commission shall also inform the <br />property owner of the procedures for designation of historic <br />districts. <br />The enabling legislation does not require that the <br />Commission undertake an inventory as a guide for the <br />identification and evaluation of historic districts. However, <br />an inventory is a valuable tool in identifying districts. The <br />requirement of an inventory is a local requirement as is <br />submission of the inventory to the Division of Archives and <br />History, and notification of property owners. it is also <br />consistent with a similar requirement applicable tb <br />landmarks, a requirement which is mandated by the enabling <br />legislation. <br />