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002 DRAFT 2 AGENDA ITEM #6 : PRESENTATIONS : ST . MARY' S ROAD CORRIDOR PRESERVATION PLAN Geoff Henry, Architectural Historian and Linda Stine, Archeologist presented reports on the architectural and archeological surveys of the St. Mary ' s Road corridor . Mr. Henry displayed a map of the St. Mary' s Road area with outline of the proposed boundaries for possible designation of the historic district. Followed by description of background work of the architectural history component that had been done was : 1 - Update the 1992 survey of St. Mary' s Road Corridor, which involved visiting SHIPO in Raleigh to collect information from that survey and to field check that information, for current verification . He noted that some buildings had been altered or destroyed. 2- Survey seven properties that were not originally included in 1992 information. Noting that within the study corridor there are two locations already on the National Register of Historic Places, being St. Mary ' s Episcopal Church and Maple Hill Farm . Also noted were two properties that were put on the NC Study List, being the Cain- Roberts House and the Gosling Log House . Henry reported he had photographed each house, drew site plans , performed title searches , and talked to owners trying to gather as much history as possible . He noted the purpose was to determine if the whole area would qualify for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as a rural historic district as set out in the guidelines of the National Register of Historic Places . A rural historic district is a collection of houses, structures, road patterns, cemeteries , and foundations , which contribute to the character as being an agricultural area. The boundaries for a potential historic district are not just property boundaries, or following the road and buildings on either side . You should also take into account patterns of land use, distribution of buildings, views of agricultural areas to tree lines to the mountain in the background. An assessment as to whether that agricultural area character is intact is needed. Henry also conferred with Claudia Brown of the State Historic Preservation Office on boundaries of a proposed historic district. The agricultural character of the area is rapidly changing with several equestrians operations beginning to replace farmland. Ultimately the conclusion is that the area does qualify. The boundaries proposed include the area from St. Mary ' s Episcopal Church over to Sunnyside home of Capt. John Berry, who built the courthouse in Hillsborough. Some of the boundary lines are based on the natural formations, such as a stream, treeline, or mountain to fit the overall character of the historic district. LaDonna Vieweg, land owner of Lot 6 Martin Hills, asked if her property might be investigated to be included as they may have part of the old trading path trench and that the adjoining property has a very old log cabin intact. Henry will investigate that area. It was also noted that the area surrounding the Lipscomb Church has historic character. Allison questioned the need to pursue a district nomination, as there seems to be more non-contributing structures in a district this size . Henry estimated that there are about fifty percent of non-contributing structures in this district. He noted that the National Register prefers 30-35 % non-contributing properties . Another nomination, called a multiple resource nomination, was discussed. The HPC concluded with the preference to preserve the whole environment included in the boundary as proposed. Ms . Vieweg questioned what the restrictions would be for property owners, if placed in the historic district. Staff explained that some measures that could impact property owners might be design or building restrictions on certain areas, tax breaks for certain types of donations of easements and historic restorations . Another benefit from a historic district could be the closer reviewing the historic recognition when planning for highway improvements . Staff reviewed Henry ' s report by saying there is a potential of National Register of Historic District along the described boundaries , an additional seven properties that will be added to the county ' s data base, the final product to Last Updated 08/09/99