HPC agenda 022801 - Laserfiche WebLink

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEMORANDUM To : County Commissioners From : Historic Preservation Commission Date : February 28 , 2001 Subject : HPC Comments on SOCF Provisional Report The Orange County Historic Preservation Commission' s (HPC) charge is to identify and protect the archaeological and cultural resources of the county. The key to a successful preservation program at the local level is to keep residents living in their historic houses and using their historic outbuildings, particularly agricultural structures . The Orange County Historic Preservation Commission supports the historic preservation components of the Shaping Orange County' s Future ( SOCF) Provisional Report . However, the four preservation-related action strategies linked to the HPC focus only on protection through the development review process, and identification through tourism and special exhibits . These types of programs are important, but only a small part of the larger need. Some historic sites are suitable for museums and parks open to the public, however, many more are best left lived in, surrounded by an appropriate rural context . The HPC would welcome the opportunity to work with other county departments and commissions to promote the importance of preserving our local heritage through education and financial incentives . This would include identifying properties of great local significance that are subject to demolition through neglect or simple replacement . The HPC would like to work with the Orange County Housing Department, the Economic Development Commission and Building Inspections section of the Planning & Inspections Department to establish a low-interest rate loan program to maintain and/or rehabilitate historic buildings based on the Secretary of Interior' s Standards-to ensure that historic buildings retain their architectural character . The HPC would also like to work with the Building Inspectors to review appropriate sections of the Existing Buildings Code to determine ways to meet state requirements without compromising historic or architectural significance . These issues would be best addressed under the following action strategies, with proposed language changes written in italics . Goal I : Put Community-Building First • 1 -7a) Increase developer and citizen awareness of significant historic resources and the need to protect them with their surrounding context, and offer rewards to developers who successfully incorporate/preserve county history. • 1 -7b) Identify important corridors, areas, and sites of archaeological, historic and cultural significance .