Agenda - 03-10-20; 8-a - Minutes

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3 1 2 3 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations 4 5 a. National Register Approval for Cedar Grove School and the Schley Grange Hall 6 The Board considered the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) recommendation 7 that the historic properties known as the Cedar Grove School and the Schley Grange Hall be 8 approved and forwarded to the State Historic Preservation Office for listing in the National 9 Register of Historic Places and authorizing the Chair to sign. 10 Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator reviewed this information below, 11 presented a PowerPoint (photos only) of both sites, as well as an oral history. 12 13 BACKGROUND: The federal process for listing a property in the National Register of Historic 14 Places include a provision giving the BOCC the opportunity to offer a recommendation 15 supporting or opposing the listing of historic properties within its jurisdiction. The HPC fully 16 supports the nomination of these properties to the National Register. As required, the HPC held 17 a public hearing and received public comment about these proposed National Register listings 18 at its regular meeting on January 22, 2020. 19 20 DEAPR contracted with consultants to prepare the National Register Reports to promote 21 recognition for properties of special historical, architectural or cultural significance to Orange 22 County. This is an ongoing HPC program to protect and preserve historic resources. Funding 23 was provided through the County's Lands Legacy Program, which includes as one of its 24 priorities the protection of"lands of historic, cultural, or archaeological significance." 25 The National Register is an honorary designation that carries no local regulatory burden, but 26 does provide a federal and state process for protection in the case of projects receiving federal 27 or state funding, or projects that require some form of federal or state permit or license. 28 The attached excerpts from the National Register Reports provide brief statements on the 29 significance and describe how the properties meet the applicable National Register criteria 30 (Attachments 1 and 2). 31 32 FINANCIAL IMPACT: The National Register Reports were funded in part from the Lands 33 Legacy Program budget for FY 2018-19. The Cedar Grove School cost was $3,500 (less than 34 usual cost due to DEAPR staff providing much of the research). The Schley Grange Hall cost 35 totaled $2,750 in County funds, plus $2,750 in matching funds provided by the Schley Grange. 36 37 Commissioner McKee said he enjoyed hearing the history of these two important 38 buildings. He said the Grange was very active and then fell off years ago, but has been revived 39 by some of the originally involved families. 40 Peter Sandbeck said this is so true, and the Grange is really on solid footing these days. 41 Commissioner Price said compliments to all for bringing this about. She said historic 42 preservation is typically about the best of the best, and preserving places that have such a 43 legacy is so important. She said at one time both buildings were going to be deconstructed, but 44 community activism saved them. She said both of these buildings were built and existed during 45 the days of segregation, but they are no longer this way. 46 Chair Rich asked if the County will have any responsibility for these sites if they are 47 placed onto the national registry. 48 Peter Sandbeck said this is an honorary program, not a regulatory one, and the County 49 is expected to follow the advice of its HPC in terms of preserving the character and appearance 50 of the buildings, and trying to maintain them in good condition. He said the County would have