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132 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> A. - V <br /> Department of Environment, <br /> Agriculture,Parks&Recreation <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> To: Brian Collie,Planner II, Planning and Inspections Department <br /> From: Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR Cultural Resources Coordinator <br /> Christian Himi,DEAPR Land Conservation Manager <br /> Date: February 14,2023 <br /> Re: White Cross and Hwy 54 Map Amendment-Conditional District Rezoning Application <br /> Thank you the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed White Cross and Hwy 54 Map <br /> Amendment-Conditional District Rezoning Application. The development would be the construction of a <br /> retail store located in the southeast corner of NC Highway 54 and White Cross Road(Haw River <br /> Unprotected Watershed) The subject property is compiled of one parcel(PIN 9749402351). <br /> The property is located within an Orange County recognized Resource Protection Area due to its <br /> proximity to the White Cross School,a designated Orange County Historic Landmark. There are no <br /> streams or additionally recognized natural resource areas on the property. <br /> DEAPR comments on development projects are generally intended to a)address any concerns with <br /> respect to potential impacts on important natural or cultural resources, and b)identify any areas that might <br /> be desirable for possible dedication to the County for public recreation/open space pursuant to Section <br /> 7.11.5 of the Unified Development Ordinance. <br /> Cultural Resources Review Comments: <br /> The site of this development is located directly opposite the historic White Cross School(3501 NC 54 <br /> West). This historic structure, along with the front half of its parcel,was designated as an Orange County <br /> Local Historic Landmark by ordinance passed by the Board of County Commissioners on May 5,2015. <br /> Its designation was based on its historic, architectural and cultural significance to the County. The <br /> original building, constructed in 1933 and enlarged in 1948,retains a high degree of architectural <br /> integrity,with most of its original historic exterior and interior features still preserved. The building is an <br /> important and rare example of a rural school built according to the plans promoted by the State <br /> Department of Public Instruction in the 1920s and 1930s. This new facility provided modern,well-lit and <br /> sanitary facilities for the area students. The White Cross School played a pivotal role in the social and <br /> cultural life of the White Cross community and lower Bingham Township until it was closed in 1961, and <br /> as such,was for decades the center and focal point of the community. Any proposed project that has a <br /> potential to adversely affect a designated historic landmark is subject to a higher level of review with the <br /> goal of working with property developers to find ways to reduce or eliminate any potential negative visual <br /> or physical impact on a landmark property. <br /> Due to the proximity of the proposed new development to this important community landmark,there is an <br /> additional responsibility on the project developer to provide design and landscaping that provide an <br /> appropriate level of respect for this historic landmark and its context. In our review of the planning <br /> documents,it appears the north end elevation(Sheet A-2: right side elevation) of the proposed building <br /> presents a blank steel-clad wall toward NC 54, and thus the proposed new building completely ignores <br /> and turns its back toward the historic school and as well as toward the many motorists that will pass the <br />