HPC Meeting Summary 01242024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orange County HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Approved Meeting Summary January 24th, 2024 Bonnie Davis Center, 1020 US 70 West, Hillsborough MEMBERS PRESENT: Todd Dickinson, Tom Loter, Art Menius, Cecelia Moore, Steve Peck, Anne Whisnant MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Noe STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck GUESTS: None ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:34 pm. ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Staff asked to shift the showing of the historic movies until after the Moorefields presentation, in case we run short of time. ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for December 13th, 2023: Peck moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Loter, motion approved. ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION: a. Potential donation of a historic preservation easement on the Henry Calvin Andrews House in Bingham Township: Staff provided a PowerPoint overview of this property being proposed for such an easement, which the HPC is allowed to accept by the ordinance and state law. The owner has approached the county to offer an easement on the house and the surrounding parcel of approximately 11 acres, located at 8218 Bright's Way, northwest of Chapel Hill. The area is subject to intensive development for costly large lot houses. The house began as a one-room log structure built c. 1850 for Andrews and his wife, Mary Faucett. Andrews taught at his own private school, the Andrews Academy, once located nearby. He's the namesake of the community of Calvander. The house was later enlarged by a half story upper addition and a rear ell. The property includes several important log outbuildings: a barn, corncrib and a 1930s cabin, along with several more recent outbuildings dating from the mid-late 20th century. All the early structures would be included under the preservation easement, which would be complemented by a conservation easement to protect the full parcel. Taken as a whole, the house and outbuildings provide an excellent example of a typical modest Orange County farmstead in the 19th century. Discussion followed. A preservation easement would cover the house and outbuildings, with a companion easement to protect the property and any significant site features and plantings. Perhaps Preservation NC might be interested if the county isn't. This might also be a landmark candidate. If we move forward, then staff will bring back some sample language for the group to review. Members agreed that staff should pursue this offer to see what can be done. Dickinson moved to ask staff to proceed given the significance of the property and the rapid pace of development on the surrounding parcels; seconded by Whisnant; motion passed. Staff will make a site visit and consult with owner and Chris Hirni with the Lands Legacy program and report back. 1