Minutes 02-15-2024 - Work Session

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3 what they have but cannot keep up with demand. She said the council supports looking at future growth of the recreation program, not just renovating Central Recreation center. Vice-Chair Greene said she loved the pollinator garden plan. She said that the Master Gardener program with the Extension Agency would be a great partner. Chair Bedford said that the CIP plan includes a new gym, not just a renovation, and that it might be a decade before it is implemented. Art Menius of the Historic Preservation Commission said they completed getting the Ridge Road School on the National Register of Historic Places. He said getting it permanently dedicated as a landmark is a big step. He said Harvey's AME Church and cemetery are also on their list. He explained that the cemetery is out in the middle of the woods with no roads to it and the simple explanation is the reality of systemic racism. He said that in the 1920s governments took on the maintenance of roads and a road used mostly by Black communities would not have gotten the same maintenance attention. He said they are almost at the end of the architectural history book. He said the book will become a reality soon. He said that UNC Press will market and distribute the book. He said that they are looking at threatened and abandoned cemeteries and graves as part of their future projects. He said this is a problem countywide. He said that they will collaborate with the Planning staff to identify burial grounds in the development review process. He said that this is an area that does not have a lot of archeology scholarships around it. He said there is a very large burial ground for Hardscrabble Plantation and that there are 100s of grave sites. He said that land has been marked off to be permanently reserved and treated with respect. He said they are interested in a grant project to help preserve cemeteries like this as well as old log cabins and buildings, both of which are usually located on private property. He said it will be the 2501" anniversary of the American Revolution and they are participating in statewide efforts. He said they are continuing to discuss the best approach for future historical markers. He said that digital markers could be a better use of resources. Vice-Chair Greene said she is interested in the historical marker program. She has heard it described as an all-digital program and a marker program. She said that the markers are the number one priority. Art Menius said that having the book done will help the commission focus on the historical marker program. Commissioner McKee said he appreciated the comment about log buildings disappearing in the community. He said he had three log tobacco barns on his property that were built with pegs. He said they are difficult to maintain due to age. Art Menius said if they can get a program together to help property owners maintain log buildings, it would be a step forward in maintaining the rural character of Orange County. He said a takeaway from the architectural survey is how poor Orange County was, outside of Chapel Hill. Commissioner Hamilton said thank you for paying attention to Black burial grounds. She said she also supports getting outside funding, if possible, to help. Kim Woods, Chair of the Agricultural Preservation Board (APB), said that in 2023 the APB reviewed and recommended approval for nine additional farms as Voluntary Agricultural District and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District farms and adding 262 acres to these programs after being approved by the BOCC. She said that this increased the total enrollment in both programs to 17,433 acres on 151 farms throughout the County (14,719 in VAD and 2,714 in EVAD). She said the comprehensive land use plan will give them an important opportunity to incorporate agricultural preservation goals. She said the APB hopes to see the BOCC make an active commitment to keep farming a viable way to make a living. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what kinds of permanent protections they might recommend. Kim Woods said they are still doing research on what other states have done and will report back to the Board.