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Orange County <br /> HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION <br /> Approved Meeting Summary <br /> January 281", 2026 <br /> Bonnie Davis Center, 1020 US 70 West, Hillsborough <br /> MEMBERS PRESENT: Eric Deetz, Art Menius, Cecelia Moore, Anne Whisnant <br /> MEMBERS ABSENT: Todd Dickinson, Rob Golan, Carol Ann Lewald <br /> STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator <br /> GUESTS: Rod Mullen <br /> ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER: Chair Menius called the meeting to order at 6:15 and thanked the <br /> members present for being willing to meet earlier than usual in the interest of helping <br /> everyone get home safely before the forecasted bad weather sets in later this evening. He <br /> noted that we will cover the routine business first, then open the public hearing component <br /> at the officially stated start time of 6:30. <br /> ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None. <br /> ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for December 10th, 2025, meeting: <br /> Deetz moved to approve, seconded by Moore; motion carried. <br /> ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION: <br /> a. Public Hearing for Moorefields National Register Nomination: Chair Menius opened <br /> the public hearing at 6:30 with a brief overview of the purpose, to take public comment on <br /> the proposed Moorefields National Register Nomination which is being updated with <br /> additional documentation and technical corrections. Menius asked if any member of the <br /> public was present to speak about this proposed nomination. He recognized Cecily <br /> Nisbett who was present as the executive director of the Friends of Moorefields. Staff <br /> provided a detailed PowerPoint presentation about the house, site and the project, <br /> through numerous images of the house and grounds, along with the maps prepared for <br /> the update process, and explained the details of the current proposal to update the <br /> nomination with new, larger boundaries that include sites associated with enslaved <br /> workers and the Waddell cemetery located west of the house. Commission members <br /> discussed various aspects of the nomination materials. This new update provides the <br /> results of the most recent archaeological investigations around the main house, along with <br /> new historical research. Guest Nisbett expressed their appreciation for the new research <br /> findings and also noted that the house is now open to the public each Thursday afternoon. <br /> Whisnant moved as follows: "the HPC has reviewed and discussed the proposed <br /> additions and technical corrections to the Moorefields National Register nomination and <br /> finds that these adjustments meet the criteria required for listing in the National Register of <br /> Historic Places and as stated in the draft updated nomination. We recommend that the <br /> amended nomination be submitted for listing in the Register and authorize the chair to <br /> sign the recommendation letter, to be conveyed to the Board of County Commissioners <br /> and the SHPO." Motion was seconded by Deetz. Motion carried. Deetz moved to close <br /> the public hearing, seconded by Moore; motion carried. Staff explained that our action <br /> tonight will be reported to the BOCC's office, and then they will approve this at their <br /> upcoming Feb. 10 meeting, which allows it to be conveyed to the SHPO by their Feb. 12tn <br /> deadline. <br /> 1 <br />