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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-25-1997 - C1 T . f 003 ORANGECOUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 25, 1997 Agenda Abstract Item li C1 SUBJECT: Historic Landmark Designation Program DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: X Yes No BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes X No ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Belk Preserving the Orange Tradition: Preservation Planner/ X2594 A Landmark Designation Program for Orange County PHONE NUMBERS: (Separate enclosure provided in Manager's Memo Hillsborough 732-8181 of July 30, 1997) Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 Chapel Hill 967-9251 PURPOSE: To receive citizen comment on the proposed Historic Landmark Designation Program. BACKGROUND: The Ordinance Creating the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) of Orange County, adopted in April 1991, authorizes the HPC to recommend designation of individual buildings, structures, and sites as "historic landmarks." Local landmark designation is the formal recognition of a property's importance to the history and cultural heritage of Orange County, and is fundamental to implementing the goals and objectives of the Historic Preservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. A report, Preserving the Orange Tradition:A Landmarks Designation Program for Orange County, provides an in-depth discussion of the historic landmarks designation program. It describes the authority for instituting such a program, the process of local historic designation, and examines the costs of the program. SUMMARY OF PROGRAM 1. Site Selection and Designation. After BOCC approval of the historic landmark designation program, the HPC will begin selecting potential landmarks based on specified evaluation criteria. A Designation Priority List consisting of ten to fifteen sites will be maintained and updated annually. The number of designations each year will depend upon funding 004 from the Board of Commissioners. (The FY1997-1998 budget contains $10,000 for preparation of designation reports. These funds will allow the designation of 3-5 sites.) After a site is selected from the priority list, a designation report is prepared for submittal to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for comment. After review by the SHPO, the HPC will make its recommendation to the Board of Commissioners, and may request a public hearing to designate the site as an Orange County Historic Landmark. 2. Affect on Participating Property Owners. The landmark designation program would be voluntary. Owners of Priority List properties will be invited by the HPC to participate, and they may decline if they wish. If they choose to participate, their property would be affected as follows: 1) Certificate of Appropriateness Required. Certain changes to the exterior of the property require the approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) by the HPC before a building permit is issued. The Commission may deny the COA if it finds the proposed work will adversely affect the special character of the landmark. HPC review is not required for the routine maintenance and upkeep of landmark properties. 2) Eligibility for Fifty Percent Property Tax Deferral. An owner of a designated landmark may apply for an annual 50% property tax deferral for as long as the property's historical significance is maintained. The owner must apply to the Tax Assessor for a reduced valuation of the property. The reduction in value is assigned only to real property (land and structures). If the property's historic significance is not maintained, the owner must pay the deferred taxes for the current year and three subsequent years, plus interest. RECOMMENDATION: The Ordinance Creating the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) of Orange County, adopted in April 1991, authorizes the HPC to recommend designation of historic landmarks. The Historic Landmark Designation Program proposal does not require any changes to existing ordinances. Administration Recommendation The Administration recommends the Historic Landmark Designation Program be referred to the Historic Preservation Commission for recommendations to be returned to the Board of County Commissioners no sooner than September 16, 1997.