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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-02-1995 - VIII-N w t 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 2. 1995 Agenda Abstract Item # lII- SUBJECT: STATE GRANTS PROGRAM APPLICATION DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald R. Belk X2594 - Grant Criteria and Procedures Planner II/Special Projects - List of Sample Projects -Application Form PHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 Chapel Hill 967-9251 PURPOSE: To consider submission of proposals for the 1995-1996 State Grants Program for Nonprofit Historical Organizations and Local Government Entities. BACKGROUND: 1993 was the first year of funding for the State Grants Program. The program was established to "encourage the protection, preservation,and interpretation of historic assets with local or regional significance." Orange County submitted an unsuccessful application for a grant to publish the Historic Resources Inventory book. Last year, the Historic Preservation Commission submitted three (3) proposals under this program. In addition to resubmitting the proposal to publish the inventory, the HPC recommended submitting proposals to (1) prepare a National Register District nomination for Cedar Grove; and (2) produce a slide- tape program featuring the historic resources of the County's seven townships. These requests also were not accepted for funding. The State Grants Program is especially attractive in that it does not require matching funds by the local government. This year, a total of $3 million is available. The application deadline is October 13, 1995. The Planning Staff'is recommending revision of the proposal for the Cedar Grove National Register District in light of new information that has been obtained during the past year. Since the completion of the inventory is scheduled for September 1996, and educational programs will be included as Action Recommendations in the upcoming Preservation Element,Staff recommends that last year's proposals for the slide-tape presentation and the inventory publication be dropped,and that the State Grants application feature the Cedar Grove Rural Historic District nomination. Baseline information for a Cedar Grove Crossroads National Register District was compiled by Shannon Sexton during her graduate internship with the Orange County Planning Department. Review of Sexton's draft nomination by Pat Dickinson i 2 ' BACKGROUND showed the document to be nearly 75 percent complete. Ms.Dickinson requested (continued) a review of the draft by Linda Edmisten,National Register Coordinator for SHPO. On September 22, Pat Dickinson, Linda Edmisten,Anna Tilghman (SHPO), and Don Belk toured the proposed Cedar Grove district. The purpose of the site visit was to assess Sexton's proposed district boundaries as well as plan for a field trip during SHPO's annual consultant workshop on October 26-27. The following subparagraphs summarize the findings from the site visit: o Ms.Edmisten found that the area adjacent to the Cedar Grove crossroads (the intersection of Efland-Cedar Grove Road and Carr Store Road) does not possess sufficient contributing features to qualify as a historic crossroads, which would normally possess significant elements on each corner. o Ms. Edmisten believes there is a stronger case for submitting Cedar Grove as a Rural Historic District. The Cedar Grove crossroads and environs may contain suitable contributing characteristics to qualify as a Rural Historic Landscape. The Cedar Grove area exhibits elements of a historic cultural landscape, a landscape that has evolved through use by the people whose activities and occupancy have shaped the land.'. Affected by the processes of land uses, patterns of spatial organization, responses to the natural environment, and cultural traditions, Cedar Grove is reflective of an agricultural-based, tightly-knit community that was self-reliant and innovative in character. Through additional survey work, Cedar Grove may be found to possess a significant concentration, linkage, and continuity of areas of land use, vegetation, buildings and structures, roads, and natural features. A National Register Rural Historic District nomination would be the basis for a more extensive citizen-based planning initiative, wherein the residents of Cedar Grove would work toward a consensus on a vision of their community's future, utilizing visual preference surveys and other "visioning' techniques to develop a plan for the area. Local district designation and design guidelines would be among the tools for implementing the community-based plan. Grant funds would be used to hire a consultant to conduct additional survey work for developing a more thorough historic context of the Cedar Grove rural landscape,including identification of significant landscape elements,evaluation of significance and historic integrity, application of the National Register criteria, selection of district boundaries, and preparation of the National Register forms. Additonal funds would be used for the citizen participation and visioning processes. RJECOBEWENDATION: The Administration recommends that a grant application for a National Register nomination for the Cedar Grove Rural Historic District be submitted to the State Grants Program for Nonprofit Historical Organizations and Local Government Entities. 'Guidelines for Eualuating and Documenting Rural Historic Landscapes. National Register Bulletin No. 30, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Interagency Resources Division. STATE GRANTS PROGRAM FOR NONPROFIT HISTORICAL ORGANIZATIONS 3 AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES Division of Archives and History North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources September 1, 1995 CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR AWARDING GRANTS INTRODUCTION The State Grants Program for Nonprofit Historical Organizations and Local Government Entities(hereafter, "The State Grants Program"), was created in 1995 by the General Assembly of North Carolina,and is administered by the Division of Archives and History, Department of Cultural Resources. The purpose of the program is to encourage the protection, preservation, and interpreta- tion of historic assets with local or regional significance. Priority consideration shall be given to the local historical organization's educational objectives. Grants shall be limited to amounts of$100,000 or less. The State Grants Program may aid local history museums and historic sites,help conserve and make accessible historic records,assist with the development and disbursement of historical publications, and promote the preservation of historic properties and archaeological sites across the state. It will also generate greater citizen awareness of the importance of North Carolina history to the state's quality of life,both now and in the future. The total appropriation for the grants is three million dollars($3,000,000)to be awarded in the 1995- 1996 fiscal year.Applications must be postmarked no later than October 13, 1995. The criteria and procedures for awarding grants under this program are set forth below. Further information on the State Grants Program may be obtained from Jo Ann Williford,Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies,Division of Archives and History, 109 East Jones Street,Raleigh,NC 27601-2807. CRITERIA Criteria and Requirements for Recipients: Eligible Recipients. Only nonprofit organizations or units of local government are eligible to receive funding. A nonprofit applicant shall document that it is a tax exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code by submitting a copy of its IRS tax-exempt letter containing its federal identification number. Appropriate Standards.All projects funded by the State Grants Program should meet appropriate standards established by the Division of Archives and History.Funded project activity should not adversely affect the historic significance of the property or its environment,including archaeological remains.Failure to adhere to appropriate standards will jeopardize future funding requests. Criteria Related to Nonstate Historic Properties Priority consideration will be given to properties listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.For information about eligibility requirements,contact the State Historic Preservation Office at(919)733-6545. PROCEDURES 4 The Application Process ' The application process may include an informal consultation between the applicant and appropriate member(s)of the Division staff. Such a consultation may be arranged by Jo Ann Williford, at 919/ 733-7305. Please submit two (2) copies of your application. Limit attachments as much as possible. However, in addition to the completed Grant Applications the proposal for funding should include,if applicable: -A statement of project objectives -Recent photograph(s)of subject -Description of sponsoring organization -Proof of 501(c)3 status—required of all applicants Grant application forms will be available by September 1995,and should be completed and postmarked no later than October 13, 1995.Applications submitted via "FAX"will not quaff. The Selection Process A Grants Committee consisting of staff members of the Division of Archives and History and chaired by the Division Director will review all applications postmarked no later than the October 13 deadline. The committee will recommend a list of projects and funding amounts to the North Carolina Historical Commission.Following review by the Historical Commis- sion,all recommendations will be sent to the Secretary of Cultural Resources,who will make the final funding decisions. The proposals will be evaluated by the Grants Committee on the basis ofthe following measures: y -Quality of resource -Soundness of project application -Benefits to the local community or region -Ability of the group to carry out the project -Ability of the group to continue the project or maintain the historic resources -Significance of the project to the organization's mission Attempts will be made to achieve a balanced program of grant projects that reflect every geographic region of the State and represent important aspects of North Carolina's heritage. Grants Administration Checks will be mailed to grant recipients following the receipt of necessary grant documents(request for payment form,conflict of interest statement,certification of tax exempt status,etc.). All projects may be subject to audit.However, G.S. 143-6.1 requires that agencies receiving$25,000 or more will be required"to file annually with the State Auditor and with the Joint Legislative Com- mission on Governmental Operations financial statements for that year in which$25,000 or more in state funds were received,used,or expended.These financial statements shall be audited in accor- dance with the auditing standards prescribed by the State Auditor,and the audit report shall be received by the State Auditor within six month after the end of the private organization's year in which $25,000 or more were received,used or expended. 2 5 SAMPLE PROJECTS The following are examples of some of the projects which could be funded with the assistance from the State Grants Program for Local Historical Organizations. Development of a local history collection in cooperation with the local library. Restoration/rehabilitation of a i 9th-century lighthouse keeper's residence,including engineering/ architectural services and exterior restoration of the building. Archaeological testing and excavation of an 18th-century plantation site to determine locations and configuration of slave cabins and related buildings. An architectural survey and National Register nominations of five individual structures and a com- mercial historic district within a local government. Publication of a county architectural survey,including manuscript preparation,selection and duplica- tion of photographs,graphics,layout design,and printing. Purchase of archival-quality storage materials for documents. Development of a primary source packet to be used in teaching local and regional history in the area schools. Funding to provide microfilming of county records in cooperation with the Division of Archives and History staff. Installation of a permanent exhibit relating to the history of the region,including costs of planning and development. Development of a traveling exhibit on some aspect of local history for use by area schools and civic groups. Acquisition of a tract of land located adjacent to a state-owned historic site to insure protection of the site's integrity. Evaluation of tombstones,grave markers,fences,and walls in cemeteries located on historic sites' property,followed by restoration and stabilization of these features. 6 r APPLICATION FOR STATE GRANTS PROGRAM DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES Please type or print clearly. Grants will be awarded in accordance with administrative guidelines issued by the Secretary of the Department of Cultural Resources. Complete both sides and submit two copies. National Register 1. PROJECT: Nomination for Cedar Grove Rural Historic District Location of Project Orange Address Town County Orange County 2. LOCAL SPONSORING ORGANIZATION:Historic Preservation Commission Orange County Contact Person: Marvin Collins Title: Planning Director Address: P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Telephone: (day) (919) 732-8181, extension 2592 Project Coordinator: Donald Belk Telephone(919) 732-8181 x2594 3. AMOUNT REQUESTED: $50,000 4 . ESTIMATED DATES: Begin project January 1996 End ProjectJanuary 1998 (approximately) 5. USE OF FUNDS: itemized budget for work to be accomplished (such as staff, equipment, supplies, etc. ) Budget Items: Estimated Cost: Consultant Services $50,000 Total Cost: $50,000 7 6. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: (Include qualifications of project personnel and timetable of activities. Attach extra sheet, if necessary) . During the inventory of historic resources in the unincorporated portions of Orange County, Cedar Grove was placed on the National Register Study List as a district deemed potentially eligible for the National Register by the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee. The rural crossroads community includes structures and farmsteads which date from the 1800s through the 1940s. The historic structures represent a variety of activites which took place at Cedar Grove, such as churches, a cemetery, stores, a post office, an academy, medical offices, and other businesses, as well as several residences. The Cedar Grove crossroads and environs contains suitable contributing characteristics to qualify as a Rural Historic Landscape. The Cedar Grove area exhibits elements of a historic cultural landscape, (Project Description continued on attached page. ) 7. JUSTIFICATION OF PROJECT: Explain briefly how this project relates to the responsibilities or goals of your organization. Orange County is committed to protecting its cultural resources. The Historic Preservation Commission is charged with upholding the Orange County Historic Preservation Ordinance adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. As a Certified Local Government, the County is encouraged to designate historic sites and districts. The County is completing a comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan which identifies the Cedar Grove area as a top priority for preservation efforts, including National Register and local district designation. During public meetings that were held to gather citizen input on the Preservation Plan goals and objectives, County residents indicated that Cedar Grove represents one of the County's most treasured historic resources because of its rural character and sense of place. Placing the Cedar Grove Rural Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places is consistent with the County's preservation goals, and will further educate and enlighten the public of the significance of Orange County's historic resources. Officer of Sponsoring Organization Moses Carey, Jr. Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners Title Date Return to: Jo Ann Williford, Grants Administrator 109 East Jones St. Raleigh, NC 27601-2807 8 6. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: (continued) a landscape that has evolved through use by the people whose activities and occupancy have modified the physical environment. Affected by the processes of land uses, patterns of spatial organization, responses to the natural environment, and cultural traditions, Cedar Grove is reflective of an agricultural-based, tightly-knit community that was self-reliant and innovative in character. Cedar Grove possesses a significant concentration, linkage, and continuity of land uses, buildings and structures, roads, and natural features that would qualify it as a National Register Rural Historic District. National Register designation would be the basis for a more extensive citizen-based planning initiative, wherein the residents of Cedar Grove would work toward a consensus on a vision of their community's future, utilizing visual preference surveys, hands-on modelling and other "visioning" techniques to develop a plan for the area. Local district designation and design guidelines would be among the tools for implementing the community-based plan. Grant funds would be used to hire a consultant to conduct additional survey work for developing a more thorough historic context of the Cedar Grove rural landscape, including identification of significant landscape elements, evaluation of significance and historic integrity, application of the National Register criteria, selection of district boundaries, and preparation of the National Register forms. Additonal funds would be used for the citizen participation and visioning processes. The entire designation process and community-based planning effort could take approximately twenty-four (24 ) months.