HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2015-012 Ordinance Designating the Property Known As The White Cross School In Orange County, North Carolina As A Local Historic LandmarkORD- 2015 -012 P `F
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AN ORDINANCE OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE
WHITE CROSS SCHOOL
IN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
Whereas, all of the prerequisites to the adoption of this ordinance prescribed in Part 3C, Article
19, Chapter 160A (Historic Districts and Landmarks) of the General Statutes of North Carolina and an
Ordinance Creating the Historic Preservation Commission of Orange County (the "Historic Preservation
Ordinance ") have been met; and
Whereas, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has taken into full consideration all
statements and information in the application and the designation report prepared by the Orange County
Historic Preservation Commission and presented to the Board of County Commissioners on the 3`d day of
March, 2015, on the question of designating the property known as the White Cross School as a historic
landmark; and
Whereas, the property known as the White Cross School, located in Bingham Township in the
County of Orange and more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto, is significant as one of
only three brick consolidated schools still standing in the County; and
Whereas, the original building constructed in 1933 and enlarged in 1948 retains a high degree of
architectural integrity, with most of its original historic exterior and interior features still preserved; and
Whereas, the White Cross School is an important and increasingly rare example of a rural school
built according to the plans promoted by the State Department of Public Instruction in the 1920s and
1930s to provide modern, well -lit and sanitary facilities for students; and
Whereas, the White Cross School played a pivotal role in the social and cultural life of the White
Cross community and lower Bingham Township until it was closed in 1961; and
Whereas, the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission has recognized the historic,
architectural and cultural significance of the property known as the White Cross School and has
recommended that the property be designated a "historic landmark" as outlined in Article 3 of the Historic
Preservation Ordinance; and
Whereas, the State Historic Preservation Office, an agency of the Office of Archives and History
of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, has reviewed and commented on the findings of
the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission, and has approved the White Cross School for
designation as a local historic landmark;
Now, therefore, be it ordained by the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North
Carolina that:
Section 1. The property known as the White Cross School, located in Bingham Township,
Orange County, North Carolina jurisdictional area, consisting of approximately 1.4 acres more
particularly described in Exhibit B, is hereby designated a historic landmark pursuant to Part 3C, Article
19, Chapter 160A of the General Statutes of North Carolina and the Orange County Historic Preservation
Ordinance.
Section 2. The owner(s) and occupant(s) of the property known as the White Cross School be
given notice of this ordinance as required by applicable law, and that copies of this ordinance be filed and
indexed in the office of the County Clerk, Orange County Register of Deeds, Orange County Tax
Supervisor and Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, as
required by the applicable law.
Section 3. In accordance with Part 3C, Article 19, Chapter 160A of the General Statutes of North
Carolina and the Orange County Historic Preservation Ordinance, the exterior and site features of all
historic landmarks are always under the purview of the Historic Preservation Commission's Certificate of
Appropriateness provisions. The jurisdiction of the Historic Preservation Commission may also extend
over interior spaces with the consent of the owner. The HPC shall determine Certificates of
Appropriateness for the White Cross School based on the HPC's approved design standards, with
reference to the designation ordinance, the application materials and the designation report.
Section 4. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the
extent of such conflict with this ordinance.
Section 5. Any part of this ordinance determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be in
violation of any law or constitutional provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity
of the remainder.
Section 6. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby
officially designate the White Cross School as an Orange County Local Historic
Landmark.
This the 5th day of May, 2015.
F�
Earl McKee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Attest
Donna Baker, Clerk-to the Board