HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 121416 Attachment 1
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Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Approved Meeting Summary
December 14th, 2016
Old Orange County Courthouse
106 East King Street, Hillsborough
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Ireland (Vice-Chair), Jaime Grant, Allie Mead, Art Menius, Tom Loter
MEMBERS ABSENT: Grace White
STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck
GUESTS: None
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Ireland called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for October 26th (Attachment 1): Members noted that the
date referenced August 24th instead of October 26th; should be Oct. 26. Staff noted
several minor typos that need to be corrected. Add the word “graves” to item 5-c, and add
the words “and archaeologists” to last sentence of item 6-b. Loter moved to approve the
minutes, seconded by Menius; motion approved.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION:
a. Approval of meeting calendar for 2017 (Attachment 2): Members reviewed
the proposed calendar. Menius moved to approve, seconded by Loter; motion
passed.
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Review of 2015 Annual Report and Work Plan for 2016 Report (Attachment 3):
Staff handed out the 2015 work plan; this is an updated and edited version of the copy we
discussed during the October meeting. There are not many major changes, mostly
updates to active or ongoing projects. Ireland suggested adding items for the Blackwood
Park slave cemetery and interpretive signs, as well as the house restoration project.
Menius suggested updates for the Old Courthouse preservation plan language. Grant
suggested we include the project to establish an historic marker sign program. Staff noted
that there was a new state highway marker for the White Furniture Company and that
Grace White was there at the dedication last week. Menius noted that the talented African
American fiddle player Joe Thompson worked at the White Furniture Company and played
his fiddle here at the Old Courthouse portico. Members agreed that staff should make the
changes and submit our report this week.
b. Membership:
Staff reviewed the current online applications with members to discuss filling the vacancy
created by Susan Ballard’s resignation. Only two applicants demonstrated any historic
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preservation background or qualifications. Of those, applicant Dickinson shows an
extremely strong background and has served before on the HPC before. Ireland initiated a
discussion about the County’s attendance rules for boards and commissions. Grant
reported that she will be starting new courses in organic chemistry in January and will
probably have an ongoing conflict that will prevent her from attending our meetings. She
will give us an update in January. Members discussed various scenarios that might allow
her to continue to serve. Menius moved to recommend Dickinson to the BOCC, seconded
by Ireland; motion passed.
c. Report back from Book Committee:
Ireland reported that the committee is making good progress. The draft outline provided
by staff was very helpful but seemed heavy on history. It can be improved by letting the
architecture and buildings serve as a vehicle for telling the history. Committee members
agreed that they need to meet again within a month to continue the good progress. Grant
has been working on editing and revising the draft outline, with a goal of completing her
work by the end of December.
d. New Law regarding protection of monuments (Attachment 4)
Staff provided this to update members on the current discussion about how to treat
monuments on state-owned properties. Discussion followed.
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Old Courthouse Restoration work in progress:
Staff provided a brief update on the progress now being made on replacing leaking gutters
on the old courthouse and related repairs to the handsome Greek Revival cornice.
b. Other County project updates:
Updates were also provided for the upcoming move of the Hollow Rock Store, to take
place right before Christmas to its new site at the Access Area on Erwin Road. Repairs at
the Dickson House are nearly finished. Funds have been provided by the Preservation
Fund for the Norwood Jones Law Office and will be available soon.
c. Occaneechi Village ceremony set for Dec. 17th:
Staff reported on the planned ceremony at the village site, to take place this coming
Saturday morning. This will kick off the upcoming rebuilding of the palisade and future
village structures within.
d. Open Air Time for members to share information
No new items were discussed in the interest of ending the meeting earlier than usual.
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: Menius moved to adjourn, seconded by Loter; meeting adjourned at
8:20 pm
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff