HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC minutes 042518 Attachment 1
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Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Summary
April 25th, 2018
Old Orange County Courthouse
106 W. King Street, Hillsborough
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Dickinson, Ireland, Loter, Peck
MEMBERS ABSENT: Menius
STAFF PRESENT: Sandbeck GUESTS: None
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ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dickinson called the meeting to order at 6:47 pm.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for March 28, 2018 (Attachment 1): Peck moved to approve
the minutes, seconded by Ireland; motion approved.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION: None
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Landmark Evaluation Exercise: David Faucette House, Efland:
Dickinson introduced the topic and explained how the evaluation process works for the
benefit of the newer members. Staff provided a PowerPoint program showing exterior and
interior views of the Faucette House and explained its architectural evolution and
significance. Members completed their evaluation forms and discussed the various
scoring categories. Everyone agreed that the house possessed significant architectural
integrity and retained an appropriate setting. The final average of the scores was 66.25.
Members endorsed the Faucette House for landmark status based on this high score.
b. Preservation Month Activities:
Staff discussed various ideas for things to do during preservation month. One activity is
brickwork restoration workshop at the Norwood Law Office, in partnership with the
Alliance for Historic Hillsborough. Local brickwork expert Wayne Thompson will lead the
workshop. This will be held on Saturday, May 19th. The Alliance is considering repeating
the “Preservation Conversations” program that they held last year. They had preservation
experts lead a discussion on various topics each week. HPC staff did one of those about
the Old Courthouse. One question was if it was possible to do a program that explained
the restoration of the Dickson House. Social media activities were discussed. Staff will
pursue this with the departmental staff to see what is possible by setting up a new
Facebook account and launching that over Preservation Month. This will hinge on
availability of staff time.
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c. History Day at Blackwood Farm:
Staff reviewed the logistics for this event, coming up on May 3. Members Dickinson,
Ireland and Peck volunteered to help give the program for about 300 kids from local
schools, all fourth graders. Parks staff is getting a pine log ready for Dickinson; he will
bring his tools, metal buckets and other accessories needed for his traditional
woodworking demonstration. Ireland and Peck will cover the history overview and engage
the kids in activities that relate to life on the farm. Former HPC member Grace W hite may
join us. Everyone needs to be there by about 8-8:15. Menius lined up a good traditional
string band to play for the event but there is not time this year due to a packed schedule.
They would like this to become part of next year’s event. Staff suggested an orientation
meeting out at Blackwood to give us a chance to review our presentations and block out
the locations of the activities. Peck and Ireland agreed to meet this Friday morning at 10.
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Book project status:
Staff provided a brief overview of the current status. Funding is coming together and is in
line with the Phase I report and cost/time proposal just submitted by consultant Laura
Phillips. Staff reported that the county manager’s recommended budget includes an
additional $25,000 for the book project. Staff hopes to get Phillips under contract for the
writing phase in the next two weeks.
b. Old Eno Cemetery:
Staff met with county attorney’s office to discuss options for the county in helping to
preserve the cemetery. It is their opinion that it will be possible for the cemetery to
become a local landmark even though the ownership is not clear. HPC members already
endorsed the idea of moving forward with landmark designation, so staff will now proceed
based on the attorney’s evaluation.
c. Piedmont Regional CLG Training Workshop:
Staff reminded members that this event is coming up on Friday, May 19th. Right now,
Loter, Dickinson and Ireland are planning to attend; Peck may be able to join but not
certain. Staff referred to the agenda that was in the packages.
d. Other county project updates:
Staff reviewed progress on the Occaneechi Village reconstruction. They are getting
prepared to start harvesting small cedar poles for the future building of the huts.
Volunteers will be welcomed. Dickinson and staff will be appearing before the BOCC at
their annual work session on March 3, when they receive presentations from each county
board and commission. Staff gave an update on Kirkland House landmark project. This
property is actually in a special Carrboro planning zone, so it is not in county jurisdiction,
and thus, we have no power to designate landmarks there. We will have to enter into an
interlocal agreement with Carrboro before we can proceed.
e. Open Air Time for members to share information
Peck noted that he had seen a good aerial photo of the Dickson House when it was on its
original site. It is probably available through the web site: Vintage Aerial Photos. Members
discussed the Open Orange web site as a good source of information and photos. Peck
also noted that he had gotten copies of the slides showing the restoration/renovation of
the Burwell School back in the early 1960s. He offered to send it around.
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: Loter moved to adjourn, seconded by Ireland; meeting adjourned at 8:35
pm
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff