HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 052318 Attachment 1
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Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Summary
May 23rd, 2018
Old Orange County Courthouse
106 W. King Street, Hillsborough
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Dickinson, Ireland, Loter, Menius and Peck
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Sandbeck GUESTS: Fred Stewart, Architect for Chatwood COA
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dickinson called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for April 25th, 2018 (Attachment 1): Peck noted one typo.
Ireland moved to approve the minutes as corrected, seconded by Peck; motion approved.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION:
Chatwood Certificate of Appropriateness:
Staff began by providing members with a detailed overview of the Certificate of
Appropriateness (COA) process for the benefit of new members. Members were referred
to the handout labelled “Certificate of Appropriateness Review Script.” The project
architect, Fred Stewart, was present to represent the property owners, Frances and Ed
Mayes. Staff explained that this was a public meeting and that letters had been sent to
adjoining property owners within 500 feet. No property owners responded to the letter with
any comments or questions. Staff gave a PowerPoint presentation showing location
maps, site plans and historic and modern photos of the Chatwood property, along with the
floor plan and elevation drawings depicting the proposed work. Staff described the
proposed project work and reviewed how each work item meets or does not meet the
official HPC Design Standards. Staff pointed out that the proposed work was approved by
the HPC in 2014-15 so this is essentially a resubmittal of the same project with some
refinements. The proposed project will consist of a bathroom addition at the east end, and
a kitchen addition that will replace the existing 1950s shed room across the rear elevation
of the Johnson wing of the house. Discussion followed. There was a consensus that in
general, the project as proposed will meet the design standards. However, several
members raised some concerns about changes to the windows on the 1845 wing. As
proposed, the project will eliminate two original windows on the east wall of the 1845 wing,
as part of the bathroom addition and conversion of that wing into a master bedroom suite.
In addition, the project calls for removing the two original windows on the south wall,
flanking the chimney, and replacing them with larger 9 over 9 windows. Discussion
followed. The removal of the original windows and the enlargement of the south windows
is not consistent with the design standards. Mr. Stewart reviewed the measurements on
the architectural plans and determined that there was a solution, whereby the two
windows from the east wall could be shifted to the rear or south wall, and placed to the
east and west of the existing windows now flanking the chimney. The two original
windows flanking the chimney can then remain in place unchanged and not replaced with
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larger 9 over 9 windows. This solution will provide adequate natural light. Members
discussed this option and generally agreed that this was a reasonable solution. Members
agreed that the COA should include mention of archaeological monitoring during
construction, as was done for the first COA for this project back in 2014.
Based on the information presented and items raised during discussion, Menius moved to
approve the COA for the proposed work at Chatwood as presented, based on t he findings
of fact presented in the staff report, with additional conditions as follows: archaeological
monitoring and recording be performed; the two east windows be preserved and moved to
the south wall of the 1845 addition; and that the south windows be preserved in place and
not replaced with larger windows. Motion seconded by Peck; motion passed.
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS: None
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. History Day at Blackwood Farm:
Staff showed photos of the educational activities carried out at Blackwood Farm by
Dickinson, Sandbeck and former member Grace White. Over 300 fourth graders enjoyed
the HPC programs.
b. BOCC Work Session and HPC Annual Report:
Dickinson reported on the HPC presentation of the highlights of our annual report at the
work session on May 3. Topics included our book project and the matter of working with
the municipalities to allow the HPC to designate county landmarks within the town ETJs.
c. CLG Training Workshop:
Peck provided a brief overview of the training program and the presentation/tour of the
Chapel of the Cross.
d. Brickwork Restoration Workshop:
Staff provided an overview of the brickwork workshop held at the Norwood Law Office on
May 19th as a Preservation Month activity. Brickwork expert Wayne Thompson and his
son, Adam, did a great job demonstrating the appropriate techniques for cleaning out the
old mortar joints and repointing. It was well attended and productive despite the rain.
e. Book project status:
The county manager’s recommended budget includes an additional $25,000 for the book
project. Author Laura Phillips is now under contract for the first writing phase. We
anticipate getting additional funding from local sources. We will develop an attractive
brochure to use to obtain patrons/ sponsors.
f. Current Landmark and National Register Projects:
Staff reviewed the current projects: Schley Grange and Cedar Grove School are
underway for National Register nominations. We will start work on landmark applications
for the old Eno Quaker Cemetery and the David Faucette House.
g. Other county project updates:
Staff reviewed progress on the Occaneechi Village reconstruction. Volunteers are cutting
cedar poles to use for reconstructing the huts, then once we have enough we will
schedule a volunteer work day to build one or two huts.
h. Open Air Time for members to share information: None.
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff