HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 102418 Attachment 1
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Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Summary
October 24th, 2018
Old Orange County Courthouse
106 W. King Street, Hillsborough
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Todd Dickinson, Art Menius, Paul Noe, Becky Paxton, Steve Peck, Tom Loter
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Ireland (excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck GUESTS: None
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ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dickinson called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for September 26th, 2018 (Attachment 1): Menius moved to
approve the minutes; seconded by Peck; motion approved.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION: None
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Annual report and work plan review and discussion of HPC goals and objectives
for 2018-19 (Attachment 2):
Staff reviewed the purpose of the report, noting that this is our best opportunity to get our
issues in front of the BOCC. This is when we can directly approach them about things that
are most important. Members also received a copy of the HPC’s “Policies and
Procedures” document, which outlines our overall purpose, powers and what the county
commissioners call our “charge.” This is the short version of our ordinance. Our usual
process is for members to offer their thoughts and opinions about what we should be
doing in 2019, along with suggestions for revisions and removing items that happened
long ago. The BOCC reminds us each year that they are interested in hearing about what
we have done and what we plan to do. The final section is the place to add emerging
issues or concerns. Staff passed out a proposed draft, updated to include the activities
and accomplishments of the past year. Some older items can be removed at this point.
Dickinson noted that the HPC will soon be approaching the time to develop another
retreat, to follow up the five-year plan developed at the retreat in 2013. Members reviewed
this and offered comments and suggested additions, all noted by staff. Staff will
incorporate these suggestions and send out a revised version in advance of the
December meeting. Members then discussed the concept of having the HPC install
historic marker signs along the roadsides to inform the public about sites, people and
events of local significance. Several members thought we should consider instead
something that will utilize the internet to deliver historic content that is also linked to
specific places via GPS. Members will scan the internet for good examples of this
technology. Also, the HPC still needs to work on developing signs to provide to owners of
county landmarks. Dickinson asked for volunteers to form a subcommittee to take a look
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at the ideas of digital and physical signage and markers. Discussion followed. Menius,
Noe and Paxton volunteered. Members discussed various aspects of the annual report
and provided input and ideas. Staff captured these suggestions and will incorporate into
the new revised draft.
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Piper-Cox House Update:
Chair Dickinson provided an overview of the HPC activities on this property. On Oct. 18 th
a contingent of restoration experts converged on the house, consisting of Dickinson along
with Dean Ruedrich, Michael Verville (both with Ruedrich Restorations, Inc.), Sarah
DeGennaro with the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, and Peter Sandbeck. This team
inspected the house from top to bottom to review the damage and gather information
needed to provide recommendations to Eno River State Park. The tarp installed by the
park had already failed and was letting water in. The team removed the old tarp in order to
properly view the damage. The eastern four rafter pairs were damaged or destroyed,
along with damage to the gable end wall at that end. There was significant damage to the
upper parts of two chimneys. Otherwise the house was structurally intact. The team
installed a new tarp that should last longer, but it still temporary. Staff showed “before”
and “after” photos of the damage and our repairs. Dickinson drafted a summary report
outlining the key issues, with input from staff. The most pressing need is to get temporary
power set up so that they can run fans and possibly some heat to keep the house dry and
prevent mold and mildew. This was sent to Park Superintendent Keith Nealson, for him to
transmit up their chain of command. Dickinson will follow up with the Eno River
Association and others to try to break this loose.
b. Book project status/update:
Staff provided a brief update on the progress. Catherine Bishir has signed her contract
with the Alliance to work on our project as our editorial consultant. Staff will meet with her
soon to review her role. Our editor/author Laura Phillips continues writing the property
entries for the rural parts of the county. We just contracted with a new researcher, Rachel
Cotterman, to undertake additional research on our properties. She has an excellent
background and has her masters in Cultural Geography from UNC. The HPC and Alliance
submitted a letter to the Historic Preservation Fund of Hillsborough requesting a $25,000
grant to help fund the book.
c. Preservation NC Annual meeting is postponed:
PNC announced that they have postponed the annual meeting, to March. It will still be
held in Wrightsville Beach. .
d. Other county project updates: None
e. Open Air Time for members to share information: None
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: Menius moved to adjourn, seconded by Loter; meeting adjourned at
8:38 pm
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff