HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC minutes 022719 Attachment 1
Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Approved Meeting Summary
February 27th, 2019
Old Orange County Courthouse
106 W. King Street, Hillsborough
MEMBERS PRESENT: Todd Dickinson, Art Menius, Paul Noe, Becky Paxton, Steve Peck
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Ireland, Tom Loter (excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck GUESTS: None
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dickinson called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for January 23, 2019 (Attachment 1): Menius noted a
correction to clarify that he was out of town and absent. Dickinson asked for wording to
clarify the next steps for the ETJ process. Paxton moved to approve the minutes as
corrected; seconded by Peck; motion approved.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION: None
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Review of Outside Agency Grant Applications:
As in prior years, the HPC received two outside agency grant applications to review as
part of the overall Advisory Board evaluation process: from the Historic Hillsborough
Commission (Burwell School) and the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange
County (Orange County Museum). The chair and staff gave overviews of the review
process. Members expressed their general frustration with how the application format
does not work well for historic site agencies. As a result, the applications received by the
HPC are not well crafted and do not highlight their excellent work or allow them to make
their best case. A lot of the blame for this lies with the application format, making it difficult
for the two agencies to best present their cases. Members reviewed and discussed each
program for each agency application. After more discussion, members generated scores
for each program in accordance with the guidance provided with the evaluation
scorecards. Some members also provided written comments. All members agreed that
both sites do many fine programs and are deserving of county funding. Staff will take the
various scores and generate averages for a master scorecard for each application. Staff
will also compile the various member comments and transmit those back to the county
staff handling this process. Members should send any additional comments back to staff
soon. All scores and comments are due by March 29t"
b. HPC activities for 4th graders at Blackwood Farm on May 1: Staff explained that
the HPC has been invited again to give our presentation of activities at the annual Farm to
Table day on May 1. Dickinson provided an overview of how we have handled that event
in past years, with the woodworking, farm history and tools. Members agreed this was a
1
good way to reach about 300 elementary school children. Dickinson volunteered to help
again with his historic woodworking and tool exhibits. We need a few more volunteers to
help out, from about 8 am to 2 pm. Staff will email an update on the schedule and make a
plan for a practice session where members can meet there in advance to talk about how
to script the program and who does what where.
c. Follow up discussion of ideas about digital guide/map/markers: Members would like
to see more examples. They appreciated the European-focused Megalith site shared by
Noe. Staff will share some links as a way to get a conversation started.
d. Membership and roster update: Staff reported that Bob Ireland's term has expired.
There is only one active application in the online system, for Susan Ballard who served on
the HPC for several years but had to resign to help her daughter with family; she now
wishes to resume serving. Members agreed that she would be a good member, so asked
staff to present her as a recommendation to the BOCC. Dickinson and Menius have terms
that expire on March 31. Both wished to serve for second terms. Paxton indicated she
may be moving later this year, so may not be able to fill her full term.
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. BOCC work session on April 4t": Staff reported on the upcoming annual process
when boards get a chance to report on their accomplishments and plans for the future.
With Dickinson out of town on that date, Menius agreed to serve as vice chair.
b. Update on designating landmarks in town ETJs
Staff plans to follow up with the county attorney's office to get their feedback on the
concerns expressed by members at our January meeting.
c. Status of landmark applications:
Staff provided updates on the progress of current applications. Harvey's Chapel and its
historic cemetery have been drafted by our consultant; this is currently under staff review.
Our volunteer Terri Buckner is working on a draft for the Eno Quaker Cemetery
application. Staff will continue work on the David Faucette House application. We will plan
a walking tour to visit the historic Harvey's Chapel site and cemetery for March.
d. Piper-Cox House update:
Dickinson explained his ongoing efforts to get the state to follow best preservation
practices as they work to restore this important property. Staff will provide names and
contact information for qualified contractors and craftspeople to the state. In this case, a
standing seam metal roof will be preferable to a wood shingle roof. Staff had Wayne
Thompson meet at the site to assess the brickwork restoration scope.
e. Book protect status/update:
Editor/author Laura Phillips has resumed work on writing our county property entries. She
has completed about 80 entries to date.
f. Wood artifacts on Still House Creek:
Staff reported that Steve Davis from the UNC Laboratory of Archaeology is planning to
make a site visit soon. Peck noted that the Bailey map of 1837 shows a tan yard there.
g. Occaneechi Village rebuilding update:
There will be another volunteer workday on April 7, to build several huts.
h. Open airtime:
Peck provided an overview of current activities at the Burwell School. Staff will send a
letter to the owner of the Neville Log House to follow up our discussion in January.
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: Menius moved to adjourn, seconded by Noe; meeting adjourned at
8:29.
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff
2