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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC minutes 120810Historic Preservation Commission Minutes December 8, 2010 Page 1 MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 8, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: Todd Dickinson, Alice Remini, Steve Rankin, Statler Gilfillen and Tom Allison MEMBERS ABSENT or EXCUSED: Terri Russ GUESTS PRESENT: Jay Miller, owner Murphey School, Rob Golan, former HPC member STAFF: Rich Shaw and Tina Moon, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER Chair Dickinson called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. ITEM #2: ROLL CALL Dickinson requested that staff call the roll; all five HPC members were in attendance. ITEM #3: INTRODUCTIONS OF GUESTS/VISITORS Dickinson welcomed Jay Miller, the owner of Murphey School, to the meeting and Rob Golan. Mr. Golan was a member of the Historic Preservation Commission about five years ago and is considering submitting an application for reappointment. ITEM #4: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Allison provided a brief report on the latest Quick Response Team (QRT) site visit. A voluntary part of the demolition permit application process for structures that appear to be fifty years or older, the QRT visits the site and documents the structure(s). If the subject building appears to retain historic and/or architectural significance, the QRT may suggest alternatives to demolition. Moon requested the addition of an Item for Decision to approve the HPC’s Meeting Calendar for 2011. Dickinson suggested adding the item as 8. C. ITEM #5: APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. October 27, 2010 Remini noticed a typo in the minutes and requested the correction. Allison motioned to approve the October 27, 2010 minutes as corrected. Remini seconded the motion. The HPC unanimously approved the minutes from the October 27, 2010 meeting. ITEM #6: REPORTS a. CLG Report Submitted Staff reported that the HPC’s annual Certified Local Government Report was submitted to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office on time. b. Advisory Board Report Submitted Staff reported that the HPC’s Advisory Board Report was submitted to the Clerk’s Office. The BOCC will review the reports during its winter retreat. c. Unified Development Ordinance Historic Preservation Commission Minutes December 8, 2010 2 Staff provided updates on the Unified Development Ordinance, and referenced the Planning Department’s website for additional information. d. Code of Ethics for the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina (See Sections 2 &4) The County Attorney asked for staff to share information on the Board of County Commissioner’s recently adopted Code of Ethics. HPC members read through the material focusing on the two sections, identified by the County Attorney, as most relevant to the volunteer boards. ITEM #7: PUBLIC HEARINGS None. ITEM #8: ITEMS FOR DECISION a. Application for Local Landmark Designation – Murphey School Moon introduced the application for Murphey School, referring to the staff materials in the packet and the application included as a stand along attachment. The owner, Jay Miller, joined the table to participate in the discussion. Dickinson offered some general remarks about the process and invited Miller to comment on the application and ask questions. Staff explained the three items outlined in the HPC’s agenda facesheet that the HPC were tasked to complete at the meeting: 1) Discuss the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) staff’s comments regarding the completeness of the application and the appropriateness of the property for a local landmark program, 2) Review the contents of the application to make sure it is complete and provides enough information to prepare a designation ordinance (if appropriate) and review future Certificate of Appropriateness applications. 3) Decide whether to request a joint public hearing with the BOCC. HPC members read through the comments from the SHPO together, noting the following key phrases: “We have reviewed the report and find it to be complete, providing the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission with information sufficient to find that the Murphey School has the requisite special significance and integrity for local landmark designation.” “Please note that, if the Council wishes to extend the Commission’s authority to significant interior features, the owner must give consent and the designation ordinance must specify the particular features subject to review and describe the nature of the Commission’ design authority over them.” The HPC agreed with the SHPO’s assessment that application is complete. Members systematically reviewed the Murphey School using their historic sites evaluation form, and found that the property score very favorably. The HPC concurred with the SHPO’s assessment that Murphey School appears to have the historic and architectural significance appropriate for local designation. Members discussed the SHPO’s comments regarding the review of interior features and asked Mr. Miller for his thoughts. Mr. Miller recounted his efforts to preserve as much of the interior of the building as permitted while meeting the Building Code requirements, and felt it appropriate to extend the HPC’s authority over those key elements of the interior that he had worked so hard to protect. HPC members read through the Certificate of Appropriateness - Project Review Form, while reviewing the Murphey School Local Landmark application to ensure that the application contained enough information for future HPC members to review a future Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application. Members felt that the information in the application report was sufficient and that with a well-crafted designation ordinance future property owners/ HPC members would be able to understand the scope of the HPC’s authority to review changes to the property-site, building(s) exterior and interior. The HPC reviewed the draft memo requesting a joint public hearing with the BOCC, included in the packets. Dickinson requested some minor modifications to strengthen the positive tone of the memo. The HPC Historic Preservation Commission Minutes December 8, 2010 3 discussed the potential date of the joint meeting, since one member would be out of town, members recommended the BOCC’s first meeting in March to ensure that they would have a quorum. Dickinson asked for a motion. Rankin made a motion to forward the revised memorandum to the BOCC Chair requesting a joint public hearing with the HPC on March 3, 2011 to hear public comments on the Murphey School Local Landmark application. Gilfillen seconded the motion. The HPC voted 5-0; Rankin’s motion carried. b. Selection of Local Landmark sign material (sample at meeting) As a follow up to the discussion of local landmark sign material at the last meeting, Moon shared some updated information that she had recently received from the sign company regarding, including samples material—PVC or plywood with a veneer. Members struggled to select one product from another. Moon offered to ask the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough what product they use in their signs. c. Approval of Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Calendar for 2011 Staff explained that every year each advisory board formally approves its meeting calendar for the upcoming year. Once approved, the calendars can be shared with the public. Staff presented a calendar showing the HPC’s meetings on the fourth Wednesday of the month for January through October and a joint meeting for November and December on December 14, 2011. Remini motioned to approve the meeting calendar for 2011; Rankin seconded the motion. The HPC voted unanimously to approve the meeting calendar for 2011. ITEM #9: DISCUSSION ITEMS Golan shared his interest in serving another term on the HPC. Staff provided him with application materials. Members discussed the remaining vacancies and agreed to contact other former HPC members to see if they would consider serving again. ITEM #10: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (handouts at meeting) ITEM #11: ADJOURNMENT Gilfillen motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Rankin seconded the motion. Next meeting scheduled for January 26, 2011.