HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC minutes 032311Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 23, 2011 Page 1
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 23, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Todd Dickinson, Tom Allison, Steve Rankin, and Rob Golan
MEMBERS ABSENT or EXCUSED: Alice Remini, Statler Gilfillen
GUESTS PRESENT:
STAFF: Rich Shaw, Tina Moon, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dickinson called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
ITEM #2: ROLL CALL
Dickinson requested that staff call the roll; four HPC members were in attendance.
ITEM #3: INTRODUCTIONS OF GUESTS/VISITORS
None.
ITEM #4: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
Moon reported that she had just received a request for the Quick Response Team (QRT) to document a house
before a fire training burn. Allison asked staff to call in the morning with the address of the property.
ITEM #5: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. February 23, 2011
Golan and Dickinson requested minor corrections. Allison motioned to approve the minutes as corrected. Golan
seconded the motion. The HPC voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the February 23, 2011 meeting.
ITEM #6: REPORTS
a. Blackwood Farm Park Master Plan
Staff reported that the Blackwood Farm Park Master Plan was approved at the Board of County
Commissioners’ March 3rd regular meeting.
b. Unified Development Ordinance
Staff provided updates on the Unified Development Ordinance, and referred members to the Planning
Department’s website for additional information.
ITEM #7: PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
ITEM #8: ITEMS FOR DECISION
a. Recommendation for Murphey School Local Landmark Application
Members read through the draft designation ordinance for the Murphey School Local Landmark application.
Rankin identified two minor typos. Golan and Dickinson requested adding a phrase noting that Archibald
Murphey was an Orange County native. Members agreed to add a phrase to the sixth “Whereas” so that it
would read, “Whereas, Murphey School was named for North Carolina’s “Father of Public Education,”
Archibald D. Murphey, a native of Orange County;”
Members also discussed the overall renovation project and the possibility of publicly thanking the owner, Jay
Miller, or trying to create some sort of preservation award for him.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 23, 2011 2
Dickinson summarized the HPC’s comments in his motion to recommend approval of the Murphey School
Local Landmark application. Rankin seconded the motion. The HPC voted unanimously to recommend
approval of the Murphey School Local Landmark application. Dickinson shared his correspondence with Alice
Remini, who was unable to attend the meeting. Remini stressed her support for the application. Dickinson
offered to work with staff to prepare a cover memo to accompany the draft designation ordinance.
ITEM #9: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Preservation Month Activities
Dickinson asked Rankin for an update on his efforts to obtain WPA photos of rural Orange County sites for
display during National Preservation Month in May. Rankin agreed to follow up on this by the next (April)
meeting. Staff reported that the American Institute of Building Design, North Carolina Society, had agreed to
sponsor the Photo Contest prize money again this year. Moon handed out freshly printed photo contest
brochures and entry forms ready for distribution throughout the county.
b. Draft Memorandum for Work Plan
Dickinson distributed a draft memo regarding the HPC’s interest in becoming more involved with the care of
county-owned properties of historic significance. Members discussed how much detail to include in the initial
request, and whether to speak to the protection of underground resources as well. Dickinson offered to refine
the memo based on everyone’s comments in time for the April meeting.
c. Work Plan for 2011
Dickinson reviewed the items listed on the work plan chart assigned to the March meetings. Members
discussed their various projects and scheduled them for the upcoming meetings. Golan agreed to prepare an
attractive one-page flyer to highlight the photo contest, something that could be posted onto utility poles and
the information kiosk in downtown Hillsborough. Dickinson agreed to refine his draft memo regarding the
HPC’s offer to provide assistance with the maintenance of county-owned historic structures and associated
property. Staff offered to draft a memo suggesting potential next steps in the dialogue with the Town of
Hillsborough regarding local landmarks. Dickinson suggested reviewing the items from the 2009 Preservation
Summit at the HPC’s May meeting.
d. Membership
During the review of the meeting minutes, Golan spoke of the potential HPC candidate in the White Cross
area. Rankin agreed to try again to contact this person and see if she would be interested in joining the HPC.
Members agreed to begin posting the membership handout again.
ITEM #10: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS and handouts at meeting
Staff encouraged members to read through the informational materials, which were particularly interesting this
month.
ITEM #11: ADJOURNMENT
Golan motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Rankin seconded the motion. Next meeting scheduled for
April 27, 2011.