HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC minutes 092519 Attachment 1
Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Approved Meeting Summary
September 25th, 2019
Old Orange County Courthouse
106 W. King Street, Hillsborough
MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Ballard, Todd Dickinson, Art Menius, Paul Noe, Steve Peck
MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Loter (excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck GUESTS: None
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dickinson called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: Staff wishes to add discussion about a
possible dendrochronology project and a current events item relating to solar panels in the
Hillsborough Historic District and the upcoming Occaneechi Village volunteer workday on
Saturday, Sept. 28. Menius asked to have an update about the preservation of black
schools and membership. Dickinson will add an update about the upcoming Preservation
NC conference in Raleigh in November.
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for August 281h, 2019 (Attachment 1): Menius moved to
approve the minutes as corrected; seconded by Ballard; motion approved.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION:
Approval of David Faucette House application for designation as an Orange County
Historic Landmark: Staff presented PowerPoint program showing an overview of the
house exterior and interior architectural features and reviewed its setting on the banks of
the Eno River in the historic Hall's Mill community, with the fine early 19th century brick
Ellis House directly across the river. It is very unusual to have two important federal period
houses so close together, in a good state of preservation. The exterior displays the
hallmarks of the vernacular late Federal style of frame plantation house, with Greek
Revival style trim around the original nine-over-six and six-over-six sash windows. The
rear kitchen wing may date earlier than the house. The quality of the chimney brickwork is
especially notable. The interior woodwork is plain late Federal and transitional Greek
Revival in style and all original and intact. The original wide hand-planed board wall and
ceiling finishes survive as well. It is certainly the most intact house of its period in the
county. The owners will decide whether to include the outbuildings or not in this landmark
designation. The HPC would retain control to review the design of any new buildings on
the site, regardless of whether these are included or excluded. Discussion included
protection of archaeological resources at this and other landmarks. This designation will
help protect the house when NC DOT initiates work on replacing the Eno River bridge.
Our ordinance outlines the process for the approval. When the HPC carried out its
property evaluation exercise for this house, it received a high score: 66.25 (third place
behind St. Mary's Chapel and the Bingham School). Menius moved to accept the
landmark application report, seconded by Noe. The HPC finds that the David Faucette
House does possess special significance as detailed in the National Register nomination
report prepared in 1999. Discussion followed. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will
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process the application and forward it to the SHPO; they will have 30 days to review the
application. We can then schedule the customary joint public hearing with the BOCC.
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Interest in doing Blackwood Farm History Day Demonstration, Nov. 6:
Staff reviewed current plans to hold the next annual agricultural day at Blackwood Farm
Park, on Nov. 6. If members are willing, we can arrange for the HPC to do a living history
demonstration similar to what we did last year. Dickinson volunteered to do his historic
woodworking program again showing hewing, crosscut saw and pulley demonstration.
b. Preservation NC Meetinq in Raleigh on Nov. 7-8: Dickinson reminded members about
the upcoming conference. This will feature social justice topics and offer two CLG
courses. A tour will highlight the new PNC offices in the Oberlin Community settled by
freed slaves.
c. Endorsement of lease for Norwood-Jones Law Office to Historic Preservation Fund
of Hillsborough: Staff provided an overview of the proposal by the Historic Preservation
Fund to utilize the building for their meeting space. They paid for the initial major
restoration in 1999 and helped fund the recent repointing work. They propose to occupy
the building in exchange for paying for any interior improvements, like heating and air
conditioning, and painting. Discussion followed. Peck made a motion to have the HPC
endorse this concept, seconded by Ballard. The motion passed unanimously.
d. Possible field trip destinations: Staff asked for suggestions from members for future
field trips. Suggestions included: the David Faucette House; the Ridge Road
Schoolhouse; Ayr Mount; and the Faucette Mill.
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. New Landmark candidates: Staff provided a brief update on prospects, including the
Bethlehem Presb. Church and the Neville House farm complex on Old Greensboro Rd
b. Possible Dendrochronology Project: Staff provided a brief overview of concept to seek
grant funding for a project to perform tree-ring dating on some of the oldest houses in
Hillsborough. This could partner with Tom Magnuson's idea to try to determine the ages of
some very old trees that might be 18th century trail marker trees.
c. Solar panels in the Hillsborough Historic District: Staff gave brief overview of current
discussions about allowing solar panels on the visible roof slopes in the district. These can
cause visual harm as well as physical harm through making additional holes in roof
coverings. An alternative could be a community solar farm like Piedmont Electric offers.
Owners can purchase shares and get a discount on their bills in return.
d. Piper-Cox House update: The contractor, Clark Poe Construction, has repaired the roof
structure and provided temporary covering with roofing felt. Wayne Thompson is waiting
for sample reproduction bricks to arrive from Tennessee.
e. Book protect status/update: Editor/author Laura Phillips has completed 150 property
entries. She is now working on some Town entries. Ballard asked staff to work on the
DAR grant application so that can be submitted.
f. Occaneechi Village workday: There is another volunteer workday on Sept. 28tn
Members discussed the proposed use of the modern-day thatch that will be used to cover
the reconstructed huts. Staff installed samples for viewing down at the village.
g. Membership: Dickinson suggested looking at the PNC membership roster for Orange Co.
to see if we can identify likely candidates from that.
h. Open airtime: None
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: Menius moved to adjourn; adjourned at 8:37.
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff
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