HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC meeting summary 05222024 Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Approved Meeting Summary
May 22nd, 2024
Bonnie Davis Center, 1020 US 70 West, Hillsborough
MEMBERS PRESENT: Art Menius, Cecelia Moore
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dickinson, Loter, Whisnant
STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator; Abby Mattingly, Administrative
Support Coordinator
GUESTS: Steve Peck
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER: The chair noted that we didn't have a quorum, so members agreed to
meet for discussion and information sharing. No voting items will be acted upon.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for April 24nd, 2024:
This was deferred to the next meeting due to the lack of a quorum.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION: None
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Landmark Evaluation Exercise: Huqhes House in Cedar Grove: Staff presented a
brief overview and visuals showing the location of the house and reviewed the history of
the Cedar Grove National Register Historic District, which is our only rural historic district.
This was intended to promote the preservation of the area through the availability of tax
credits but to date we haven't had any preservation success stories there. Staff provided a
detailed PowerPoint presentation about the Historic District, then about the c.1820
Hughes House and its history and significance as one of the county's finest remaining
early 19th century structures, noting its exceptional federal-style mantels and later 1880s
additions. A proposed landmark boundary would include the house itself, with several
acres surrounding, extending to the north to Carr Store Road. The new owners live in a
comparable restored early 19' century house in Franklin Co. and so understand what
they're getting into. Members then carried out the landmark evaluation exercise, with
extensive discussion about its architectural significance and overall physical integrity. The
final total score, averaged out of all members present, was 56.2, which is above the
minimum score of 50 points needed to potentially qualify for landmark status. Staff will
notify the owners to let them know that the property can qualify for landmark status to see
if they wish to pursue that. For information, staff reminded members about the importance
of the Neville Log House located on Old NC 86, between Hillsborough and Carrboro. This
was evaluated at a prior meeting and does qualify for landmark status. Staff will pursue
this with the owners as a way to allow the HPC assist with its preservation.
b. Membership update and review of roster: Staff walked through the current applications
now on file with the County Clerk. Members looked at backgrounds and which other
boards they had applied for, and if the HPC was their first choice or a back-up choice.
Menius suggested that Carson Holloway, a historian living up near Lake Orange, might be
a candidate. Moore indicated that Whisnant will contact Anna Agbe-Davies, a very
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talented archaeologist at UNC-CH. Please share any prospects for staff follow up. The
recommendation for Rob Golan was sent up to the County Clerk's office.
c. More ideas for possible log building workshop at Davis Farm: This item was
postponed due to the absence of Dickinson.
d. Field Trip Opportunities: Staff reviewed several possible destinations. One idea is to
visit Rob Golan's house, which is the recently landmarked Faucette House. Staff showed
images of an early 19t" century structure and associated early industrial site located at
752 Rex Drive, just west of Hillsborough. It consists of a one-room gable-roofed house,
perhaps dating to the 1820s-1830s, sitting on a high raised basement which was finished
and has a large cooking fireplace. Nearby is a massive stone basement structure that is
reportedly the remains of an early industrial operation such as a tannery, distillery or a
forge. Members agreed that both sites sounded interesting.
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Landscaping plan from NCDOT for new bridge at Hall's Mill Road: staff provided an
update on the planning for the replacement bridge, adjacent to the David Faucette House,
and shared the new landscaping plan showing proposed plantings that will screen the
house from the new bridge. Members agreed that this was a good plan that will provide
more than adequate screening. NCDOT will at some point submit an application for a
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to the HPC for the bridge and landscaping.
b. America 250 NC: Peck provided an update, then staff reported that the Alliance and the
Visitors Bureau have partnered to lead this effort. Staff prepared a resolution of support to
present to the BOCC, which they approved on May 7t". This allows the county, under the
Alliance and Visitors Bureau, to apply for grant funds from the state program for a variety
of projects and initiatives, including events that extend beyond the scope of the 250t"
including things regarded as "revolutionary acts" such as Civil Rights, suffrage, etc. so it
isn't just confined to the Revolutionary period.
c. Proposed subdivision adjacent to the White Cross School (historic landmark): Staff
reported on a potential subdivision proposed for a 63 acre farm just west of the school.
The proposal calls for about 41 lots of about 1 acre each, which covers all the buildable
land and leaves the wetlands and streams as natural areas. It also leaves the old
farmstead on NC 54 intact, as a separate parcel. Wells for drinking water are a major
issue. The developers will consider a dense wooded buffer along the road. This was a
very preliminary presentation to the planning staff, pending the developer's purchase of
the land. All this will be impacted by the future widening of NC 54 to four lanes.
d. Strayhorn House National Register Project: The contract is about to be signed by the
county manager for our new consultant for carrying out this project, so work should be
starting on the research and draft in early June.
e. County Land Use Plan 2050: In the interest of time, members agreed to postpone this
presentation until the following meeting.
f. Book Project update: We have directed our author to reduce the word count of the essay
portion of our book by 50 percent. We've hired Dan Pezzoni to work with on to get all
aspects of the manuscript and photos ready for the design phase. He's done excellent
work for at least 14 other historic architecture books produced by other counties and
towns in NC. This work will make it possible to get our book completed quickly.
g. Open air time: Peck provided an update on the new initiative to research the old Mars Hill
community in Hillsborough, which is located on the north side of Corbin Street. This was a
Black community where artisans and workers lived. This project is intended to obtain
some recognition for the community.
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: The meeting ended at 8:10 pm.
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff
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