HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC meeting summary 12102025 Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Approved Meeting Summary
December 10', 2025
Bonnie Davis Center, 1020 US 70 West, Hillsborough
MEMBERS PRESENT: Eric Deetz, Rob Golan, Carol Ann Lewald, Art Menius, Cecelia Moore, Anne
Whisnant
MEMBERS ABSENT: Todd Dickinson
STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator
GUESTS: None
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER: Chair Menius called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: Staff suggested moving the "open air time"
item from the end to the beginning, just to mix things up for a change. Members shared
items of interest. Topics included: the history of the property at the Bluestem site in the
northern part of the county and how that supports the preservation of the land there; and
the status of the Norwood-Webb-Cheshire House on the bluffs above the Eno. Staff noted
that the HPC will have to hold a public hearing at our January 281" meeting for the updated
National Register nomination for Moorefields, then we make our recommendation to the
BOCC at the Feb. 3 meeting.
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for October 22"d, 2025, meeting:
Lewald moved to approve, seconded by Eric; motion carried.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION:
a. Approval of proposed HPC calendar for 2026: members reviewed the proposed new
dates. Deetz moved to approve, seconded by Whisnant; motion carried.
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. HPC Draft Annual Report and Work Plan: Staff presented a draft of the updated plan, to
reflect our accomplishments in 2025 and our goals for 2026. As HPC chair, Menius will
present our plan to the BOCC, probably in February. Discussion followed to point out
some suggestions for edits and additions. Staff noted that it seemed challenging to find
ways to link the HPC's activities to the County's strategic plan goals and objectives.
Members identified several additional ways to build those connections, for example, our
work with the book, interpretive signs and our support for the lynching memorial marker
program all align with learning and educational goals and lifelong learning. The same
applies to our collaboration with the Human Relations Commission to develop permanent
memorial markers and interpretive signs for the Blackwood, which is collaborative work on
informal education. We should take the same approach for our activities listed for 2026.
b. HPC Role in state/federal review process: proposed cell towers: Staff provided an
overview of the HPC's role in the various federal and state review processes for assessing
the impact of projects on properties or sites listed on the Register or that are determined
to be eligible. Our state cultural resource review process includes local HPC's and HDC's
as what is called a "consulting party." Staff then presented two proposed 5G towers that
are being proposed for neighborhoods in Chapel Hill, so technically these lie outside of
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our jurisdiction but serve as useful illustrations for how the process works. In this case,
these two low towers (less than 40') aren't located near any identified cultural resources
so they don't have any negative impact, or what the SHPO calls an "adverse effect." Staff
also provided an update about the proposed bridge replacement project on Hall's Mill
Road, in front of the National Register-listed Faucette House. This has been ongoing
since 2016. Because the house and five acres are on the register, the bridge was moved
farther away from the house, which also helped reduce the existing sharp curve on the
east approach. DOT has consulted extensively with staff. DOT will provide extensive new
plantings to help better screen the road and bridge, which are positive outcomes.
c. Harvey's Chapel Cemetery Access Trail and Interpretive Sign: The county has
received a grant to expand the trail network at the Seven Mile Creek Preserve. As part of
this, a new spur trail will be built to allow hikers to walk up to the historic cemetery and site
of the original church. There is interest in developing a high-quality interpretive sign at the
cemetery for visitors. The church has indicated that it will consider donating the cemetery
site to the county to be added to the preserve, with the stipulation that it will be
permanently protected and preserved. Members viewed a powerpoint presentation about
the site and proposed trails. Staff has arranged a meeting with Harold Russell, a church
leader, to discuss how to proceed. Staff will collaborate to organize a hike for HPC
members to visit the site; members suggested doing this late in the winter.
d. Field Trip to Henry Calvin Andrews farmstead: Staff will coordinate with the owner to
set up a date for members to visit, hopefully in January. Members shared their availability.
Staff will get back to everyone with some dates.
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Dickerson Chapel preservation project: Staff provided a powerpoint presentation to
share new photos showing the newly developed architect's drawings, along with views of
various areas of concern, where walls and floors were opened up to provide access for
the engineer and architect. This allowed for accurate assessment of areas of particular
deterioration. Some of these investigation areas also helped reveal additional information
about the condition of original hewn timbers along with details of the 1790 courthouse.
The building served as a Freedman's School after 1866, run by Quakers from Phila., then
was converted to Dickerson Chapel.
b. Occaneechi Village volunteer workday on Dec. 14th: The Occaneechi Tribe and the
county will be hosting another volunteer workday from 9-1 pm, weather permitting, to
continue the good progress that has been made since Chantal. All are welcome to attend
and can be added to the email list.
c. Book Project: Staff has continued work on the captions, with a lot of time devoted to the
issues of getting correct citations and correct attributions, which has proven more
complicated than anticipated. The book design team doesn't want to work on any of the
text until the captions are resolved. The whole issue of arranging the photos has been
challenging. Staff reviewed the ancient history of the project, dating back to 1999.
d. HPC historical/cultural marker project: The time has come to designate a
subcommittee to start work on this. We'll need someone to be willing to step up to act as
the leader of this team, as we'll meet at separate times, then the subcommittee will meet
on its own and report back. Cecelia, Anne and Eric volunteered, with Art serving as an "ex
officio" member too. Staff will work with Art to set out some potential dates.
e. Interpretive sign for Cedar Grove School baseball field: Staff provided a brief
overview of a project now underway to highlight the achievements and community service
of Larwence Vanhook, who helped form then coach softball teams for students and adults.
The family has a good collection of photos and memorabilia related to the softball teams
and the life of Mr. Vanhook. Staff will be working with community members to develop the
draft text and photo selection to give to the designer.
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: Whisnant moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 pm.
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff
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