HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Meeting Summary 01282026 Orange County
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Approved Meeting Summary
January 281", 2026
Bonnie Davis Center, 1020 US 70 West, Hillsborough
MEMBERS PRESENT: Eric Deetz, Art Menius, Cecelia Moore, Anne Whisnant
MEMBERS ABSENT: Todd Dickinson, Rob Golan, Carol Ann Lewald
STAFF PRESENT: Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator
GUESTS: Rod Mullen
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER: Chair Menius called the meeting to order at 6:15 and thanked the
members present for being willing to meet earlier than usual in the interest of helping
everyone get home safely before the forecasted bad weather sets in later this evening. He
noted that we will cover the routine business first, then open the public hearing component
at the officially stated start time of 6:30.
ITEM #2: CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None.
ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES for December 10th, 2025, meeting:
Deetz moved to approve, seconded by Moore; motion carried.
ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DECISION:
a. Public Hearing for Moorefields National Register Nomination: Chair Menius opened
the public hearing at 6:30 with a brief overview of the purpose, to take public comment on
the proposed Moorefields National Register Nomination which is being updated with
additional documentation and technical corrections. Menius asked if any member of the
public was present to speak about this proposed nomination. He recognized Cecily
Nisbett who was present as the executive director of the Friends of Moorefields. Staff
provided a detailed PowerPoint presentation about the house, site and the project,
through numerous images of the house and grounds, along with the maps prepared for
the update process, and explained the details of the current proposal to update the
nomination with new, larger boundaries that include sites associated with enslaved
workers and the Waddell cemetery located west of the house. Commission members
discussed various aspects of the nomination materials. This new update provides the
results of the most recent archaeological investigations around the main house, along with
new historical research. Guest Nisbett expressed their appreciation for the new research
findings and also noted that the house is now open to the public each Thursday afternoon.
Whisnant moved as follows: "the HPC has reviewed and discussed the proposed
additions and technical corrections to the Moorefields National Register nomination and
finds that these adjustments meet the criteria required for listing in the National Register of
Historic Places and as stated in the draft updated nomination. We recommend that the
amended nomination be submitted for listing in the Register and authorize the chair to
sign the recommendation letter, to be conveyed to the Board of County Commissioners
and the SHPO." Motion was seconded by Deetz. Motion carried. Deetz moved to close
the public hearing, seconded by Moore; motion carried. Staff explained that our action
tonight will be reported to the BOCC's office, and then they will approve this at their
upcoming Feb. 10 meeting, which allows it to be conveyed to the SHPO by their Feb. 12tn
deadline.
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b. Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness Application for repair work at
Faucette Mill: Staff reported that the owner, Andrew Wallace, submitted a formal COA
application for his planned project to repair the siding, foundation, and make structural
repair to the deteriorated timber framing members. All work will respect the original
materials, including siding of cedar or cypress that will be milled to match the existing
original beaded siding. Because all of the proposed work is considered to be routine
repairs under our design guidelines, staff approved this as a minor works or administrative
approval. The owner has invited staff and the head of the Restoration Branch at the
SHPO to be part of the project team, so we will be watching this closely.
c. Proposed Cancellation of February HPC meetinq: Staff won't be able to be present at
our usual February meeting date and so has requested that we cancel this meeting as
there are currently no items on the agenda that will require motions or decision. Deetz
moved to cancel the meeting, seconded by Whisnant. Motion carried.
ITEM #5: DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Montrose (Gov. Graham House, grounds and outbuildings) beinq proposed as a
potential landmark within the Hillsborough ETJ: The owner of Montrose is interested
in applying to become a county historic landmark. Because the property is located within
the Hillsborough ETJ boundaries, we will need approach the town about entering into an
interlocal or inter-governmental agreement in order to be able to have the county
designate this as a landmark. Staff is scheduled to make a site visit soon to take photos
and then will prepare a presentation for our next meeting. Staff also offered to schedule a
full tour for the HPC if there was interest. Members agreed a site visit would be valuable.
April was suggested as the best time. Staff will report back at our next meeting.
b. Harvey's Chapel Cemetery: dates for a field trip: Staff met with the church elders and
their advocate, Rachel Cotterman, to confirm their willingness to host a hike to the historic
cemetery, sometime in February. Members agreed it was a good time for such a hike.
Staff noted that the elders are ready to move forward with the proposed donation of the
historic cemetery site to the county, to be added to the Seven Mile Creek Nature
Preserve. The county is willing to help create a spur trail up to the cemetery and will
create a new historic interpretive marker for the site. Members shared possible dates.
Staff will work on scheduling when most can attend.
ITEM #6: UPDATES AND INFORMATION ITEMS
a. HPC Annual Report and Work Plan: Chair Menius is scheduled to provide a
presentation to the BOCC at their Feb. 10 Work Session.
b. Book Protect: Staff had scheduled a meeting with the book design team last Friday but
that had to be rescheduled. Staff will be talking with them and reporting back at our next
meeting. Work is continuing on the captions and photo credits.
c. HPC historical/cultural marker protect: Menius asked subcommittee members for dates
when they could meet in February. There was general agreement on either Feb. 11 or 18t,
to be held in our usual meeting room. Staff will facilitate setting a firm date for this.
d. Open air time for other new information: None
ITEM #7: ADJOURNMENT: Whisnant moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Deetz. Meeting
adjourned at 6:55 pm.
Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff
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