Town of Apex, North Carolina
Citation for 2004 Anthemion Award

In recognition of its
Ordinances regulating the demolition of
Historic Structures

In the summer of 2003, the Town of Apex received enabling legislation authorizing it to adopt ordinances regulating the demolition of historic structures.  The Town subsequently adopted revisions to its Unified Development Ordinance to do so.

These regulations do not apply to single family residences, which might be demolished for the purpose of building another single family residence, but they do apply to any site and/or subdivision plans, including parking lots, that would require a development plan to be approved by the Town.

These new regulations do not prohibit or delay the demolition of historic structures.  Instead, they are intended to discourage demolition.  The discouragement is that, if an historic structure is demolished, the Town will not accept a development application for the property for 48 months following the demolition.

The idea originated with Design Planner Rosetta Radtke and quickly won the support of Senior Planner Dianne Khin and Planning Director David Rowland who helped fine tune the concept.  The Town Attorney, which at the time was Jason Kaus, helped staff think through the legal issues and was instrumental in gaining Representative Skip Stam’s and Senator Richard Stevens’ support.  Senator Stevens and Representative Stam went on to sponsor enabling legislation (SB 181) authorizing the Town to adopt such ordinances.  With enabling legislation in hand, staff formulated ordinance revisions for the approval of the Apex Board of Commissioners lead by Mayor Keith H. Weatherly.  That approval was granted on July 15, 2003.

In the words of the enabling legislation, the Town is authorized to adopt such ordinances “In order to preserve and enhance one of the most valuable and unique natural resources of the community, and to preserve the property values and promote the general welfare of its citizens…”

The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation is pleased to present a 2004 Anthemion Award to the Town of Apex, North Carolina for Preservation Leadership, Advocacy and Neighborhood and Community preservation in recognition of its ordinance regulating the demolition of historic structures.