AGENDA #5d
MEMORANDUM
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TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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FROM: |
J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director |
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Gene Poveromo, Development Coordinator |
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SUBJECT: |
National Register Historic District Expansion of the Rocky Ridge Farm National Register District |
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DATE: |
September 24, 2007 |
PURPOSE
The State Historic Preservation Office is reviewing an application to expand the boundaries of the existing Rocky Ridge Farm National Register District. As a Certified Local Government, the Town Council and the Historic District Commission are asked to comment on the proposed nomination. The purpose of this memorandum is to inform the Council of the nomination, and offer the opportunity to provide comments to the State Historic Preservation Office, if the Council desires.
BACKGROUND
The National Register of Historic Places designation is a federal designation for districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects worthy of preservation.
The original Rocky Ridge Farm National Register District was created in 1989, and included mostly pre-World War II houses. In July 2005, the Rocky Ridge Farm/Laurel Hill neighborhood initiated the National Register expansion process in part to include post-World War II houses (now old enough to be considered “historic”). The application was placed on the State Historic Preservation Office’s study list in October 2005. In March 2006 the neighborhood hired a consultant to prepare the “nomination” (full application for expansion).
On September 13, 2007, the Historic District Commission held a public hearing to comment on the application. A copy of their comments is attached.
IMPACTS OF NATIONAL REGISTER DESIGNATION
There are three National Register Historic Districts in Chapel Hill. A map of the district boundary is attached to this memorandum. Benefits to properties located within a National Register are briefly described below:
Recognition and Protection: The National Register recognizes the significance of a property to a community, state, and/or nation. National Register properties are afforded some protection from adverse effects of federally-assisted projects; and, through automatic inclusion in the State Register of Historic Places, some protection from state actions.
Tax Incentives: National Register listing allows property owners of certain state and federal tax incentives for substantial rehabilitation according to standards set by the Department of Interior. There are no local tax incentives that would impact the local Town of Chapel Hill tax base.
We have not identified any negatives impacts to the Town of Chapel Hill of National Register listing.
NEXT STEPS
The neighborhood has scheduled an information meeting at Town Hall on October 9, 2007 for the property owners affected by the proposed expansion. The nomination is scheduled for presentation to the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee on October 11, 2007.
This memorandum is presented to the Council as an information item, with the opportunity for the Council to comment on the nomination, if desired. A copy of the Historic District Commission comments will be transmitted to the National Register Advisory Committee.
Historic District Commission: On September 13, 2007, the Historic District Commission reviewed and commented on the proposal to expand the Rocky Ridge Farm National Register District. A copy of the Historic District Commission recommendation is attached.
If the Council desires to comment, we recommend that a copy of the Council’s minutes with Council comments be forward to the National Register Advisory Committee.
ATTACHMENTS
