AGENDA#
4p
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Historic Preservation Fund Grant Application
DATE: January 10, 2000
Adoption of the attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to apply for a grant to hire a consultant to update the Historic District Guidelines Handbook.
This memorandum discusses the grant application process and the purpose of the proposed update. If the State Historic Preservation Office approves the request, the State would require matching funds of at least 40 percent from the Town. We would return to the Council at that time to request authorization of the matching funds.
PROCESS
If the Council authorizes application for a grant, the following procedures would be initiated:
· Town staff would submit the grant request to the State Historic Preservation Office by the January 31, 2000 deadline. The State Historic Preservation Office would decide by April whether to award the grant and, at what amount.
· If the grant is awarded, and if the Council authorizes acceptance of the grant and authorizes the required matching funds, the Town would then hire a qualified consultant to prepare the new guidelines. The State Historic Preservation Office maintains a list of qualified consultants, who have had experience in assisting North Carolina communities with Design Guidelines.
· The Consultant would then prepare the Guidelines Handbook with input and assistance from the community and the Historic District Commission. The contract would likely specify and require a Task Force to work with the consultant made up of owners and residents in the districts and Historic District Commission members. The contract with the consultant would specify the public participation required. It is anticipated that the process would include a public meeting at the beginning of the update and another one when a draft was completed.
· At the completion of the draft, the Town Council and/or the Historic District Commission would have the option to call a public hearing to hear the views of Town citizens.
PURPOSE OF THE UPDATE
The Historic District Guidelines Handbook describes the existing patterns of sites and structures in the districts, followed by guidelines for changes. The Guidelines set the standards for property owners and for the Commission on what is congruous with the character of the districts.
The present Guidelines Handbook was written in 1979. Over the years it has become out of date. Two new districts have been added and several Development Ordinance amendments have been adopted. New issues have arisen, such as the desire for privacy walls and the need for more lighting. New technologies have presented questions about formerly unknown products, such as Hardiplank siding. Different procedures have been adopted by the Commission in considering applications, such as implementation of a Courtesy Review. For these reasons, an update would be desirable.
Historic Preservation Fund Grants typically require a local match, with 60 percent from the State and 40 percent from the local government. The total cost of preparing the updated Handbook is anticipated to be $15,000. The Town share of the cost might be about $6,000 which would be paid out, if the consultant is available and all goes as planned, during the 2000-01 fiscal year.
If the State approves the grant application, we will return to the Council with a resolution which, if adopted, would authorize acceptance of the grant and authorize allocating the required matching funds.
Resolution A would authorize the Town Manager to apply for a 2000 Historic Preservation Fund Grant.
Historic District Commission’s Recommendation: On November 11, 1999, the Historic District Commission voted 10 - 0 to recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution, authorizing the Town Manager to apply for a 2000 Historic Preservation Fund Grant.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution, authorizing the Town Manager to apply for a 2000 Historic Preservation Fund Grant.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR A GRANT FROM THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES (2000-01-10/R-15)
WHEREAS, the Town, through the Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives, has stated the goal of conserving and enhancing areas, sites, and structures of special visual, architectural or historical value; and
WHEREAS, the Town, through the Comprehensive Plan, has stated the goal of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty and atmosphere of Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, updating the Historic District Design Guidelines would help the Town achieve these goals;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to apply for a 2000 Historic Preservation Fund Grant to prepare an update to the Historic District Design Guidelines.
This the 10th day of January, 2000.