A RESOLUTION REFERRING THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE FOR A PRESERVATION AGREEMENT ON TOWN PROPERTY AT EAST FRANKLIN AND BOUNDARY STREETS TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. (PRESERVATION NORTH CAROLINA) FOR THE PURPOSE OF NEGOTIATING A PROPOSED HISTORIC PRESERVATION AGREEMENT WITH THAT ORGANIZATION (2006-06-26/R-31)
WHEREAS, the old Town Library building at East Franklin and Boundary streets is a recognized example of quality mid-century modern architecture that the Town has expressed interest in preserving; and
WHEREAS, Preservation North Carolina “has won awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic House Association of America, Governor’s Business Council on the Arts and Humanities, and National Park Service, which called PNC ‘the premier statewide preservation organization in the South—if not the nation’”[1]; and
WHEREAS, on October 10, 2005, Myrick Howard, president of Preservation North Carolina, presenting supporting materials, gave his professional opinion that the building has historic value, offering on behalf of Preservation North Carolina to enter into a preservation easement agreement with the Town; and
WHEREAS, on October 10, 2005, the Town Council, after a discussion reflecting an agreement to work toward a final goal of placing a preservation easement on this property, referred the topic to the Historic District Commission with the specific request that it develop language appropriate for a historic preservation easement agreement that could be discussed by the public and the Council; and
WHEREAS, over several months, the Historic District Commission has deliberated the specific features of the old Library building that it would recommend designating for preservation; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has completed its work and submitted its recommendation to staff;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council refer the Historic District Commission’s recommendation immediately to Mr. Howard of Preservation North Carolina in order to be put into a contract form agreeable to his organization, with the expectation that Mr. Howard will consult with the Town Attorney and staff over any details regarding the structure of the agreement that may be of issue to the Town; and that out of that conversation a proposed contact will be considered by the public and the Council for potential ratification.
This the 26th day of June, 2006.