STAFF REPORT 
Town Council Meeting, October 30, 2008

Designation of Historic Landmarks (PL09-011a)
Consideration of adoption of ordinances that designate the Guess-White-Ogle House and the John Pullen Hunter House, located at 215 and 311 South Academy Street respectively, as Cary Historic Landmarks

Speaker:  Ms. Anna Readling

From:  Jeff Ulma, AICP, Planning Director
Prepared by:  Anna Readling, Senior Planner
Approved by: Benjamin T. Shivar, Interim Town Manager

Summary

With the support of the property owners, the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission (WCHPC) voted at their meeting on August 12, 2008 to recommend to the Town of Cary that the Guess-White-Ogle House and the John Pullen Hunter House, both located on Academy Street in downtown Cary, be designated as Cary Historic Landmarks. The WCHPC also received written comments concerning the applications for both properties from the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. The WCHPC has forwarded the Town their recommendations, the comments from the Department of Cultural Resources, and ordinances designating each property as a Historic Landmark. As outlined in G.S. 160A-400.6, the next step in the process is for the governing body (Cary Town Council) to hold public hearings for each of the proposed ordinances.  Representatives for the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission will be present to make presentations on both properties and answer questions.

Following the required public hearings, the Town Council may take into consideration the designation applications, the WCHPC’s recommendations, the Department of Cultural Resource’s comments, and the comments made at the public hearing; then, for each property, Council shall vote to adopt the ordinance as proposed, adopt the ordinance with amendments, or reject the ordinance.

What Does Landmark Designation Mean? Landmark designation means the community recognizes a property as an important historic resource worthy of preservation.  Any substantial exterior design changes to a designated landmark are subject to design review procedures of the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission.  The owner may apply for an annual deferral of fifty percent of the property taxes for as long as the property is designated and retains significance and integrity.

Fiscal Impact: There is no direct cost associated with this request for public hearings.  If the Town ultimately approves these properties as Cary Historic Landmarks, the property owners may apply for a fifty percent property tax deferral, which would reduce the taxes collected from these properties.

Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of ordinances designating the Guess-White-Ogle House and the John Pullen Hunter House as Cary Historic Landmarks.