STAFF REPORT 

Planning and Development Committee, September 18, 2008

Designation of Historic Landmarks (PL09-011)
Request for Town Council to hold public hearings to consider adopting ordinances that would designate the Guess-White-Ogle House (215 S. Academy Street) and the John Pullen Hunter House (311 S. Academy Street) as Historic Landmarks

Speaker: Ms. Anna Readling

From:  Jeff Ulma, AICP, Planning Director
Prepared by:  Anna Readling, Senior Planner
Approved by: William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by: Benjamin T. Shivar, Assistant 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 draft 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. In consultation with WCHPC representatives, staff recommends that Council schedule the required public hearings for the regular Town Council meeting on October 30, 2008.

Following the required public hearings, the Town Council shall 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 that two public hearings be held at the Town Council’s regular meeting on October 30, 2008:  1) A public hearing to consider an ordinance to designate the Guess-White-Ogle House as a Cary Historic Landmark, and 2) a public hearing to consider an ordinance to designate the John Pullen Hunter House as a Cary Historic Landmark.  Representatives for the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission will attend the public hearings to make a presentation and answer questions.