Planning staff presents first annual historic preservation report; COAs up 70% over prior year

City planning staff presented Lexington’s first annual historic preservation report required under the certified local government program, summarizing preservation activity for the period Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024.

The report, prepared by planning staff, lists 17 certificates of appropriateness (COAs) processed during the reporting period: 14 were classified as minor works (handled administratively) and three as major works that came before the Historic Preservation Commission. Staff said this represents about a 70% increase in COA activity compared with the previous year.

Staff described what the annual report will include going forward: a brief history of the Historic Preservation Commission, compliance with training and general statute requirements, explanations of differences between National Register listings and local historic designations, a list of COAs approved since 2021, and “projects of interest.” Staff noted that local designations and National Register listings carry different review requirements and incentives — for example, local landmarks and local historic districts come before the local commission for review, while National Register properties do not require local commission review unless tax credits are sought.

Staff highlighted current or planned projects: a grant-funded survey and inventory of the Lincoln Park neighborhood (enabled by certified local government status), redevelopment activity in the Lexington Industrial Historic District (a National Register district), and the repurposing of Dunbar School. Staff also reported plans to post the annual report on the city website and said tentative training opportunities are available: a training session on March 7 in Kernersville (registration opens through Feb. 27), 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with no registration cost reported.

Board members asked staff to provide copies of relevant bylaws/ordinances and to include clearer documentation in member packets. Several board members asked for additional training on conditional zoning and clarified that forthcoming text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance will be drafted to align ordinance language with the land-use plan and provide clearer guidance on conditional zoning standards.

Staff also said it will follow up on outstanding preservation litigation and property conditions raised by board members, including the status of the old post office site at Main and Third and the Dunbar School covenants. No formal votes were taken on the preservation report; the item was presented for information and for the board’s feedback.