Commissioners discuss revamping historic properties commission to support tourism and preservation

County staff briefed commissioners on the purpose and statutory authority of a historic preservation commission and discussed whether to expand the existing advisory committee’s duties or to adopt a new ordinance establishing a commission with broader powers.

Staff outlined statutory basics: a preservation commission can be created by ordinance, have defined membership requirements (statute suggests members with experience in architecture, archaeology, history or related fields), set terms (no greater than four years) and be granted specific powers in three categories: identify, protect and advocate/cooperate. Examples of powers include inventorying historic properties, recommending historic districts or landmark designations to the county, reviewing changes to designated properties through certificates of appropriateness, negotiating acquisitions or restoration and preparing preservation elements for the comprehensive plan.

Staff noted Harnett County already has a historic properties commission (described on the county website as responsible for creating and approving guidelines used in maintaining historical properties) with five members and two alternates but said the commission has not met regularly and that revamping duties could give the group a clearer role, particularly around historic tourism. Commissioners and staff discussed membership size, quorum challenges and the need for the commission to have a clear work plan. One commissioner recommended meeting directly with the commission to set expectations and for staff to provide sample ordinances adopted by other counties.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to schedule a work session with the historic properties commission, compile example ordinances and draft options for board review. No ordinance or funding decision was made at the meeting.