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Historic preservation commission approves COA for New Bern Housing Authority headquarters at 314 Liberty Street
Summary
The New Bern Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the New Bern Housing Authority’s project at 314 Liberty Street, finding the circa‑1974 building non‑contributing and approving exterior repairs, new siding, a screened generator and revised site landscaping.
The New Bern Historic Preservation Commission voted to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the New Bern Housing Authority’s project at 314 Liberty Street, approving exterior repairs, replacement windows and doors, new fiber‑cement siding, a new roof membrane, a screened generator enclosure and landscape and parking modifications.
HPC staff told commissioners the building — constructed circa 1974 — was being treated as a non‑contributing resource and that the proposed materials and design components met the district guidelines. The staff recommendation said the project consisted mainly of maintenance and replacement work and that revised plans should be submitted to staff for approval before final inspection.
Commissioners discussed whether the structure’s original use (several speakers identified it as a former daycare) or architectural associations met the threshold for historic significance; the panel concluded it did not. One commissioner moved to find the application “not incongruous” with New Bern’s code and the applicable historic‑district guidelines and to approve the COA with the condition that any revisions agreed at the hearing be submitted to staff for review. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
The applicant’s representative described on‑site changes that include removing a chain‑link fence, reconfiguring a rear area for parking and a new concrete pad for a generator, washing and restoring masonry, and replacing boarded windows with new storefront materials. The representative, Xander Pagayan of Stockmere Architecture, said the siding will be fiber‑cement.
The commission recorded that the zoning administrator and the chief building official had reviewed the project and that a building permit will be required. The approval allows the New Bern Housing Authority to complete the described site, exterior and roofing work subject to the staff‑review condition. The commission did not alter the building’s contributing status beyond the hearing’s finding that it does not meet criteria for historic designation.
