Selma appearance commission tables West Elm historic-district map amendments

The Town of Selma Appearance Commission on March 16 discussed proposed amendments to the West Elm Historic District map, including a proposal to create separate East Selma and South Selma historic districts and clearer dividing lines between districts. The commission did not vote on a map amendment and tabled the discussion until its next meeting so staff and commissioners could prepare consolidated maps and recommendations.

Staff presented edits and said the map is a work in progress; commissioners raised specific boundary questions that included Draper Street, Anderson Street, Richardson Street, Griswold Street and Brevard. Commissioners said they want to avoid a patchwork approach that would “cherry-pick” individual properties and instead prefer clear, contiguous district lines. One commissioner asked how to treat homes that have been rebuilt; staff said those properties could be designated as noncontributing in a district rather than excluded entirely.

Staff described the procedural steps for a map amendment: the appearance commission would forward a recommendation to the planning board; the planning board would make a recommendation and staff would prepare property-owner notices before the item goes to the town council for final action. Commissioners also reported consulting the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources’ historic-preservation staff for guidance on district boundaries and contributing/noncontributing classifications.

The commission did not take final action and tabled the item. Commissioners asked staff to bring back refined maps and a recommended approach to owner notification and public outreach at a future meeting.