(A) Adoption of a designation resolution. No historic district may exist without a resolution designating it as such. Upon compliance with the procedures contained in division (D) below, the Board of Commissioners within its jurisdiction, may adopt and, quarterly, amend or repeal a resolution designating one or more historic districts.
(B) Criteria for designation. In order for any area to be designated in a resolution as a historic district, the Historic Properties Commission (HPC) must find that the area is of special significance in terms of its history, prehistory, architecture, archaeology and/or cultural importance, and that it possesses integrity of design, setting, workmanship, materials, feeling, and/or association.
(C) Inventory. The HPC shall use an inventory of buildings, structures, sites, areas, or objects of historical, prehistorical, architectural, and archaeological significance in the county as a guide for the identification, assessment, and designation of historic districts. The HPC shall update the inventory quarterly.
(D) Required procedures for designation. The Board of Commissioners may not adopt or amend a resolution designating a historic district, nor may the Board of Commissioners or the HPC accept any district until the steps prescribed by this section have been taken.
(1) Designation report. The HPC shall prepare or review an investigation and report describing the significance of the buildings, structure, features, sites, or surroundings included in any such proposed district, and the description of the boundaries of such district. Such report shall be referred to the Board of Commissioners and the Planning Department for its review and comment according to procedures set forth in the Harnett County Zoning Ordinance.
(2) Review by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR), Division of Archives and History. All designation reports shall be submitted to the NCDCR, Division of Archive and History by the HPC. The NCDCR, Division of Archives and History or its successor agency, acting through the State Historic Preservation Officer, shall, either upon their own request or at the initiative of the HPC, be given an opportunity to review and comment upon the substance and effect of the designation of any district. If the NCDCR, Division of Archives and History does not submit its written comments or recommendations in connection with any proposed designation within 30 days following receipt of the report, the HPC and the Board of Commissioners shall be relieved of any responsibility to consider such comments. After the expiration of the 30-day comment period given the NCDCR, Division of Archives and History, the HPC may recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the area be designated as a historic district.
(3) Review by other groups. The Board of Commissioners may also, in its discretion, refer the designation report and proposed boundaries to any local preservation commission or other interested body for its recommendations prior to taking action to adopt or amend the designation resolution.
(4) Adoption of a designation resolution. On receipt of these reports and recommendations, the Board of Commissioners may proceed in the same manner as would otherwise be required for the adoption or amendment of any appropriate zoning ordinance provisions.
(E) Revisions to districts. With respect to any changes in the boundaries of an adopted historic district subsequent to its initial establishment, the requirements and procedures contained in this section shall apply.
(Ord. passed 10-17-2011; Ord. 2023-27, passed 12-18-2023)