Historic Preservation Commission
The High Point Historic Preservation Commission is a nine-member body appointed by the City Council. Not more than one member may be appointed from each of the City's two existing Historic Districts, Johnson Street and Sherrod Park. The remaining members are appointed from throughout the City. A full term appointment is three years in length. Historic Districts are established in order to help maintain and preserve areas of the City that have significant historic or architectural value. Regulations are applied through the use of an overlay zoning district, which sets forth rules that require review of all building activity affecting the exterior of structures.
Regular meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission are held on the second Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Duties and Responsibilities
Current Members
HPC Calendar (click here to view submittal deadlines, meeting dates and times)
Current Agenda
Rules of Procedure
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WHAT IS THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION?
The Historic Preservation Commission is a group of at least nine local volunteer members appointed by the City Council. It is the general responsibility of the Commission to hear requests for Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior alterations to structures and surrounding grounds as well as demolition and new construction within the designated historic districts of the City of High Point. The Commission operates under an approved set of rules and procedures, which are available for public review. Decisions are made in accordance with Design Guidelines reflecting standards of the Secretary of the Interior, and with reputable sources such as the technical pamphlets of the National Park Service.
WHAT ITEMS REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS?
Some requests for improvements in the historic districts can be approved by Planning Department staff as "minor works." Minor works include routine maintenance, such as replacement of shingles or pieces of siding, painting, and removing dead trees. Further information regarding minor works is available from the Planning and Development Department. The Planning staff will assist owners of properties in the historic districts to determine whether intended work is classified as "minor works," or requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission. For issues requiring review by the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness, the Planning Department staff will furnish application forms and will schedule requests before the Commission.
The Historic Preservation Commission reviews any requests other than those classified as "minor works" which can be approved by the Planning Department staff. Requests for Certificates of Appropriateness often involve architectural renovations or additions to major structures; landscape installations such as patios, fences, and driveways; and removals, replacements, or new construction of accessory structures such as storage buildings.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR APPROVALS?
Application forms can be obtained at the Planning and Development Department on the third floor of the Municipal Office Building, Room 316, 211 South Hamilton Street. Applicants are expected to furnish supporting sketches, photographs, or samples to assist the Commission in understanding and evaluating a proposal. Minor works require a phone call to the Planning Department staff at 883-3545. It may be necessary for a staff person to visit the property before issuing an approval letter, but if the work qualifies, a letter is sent to the owner within a few days.
If a project requires presentation before the Historic Preservation Commission, the application must be filed by the last Wednesday of the month. Historic Preservation Commission meetings are held regularly at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, in Council Chambers on the third floor of the Municipal Office Building. The meeting facilities of the City of High Point are accessible to people with disabilities. If you need a special accommodation, call 883-3328 or the N. C. Relay System (TCC #336-883-8517).
WHO WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE HEARING?
Property owners in the same district as the subject property will be notified by mail of the time, date, and location of the meeting, as well as the general nature of the request.
HOW DOES THE BOARD REACH DECISIONS?
The staff of the Planning and Development Department present information about the proposal, such as a location map and historic background; then they make a recommendation to the Historic Preservation Commission. The property owner may speak on behalf of the project; then other parties are allowed to speak in favor or in opposition. The Commission renders decisions on the basis of the Design Guidelines, which have been adopted by the Commission and are available from the Planning Department. In general, alterations and additions to properties in the districts are evaluated on the basis of compatibility with the special qualities of each district, not on whether the proposals are literal historical reproductions. Projects such as decks, pet yards, and even swimming pools may be approved, but the Commission may attach conditions to an approval, such as a requirement for evergreen screening of the project from the public right-of-way.
If a project is approved, a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued by form of a letter to the property owner, with a copy sent to the Inspections Department. Any decision of the Commission will expire if the applicant does not obtain a building, demolition, or fence permit within one year from the date of the decision. If a project is denied, the owner may choose to revise and resubmit the project at a subsequent meeting. Adverse decisions of the Commission may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment, which reviews only certiorari (the correctness of the process). Any appeal of the Board of Adjustment's decision may be heard in the Superior Court of Guilford County.
WHO DO I CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION?
If you have any questions about the procedure described above, please contact the High Point Planning and Development Department at 336-883-3328.
