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1. What is the Historic Preservation Commission?

The Historic Preservation Commission is a group of at least 9 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.

2. 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. Planning staff will assist owners of properties in the historic districts to determine whether the 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, 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." 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.

3. How do I apply for approvals?

Application forms can be obtained online or at the Planning and Development Department on the third floor of the Municipal Office Building, 211 S. Hamilton Street, room 316. Applicants are expected to furnish supporting sketches, photographs, and material samples to assist the Commission in understanding and evaluating a proposal. Minor works require a phone call to the Planning Department staff at 336-883-3328. 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 deadline. Historic Preservation Commission meetings are held regularly at 6 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held in Council Chambers on the 3rd 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 336-883-3328 or the N C. Relay System (TCC No. 336-883-8517).

4. 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.

5. 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, fences, storage buildings, 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 in the form of a letter to the property owner, with a copy sent to the Inspections Division of the Planning and Development 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.

6. Who do I contact for further information?

If you have any questions about the Historic Preservation Commission, please contact the Planning & Development Department at 336-883-3328.