County to weigh historic designation for area buildings

SARAH LOWERY

Staff Writer

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will consider designating two local structures as historic landmarks during its meeting tonight.

The properties in question include the Hopkins House on Pine Street in Lincolnton and the Graham Round Barn on Beth Haven Church Road in Catawba Springs Township.

The designation of local historic landmark serves not only as an honor that indicates the community believes a property deserves recognition and protection, noted a memo from the Historic Properties Commission to county officials, but it also allows the owners of the landmarks to be eligible to apply for a yearly 50 percent property tax deferral, provided the structure is maintained with all historic features intact.

Recapture penalties may be applied should a structure’s historic value be damaged by the owner.

The Hopkins House’s “excellent examples of both Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles of architecture” were cited as reasons for its local landmark designation being requested, according to the memo.

Meanwhile, the Graham Round Barn’s addition to the National Register of Historic Properties in 1977, as well as its unique architectural style, were behind its proposed designation.

Prior to the board taking action, public hearings will be conducted on the requested designations.

Other items on tonight’s agenda include:

• Commissioners will consider an EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant application.
• Commissioners will receive a drought update from Public Works Director Don Chamblee.
• Commissioners will consider a request from the Register of Deeds for a software purchase. They previously tabled the item to request more information about its projected cost when compared to other bids.
• Commissioners will consider executing an agreement on reservoir capacity with the Cleveland County Water District.
• Commissioners will consider the appointment of an interim tax administrator, following the recent announcement of retirement by Madge Huffman.
• Commissioners will receive the recommendations of the Planning Board regarding the zoning cases heard at the previous meeting.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Citizens Center and is open to the public.