Effective March 1, 2003, Wake County will be contracting with Capital Area Preservation, Inc. (CAP), to provide historic preservation programming. CAP is the only countywide historic preservation organization dedicated to protecting Wake County's historic resources.
The Wake County Historic Preservation Commission (WHPC) will continue to be appointed by the Board of Commissioners and will remain responsible for designation of historic landmark properties and review of Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) applications within the county and all of its municipalities, with the exception of Raleigh and Wake Forest. CAP will provide staff support to the WHPC.
The public should not notice any major changes in level of service or procedures since this is essentially a staffing change and not a change in the scope of the County's preservation program. CAP will also undertake a variety of educational initiatives to complement the County's existing historic preservation activities. Initiatives will include historic landmark tours, publication of a newsletter and a website. Additionally, as a 501(c)3 non-profit, CAP can place protective covenants on historic properties.
Beginning March 1, 2003, all questions regarding the County's historic preservation program or its historic resources should be directed to CAP at 833-6404. The current historic preservation phone number, 856-6327, will direct callers to CAP.
Also on March 1, 2003, Wake County and the City of Raleigh will begin a four-month transition period while the City prepares to assume full responsibility for administration of historic landmarks within the City. Currently, the WHPC reviews landmark and CA applications in Raleigh, if the properties are located outside one of Raleigh's five locally designated historic districts. The Raleigh Historic Districts Commission (RHDC) has, since the establishment of the WHPC, reviewed only those landmark CA applications within a historic district. This arrangement has been confusing to the public and City and County staff.
During the transition period, the City of Raleigh Planning Department staff will provide administrative support services to the WHPC for landmarks located with the City of Raleigh, while preparations are made for the city to assume full responsibility. Beginning July 1, all landmark and CA applications within Raleigh's planning jurisdiction will be handled by the RHDC. The commission can be reached at 832-7238.
"This is a good example of how we can work cooperatively and collaboratively to achieve a common goal – protecting historic resources throughout our county," said Commissioners' Chair Herb Council.
Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker stated, "I believe that this transfer of responsibilities will result in better public service for both the City and the County preservation programs, and enable each of us to better focus our resources on the strategic needs of our programs."
Wake Forest has had its own historic preservation commission since the 1970s and the town will continue to maintain its program. All inquiries within the Wake Forest jurisdiction should be directed to 554-6140.