CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

 Board of Supervisors Meeting Date:

R. Holder Trumbo, Jr. Scott District Supervisor

September 11, 2008

Staff Lead:

Department:

Kimberly R. Abe, Senior Planner

Community Development

Topic:  

A Resolution Supporting the Inclusion of a 41-Acre Addition to the Cromwell’s Run Rural Historic District for Placement on the Virginia Landmarks and National Registers

Topic Description:

On June 12, 2008, the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution supporting the nomination of the 14,185-acre Cromwell’s Run Rural Historic District for listing on the Virginia Landmarks and National Registers.

Since that time, several property owners outside the initial boundaries of the Cromwell’s Run Rural Historic District have worked with the architectural historian to develop a proposal to add 41 acres into the district by expanding the Northwest boundary up to the Fauquier County and Loudoun County line. 

On August 11, 2008, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) conducted a public hearing at the Marshall Community Center regarding the merits of this addition to the district.  All property owners within and adjacent to the proposed boundary were notified. No owner opposition was expressed at the hearing.   VDHR will present this proposal to the Commonwealth Board of Historic Resources on September 18, 2008. This resolution will convey Fauquier County’s support for this nomination. 

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors:

Consider adoption of the attached resolution.

Financial Impact Analysis:

None

Summary Staff Report:

The Board of Supervisors and private community organizations are steadily moving forward on a countywide effort to document Fauquier County’s historic resources for placement on the Virginia and National Registers.  In 2002, the Board of Supervisors embarked on a multi-year project to document 21 of its historically significant towns and villages for placement on these registers.  The Board’s successful documentation and designation program has resulted in the placement of 14 towns and villages on both registers with widespread resident support.

Goose Creek Association initiated and funded the Cromwell’s Run National Register Rural Historic District nomination, marking the establishment of Fauquier County’s third National Register Rural Historic District.  Cromwell’s Run has already been listed on the Virginia Landmarks and VDHR has forwarded the nomination to the National Park Service for listing on the National Register.

The Virginia Landmarks and National Register designations have no connection with additional regulatory oversight in Fauquier County.  Being listed on either the Virginia Landmarks or National Register of Historic Places only conveys an honor and recognition of a property’s historic significance; it does not place any regulatory constraints on the property owner.  Property owners of contributing properties may apply for state and federal tax credits for eligible rehabilitation work.

Identify any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that would be affected by this request:

Property Owners