Historic Preservation Commission

Board Openings

For more information continue through this page to view the Membership and Current Roster sections or visit the Apply for a Board or Commission page.  

Membership

The HPC consists of five (5) members appointed by Town Council for 3-year terms.   All members shall be residents of the Town of Boone.

To the extent qualified persons can be found, the majority of the Commission shall have demonstrated special interest, experience, or education in history, architecture, archaeology, or related fields, and to the extent, persons may be found with the stated qualifications, the Town Council shall seek to appoint two persons with significant experience or knowledge in historic preservation, one person with significant experience or knowledge in building construction, and one person with significant experience or knowledge in architecture.

One membership position on the HPC shall be designated for an Appalachian State University student; provided, that more than one Appalachian State University student position may be appointed at the discretion of the Town Council. The designated Appalachian State University student member shall serve a term of one (1) year.

Student Board Application

Board Application

To submit the application online, use the form linked here. 

Powers and Duties

1. Undertake an inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, and/or cultural significance; and
2. Recommend to the Town Council areas to be designated by ordinance as "Historic Districts;" modification of Historic District boundaries; and individual structures, buildings, sites, areas, or objects to be designated by Ordinance as "Landmarks”; and
3. Recommend to the Town Council criteria and procedures for the protection and preservation of Historic Districts and Landmarks; and
4. Recommend to the Town Council that designation of any area as a Historic District or part thereof, or designation of any building, structure, site, area, or object as a Landmark, be revoked or removed for cause; and
5. Conduct educational programs with respect to historic properties and districts within its jurisdiction, including but not limited to programs of recognition for significant historic properties, and programs to educate landowners of possible tax benefits associated with historic designation; and
6. Cooperate with the State, federal, and local governments in pursuance of the preservation and protection of areas and properties deemed to be of special significance in terms of their history, prehistory, architecture and /or culture, and contract, when authorized by the Town Council, with the State of North Carolina or the United States of America, or any agency of either for that purpose; and
7. Enter, solely in performance of its official duties and only at reasonable times, upon private lands for examination or survey thereof, provided that no member, employee or agent of the Commission may enter any private building or structure without the express consent of the owner or occupant thereof; and
8. Prepare and recommend the official adoption of a preservation element as part of the municipality's comprehensive plan; and
9. Review and act upon proposals for alterations, demolitions, or new construction within historic districts, or for the alteration or demolition of designated landmarks, and identify and propose preservation alternatives to owners; and
10. Perform any other related duties that the Council may direct.

Rules of Procedure

The HPC's Rules of Procedure, together with the provisions of the Town of Boone Unified Development Ordinance ("UDO"), govern the operation of the Historic Preservation Commission. The HPC shall conduct its meetings in accordance with its duly adopted rules of procedures so long as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of the UDO or State law, and the Commission shall comply with the requirements of the UDO Article 8.  The Commission shall conduct its meetings so as to obtain necessary information and to promote the full and free exchange of ideas. When exercising authority over any individual property in accordance with Sections 8.03 and 8.06 of the UDO, it shall conduct itself in a quasi-judicial manner.

These rules also are designed to answer questions from people who are unfamiliar with the Commission’s processes in order to provide more predictability and therefore more timely processing of applications. They are an attempt to make the procedures more predictable and understandable, to address certain details of the Commission’s operation, to create uniform methods for dealing with recurring questions which arise during hearings before the Commission, to provide guidance to people who appear before the Commission so they can better prepare for Commission hearings, and to facilitate the efficient administration of matters which come before the Commission. 

The Town Council has given the Commission the power to adopt these rules, and they are binding on participants in cases before the Commission. However, if there is ever a conflict between the provisions in these rules and the UDO or state law, the UDO and state law always controls. 

Historic Preservation Commission Rules of Procedure (PDF)

Historic Preservation Commission, Certificate of Appropriateness - Legal Representation Guidance (PDF)

Meetings

• Advisory Meeting: 3:00 p.m., First Tuesday of the Month
• Quasi-Judicial Meeting: 3:00 p.m., Second Tuesday of the Month
• The HPC is currently meeting virtually, through WebEx, a video-conferencing software.  Please contact the Planning & Inspections Department by email (planning@townofboone.net) or by phone (828-268-6960) for more information on how to watch or participate in the HPC meetings. 
• 2023 Town of Boone Meeting Calendar (PDF)

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Current Roster

Please note HPC members are not allowed to discuss any Certificate of Appropriateness case before them outside of the hearing (what the courts' term ex parte communication).  An ex parte communication occurs when a Commission member discusses with any other person, including another Commission member, party, or staff of the Planning Department, the substance or merits of a case outside the hearing and before the decision in the case is announced.