Historic District Commission
The Historic District Commission reviews applications for exterior changes within the Hillsborough Historic District. A majority of the commission’s members have specialized training or an interest in architecture, preservation, archaeology, history or building methods.
For more information, contact Planner Justin Snyder by email or by phone at 919-296-9473.
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Mission
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The commission’s mission is to identify, protect and preserve Hillsborough's architectural resources and to educate the public about those resources and preservation in general.
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Role
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The commission has a quasi-judicial role. The commission hears evidence, determines relevant facts and then applies the law as it concerns the exterior changes to or demolition of any properties as well as new construction in the district.
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Historic District
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The Hillsborough Historic District presents a visual history of Hillsborough's development from the 1700s to the 1950s. The town chose to respect this development history through passage of the preservation ordinance in 1973, creating the historic district.
The Historic District includes the town’s commercial core and the surrounding residential neighborhoods. It contains more than 100 houses, churches and buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Included is development from Georgian- and Federal-style buildings dating to the late 1700s to contemporary construction. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Hillsborough’s period of historic significance is pre-colonial to 1963.
Contributing to the district’s special character are the context and setting created by the district's landscape and a variety of outbuildings, such as detached kitchens, carriage houses, garages, sheds, stables, smokehouses and barns.
- Contributing Structures — buildings built before 1963 that have not been modified to the extent they have lost their architectural integrity are considered contributing.
- Non-contributing Structures — buildings built after 1963, or that have been substantially altered, are considered non-contributing.
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Certificates of Appropriateness
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It is unlawful to begin construction, moving, demolition, alteration or restoration of any structure or site within the Historic District before a Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued.
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Documents
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Hillsborough Historic District Design Guidelines
Hillsborough Historic District Inventory
Hillsborough Historic District Inventory Map
Hillsborough Historic District Map
Historic District Commission Meeting Schedule
Historic District Commission Rules of Procedure
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Membership
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NameTerm expiresBrad Farlow — vice-chairJuly 31, 2018Joe GriffinJan. 30, 2019Jill HeilmanSept. 30, 2018Reid Highley — chairOct. 31, 2019Laura SimmonsMarch 31, 2019Virginia SmithJan. 30, 2019Cheri SzcodronskiMarch 31, 2020-
Brad Farlow — vice-chair
- Term expires July 31, 2018
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Joe Griffin
- Term expires Jan. 30, 2019
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Jill Heilman
- Term expires Sept. 30, 2018
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Reid Highley — chair
- Term expires Oct. 31, 2019
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Laura Simmons
- Term expires March 31, 2019
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Virginia Smith
- Term expires Jan. 30, 2019
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Cheri Szcodronski
- Term expires March 31, 2020
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Brad Farlow — vice-chair
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Meeting information
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Upcoming:Regular MeetingDate:May 2, 2018Time:7 p.m.Location:Town Barn Downstairs Boardroom
101 E. Orange St., Hillsborough, NC 27278Details:The agenda is available now and includes discussion of Certificate of Appropriateness applications on East Union Street, North Hassel Street, North Churton Street, and Mitchell Street. The members will also discuss changes tot he design guidelines and minor works list.Documents: