exec summary

COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

AGENDA TITLE:

Proposed Southern Albemarle Historic District

SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:

Presentation of the Southern Albemarle Association’s effort to create a National Register Historic District designation in southeastern Albemarle County.

STAFF CONTACT(S):

Mr. Tucker, Foley, Cilimberg, Benish

LEGAL REVIEW: Yes

AGENDA DATE:

December 1, 2004

ACTION: INFORMATION: X

CONSENT AGENDA:

ACTION: INFORMATION:

ATTACHMENTS: Yes

REVIEWED BY:

The Southern Albemarle Association, a group of County residents, is working towards establishing National Register Historic District designation for approximately 87,000 acres in southeastern Albemarle County. This is a grass roots citizen initiative stemming from the local resident’s desire to protect the historic resources in this area. Marcia Joseph, of Joseph Associates, a consultant involved in this process, will be providing an overview and status of this initiative to the Board. Attachment A is background information provided by Ms. Joseph. The Planning Commission has previously received this presentation.

Strategic Direction: 2 - Protect the County's Natural, Scenic and Historic Resources.

The proposed Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District (DHR #002-5045), which includes such notable properties as Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, Tallwood, Pine Knot, Jefferson Mill, and many others, encompasses approximately 87,000 acres with boundaries roughly following the topographical spine of the Monticello, Carter, and Green Mountains. If approved, this district will not only be the largest such district in Virginia, but will provide a link between the Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District, Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District, and the Scottsville Historic District providing an uninterrupted 143,000-acre corridor of historic resources revealing the rich heritage of Albemarle County and the surrounding Virginia Piedmont.

The Preliminary Information Form (PIF) was submitted to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and received a very high evaluation rating based upon the district’s rich inventory of historic resources which met all four criteria for significance under the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (A - Patterns of History; B - Significant Person; C - Architecture; and D - Archaeological Potential). Survey work is currently underway to identify and document all resources within the district.