Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Ellen Reichenbach

 

The Tryon Historic Preservation Commission (THPC) is now available to assist owners of public and privately owned property who want to reserve the historic character of such resources through designation as a local historic landmark or local historic district. While the THPC was authorized by ordinance in 2010, until recently it had not developed and approved Rules or Design Guidelines allowing it to operate under that authority.

The Town of Tryon’s Board of Commissioners approved the THPC’s new proposed Rules and Design Guidelines at its April 16 meeting. The members of the Tryon Historic Preservation Commission, working closely with Tim Daniels, Planning Director for the Town, explained that they had unanimously voted to adopt the Rules and Design Guidelines in early April and received approval from the Town’s Board of Planning and Adjustment at its April 11 meeting.

The THPC will be participating along with other community organizations at the upcoming Fourth Friday on April 26 and welcomes questions from local residents about the practical implementation of its new Rules and Design guidelines, which are available for review on the Town website, https://tryon-nc.com. Representatives from the Western Division of the State Historic Preservation Office will also be available to answer questions about historic preservation in North Carolina and the significance of local preservation.

The initial focus of the THPC will be on education and outreach to the community about efforts to preserve and protect cultural resources that reflect Tryon’s identity or special character. Cultural resources encompass a wider sphere than the traditional focus of preservation efforts on architecture and buildings. It includes, but is not limited to, historic sites, cemeteries, designed and natural landscapes, view corridors, archaeological resources and other forms of cultural resources.

The goal of the THPC is to be a resource for preservation efforts in Tryon, working alongside other groups such as the Tryon Downtown Development Association and the Tryon History Museum, as well as the many individuals who have contributed to the preservation and development of Tryon’s special character. The THPC welcomes inquiries from the community about preservation, hoping to assist property owners with preservation planning and helping to mediate and resolve issues that may arise.

 

Submitted by Tim Daniels