Subject:
Title
Recommend approval to add Louise Archer Elementary School to the Town of Vienna Historic Property Register.
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
Attached is an application from Principal Michelle Makrigiorgos, of Louise Archer Elementary School, to designate Louise Archer School as a Town of Vienna Historic Site. The application was reviewed and approved unanimously at the March 10, 2021 Historic Vienna, Inc. board meeting. The application contains a comprehensive historical background of the school built in 1939, including the lineage of the Vienna Colored School, built in 1890 after the incorporation of the Town of Vienna. Historic Vienna, Inc. awarded the school its Heritage Preservation Award some years ago, recognizing the school’s importance to Vienna history.
Louise Archer School is the only elementary school that continues to operate as an elementary school since integration was initiated in the County. The other buildings are either being utilized for other purposes, or have been torn down. This distinction underscores the importance of having Louise Archer School placed on the Historic Properties Register.
Strategic Plan Initiative: Vienna as a complete community.
Board or Commission of Interest: Historic Vienna, Inc.
Departmental Recommendation: The Parks and Recreation director recommends approving the addition of Louise Archer Elementary School to the Vienna Historic Property Register, #29.
Finance Recommendation:
Purchasing Recommendation:
Town Attorney Recommendation: Pursuant to Town Code Sections 25-5 - 25-9, the Town Council, after receipt of a recommendation from Historic Vienna, Inc., may act on the application of a property owner for inclusion on the Town’s Register of historic properties.
Town Code
Sec. 25-5. Application for registration.
The owner of any structure, site or place deemed by said owner to be of historic significance to the Town may apply for listing on the register by filing with the Town Manager a letter setting forth the reasons for such inclusion. The letter of application should describe in such detail as the owner thinks necessary the type of structure, site or place which it is desired to list, its size and specific location, significant dates in the history of the subject structure, site or place, the identity of events or people of substantial historic interest with which the structure, site or place has been associated, and such other facts as the applicant deems appropriate.
(Code 1969, § 25-5; Ord. of 11-7-1988)
Sec. 25-6. Consideration of applications-Historic Vienna, Inc.
(a) The Town Manager, upon receiving any such letter of application requesting listing on the register, shall promptly transmit the same to the board of directors of Historic Vienna, Incorporated, with a request that said board furnish to the Town Manager a recommendation as to what action on the application is appropriate in the judgment of the board and the reasons therefor. The Town Manager may also consult with or solicit recommendations on the application from such other persons and organizations as the Town Manager deems appropriate.
(b) Within 120 days after receiving any such letter application for listing on the register of any structure, site or place, the Town Manager shall transmit the same to the Town Council with a recommendation setting forth what action the Town Manager deems appropriate and the reasons therefor, together with the recommendations and comments of the board of Historic Vienna, Inc., if available, and the recommendations and comments of such other persons and organizations with which the Town Manager shall have consulted.
(Code 1969, § 25-6; Ord. of 11-7-1988)
Sec. 25-7. Same-Town Council.
The Town Council shall act on each such application within 60 days after receiving the same from the Town Manager. The Town Council may, as it deems appropriate, approve, disapprove, or approve with conditions and qualifications, each application. Any structure, site or place so approved by the Town Council shall thereupon be added to the register and be entitled to display the marker provided for in section 25-4.
(Code 1969, § 25-7; Ord. of 11-7-1988)
Sec. 25-8. Presumptive qualification for registration.
In considering applications for inclusion on the register, the Town Manager, the board of Historic Vienna, Inc., and the Town Council shall consider the following structures, sites and places as presumptively entitled to inclusion on the register:
(a) Buildings and other structures erected at their present location prior to 1900 and which retain all or a substantial portion of their original dimension and appearance.
(b) Businesses continuously conducted in the Town since prior to 1900 under the same name or in the same location.
(c) Sites and places in the Town that have been used continuously since prior to 1900 for the same purposes, or have remained essentially unchanged since the abandonment or discontinuation of such use.
(Code 1969, § 25-8; Ord. of 11-7-1988)
Sec. 25-9. Non-presumptive qualification for registration.
In developing recommendations and taking action on applications for inclusion on the register of structures, sites and places other than those described in section 25-8, the Town Manager, the board of Historic Vienna, Inc., and the Town Council shall consider:
(a) Structures, sites and places that are more than 50 years old, and possess significance related to the founding or development of the Town or to persons who have achieved local, regional or national prominence;
(b) Structures, sites or places which are over 50 years old and considered to be symbolic of the Town's history by reason of their architecture or in the way they have been used;
(c) Structures, sites or places less than 50 years old which are considered so unusually or uniquely connected with the Town's historical development as to qualify for inclusion on the register notwithstanding their being less than 50 years old.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council move that Louis Archer Elementary School located at 324 Nutley Street, NW, be placed on the Register of Vienna Historic Structures, Sites and Places, as presented.
Cost and Financing: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Decision Needed by This date: Jan. 24, 2022
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move that Louise Archer Elementary School located at 324 Nutley St., NW be placed on the Register of Vienna Historic Structures, Sites and Places."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.