Concord, NC Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Under Section 9.8.3 of the Concord Development Ordinance, the City Council may adopt, amend, or repeal an ordinance designating one or more historic landmarks, but only after the Historic Preservation Commission finds the property to be of special significance for its historical, prehistorical, architectural, or cultural importance and to possess integrity of design, setting, workmanship, materials, feeling, or association. The designating ordinance must describe the property, name the owners, identify the elements integral to its historic or architectural value, and require that a waiting period be observed before any demolition.

The designation process runs through several review steps: an applicant or the Commission prepares an investigation report forwarded to the North Carolina Division of Archives and History; the State Historic Preservation Officer has 30 days to comment; the Planning and Zoning Commission has 60 days to review and comment, after which the matter reverts to the Historic Preservation Commission if no recommendation is made; the Historic Preservation Commission then holds a public hearing and forwards a recommendation to City Council; and City Council holds its own public hearing before adopting, amending, or rejecting the designation ordinance. Once adopted, the Commission files a copy with the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds, the City Clerk keeps a copy on file for public inspection, and a copy goes to the building inspector; the landmark status is noted on Cabarrus County tax maps.

Section 9.8.13 governs demolition of a designated landmark: an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness authorizing demolition cannot be denied outright, but its effective date may be delayed up to 365 days from approval while the Commission negotiates with the owner to find a way to preserve the structure. The Commission must reduce or waive the delay if the owner would suffer extreme hardship or be permanently deprived of beneficial use, or if the building has no special significance to the district's character. If action is City-initiated, the Commission reviews first, followed by City Council for a final demolition order, considering the Housing Code Officer's inspection findings.