COMMISSIONERS APPROVE TWO
NEW HISTORIC PROPERTIES
First designations made in four years

By Jon Mayhew

County commissioners Monday night unanimously approved the designation of two separate properties in Lincoln County as historic landmarks.

The designations of the Daniel Rhyne House and Reinhardt-Craig House, Kiln and Pottery Shop are the first historical landmark designations since 2004.

Jason Harpe, with the Lincoln County Historical Association, made a presentation before commissioners.

"One of our charges is to designate local sites as historic properties," said Harpe.

According to Harpe, the Daniel Rhyne House was build in the 1890s. Daniel Rhyne was responsible for economic development in Lincoln County from the 1880s to the 1920s.

The Reinhardt-Craig property, meantime, was built around 1933 or 1934 and is the oldest operating pottery site in North Carolina, especially in the Catawba Valley.

After the presentations, the Lincoln County Historic Properties Commission (HPC) made recommendations to have both properties approved as historic landmarks.

In other business:

--The commission unanimously approved Jeff Frushtick to fill George Arena's remaining term on the planning board.

--Commissioners unanimously approved a name change from Building and Land Development (BALD) to Planning and Inspections Department (PAID), which takes effect March 31, 2009.

--Commissioners reinstated the old penalties under the county's Fire Protection Ordinance (FPO) which reinstates the higher penalties.

--Approved 4-1 (Commisisoner Klein voting no) for a conditional zoning request to construct an office building on Campground Road.