It has been 3 months since I first spoke at the Bryan County Commissioners Meeting, asking that the county create a county-wide Historic Preservation Ordinance and Historic Preservation Commission. Since their August meeting, I have also spoken at the September meeting, October meeting, and plan to speak again tomorrow at the November meeting.

The Commissioners have been given a number of documents, both physically and digitally, breaking down the process and how to begin. I will add a link to those items, along with the items they are to receive tomorrow evening for review! Here is some good news. The Commissioners had historic preservation on the agenda for their recent retreat at the end of October and also sent one of the county Planners with preservation experience to the State Historic Preservation Conference this past week. Any progress is good and I am grateful for those things! However, we are still at square one and the process of creating the preservation ordinance (with that comes the creation of the HPC) has yet to begin. The Commissioners have not directed staff to draft the ordinance. I believe this hesitation comes from a place of not understanding the step-by-step process; drafting the ordinance does not include writing the design guidelines. That part comes much later and there is a lot of time for conversation and public input before that happens! The reality is, the ordinance can even be as simple as preventing reckless demolition of historic structures... it does not have to be heavily restrictive. Bryan County can really write the guidelines as desired and led by the wishes of the constituents.

Another concern seems to be what financial investment would be involved in the process. The reality is, the county does not know for sure what that might look like (and from the conversations I have had, it sounds like they may be greatly overestimating and not understanding all options/ resources). More good news: When I attended the State Historic Preservation Conference last week, I learned about some really great programs that involve college students handling the surveying of local historic sites and structures, also part of the process of creating the ordinance. The University of Georgia and Kennesaw State University spoke about the resources available to communities through their schools. UGA has the FindIt Program, which actually surveyed Bryan County previously. KSU had students survey historic sites as part of their coursework. It is absolutely possible for these schools to do the same in Bryan County and, likely, local schools like Georgia Southern University, SCAD, and Savannah Tech could offer the same. Also, technically, anyone can survey sites, even staff or volunteers.

Also great news, Georgia's Natural, Archaeological and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS), an online database of historic resource surveys, already has 758 historic sites and structures identified and surveyed in Bryan County (yes, that's right, we have 750+ historic resources already identified)! If that isn't eye opening and motivating, I'm not sure what is...

In closing, I want to emphasize that historic preservation in Bryan County is absolutely possible and attainable, if only we leverage the resources available to us and give it the time that it deserves. You can help by showing your support! Please share this petition and tell your friends. Attend the Commissioners Meeting tomorrow at 5:30 PM in Pembroke to tell the Commissioners yourself that this is something you want to see them take action on! Time is of the essence, we just need them to say yes. Bryan County can continue to grow without losing what makes it unique IF it chooses to lead, not react.