Albemarle Historical Resources Commission revises leadership roles

Published 10:06 am Friday, July 18, 2025

ALBEMARLE — At its recent meeting at City Hall on July 8, the Albemarle Historical Resources Commission swore in its commissioners and also named a new chair and vice chair.

Composed of nine members currently, Albemarle’s HRC is a city-appointed board dedicated to preserving the historic character of the city and its extraterritorial zoning area by making recommendations for local historic districts and general beautification efforts.

All members who must live within Albemarle’s jurisdiction and have “demonstrated special interest, experience or education in history, architecture, archaeology, landscape design, horticulture, city planning, or closely related fields.”

Incoming Commissioner Daniel Beck was sworn in at the beginning of the meeting as a new member, while Chair John Williams, Vice Chair Tim Johnson and Commissioners Lauren Wagner, Steven Trudeau and Razan Abd El Haque-Brown were each sworn in.

Commissioners Benjamin Lisk, John Crawford and Lori Baucom were absent from the meeting.

“At what point do we need to vote on a new chairperson?” Williams asked Brittani McLendon, planning manager for the City of Albemarle. “I have gone far past my one-year fill-in situation and I would like to not be chair…If you’re going to be on the board, you need to be chair at some point. It’s really easy. You just can’t make a motion, which is the part I don’t like.”

“We could not get you all to vote on anyone last time,” McLendon answered. “But you can do it right now.”

A quick discussion between the commissioners ensued as they internally discussed whether to make a decision at the ongoing meeting or at a future meeting.

“I will do it. I will submit myself,” Johnson said. “However, remember, I make a lot of motions, and you all can’t just sit there.”

After Johnson was unanimously voted in as the HRC’s new chair, he recommended that Trudeau be named as the commission’s vice chair; a motion was made and Trudeau received a 6-0 vote in favor of the move.

“We do have one more vacant seat that we are working to fill, so we could see another member with our new great leadership,” McLendon said. “Thank you all.”

The Historical Resources Commission is set to hold its next regular meeting on Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.