CAPE MAY – As part of a regular process led by Cape May’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), the city conducted surveys of 185 properties in its historic district. At its Aug. 1 meeting, Cape May City Council adopted the results of the most recent surveys.

The HPC, among many other responsibilities, is charged with maintaining a comprehensive survey of the city in order to identify historic districts, sites, and landmarks that are worthy of protection and preservation. The results of the surveys go through an approval process, with stops at both the city Planning Board and its governing body.

The surveys can result in three possible status actions for a property. A property can be determined to be noncontributing, meaning it has no particular historic value. It can be designated as contributing, a property of some historic value. Most importantly, a property can be named as key, which means it is determined to have the most significant historical value.

The list of the 185 surveyed properties that accompanied the ordinance, as adopted by the council, showed no key properties and 41 contributing properties, with the rest designated as noncontributing.

The classifications determine what can and cannot be done with building renovations and exterior improvements.

Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.