Municipality of Bethel Park, PA Article VI Administration - Application Review Procedure

41.11 Application review.

41.11.1. Upon receipt of an application for a building permit for work to be done at the landmark or historic site, the Building Permit Officer shall act in accordance with the procedures then being followed in that office, except those procedures that are necessarily modified by the following requirements. The Building Permit Officer shall:

1. Forward copies of the application for a building permit together with copies of any plot plan, and building plans and specifications, filed by the applicant to HARB.

2. Not issue a permit for any construction, alteration, reconstruction, repair, restoration, or demolition of all or a part of any landmark or historic site, until Bethel Park Council has issued a Certificate of Appropriateness.

3. Require applicants to submit a sufficient number of additional copies of material required to be attached to an application for a building permit so that the information needed to make the determination set forth in Section 41.11.7 will be available.

4. Maintain in his office a record of all such applications and final disposition of same.

41.11.2. Review of Applications. Upon receipt of any building permit application under the jurisdiction of this Ordinance, HARB shall consider such at its next regularly scheduled meeting or special meeting.

41.11.3. Notification to Applicant. The person(s) applying for the permit shall be advised of the time and place of said meeting and be invited to appear to explain his reasons therefore at least 10 days beforehand. HARB may invite such other persons as it desires to attend its meeting.

41.11.4. Design Guidelines. In determining the recommendations to be presented to the Bethel Park Council concerning the issuing of a Certificate of Appropriateness authorizing a permit for the construction, alteration, reconstruction, repair, restoration, or demolition of all or a part of any historic landmark or site, HARB shall consider the Design Guidelines set forth in Sections 41.9 and 41.10.

41.11.5. Time Frame for Board Decision. HARB shall render a decision and recommendation on any application for a building permit under its review no later than one month after the hearing/meeting provided for in Section 41.7 of this Ordinance and shall submit, in writing to the Bethel Park Council recommendations concerning the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness.

41.11.6. Application Disapproval by HARB. If the HARB decides to advise against the granting of a Certificate of Appropriateness, it shall indicate to the applicant for a building permit. The disapproval shall indicate to the applicant the changes in plans and specifications, if any, which would protect the distinctive historical character of the historic landmark or site. The HARB shall withhold its report for a period of five days to allow the applicant to decide whether or not to make the suggested changes in his plans and specifications. If the applicant determines that he will make the necessary changes, he shall so advise the HARB which shall in turn advise Bethel Park Council accordingly.

41.11.7. Contents of Written Report. The written report to Bethel Park Council concerning HARB's recommendations on the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness shall set out the following matters:

1. The exact location of the area in which the work is to be done;

2. The exterior changes to be made or the exterior characters of the structure to be erected;

3. A list of the surrounding structures with their general exterior characteristics;

4. The effect of the proposed changes upon the general historic and architectural nature of the site or District;

5. The appropriateness of exterior architectural features of the building which can be seen from the public street or way;

6. The general design, arrangement, texture, material and color of the building or structure and the

7. Relation of such factors to similar features of building or structures at the site or in an historical District;

8. The opinion of HARB (including any dissent) as to the appropriateness of the work proposed as it will preserve or destroy the historic aspect and nature of the historic landmark or site.

9. The specific recommendations of HARB as to the issuance by Bethel Park Council or its refusal to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness.

41.11.8. Notification to Applicant. Upon receipt of the written report from HARB as provided in 41.11.7 of this section, the Bethel Park Council shall consider at the next regularly scheduled or special meeting, the question or issuing to the Building Permit Officer a Certificate of Appropriateness authorizing a permit for work covered by the application. The applicant shall be advised by Bethel Park Manager at the time and place of the meeting at which his application shall be considered. The applicant shall have the right to attend this meeting and be heard as to the reasons for filing the said application.

41.11.9. Design Guidelines. In determining whether or not to certify the appropriateness of the proposed construction, alteration, reconstruction, repair, restoration or demolition, of all or a part of any historic landmark or site, Bethel Park Council shall consider the same factors as HARB of Historical Architectural Review set forth in Sections 41.9 and 41.10 of this Ordinance and the report of the HARB.

41.11.10. Approval by Council. If Bethel Park Council approves the application, it shall issue a Certificate of Appropriateness authorizing the Building Permit Officer to issue a permit for the work covered.

41.11.11. Disapproval by Council. If Bethel park Council disapproves, they shall do so in writing, and copies shall be given to the Building Permit Officer and the applicant. The disapproval shall indicate what changes in the plans and specifications would meet the conditions for protecting the distinctive historical character of the historic landmark or site.

Upon receipt of a written disapproval of Bethel Park Council, the Building Permit Officer shall disapprove the application for a building permit and so advise the applicant. The applicant may appeal from the disapproval as provided by law.

41.11.12. Final Notification. In either case, the Bethel park Council shall notify the applicant within five days of its meeting at which the application was considered.