Township of Nether Providence, PA Chapter 32 Historical Commission

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Nether Providence 8-8-2002 by Ord. No. 665. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 32-1 Declaration of public policy.

It is declared as a matter of public policy that the preservation of buildings, structures, and sites of historic, architectural, cultural, archeological, educational and aesthetic merit are public necessities and are in the interests of the health, prosperity and welfare of all the residents of Nether Providence Township.

§ 32-2 Purpose.

The purposes of this chapter are:

A. In accordance with provisions of the Municipalities Planning Code,[1] to identify and provide an opportunity to preserve historic buildings sites and structures which are important to the education, culture, traditions and economic values of the residents of the Township;

[1] Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10501 et seq.

B. To retain and enhance historic properties which contribute to the character of the Township and to advise for preservation and recommend conservation action;

C. To encourage the continuation of historical resources and facilitate their appropriate reuse;

D. To promote civic pride among the residents of the Township through a knowledge of the history of the community and the architectural, cultural and educational accomplishments of the Township; and

E. To discourage the unnecessary demolition or deterioration of historic resources and mitigate the negative effects of proposed changes upon historic resources.

§ 32-3 Establishment, membership; terms and compensation.

A. There is hereby established an Historical Commission which shall consist of seven members who shall all be residents of Nether Providence Township and who shall be appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The membership of the Historical Commission shall include individuals who have an interest in history, archeology or historic preservation and will strive to advance the purposes of this Commission.

B. Each Commission member shall serve for a term of three years which shall be so fixed that no more than three terms shall expire each year. Three members shall be appointed for one year, two members shall be appointed for two years and two members shall be appointed for three years. The Commission shall notify the Board of Commissioners of any vacancies in the Commission. Appointments to fill vacancies for unexpired terms shall he only for the unexpired portion of the term.

C. Members shall serve without pay, but shall be reimbursed for any personal expenditures in the conduct of Commission business when authorized by the Board of Commissioners.

§ 32-4 Organization.

The Commission shall annually elect from its own membership a Chairman, who will direct the activities of the Commission, and such other officers as may be required for the conduct of its business. A quorum shall be not less than a majority of the current membership. The Commission may make, alter, and rescind rules and forms for its procedures consistent with the ordinances of the Township and laws and regulations of the Commonwealth. The Commission shall keep full public records of its business and shall submit regular reports of its activities to the Board of Commissioners.

§ 32-5 Functions and duties.

In accordance with the purposes of this chapter, the Commission's primary purpose is to advise the Board of Commissioners, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Hearing Board of Nether Providence Township on matters pertaining to the historic resources of Nether Providence Township, and shall have the following functions and duties:

A. To oversee all aspects of preservation including to gather documentary evidence, illustrations, photographs, and other appropriate materials, to establish historic sites worthy of listing in an historic resources map, and to maintain a system for the continued survey and inventory of historic buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts in Nether Providence Township.

B. Conduct research on and nominate significant resources to the National Register of Historic Places and any other appropriate lists or programs.

C. Advise the Township administration and Board of Commissioners on concerns and alternatives to the issuance of demolition permits affecting historic resources.

D. Review and comment on subdivision or land development applications which contain historic resources, or are within 300 feet of an historic resource, in accordance with the requirements and procedures of the Township of Nether Providence Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance,[1] this chapter and other applicable ordinances.

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 289, Subdivision and Land Development.

E. Make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners concerning revisions, updates, or corrections to the Historic Resources Map.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Said map is on file in the Township offices.

F. With the approval of the Board of Commissioners, apply for technical and financial assistance from appropriate local, county, state, federal and other agencies in the preservation of significant historical and architectural sites within the Township, and to report all related actions to the Board of Commissioners.

G. Submit a yearly budget to the Board of Commissioners for sums deemed necessary to carry out the objectives of the Commission.

H. Assist individual property owners with decisions pertaining to historic resources in terms of their use and maintenance.

I. Identify resources suffering from neglect and confer with property owners to alleviate and correct neglect situations.

J. Advise the Township administration and Board of Commissioners of requests for special exceptions, conditional uses, or variances affecting historic resources.

K. Establish an historic preservation plan and implementation procedures subject to review by the Board of Commissioners.