The purpose of the Historic Preservation Overlay District is
to encourage the preservation of locally important architectural,
historical, archaeological, and/or cultural elements of the man-made
landscape as a living part of the community. In promoting this and
the general purpose of this chapter, the specific intent of this overlay
is:
This article is intended to create an overlay district. Within
this overlay, all applications for building permits for either the
purpose of alteration or demolition of a resource designated on the
West Manheim Township Historic Inventory, will be directed to the
West Manheim Township Planning Commission for review and comment,
as to the effect of the proposed action on the historical-architectural
character of the zone prior to the issuance of a building permit.
All of the regulations of the underlying district shall remain in
full force and effect. Where there exists any conflict between the
provisions or requirements of the Historic Preservation Overlay District
and those of the underlying district, the more restrictive of the
two provisions shall apply.
A.
Establishment of the Historic Preservation Overlay District. The
Historic Preservation Overlay District shall be an overlay district
that overlaps and supplements the underlying zoning districts. The
Township shall maintain an official list and/or map of historic resources,
entitled "West Manheim Township Historic Inventory" ("Historic Resources
Inventory" or "Inventory"). The Historic Resources Inventory and/or
Map shall be approved by the Board of Supervisors by resolution, and
may be revised from time to time by resolution.
B.
Permitted uses. In the Historic Preservation Overlay District, the
development and/or use of any land will be permitted, provided that
the development or uses adhere to all of the requirements of the underlying
zoning district.
C.
Approval by the Zoning Officer.
(1)
In
addition to meeting the normal requirements for obtaining a building
permit, all applications for alteration or demolition of an historic
resource shall be forwarded to the West Manheim Township Planning
Commission so that a meeting between the Commission and the applicant
may be arranged.
(3)
The
recommendation of the West Manheim Township Planning Commission shall
be advisory only, and not mandatory.
(4)
After
notification that the above meeting has occurred or after a period
of not to exceed 15 days after the application has been forwarded
by the Zoning Officer to the West Manheim Township Planning Commission,
whichever comes first, the Zoning Officer may proceed in a manner
similar to the rules in effect in the underlying zone to issue the
permit.
D.
Demolition by neglect. All historic structures within the Historic
Preservation Overlay District shall be maintained in good repair,
structurally sound, and reasonably protected against decay and deterioration
to prevent demolition by neglect. Demolition by neglect of historic
structures in the Historic Preservation Overlay District shall constitute
a violation of this chapter. Evidence of demolition by neglect includes,
but is not limited to:
(1)
Deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical supports;
(2)
Deterioration of roofs or other historical members;
(3)
Deterioration of exterior chimneys;
(4)
Deterioration of crumbling exterior stucco or mortar;
(5)
Ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, or foundations,
including broken windows or doors, lack of paint, deteriorated mortar,
inadequate or absence of gutters or spouting, deteriorated flashing,
etc.;
(6)
Deterioration of any feature so as to create a hazardous condition
that could lead to the claim that a demolition is necessary for the
public safety.
