[Ord. 1993-10, 8/5/1993, § 1004;
as amended by Ord. 2011-12, 10/6/2011]
1.
Establishment and Membership. There shall be a Historical
Commission which shall consist of not more than seven members, who
shall be appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The membership of
the Commission shall include individuals who have an interest in history,
archeology, or historic preservation. Each Commission member shall
serve for a term of five years, which shall be so fixed that no more
than two terms shall expire each year. The Commission shall notify
the Board of Commissioners of any vacancies in the Commission. Appointments
to fill vacancies for unexpired terms shall be only for the unexpired
portion of the term. 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.
2.
Organization. The Commission shall annually elect
from its own membership a Chairman, who will direct the activities
of the Commission, as well as 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 conduct business at regular public meetings.
The Commission shall keep full public records of its business and
shall submit a report of its activities to the Board of Commissioners
on an annual basis.
3.
Expenditures for Services. Within the limits of funds
appropriated by the Board of Commissioners, the Commission may employ
staff or contract for clerical, consulting, or other technical services.
4.
Functions and Duties. In accordance with the purposes
of this section, the Commission shall have the following functions
and duties:
A.
Maintain a system for the survey and inventory of
historic buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts in Lower
Macungie Township.
B.
Conduct research on, nominate, and assist in applications
for registering significant resources to the National Register of
Historic Places and any other appropriate lists or programs, with
the consent of the owner.
C.
Advise Township staff and the Board of Commissioners
on the issuance of demolition permits for historic resources.
D.
At the request of the Board of Commissioners, review and comment on subdivision, conditional use and/or land development applications which affect historic resources, in accordance with the requirements and procedures of this Part and the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
E.
Make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners
concerning revisions, updates, or corrections to the Historic Resources
Map, Eligibility Certifications and Classification upgrading.
F.
Maintain an updated list which clearly identifies
buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts and their respective
classifications on the Historic Resources Map.
G.
Advise the Zoning Hearing Board and Board of Commissioners
on all requests for conditional uses and variances affecting historic
resources.
H.
Function as a Historical Architectural Review Board
(HARB) for historic districts in the Township which may in the future
be certified by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
in accordance with PA Act 167 or subsequent enabling legislation.
I.
Review applications for and make recommendations regarding
rehabilitation, enlargement, or alteration of historic resources for
compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.
J.
Perform any other lawful activities which shall be
deemed necessary to further the purposes of this section.
