In addition to serving the overall purposes of this Ordinance, this Article
VIII is intended to:
A. Promote the retention of community character through preservation
of the local heritage by recognition and protection of historic and
architectural resources;
B. Encourage continued use, appropriate rehabilitation and adaptive
reuse of historic buildings;
C. Implement §§ 603(b), 603(g), 604(1) and 605(2) of
the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, which address protecting
and facilitating the preservation of historic values through zoning
and using zoning to regulate uses and structures at or near places
having unique historic, architectural or patriotic interest or value;
and
D. Strengthen the local economy by promoting heritage tourism, improving
property values and increasing investment in older buildings.
This Article
VIII shall apply to buildings identified as an historically significant property on the Historically Significant Properties Map that is adopted as part of this Ordinance. This section shall only apply to the principal building on the lots highlighted on the Map, unless there is a statement on the Map or any accompanying adopted list that an accessory building is also regulated by this article. The Historically Significant Properties Map may be revised to add or delete buildings in the future as a Zoning Ordinance Amendment, after a public hearing by Borough Council.
As a special exception, the Zoning Hearing Board shall have
the authority to modify yard, coverage and other dimensional requirements
for a lot occupied by a building on the Historically Significant Properties
Map if the applicant proves to the Zoning Hearing Board that such
modifications are necessary to promote the historic rehabilitation
and adaptive reuse of such building.