[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Upland 10-13-2009 by Ord. No. 5-2009. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It is hereby declared as a matter of public policy that the
preservation and protection of historic resources are public necessities
and are in the interest of the health, prosperity and welfare of the
citizens of the Borough of Upland.
The purposes of this chapter are:
A.
To promote the general welfare by protecting the integrity of the
historic resources of the Borough of Upland;
B.
To mitigate the negative effects of future proposed changes upon
historic resources;
C.
To encourage the continuation of historic resources and facilitate
their appropriate reuse;
D.
To promote among residents of Upland Borough a knowledge of the history
of the community and an appreciation for the accomplishments of its
citizens;
E.
To encourage and support the collection and preservation of materials
of historic value related to the Borough of Upland;
F.
To encourage and support research into the history of the Borough
with a view to discovering previously unknown facts concerning the
Borough's history;
G.
To facilitate compliance with recommendations of the most recent
Comprehensive Plan documents that "the Borough of Upland establish
a Historical Commission which will be responsible, in part, for advising
the Borough Council on matters affecting the Borough's historic
resources";
H.
To identify buildings and sites of historic interest and significance
in the Borough for the purposes of national registration;
I.
To encourage the preservation of historic settings and landscapes;
J.
To discourage the unnecessary demolition or deterioration of historic
resources; and
K.
To implement the goals of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania at Article I, Section 27, establishing the policy of
this commonwealth of encouraging the preservation of historic and
aesthetic resources.
A new Chapter 15 of the Code of the Borough of Upland is hereby created and shall be entitled "Upland Borough Historical Commission," as attained hereto.
A.
With respect to § 1 above, the Upland Borough Council does,
by this chapter, enact and create the Upland Borough Historical Commission,
as permitted by Section 1202(48) and (78) of the Pennsylvania Borough
Code codified at 53 P.S. § 46202, as well as 53 P.S. § 8001
et seq., permitting boroughs and other political subdivisions to protect
the historical character of their communities.
B.
By this chapter there shall be an Upland Borough Historical Commission,
which shall consist of five members who shall be appointed by Upland
Borough Council. The membership of the Commission shall include individuals
who have interest in history, archaeology or historic preservation.
Each Commission member shall serve for a term of one year. The Commission
shall notify Borough Council of any vacancies within the Commission,
and Council shall act within 90 days to fill such vacancies. Appointments
to fill vacancies for unexpired terms shall be only for the period
of the unexpired term. Commission members shall serve without pay
but shall be reimbursed for any personal expenditures during the conduct
of Commission business when authorized by Borough Council.
[Amended 6-13-2017 by Ord. No. 3-2017]
The Commission shall annually elect a chairperson and a vice
chairperson from its own membership and such other officers as may
be required for the conduct of its business. The Chairperson will
direct the activities of the Commission. A quorum shall be not less
than a majority of the current membership. The Commission may issue,
alter and rescind rules and forms for its procedures consistent with
the ordinances of the Borough of Upland and the laws and regulations
of the commonwealth. The Commission shall conduct business at regular
public meetings. An agenda of each public meeting may be available
for inspection prior to the meeting. The Commission shall keep full
public records of its business and shall submit a report of its activities
to Borough Council by the first Council meeting of October in each
year.
Within the limits of funds appropriated by the Borough Council,
the Commission may employ staff or contract for clerical, consulting,
or other technical services. The Commission shall keep full public
records of its expenditures and shall submit a report of these financials
as a part of its annual report to Borough Council.
In accordance with the intent and purposes of this chapter,
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 within the Borough of Upland.
B.
To conduct research and nominate significant resources to the National
Register of Historic Places and any other appropriate lists or programs.
C.
To conduct research upon and nominate significant historic resources
for inclusion within any lists or signage maintained or erected by
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Historical and Museum Commission.
D.
To promote among the citizens of the Borough of Upland a knowledge
and awareness of the Borough and an appreciation for the accomplishments
and contributions of Upland residents and past citizens to the history
of Upland, Pennsylvania and the United States.
E.
To advise upon the collection and preservation of materials of historic
value related to the Borough, including Borough records, documents
and materials, especially those related to the early years of Upland
and/or its creation, in addition to Delaware County and/or Pennsylvania
Historic Resource Survey forms, photographic records, newspapers,
or magazines, deeds, title searches, recorded interviews, transcribed
interviews, videotapes, etc.
F.
To sponsor exhibits, from time to time, concerning the history of
Upland Borough, and as appropriate, to publish papers, pamphlets or
other documents relating to the history of Upland.
G.
To advise the Code Enforcement Officer, Zoning Officer, Building
Code Official (BCO), the Borough Manager, Mayor and/or Borough Council
respecting the issuance of permits for the construction or demolition
on historic sites or resources within the Borough. When requested
by any of these aforementioned officials, the Commission shall review
and comment upon the issuance of the aforementioned permits and shall
issue said comments to the requesting authority, in writing, within
30 days of said request.
H.
To advise the Planning Commission or Borough Council respecting a
subdivision or land development or a conditional use that may affect
historic resources or sites within the Borough. Within 30 days of
a written request by the Planning Commission or Borough Council, the
Commission shall issue a written review and comment upon the proposed
subdivision or land development or conditional use directed to the
requesting authority.
I.
To advise the Zoning Hearing Board or Borough Council when requested
to comment, respecting all applications for special exceptions, variances
or zoning changes affecting historic resources or historic sites.
Within 30 days from such a written request by either the Zoning Hearing
Board or the Borough Council, the Commission shall issue its written
review and comment upon such request for special exceptions, variances
or zoning changes to the requesting authority.
J.
To oversee the maintenance and updates to the Upland Historic Resource
Survey.
K.
The Chairperson of the Upland Historic Commission, or his/her designee,
may also, without request, testify before either Borough Council,
the Planning Commission, the Zoning Hearing Board, or in any public
forum, regarding any and all matters affecting historical resources
or sites within the Borough of Upland.
L.
To perform any other lawful activity that shall be deemed necessary
to further the purposes of this chapter.
