The Historic Resource Conservation Regulations are established:
A. To safeguard the heritage of the Town of Bel Air by preserving the
historic buildings and sites which reflect elements of its cultural,
social, economic, political or architectural history;
B. To retain and improve property values in such areas;
C. To encourage property owners of historic buildings to repair and
maintain their properties in ways sensitive to the building's original
style and method of construction;
D. To provide guidelines for the construction of new additions to existing
historic structures and for infill development in historic neighborhoods;
E. To preserve, to the extent possible, significant historical or archeological
resources;
F. To encourage adaptive reuse of historic properties as part of the
Town's sustainable development initiative;
G. To promote the use of historic properties for the education, pleasure
and welfare of the community; and
H. To foster public awareness of the Town's history and historic structures.
The Historic Resource Conservation District is composed of individually
designated historic districts and sites within the Town boundaries.
The Official Historic Resource Conservation District Map, which is
available for review at the Town Department of Planning and Community
Development and Bel Air Town Hall, shows each designated district/site.
[Amended 3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 811-23]
At the request of the property owner or any public agency, the
Bel Air Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing,
review the applicable federal, state and local requirements for historic
designation of a structure, site or district and make a recommendation
to the Board of Town Commissioners for its consideration. Designation
is based on the following criteria:
A. The property must be surveyed in accordance with requirements of the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties procedures. Further, the property must demonstrate significance in terms of one or more of four broad criteria which are consistent with National Register criteria used to identify and evaluate historic properties. The Historic Preservation Commission must follow criteria outlined in Chapter
246 of the Bel Air Town code.
B. Significance may be evaluated on a national, state or local context. The Historic Preservation Commission shall conduct a public hearing in accordance with Chapter
246 of the Bel Air Town Code. If the property satisfies the requirements for designation, the Historic Preservation Commission shall cause a resolution to be submitted for Board of Town Commissioners consideration to formally designate this structure, site or district. The Board of Town Commissioners has final approval authority for all historic designations. Once a property has been designated, the Town shall record evidence of the designation in the Harford County land records.
C. Once a property is designated, the Historic Preservation Commission
reviews and approves all applications for permits for construction,
alteration, repair, moving or demolition of a designated site or structure(s)
prior to issuance of a demolition or a building permit. Additionally,
the Historic Preservation Commission or its designee shall review
and approve accessory structures, exterior building features and/or
appurtenances.
D. Applications for review are filed with the Historic Preservation
Commission through the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Commission approval or approval by its designee is required for any
changes which would affect the exterior appearance of a structure
visible or intended to be visible from an adjacent public right-of-way
in the district.
E. The Historic Preservation Commission shall review the proposed construction to ensure appropriateness to an historic setting based upon Chapter
246, Historic Preservation, of the Bel Air Town Code, the Town of Bel Air Design Guidelines for Rehabilitation, Maintenance, and New Construction, Historic Preservation Commission Powers and Duties, and in conjunction with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings, in addition to requirements of this Part
2. In the case of a conflict among regulations, the strictest standard shall apply.
F. A request for amendment to the historic designation shall follow the procedures for change outlined in Article
XIII of this Part
2.