This chapter shall be known as the "Ridley Park Borough Historic
District Ordinance."
The Historic Districts in Ridley Park are created for the following
purposes:
A. To encourage the preservation and protection of historic sites and
historic architectural resources.
B. To emphasize the richness of our past as evidenced by buildings,
archaeological remains, and other historic resources which contribute
to the character, culture and historical architectural heritage of
the Borough of Ridley Park and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
C. To encourage that new buildings and developments be harmonious with
existing historic and architecturally significant buildings.
D. To promote adaptive reuse rather than demolition of buildings in
the Historic District.
E. To strengthen the economy of the Borough by stabilizing and improving
property values within the Historic District.
F. To preserve the exterior architectural character of buildings/structures
as visible from any public street or way.
G. To maintain and protect the residential character and spirit of the
community. No provision of this chapter shall be construed as promoting
the development of commercial tourism activity within the Borough
of Ridley Park.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ALTERATION
Any substantial change to a part of a building visible from
a public way, excluding changes of paint color.
[Amended 6-21-2011 by Ord. No. 1197]
BUILDING
Any enclosed or open structure which is a combination of
materials to form a construction for occupancy, shelter and/or other
functional use.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The officer of the Borough of Ridley Park designated by the
Borough Council as the individual who issues the permit for the construction,
alteration, reconstruction, restoration, demolition, or razing of
all or a part of any building or structure.
BUILDING PERMIT
An approval statement signed by the Building Inspector authorizing
the construction, alteration, reconstruction, restoration, demolition,
or razing of all or a part of any building or structure.
BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION
The request filed by any person with the Building Inspector
that seeks authorization to construct, alter, reconstruct, restore,
demolish, or raze all or a part of any building or structure.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
The approval statement signed by the Borough Council and
the HARB which certifies the appropriateness of a particular request
for the construction, alteration, reconstruction, restoration, demolition,
or razing of all or a part of any building or structure within the
Historic District.
CONSTRUCTION
Any or all work necessary for the erection of any building
or structure from a combination of materials which form safe and stable
structures.
DEMOLITION
The dismantling or tearing down of all or part of any building
or structure and all operations incidental thereto.
FENCES
Structures meant to confine, enclose, bar from entry or view,
divide or mark a boundary.
HARB
The Historical Architectural Review Board is the agency appointed
by the Borough Council for the purpose of reviewing an application
for a certificate of appropriateness and determining if the proposed
work is in compliance with the ordinance. According to the Historic
District Act, Act of June 13, 1961, P.L. 282, No. 167, as amended,
53 P.S. § 8001 et.seq., this Board may also be referred
to as the "Board of Historical Architectural Review" (BHAR).
HISTORIC DISTRICT
That region of the Borough declared historically significant
by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in accordance
with Act 167, as above stated.
MAINTENANCE
Requirements necessary to meet the minimum standards of maintenance criteria as described in §
121-14 hereof.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Ridley Park Planning Commission which advises the governing
body on planning and planning-related matters.
PUBLIC STREET OR RIGHT-OF-WAY
An accessway which includes all state roads and highways;
all dedicated roads maintained by the Borough; all roads for which
the offer of a deed of dedication has been made; and all private roads
over which the general public has the right of access.
RECONSTRUCTION
Any or all work needed to remake or rebuild all or a part
of any building to a sound condition, but not necessarily of original
materials.
REHABILITATION
To restore a building to useful condition while meeting the
criteria of the HARB.
REPAIRS
Any or all work involving the replacement of existing work
which equivalent materials for the purpose of maintenance, but not
including any addition, change, or modification of the structure.
RESTORATION
Any or all work connected with the returning or restoring
of a building or a part of any building to its original condition
through the use of original or nearly original materials.
STRUCTURE
Includes all buildings, signs, curbs, streets, roads, fences,
walls, and other man-made features of the landscape.
WALLS
Structures meant to confine, enclose, bar from entry or view,
divide or mark a boundary or retain earth.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all properties:
A. Within the boundaries of the Historic District as delineated in §
121-5 hereof.
B. Owned by the Borough of Ridley Park.
In determining the recommendations to be made to the Borough
Council concerning the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness,
the HARB shall consider only those matters that are pertinent to the
preservation of the historic and/or architectural aspect and nature
of the building, site, area, or district, certified to have historical
significance, including the following:
A. The effect of the proposed change upon the general historic and architectural
nature of the district.
B. The appropriateness of the exterior architectural features which
can be seen from the public street or way.
C. The general design, arrangement texture, and material of the building
or structure and the relation of such factors to similar features
of buildings or structures in the district. Consideration shall be
given to the following characteristics, based on the Secretary of
the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation:
(1) Proportion of buildings front facades. The relationship between the
width of the front of the building and the height of the front of
the building.
(2) Proportion of openings within the building. The relationship of width
to height of windows and doors.
(3) Rhythms of solids to voids in the front facades. The repetition of
strong and weak architectural elements creating a rhythm of masses
to openings.
(4) Rhythm of spacing of buildings on streets. The recurrent or repeated
relationship of building masses to the spaces between them.
(5) Rhythm of entrance and/or porch projections. A recurrent of repeated
pattern of entrances or projections.
(6) Relationship of architectural details. Architectural details and
their relationship to the structure in question and to adjacent structures,
including but not limited to, cornices, lintels, arches, quoins, balustrades,
iron work, and chimneys.
(7) Relationship of roof shapes. Buildings should have compatible roof
shapes such as gable, mansard, hip, flat gambrel, and/or other types
of roof shapes.
(8) Walls of continuity. Physical ingredients such as brick walls, wrought-iron
fences, building facades, or combinations of these that form continuous,
cohesive walls of enclosure along the street.
(9) Directional expression of front elevation. Structural shape, planning
of openings and architectural detail may provide a predominately vertical,
horizontal, or nondirectional character to building facade.
(10)
Scale. Scale is created by the size of units of construction
and architectural detail that relate to the size of man. It can be
determined by the building mass and how it relates to open space.
The major elements of scale may be brick or stone units, window or
door openings, porches and balconies.
D. The distinguishing original qualities or character of a building
and its place in the development of the Borough shall be protected
by avoiding the removal or alteration of any historical material or
distinctive features whenever possible.
E. The HARB shall grant variations in a manner that will be in harmony
with the character of the other buildings or structures on the streets
and/or in the district.
F. The height of any new building or structure shall not exceed the
height of the tallest adjacent building or structure by more than
10%. This requirement shall also apply to any proposed modifications
to existing buildings or structures.
G. In case of application for proposed demolition, the HARB may, when
deemed necessary, recommend to the Borough that the proposed demolition
be postponed for a period not to exceed 45 days. However, in the event
demolition cannot be avoided, then the moving of the building shall
be encouraged as an alternative to the demolition if there is no other
way to preserve the building.
H. All building and sites within the Historic District shall be recognized
as products of their own time; alterations that have not historical
basis, and which seek to create an earlier appearance, shall be discouraged.
I. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance to a building and/or structure within the Historic District as defined in §
121-14.
J. In addition to the above, all other Borough laws and ordinances shall
be complied with, including zoning, planning, and subdivision ordinances.
The Building Inspector shall have the power to institute any
proceedings at law or in equity necessary for the enforcement of this
chapter.
Any person, partnership or corporation that violates the provisions
of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof in the summary proceedings
may be sentenced to pay not to exceed $300 per offense. Each day this
chapter is violated shall constitute a separate offense.
An applicant may appeal a decision by the Borough Council of
Ridley Park to the Court of Common Pleas.
If any section, paragraph, subsection, clause, or provision
of this chapter shall be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this
chapter as a whole, or any part thereof.
The provisions of this chapter may be amended in the future
by the Borough Council of Ridley Park after notice and hearing as
provided by law.
Immediately upon the adoption of this chapter, the Ridley Park
Borough Secretary shall forward a copy of thereof to the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission. This chapter shall not take effect
until:
A. The said Commission has certified, by resolution, to the historical
significance of the Ridley Park Borough Historic District; and
B. It has been duly advertised once in one newspaper of general circulation
in the Borough of Ridley Park as required by law.