A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote
and preserve the educational, cultural and general welfare of Haverford
Township by identifying and preserving distinctive historic, architectural,
archaeological and geological characteristics of the Township which
represent elements of its cultural, social, economic, political and
architectural history; fostering civic pride; conserving and improving
the value of property sites or significant archaeological or geological
sites; protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of Haverford Township
to homebuyers, tourists and visitors and thereby supporting and promoting
business, commerce and industry; and fostering and encouraging preservation,
restoration and rehabilitation of structures, areas, sites and neighborhoods.
B.
Identification.
(1)
The Township Planning Commission or Board of Commissioners
shall, upon such investigation as they deem necessary, make a determination
as to whether a building, structure or site subject to a subdivision
or land development application should be preserved based upon whether
the building, structure or site meets the following criteria of either
one or more of the following:
(a)
Its character, interest or value is part of
the heritage or cultural characteristics of the community, county,
state or country.
(b)
Its location as a site of a significant local,
county, state or national event.
(c)
Its identification with a person or persons
who significantly contributed to the community, county, state or country.
(d)
Its distinguishing characteristics of an architectural
style valuable for the study of a period, type, method of construction
or use of indigenous material.
(e)
Its identification as the work of a master builder,
designer, architect or landscape architect whose individual work has
influenced the development of the community, county, state or country.
(f)
Its embodiment of elements of design, detailing,
materials or craftsmanship that render it architecturally significant
or innovative.
(g)
Its unique location or singular physical characteristics
that make it an established or familiar visual effect.
(h)
Old growth tree stands, unique or valuable trees
or vegetation which is related to a significant local, county, state
or national event.
(i)
The location or identification of Native American
artifacts.
(j)
Unique natural resources.
(2)
Applications for subdivision or land development shall
specifically identify any building, structure or site which meets
any of the criteria set forth above within the boundaries of said
proposed subdivision or land development.
C.
Standards for review. In considering an application for a subdivision or land development, the Township Planning Commission or Board of Commissioners shall be guided by the following general standards in the event that a building, structure or site meets any of the criteria of Subsection B:
(1)
Every reasonable effort shall be made to provide a
compatible use for a property that requires minimal alteration of
the building, structure or site and its environment or to use a property
for its originally intended purpose.
(2)
The distinguishing original qualities or character
of a building, structure or site and its environment shall not be
destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive
architectural, archaeological or geological features shall be avoided
when possible.
(3)
All buildings, structures or sites shall be recognized
as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical
basis and seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.
(4)
Changes that have taken place in the course of time
or evidence of the history and development of a building, structure
or site and its environment may have acquired significance in their
own right and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
(5)
Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled
craftsmanship that characterize a building, structure or site shall
be treated with sensitivity.
(6)
Deteriorated architectural features shall be repaired
rather than replaced, whenever possible. In the event that replacement
is necessary, the new materials should match the material being replaced
in composition, design, color, texture and other visual qualities.
Repair or replacement of missing architectural features should be
based on accurate duplication of features substantiated by historic,
physical or pictorial evidence rather than on conjectural designs
or the availability of different architectural elements from other
buildings or structures.
(7)
The surface cleaning of structures shall not include
sandblasting or other cleaning methods that may damage the historic
building materials.
(8)
Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and
preserve archaeological resources, the site of a significant local,
county, state or national event or a site which has historical significance,
heritage or cultural characteristics affected by, or adjacent to,
any project.
