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.
A. 
Designated historic districts/sites.
(1) 
No permit for any change may be granted until the Commission has acted thereon as provided in the officially adopted Town of Bel Air "Historic Preservation Commission Powers and Duties."
(2) 
Every attempt shall be made to retain existing architectural character.
(3) 
Every attempt shall be made to retain the structure's compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood.
(4) 
Materials for exterior alterations shall be sensitive to those with materials used in the original method of construction.
(5) 
Proposed construction shall be in harmony with approved plans for the surrounding area, so that existing and future land values within the area will not be depreciated.
(6) 
Demolition of historic structures should be avoided. If no other option is available, the property owner should try to relocate the building. Any new construction should be compatible in color, size, materials and mass with any adjacent historic structures.
(7) 
Additionally, the Town of Bel Air Design Guidelines for Rehabilitation, Maintenance and New Construction, Chapter 246, Historic Preservation, of the Bel Air Town Code and the Historic Preservation Commission Powers and Duties should be consulted prior to exterior construction, renovation or rehabilitation.
B. 
Exemptions. Exemptions from permit requirements are listed in the Historic Preservation Commission Powers and Duties and are incorporated herein by reference.
C. 
Appeal process.
(1) 
In the event that any party is aggrieved by a decision of the Board of Town Commissioners to designate a property as an historic site or part of an historic district, the party has the right to appeal to the Circuit Court of Harford County as authorized by the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Such appeal shall be petitioned in the same manner as a rezoning decision as specified in Article XIII, § 165-101B(8), of this Part 2. An appeal to the Circuit Court shall be taken in accordance with Rules 7-201 through 7-211 of Title 7, Chapter 200, of the Maryland Rules of Procedure.
[Amended 4-3-2017 by Ord. No. 780-17]
(2) 
Following designation, should a party be aggrieved by a decision of the Historic Preservation Commission during its review process, the party may appeal to the Circuit Court of Harford County in accordance with the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
[Amended 4-3-2017 by Ord. No. 780-17; 5-6-2024 by Ord. No. 829-24]
(3) 
All appeals must be filed within 30 days of the Board of Town Commissioners or Historic Preservation Commission's decision.