[Added 2-28-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-01]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Article XXA, Open Space Option, added 8-14-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-6, as amended, was repealed 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-05.
It is hereby declared as a matter of public policy that the preservation and protection of buildings, structures and sites of historic, architectural, cultural, archaeological, educational and aesthetic merit are a public benefit and are in the interests of the health, prosperity and welfare of the people of Newtown Township. To that end, a separate zoning district is hereby created to overlay all other zoning districts in the Township. The provisions of this article, coupled with the provisions of Chapter 69 and Chapter 93, are intended to:
A. 
Promote the general welfare by protecting the integrity of the historic resources of Newtown Township.
B. 
Provide incentives for the continued use of historic resources and to facilitate their appropriate reuse.
C. 
Establish a clear and public process by which proposed land use incentives affecting historic resources can be reviewed.
D. 
Discourage the unnecessary demolition of historic resources.
E. 
Encourage the conservation of historic settings and landscapes.
F. 
Promote retention of historical integrity in the context of proposed land use and/or structural changes.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all properties containing structures meeting the criteria for Class I and Class II historic resources as set forth in Chapter 93 of the Newtown Township Code. Properties which meet the criteria shall constitute the Historic Resource Overlay District which shall constitute an overlay to the Township Zoning Map.
The following uses and no others shall be permitted on properties within the Historic Resource Overlay District.
A. 
Any use permitted in the underlying zoning district in which the property is located.
A. 
Any application for subdivision or land development, conditional use or special exception for any property containing a Class I or Class II historic resource, shall be accompanied by a historic resource impact study which shall be prepared by a qualified land planner with professional expertise in historic preservation, historical architecture or related disciplines as provided for in 36 CFR 61.
B. 
Contents. The study shall contain the following information unless the Zoning Officer determines them to be not pertinent to the application:
(1) 
Background information. If not otherwise provided by the applicant, a site plan, including existing structures, topography, watercourses, vegetation, landscaping, existing drives, etc.
(a) 
General description and classification of all historic resources located on the subject tract as shown on the site plan, or on tracts immediately adjacent to the subject tract.
(b) 
Statement of the significance of each Class I or II historic resource, both relative to the Township and region in general.
(c) 
Sufficient number of black and white eight-inch-by-ten-inch photographs to show every historic resource identified in Subsection B(1)(a) above, in its setting.
(d) 
Narrative description of the historical development of the subject tract.
(2) 
Proposed change.
(a) 
General description and site plan of the project, including timetable or phases.
(b) 
Description of impact on each Class I or II historic resource affected by the proposed development or subdivision, with regard to architectural integrity, historic setting and future use.
(c) 
General description of effect of noise and traffic and other impacts generated by the proposed change on any Class I or II historic resource affected by the proposed development or subdivision.
(3) 
Mitigation measures. Recommendations for mitigating the project's impact on Class I or II historic resources, including but not limited to design alternatives, buffering, landscaping, conservation of existing, shall be detailed.
The Historic Commission shall review the historic resource and shall provide a written report, including findings, conclusions, and any recommended modification to the proposed activity that it deems appropriate for the protection of the historic resource, to the Zoning Hearing Board, Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, or Zoning Officer, as applicable.