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 provisions of Township Code §§
93-5 and
69-6I are incorporated into this article by reference as if set forth fully herein.
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.
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.