[Added 5-10-2022 by Ord. No. 935-2022]
An historic district is an area that possesses a sufficient concentration, linkage, or continuity of buildings, structures, sites, objects, or open spaces united historically by plan or physical development.
A. 
A district may comprise both distinctive features and features that lack individual distinction.
B. 
A district may contain buildings, structures, sites, objects, or open spaces that do not necessarily contribute to the significance of the district.
C. 
A district may include areas that act as a visual buffer to protect the character and significance of the historic district.
A. 
The Borough of Columbia may designate areas of Columbia Borough as historic districts if the area meets the definition of an historic district and at least one of the following criteria:
(1) 
Is associated with an event that is significant to the history of the Borough, commonwealth, or nation.
(2) 
Is representative of broad patterns of development, heritage, or culture of the Borough, commonwealth, or nation.
(3) 
Is associated with persons or groups of people of significance to the history or culture of the Borough, commonwealth, or nation.
(4) 
Embodies distinctive characteristics of style, type, period or method of construction of architecture.
(5) 
Is the work of a notable architect, artist, craftsperson, or builder.
(6) 
Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
B. 
Contributing and noncontributing resources.
(1) 
Buildings, sites, structures, objects, and open spaces within historic districts shall be categorized as either contributing or noncontributing to the significance of the district.
A. 
The HARB, acting of its own volition or at the request of the planning commission, the Borough of Columbia, or any resident, may consider whether an area of Columbia Borough meets the criteria for designation as an historic district.
B. 
Individuals or organizations other than the HARB, planning commission, or Borough Council seeking designation of an area as an historic district shall prepare and submit a designation application in a form and manner specified by the HARB. If the request for designation is initiated by the HARB, planning commission, or the Borough Council, the necessary documentation will be prepared by HARB or a consultant or contractor hired by the Borough of Columbia for such a purpose.
C. 
Applications for designation shall include:
(1) 
The boundaries of proposed historic district(s);
(2) 
Historical research and documentation that the proposed district(s) meets one or more of the designation criteria;
(3) 
A description of the character-defining features and physical characteristics of the district and resources that relate to its significance;
(4) 
A determination of whether each property within the district is a contributing or noncontributing resource. All structures and other built features on properties within the district shall be classified as contributing or noncontributing. Determinations of contributing and noncontributing status may be amended from time to time upon a recommendation from HARB and approval of the Borough of Columbia.
(5) 
Any other information as may be specified by the HARB.
D. 
Within 30 calendar days of receipt of a designation application, the HARB shall review the application at a regular or special meeting to determine whether the application is technically complete and contains the information necessary to evaluate the district's significance. If the application is determined to be incomplete, the HARB shall provide the preparer with feedback on the missing or incomplete information.
E. 
Within 60 calendar days of determining that an application is technically complete, the HARB shall conduct one or more public meetings to review the designation application and receive written and oral testimony from the public. All property owners within the proposed district shall receive notice of the meeting in the same manner as would be provided for zoning map amendments.
F. 
Within 30 calendar days following the conclusion of the public meetings, the HARB shall consider the application at a regular public meeting and shall vote on whether or not the proposed district meets the designation criteria and should be designated as an historic district. If the HARB determines that the proposed district does meet the definition and criteria for designation, within 30 calendar days of the meeting, the HARB shall transmit a report detailing its recommendations concurrently to both the Planning Commission and Borough Council. The report shall include:
(1) 
The boundaries of proposed historic district(s);
(2) 
Historical research and documentation that the proposed district(s) meets one or more of the designation criteria;
(3) 
A description of the character-defining features and physical characteristics of the district and resources that relate to its significance;
(4) 
A determination of whether each property within the district is a contributing or noncontributing resource. All structures and other built features on properties within the district shall be classified as contributing or noncontributing. Determinations of contributing and noncontributing;
(5) 
Status may be amended from time to time upon a recommendation from HARB and approval of the Borough of Columbia.
G. 
Within 30 calendar days of receiving the HARB's report, the Planning Commission shall consider the application at a regular or special meeting. The Planning Commission shall consider whether the designation is consistent with the Borough's comprehensive plan and other development plans and policies, only, and transmit a report detailing its recommendations to Borough Council within 30 days of the meeting.
H. 
Within 30 calendar days of receiving the reports of the HARB and Planning Commission, the Borough Council shall consider whether to designate the area as an historic district. If the Borough of Columbia determines that the area should be designated an historic district, it shall adopt an ordinance specifying the boundaries and the applicable designation criteria and relevant supporting documentation. Following adoption of the ordinance, the Borough of Columbia shall submit the necessary information to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (hereafter "PHMC") for certification of the district's boundaries.
A. 
The boundaries of historic districts may be amended from time to time at the request of HARB, the Planning Commission, Borough Council or any resident of the Borough.
B. 
Boundary changes that would result in previously undesignated properties being added to the district shall follow the same procedures as the creation of a new district.
C. 
Boundary changes that would result in properties being removed from an historic district may be considered if:
(1) 
The properties to be removed from the district no longer convey the significance of the district; and
(2) 
The boundary change will not create noncontiguous areas within the district (i.e., no "donut holes").
D. 
Requests to remove properties or reduce an historic district's boundaries shall be submitted to HARB along with documentation demonstrating that the properties to be removed meet the requirements of Subsection C of this section.
E. 
Within 30 calendars days of the receipt of a request to change the boundaries, HARB shall hold one or more public meetings on the proposed changes. The HARB may receive written and oral testimony from the public during the meetings. All property owners within the area proposed for removal or revision shall receive notice of the meeting in the same manner as would be provided for zoning map amendments.
F. 
Within 30 calendar days following the conclusion of the public meetings, the HARB shall consider the application at a regular or special public meeting and shall vote on whether or not the proposed changes should be adopted. The HARB shall transmit a report detailing its recommendations and reasons therefore to the Borough of Columbia within 30 calendar days.
G. 
Within 30 calendar days of receiving the HARB's report, the Borough Council shall consider the recommendation of the HARB and determine whether or not to amend the district boundaries and adopt an ordinance reflecting any changes.
Following the adoption of an ordinance designating an historic district and certification by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, or amendment to boundaries of designated district, a description of the boundaries shall be included as an appendix to this chapter. The boundaries of designated districts shall be shown on land use and zoning maps.