In order to preserve the distinctive character
of the Borough of Media and to recall its rich architectural heritage
as well as to promote the general welfare, education and culture of
the community, the Council of the Borough of Media intends, by this
chapter, to establish certain locations within the Borough, each to
be an historic district within the meaning of the law, in order to
preserve the distinctive character of the land and the buildings thereon.
[Amended 5-15-2008 by Ord. No.
1046]
No person shall erect any building or reconstruct,
alter, restore, demolish or raze any exterior architectural features
of a building which can be seen from a public street, in whole or
in part, within the historic districts of the Borough of Media until
a certificate of appropriateness has been received by the applicant
from the Council of the Borough of Media.
[Amended 5-15-2008 by Ord. No.
1046]
A. No person shall commence any work regulated by this
chapter without first filing an application for a certificate of appropriateness
with the Borough Building Inspector and obtaining a certificate of
appropriateness from the Borough Council.
B. Any person applying for a certificate of appropriateness
within an historic district shall present plans therefor to the Board
of Historical Architectural Review, which Board shall conduct a meeting
with the applicant therefor within 30 days of the application for
a certificate of appropriateness. Notice of the time and place of
such meeting shall be given by the Secretary of the Borough of Media
to the applicant.
C. The Board of Architectural Review shall, after meeting and considering the plans, advise the Council of the Borough of Media according to §
183-5 herein.
D. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness,
the Council of the Borough of Media, after reviewing the advice of
the Board of Architectural Review, shall thereupon determine whether
or not erection of the new buildings or structures on the site or
the reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing
of a building, in whole or in part, shall have an adverse effect upon
the general historic and architectural nature of the district. The
Council shall pass upon the appropriateness of the exterior architectural
features which can be seen from a public way only. It shall consider
the general design, arrangements, texture, material and color of the
building or structure and the relation of such factors to similar
features of buildings and structures in the district. The Council
shall not consider any matters not pertinent to the preservation of
the historic aspect and nature of the district. No certificate of
appropriateness shall be denied where an unnecessary hardship shall
result to the property owner.
E. Upon giving the approval, the Council of the Borough
of Media shall issue a certificate of appropriateness authorizing
the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition
or razing of the building in whole or in part.
F. Should the Council disapprove the application, such
disapproval shall be in writing, giving the reasons therefor, and
a copy thereof shall be given to the applicant and to the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission.
Immediately upon the adoption of this chapter,
the Secretary of the Borough of Media shall forward a copy thereof
to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. This chapter
shall not take effect until the Commission has certified, by resolution,
to the historical significance of the buildings and sites which are
defined as the Media historical districts.
[Amended 5-15-2008 by Ord. No.
1046]
Upon receipt of the written disapproval of the
Council of the Borough of Media of the request for a certificate of
appropriateness, the applicant may appeal from the disapproval to
the Court of Common Pleas within the time specified by law.
This chapter shall be enforced in the same manner and to the same degree as the enforcement provisions provide in Chapter
137, Construction Codes, Uniform, of the Code of the Borough of Media, as is presently enacted or as may, from time to time, be amended.