[Amended 12-2-1991 by Ord. No. 91-11]
[Amended 3-1-1993 by Ord. No. 93-02; 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 07-02]
In addition to the general goals listed in the statements of purposes and community development objectives, it is the purpose of this article to protect historic buildings and areas within Birmingham Township which reflect the architectural and historical heritage of the Township and to promote the general welfare, education and culture of the Township by encouraging an interest in its historical heritage. Hence, as authorized by Act 167 of 1961, as amended, 53 P.S. § 8001 et seq, and as authorized by Sections 604 and 605 of the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §§ 10604 and 10605, this article requires that certain procedures be followed for determining the appropriateness of the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of any building within the Historic District (H) Overlay before any such action shall be undertaken.
The Historic District (H) shall be deemed an overlay on the applicable zoning districts and shall be shown on the Birmingham Township Historic District Overlay Map.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Historic District Overlay Map is included at the end of this chapter.
The use regulations of the base zoning classification shall apply to all land situated within the Historic District (H) Overlay.
A. 
Uses by permitted special exception. In addition to the uses permitted in the base zoning classification applicable to land situated within the Historic District (H) Overlay, the following uses shall be permitted by special exception:
(1) 
A museum, library or other educational, cultural or philanthropic use of a similar nature.
(2) 
A municipal building or community center.
B. 
Certificate of appropriateness. No person shall commence any work for the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of any building or structure located in whole or in part within the Historic District (H) Overlay without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness with respect thereto from the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in Chapter 61, Historic Districts.[1]
[Amended 3-1-1993 by Ord. No. 93-02]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, Uses permitted by conditional use, was repealed 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 07-02. This ordinance also provided for the redesignation of former Subsections C and D as Subsections B and C, respectively.
C. 
Fences and walls. All fences and walls, regardless of their height, which are erected in the Historic District, shall comply with the following regulations:
[Added 5-20-2002 by Ord. No. 02-04]
(1) 
Fences shall be compatible with the color, material and character of the existing structures and buildings on the historic property where the fence is erected; however, a wrought iron fence which complies with the provisions in this chapter shall be permitted.
(2) 
Stockade fences shall be prohibited. All fences shall be open and have a minimum ratio of open area to solid area of 4:1, except for picket fences which may have a minimum ratio of open area to solid area of 1:1.
(3) 
All landscaping walls, retaining walls or other walls shall be made of natural stone, brick or rock.
[Amended 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 07-02]
The area and bulk regulations of the base zoning classification shall apply to all land situated within the Historic District Overlay.
[Amended 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 07-02]
In addition to the requirement for obtaining a certificate of appropriateness as set forth in § 122-33B hereof, the following design standards shall be applicable:
A. 
Uses permitted by base zoning classification. The design standards of the base zoning classification shall apply to all land situated within the Historic District Overlay.
B. 
Uses permitted by § 122-33A by special exception.
(1) 
Parking shall be as required by § 122-102A(1) of this chapter.
(2) 
Access and highway frontage shall be as required by § 122-102B(1) of this chapter.
(3) 
Landscaping shall be as required by § 122-102C of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 122-36, Standards for Historic District cluster development, as amended, was repealed 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 07-02.