[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.
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.
[Amended 3-1-1993 by Ord. No. 93-02]
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.
(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.