Newtown Township is taking steps to protect its historic structures that lie outside designated historic districts.
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors discussed potential measures during its Wednesday evening meeting.
The issue was raised during reports from the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and Planning Commission. Both bodies expressed concern about the lack of protection for historic structures not already part of the historic district or designated historic villages.
“We have no way to protect our historic structures that are not already part of the historic district or in one of the designated historic villages,” said Peggy Driscoll, a Newtown Township Planning Commission member. “It is our understanding that Newtown Borough and Upper Makefield have also been researching this.”
The board discussed creating an inventory of historic properties throughout the township as a first step. Supervisor John Mack suggested inviting an expert who recently presented to Newtown Borough to speak to the Planning Commission.
[See presentation by Megan McNish, Eastern Region Community Preservation Coordinator for the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO): “Preservation and Regulatory Strategies to Maintain Community Character”; LINK: https://rebrand.ly/McNish_Preso]
The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for evaluating potential structures for inclusion on their historic preservation list.
Chairperson Dennis Fisher suggested the Planning Commission, along with HARB, research potential preservation strategies and make recommendations to the supervisors.
“My thought would be maybe the Planning Commission, along with HARB or whomever else, would take the time to research what it is and make a recommendation back to the Board of Supervisors,” Fisher said.
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