1. State College Borough Historic and Architectural Review Board
Background Information & Next Steps
April 3, 2017

2. Presentation outline
Regulations in place today related to properties contributing to the National Register of Historic Places
Background information on a Local Historic District
HARB membership
Area and reviewable items
What are not reviewable items
Review and approval process
Examples of recent DHRB reviews
Next steps necessary before enactment
Example Design Guidelines
Links page

3. State College Historic Property Regulations today
Public notice and review by Design and Historic Review Board (DHRB).
Posting of property to notify public of proposed partial or total demolition
Borough guidelines exist today from 1994 but need revision
No prohibition for demolition (whole or in part) of contributing buildings after advisory review by DHRB.
Review is advisory only

4. State College HRC HARB work
During 2016 he Historic Resources Commission reviewed the model ordinance drafted by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC)
As a result of that review modifications were made by the HRC and the current draft was accepted by the HRC in September.
HRC recognized that more edits were probably needed but wanted to pursue review by Council in 2017 when time permits.

5. HARB Membership Registered Architect Licensed Real Estate Broker
Building Code Inspector
Four additional members who have interest in the preservation of the historic districts and are property owners within the districts
Current DHRB has seven members, none of which meet the first three requirements. Board member would need to be modified to meet statutory requirements.

6. Area proposed for HARB review
Holmes-Foster Highlands – 822 properties
College Heights – 316 properties
Total of 1,138 properties within the two districts that would fall under this review. All main buildings constructed within the last 10 years would be exempt from this review

9. Reviewable items: exterior, viewable from street

10. Exclusions to Reviewable Items
Paint Color
Raised planting beds
Retaining walls, stone walls and walls interior to the lot
Signs (exception house plaques)
Interior renovations
General Maintenance

11. How are the items reviewed by HARB
Design Guidelines must be in place for the HARB to review the proposal
Focus of review will be:
Proportion of building front facades
Scale
Rhythm of building
Materials
Textures
Architectural Details
Roof lines

12. Other items Can substitute materials Review demolitions
Review financial feasibility
Limited substitute materials (new aluminum and vinyl installation is not permitted based on the proposal submitted)
Review of unreasonable economic hardship

13. Application Review Timeline
Submit complete application 14 days prior to a HARB meeting
HARB reviews and has 45 days to make a recommendation from the first meeting
Next regular meeting HARB recommendation is submitted for review by Council
Council review for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)and notification must be provided to the applicant within 5 days of the action taken
Total time estimate for COA is 80 days.
Total time estimate today is 40 days in R2 Zoning District. Longer (up to 100 days) in other zoning districts due to posting requirements.

14. Current Design and Historic Review Board Review
Example
Current Design and Historic Review Board Review

15. College Heights – 2012 conditions

16. Proposed Alteration Received plan September 6, 2013
Reviewed plan and posted property
Historic Resources Commission meeting
30 day posting
Issued Zoning Permit – October 10, 2013

17. Holmes-Foster/Highlands - 2006 conditions

18. Rendering of Existing

19. Alteration Implemented – 2012 (Source Google)

20. Review Timeline Received plan December 2005
Reviewed plan and posted property
Planning Commission, Design Review Board and Historic Resources Commission meetings
90 day posting
Issued Zoning Permit – January 2007

21. Holmes-Foster / Highlands - Demo

22. Example
Project that does not require Design and Historic Resources Board Review Today

23. Holmes-Foster / Highlands

25. Holmes-Foster / Highlands

28. PHMC and Council in HARB enactment process
Borough required to formally submit a map and a justification of the boundaries (Historic Resource Form) to PHMC for the HARB
The Historic District Act specifies that the PA Historical and Museum Commission members must pass a resolution certifying the “historical significance of the district.” The Historic District Act was enacted before the National Register was even established, and therefore the boundaries of that district are not a substitute for meeting the legal requirements involved with passing a HARB ordinance.
Staff does the initial review and once determined to be ready the final package is given to the Historical and Museum Commission for their formal approval.

29. PHMC and Council in HARB enactment process (continued)
Non-contributing properties within the district can be included as long as justification is provided and approved by Historical and Museum Commission.
Once approved the approved justification and map allows for consideration of the HARB as an ordinance by Council.
If a HARB is enacted by Council this ordinance and the previous information provided for PHMC review will be reviewed again.
An official resolution is adopted by the PA Historical and Museum Commission and the Borough can proceed with administering the HARB.

30. Next Steps Schedule discussion @ a future Council session
Revisions to ordinance (if desired by Council) – return to DHRB
PHMC map review and certification
Development of application and COA materials
Development of Design Guidelines (will need supplemental consultant)
Recruit necessary HARB members to meet statute
Address staffing needs as part 2018 budget

38. Webpage for More Information