It is hereby declared as a matter of public policy that the preservation and protection of buildings, structures, and sites of historic, architectural, cultural, archeological, educational, and aesthetic merit are public necessities and are in the interests of the health, prosperity and welfare of the people of Upper Dublin Township. Article 1, Section 27, of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania states that: “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment.” The Township seeks to further these goals as follows:
A. Identify the historic properties/structures in Upper Dublin Township by adopting an inventory of historic places in the Township and documenting their qualities as historic assets.
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B. Encourage historic preservation by:
(1) Establishing an Historic Commission to advise owners regarding historically appropriate alterations to structures listed as historic.
(2) Educating the community about historic preservation and historic aspects of Upper Dublin Township through workshops, presentations, walking/driving tours, etc.
(3) Assisting owners of historic resources with nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
(4) Providing assistance to owners to make ownership of an historic resource more affordable.
C. Discourage demolition of historic assets by:
(1) Delaying demolition to allow the Historic Commission to discuss alternatives with the owner.
(2) If demolition will occur, allowing time to document the historic resource.
(3) Working with owners to prevent demolition of an historic resource by neglect.
D. Deny demolition of highly significant resources in the Township while:
(1) Working with the owner to seek alternatives to demolition.
(2) Establishing fair market value of the property and assisting in finding a new owner who will agree to preserve the structure.
1. Editor’s Note: See Ch. A264, Historic Resource Inventory.