WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - E-Library

-Historic PreservationHistoric Commission or SocietyThe appointment of a committee or group charged with implementing the historic preservation programin the borough is necessary. The borough has the Historical Architectural Review Board but itsjurisdiction is limited to advising borough council about activities within the historic district. .Anhistoric commission advises planning commissions and elected officials concerning protection ofhistoric resources throughout the community and comments on development proposals, conductsresearch and maintains a historic resources inventory and mapThe borough planning commission has an important role also. As the group that develops and assistsin the implementation of the comprehensive plan, it should work to implement the historic preservationprogram. The objectives of the program should also be considered during the routine activities such assubdivision and land development plan review. For instance, in the review of proposals that impacthistoric resources, the planning commission should seek the opinion of the historic preservationorganization. The historic preservation organization can discuss alternatives with the planningcommission and applicant.SummaryChalfont is a historic settlement in central Bucks County that served as a market and service center fornearby farms. Although the borough has grown significantly from its early beginnings, it still containsdistinctive properties of historical significance that recall earlier times and provide a sense of place.The historic resources in Chalfont are valuable for what they contribute to the identity of the borough.They are often taken for granted until they are threatened or disappear. Historic preservation effortsmust occur before these important properties are endangered.The borough has several elements of a preservation program but it does not have a historicpreservation plan to give this program an overall direction. Changes to buildings within the historicdistrict are regulated by the Historical Architectural Review Board, but resources outside the district arenot protected. A concerted preservation effort using a number of tools that address preservation ofresources throughout the borough can help ensure the survival of the borough’s historic properties andhelp maintain its identity.The key to a coordinated comprehensive preservation effort is a preservation plan which can be acomponent of the borough’s comprehensive plan or a separate document. A historic organization, suchas a commission or society, is necessary to develop the plan. The first step in creating a plan is toconduct a complete survey of the resources in the borough. Goals and objectives that reflect the wishesof the community toward preservation should then be developed. Once a direction for the effort isestablished, implementation tools such as, a zoning overlay district and a low cost loan program,should be selected. With the plan in place, the historic commission should plan an active role inimplementing the plan and monitor its progress.62 Chalfont Borough Comprehensive Plan Update Draft