This chapter is occasionally revised or changed by the Board of Commissioners at official and open public meetings. Every effort is made to keep this website up to date. However, there may be a short period of time between the Board of Commissioners changing this chapter and the revised ordinance being posted in this chapter on this site. If you have any questions about the status of a particular ordinance, please call the Township Secretary at (610) 645-6145.

Chapter 88
HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Table of Contents

ARTICLE I, Review and Building Regulations; Administration
§ 88-1. Districts created.
§ 88-2. Description of boundaries.
§ 88-3. Filing of copy of chapter; when effective.
§ 88-4. Board of Historical Architectural Review established; membership; terms.
§ 88-5. Duties of Board; organization and procedures; compensation.
§ 88-6. Certificate of appropriateness required for issuance of building permits.
§ 88-7. Procedure for issuance of building permit.
§ 88-8. Review of building permit applications by Board.
§ 88-9. Matters to be considered in review.
§ 88-10. Decision to counsel against granting of certificate; recommended changes.
§ 88-11. Report of counsel to Board of Commissioners.
§ 88-12. Approval or disapproval by Board of Commissioners; time limit for decision.
§ 88-13. Appeals.
§ 88-14. Enforcement.
 
ARTICLE II, Historic Resources
§ 88-15. Legislative intent.
§ 88-16. Historical Commission established; membership; terms.
§ 88-17. Duties of Historical Commission; organization and procedures; compensation.
§ 88-18. Historic Resource Inventory.
 

 

GENERAL REFERENCES
Administrative Code -- See Ch. 5.
Board of Commissioners Procedural Code -- See Ch. 7.
Retention and disposal of public records -- See Ch. 38.
Building construction -- See Ch. 62.
Subdivision and land development -- See Ch. 135.
Zoning -- See Ch. 155.
Other agreements pertaining to township-owned property -- See Ch. A161, Art. I.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Lower Merion as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

 

ARTICLE I
Review and Building Regulations; Administration
[Adopted 1-17-1962 by Ord. No. 1373; amended in its entirety 4-16-1980 by Ord. No. 1902]

§ 88-1. Districts created. [Amended 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 3326; 6-17-1998 by Ord. No. 3490]

In accordance with the provisions of an Act entitled "An Act authorizing counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated towns and townships to create historic districts within their geographic boundaries; providing for the appointment of Boards of Historical Architectural Review; empowering governing bodies of political subdivisions to protect the distinctive historical character of these districts and to regulate the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of buildings within the historic districts," adopted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and approved by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the 13th day of June 1961, and to protect portions of the Township of Lower Merion which have a distinctive character recalling the rich architectural and cultural heritage of the township and of Pennsylvania, and to awaken in our people an interest in our historic past and to promote the general welfare, education and culture of the township, historic districts are hereby created in the township as follows:

Ardmore Commercial Center Historic District
Gladwyne Historic District
Harriton Historic District
Mill Creek Historic District
Merion Friends Meeting/General Wayne Inn Historic District
Haverford Station Historic District [Added 7-11-2007 by Ord. No. 3820]
English Village Historic District [Added 5-19-2010 by Ord. No. 3912]

§ 88-2. Description of boundaries.

  1. The limits of the Gladwyne Historic District are defined as follows: Beginning at a point formed by the intersection of the center lines of Black Rock Road and Conshohocken State Road; thence, along said center line of Conshohocken State Road in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 100 feet to a point on the northwesterly property line now or late of St. Christopher's Church; thence, by the same leaving the center line of Conshohocken State Road in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 154 feet to a point on the southwesterly property line now or late of William H. and Gladys deH. Shinn, h/w; thence, by the same in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 62 feet to a point on the center line of Youngs Ford Road; thence, by the same in a northerly direction, a distance of approximately 532 feet to a point on the northwesterly property line now or late of Philip Alburger; thence, by the same leaving the center line of Young's Ford Road in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 168 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing along the northeasterly property line now or late of Philip Alburger in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 202 feet to a point on the center line of Rose Glen Road; thence, by the same in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 161 feet to a point on the northeasterly property line now or late of John Lovering and Varney Porter Truscott, h/w; thence, by the same leaving the center line of Rose Glen Road in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 240 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing along the southeasterly property line now or late of Truscott in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 173 feet to a point on the northeasterly property line now or late of James P. and Bertha M. Claypool, h/w; thence, by the same in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 27 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing partially along the southeasterly property line now or late of Claypool and partially along the southeasterly property lines now or late of James O. and Dorothy M. Mason, h/w, and now or late of John A. and Eleanor F. Dolan, h/w, in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 243 feet to a point on the northerly property line now or late of the Atlantic Richfield Company; thence, by the same in an easterly direction, a distance of approximately 25 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing along the southeasterly property line now or late of the Atlantic Richfield Company in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 154 feet to a point on the center line of Conshohocken State Road; thence, by the same in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 349 feet to a point on the southeasterly property line now or late of the Merion Square Center, Inc.; thence, by the same leaving the center line of Conshohocken State Road in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 268 feet to a point; thence, in a southeasterly direction approximately 200 feet northeast of and parallel to the center line of Righters Mill Road, a distance of approximately 785 feet to a point on the center line of Barr Lane; thence, by the same in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 35 feet to a point on the northeasterly property line now or late of John S. and Anna W. Carlton, h/w; thence, by the same and extension leaving the center line of Barr Lane in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 258 feet to a point on the northwesterly property line now or late of the Parkway Day School; thence, by the same in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 184 feet to a point on the center line of Righters Mill Road; thence, by the same in northwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 145 feet to a point on the northwesterly property line now or late of the Gladwyne Elementary School; thence, by the same leaving the center line of Righters Mill Road in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 1,294 feet to a point on the center line of Merion Square Road; thence, by the same in a northwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 884 feet to a point on the center line of Youngs Ford Road; thence, by the same in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 220 feet to a point on the southwesterly property line now or late of Donald E. and Constance S. Carlson, h/w; thence, partially by the same and partially by the southwesterly property line now or late of Effie Williams O'Brian MacDougall in a northwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 347 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing along the southeasterly property line now or late of MacDougall in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 20 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing partially along the southwesterly property line now or late of MacDougall and partially along the southwesterly property lines now or late of Robert and Ellen Weiss, h/w, and now or late of Richard B. and Ellen A. Worley, h/w, in a northwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 538 feet to a point in the center line of Black Rock Road; thence, by the same in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 310 feet to a point; thence, in a northwesterly direction at right angles to the center line of Black Rock Road, a distance of approximately 150 feet to an angle point; thence, in a northeasterly direction approximately 150 feet distant from and parallel to the center line of Black Rock Road, a distance of approximately 520 feet to an angle point; thence, in a southeasterly direction at right angles to the center of Black Rock Road, a distance of approximately 150 feet to the center line of Black Rock Road; thence, by the same in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 812 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning (containing in area 2,751,333 square feet, or 63.2 acres, more or less).
  2. The limits of the Harriton Historic District are defined as follows: Beginning at the point formed by the intersection of the title line of Harriton Road and the title line of Old Gulph Road (formerly known as "Roberts Road"); thence, along the title line of Old Gulph Road S. 78 degrees 16 minutes W. 210 feet to a point in line of land of Arthur C. Benson and Grace R. Benson; thence, by the same and land of Nancy Jane Shoemaker and William M. Shoemaker N. 19 degrees 20 minutes W. 539.66 feet to the point of termination of the public portion of Great Springs Road (formerly Airdale Road); thence, on the same course continued along lands of Blanche C. Johnson and Alvinus P. Johnson and the School District of the Township of Lower Merion 595.34 feet to a corner of land of said school district; thence, by the same and land of the Girard Trust Company and Henry James Vaux, Trustees, N. 70 degrees 40 minutes E. 400 feet to a point; thence, by said land of Girard Trust Company and Henry James Vaux, Trustees, N. 57 degrees 10 minutes E. 213.45 feet to a point a corner of land of Graeme G. Colton and Sabin W. Colton 5th; thence, by the same S. 19 degrees 20 minutes W. 508.14 feet to a point in the center line of Great Springs Road extension, as plotted by the Township of Lower Merion Ordinance No. 968, approved May 17, 1950; thence, continuing along land of said Coltons S. 45 degrees 46 minutes E. 453.52 feet to a point in the title line of Harriton Road; and thence by the same S. 44 degrees 14 minutes W. 671.26 feet to the place of beginning [containing sixteen and five hundred nine thousandths (16.509) acres].
  3. The limits of the Mill Creek Historic District are defined as follows: Beginning at a point on the center line of Old Gulph Road formed by the intersection of said center line and the southeasterly property line now or late of John Rogers Carroll, said point being approximately 281 feet southeast of the westerly intersection of the center lines of Mill Creek Road and Old Gulph Road measured along the center line of Old Gulph Road; thence, leaving the center line of Old Gulph Road in a southwesterly direction along an imaginary extension of said property line now or late of Carroll, a distance of approximately 300 feet to a point; thence, extending in a northwesterly direction, crossing Mill Creek Road, approximately 300 feet southwest of and parallel to the center line of Old Gulph Road, a distance of approximately 1,770 feet to a point; thence, in a northeasterly direction to the center line of Old Gulph Road, said point being approximately 220 feet northwest of the intersection of the center lines of Williamson Road and Old Gulph Road measured along the center line of Old Gulph Road, a distance of approximately 300 feet; thence, continuing along the same line crossing the center lines of Williamson Road and Merion Square Road in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 300 feet to a point; thence, extending in a southeasterly direction, crossing Dodds Lane, approximately 300 feet northeast of and parallel to the center line of Old Gulph Road, a distance of approximately 1,700 feet to a point on the southeasterly property line now or late of John Rogers Carroll; thence, in a southwesterly direction along said property line now or late of Carroll, a distance of approximately 300 feet to the center line of Old Gulph Road, being the first mentioned point and place of beginning (containing in area 1,038,000 square feet, or 23.8 acres, more or less).
  4. The limits of the Ardmore Commercial Center Historic District are defined as follows: Beginning at a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly property line of 59 East Lancaster Avenue and the center line of Lancaster Avenue; thence, leaving the said center line in a southwesterly direction, along the southeasterly property line of 56 East Lancaster Avenue, as extended, a distance of approximately 110 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing along the said property line, a distance of approximately 25 feet to a point on the northeasterly property line of 9 Rittenhouse Place; thence, by the same in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 100 feet, to a point on the southeasterly property line of properties on the southeasterly side of Rittenhouse Place; thence, by the same in southwesterly and southeasterly directions, to a point on the southwesterly property line of 33 Rittenhouse Place; thence, by the same in a northwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 80 feet to a point on the southeasterly side of Rittenhouse Place; thence, angling across Rittenhouse Place to a point formed by the intersection of the northwesterly side of Rittenhouse Place and the northerly side of Cricket Terrace; thence, in a westerly direction, along the said side of Cricket Terrace, a distance of approximately 88 feet to a point on the rear property lines of properties fronting on the northwesterly side of Rittenhouse Place; thence, by the same in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 124 feet to a point on the rear property line of properties fronting on the southwesterly side of Lancaster Avenue; also being the rear property line of 45 Cricket Terrace; thence, by the rear and side property lines of 45 and 35 Cricket Terrace, in northwesterly and northeasterly directions, to a point on the southeasterly property line of Municipal Parking Lot No. 6; thence, by the same in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 140 feet to a point on the northeasterly side of Cricket Terrace; thence, by the same in a northwesterly direction, to a point on the southeasterly property line of 9 Cricket Terrace; thence, crossing Cricket Terrace in a southwesterly direction, and along the northwesterly property line of Municipal Parking Lot No. 20, a distance of approximately 243 feet, to a point on the southwesterly property line of 53-55 Cricket Avenue; thence, by the same in a northwesterly direction, to a point on the southeasterly side of Cricket Avenue; thence, angling across Cricket Avenue to a point formed by the intersection of the northwesterly side of Cricket Avenue and the northeasterly property line of Municipal Parking Lot No. 4; thence, by the northeasterly and northwesterly property lines of Municipal Parking Lot No. 4 in northwesterly and southwesterly directions, to a point on the rear property line of properties fronting on the northeasterly side of West Athens Avenue; thence, by the same in a northwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 163 feet, to a point on the northwesterly property line of 40-42 West Lancaster Avenue; thence, by the same in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 282 feet to a point on the southwesterly side of Lancaster Avenue; thence, angling across Lancaster Avenue to a point formed by the intersection of the northwesterly property line of 49-63 West Lancaster Avenue and the northeasterly side of Lancaster Avenue, thence, by the side and rear property lines of properties fronting on the northeasterly side of Lancaster Avenue in northeasterly, southeasterly and southwesterly directions, being the property line of Municipal Parking Lot No. 16, to a point on the rear property line of properties fronting on the northwesterly side of Anderson Avenue; thence, by the same in a northeasterly direction to a point on the northeasterly property line of 18 Anderson Avenue, being the right-of-way of the Main Line Division of Conrail; thence, by the same in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 44 feet to a point on the northwesterly side of Anderson Avenue; thence, angling across Anderson Avenue to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly side of Anderson Avenue and the southwesterly side of Station Avenue; thence, by the said side of Station Avenue a distance of approximately 165 feet to an angle point in the same; thence, angling across Station Avenue to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly side of Station Avenue and the rear property line of properties fronting on the northeasterly side of Lancaster Avenue; thence, by the same 125 feet northeasterly of and parallel to the center line of Lancaster Avenue, in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 300 feet to a point on the northwesterly property line of Municipal Parking Lot No. 2; thence, by the same in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 100 feet to the northeasterly side of Lancaster Avenue; thence, by the same in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 62 feet to a point on the southeasterly property line of Municipal Parking Lot No. 2; thence, by the southeasterly and southwesterly property lines of Municipal Parking Lot No. 2 in a northeasterly and southeasterly direction, to a point in the southeasterly property line of 49-51 East Lancaster Avenue; thence, by the same in a southwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 110 feet to a point in the northeasterly side of Lancaster Avenue; thence, by the same in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 58 feet to a point on the northwesterly property line of 57-59 East Lancaster Avenue; thence, by the northwesterly, northeasterly and southeasterly property lines of 57-59 East Lancaster Avenue, in northeasterly, southeasterly and southwesterly directions to a point on the center line of Lancaster Avenue, the first mentioned point and place of beginning. [Added 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 3326]
  5. The limits of the Merion Friends Meeting/General Wayne Inn Historic District are defined as follows: Beginning at the point formed by the center lines of Meeting House Lane and Montgomery Avenue; thence, along the center line of Meeting House Lane in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 660 feet to a point on the southwesterly property line, extended, now or late of the Sisters of Mercy; thence, by the same, extended, in a southeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 655 feet to a point on the center line of Montgomery Avenue; thence, by the same in a northwesterly direction, a distance of approximately 985 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning. Containing in area 4.92 acres, be the same, more or less. [Added 6-17-1998 by Ord. No. 3490]
  6. Haverford Station Historic District [Added 7-11-2007 by Ord. No. 3820]
    1. The limits of the Haverford Station Historic District are defined as follows: Beginning at a point formed by the intersection of the northwesterly property line of 60 Booth Lane and the center line of West Montgomery Avenue; thence leaving the said center line in a southwesterly direction, along the westerly side yard property line of 60 Booth Lane, as extended, a distance of approximately 233 feet to a point on the northeasterly side yard property line of 454 Booth Circle; thence, continuing along the said property line in a northwesterly direction, a distance of 103.76 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing in a southwesterly direction along the rear property lines of 454 Booth Circle and 452 Booth Circle a distance of approximately 163.81 feet to a point on the northerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation; thence continuing in a southeasterly direction a distance of approximately 352.37 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly side property line of 52 Booth Lane and the ultimate right-of-way line of Booth Lane; thence continuing in a southwesterly direction along said right-of-way line a distance of approximately 110 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the ultimate right-of-way of Booth Lane and the ultimate right-of-way of Old Lancaster Road; thence, continuing in a southwesterly direction a distance of 20 feet to the center line of Old Lancaster Road; thence continuing in a northwesterly direction along the center line of Old Lancaster Road a distance of approximately 261.28 feet to an angle; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along the center line of Old Lancaster Road common with the front property line of 501 Old Lancaster Road a distance of approximately 43.39 feet to a point formed by the southerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation and the northeasterly front property line of 501 Old Lancaster Road; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along the northerly side property line of 501 Lancaster Avenue and the southerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation a distance of approximately 190.4 feet; thence continuing in a northwesterly direction along the rear property line of properties fronting on the northerly side of Old Lancaster Road, being the southerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation, a distance of approximately 379.17 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing in a southeasterly direction a distance of approximately 54.92 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along the rear property lines of properties fronting on the northerly side of Barrett Avenue, being the southerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation, a distance of approximately 860.99 feet to a point formed by the northwesterly corner of the rear property line of 597 Barrett Avenue; thence, continuing in a southwesterly direction along the westerly side yard property line of 597 Barrett Avenue a distance of approximately 141.9 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the westerly side property line of 597 Barrett Avenue and the center line of Barrett Avenue; thence, continuing along said center line in a southwesterly direction a distance of approximately 170 feet to a point formed by said center line and the southwesterly rear property line of 596 Barrett Avenue; thence leaving said center line in a southeasterly direction along the southerly rear property lines of properties fronting on the southerly side of Barrett Avenue, a distance of approximately 759.43 feet to a point formed by the intersection of southeasterly rear property line of 544 Barrett Avenue and the northerly rear property line of 543 Old Lancaster Road; thence, continuing in a southwesterly direction a distance of approximately 142.05 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the aforesaid rear property line of 543 Old Lancaster Road, as extended, and the center line of Old Lancaster Road; thence continuing along said center line in an easterly direction a distance of 258.23 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the center line of Old Lancaster Road and the northwesterly side property line of 532 Old Lancaster Road; thence, leaving the said center line in a southwesterly direction, along the westerly side property line of 532 Old Lancaster Road, as extended, a distance of 97.9 feet; thence, continuing in a southeasterly direction along the rear property line of properties fronting on the southerly side of Old Lancaster Road a distance of approximately 200 feet to a point formed by the southeasterly rear property line of 520 Old Lancaster Road and the northwesterly side property line of 509 Lancaster Avenue; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along the westerly side property line of 509 Lancaster Avenue a distance of approximately 17.39 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the northwesterly side property line of 509 Lancaster Avenue and the southwesterly side property line of 16 North Buck Lane; thence, continuing in a southeasterly direction along the southerly side property line of 16 North Buck Lane, as extended, a distance of approximately 219.64 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly front property line of 16 North Buck Lane and the center line of North Buck Lane; thence, continuing in a southwesterly direction along said center line a distance of approximately 175 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the center line of North Buck Lane and the center line of Lancaster Avenue; thence, continuing in a southeasterly direction along the center line of Lancaster Avenue a distance of approximately 266.84 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the said center line and the southeasterly side property line of 453 Lancaster Avenue; thence, leaving the said center line in a northeasterly direction, along the same easterly side yard property line of 453 Lancaster Avenue, as extended, a distance of approximately 200 feet to a point on the southerly side yard property line of 8 Booth Lane; thence, continuing along the side property line of 8 Booth Lane in a southeasterly direction a distance of approximately 131.36 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly side property line of 8 Booth Lane and the center line of Booth Lane; thence, continuing along aforesaid center line in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately nine feet to a point formed by the intersection of the same and the southwesterly side property line of 9 Booth Lane; thence, continuing in a southeasterly direction along aforesaid property line a distance of approximately 123 feet to a point formed by the northeasterly rear property line of 445 Lancaster Avenue, the southwesterly rear property line of 9 Booth Lane and the northwesterly rear property line of 100 Llanalew Road; thence continuing in a northeasterly direction along the rear property line of 9 Booth Lane a distance of approximately 53.86 feet to a point formed by the rear property line of 100 Llanalew Road and the southwesterly rear property line of 440 Berkley Road; thence, continuing in a southeasterly direction along the rear property lines of properties fronting on the southerly side of Berkley Road, being the property line of 100 Llanalew Road, a distance of approximately 240.67 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the northeasterly front property line of 100 Llanalew Road and the center line of Llanalew Road; thence, continuing along said center line in a southwesterly direction a distance of approximately 200.77 feet to a point formed by the intersection of said center line and the center line of Lancaster Avenue; thence continuing along the center line of Lancaster Avenue in a southeasterly direction a distance of approximately 620.77 feet to a point formed by the intersection of said center line and the southeasterly front property line of 411 Lancaster Avenue; thence, leaving the said center line in a northeasterly direction along the easterly side property line of 411 Lancaster Avenue a distance of 140 feet to a point formed by the northwesterly rear property line of 401 Lancaster Avenue and the northeasterly rear property line of 411 Lancaster Avenue; thence, continuing in a southeasterly direction along the rear property line of 401 Lancaster Avenue a distance of 184.04 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the northeasterly rear property line of 401 Lancaster Avenue and the center line of Haverford Station Road; thence, continuing along said center line in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately 11.5 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the center line and southwesterly side property line of 15 Haverford Station Road; thence, leaving the said center line in a southeasterly direction along the southerly side property line of 15 Haverford Station Road, as extended, a distance of approximately 150 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly side and southerly rear property line of 15 Haverford Station Road and the westerly side property line of 335 West Lancaster Avenue; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along the rear property lines of properties fronting on the southeasterly side of Haverford Station Road a distance of approximately 167.77 feet to a point formed by the northeasterly rear yard property line of 27 Haverford Station Road, the northwesterly rear property line of 379 West Lancaster Avenue and the southerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation; thence, continuing in an easterly direction along the common rear property line of 379 West Lancaster Avenue and property owned by Penn Central Railroad Corporation a distance of approximately 206.37 feet; thence, extending across the property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Company in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately 110 feet to a point formed by the northerly property line of the property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Company and the northwesterly side property line of 268 West Montgomery Avenue; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along the westerly side property line of 268 West Montgomery Avenue a distance of approximately 86.7 feet to an angle point; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction a distance of approximately 55 feet across the existing Haverford Station drive aisle aligned with Cheswold Lane to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly side and rear property lines of 302 West Montgomery Avenue; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along the rear property line of 302 West Montgomery Avenue, being the northerly property line of the property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Company, a distance of approximately 84 feet, to a point formed by the intersection of the southwesterly rear property line of 302 West Montgomery Avenue and the southeasterly rear property line of 312 West Montgomery Avenue; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along the easterly side property line of 312 West Montgomery Avenue a distance of approximately 156 feet to a point formed by the northeasterly front property line of 312 West Montgomery Avenue and the ultimate right-of-way line of West Montgomery Avenue; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along the ultimate right-of-way line of West Montgomery Avenue a distance of approximately 220.5 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the ultimate right-of-way line of West Montgomery Avenue and the ultimate right-of-way line of Haverford Station Road; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction, a distance of approximately 33 feet to a point at the center line of West Montgomery Avenue; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along the center line of West Montgomery Avenue a distance of approximately 756 feet to a point formed by the aforesaid center line and the northwesterly side property line of 428 West Montgomery Avenue; thence, leaving the said center line in a southwesterly direction, along the westerly side yard property line of 428 West Montgomery Avenue, as extended, a distance of approximately 206.18 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly property line of 428 West Montgomery Avenue and the center line of Old Lancaster Road; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along said center line a distance of approximately 381.03 feet to a point formed by the intersection of same center line and the southeasterly side property line of 55 Booth Lane; thence, leaving the said center line in a northeasterly direction along the easterly side yard property line of 55 Booth Lane, as extended, a distance of approximately 122.39 feet; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along the easterly rear property line of 59 Booth Lane a distance of approximately 90.01 feet to a point; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction a distance of 146.13 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the northwesterly point of 59 Booth Lane and the center line of Booth Lane; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along said center line a distance of approximately 145.8 feet to a point formed by the intersection of aforesaid center line and the center line of West Montgomery Avenue; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along the center line of West Montgomery Avenue a distance of 123.76 feet to a point formed by the same center line and the northwesterly point of 60 Booth Lane, the first mentioned point and place of beginning. Containing in area 37.85 acres, be the same, more or less.
    2. The limits of the portions excluded from the Haverford Station Historic District are listed as follows: Beginning at a point formed by the intersection of the easterly ultimate right-of-way line of Booth Lane and the northwesterly side property line of 445 Berkley Road; thence, continuing in a southeasterly direction along the rear property line of properties fronting on the northerly side of Berkley Road, being the southerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation, a distance of approximately 1,119.69 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the southeasterly rear property line of 46 Haverford Station Road and the westerly ultimate right-of-way line of Haverford Station Road; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along said right-of-way line a distance of approximately 150 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the ultimate right-of-way line of Haverford Station Road and the northerly property line of the property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along the northerly right-of-way line of the property and lands owned by Penn Central Railroad Corporation a distance of approximately 312.02 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the northerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation and the southeasterly rear property line of 414 Old Lancaster Road; thence, continuing in a northeasterly direction along the easterly side property line of 414 Old Lancaster Road a distance of approximately 291.30 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the aforesaid easterly side property line and the center line of Old Lancaster Road; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along said center line a distance of approximately 203.17 feet to a point formed by the intersection of said center line and the northwesterly side property line of 414 Old Lancaster Road common with the easterly side property line of 426 Old Lancaster Road; thence, continuing in a southwesterly direction along the easterly side property line of 426 Old Lancaster Road a distance of approximately 243.29 feet to a point formed by the intersection of said side property line and the southeasterly rear property line of 426 Old Lancaster Road; thence, continuing in a northwesterly direction along the rear property line of properties fronting on the southerly side of Old Lancaster Road, being the northerly property line of property and lands owned by the Penn Central Railroad Corporation, a distance of approximately 620.73 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the northwesterly rear property line of 444 Old Lancaster Road and the ultimate right-of-way of Booth Lane; thence, continuing in a southwesterly direction along said right-of-way line a distance of approximately 156 feet to a point formed by the intersection of the easterly ultimate right-of-way line of Booth Lane and the northwesterly side property line of 445 Berkley Road, the first mentioned point and place of beginning.
  7. The limits of the English Village Historic District are defined as follows: Beginning at a point in the center line of Cherry Lane (33 feet wide) at the distance of 1,092.84 feet northwest from the title line of Montgomery Avenue, said point being also the center line of Loves Lane (40 feet wide); thence extending along the said center line in a northwesterly direction a distance of approximately 243 feet to a point where the said center line meets the easterly side property line of 220 Cherry Lane; thence continuing along the said side property line in a southwesterly direction a distance of approximately 70 feet to an angle point; thence by the same in a southwesterly direction a distance of approximately 161.15 feet to a point where the said property line meets the easterly side property line of 212 Cherry Lane; thence continuing along the said side property line in a southwesterly direction a distance of approximately 225 feet to a point where the said property line meets the rear property line of 309 Llanfair Road; thence by the same in a southwesterly direction a distance of approximately 290.76 feet to a point where the rear property line of 309 Llanfair Road meets the northerly property line of 305 Wister Road; thence continuing in a southeasterly direction a distance of approximately 313.25 feet to an angle point in the bed of Wister Road (40 feet wide); thence continuing in a southwesterly direction a distance of approximately 76.50 feet to a point in the center line of Wister Road; thence, continuing along the said center line in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately 117.52 feet to a point where the property line of 602 Loves Lane meets the property line of 603 Loves Lane; thence continuing in an easterly direction along the center line of Wister Road on the arc of a circle curving to the right having a radius of 138.59 feet the arc distance of approximately 59 feet to a point where the said center line meets the westerly side property line of 323 Wister Road; thence by the same in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately 175 feet to a point where the said property line meets the southwesterly rear property line of 210 Almur Lane; thence continuing along the rear property lines of properties fronting onto the westerly side of Almur Lane in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately 182.31 to an angle point; thence by the same in a northwesterly direction a distance of approximately 8 feet to an angle point; thence by the same in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately 180.12 feet to an angle point; thence by the same in a northwesterly direction a distance of approximately 37.90 feet to a point in the bed of Loves Lane; thence continuing in the bed of Loves Lane in a northwesterly direction a distance of approximately 15 feet to an angle point; thence by the same in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately 31.89 feet to the center line of Loves Lane; thence continuing along the said center line in a northeasterly direction a distance of approximately 90 feet to a point where the said center line intersects the center line of Cherry Lane (33 feet wide), being the first mentioned point and place of beginning; containing in area 6.1 acres, be the same, more or less. [Added 5-19-2010 by Ord. No. 3912]

§ 88-3. Filing of copy of chapter; when effective.

Immediately following the adoption of this chapter, the Township Secretary shall forward a copy thereof to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. This chapter shall not take effect until said Commission has certified, by resolution, to the historic significance of the districts within the limits defined in this chapter.

§ 88-4. Board of Historical Architectural Review established; membership; terms. [Amended 4-15-1992 by Ord. No. 3279; 1-20-1993 by Ord. No. 3307; 7-21-1993 by Ord. No. 3329]

  1. A Board of Historical Architectural Review is hereby established to be composed of nine members appointed by the Board of Commissioners, one of whom shall be a registered architect, one a licensed real estate broker, one a building inspector, and six additional persons with knowledge of and interest in the preservation of historic districts. At least four members shall be residents of or have their principal business within the historic districts. All appointed members of the Board of Historical Architectural Review shall be residents of Lower Merion Township or have an ownership interest in property in the Township. [Amended 2-16-1994 by Ord. No. 3350; 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3629; 10-17-2007 by Ord. No. 3826]
  2. The terms of the nine members of the Board shall be five years, staggered so that no more than two shall expire each year.

§ 88-5. Duties of Board; organization and procedures; compensation. [Amended 3-15-2000 by Ord. No. 3560]

  1. The Board shall give counsel to the Board of Commissioners of the Township regarding the advisability of issuing any certificates required to be issued pursuant to the Act of June 13, 1961, and this article. Property owners may also seek the advice of the Board concerning the appropriateness of the proposed erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of a building or installation of signs. For this purpose, the Board may, for its own organization and procedure, make and alter rules and regulations consistent with this article and the laws of the commonwealth. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum, and action taken at any meeting shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. The members of the Board shall serve without compensation and shall make an annual report of their transactions to the Board of Commissioners. The Board may, pursuant to appropriations by the Board of Commissioners, employ secretarial assistants, pay their salaries and wages and incur other necessary expenses. The Board shall obtain permission of the owner before entering into or onto the property.
  2. The duties of the Historical Commission set forth in Article II, § 88-17 of this article shall be performed by the Board with respect to properties located in a local historic district.

§ 88-6. Certificate of appropriateness required for issuance of building permits. [Amended 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 3326; 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3631]

The Director of Building and Planning of the Township shall not issue a permit for the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of any building or installation of signs, in whole or in part, within the historic districts created by this article until the Board of Commissioners has issued a certificate of appropriateness. The term "alteration" shall include exterior surface treatment to existing structures (i.e., siding, a roof replacement or other nonstructural exterior changes).

§ 88-7. Procedure for issuance of building permit. [Amended 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3629; 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3631]

Upon receipt of an application for a building permit for work to be done in the district, the Director of Building and Planning shall act in accordance with the procedures presently being followed in that office, except as those procedures are necessarily modified by the following requirements:

  1. He shall forward to the office of the Board of Historical Architectural Review a copy of the application for a building permit, together with a copy of any plot plan and building plans and specifications filed by the applicant, within 10 days of filing thereof.
  2. He shall maintain in his office a record of all such applications and of his handling and final disposition of the same, which shall be in addition to and appropriately cross-referenced to his other records.
  3. He shall require applicants to submit a sufficient number of additional copies of material required to be attached to an application for a building permit to permit compliance with the foregoing.

§ 88-8. Review of building permit applications by Board. [Amended 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3629; 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3631]

Upon receipt by the Board of a notice that an application for a building permit for the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of a building or buildings in the district has been filed in the office of the Director of Building and Planning, the Board shall schedule a meeting within 30 days of filing an application with the Director of Building and Planning to consider the counsel which the Board will give to the Board of Commissioners. The person applying for the permit shall be advised of the time and place of said meeting and shall be invited to appear to explain his reasons therefor. The Board may invite such other person or persons as it desires to attend the meeting.

§ 88-9. Matters to be considered in review.

In determining the counsel to be presented to the Board of Commissioners concerning the issuing of a certificate of appropriateness authorizing a permit for the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of all or a part of any building or installation of signs within the district, the Board shall consider the following matters:

  1. The effect of the proposed change upon the general historic and architectural nature of the district.
  2. The appropriateness of exterior architectural features which can be seen from a public street or way only.
  3. The general design, arrangement, texture, material, scale, mass and color of the building or structure and the relation of such factors to similar features of buildings or structures in the district.
  4. Furthermore, in the interest of maintaining the architectural integrity of the respective historic districts, the Board shall consider the following guidelines:
    1. Every reasonable effort shall be made to use a structure for its originally intended purpose or to provide a compatible use which will require minimum alteration to the structure and its environment.
    2. Rehabilitation work shall not destroy the distinguishing qualities or character of the structure and its environment. The removal or alteration of any historic or architectural features should be held to a minimum.
    3. In the event that replacement of architectural features is necessary, the new material should attempt to match the material being replaced in the composition, design, color, texture and other visual qualities. The Board should, however, be sensitive to the increased cost of the proposed change.
    4. Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship shall be treated with sensitivity.
    5. Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of the structure and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
    6. All structures shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.
    7. Contemporary design for additions to existing structures or new construction shall not be discouraged if such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material and character of the neighborhood, structures or their environment.
    8. Work authorized by a certificate of appropriateness shall comply with the United States Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehabilitation, as amended. [Added 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 3326]

§ 88-10. Decision to counsel against granting of certificate; recommended changes.

If the Board, on the basis of the information received at the meeting and from its general background and knowledge, decides to counsel against the granting of a certificate of appropriateness, it shall indicate to the applicant for a building permit the changes in plans and specifications, if any, which, in the opinion of the Board, would protect the distinctive historical character of the district. The Board shall withhold its report to the Board of Commissioners for a period of five days following its decision to allow the applicant to decide whether or not to make the suggested changes in his plans and specifications. If the applicant determines that he will make the suggested changes, he shall so advise the Board, which shall counsel the Board of Commissioners accordingly.

§ 88-11. Report of counsel to Board of Commissioners.

The Board, after the hearing provided for in § 88-8 of this article and after the making of any changes in the plans and specifications as provided in § 88-10 of this article, shall submit to the Board of Commissioners in writing, within 30 days of the conclusion of the meeting with the Board, its counsel concerning the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness authorizing a permit for the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of all or part of any building or installation of a sign within the district. The written report shall set out the following matters:

  1. The exact location of the area in which the work is to be done.
  2. The exterior changes to be made or the exterior character of the structure to be erected.
  3. A list of the surrounding structures with their general exterior characteristics.
  4. The effect of the proposed change upon the general historic and architectural nature of the district.
  5. The appropriateness of exterior architectural features which can be seen from a public street or way only.
  6. The general design, arrangement, texture, scale, material and color of the building or structure and the relation of such factors to similar features of buildings or structures in the district.
  7. The opinion of the Board, including any dissent, as to the appropriateness of the work proposed as it will preserve or destroy the historic aspect and nature of the district.
  8. The specific counsel of the Board as to the issuance by the Board of Commissioners of, or its refusal to issue, a certificate of appropriateness.

§ 88-12. Approval or disapproval by Board of Commissioners; time limit for decision.

  1. Upon receipt of the written counsel of the Board as provided in § 88-11 of this article, the Board of Commissioners shall consider at a regular or special meeting the question of issuing to the Director of Building and Planning a certificate of appropriateness authorizing a permit for the work covered by the application. The applicant shall be advised by the Township Secretary of the time and place of the meeting at which his application will be considered and shall have the right to attend and be heard as to his reasons for filing the same. In determining whether or not to certify to the appropriateness of the proposed erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of all or a part of any building within the district or installation of signs or awnings, the Board of Commissioners shall consider the same factors as the Board of Historical Architectural Review, as set forth in § 88-9 of this article and the report of the Board. If the Board of Commissioners approves the application, it shall issue a certificate of appropriateness authorizing the Director of Building and Planning to issue a permit for the work covered. If the Board of Commissioners disapproves, it shall do so in writing, and copies shall be given to the applicant and to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The disapproval shall indicate what changes in the plans and specifications would meet the conditions for protecting the distinctive historical character of the district. [Amended 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 3326; 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3629; 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3629; 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3631]
  2. The Board of Commissioners shall render its decision and communicate it to the applicant not later than 90 days following the filing of an application for a building permit under this section. Failure by the Board of Commissioners to act within such time shall be deemed an approval of the application for a certificate of appropriateness.
  3. A Certificate of Appropriateness shall expire if the applicant fails to obtain a building permit within six months from the date of authorization therefor. [Added 7-16-2003 Ord. No. 3684]

§ 88-13. Appeals. [Amended 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3631]

Upon receipt of the written disapproval of the Board of Commissioners, the Director of Building and Planning shall disapprove the application for a building permit and so advise the applicant. The applicant may appeal from the disapproval as provided by law and the Building Code of the Township.

§ 88-14. Enforcement. [Amended 1-19-2002 by Ord. No. 3629]

The Director of the Department of Building and Planning shall have the power to institute any proceedings at law or in equity necessary for the enforcement of this article in the same manner as in his enforcement of the Building Code of the Township as presently enacted or as the same may from time to time be amended.

 

ARTICLE II
Historic Resources
[Added 3-15-2000 by Ord. No. 3560]

§ 88-15. Legislative intent.

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 Lower Merion Township. To that end, the Township has undertaken to identify and document its historic resources. The provisions of this article, coupled with the provisions of Chapter 155, Article XXVIA, are intended to:

  1. Promote the general welfare by protecting the integrity of the historic resources of Lower Merion Township.
  2. Establish a clear and public process by which proposed land use changes affecting historic resources can be reviewed.
  3. Discourage the unnecessary demolition of historic resources.
  4. Provide incentives for the continued use of historic resources and to facilitate their appropriate reuse.
  5. Encourage the conservation of historic settings and landscapes.
  6. Promote retention of historical integrity in the context of proposed land use and/or structural changes.

§ 88-16. Historical Commission established; membership; terms.

  1. An Historical Commission is hereby established to be appointed by the Board of Commissioners and to be composed of a total of seven members, who shall be residents of the Township or have an ownership interest in property in the Township and shall have knowledge of and interest in the preservation of historic resources. The Historical Commission shall include a registered architect with a minimum of five years experience with historic preservation and an architectural historian. The resume evidencing the qualifications of the members shall be filed with the Township Secretary. [Amended 7-16-2003 Ord. No. 3684]
  2. The terms of the members of the Commission shall be five years, staggered so that at least one shall expire each year. [Amended 7-16-2003 Ord. No. 3684]

§ 88-17. Duties of Historical Commission; organization and procedures; compensation.

The Historical Commission shall perform those duties established by this chapter and by Chapter 155 with respect to recommending to the Board of Commissioners those properties to be placed on or removed from the Historic Resource Inventory, distinguishing between those properties to be classified as Class I and Class II Historic Resources. The Historical Commission shall further give counsel to the Board of Commissioners of the Township, as provided for in this chapter and in Chapters 62, 135 and 155, regarding the preservation or demolition of those resources of historic significance located in the Township, but not within a local historic district. Property owners may also seek the advice of the Historical Commission concerning the appropriateness of the proposed erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of a building, structure or site, not within a local historic district, which may have historical significance. The Historical Commission may, for its own organization and procedure, make and alter rules and regulations consistent with this article and the laws of the commonwealth, subject to the approval of the Board of Commissioners. A majority of the Historical Commission shall constitute a quorum, and action taken at any meeting shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Historical Commission, regardless of the number actually present. The members of the Historical Commission shall serve without compensation and shall make an annual report of their transactions to the Board of Commissioners. The Historical Commission shall obtain permission of the owner before entering into or onto private property.

§ 88-18. Historic Resource Inventory.

An Historic Resource Inventory is hereby established of buildings, structures and sites in the Township designated for preservation, some or all of which may be located within an historic district. The inventory shall be appended to the Township Code and shall be available for public inspection in the office of the Township Secretary. Initially the Historic Resource Inventory shall consist of those resources designated on the list appended to this Code as Chapter A180, Historic Resource Inventory. Resources may be added or removed from the Historic Resource Inventory as follows:

  1. Criteria for designation. A building, structure or site, or a complex of the same, may be placed on the Historic Resource Inventory if it meets any three or more of the following criteria:
    1. Has significant character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the Township, county, region, commonwealth or nation or is associated with the life of a person significant in the past;
    2. Is associated with an event of importance to the history of the township, county, region, commonwealth or nation;
    3. Embodies an icon associated with an era characterized by a distinctive architectural style;
    4. Embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or engineering specimen;
    5. Is the noteworthy work of a designer, architect, landscape architect or designer or engineer whose work has significantly influenced the historical, architectural, economic, social or cultural development of the township, county, region, commonwealth or nation;
    6. Contains elements of design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant innovation;
    7. Is part of or related to a commercial center, park, community or other distinctive area which should be preserved according to an historic, cultural or architectural motif;
    8. Owing to its unique location or singular physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or township;
    9. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history; or
    10. Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social or historical heritage of the community.
  2. Procedure for designation or removal. Any property proposed for designation on or removal from the Historic Resource Inventory shall be proposed by or shall first be referred to the Historical Commission, which shall hold a public meeting thereon.
    1. Unless a property is proposed by the owner(s), such owner(s) shall be notified upon receipt of a proposal that their property be placed on or removed from the Historic Resource Inventory and asked to respond to such proposal within 15 days.
    2. At least 30 days before holding a public meeting to consider the proposed designation or removal of a building, structure or site as historic, the Historical Commission shall send notice to the owner of the property proposed for designation. Such notice shall indicate the date, time and place of the public meeting at which the Historical Commission will consider the proposed designation or removal. Notice shall be sent to the registered owner's last known address as the same appears in the real estate tax records of the Township Treasurer and sent to the "owner" at the street address of the property in question.
    3. Any interested party may present testimony or documentary evidence regarding the proposed designation or removal at the public meeting.
    4. The Historical Commission shall present its written report to the Board of Commissioners, the applicant and the owner within 60 days following the public meeting, basing its recommendation upon those criteria for designation established in this section. A property shall be recommended for removal from the Historic Resource Inventory if it does not currently meet the criteria for designation. The report shall include a summary of the information and copies of all documents presented at the meeting and used by the Historical Commission in making its recommendation.
    5. Based upon the criteria set forth in this section and after receiving the recommendations of the Historical Commission, the Board of Commissioners shall from time to time, by ordinance, add or delete buildings, structures and sites to or from the Historic Resource Inventory. Written notice of the action of the Board of Commissioners shall be given to the property owner and to any person appearing at the public meeting of the Historical Commission who requests notification.