A. An historic resource impact study shall be required as part of an application for certain activities or procedures, as specified herein, authorized under the terms of this article that have the potential to adversely affect any Class I or Class II historic resource. Such activities shall include the following:
(1) Where the subject property contains a Class I historic resource, any application, the approval of which would result in the construction of a new principal or accessory structure, and where such approval is required in the form of a:
(a) Special exception or conditional use; or
(b) Building permit (except where the Historical Commission determines that the proposed activity requiring the building permit lacks the potential significance to necessitate an historic resource impact study).
(2) Where a property containing a Class II historic resource is the subject of a proposal for construction of a new principal structure, or a Class I or Class II historic resource is located within 300 feet of the proposed location of a new principal structure, and approval of the proposed new structure is required in the form of a:
(a) Special exception.
(b) Conditional use.
(c) Building permit.
(3) This requirement shall not apply where an historic resource impact study has been prepared for the property that is proposed to contain the new construction, and has addressed all historic resources potentially affected by this proposal, within the preceding five years.
B. Upon receiving an application for a procedure or permit described in Subsection A above, and prior to the preparation and submission of an historic resources impact study, the Zoning Officer shall notify the Historical Commission of the application. The Historical Commission may then conduct a site visit with the applicant to identify the location of the prospective new construction in relation to the Class I or Class II historic resource, the extent of potential negative impacts, possible alterations or modifications to the proposal, and any modification to the requirements of this section that may be appropriate.
C. Where required, the historic resource impact study shall be prepared and submitted by the applicant in accordance with the terms of this section and shall be reviewed by the Historical Commission. Where the Historical Commission requires consultation from a professional with expertise in historic preservation, the cost of the consultant shall be paid by the applicant.
D. The historic resource impact study shall contain the following information unless the Historical Commission determines that the study, or certain elements thereof, are not pertinent to the application under review, in which case the applicant shall not be required to submit the study or those specific sections:
(1) Contextual information.
(a) If not otherwise provided by the applicant, a plan showing existing site conditions, including structures, topography, watercourses, vegetation, historic landscape features (e.g., walls, ruins), landscaping, existing drives, and known or potential archaeological sites.
(b) General description, classification, and significance (in terms of the criteria used for listing a resource in the National Register of Historic Places) of all historic resources located on the subject property as shown on the site plan, or historic resources located within 300 feet of any portion of the subject property.
(c) Black and white or color five-inch-by-seven-inch photographs to show every historic resource identified in Subsection D(1)(b) above.
(d) Narrative description of the historical development of the subject tract.
(e) Where deemed applicable and appropriate by the Historical Commission, an archaeological assessment in accordance with the following:
[1] Any use permitted under the terms of this article that involves lands identified by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) as containing a known or possible site of archaeological significance, and which may involve disturbance to possible locations of archaeological resources, shall require the preparation of a statement by an archaeologist, with qualifications deemed acceptable by the Township, which includes the following information:
[a] A Phase 1 survey of archaeological resources conducted on the site and its findings as required by the PHMC. The survey shall be conducted only after notification of the PHMC and undertaken in a manner specifically prescribed by the PHMC.
[b] If construction shall occur on the site, the applicant shall provide a description of the methods that shall be used to prevent the disturbance of archaeologically significant areas during and following construction, to prevent grading of archaeologically significant areas, and a discussion of any provisions used to orient activities away from archaeologically significant areas.
[c] A plan for the ultimate disposition of any archaeologically significant artifacts to be found on the site.
[2] The archaeological assessment shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer, who shall review the statement and determine, within 10 days of submission, whether all information required by this section has been submitted. A complete archaeological assessment shall then be provided to the Historical Commission for its review. The recommendation of the Historical Commission may then be provided to the Board of Supervisors, Zoning Officer, or Zoning Hearing Board, as applicable.
(2) Proposed change.
(a) General description and site plan of the project, including a timetable or phases.
(b) Description of the impact on each Class I or Class II historic resource identified in Subsection D(1)(b) above with regard to architectural integrity, historic setting, and future use.
(c) General description of the anticipated effect of noise, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and other impacts, including light pollution, generated by the proposed change on any Class I or Class II historic resource identified in Subsection D(1)(b) above.
(3) Mitigation measures. Recommendations shall be made for mitigating the project's impact on identified Class I or Class II historic resources, including design alternatives; moving the historic resource; reconstruction of the historic resource; Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), or Pennsylvania State Recordation requirements; buffering, landscaping, or conservation of existing vegetation; and any other appropriate measures permitted under the terms of this chapter.
E. The Historical Commission shall review the historic resource impact study and shall provide a written report, including findings, conclusions, and any recommended modification to the proposed activity that it deems appropriate, to the Zoning Hearing Board, Board of Supervisors, or Zoning Officer, as applicable. Where the proposed activity requires special exception or conditional use approval, a member of the Historical Commission shall appear on behalf of the Township at the hearing to present the report.
