Historical Architectural Review Board
The Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) is a public advisory body created by state and local laws, and operates under the authority of the State of Pennsylvania’s Historic District Act, General Assembly #167 of 1961, as amended 1963. Ridley Park’s HARB was created in 1992 by Ordinance #1077. The seven member Board helps to protect the historic character of Ridley Park Borough by considering the effects of proposed work to the exteriors of buildings within the Historic District. The HARB makes recommendations to the Borough Council on the appropriateness of that work. The Borough Council makes the decision on issuing a “Certificate of Appropriateness”.
HARB Meetings are held on the Fourth Thursday of each month, at 7:00 pm in the Community Room at the Ridley Park Borough Hall. Applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness (located below) must be submitted to the HARB at the Ridley Park Borough Hall no later than 12 days prior to the regularly scheduled public meeting in order for a review of the application at that meeting.
Historic property owners, whether they are located in the Historic District or not, are encouraged to consult early with the HARB – even before hiring a contractor. A portion of each meeting is set aside for an “Advisory Discussion”, which is an informal way to discuss the project with the HARB. There are no formal applications required for an Advisory Discussion. Just attend the meeting, and bring photographs of your property, and any materials that might help explain the planned work.
The “General Information for Applicants” explains procedures for working with the HARB. The “RP Design Guidelines” outlines maintenance and repair procedures that will ensure compliance with the Ordinance.
To find out if your property is located in the Historic District, you can look at the Historic District Map, or check the list of Historic District Addresses below.
PDF Files for HARB
Websites for other information:
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards_guidelines.htm The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&mode=2&objID=1426 The Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/preservation_services/3741 The Bureau for Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Office
http://www.preservationnation.org/ National Trust for Historic Preservation