Credit: Chris English/NewtownPANow.com
Newtown Township is taking steps to protect its historic structures that lie outside designated historic districts.
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors discussed potential measures during its Wednesday evening meeting.
The issue was raised during reports from the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and Planning Commission. Both bodies expressed concern about the lack of protection for historic structures not already part of the historic district or designated historic villages.
“We have no way to protect our historic structures that are not already part of the historic district or in one of the designated historic villages,” said Peggy Driscoll, a Newtown Township Planning Commission member. “It is our understanding that Newtown Borough and Upper Makefield have also been researching this.”
The board discussed creating an inventory of historic properties throughout the township as a first step.
Supervisor John Mack suggested inviting an expert who recently presented to Newtown Borough to speak to the Planning Commission.
The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for evaluating potential structures for inclusion on their historic preservation list.
Supervisor Elen Snyder agreed to reach out to to the expert and arrange for her to give a presentation to the Planning Commission, similar to the one given in Newtown Borough.
The board also discussed the recent demolition of a historic property known as the Twining House, which highlighted the need for better preservation measures.
“As we saw with the Twining House and a few other properties that were demolished, I think by neglect, some of them, I think we would just like to have, maybe do an inventory of all the historic properties through the township,” Driscoll said.
Chairperson Dennis Fisher suggested the Planning Commission, along with HARB, research potential preservation strategies and make recommendations to the supervisors.
“My thought would be maybe the Planning Commission, along with HARB or whomever else, would take the time to research what it is and make a recommendation back to the Board of Supervisors,” Fisher said.
The board also noted that neighboring municipalities Wrightstown Township and Upper Makefield Township are exploring similar preservation measures.
Newtown Township’s history dates back to the 1600s and William Penn purchasing land from the Leni Lenape Indians. The township served as the county seat from 1726 to 1813. Newtown Borough broke off from the township and was Incorporated in 1838.
In other business, the board approved a certificate of appropriateness for new signage at a business called Revive Hive at 250 North Sycamore Street. The planning commission recommended approval of the signage, which will be flat black with raised white lettering on a PVC board with wood texture.
