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Patton Township City Zoning Code

ARTICLE X

Historic Preservation

§ 425-52 Historic preservation uses.

A. 
Specific intent. The intent of this section is to encourage protection of historical buildings for the educational and cultural welfare of the public in Patton Township; to safeguard the heritage of the Township by preserving historic buildings that reflect elements of cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history; and to foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the Township's past without unduly impacting surrounding properties by providing limits on the allowable historic conditional uses.
B. 
Scope. The regulations shall apply to all zoning districts in Patton Township.
C. 
Use regulations.
(1) 
Use by right: all uses permitted by right in the underlying zoning district.
(2) 
Uses permitted as a conditional use. The following uses shall be permitted as conditional uses subject to meeting the definition of a historic building and approval of the Township Board of Supervisors:
(a) 
All uses permitted as conditional uses in the underlying zoning district; and
(b) 
Historic use;
(c) 
Antique shop;
(d) 
Monument or exhibit for the purpose of community awareness or education that is operated by a nonprofit organization.
D. 
Procedure and criteria for conditional uses. Prerequisites for approval of conditional use:
(1) 
Prior to the issuance of a conditional use permit, a site plan, a building plan illustrating all proposed alterations to the historic building and list of materials that will be used shall be submitted to the Township.
(2) 
All conditions listed under § 425-57 shall be completed.
E. 
Design standards.
(1) 
For screening, storage, landscaping, access and traffic control, interior circulation and lighting requirements, see § 425-59.
(2) 
Any proposed additions shall be constructed in an architectural style similar to the existing historic building.
(3) 
Inn: This use will be permitted subject to the following regulations:
(a) 
For lot sizes one acre or larger, the maximum number of guest rooms permitted shall be eight, with the number of guests limited to 16.
(b) 
For lot sizes less than an acre, the maximum number of guest rooms permitted shall be four, with the number of guests limited to eight.
(c) 
The total area of the dining space shall not exceed 800 square feet.
(d) 
Parking:
[1] 
One parking space per guest room.
[2] 
One parking space per employee.
[3] 
One parking space per 50 square feet of dining area if the area will be open to persons not lodging in the inn.
(4) 
Alteration: No major alterations shall be allowed to the historic exterior facade of the building. If a natural or accidental alteration occurs after a use is approved in a historic building in accordance with this article, the owner can reapply for a conditional use to rebuild the historic section of the building within five years from the date of the alteration. The Board of Supervisors may approve the conditional use if satisfactory evidence is provided that the proposed reconstruction of the historic character of the property would meet the intent of the article.
F. 
Area, bulk, open space and parking requirements. Area, density, parking and open space requirements shall be as required in the underlying zoning district in which the historic building is located as per § 350-49 of the Patton Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
G. 
Proof of eligibility. The owner of the building must provide necessary information and proof on the historic value of the building. The owner may present literature, photographs, maps or any other information that the Township will need to determine the historic value of the building. The Township may require additional proof at any time during the evaluation of the building's eligibility. Validity of the building's historic value can be reinforced if a written statement is obtained from The Centre County Historical Society or The Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission. Based on the information presented, the Board of Supervisors shall determine if the building meets the criteria to be considered historic.
H. 
Withdrawal. If the historic value for which the use was granted is destroyed or altered, the building will no longer be considered historic. The Township will provide a ninety-day written notice to the owner, after which the use permitted will be withdrawn. Any proposed alterations to the building should be reported to the Zoning Officer for evaluation. The Township shall determine if the alteration is major or minor.