Chapter 6
Historic
Preservation and Natural Resource Plan_____________
Introduction
The
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) requires that municipal Comprehensive
Plans address resource preservation, specifically identifying natural,
cultural, and historic resources. The
natural resources noted by the MPC are wetlands and other aquifer recharge
zones, woodlands, steep slope areas, prime agricultural land, floodplains, and
“unique natural areas.” The MPC adds
that municipalities are not limited by this list, but may provide for the
protection of other resources of local importance. In addition to these resources, this chapter
will identify energy conservation objectives for the planning Region. Prime agricultural land has been previously
discussed in Chapter 4, the Future Land Use and Housing Plan.
The results of the citizen survey indicated that the
Region’s residents are concerned about historic resource preservation. Respondents also indicated a high level of
interest in farmland and open space preservation.
When prioritizing issues facing the Region, the
Steering Committee and municipal officials gave high priority to preserving
agricultural resources, retaining woodland and open space, providing sufficient
water quality and supply, and historic and natural resource protection.
Historic Resources
The
Region’s history is reflected in its architecture, people, and character. Historic resources connect us to the past,
emphasize our sense of community, and often provide aesthetic value. In addition, historic resources can provide
tourism benefits which often lead to economic development opportunities. Planning for the protection of historic
resources is especially important because historical resources are not
renewable.
Historic
Resources in the Region have been identified in South Mountain to Blue Ridge
Summit, an Architectural History of the Antietam Watershed, Franklin
County, Pennsylvania, edited by James M. Smith of the Waynesboro Historical
Society. Historic Resources are also
discussed in Chapter 13 of this Plan.
The challenge is to establish priorities for preservation of resources.
A
task force of the Waynesboro Historical Society has been formed to identify and
then cooperatively work to protect historic buildings.
Historic Districts
Local
historic districts are areas in which historic buildings and their settings are
protected by public review. Historic district ordinances are local laws adopted
by communities using powers granted by the state. Historic districts consist of
the Region's significant historic and architectural resources. Inclusion in a
historic district signifies that a property contributes to a group of
structures that is worth protecting because of its historic importance or
architectural quality.
South
Mountain to Blue Ridge Summit
describes the
National
Register of Historic Places
The
National Register of Historic Places is the nation's official list of cultural
resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program
to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and
protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the
Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are
significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture.
Sites n the Region which are on the Register
are listed in Chapter 13.
Cultural and Artistic Resources
Cultural
resources are the special characteristics that make a community unique. A community that takes pride in and respects
its traditions is typically a community with a well-defined character. The Region contains a rich, diverse heritage
with significant cultural resources that should be embraced and preserved. Many of these resources are discussed in the
Community Facilities Chapter. Some of
those resources are the many churches in the Region, the libraries, schools,
YMCA,
It
should also be noted that there are performing arts theaters within half an
hour from
Historic, Cultural, and Artistic Resources
Goal: Identify, preserve and enhance the historic,
architectural, artistic, and cultural resources of the Township and Borough.
Objectives:
• Encourage the preservation, protection, and enhancement of historic and
architectural resources and their context.
• Preserve and promote the unique aspects of the Region’s cultural
diversity and heritage that is displayed through its’ architecture and its’
people.
• Encourage
the appreciation of the visual and performing arts in the Region.
• Support efforts of the Waynesboro Historical Society to
preserve historic and cultural resources.
• Create an
atmosphere that attracts and enhances the artistic community.
• Work with
the
• Require new development to reflect and consider the history,
architecture and development patterns of the municipalities; discourage
inconsistent development near historic resources; require impact studies for
development near historic resources; and require mitigation of any potential
adverse impacts on historic resources.
• Consider
initiating community-wide festivals to promote, enhance, and celebrate the
Region’s unique cultural diversity.
• Encourage
adaptive re-use of historic structures where appropriate.
Historic, Cultural, and
Artistic Resource Actions:
A. Update zoning ordinances as necessary to
protect historic resources and community character. Options include:
1. Adopt Historic Resource Overlay
Zoning. Concentrate on the Historic
Overlay District, as depicted on the Future Land Use Map.
a. Create historical commissions and/or
committees where they do not exist or a joint historical commission
b. Identify
historic resources
c. Require
developers to analyze:
• Nature of historic resources on and near property
• Impact of proposals on historic resources, and
• Mitigation measures
d. Encourage
adaptive reuse of historic buildings
e. Establish use, coverage, density,
intensity, and yard bonuses for architectural treatments, building design,
amenities, and open spaces/buffers compatible with existing resources,
appropriate reuse of existing resources and donation of façade easements
f. Encourage architecture, materials, and
development patterns characteristic to the area
2. Adopt
Demolition by Neglect Provisions:
a. Require property owners to protect and
maintain historic properties to avoid demolition by vandalism or the elements
by requiring unoccupied structures to be sealed or secured by fencing
3. Identify provisions to protect the
character of the Borough and villages, and have streets, buildings, and public
spaces integrated to create a sense of place with pedestrian scale. Consideration can be given to adopting the
following as standards or promoting them through incentives:
a. Allow only appropriate uses in scale
with, and compatible with, existing appropriate uses, discouraging uses that
would transform the character of the areas.
b. Establish coverage, density, intensity,
and yard bonuses for architectural treatments, building design, amenities,
street furniture, open spaces, and parking designs consistent with the
character of the area.
c. Require pedestrian amenities as necessary
improvements to be made by land developers.
d. Construct parking areas to the rear and
side of buildings and establish standards for design, buffering, and
landscaping of new parking facilities.
e. Require signage appropriate to the
area.
f. Establish appropriate standards for
driveway design and access to streets to provide for appropriate access
management.
g. Minimize use of drive-through
facilities in the Downtown
Business District.
h. Encourage new development to be
compatible with, and integrated into, existing streetscapes when appropriate,
with consideration of:
• Appropriate siting patterns, such as
setbacks of buildings on lots
• Materials of similar appearance and
texture to those on existing buildings
• Similar architectural details as
other buildings in the neighborhood
• The scale and proportion of buildings
near new structures in the
Downtown Business District. Scale
deals with the relationship of each building to other buildings in the area;
and, proportion deals with the relationship of the height to the width of a
building and with the relationship of each part to the whole
• Similar roof shapes
• Similar footprints of buildings and
rooflines (matching façade masses with existing buildings)
• Similar building heights
4. Regulate conversions of buildings,
addressing:
• Locations where permitted
• The procedural treatment of the use
• The type of building that can be
converted
• Density of converted units
• Lot size for converted building
• Impervious surface/open space
requirements
• Units allowed per structure
• Structure size requirements
• Minimum size of dwelling units
• Neighborhood compatibility standards
• Adequate parking requirements
• Screening of parking and common areas
• Limits on the structural revisions
for buildings
B. Appoint a regional or municipal historical
commission or committee, which is actively involved in historic preservation,
to work with the Waynesboro Historical Society.
The commission would be instrumental in administration of any historic
resource overlay zoning that is adopted.
The commission would also continue to:
1. Identify, evaluate, mark and foster
awareness of historic resources
2. Investigate
participation in Certified Local Government Program
3. Encourage retention, restoration,
enhancement and appropriate adaptive re-use of historic resources and
discourage removal of historic structures
4. Develop programs, events and interpretive
signage and exhibits that emphasize the history of the Region
5. Evaluate the potential for historic
districts and support their creation if warranted. If created, consider the
adoption of voluntary or mandatory Design Guidelines and Sign Controls for the
Historic District.
C. Support the activities of individuals
and groups that identify, document, evaluate, and protect historical resources
and increase public awareness of the area’s history and historic resources.
NATURAL RESOURCES PLAN
Natural
resources contribute to the economic activity, environmental health, and
quality of life of a community. Parks,
open space, woodlands, steep slopes, streams, wetlands, and farmlands are all
resources that are aesthetically pleasing, and provide economic as well as
environmental benefits. One example of
this is the way that floodplains and wetlands act as natural storage basins in
periods of high water and help to improve water quality by filtering out
sediment and pollutants. Natural
Resources in the Region are mapped and discussed in Chapter 12.
The
South Mountain is a timeless
treasure of natural, aesthetic, historic, cultural, community, agricultural and recreational resources where citizens,
government, and partner organizations
are working together to ensure that South Mountain as a whole, and the special places within, are understood, valued,
protected, and enjoyed for
generations to come.
Natural,
Agricultural, and Scenic Resources Goal: Protect the Natural Resources within the
Region.
Goal: Protect, preserve and
enhance the natural, agricultural, and scenic resources of
Objectives:
• Protect and retain water resources within the municipalities to
assure the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater for recreational
use, wildlife habitats, fire protection, and water supply. Of particular concern will be water supply
recharge areas,
• Protect groundwater and surface water from pollution and
excessive withdrawal.
• Protect and manage woodlands within the municipalities.
• Protect the steep slopes within the Township and Borough.
• Protect the actively farmed land remaining
in the Region
• Identify
techniques to encourage continual use of existing farmland, including the
Agricultural Preservation Program.
• Encourage the retention of existing desirable trees in the
Borough and Township and the planting of additional trees as part of a tree
planting program.
• Protect watersheds and wellhead areas.
• Encourage the preservation of the scenic road corridors and
views along them within
• Encourage creation of riparian buffers and retention of
greenways along the Region’s creeks.
• Support efforts of the South Mountain
Landscape Initiative.
Scenic
Resources
Preservation
of scenic resources can be accomplished through broad land use policies, such
as open space and woodland preservation and through attention to developments
as
they
are proposed. Performance and design
standards for developments, including siting of buildings and protection of
woodland can encourage retention of scenic areas.
Scenic Resources Goal: Protect
the Scenic Resources within the Region.
Objectives:
• Protect
scenic views, features and landscapes, and ensure for future generations views
of the scenic and natural beauty of the Region.
• Protect
the night sky from excessive light pollution.
• Minimize
the visibility of cell towers from roads within the Region.
Natural Resources
Actions:
A. Update zoning ordinances where applicable, and
consider adopting official maps to reflect the resource protection Goal and
Objectives of this Plan and to be consistent with the Future Land Use Map
(Figure 6.1). The resource protection
provisions of municipal zoning ordinances vary, and the approach taken by each municipality
will vary. Options include:
1. Use Natural Resource Protection
Standards and/or Net-Out Provisions for the following resources:
a. Floodplains
b. Wetlands
c. Wetland
Margins (buffers)
d. Watercourses
e. Water
bodies
f. Greater
than 25% slope
g. 15-25%
slope
2. Maintain Steep Slope Protection
Provisions:
a. Control
and limit development on steep slopes
• Require larger lot sizes and impose stricter
impervious restrictions for steep slopes of 15 to 25%
• Prohibit or severely restrict development
on slopes greater than 25%
3. Adopt
Groundwater Protection Provisions:
a. Protect aquifers through design
standards, construction guidelines, use restrictions, impervious limits, and
permit submission requirements.
4. Adopt Tree and
a. Limit clearance for development in both
subdivisions and land developments.
b. Require tree protection and replacement
during development.
c. Encourage the use of native species in
landscaping. Discourage invasive
species.
d. Establish limited clearance buffer
zones around the perimeter of new developments
5. Adopt provisions for Wetland, Wetland
Buffer, and Hydric Soil Protection:
a. Restrict
development in wetlands.
b. Establish consistent wetland, wet area,
and water body buffer (margin) requirements, such as 50 feet or 100 feet.
c. Require
wetland delineation in hydric soil areas.
6. Adopt Floodplain Protection Provisions:
a. Severely restrict development in
floodplains to compatible open space uses.
7. Establish Stream Corridor Overlay
Zoning and require forested Riparian Buffers:
a. Restrict
development and impervious surfaces.
b. Require riparian (vegetative) buffers
to moderate water temperatures, protect wildlife habitats, control
sedimentation, and reduce pollution.
c. Require greenways.
d. Utilize the Best Management Practices
where practical, and implement Act 167 Stormwater Management Plans.
e. Protect the Region’s streams.
8. Adopt
Outdoor Lighting Standards to control light pollution and protect the night sky:
a. Establish illumination levels that are
adequate but not excessive.
b. Require impacts on surrounding streets
and properties to be mitigated by directing light down, not up or out to sides
of fixtures.
c. Control glare.
9. Adopt Forestry
Regulations:
a. Require accepted silvicultural (forestry)
practices.
b. Require a forestry management plan.
c. Require stormwater and erosion and
sedimentation control.
d. Require properly constructed internal
logging roads and protection of public roads.
e. Require
soil erosion protection during steep slope forestry.
B. Update subdivision and land development
ordinances as necessary. Options to consider include the following:
1. Expand plan data requirements to
include a specific listing of environmental, scenic, historic, and cultural
resources.
2. Require developers to identify the
resources within their tracts, analyze the impacts of the development, and
mitigate those impacts.
3. Require environmental assessment
studies; hydrogeologic studies; scenic, historic and cultural resources impact
studies; plans for preservation of environmental, historic, and cultural resources;
and analysis of the site’s ability to support the proposed use and intensity.
4. Require developers to identify natural,
historic, scenic, architectural and cultural resources in their tracts and
incorporate them into the open space system.
Require management plans for open space as well as mechanisms to ensure
the continuation as open space.
In review of Subdivision and Land
Development Plans, requirements for setting aside open space can be used to
preserve conservation corridors and provide for greenways.
Requirements for setting aside open
space can also be used to protect targeted undeveloped areas and identified
natural areas pursuant to municipal plans.
5. Establish development guidelines for
development in groundwater recharge areas, including limits on impervious cover
and limits on on-site sewage disposal.
6. Require protection of vegetation during
site work.
7. Limit clearance on approved, but not
developed, lots. Potential techniques
include tree clearance ordinances, deed restrictions, net-out provisions, and
identification of permissible clearance areas during the development
process.
C. Create an Environmental Advisory Council
to work with municipal officials to preserve key tracts of open space, protect
environmental resources in the Region, and implement open space and recreation
plans.
Act 148 of 1973 authorizes any
municipality or group of municipalities to establish, by ordinance, an
Environmental Advisory Council to advise the local planning commissions, park
and recreation boards, and elected officials on matters dealing with the
protection, conservation, management, promotion, and use of natural resources
located in the municipality’s territorial limits.
Act 148 empowers Environmental
Advisory Councils to:
• Identify environmental problems and
recommend plans and programs to the appropriate municipal agencies for the
promotion and conservation of natural resources and for the protection and
improvement of the quality of the environment within its municipal boundaries;
• Keep an index of all open space,
publicly and privately owned, including flood-prone areas, and other unique
natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of
such areas;
• Advise the appropriate local
government agencies, including, but not limited to, the planning commission and
park and recreation board or, if none, the elected governing body, on the
acquisition of property, both real and personal.
D. Encourage formation of groups within the
community to adopt a stream and provide monitoring and oversight along the
stream corridor.
E. Pursue joint watershed planning
opportunities under the Growing Greener initiative and other programs in order
to protect community water resources.
Scenic Resources Actions in the Township:
A. Update zoning ordinance as necessary to
protect scenic resources. Options
include the following:
a. Require greater setbacks from scenic
roads.
b. Require additional landscaping, trees
and screening on site.
c. Establish standards for siting
buildings and building height.
d. Require retention of existing desirable
vegetation when it will not conflict with road safety concerns.
e. Impose sign limitations.
f. Require access management.
2. Adopt ridgeline protection zoning.
3. Maintain Sign Regulations:
a. Regulate billboards.
b. Maintain consistent and appropriate
signage standards along road corridors in the Region.
c. Encourage appropriate signage with
consideration of the following:
• Sign materials compatible with the
building style.
• Sign colors that complement building
façades.
• Hardware for projecting signs
integrated into the building architecture.
• Lettering
compatible with the building façade.
• Purpose of sign for identification
only.
• Restrict signs with off-premises
advertising.
• Lighted signs should illuminate the
sign area only.
• Signs do not obscure architectural
features or windows.
• Prohibition of roof-top signs.
• Window signs should not obscure
displays.
• Prohibition of flashing lights, neon
lights, moving lights, and unshielded light bulbs.
4. Require landscaping and buffering in commercial
and industrial Developments.
B. Update subdivision and land development
ordinance as necessary. Options include
the following:
1. Establish guidelines for development
near scenic roads and vistas.
2. Require tree plantings along streets in
both major and minor developments and both residential and non-residential
developments.
C. Minimize visual blight along the road
corridors in the Region to enhance the business climate. Work with the Franklin County Planning
Commission and PennDOT to identify illegal or non-compliant signage and enforce
applicable regulations. Establish responsibility
in each municipality for addressing this issue.
Green
Infrastructure
Green
Infrastructure is a strategically planned and managed network of wilderness,
parks, greenways, conservation easements, and working lands with conservation
value that supports native species, maintains natural ecological processes,
sustains air and water resources, and contributes to the health and quality of
life of the community.
The
Green Infrastructure network encompasses a wide range of landscape elements,
including natural areas such as wetlands, woodlands, waterways, and wildlife
habitat; public and private conservation lands such as nature preserves,
wildlife corridors, greenways, and parks; and public and private working lands
of conservation value such as forests and farms. It also incorporates outdoor
recreation and trail networks.
Forested Riparian Buffers
A forested riparian buffer is an area of
vegetation that is maintained along the shore of a water body to protect stream
water quality and stabilize stream channels and banks. The buffers provide the following benefits:
• Filter runoff – Rain that runs off the land
can be slowed and infiltrated in the buffer, settling out sediment, nutrients
and pesticides (nonpoint source pollution) before they reach streams.
• Take up nutrients – Fertilizers and other
pollutants that originate on the upslope land are taken up by tree roots. Nutrients are stored in leaves, limbs and
roots instead of reaching the stream.
Through a process called “denitrification,” bacteria in the forest floor
convert nitrate to nitrogen gas, which is released into the air.
• Provide shade – The leaf canopy’s shade
keeps the water cool, allowing it to retain more dissolved oxygen, and
encouraging growth of plants and aquatic insects that provide food for fish.
• Contribute leaf food – Leaves that fall
into the stream are trapped on fallen trees and rocks where they provide food
and habitat for organisms critical to the aquatic food chain.
• Provide habitat – Streams that travel
through woodlands provide more habitat for fish and wildlife. Woody debris provides cover for fish while
stabilizing stream bottoms.
• Provides migration corridors for wildlife.
• Safeguard water supplies by protecting
groundwater recharge areas.
• Provide flood control.
• Provide stormwater management potential – Natural
vegetation provides a basis for innovative stormwater management systems. Stormwater flows from retention basins can be
directed to, and allowed to flow through, buffers to reduce nutrient and
sediment loads.
• Improve water and air quality.
• Stimulate economic opportunities such as
providing valuable open space which may increase land values and, therefore,
the tax base.
• Provide some federal tax incentives to
landowners (depending on a landowner’s financial situation) willing and able to
place some of their lands under conservation easement.
• Reduce grounds maintenance.
• Provide recreational opportunities, and
associated economic benefits for recreation-related businesses.
• Provide educational and research
opportunities for local schools and colleges.
• Provide windbreak, shade, and visual
buffer.
Energy Conservation
The
Region is growing, and with this growth comes the increased reliance on energy
sources. Energy conservation is becoming
a high priority because the way we use our resources today will have a profound
effect on future generations. Land use
plans, land development regulations, building codes, and transportation
policies should be implemented to support the policy of energy
conservation.
As the
environmental impact of buildings becomes more apparent, a new field called green
building is arising to reduce that impact at the source. Green or sustainable
building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient
models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition.
Goal: Conserve
energy through appropriate land use and transportation planning techniques and
public education efforts.
Objectives:
• Promote
alternatives to motor vehicle use to improve air quality and conserve fossil
fuels.
• Maximize
recycling as the markets become available.
• Promote
mixed-use development patterns and densities that result in more compact
communities, encourage fewer and shorter vehicle trips, and limit the need to
extend infrastructure.
Actions:
1. Educate residents
and businesses regarding the benefits of energy conservation.
2. Review and update ordinances to include regulations
for energy efficient building and design techniques. Encourage the use
of renewable sources of energy, including solar, wind, and biomass (energy
from organic matter).