The monthly meeting of the Columbia Historic Architectural Review Board (H.A.R.B) was held last night in the Borough Hall conference room; chairperson Terry Sears convened the meeting at 7:00 pm and followed the meeting agenda (July HARB).

H.A.R.B. has regularly scheduled meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. Other Board members in attendance were: Jeffrey Helm, Building Inspector; Glen Schaeffer, Resident;  Elaine Beckley, Resident/Vice Chair and Suzanne Stallings, consultant. One resident attended the meeting. Whitney Pagan of Left of Center Photography presented several photographic concepts for the Board’s consideration.

Since 1961, Pennsylvania municipalities have had a unique opportunity for the preservation and restoration of areas which possess a degree of historical or architectural value. That year the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation, 1961 P.L. 282, No. 167 (known as Act 167), to enable municipalities, including counties, to designate certain areas as historic districts and to permit regulation of architectural elements in those areas.

The purpose of designating areas as historic districts is first, to protect the historic areas within the Commonwealth and, secondly, to promote the general welfare, education and culture of these districts. Through state enabling legislation, local governments can adopt historic district ordinances to regulate various facets of private property such as building spacing, texture and type of materials, and architectural details. Functioning historic districts can stabilize or even increase property values, encourage tourism, foster an increase in civic pride and contribute to quality of life in the community.

Chapter 130 of Columbia’s code defines the scope, duties and responsibilities of the Historic Architectural Review Board.  “An Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) is hereby erected and established with its members to be appointed by Borough Council. The Pennsylvania Law referenced above states, “The governing body of the political subdivision is authorized to appoint a Board of Historical Architectural Review … .” The law continues with the verbiage that was adopted by Columbia as it established its H.A.R.B.

The HARB shall be composed of not less than five members and, of those: one member shall be a registered architect; one member shall be a licensed real estate broker; one member shall be the Building Inspector; and the remaining members shall be property owners who reside in the historic district who have a demonstrated interest, knowledge, ability, experience or expertise in restoration, historic rehabilitation, or neighborhood conservation or revitalization and who have an interest in the preservation of the historic district.

Except as set forth in Subsection B of this section, members shall serve terms of five years.

B.Upon adoption of this chapter, Borough Council shall appoint persons to serve as members of the HARB for the following terms, it being understood that following expiration of those initial terms all subsequent appointees shall serve the term set forth in Subsection A of this section:

1. One member shall be appointed for a term of one year;
2. One member shall be appointed for a term of two years;
3. One member shall be appointed for a term of three years;
4. One (two if more than a five-member board) member(s) shall be appointed for a term of four years; and
5. One (two if more than a five-member board) member(s) shall be appointed for a term of five years.

C. Vacancies on the HARB shall be filled by Borough Council within 90 days. Should Borough Council fail to fill any vacancy within that period, the HARB may petition the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County to fill the vacancy.

D.  The position of any member of HARB appointed in his capacity as a registered architect, building official or licensed real estate broker who ceases to be so engaged shall be automatically considered vacant.

E.  Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired portion of the term of the vacancy being filled.

F. Any HARB member may be removed for misconduct or wrongdoing or failure to perform his responsibilities pursuant to this chapter, or for other just cause by a majority vote of the Borough Council, which vote shall not be taken until the HARB member has been given the opportunity of a hearing before Borough Council regarding the alleged infractions or acts of misconduct.

G. HARB members shall serve without compensation.

“The HARB is the functional arm of the Borough’s Historic District Ordinance. The Board works to develop comprehensive design guidelines, educational materials and offerings to promote the concept of historic preservation and gain widespread public support.

“All exterior work proposed for buildings in the Borough’s Historic District is examined, from permit applications to the Borough, by the Board’s consultant. Work that can be ‘administratively approved’ by the consultant is released for immediate construction. Work need HARB approval is presented by the applicant to the Board for consideration of approtriateness (sic). The Board provides recommendations to Borough Council for approval.

“Potential applicants are encouraged to ask to be placed on the meeting agenda to discuss design concepts and receive comments from the HARB before dinalizing (sic) their conceptual plans and submitting a completed application. 

“The HARB is composed of not less than five members and, of those: one member shall be a registered architect; one member shall be a licensed real estate broker; one member shall be the building inspector; and the remaining members shall be property owners who reside in the historic district who have a demonstrated (sic) interest, knowledge, ability, experience or expertise in restoration, historic rehabilitation, or neighborhood conservation or revitalization and who have an interest in the preservation of the historic district.

“Members: Suzanne Stallings, consultant; Sandy Zercher, Realtor; Jeffrey Helm, Building Inspector; Glen Schaeffer, Resident; Janet Wood, Resident; Elaine Beckley, Resident/Vice Chair; Terry Sears, Resident, Chair.”