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Historic commission raises alarms after recent demolitions; board and staff debate process
Summary
Historic Commission members told the board that recent demolitions in Berwin village exposed gaps between demolition permit triggers and historic-review procedures; staff and the board discussed clarifying ordinance language, improving notice and allocating resources for a systematic register update.
Members of the Easttown Township Historic Commission told the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 6 that recent demolitions in the Berwin village area (noted as addresses in the 700 block) left the commission and residents feeling blindsided, and they urged changes to ensure earlier notice and review for properties that contribute to village character.
Historic Commission representatives said demolition permits for properties that are not yet listed as historic (but are part of a group of potentially contributing properties) can proceed without a commission review because the current ordinance triggers historic-commission review only for class-one or -two resources or for exterior renovations that involve the front façade. Commission members argued that demolition is a substantial exterior change that should be re-examined for village character impacts.
Staff and consultants explained that the ordinance was deliberately written so that the first building permit (rather than every minor permit) triggers certain reviews, to avoid tying up minor repairs in protracted reviews. They acknowledged, however, that the current configuration can create incentives for demolition before a property is evaluated for the historic register. Staff said the planning office can improve communications to give the Historic Commission earlier notice when demolition permits are filed and that some properties are already being prepared for formal addition to the register.
Board members and staff discussed possible remedies: revising the ordinance to change the permit trigger for demolition, accelerating the register-evaluation process (staff estimated it could take about six months to process a large batch), and identifying potential budget resources or grants to fund necessary historic-resource studies. The board agreed to convene a meeting with staff and commission members to set a format and timeline for adding properties to the register and to present a plan for 2026 if additional budget is needed.
Why it matters: Commission members said there are roughly 80 candidate properties that may merit listing; without improved notice or ordinance changes, demolition could proceed before the township has a chance to consider preservation options. The discussion centered on process, not on a specific prohibition of demolition; staff repeatedly noted that current code does not permit withholding demolition permits absent an ordinance change.
What comes next: Staff committed to meeting with the Historic Commission to develop a format and schedule for bringing candidate properties before the board, and the Commission plans to prepare materials for the board to consider funding or process changes for 2026.
