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Lower Makefield historical commission votes to recommend ordinance update to meet CLG guidance
Summary
The commission voted unanimously July 8 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors update the historic commission ordinance and adopt three core goals to meet Certified Local Government (CLG) guidance: advocate for preservation, curate township historic resources and provide education. A HARB member urged formalized review procedures during public comment.
The Lower Makefield Township Historical Commission voted unanimously on July 8, 2026, to recommend that the Board of Supervisors update the commission ordinance to meet Certified Local Government (CLG) guidance by codifying three goals: advocate for preservation, curate township history resources and educate the public.
The motion was moved by a commission member and seconded; commissioners approved the recommendation by voice vote. Chair (speaker 1) summarized the three goals, listing them as “advocate for preservation of township historic resources, curate resources on township history [and] educate on township history and the importance of preservation.”
The commission discussed the scope of any recommendation, agreeing to keep goal language broad enough to allow the Board of Supervisors to accept, reject or modify recommendations. Members noted CLG suggestions included updates to the ordinance, bylaws and design guidelines and debated separating educational functions from regulatory review so responsibilities would not overlap with the Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB).
Committee member (speaker 5) moved the substantive motion, stating, “I move that we recommend to these supervisors an updated ongoing performance standard to meet CLG requirements based on our 3 goals as just mentioned.” Chair seconded the motion and members voted in favor; the commission recorded the motion as unanimous.
During public comment, Steven Hines, a member of the Historic Architecture Review Board, urged the commission to consider recommending the township formalize review procedures so approval outcomes are predictable. Hines said the current process is “kinda hit or missed to a large extent” and suggested clearer checklists for first, second and final reviews after citing recent local development as an example of inconsistent results.
Commission members responded that strengthening ordinance language and providing clearer goals could support HARB’s work without supplanting HARB’s authority. They also noted the commission can advocate to the Board of Supervisors for process improvements if HARB requests assistance.
Next steps: the commission will forward its recommendation on ordinance updates and the stated goals to the Board of Supervisors for consideration; the commission reconvenes Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
