White Clay Creek National Wild And Scenic River

Meeting for the Proposed London Tract Historic District

7:00p.m. June 28, 2004

The Meeting House, Bi-state Preserve

Summary

Chuck Barscz, Manager, National Rivers Program, National Park Service, welcomed everyone and explained the White Clay Wild and Scenic Program’s interest and involvement in the proposed London Tract Historic District.

Martin Wells, resident and member of the White Clay Creek Watershed Management Committee, described the historic resources in the proposed London Tract Historic District.

Bob Wise, Wise Preservation Planning, explained what a Historic District is, the nomination process, and how the designation affects homeowners. He also distributed a handout detailing much of his talk. The proposed boundary along with a portion of the Pennsylvania side of the preserve from the Meeting House/Park office area to just above Broad Run (map in the handout).

This was followed by a lively question and answer period where residents and other attendees asked questions of Martin Wells, Bob Wise, Chuck Barscz, and Jeanine Lukens of Chester County Planning Commission, and discussed pro’s and con’s. Some residents had concerns about the effect on their future use of their property but overall the response from the audience was enthusiastic. The questions and responses are summarized on the following pages. For more information see:

historic preservation information:

• Bob Wise, Wise Preservation, 610-722-5818

Jenine Lukens, Chester County Planning, jlukens@chester.org

White Clay Creek Watershed Management Committee information:

Chuck Barscz then described the next steps. The Executive Subcommittee will discuss the community’s response at the July meeting (probably 2^nd to last week of July), refine their goals for historic preservation, and make a final decision on whether to proceed with the nomination. Anyone with further input should direct comments to Linda Stapleford.

Questions/Answers/Comments Summary

• Since about 90-95% of the proposed district is in the park, what is the advantage to this further protection? Several. It makes residents more aware and appreciative of the local history. Many people value local history and seek out and enjoy the ‘status’ of living in an historic district. It also provides higher status for seeking grant money for any desired restoration/education efforts. (Several of the buildings within the park are in poor condition.)
• Isn’t this going to restrict repairs and remodeling of the properties? No, the historic registration itself has no restriction provisions on what is done to the property, including demolition. Restrictions would only apply IF a local ordinance is passed that does so. The township does not currently have any plans for such an ordinace. For any listed commercial or residential rental properties, it actually provides an investment tax credit.
• What is the impact on the park? Concern was raised that the state might have some type of restrictions that would then apply to the preserve buildings’ repairs. Bill Morton, park manager, did not think there were any such restrictions. It should have only a positive impact.
• Once the nomination report is complete and accepted, each property owner within the proposed district get to vote if they want to see the district listed. If a majority oppose, it will not be listed.
• Is this going to cost the residents? Who’s paying? The project is funded by the National Park Service through the White Clay Wild and Scenic River program.
• How many residences are included in the proposed district? There are a total of 23 tax parcels, but only eight private landowners.
• Why do property owners sometimes oppose a district? Some fear this is a step toward property restrictions or notoriety (that the public will suddenly be attracted to the area and maybe even trespass). Again, restrictions would only be introduced if the municipality passes an ordinance. There is no signage or public access required.
• What further advantage is there in the district being listed since it already has been studied and deemed eligible? Road construction projects will look more carefully at areas within either category, but they will probably be aware sooner if the district is listed. It was pointed out that since so much of the area is a preserve, the Department of Transportation already would be cautious with road projects. Grants are significantly easier to obtain if an area is listed than if it is just eligible, so again this could be an advantage for restoration efforts within the park.
• Do non-contributing property owners have any say in the process? Yes, they have equal voice with contributing property owners – each property has one vote regardless of size. So the park would have one vote just like each private residence has.
• A municipal overlay is probably possible without the district being listed just based on the park and eligibility.
• Who’s idea is this? Where is the driving force for this project? It is local interest. Residents purchased their properties based on their historic features and they value those features and want to see their properties and the area’s history preserved. The Wild and Scenic program’s Watershed Management Committee was approached by a local resident, Martin Wells, to see if they could assist with the historic district nomination. He had begun the process himself, but realized he needed professional assistance.
• The historic landscape has been mentioned. Can I plant trees in an area that once was fields and pastures? Will there be restrictions on landscaping? No, only if the municipality creates those later through ordinance language.
• The Wild and Scenic program’s Watershed Management Committee hopes to partner with the park and seek funding for restoration efforts and to use the information complied in this study in education programs.
• How does the County view eligible v. listed districts in their county planning process? It has no bearing. The County does not take on local planning issues but instead assists the municipalities in their efforts.
• A number of issues have been discussed this evening: protection of historic properties, compilation of local history, concern for future restrictions, historic project funding assistance. Perhaps a refining of goals is the first step.

Attendance

Chuck Barscz (NPS, WCCWMC)

Sally Cheyne (London Britain Township, WCCWMC)

Lois DiVincenzo *

Andrea and George Dunmire

Tom Gardner

Bill Graham*

David Hawk (WCCWMC, WCWA, New Garden Township)

Robert Hailstone*

Seth Hinshaw (Wise Preservation)

Michael Leis

Jenine Lukens (Chester County Planning Comm.)

Jake Michael (Chester County Planning Comm., WCCWMC)

Dorothy Miller (WCCWMC, WCWA, Bi-s tate Preserve Comm.)

Bill Morton (White Clay Creek State Preserve Manager)

Lise Parker*

P. Jay Penrose

April Schmitt

Linda Stapleford (WCCWMC)

John and Carol Starzmann*

Patricia Walters

William Webb (WCCWMC)

Guy Webster*

Martin Wells* (WCCWMC)

Leon Wilkinson (WCCWMC)

Bob Wise (Wise Preservation)

Tom Zawislak (WCWA, WCCWMC)