Historic Buffering Considered

Fayette County, Penn. is one historic place. Among its treasuries is Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. However, it is also home to some 50 historic building / sites that the planning commission seeks to buffer from developments.

Fayette County, Penn. (pop. 145,651) is home to 15 historic districts, 48 historic markers, 50 historic buildings/sites and home to five national historic landmarks.

A proposed amendment to the Fayette County, Penn. zoning ordinance dealing with development around historic sites is being debated. The planning commission previously recommended approval of the amendment, saying that approving the amendment would bring the county into compliance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, which states that zoning ordinances must protect natural and historic features and resources.

The proposed amendment states that if a commercial development borders or is within 300 feet of a historic property, a landscape screen must be installed.

Under the historic provision, parking can’t be dominant in the development and must be put to the side and rear.

The amendment includes a list of 72 county properties listed on or eligible for inclusion in the register of historic sites through the Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission.

The amendment includes a provision that the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development can consult with various historic and/or cultural agencies about development occurring near historic properties.

The owner of a historic building, however, can raze it or make changes that affect its historic character.