Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB)

HARB Ordinance (Art. 1731)

About HARB

The purpose of the City of York, Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), is to regulate the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of buildings within the (local) historic districts (as designated by York City Council). HARB is much misunderstood. It is a local historic district, which is separate from the National Register Historic District. (Most residents will have no contact with the National Register district regulations, unless government money, tax credits, or a government agency is involved in their project.) HARB is only an advisory board to City Council – all decisions rendered must receive a majority vote of Council, or they do not stand. Although Council votes in favor of most HARB decisions, Council has overturned HARB in the past, on both major and minor issues. HARB is composed of 7 regular and 3 alternate members, appointed by City Council. Of those members, 1 member must be recommended by the York County Heritage Trust, 1 member must be a registered architect, 1 member must be a licensed real estate broker, and 1 member must be a building inspector. Four members must be residents of / or property owners in the City of York, and all members must have demonstrated interest or related expertise in historic buildings. If you live in the HARB District and are proposing to do any exterior work which is visible from a pbulic street or alley, you must receive HARB approval before undertaking the work even if a permit is not required. HARB has a paid consultant, currently JMT, who reviews all applications and writes a review of each application for the Board to consider. HARB is constantly trying to streamline its process and many items are now either exempted or are dealt with as “staff reviews” and do not have to come before the HARB Board at all. Furthermore, the consultant is constantly available to advise anyone on what the HARB Board will be looking for from each application. A brief history: HARBs were authorized in Pennsylvania by the “Historic District Act” dated July 13, 1961. York City Council established York’s HARB by ordinance in 1970, and its second in 1975. A larger HARB district, which encompasses the first two, was established in 2002.

Meetings

2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers – 1st Floor 101 S. George St. *Unless another location or time is advertised.

  • HARB Members

    HARB is composed of 7 regular and 3 alternate members, appointed by City Council. Of those members, 1 member must be recommended by the York County Heritage Trust, 1 member must be a registered architect, 1 member must be a licensed real estate broker, and 1 member must be a building inspector. Four members must be residents of / or property owners in the City of York, and all members must have demonstrated interest or related expertise in historic buildings. HARB Members

    1. Dennis Kunkle, Chair, City Resident, Recommended by the York County Heritage Trust – Five year term expires on first Monday of January 2026
    2. Robyn Pottorff, Vice Chair, Real Estate Agent – Five year term expires on first Monday of January 2024
    3. Joe R. Downing (Filled unexpired term of John Fox) – Five year term expires on first Monday of January 2022
    4. Craig Zumbrun, City Resident – Five year term expires first Monday of January 2022
    5. Dave Redshaw, Building Inspector – Five year term expires on first Monday of January 2021
    6. Ruth Robbins, City Resident – Five year term expires on first Monday of January 2022 (Filled unexpired term of Justine Landis)
    7. Mark D. Shermeyer, Registered Architect/City Business-Property Owner – Five-year term expires on first Monday of January 2022

    Alternate Members

    1. Mark Skehan – Five year term expires on first Monday of January 2021
    2. Rebecca Zeller – Five year term expires on first Monday of January 2021
    3. VACANT – Five year term expires on first Monday of January 2020 (To fill unexpired term of Teresa Johnescu)
  • 2020 HARB Meetings

    January 9, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    January 23, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    February 13, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    February 27, 2020 – No Applications. Meeting Canceled.
    March 12, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)

    Due to the City of York’s Declaration of Disaster Emergency regarding concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, HARB meetings are canceled until the declaration is lifted and/or the threat is eradicated. 

    March 26, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes) – Disaster emergency in effect. Meeting Canceled.
    April 9, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    April 23, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    May 14, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    May 28, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    June 11, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    June 25, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    July 9, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    July 23, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    August 13, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    August 27, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    September 10, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    September 24, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    October 8, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    October 22, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    November 12, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    December 10, 2020 (Agenda)(Minutes)

  • 2019 HARB Meetings

    January 10, 2019 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    January 24, 2019 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    February 14, 2019 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    February 28, 2019 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    March 14, 2019 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    March 28, 2019 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    April 11, 2019 (Agenda) – Meeting Canceled. Rescheduled to April 25, 2019
    April 25, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    May 9, 2019 – No Applications. Meeting Canceled.
    May 23, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    June 13, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    June 27, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    July 11, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    July 25, 2019 – No Applications. Meeting Canceled.
    August 8, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    August 22, 2019 – No Applications. Meeting Canceled.
    September 12, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    September 26, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    October 10, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    October 24, 2019 – (Minutes)
    November 14, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)
    December 12, 2019 – (Agenda)(Minutes)

  • 2018 HARB Meetings

    WHAT: HARB meetings are held on 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month TIME: 6:00 p.m. WHERE: City Council Chambers – 1st Floor, 101 S. George St. *Unless another location or time is advertised.

    January 11, 2018 – No applications. Meeting Canceled.
    January 25, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    February 8, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)(Note: HARB did not have quorum on 2/8/18 so they met in special session on 2/16/18)
    February 22, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    March 8, 2018 – No applications. Meeting Canceled.
    March 22, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    April 12, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    April 26, 2018 – No applications. Meeting Canceled.
    May 10, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    May 24, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    June 14, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    June 28, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    July 12, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    July 26, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    August 9, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    August 23, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    September 13, 2018 (Minutes)
    September 27, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    October 11, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    October 25, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    November 8, 2018 (Agenda)(Minutes)
    December 13, 2018

  • 2017 HARB Meetings
  • Contact Information
    • Mary Alfson Tinsman Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) Email: MAlfson@jmt.com Phone: 717.741.6224 Fax: 717.741.9100

HARB Documents and Info

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