What is HARB?

HARB in Upper Allen Township stands for the Historical Architectural Review Board. It is an advisory board of the Township. The Township’s HARB page says its purpose is to help protect the historic character of the Township’s four historic districts, and that it operates under Pennsylvania’s Historic District Act 167 of 1961, as amended. Under Chapter 155 of the Township Code, HARB reviews certain building permit applications involving properties in Township historic districts. The code says HARB considers applications for work such as erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition, or razing within a historic district, then provides written recommendations for the Township governing body to consider. The governing body then decides whether to issue or deny a certificate of appropriateness, which is required before the permit can be issued for covered work. 

Upper Allen Township’s historic districts are identified on the Township’s Historic Districts page as Shepherdstown, Rosegarden, Trout Run, and Yellow Breeches. 

The Township’s HARB agendas and minutes page states that meeting records are publicly available, and the Township website calendar shows HARB as a regular Township meeting body. The HARB page also states meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m