Mt. Lebanon’s Virginia Manor could become a local historic district
Residents of Mt. Lebanon’s Virginia Manor neighborhood learned more Aug. 13 about its possible designation as a local historic district.
Tracy Zinn, principal with T&B Planning of Murrysville, gave a presentation on the design guide her firm is in the process of developing for the upscale area in the northwest part of Mt. Lebanon.
The purpose of the guide, which is subject to further public review and comment prior to the drafting of a final version, is to provide a framework for homeowners to consider when contemplating changes to their properties.
“It’s a document that contains guidelines that, if followed, will retain the existing character of your neighborhood,” Zinn told the residents who packed the commission chambers in the municipal building.
She said the guidelines differ from zoning regulations, which address considerations such as house size and placement within a lot.
“Design guidelines go further and speak to things like architecture and style of houses,” she explained. “We’re talking about broad concepts, things like home demolitions, new construction, major home additions, major exterior modifications.”
How seriously the guidelines are considered differs by municipality.
“We work with many communities that have design guidelines and implement them voluntarily. However, in historic neighborhoods, if desired, all or part of design guidelines can be regulated by a local government,” Zinn said, referencing provisions of Pennsylvania Historic District Act of 1961. “And that is being contemplated here.”
T&B Planning’s scope of work includes preparation of a draft ordinance, which could include the design guidelines, to designate Virginia Manor as a local historic district. Any such measure would be subject to approval by commissioners.
As part of establishing a local historic district, a historical architectural review board would be created to serve as a resource to property owners who are planning additions or new construction, according to information provided by the municipality.
If implemented, the ordinance could serve as a template for other Mt. Lebanon neighborhoods in which residents might seek a historic designation.
In 2013, group of Virginia Manor property owners approached the municipal historic preservation board to seek assistance in preserving the character of their neighborhood, especially with respect to the original architectural styles. The board subsequently compiled information about local historic district designation, which was presented to residents in May 2014.
This year, the municipality hired T&B Planning for a one-time fee of $24,645, which includes researching Virginia Manor, drafting the design guide, conducting public meetings and preparing a draft ordinance.
At Thursday’s meeting, Zinn encouraged public comment as part of the process. Many of those in attendance expressed concern about how designation as a local historic district could affect their rights as property owners.
The next public meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10.
Virginia Manor was developed by future Pennsylvania Gov. James Duff starting in 1926. Property deeds sold by the development company required that houses be designed by private architects and meet the approval of an architect named Thomas Benner Garman, who apparently reviewed plans through 1954, according to T&B Planning’s research.