Historic preservation in Pennsylvania local government
What Pennsylvania city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about historic preservation — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
570 Pennsylvania meetings since 2024 covered historic preservation. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Pennsylvania with the most historic preservation activity
- West Chester, PA (88)
- Malvern, PA (53)
- Gettysburg, PA (45)
- Allentown, PA (38)
- Sewickley, PA (34)
- Easton, PA (32)
- Oxford, PA (28)
- New Hope, PA (25)
- Lansdowne, PA (22)
- Erie, PA (22)
- Sykesville, PA (21)
- Pittsburgh, PA (19)
Latest matching meetings
Public hearing on historic designation for Allegheny Arsenal site
The Committee on Hearings and Policy is holding a public hearing on a resolution to designate the Allegheny Arsenal Officers Quarters and Wall Segments in Lower Lawrenceville as a Historic Site under Title 11 of the City Code. The property owner supports the nomination, and the designation would cost the City nothing.
Historic Commission reviews 5 property requests including sign, roof, porch, remodel
The Manheim Borough Historic Commission is meeting to review five property modification requests, including a freestanding sign, a roof replacement, a porch alteration, a full renovation, and window/door replacements. The commission will also approve minutes from the August meeting. No other business is listed.
Zoning board to hear three variance requests, including garage, bank signs, warehouse
The West Whiteland Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold public hearings on three variance requests. The first is a continuation for a homeowner seeking to build a detached garage and extend a driveway that would exceed impervious cover limits and rear yard setbacks. The second is from FirsTrust Bank for…
Board to vote on Allen easement purchase offer
The Butler County Agricultural Land Preservation Board is meeting to review and possibly vote on an easement purchase offer for the Allen property (2026-2), including whether to allow 50% adjustments and out-of-county comparables. They will also receive updates on other preservation projects and decide on 2027 meeting…
Historic board to review Dunkin' Donuts facade and St. Phil's roof
The Lansdowne Historic Architectural Review Board is meeting to review two applications: a facade change at the Dunkin' Donuts at 23 E Baltimore Ave and a roof replacement for the St. Phil's school building. The board will also discuss community education and approve minutes from previous meetings.
HARB reviews sign, facade work at two West Chester properties
The Historical & Architectural Review Board is meeting to review two applications: one for sign and façade painting at 208 E. Market St and one for façade work at 50 W. Gay Street. The board will also consider approval of the July 30, 2026 meeting minutes. This is a regular meeting with no other major items listed.
Historic District Commission to review two Main Street applications
The Sykesville Historic District Commission will consider two applications: one for a new wall sign and modification to an existing freestanding sign at 7618 Main Street, and another for replacing vinyl siding with Hardie Plank siding at 7503 Main Street. The commission will also review minutes from the July 22, 2026…
Historic board reviews six property alteration requests
The Historical & Architectural Review Board will hold its regular meeting to review six property alteration requests, including paint, windows, doors, siding, porch, roof, and sign changes. The board will also approve minutes from the July 28 meeting. No other substantive actions are listed.
Council to vote on parking garage deal, roof contract, and 8 historic approvals
Easton City Council will discuss and vote on several resolutions, including a developer agreement with Northampton County for a proposed parking garage at 669 Washington St, a contract with Beaver Home Improvements to replace the roof at College Hill Fire Station, and an agreement with Wolverine Constructors for trail…
Council discusses parking pilot programs and sidewalk ordinance revisions
The Gettysburg Borough Council will hold a work session to discuss new parking pilot programs, including discounted rates for conferences and extended meter enforcement. The meeting will also cover revisions to the sidewalk ordinance regarding clutter and outdoor dining, as well as updates to historic district…
Historical Commission plans Benjamin Franklin event for America 250
The West Goshen Historical Commission is meeting for routine business: approving minutes, reviewing treasurer expenses, and discussing upcoming events. The main new item is a joint America 250 celebration with East Goshen featuring a Benjamin Franklin presentation.
HARB to review modification at 204 Midland Ave, Wayne
The Radnor Historical & Architectural Review Board is meeting to approve minutes from August 6, 2026, and review one application (HARB 2026-25) for a modification of a side elevation opening at 204 Midland Ave, Wayne, PA. The meeting is scheduled for September 2, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The next…
Planning Commission to review Heritage Center plans and zoning code changes
The Malvern Planning Commission is meeting to review revised plans for the Heritage Center project, including sewer planning, and to discuss proposed amendments to the borough's zoning and subdivision ordinances. The agenda includes a landscape fee in lieu option and new short-term rental requirements. The commission…
Historical Commission meets; routine reports, no major votes
The West Chester Historical Commission is holding its regular monthly meeting. The agenda consists of routine business: approving July minutes, receiving committee reports, and discussing ongoing projects like the Historic Atlas, Lafayette Week, and the Oral History Project. No major decisions, public hearings, or…
Board votes on purchase offers for Erk and Peck farms and updates Significant Ag Areas map
The Wayne County Agricultural Land Preservation Board will vote on offers to purchase the Martin Erk and Peck farms, both of which have completed appraisals. The board will also approve the Significant Ag Areas map and pay $1,750 invoices to VanFleet Appraisals for the two farm evaluations. Financial reports indicate…
Historical Commission to review markers, mural, and 1713 committee report
The Upper Merion Township Historical Commission is meeting to discuss several ongoing projects, including the status of the 250 Tuesday initiative, historical markers with QR codes, a mural update, and the 1713 Establishment Committee report. The commission will also review its by-laws and handle routine…
Council to vote on data center zoning in Heavy Industrial District
The Norristown Municipal Council will hold a public hearing and vote on Ordinance 26-04, which would allow data centers as conditional uses in the Heavy Industrial District. The council will also consider authorizing advertisement of a zoning amendment for keeping hens, hear a presentation on a proposed 48-unit…
Board to vote on $491,200 Creutzberg Center renovation design contract
The Radnor Board of Commissioners will consider several resolutions and ordinances, including a $491,200 contract for architectural services for the Creutzberg Center renovations, a new ordinance for a handicap parking space on Highland Avenue, and multiple consent agenda items covering police equipment, insurance…
Council to vote on joining regional police department
The Oxford Borough Council is meeting to consider several items, including a resolution to join the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department, subject to similar approvals by neighboring townships. The council will also vote on a payroll services contract, a special event permit for a Halloween parade, and a…
Planning Commission to review Gettysburg Station plan and Hopkins House application
The Gettysburg Planning Commission will review updates on the Gettysburg Station mixed-use development at 108 N. Stratton Street, including traffic study and plan comments, and consider accepting the Hopkins House land development application at 219 S. Washington Street. The meeting also includes discussion of a…
EAC to review zoning, budget, and preservation fund recommendation
The Malvern Environmental Advisory Council is meeting to discuss and potentially act on several environmental initiatives, including zoning amendments, a native planting ordinance, and the 2027 budget. They will also consider a recommendation to fully fund the Chester County preservation fund and review ongoing…
Ag Land Preservation Board to review subdivision request, 2026 offers
The Cumberland County Agricultural Land Preservation Board will meet to consider a formal subdivision request from Mabel Strock and review Round 1 of 2026 offers for agricultural easements. The board will also receive updates on 2023-2026 farm statuses, board membership, and a stewardship report, including a rural…
Committee to vote on townhouse plan, solicitor attendance, and ordinance edits
The Smart Growth Committee will vote on a preliminary land development plan for townhouses at 410 S High St, decide whether to direct the Solicitor to attend zoning hearings for two properties, and consider minor edits to Chapter 66. They will also discuss large party permits and unresolved food truck ordinance items…
Council to decide on liquor license transfer and Herbst House demolition
The Sewickley Borough Council will hold a public hearing and vote on transferring a liquor license to Sewickley Hospitality Group at 424 Walnut Street. They will also consider a motion to deny demolition of the Herbst House at 200 Walnut Street, based on findings that the structure is salvageable and no economic…
Malvern Historical Commission to review Heritage Center and 2027 budget
The Malvern Historical Commission is holding its regular monthly meeting. The main items are a review of the Heritage Center, updates on various projects including the 2026 Preservation Awards and the Questors walking tour, and a financial update on the 2027 budget. The meeting also includes approval of prior minutes…
Historic Commission reviews warehouse additions at Joseph Price House
The West Whiteland Township Historical Commission will review two development proposals: a plan by Regal Builders to add to the Joseph Price House at 401 Clover Mill Rd. and construct two warehouses, and a signage package for FirsTrust Bank at Whitford Hall, 233 W. Lincoln Hwy. Both require variance applications to…
Historic Commission to review new door and deck at 133 N Main
The Manheim Borough Historic Commission will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes from April 2026 and review a request by Phil Fiore for 133 N Main to replace two windows with French doors and potentially add a deck on the north side of the building. The request is classified as Type II, 3. No other business is…
Committee to review Heritage Center plans, funding, and video status
The Paoli Battlefield Master Plan Ad Hoc Committee will review updates on the Heritage Center's MPC review process and funding, as well as the status of video and historical materials. Finalizing the Paoli Memorial Grounds and the National Historic Landmark application are on hold until Heritage Center plans are…
Council to vote on CDBG grants, HARB approvals, and executive session items
The Gettysburg Borough Council will hold its regular business meeting, voting on several motions related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, including a $127,226 ADA curb project, and considering individual recommendations from the Historic Architectural Review Board for certificates of…
Historical Commission to discuss Fort Patton update and Newside land conveyance
The Lower Paxton Township Historical Commission is meeting to discuss old business, including an update on Fort Patton, approval of a land conveyance related to Newside, and plans for a September re-dedication presentation. They will also review a tri-fold brochure. The agenda includes no new business items and is…
HARB reviews building additions and sign installations
The New Hope Historic Architectural Review Board is meeting to conduct formal reviews of four property applications. The board will evaluate proposed structural changes and signage for businesses on Mechanic and Bridge Streets.
HARB to review fence and porch enclosure at two N 17th St properties
The Allentown Historical Architectural Review Board will consider two new business items: a proposed front fence at 37 N 17th Street and enclosing a rear second-level porch with two windows at 223 N 17th Street. Approved cases will go to City Council on August 12; denied cases go to a committee; tabled cases are…
Historic Review Commission to review additions and design revisions
The Historic Review Commission will meet to discuss two specific property requests. The body will also hold discussions regarding Design Guidelines and the HRC Ordinance.
Planning Commission discusses zoning topics and townhome projects in work session
The West Chester Planning Commission holds a work session to review zoning topics and discuss several townhome projects. Items include sketch plans for 328-332 W Washington Street and 339 W Gay Street, as well as a proposed vape shop ordinance. Commission members will also present on preservation initiatives and…
HARB reviews four historic-district applications for exterior changes
The Historical & Architectural Review Board will hold a public hearing to review four applications for proposed work on properties in the historic district, including a front railing at 122 S. High St, a sign at 145 W. Gay St, an ATM awning at 200 N. High St, and HVAC equipment at 18/20 W. Market St. The board will…
Malvern Historical Commission to review preservation awards and event plans
The Malvern Historical Commission will meet on July 28, 2026, to discuss new business including the 2026 Preservation Awards, found terracotta pipes, and plans for a 2027 walking tour. Unfinished business includes updates on a deed of gift, honoring Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, and participation in the Paoli Battlefield ad…
Council to discuss Gettysburg Welcome Center construction and management issues
The Borough Council holds a work session to discuss new and ongoing business, including a vacant property registry, sidewalk ordinance revisions, the Gettysburg Welcome Center project, the 2026 Street Preservation Project, and the 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan. An executive session is scheduled to address…
Board to review Certificate of Appropriateness for Chamber Building
The Historic Preservation Advisory Board will meet to elect its leadership and discuss various preservation reports. The board is also reviewing a Certificate of Appropriateness for a specific building.
Historical Commission reviews 250 activities and treasurer expenditures
The West Goshen Historical Commission will hold a standard procedural meeting on July 23, 2026. The agenda includes approving minutes from June 25, reviewing treasurer expenditures, and providing an update on existing 250 activities. No specific new ordinances, contracts, or major decisions are listed.
Board will discuss survey bids and review pending land‑preservation items
The Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation Board will review old business items, including the woodland donation threshold and rural enterprise language. New business includes a discussion of the chair's role and consideration of survey bids from Digman, Gray, and Michael. The meeting also allows public comment…