Historical Architectural Review Board

About the HARB

• Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB)  is a seven-member Board, consisting of six residents and one Building & Codes Official, and meets on the first Wednesday of each month. 
• The HARB safeguards the heritage of the Township by preserving and regulating the Kemblesville Historic District to reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history.
• ​​Franklin Township Ordinance 2003-06
• If you are an owner of property in the Historic District and are planning on doing any work to your property, please see the attached Guidelines and Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Application. If you have any questions about whether or not your project requires a COA, please call Mark Gordon, the Township Building and Code Official. Jeff is in the Township Office on Tuesday's from Noon until 3:00 PM (610) 255-5212.
• Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, as needed. Meetings begin at the conclusion of the Historical Commission Meeting which begins at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.​

Reminder for Homeowners in the Historic District

If you are considering doing exterior work on your property, the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) would like to remind you that a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) may need to be obtained before a Building Permit can be issued. The COA process involves an application to the HARB, a vote of recommendation from the HARB, and a subsequent vote of approval from the Board of Supervisors. The members of the HARB would like this process to be as easy and straightforward as possible, and urge residents to talk with Jeff Vogels, the Township Code Enforcement Officer, very early in your planning—even before you have spoken to a contractor—to understand what is involved.