South Whitehall commissioners have approved a zoning ordinance amendment relating to historic resources.

The amendment, approved July 2, promotes "retention of community character through preservation of the local heritage by recognition and protection of historic resources."

The action was undertaken in response to proposed re-development of the King George Inn property in Dorneyville but also outlines a framework to address preservation of historic structures in the township overall.

The ordinance embraces South Whitehall sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Guth and Wehr covered bridges, Haines Grist Mill and the Dorneyville Crossroads settlement, which includes the King George Inn and the John Dorney House, occupied by Charles Paul Gem Designs.

The historic William Dorney house in the area was demolished years ago to make way for Perkins Restaurant.

A township committee is in the process of compiling an inventory of historic structures that may benefit from the preservation standards outlined in the new ordinance.

The document regulates only buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places or those designated by commissioners as historic structures. As a trade-off for preserving historic places, property owners are offered incentives, such as additional flexibility in constructing new buildings on parcels occupied by historic structures.

The ordinance stipulates the property owner is responsible for ongoing maintenance of the historic building.

It specifies the property owner cannot demolish, by direct action or neglect, the historic structure.

To benefit from the incentives, the property owner is asked to provide a notorized consent statement leading to a historic resource preservation easement.

South Whitehall Solicitor Joseph Zator reported Atul Patel, who wants to develop the tract along Hamilton Boulevard on which the King George Inn is situated, has been very cooperative as township staff prepared the zoning ordinance.

"He's been waiting for months," Zator said. "The township is being progressive and the staff is proactive. Not many municipalities have historic ordinances."

On the parcel of land adjoining the King George Inn, Patel proposes to remove buildings once occupied by Burger King and Carvel and develop the property with new businesses.

His plan includes an Extended Stay Hotel, which is defined, with regulations regarding its structure and use, in the new ordinance.

Zator said all successive property owners would be bound by the ordinance in perpetuity.