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Thu, September 2, 2010 Administrative Variance Hearing
4:30 PM Planning Commission Meeting
7:30 PM Fri, September 3, 2010 Early Voting for Primary Election at the Library
10:00 AM Lunchtime Concert
12:00 PM First Fridays - "Indecision" performing
5:00 PM Sat, September 4, 2010 Early Voting for Primary Election at the Library
10:00 AM Mon, September 6, 2010 LABOR DAY
12:00 AM Early Voting for Primary Election at the Library
10:00 AM Tue, September 7, 2010 Early Voting for the Primary Election at the Library
10:00 AM Town Hall Meeting
7:30 PM Wed, September 8, 2010 Early Voting for the Primary Election at the Library
10:00 AM Thu, September 9, 2010 Early Voting for Primary Election at the Library
10:00 AM Fri, September 10, 2010 Lunchtime Concert
12:00 PM Sun, September 12, 2010 Second Sundays
12:00 PM Tue, September 14, 2010 Commissioners' Work Session
5:15 PM Thu, September 16, 2010 Girls Night Out
5:00 PM "Hope in Handbags" - A Silent Purse Auction
5:00 PM Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
6:00 PM Fri, September 17, 2010 "Hope in Handbags" - A Silent Purse Auction
11:00 AM Lunchtime Concert
12:00 PM Sat, September 18, 2010 "Hope in Handbags" - A Silent Purse Auction
10:00 AM Sun, September 19, 2010 Bel Air Festival for the Arts
10:00 AM Mon, September 20, 2010 Town Hall Meeting
7:30 PM Fri, September 24, 2010 Lunchtime Concert
12:00 PM Sat, September 25, 2010 5th Annual Harford County Wine Festival
12:00 PM Sun, September 26, 2010 5th Annual Harford County Wine Festival
12:00 PM Mon, September 27, 2010 9th Annual Golf Classic
11:00 AM Tue, September 28, 2010 Commissioners Work Session
5:15 PM Board of Appeals Meeting
7:30 PM | |   For Additional Information
Robert Fisher
Planner II
Town of Bel Air
Department of Planning & Community Development
705 E. Churchville Road
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: 410-879-9500
Fax: 410-838-0775
Purpose - Since its inception as a town in the 18th century, Bel Air has been a central part of the County’s development and history. To preserve this heritage, the Town’s Historic Preservation program seeks to provide assistance in preserving architecturally significant properties and to focus attention on the community’s history. These resources serve as visible reminders of the Town’s history and help to maintain and enhance the livability of the community. Preservation efforts also contribute to the economic development and vitality of the Town, fostering a sense of civic pride and an appreciation of the Town’s heritage among its citizens.
Adaptive Re-Use of Buildings
Bel Air has many fine examples of buildings which have successfully been adapted several times for different uses. Many of these exist on Main Street, Broadway and Rockspring Avenue and other older areas of the Town. An excellent example is The Mill, which was in operation as a feed mill for decades and now houses a retail operation.
Benefits of Historic Site Designation
Bel Air offers a ten percent (10%) property tax credit which may be spread over five years towards the cost of exterior renovations approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. A five percent (5%) property tax credit is available for compatible new construction.
Application for Certificate of Approval
Historic Properties in Bel Air
Each of these sites has been determined by the Bel Air Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Town Commissioners to be of historic, archeological or architectural significance to the Town.
To inquire about a specific property, please contact the Bel Air Planning Department at 410.638.4540 or 410.879.9500.
Bel Air has 47 locally designated historic properties:
- Graham-Crocker House - 30 N. Main Street
- Van Bibber House - 303 S. Main Street
- Jacob Bull House - 305 N. Franklin Street
- Wilgis-Bennett House - 139 E. Broadway
- Whitaker House - 105 E. Broadway
- Mrs. Dunnigan’s Hotel & Restaurant - 33 W. Courtland Street
- Second National Bank Building - 12-14 Office Street
- Mrs. Dunnigan’s Bldg. - 31 W. Courtland Street
- 18 Office Street - 18 Office Street
- Old Aegis Building - 29 W. Courtland Street
- Harford County Courthouse - 20 W. Courtland Street
- Preston Gilbert Law Office - 6-8 Office Street
- Webb-Hall House - 52 E. Broadway
- Bel Air Post Office - N. Main & Gordon Streets
- Bel Air Methodist Episcopal Church - 20 N. Main Street
- Keen-McComas-Benfield House - 631 Roland Avenue
- Bel Air Colored High School - Hays Street
- Hays House - 324 S. Kenmore Avenue
- Survey Stones (3) - Courtland, Office & Main Sts.
- McComas House - 522 Rockspring Avenue
- James Kennedy (Norris) House - 108 N. Bond Street
- Worthington Tenant House - 211-213 Franklin Street
- Bristow House - 615 N. Hickory Avenue
- Carroll House - 405 E. Broadway
- Ripken House - 321 E. Broadway
- Rebecca Evans House - 612 Rockspring Avenue
- Dale Coale House - 315 Webster Street
- Everett House - 58 E. Broadway
- Graham-Miller House - 314 E. Broadway
- McMullen House - 318 Maitland Street
- The Wren Box - 108 W. Gordon Street
- Wallis House - 315 E. Broadway
- Peverly House - 419 Choice Street
- Livesey-Deaner House - 103 Powell Avenue
- Schlehr-Chilcoat House - 327 E. Broadway
- Pyle House - 329 Webster Street
- Cassilly-Robinson House - 112 E. Broadway
- Daneker-Broumel House - 333 E. Broadway
- Wilkinson-Famous House - 338 E. Broadway
- Rider House - 326 E. Broadway
- Archer Building - 17 W. Courtland Street
- Harlan House - 330 E. Broadway
- Wattenscheidt’s Jewelry Store - 117 S. Main Street
- First Aegis Building - 119 S. Main Street
- Lee House - 330 W. Gordon Street
- Michael House - 325 Franklin Street
- Proctor House - 54 E. Gordon Street
- Louis Getz House - 418 S. Main Street
- Bosley House - 510 S. Main Street
- Thompson House - 430 E. Broadway
Historic Site Designation
Historic Site designation is a simple process that must be initiated by the property owner. Buildings must meet general criteria for consideration for historic designation at the local level. The structure must be at least 50 years of age and be of historic, archeological or architectural significance.
The steps in the designation process are:
- Letter from property owner to Bel Air Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) requesting consideration of a building or site for historic designation.
- HPC responds to application in writing, advising that a public hearing has been scheduled to review the property and inviting the owner to attend.
- A zoning notice sign is posted on the property, giving public notice of the date and time of the hearing. An advertisement with the same information is placed in the local newspaper.
- HPC conducts a public hearing to review the historic significance of the property, then makes a recommendation to the Board of Town Commissioners.
- Board of Town Commissioners passes a resolution designating the property as a local historic site.
Historic Designation Application
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is a list of properties acknowledged by the Federal Government as worthy of recognition and preservation for their significance in America’s history and culture. Five of Bel Air’s historic properties are listed on this register. In addition to the prestige of national designation, these properties are also eligible for federal and state tax credit and grant programs.
Historic Walking & Driving Tour
A historic walking and driving tour brochure “Appreciate the Future by Viewing the Past” outlines the history of the Town and provides a glimpse of the history and architecture. Copies of the brochure are available in the publication section of this site.
A new brochure "To Maintain and Restore Your Old House" gives information on the repair or replacement of siding, doors, windows, roofs, shutters, porches and gutters and downspouts. There is also a section regarding new construction, as well as information on tax credit eligibility for designated historic properties. If you own or are considering purchasing a historic home in Bel Air, this information is valuable.
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