Montco 2040:
a shared vision
59
...work with conservation groups, municipalities, historic
preservation organizations, developers, and others to preserve
important historic properties
Montgomery County owns four historic properties and, through its Assets and
Infrastructure Department, will work to continue preserving historic landscapes
around these properties while connecting them to the broader community with
trails and sidewalks.
Local municipalities can help preserve historic properties by:
■■ Conducting historic resource surveys.
■■ Creating historic districts under the
.
■■ Adopting historic preservation ordinances that provide use and other bonuses
for preserving historic properties.
■■ Adopting town center, village commercial, and traditional neighborhood design
zoning ordinances that match zoning standards with the existing historic character.
■■ Enforcing building, fire, and safety codes in older buildings to avoid loss of
historic properties through fire and neglect.
■■ Working with developers during the land development process to preserve
historic building on properties.
■■ Promoting historic properties through tours and special events.
...cooperate with local municipalities,
the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and others
to reinvigorate the tree canopy in communities
The county’s urban tree canopy can be rejuvenated by:
■■ Properly maintaining existing trees with guidance from local shade tree
commissions.
■■ Focusing planting of new trees in priority areas, including riparian corridors,
stormwater control areas, parks, and streets. Trees should be planted away
from overhead utility lines, and existing trees near these lines should be
trimmed in a way that keeps the tree viable.
■■ Adopting local landscaping ordinances that require replacement of trees that
are removed.
■■ Improving the viability of trees by reducing impervious coverage, providing
adequate root growth areas, and planting appropriate trees for the specific
conditions.
■■ Conducting surveys of current tree resources.
■■ Increase in municipalities
completing historic
resource inventories
■■ More municipalities
adopting historic
preservation ordinances
■■ Additional properties
eligible for or listed on the
National Register
■■ More municipalities
adopting tree replacement,
planting, and maintenance
ordinances
■■ Increase in tree canopy
over time
Measuring success
Measuring success
Trees improve air quality, improve water
quality, save energy, improve health,
increase property values, and increase
worker productivity.
This historic home in Ambler has been
reused as an architect’s office.
