Community Corner
Old Mill Inn Could be Rehabbed
An architect inquired about Hatboro's historic designations related to a potential restoration of the Old Mill Inn.
Saying "we're going to restore it," a Willow Grove architect confirmed that the Old Mill Inn may see a new life.
Arthur Hall Adams of Arthur Hall Adams and Company, told Patch Tuesday morning that his company is "actively pursuing the idea" of rehabilitating the nearly 300-year-old building.
"We’re going to restore it," Adams said. "There’s still bits and pieces of it inside the building from when it was originally built ... You can actually see construction leftover from when it was used as a mill."
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Adams said he has "no idea" of the cost associated with undertaking the restoration.
"That’s part of what we’re doing right now," he said.
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When reached Tuesday, Linda Clauser of Aspen Mill LLC, whose company purchased the Old Mill Inn said, "I really don’t have any comment at this point."
Hatboro officials were made aware of the new owners' intention to restore the property when Adams sent a letter inquiring about local ordinances related to rehabbing the former grist mill and more recently, shuttered restaurant.Hatboro does not have an ordinance in place to designate certain properties as historic. But, officials may consider implementing zoning specific to historic preservation after hearing from Adams.
Borough solicitor Christen Pionzio said during Monday night's council meeting that as the Millbrook Society compiles a list of historic properties, the governing body could enact an ordinance to help further rehabilitation of the Old Mill Inn, which was purchased by the owner of properties at 332 S. York Road in August.
"Once we get an ordinance in place we can always add properties," Pionzio said, noting that the governing body could "get something in place that would assist the Old Mill."
Council President John Zygmont asked what historic designation means and what the borough’s responsibilities are when it designates properties as such.
"I don’t know what the benefit is for the applicant," Pionzio said, adding that zoning ordinances often offer "benefits to the property owner" in the way of incentives to renovate such as density bonuses, tax credits and the like.
The council took no action on Monday. Pionzio said she'd be in touch with the architect to find out more specifics of the rehabilitation project and what was requested of the borough.
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