Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – April 10, 2012 Attending: Co-Chairmen John Solu and Dana Napurano, Members John Forte and Carmine Toto; Council Liaison Donald Links and Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Members Janet Foster, Joseph Longo, Alberta Marcy, Ron Poeter and William VanRyzin. Also present were Craig Erezuma, representing the DDC, and members of the public and Friends of Bottle Hill Historic District, Kathy Solu, Margaret Weisgerber, Lisa and Michael Sapio, Fran and Chris Clinton, and Brianna Frieder. The meeting was called to order as an open public meeting at 7:40 p.m., in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The minutes of the March 13, 2012, meeting were considered and approved as written. Follow Up: TCC applications update: Mr. Toto reported there was no TCC meeting in the last 30 days. Sign and Façade applications: Mr. Solu reported there were no new Sign and Façade applications. One issue was the sign “Polished Nail Lounge” at 18 Main Street which was installed without first painting the building. The façade needs to be painted to cover the impression of the previous sign. For Action: Friends of Bottle Hill Historic District-: Kathy Solu as representative of Friends of Bottle Hill Historic District passed out a packet outlining the group’s initiatives, goals and objectives. Major concerns outlined in the packet were traffic, promoting the historic neighborhood, and streetscape. The group hopes to work with Borough officials, departments, boards, etc., to accomplish their goals over the next several years. Mr. Links made comments and offered suggestions for the group’s appearance before the Borough Council. MHPC will send a cover letter to the Mayor to accompany the packet indicating MHPC’s support of the Friends’ causes. MHPC acknowledged its fiduciary responsibility to be a care-taker of the District, since same was created 8 years ago by action and approval of MHPC. Further, MHPC has responsibility to oversee projects where public monies are spent and will work as a partner with the Friends of Bottle Hill Historic District in the pending project for repaving and redoing sidewalks on Ridgedale Avenue after replacement of sewer and water lines. This project will utilize public monies. Mr. Erezuma commented as a member of the public and in behalf of DDC that there is a current project to develop a Borough historic walking tour. It would be good for DDC to partner with the Friends on this project so that efforts are not duplicated. Mr. Erezuma also offered help with historic signage and lamp posts. Ms. Napurano mentioned the Friends’ streetscape objectives would be another chance for MHPC to partner and to obtain budget funds for residential design guidelines. MHPC anticipates requesting this funding in 2013. As an action item MHPC will solicit bids so that a proposed amount for the budget request can be determined. For Discussion: Sign and Façade Committee Interface: Mr. Erezuma presented plans to improve the process for Sign and Façade applications and encourage business owners to voluntarily comply with recommendations made by the Sign & Façade Committee and MHPC. Discussion included the need for education of business owners and tenants in the value of using MHPC as a resource at no cost to the applicant when considering façade changes to upgrade their property. It was agreed a Sign Book would be a helpful resource to be given to all new business owners with complete guidelines and regulations. The Book could become a standard guide and document for applicants and would establish a tradition for future use. Mr. Erezuma will begin working on the Sign Book as part of the DDC process. MHPC offered to appoint a person to interface with S & F Committee in an effort to comply with the 10-day cycle period and interact directly with applicants. It was agreed Kathy Solu would be appointed as MHPC representative to attend S & F meetings and report back to MHPC on all applications. Ms. Solu will be empowered to review all details of applications and render decisions in behalf of MHPC. An email from Borough Attorney Joseph Mezzacca confirmed that MHPC is empowered to appoint such representative and have her act for MHPC to reduce the cycle period. MHPC will review the S & F applications on a monthly basis, and only if there is a problem with any application will the matter be brought before the entire Commission. New Business: Green Fair – May 2012: The Green Fair is being planned for May 3, 2012, and MHPC will again have a presence. Mr. VanRyzin and Mr. Solu will coordinate the arrangements. Annual Report and 2012 Initiatives: The Annual Report for 2010-11 is complete and Mr. VanRyzin is working on the Annual Report for 2012. Further discussion of the initiatives will be tabled for a meeting which has a quorum. Ms. Napurano reported she received a communication from Kate Malcolm at the Madison Historical Society about a request to place a plaque at 3 Waverly Place. Mr. Toto will follow up and get more information about the party making the request and other details. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Laurie C. Hagerich, Recording Secretary