Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – February 12, 2013 Attending: Co-Chairmen John Solu and Janet Foster, Members John Forte, Joseph Longo, David Luber, and Carmine Toto, Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Members Alberta Marcy, William VanRyzin and Margaret Weisgerber, Sign & Façade Liaison Kathy Solu; and Council Liaison Robert Catalanello. The meeting was called to order as an open public meeting at 7:30 p.m., in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The January 8, 2013, meeting minutes were considered and on motion made, seconded and carried, were approved as written. Follow Up: TCC applications update: There is an application for property on Prospect Street, adjoining the Historic District, in building now occupied by St. Hubert’s, for a new “luxury canine hotel and resort.” Plans call for replacing the parking lot in the rear of the building with a dog play area. There is another application, not in a historic district, for the building formerly occupied by Brocolini’s Restaurant, where resolution of parking issues is being worked on. Sign and Façade applications: Nicole Francoeur was present to speak about an application for the Pink Bungalow, a gift shop at 72 Main Street. Pictures were shown of proposed new signage and a proposed mural for the side gable wall of the building. Comments and recommendations included the following: • Bright pink color in signage was acceptable to allow more visibility for the store in its interior location. • MHPC would be in favor of a well designed mural for the building’s gable wall with architectural elements such as bay window or windows with pink shutters. • Additional blade sign in upper part of the gable wall would be acceptable. • MHPC would recommend painting the parking posts in front of the store a pink color to match color of signage. Ms. Foster will draft a letter with MHPC’s recommendations and color preferences and circulate to all members prior to sending to Frank Russo, Zoning Officer. 2012 Accomplishments/Annual Report Draft: Mr. VanRyzin sent word that he is almost finished with the 2012 Annual Report. He will forward it very soon to Commission members by email for final approval, after which it will be posted on the website. For Action: 23 Green Village Road site application: Plans are being formulated for a new multi-unit office complex to replace the present building across from St. Vincent’s Roman Catholic Church. The application is not yet ready and has been withdrawn for the present time. NJ Transit – Kings Road Post and Rail Details: As part of the wall repair currently underway, NJ Transit plans to replace the post and rail fencing to match what was historically in place. The drawings and plans for this project which MHPC had approved several years ago, were reviewed. Since there were no changes, MHPC had no further comments. For Discussion: Veterans Housing – 2013 May HP Week Recognition: There was discussion of temporary housing that was provided in Madison for returning World War II servicemen, located at the site of the Lucy D. Anthony baseball fields. The 16 units of housing remained for about 10 years (1946 to 1956) before being removed. Consideration is being given to placing a memorial plaque at the site and possibly highlighting this project during Historic Preservation Week to recognize Madison’s efforts to help veterans returning from the war. Possibly some other WW II related sites, such as the Force Iron Works on Park Avenue, visited by Eleanor Roosevelt, could also be highlighted. This would be a long term project, since there is already a focus for this year’s Preservation Week -- the historic Ahrens-Fox fire engine donated by Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge. Mr. Toto offered to ask some of his local contacts for more information and pictures of the temporary housing. New Business: Ms. Foster moved that MHPC proceed to send an RFP to qualified professional consultants to prepare design Guidelines for the Bottle Hill Historic District. This motion was seconded and unanimously approved. It was further agreed that Ms. Foster will prepare the RFP, for which Borough funds have been budgeted, as soon as possible. In accordance with a suggestion made at the recent Borough Leadership Meeting, it was agreed all Commission members should maintain a separate email account to be used for matters pertaining to the Historic Preservation Commission, which account would be open to the public to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. Mr. Longo gave an update on fundraising efforts for the Ahrens-Fox fire engine. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Laurie C. Hagerich, Recording Secretary