Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – March 12, 2013 Attending: Co-Chairmen John Solu and Janet Foster, Members John Forte, David Luber, Alberta Marcy, Carmine Toto, William VanRyzin and Margaret Weisgerber; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Member Joseph Longo 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 February 12, 2013, meeting minutes were considered. Notation was made that the presence of Sign and Façade Liaison Kathy Solu is not required at monthly meetings and should not be listed as an absentee. On motion made, seconded and carried, the minutes were approved with the foregoing notation. Follow Up: TCC applications update: Mr. Toto reported there were two applications submitted, one for a flag pole at the Realogy property on Park Avenue and the second for a subdivision on Belleau Avenue, neither of which is in a historic district. Sign and Façade applications: There were no new applications in the Historic District. The new dog boutique on Prospect Street is proceeding with plans for new signage, which may be ready for review at the April meeting. 2012 Accomplishments/Annual Report Draft: Mr. VanRyzin brought a draft of the 2012 Annual Report, which was reviewed. Some corrections were noted and changes suggested, which Mr. VanRyzin will make. The Report will then be posted on the website. It was agreed members would take pictures of various projects during the year to be included in the 2013 report. For Discussion: Design Guidelines: Borough Engineer Robert Vogel sent a memo suggesting that the RFP for Residential Design Guidelines be broken down into several parts so that the project can be budgeted over several years. Phase 1 would be to look at existing Design Guidelines; Phase 2, would be an outline of what is to be produced; Phase 3, would be actual preparation of the document. Mr. Vogel was in favor of the project and thought it would be helpful to have residential design guidelines in place when the Borough undertakes the planned street improvement project for Ridgedale Avenue. There was discussion about including guidelines for street lighting to insure lighting would be appropriate for the Bottle Hill Historic District, not high intensity LED lights used by the Borough is some areas. New Business: Ms. Foster asked about the planned façade upgrades for 7 Waverly Place, since the owner does not appear to be making much progress. Since this building appears as part of the streetscape on the Commission’s letterhead and will have significant changes, Ms. Foster suggested that MHPC change its letterhead to the official Borough letterhead. It was agreed that future MHPC correspondence, notices and memorandums will be sent on official Borough of Madison letterhead. Mr. Toto reported he spoke to some of his local contacts who remembered the temporary housing that was provided in Madison for returning World War II servicemen and will speak to a few more. So far no one had any pictures of the temporary housing. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Laurie C. Hagerich, Recording Secretary