Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – June 11, 2013 Attending: Co-Chairman John Solu, Members John Forte, David Luber, Alberta Marcy, William VanRyzin and Margaret Weisgerber; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Co-Chairman Janet Foster, Members Joseph Longo and Carmine Toto 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 May 14, 2013, minutes were considered. On motion made, seconded and carried, the minutes were approved as written. Follow Up: TCC applications update: There were no applications in the Downtown or Bottle Hill Historic Districts. Two applications were submitted outside the Districts on which there was no comment. Sign and Façade applications: There were no new Sign and Façade applications in the Downtown Historic District. Mr. Solu mentioned one matter that will be an issue in the long term, which is advertising in the form of pictures: Two businesses, Madison Eyes at 48 Main Street and Whole Foods are proposing using picture/symbol signs advertising products. S & F Committee is working with these businesses to eliminate words on the pictures, so they are not considered signs. Allstate Insurance put up a new sign in the winter months which is now obscured by trees in full leaf which block the sign. They propose placing a sign facing the parking lot, if this is allowed. The Ordinance prohibits placement of signs facing private parking lots. S & F Committee is working on resolution of this issue. On Park Avenue, the new Turkish restaurant on former Broccolini‘s site is still working on parking issues before opening. ElPorta, the new restaurant at former Amici’s site also on Park Avenue had a new sign approved by Sign and Façade Committee. For Action: Design Guidelines (Vendor Quotes): Mr. Solu reported two vendors returned bids. Subsequently, one bidder withdrew when asked to break the bid down into parts over several years (for Borough budget purposes), thus leaving only one bid. Ms. Foster will discuss the situation with Mr. Vogel to see whether the other vendors will be submitting bids. It was noted that having the Residential Design Guidelines in place would be very helpful in preparation for the Ridgedale Avenue street improvement project. For Discussion: Review of MHPC Website content: This matter will be tabled until a meeting when Mr. Longo is present. Several suggestions for improvements to the website were put forth, including having a link to a listing of members of the Commission on the Home Page, as well as including information on MHPC’s efforts to preserve walls and other preservation projects. Another heading proposed was “District Management.” Members should consider other constructive suggestions for the website’s improvement to pass on to Mr. Longo. New Business: Ms. Marcy brought up maintenance issues at Cole Park and Summerhill Park, possibly because the Public Works Dept. has placed higher priority on cleanup of other areas after Superstorm Sandy and maintenance of the new Madison Recreation Complex. Mr. Forte noted the Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Committee is overseeing restoration work on the Cole Park Fountain and the Madison Historical Society has also earmarked funds for the fountain. There was discussion of ways to increase public awareness of Summerhill and Cole Parks and increase usage. Mr. Luber reported the Madison Historical Society has plans to work on the display area at the Luke Miller Forge and Historical Society representative Cathie Coultas will be contacting MHPC shortly. It was agreed MHPC’s review of the plans is essential, especially since public funds were used to purchase the property. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Laurie C. Hagerich, Recording Secretary