Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – December 10, 2013 Attending: Co-Chairman John Solu, Members John Forte, David Luber, Alberta Marcy, Carmine Toto, William VanRyzin and Margaret Weisgerber; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Co-Chairman Janet Foster, 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 November 12, 2013, minutes were considered. The language of the TCC Applications section was revised to read “property owners on the Inventory of Historic Sites are encouraged, but not required, to come before MHPC.” By unanimous consent, the minutes were approved as revised. Follow Up: TCC Applications: There were no TCC applications affecting property in the historic districts. . DDC Interface with Sign and Façade and MHPC: Craig Erezuma, representing the Downtown Development Commission, was present and explained plans of the DDC to develop a set of guidelines and concepts for signs which can be taken away by business owners. This would be similar to the Sign and Façade book given to new businesses. Having both booklets, new businesses can aesthetically coordinate their signs to historic facades, thus preserving the flavor of the Downtown Historic District. Mr. Erezuma sees himself in the role of an advocate and steward for good taste in the selection of colors, lettering and style of the signs. The new sign application at 12 Main Street was shown and discussed. MHPC’s comments included: • The sign should blend with the architecture of the main part of the Boyce Building, which is #14 Main Street. Several suggestions were made to revise the signage so that it blends better with the main building; • There needs to be consistency of design and color for the signage in the alleyways and parking areas, as well as the signage on Main Street; Mr. Solu will see that MHPC’s comments and suggestions are sent to Sign & Facade and then relayed to the business owner. Mr. Erezuma gave an update to plans for repairs and upgrades to the façade of the Madison Movie Theater, which the building owner is unwilling to make. The principals of Bow Tie Cinema, which now operates the theater, are preservation minded and are willing to invest $15,000 to restore the original historic marquee, which is considered to be a hidden gem of architecture as well as a potential symbol of Madison highly visible from the nearby train station. This sum will also be used for window replacement, restoration of the marquee lighting and other minor façade repairs and improvement. DDC will help with removal of the present badly damaged marquee covering after which the full cost of the project can be determined. A contribution of $10,000 in grant monies for the project is proposed by DDC. Concern was raised by MHPC that this contribution would set a precedent leading to a misconception by other property owners that they might receive monies for improvements or repairs they are unwilling to make. MHPC recommended Mr. Erezuma carefully document the process under which DDC is granting the funds for the project, including benefits to the community and the public, partnership with other groups for the project, such as Chamber of Commerce, history of present Sign and Façade scholarships, generous donation of volunteer time for the project and rules for such contributions by a non-profit organization such as DDC. MHPC expressed its support for the concept of the project if the foregoing issues are satisfactorily addressed. Mr. Erezuma was commended for his interest and enthusiasm for this preservation project. Mr. Erezuma updated MHPC on the installation of lighting fixtures for the Green Village Road Railroad underpass. NJ Transit has completed the cement and other repairs and the fixtures are awaiting installation by the Borough. Mr. Forte asked whether traffic lights at this intersection could be similar to those at the Green Avenue and Prospect intersections, which are very attractive. Mr. Erezuma will encourage the Borough to install this type of fixture at the Green Village Road Railroad underpass intersection. For Discussion: Annual Report: A preliminary draft prepared by Mr. VanRyzin was reviewed. The cover photograph will be “Geraldine”, the 1921 Ahrens Fox fire engine. Some of the other parts of the Report were discussed, especially the Inventory of Historic Sites from 1986. The draft included having the Inventory Map and a list of the properties on the Inventory as attachments to the Report after being carefully reviewed. He recommended that changes in the Inventory be noted in each Annual Report. Having the Inventory and Map as part of the Report would send a public message that these properties and areas are historically significant and helped to define the character of Madison. Another benefit is that applicants would be able to access the Map and the list from the website when making renovations. Commission members should forward to Mr. VanRyzin any suggestions or issues they would like included in the Annual Report as soon as possible. The Report will be finished in February, 2014. At this time an educational/training session will be held covering the “nuts and bolts” of the Commission for new and present members and other Borough representatives. East Lane Renovation Application: Plans were reviewed for improvements and façade changes for property on East Lane which is listed on the Inventory of Historic Sites but not in a historic district. MHPC had no comments but thanked the owner for submitting the plans for review. New Business: Mr. Toto gave an update on the façade improvements to the Mantone building on Prospect Street, now a dog “hotel”. He reminded everyone that there are original cast iron street lights stored at the Borough garage which could be used. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary