Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – March 10, 2015 Attending: Co-Chairman John Solu and Co-Chairman Janet Foster; Members, John Forte, David Luber, Carmine Toto, William VanRyzin and Margaret Weisgerber; Council Liaison Patrick Rowe; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Members, Alberta Marcy and Joseph Longo. Ms. Foster announced the following upcoming meetings and encouraged participation: March 28, 2015, “Primer for Historic Preservation Commissions,” a workshop sponsored by NJ Historic Trust in Toms River, NJ. June 3 and 4, 2015, “New Perspectives on the Past” a reception and NJ History and Historic Preservation Conference in Mt. Laurel, NJ. 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 10, 2015, minutes were considered and by unanimous consent were approved as written. Follow Up: TCC Applications update: Plans for demolition of multiple properties and new building at 122 Main Street and 9-19 Greenwood Avenue, with reconfigured parking area, were referred by TCC. These properties are behind Walgreens and along Greenwood Avenue. Since they are located outside the Downtown Historic District and not immediately adjacent to the District, MHPC had no comment. Sign and Façade applications update: Letter was sent with MHPC’s comments regarding the 6 Main Street application. There are no new sign applications pending. Applications reviewed in February: Letters were sent to appropriate parties with MHPC’s comments and recommendations for the applications at St. Vincent Martyr School, 29 Crescent Road, and 173 Ridgedale Avenue, the latter two expressing strong objection to the demolition of historic homes with multiple replacement buildings. The Planning Board hearing on the 29 Crescent Road application is scheduled for March 17. Ms. Foster stressed the importance of having a presence at this meeting for MHPC and offered to attend. Bottle Hill Historic District Road Improvements Project: Mr. Solu reported a special public informational meeting was held on Monday, March 9. There was concern about bringing about the three elements of safe streets -- engineering, education and enforcement. Another concern was the noise and disruption from large trucks traveling at excessive speed in the early morning hours. For Action: 10 Pomeroy Road: Mr. VanRyzin explained that the plans reviewed by MHPC at the January meeting have been revised because of concerns raised by neighbors, such as impervious coverage and setting a precedent for a circular driveway. He showed revised plans, which address the concerns of the neighbors. By placing the garage in the front, the impervious coverage is greatly reduced and the circular driveway is eliminated. The porch is smaller and as recommended by MHPC, the columns have been thickened. The revised plans will come before the Zoning Board on Thursday, March 12. MHPC expressed its approval of the revised plans, especially since the home and façade will be preserved rather than destroyed, and approved the reconfiguration of the garage to eliminate the circular driveway and reduce the impervious coverage. A letter of support will be drafted with MHPC’s comments on the revised plans and sent to the owners and Mr. VanRyzin by Wednesday, so that it can be made a part of the Zoning Board packet and read into the record. New Business: Update on Morris County Historic Inventory: Ms. Foster reported per Kelly Wiles, the Cultural Resource Consultant, much progress is being made on updating of the Inventory, which should be completed by June. The County representatives are aware of the number of sites being lost from the Inventory. MHPC will have an opportunity to review the content before it is released. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary