Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – April 14, 2015 Attending: Co-Chairman John Solu and Co-Chairman Janet Foster; Members, John Forte, David Luber, Alberta Marcy, Carmine Toto, William VanRyzin and Margaret Weisgerber; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Member Joseph Longo; Council Liaison Patrick Rowe. 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 March 10, 2015, minutes were considered and by unanimous consent were approved as written. Follow Up: TCC Applications update: It was noted the EPA approved filling in part of the pond on property at 173 Ridgedale Avenue, where demolition of the historic home and subdivision into 3 lots has been proposed. TCC has advised the owner that the next step is to appear before MHPC, where there is mandatory review and compliance of the replacement structures, since the property is part of the Bottle Hill Historic District. . Sign and Façade applications update: There are no new sign applications pending. Planning and Zoning Board Applications: 19 Crescent Road: Even though many neighbors appeared to protest the demotion of 29 Crescent Road, the Planning Board had no legal grounds to deny the application. MHPC would strongly recommend professional photographic documentation of the property. Janet will investigate whether some of the neighbors interested in historic preservation might contribute to the cost of a professional photographer. For Discussion: Borough of Madison grant request for HDM East Wing: David Luber, who sits on the Board of the Madison Historical Society, gave background on the Society’s efforts to establish a Madison history museum. The Society is proposing using the former Court Room space in the East Wing of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, which has been vacant since the renovation of the building several years ago, as well as part of the ground floor for storage. An application for a grant has been submitted by the Borough to Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund to obtain professional construction documents for the project. The Society is the recent recipient of bequests which would provide some financing, and the Borough is also partnering in the project. MHPC offered some suggestions to make the grant application as complete as possible. Since the project represents a capital improvement, MHPC will write a letter to Borough Engineer Robert Vogel suggesting that if the grant is favorably received, MPHC be brought into the process as early as possible to work with the architect chosen for the project. The Madison Historical Society has approved a $50,000 contribution to the project, and it is hoped the Borough will share the remainder of the cost. MHPC was in favor of the concept of renovation of the East Wing to enable utilization of the space. For Action: Review and Approve MHPC Annual Report: Mr. VanRyzin presented a draft of the 2014 report, which he explained was very similar in format to previous years. There is a section on Inventory Management, which calls attention to the loss of the Comstock home on Greenwood Avenue from the Inventory. The report also highlights the façade renovation of the Dog Palace on Prospect Street and the participation in the renovation of 57 Ridgedale Avenue as one example of continuing education. On motion of Ms. Foster, seconded and unanimously approved, the Annual Report for 2014 was accepted and will be posted on the website. New Business: Preservation Week Plans: Several possibilities for Preservation Week in May were discussed, including: • Bringing attention to recent or threatened demolitions • Façade improvements to the James Building • Renovations to John Forte’s home on Academy Road • Mr. Toto suggested giving credit to owners who make efforts to preserve their homes on lots which could be subdivided and he cited 4 examples. • It was noted that there are many benefits to homes being located in a historic district, since this mandates that after demolition the replacement home must be appropriate to the neighborhood. • Recognition of homes of modest size which are preserved should be included, not just the million dollar properties. • The apartment complex on Green Village Road is a good example of the builder making extraordinary efforts to have the replacement structure built in the style of the building that was lost. Ms. Foster and Mr. Van Ryzin will work on a poster highlighting “what is going on” with historic preservation in town, both the properties lost and those preserved. Ms. Foster thanked those who spoke or wrote to preserve the NJ Historic Trust and reported the percentage of funds delegated to the Trust has been increased. She will attend a budget hearing this week but expects the battle will continue into future years because of Gov. Christie’s reluctance to sign a bill. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary