Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – May 12, 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; Attorney John A. Napolitano; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Members Joseph Longo and Alberta Marcy. Also present were five members of the public. 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 April 14, 2015, minutes were considered and were corrected as follows: In the Crescent Road section, Line 1, the word “demotion” should be “demolition.” By unanimous consent the minutes were approved as corrected. Follow Up: Sign and Façade applications update: There are no new sign applications pending in the Downtown Historic District. Review of Preservation Month Poster: Mr. Van Ryzin passed out copies of a proposed poster featuring both positive and negative aspects of preservation, showing a property that was preserved, 2 that are facing demolition and one that has been lost. After some recommended changes, the poster will be distributed for display in Borough businesses and public spaces during Preservation Month in May to increase public awareness of MHPC’s goal to preserve historic properties and that the architectural character of the Borough is being changed. The information will also be sent to the Madison Eagle for possible publication. Photo recording of 19 Crescent Road: Thanks to Mr. VanRyzin, a good series of interior and exterior photographs were taken of the home at 19 Crescent Road, which will be demolished. Since there were no funds for professional documentation, the Commission commended Mr. VanRyzin for taking this on. After labeling, a CD with the photos will be turned over to the Madison Historical Society for its archives. For Action: Review of Application for 34 Walnut Street immediately adjacent to Bottle Hill Historic District: Plans were reviewed for a proposed new building with 11 residential units next to the Madison Health Center on Walnut Street. MHPC is given the opportunity to comment on the aesthetics and possible effect on the streetscape because the property is immediately adjacent to the BHHD. The comments included: • strong recommendation for landscape buffering on the side facing Ridgedale Avenue; • MHPC would prefer a more contemporary design for the building instead of the “psuedo” Victorian design shown; • MHPC is not in favor of high density with long row units on narrow lot; • Design of windows on rear façade could be improved; Comments by the public included concern about density and need for better design of the building and architectural elements. The Commission’s comments will be summarized and sent in a letter to TCC in time for their next meeting. Review of Application for Demolition of 173 Ridgedale Avenue, within the Bottle Hill Historic District: The applicants Attorney, Nino Coviello was present with his architect and attorney to present plans for a 3 lot subdivision and plans for the 3 replacement homes. The architect explained efforts were made to have diverse architectural styles in the 3 homes. MHPC reviewed the plans for each individual home and made suggestions for changes in the porches, doors, windows, dormers, materials. MHPC recommended the overall design be more in keeping with the colonial revival style of the neighborhood using high quality materials and architectural elements. . The public comments included questions about whether the original structure could have been moved and preserved. There was concern expressed about the loss of architectural character in Madison and about loss of open space and preservation of the pond. MHPC will summarize the comments and send in a letter to the applicant and the Planning Board. New Business: An agenda item for the June meeting will be to discuss correction of a technical imperfection in the extension of the Bottle Hill Historic District to the Florham Park border by local ordinance. At the time of designation of BHHD on the National Register, it was determined that the District would NOT end after the Luke Miller property and would be extended to the Florham Park border by local ordinance. Mr. Rowe offered to bring a recommendation to the Borough Council to properly memorialize the extension in the local Ordinance and add it to the Zoning Map. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary