Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – September 14, 2021 Meeting conducted remotely through Zoom Attending: Madison Historic Preservation (“HPC”) Chair Janet Foster and Vice Chair Jill Rhodes; Members, John Forte, Max Hart, Mary Ellen Lenahan, David Luber and John Solu; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Member Chris Kellogg arrived late. Absent: Council Liaison Astri Baillie. The meeting began with tributes and remembrances of long-time HPC Member Carmine Toto, who passed away on September 12, 2021. The meeting was called to order by Ms. Foster at 7:30 pm. She announced the meeting was called in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act and the Open Public Meetings statement was read. A verbal roll call was taken by Ms. Hagerich. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the June 8, 2021, Public Meeting were considered and on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried were approved as written. Sign & Façade Reviews: 36 Main Street: A new Sign and Façade application was reviewed and approved by the sub-committee for Wish, a new store at 36 Main Street. Photo was shown of the new awning sign which was approved. TCC Reviews: 18 Madison Avenue: This ca. 1900 residence is identified in the Madison Cultural Resources Inventory as part of a streetscape group of four similar-age houses, now all converted to commercial use. The existing building, used as a dental office for nearly 40 years, is proposed to be demolished. Renderings of the proposed replacement building were shown; it is a very contemporary-looking design. Even though the house is not in a listed historic district, it is a very visible location at the entry to Madison’s downtown from the west, and as such deserves a compatible design with the neighboring historic buildings, as recommended in Madison’s Master Plan. A letter to that effect was sent to TCC and the application will now go before the Planning Board. 3 Central Avenue: This application for demolition of the existing one-story building in the Madison Civic and Commercial Historic District was received too late for the agenda for this meeting. The building, under-sized for the allowable zoning, is presently occupied by Central and Main Restaurant and is a contributing building in the Madison Civic and Commercial Historic District. An in-person TCC meeting is scheduled for October 5. A committee of Ms. Foster, Dr. Rhodes, Ms. Lenahan and Mr. Solu will review the proposed plans for the replacement building, and Ms. Lenahan and Mr. Solu will attend the TCC meeting. HPC’s comments on the plans are due by September 30, 2021. The committee will meet to draft comments for forwarding to TCC. Cook Avenue Streetscape: Ms. Foster reported she had an inquiry from a realtor about property on Cook Avenue. This area has historic and cultural significance and interest, rather than architectural significance, in that it is where many of Madison’s African American families lived in the early 20th Century. HPC would strongly favor preservation of the streetscape and there was discussion of issues which may affect this, such as the new affordable housing project nearby. New Business: Year-End Awards for Preservation Projects: The possibility of once again recognizing and encouraging preservation efforts in town through a public proclamation was discussed. Several possible projects were discussed, including the façade restoration (re-pointing bricks and landscaping) on Green Village Road Tudor apartment building and restoration of East Jersey Cottage at 62 Ridgedale Avenue, in the Bottle Hill Historic District. There was also discussion of promoting awareness of the historic and cultural significance of the Cook Avenue neighborhood. Mr. Hart will discuss this with the Madison Alliance for Racial Equity at its next meeting. Ideas for other buildings worthy of recognition, and other ways of promoting good preservation in the community will be discussed again at the next meeting. Old Business: Design Guidelines Project: Ms. Foster reported she received a draft of the Design Guidelines, consisting of 94 pages and offered to deliver copies to HPC members. Clark Caton Hintz has asked that HPC’s comments be sent by September 30. There was discussion of issues to be considered, including: use of substitute materials, such as Hardie plank, vinyl or aluminum siding, location of solar panels, treatment of windows (replacement or restoration), new garages looking like old, and vinyl fencing. HPC Members are requested to review the draft and send comments to Ms. Foster for forwarding to Margaret Newman of Clark Caton Hintz by the requested date of September 30. Progress on Mapping for Ordinance Development: The mapping of 1,352 individual lots is nearly complete thanks to Dr. Rhodes with help from Ms. Foster and Ms. Lenahan. The mapping will be turned over to Borough Planner Susan Blickstein. 120 Madison Avenue: Ms. Foster reported the demolition is complete and historical documentation in digital format has been turned over to the Madison Historical Society. Updates from Liaisons: Planning Board Liaison: Mr. Forte reported the new mosque at 120 Madison Avenue is on the agenda for the September meeting. Zoning Board Liaison: Ms. Lenahan reported the Madison Theater demolition is complete but the Resolution approving the new building has not yet been signed. Open Space Liaison: Dr. Rhodes reported there were no meetings in August or September. Madison Historical Society Liaison: Mr, Luber reported the speaker for the September 21 meeting via Zoom at 7 pm will be Dr. Raymond Doswell, Curator of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo. 2022 HPC Budget Request: After discussion it was agreed a budget request of $9,600 for HPC for 2022 would be made. Ms. Foster will submit the request in writing to Fran Boardman by September 22. Public Comment: There were no comments from the public. Future Meetings, Adjournment: The next meeting of the Commission will be on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, via Zoom. There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary