Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – November 9, 2021 Meeting conducted remotely through Zoom Attending: Madison Historic Preservation (“HPC”) Chair Janet Foster and Vice Chair Jill Rhodes; Members, John Forte, Max Hart, Chris Kellogg, Mary Ellen Lenahan, David Luber, Adrienne Novak and John Solu; Council Liaison Astri Baillie; and Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Two members of the public were present. 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. A verbal roll call was taken by Ms. Hagerich. Adrienne Novak was welcomed to the Commission as a newly appointed member to fill the unexpired term of the late Carmine Toto. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October 12, 2021, Public Meeting were considered and on motion made, seconded, and unanimously carried were approved as written, after verification that the Bardon Street property was included as a possible recipient of a Preservation Award. Sign & Façade Reviews: There were no new Sign and Façade applications. New Business: 3 Central Avenue/66-68 Main Street: Janine Bauer was introduced as HPC’s attorney to assist with the 3 Central Avenue/66-68 Main Street project. Ms. Bauer spoke about her qualifications and experience in the fields of historic preservation and environmental matters. She has represented other historic preservation commissions, has resided in Madison and is familiar with downtown Madison and surrounding areas. After reading the HP Ordinance, she concluded there are dual issues in the application – development and demolition – and that the applicant must prove demolition is necessary. After Ms. Bauer and applicant’s attorney conferred, it was decided the application would be withdrawn for consideration at the November HPC meeting because of lack of jurisdiction and because there are several procedural issues that must be met. Ms. Bauer noted she feels strongly that all business should be conducted in open public sessions to protect all parties. When the applicant is ready, the application and plans can be re-submitted in sufficient time for posting on Rosenet, giving all parties an opportunity to review. There was discussion of some possible conflicts of interest which Ms. Bauer did not consider relevant. Old Business: Design Guidelines Project: Ms. Foster reported John Hatch of Clark Caton Hintz has nearly completed the revised draft of the Design Guidelines, incorporating comments and suggestions of HPC members. Progress on Mapping for Ordinance Development: The firm of Borough Planner Susan Blickstein continues to work on this project and is making progress. Year-End Awards for Preservation Projects: Ms. Foster has had no response in efforts to contact the owner of the Green Village Road Tudor apartment building but will continue trying. Mr. Hart and Dr. Rhodes will efforts to contact owners of the two East Jersey Cottages at 59 and 57 Ridgedale Avenue, in the Bottle Hill Historic District. Ms. Lenahan did contact the Bardon Street owner who was very receptive of receiving an award. Presentation of the awards by the end of the year may not be possible, and a target date of early 2022 seems more realistic. Planning Board Liaison: Mr. Forte reported a subcommittee has been formed to work on alternate uses for some of the buildings in the Giralda Farms Corporate Complex. Ms. Baillie noted there was a first reading of a revised Giralda Farms Land Use Ordinance to reflect the proposed use changes. Zoning Board Liaison: Ms. Lenahan reported there were no matters of concern to HPC at recent meetings. Open Space Liaison: Dr. Rhodes reported there is a meeting on November 10 when restoration of the Open Space Tax to the 2-cent level will be discussed, along with matters concerning Dodge Field. Ms. Baillie noted the Council introduced an ordinance to restore the tax to the 2-cent level, which would help with the efforts to save the Drew Forest Preserve. Madison Historical Society Liaison: Mr, Luber reported the Historical Society is waiting for the Borough to execute the lease agreement for the former Court Room space in the East Wing of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, where the Society hopes to establish a local history museum. The next Historical Society meeting will be a Zoom program on November 17 which will be a joint meeting with the North Jersey Civil War Roundtable on the 15th Amendment. Borough Council: See previous reports of Ms. Baillie. Public Comment: There were no comments from the public. Commission members were in favor of having a training session led by Attorney Janine Bauer with HPC members as well as Planning and Zoning Board members. Ms. Foster will bring this request to Borough Administrator Ray Codey. Mr. Solu cautioned members to be careful about discussing, texting or e-mailing about HPC matters outside of meetings. Mr. Hart mentioned that he learned from Madison Association for Racial Equity that they are advocating to have Bethel AME Church given historic designation. HPC would support such an effort and Ms. Foster said she will be attending a webinar about making more properties eligible for historic designation. She will forward more information and a link to join this free webinar. Future Meetings, Adjournment: The next meeting of the Commission will be on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, via Zoom. There being no further business, on motion made, seconded, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary