MINUTES
OF THE
CRANBURY TOWNSHIP
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
CRANBURY, NEW JERSEY
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
TIME AND
PLACE OF MEETING
The regular meeting of the Cranbury
Township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission was held at the Town Hall,
Cranbury, New Jersey, on January 17, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
STATEMENT OF ADEQUATE NOTICE
Pursuant of the Sunshine Law,
adequate notice in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A.
10:4-5) was provided on January 4, 2006 of this meeting’s date, time, place and
agenda was mailed to the news media, posted on the Township bulletin board,
mailed to those requesting personal notice and filed with the Municipal Clerk.
CALL TO ORDER
With a quorum present, nominations
for Bobbie Marlowe as Chair and Diane Stasi as Vice Chair, were made, seconded
with all in favor.
Bobbie Marlowe then called the
meeting to order and acted as the Chairman thereof, and, Linda M. Scott,
Secretary for the Commission, performed as Secretary.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
Kate McConnell, Diane Stasi, Harry
Williams and Chairperson Bobbie Marlowe, were present.
MINUTES
The minutes of December 20, 2005
meeting were reviewed and amended. A
motion was made by Diane Stasi to accept the minutes as amended, second by
Bobbie Marlowe, with all in favor.
APPLICATIONS
68
South Main Street, (B21,L5) In
Surround Zone; Owner and Architect, Richard
Schroeder was present (impromptu
application) for a signage application. It
will be installed on the exterior stone wall facing South Main Street at this
site. The proposed signage is to advertise
the location of the two occupants for their customers. HPAC
reviewed the application with the submitted schematics of the signage. HPAC approved this application, with the
understanding if a change or additional signage is needed; a return visit to
HPAC is required. All in favor.
8
Westminster Place, (B31,L9) In Historic District; Architect, Bill Gittings was present for
discussion of the submitted construction plans for the garden structure, relocation
of existing shed, and replacement windows in the sunroom of existing home at 6
Westminster. These plans were conceptually approved by HPAC on November 1,
2005. The structure at 8 Westminster
aligns with the street and the front is perpendicular to 6 Westminster. Siding will be vertical wood siding. A pergola is drawn on the plans. If this is not included when construction is
underway or there is a change of materials, such as lattice, then a return trip
to HPAC will be required. The two parcels 6 & 8 Westminster Place
remain as separate lots. Application was
approved, with all in favor.
10 Silvers
Lane, (B26,L29.18) In Surround Zone;
An application was submitted and received on January 6, 2006 for the
removal of existing windows, replacing them with French doors and
sidelites. All the proposed work is
located in the rear of existing house.
The existing deck will be altered to match the main house. HPAC reviewed and approved this application,
with all in favor.
DISCUSSION
Kate explained her findings regarding funding
for the potato barn. An emergency grant is
available with a turnaround period of 2-4 months from the NJ Historic Trust,
providing a low interest loan or grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Emergency grants are for emergency repairs,
stabilization, planning, acquisitions or purchasing. The grants only match dollar for dollar donations
and do not match the donated building materials. Municipalities are eligible for grants. The barns are located in the Historic
District and are contributing. Matching
funds can be private or municipal, however, there needs to be proof of funds,
such as a letter or bank statement confirming such. The work needs to meet the Secretary of
Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
This means to replace in kind. A plan will be culminated projecting a
future use to demonstrate long-term preservation and how it will benefit the
community. The Township should apply
for the applicable grant. Grants are
available from the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund, ranging
between $5,000 and $50,000 per grant. There
is a grant round; application is available on March 20, 2006, with workshops in
April and June. A determination is announced in the fall 2006. Kate has agreed to help complete and file for
applicable grants. She indicated that
letters of support help with the grant approval process.
Committeeman
Wayne Wittman was present for the barn discussion and feels that applying for
the emergency grant and then for long term funding to rehabilitate the barn is
best. At the upcoming budget meeting, Wayne will
discuss finding funds.
Harry
stated that Cranbury has a history as a farming community and that these barns
are in a highly visible area. He will visit
the site with interested individuals on January 25. An update of this visit will be reported on
next meeting.
Bill
Bunting, speaking on behalf of Cranbury Historical Preservation Society (CHPS),
are very encourage due the fact there are two Committee members are present
tonight and actively seeking a positive solution for the barns. He has a letter of support from CHPS to be
forwarded to the Township Committee endorsing their support for this project.
Harry
inquired about a proclamation for Don Jo Swanagan. He has devoted many years to Cranbury and has
been a valuable asset to HPAC along with other boards that he has served. The secretary will investigate his years on
HPAC. This will be helpful when a
proclamation is prepared.
Kate reported
that property owned by municipalities, in state listed historic districts; need
to submit application for authorization for undertaking a project regarding
cell towers. However, there is an exclusion of increasing the height of an
existing tower by a certain amount of feet. Bobbie recommended Kate to call Committeeman
Richard Stannard, who was present for barn discussion, and volunteer to
summarize the information regarding cell towers in an historic district.
Bobbie
addressed the HPAC vacancy issue. She
informed all that she recently has contacted two individuals, one was not
interested and the other has not yet returned her phone call. She asked if anyone on the committee knew of
someone with the required Class A (knowledgeable in building design &
construction or in architectural history) qualifications. When the pending ordinance is passed, it will
require an additional two (alternate) members.
A memo
dated December 28, 2005 regarding NJ “Local Unity Pay to Play Law” from Lisa
Randazzese, of Mason, Griffin & Pierson was distributed for all to review
and keep on file.
Bobbie
noted that the word “synthetic” siding was removed from the most current
amended HPC ordinance.
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
There being no further business, on
motion duly made by Bobbie Marlowe, seconded by Kate McConnell, and carried,
the meeting was thereupon adjourned at 9:30 pm.
CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY
I, Undersigned, do hereby certify;
That I am duly acting secretary of
the Cranbury Township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission and,
That the foregoing minutes, of the
Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, held on January 17, 2006, consisting
of 3 pages, constitutes a true and correct copy of the minutes of the said
meeting.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
do subscribe, my name of said Historic Preservation Advisory Commission this March
7, 2006.
__________________________________________
Linda M. Scott, Secretary