MINUTES
OF THE
CRANBURY TOWNSHIP
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
CRANBURY, NEW JERSEY
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
TIME AND
PLACE OF MEETING
The regular meeting of the Cranbury
Township Historic Preservation Commission was held at the Town Hall, Cranbury,
New Jersey, on April 4, 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, Chair Bobbie
Marlowe called the meeting to order, and Linda M. Scott, Secretary for the
Commission, performed as Secretary.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
Kate McConnell, Diane Stasi, Alana
Stops, Harry Williams and Chair Bobbie Marlowe were present.
MINUTES
The minutes of March 21, 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
2
Evans Drive, (B33,L40) In Historic
District, Class K; Owners Mr. & Mrs.
Stave and Architect, Mr. Bill Gittings were present for revisions of the
application dated March 1, 2006. Proposed
is a 10’ x 10’ rear addition to the rear of an existing two-story center hall
colonial house with two one-story wings off each end. The existing east wing has wooden balustrades
and railing on a sloped copper roof. Updated
drawings (A-1 & 2, dated April 4,2006) of the proposed plan will duplicate
the railing upon a flat seam copper roof.
The existing door and transom will be reused and centered with new 6/1 windows
that will have the same muntin spacing as the 4/1 windows on the east side of the
proposed addition. These side 4/1 windows
are narrower to allow for interior space.
All exterior trim and siding will match existing. HPC questioned, discussed and reviewed this
application with those present. Harry feels
this house has nice symmetry with the two annex wings and the proposed addition
will be an appendage to this massive dwelling.
He expressed that there may be a better solution internally to work in a
washer/dryer area than to put an addition.
Bill Gittings stated that he felt the same but after examining the
interior, it was best to add the proposed addition. Verbal vote call to approve the application
as presented:
Ayes:
Ms. Marlowe, Ms. McConnell, Ms. Stasi and Ms. Stops
Nay: Mr. Williams
10
Park Place, (B32,L21) In Historic District; Class C+; Marty Coffey was present for a discussion of
a conceptual proposed addition onto the rear of this existing Greek Revival
house. Proposed is to remove an existing
west side concrete covered porch and columns and replace with a window. HPC feels that the existing porch element has
attained an historical significance of its own and retention should be
seriously considered. A new porch will
be situated in the proposed
addition, close to the existing
house. HPC reviewed and discussed the submitted
elevation and feels it is lacking details as present. This is a significant and rare architectural
home in Cranbury. HPC would like to
discuss the addition and details with the homeowner. No action was taken and will be placed on the
next agenda. Diane Stasi had recused
herself from any discussion regarding this application.
101
Plainsboro Road, (B28,L18.01) In Historic District, Class C: Harry Williams, contractor for homeowner was
present for discussion of the removal of existing side (east) stairs and porch
for the incorporation of a porch deck.
The existing gable roof will be replaced with a hipped roof to match the
front elevation. Proposed roofing
materials will be a copper flat seam on the front screen porch, side porch and
the street side of the previously approved addition. Fiberglass shingles will be placed on the
remaining roof. Submitted elevations
were date stamped and approved. Vote
call to approve this application as presented and discussed:
Ayes: Ms. Marlowe, Ms. McConnell, Ms. Stasi and Ms.
Stops.
Abstained:
Mr. Williams
DISCUSSION
Kate
updated everyone about the barns. She is
in the process of completing a matching grant application. Alana has agreed to help Kate with this
process. Kate is concerned that a
preservation plan from a consultant will be needed with application submission. She spoke with her collegue/contact who
informed her that the grant is very competitive, and the NJ Trust may be
looking for a good preservation plan. A
few years back, the Historical Society (CHPS) received a grant for renovation
of the Grist Miller’s house, which is favorable. Kate will review this original grant application
for guidance. The barn offers a
different feel for the grant application whereas many applicants apply for
churches.
The Lions
Club have expressed their interest to help rehab the barns. Lion Mike Kaiser is a local contractor whose
expertise will be invaluable has volunteered his time. The historic barn purchased in 2004 is in
storage and may be included to locate it in the Barn Park. It will need a foundation, siding and a roof.
Bobbie
Marlowe received a call from a citizen regarding the string rope lights wrapped
around the tree in front of the pizza parlor.
Diane read the definition of a Streetscape
from the new ordinance. It is felt that
this public tree is not under HPCs jurisdiction and should be a Shade Tree
Commission issue.
Secretary
found on the NJDEP SHPO website a listing of several historic sites but is not
aware of the locations. It was felt that
these sites should be included on the HPC historic district map or inventory. Kate will investigate the list for further
details.
The Corr
appeal has no update (99 North Main Street). This situation occurred under the old
ordinance so Mr. Brennan, his attorney, appeals to the Township Committee. The current ordinance states that appeals go
before the Zoning Board.
The
Certificate of Approval is still a work in progress. HPC will submit their suggestions and ideas
to update this form.
A few
members from HPC met in Village Park to view a temporary crane that was erected
to the height of a cell tower that will be located across Rt. 130. It was felt that this would not be too
intrusive, especially when the leaves fill in on the trees. Sprint is the cell tower contractor.
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 Commission and,
That the foregoing minutes, of the
Historic Preservation Commission, held on April 4, 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 Commission this April 21,
2006.
__________________________________________
Linda M. Scott, Secretary