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 18, 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 April 4, 2006 meeting
were reviewed and amended. A motion was
made by Bobbie Marlowe to accept the minutes as amended, second by Diane Stasi,
with all in favor.
APPLICATIONS
8
Westminster Place, (B31,L9) In Historic
District; Homeowner, Emily Goodfellow,
was present for discussion of proposed fencing on the southern/eastern
border. Approximately 50’ on the south
and approximately 43’ will have fencing installed along the east property
lines. The fence will be a square picket
red cedar 2” 50%, 5’ high in style.
Verbal vote call to approve the application as presented:
Ayes: Ms. Marlowe, Ms. McConnell, Ms. Stasi, Ms.
Stops, Mr. Williams
50
Maplewood Avenue, (B33,9) In Historic District; Class C/C-; Homeowner,
Robert Peter Christopher was present for discussion of a proposed prefab barn
style shed with 2 center opening cross buck doors placed as indicated on
supplied plot plan. Included on the
application is a proposed fence, but is lacking in completeness. Homeowner will move the shed to the proposed site
from Petty Road resident. A question was
asked if the foundation was removable or permanent. Mr. Christopher stated he would use loose cinderblock
on the perimeter.
This home
recently underwent renovations where the previous homeowner went through great lengths
to maintain the look of the existing house.
During the renovations, a free standing dilapidated wooden garage was removed
from the side yard. HPC file photo shows
the old wooden structure roofline running its length. A 4 square window was centered
over double carriage doors. Harry read
from the new ordinance Garages &
Accessory Structures new work shall be compatible with the historic
character and design. Due to the this
site being in the Historic District, HPC feels the barn style shed is not in
keeping and expressed that the shed look appropriate.
Continued on next page
APPLICATIONS (continued)
Resident, Mr.
Tim Brennan offered information regarding a website pertaining to sheds,
www.jamaicacottageshop.com which
was viewed on his laptop at this time.
Mr. Christopher will examine the website more closely.
Mr.
Christopher discussed the fencing.
Existing are different styles that include cyclone and stockade. Application was withdrawn by Mr.
Christopher.
12
Cranbury Neck Road, (B23,L107) In Surround Zone; application made for
re-roofing existing house. The shingles
will be removed and replaced with Certainteed Landmark 50 year in their Resawn
Shake color. After review, verbal vote
call to approve the application as presented:
Ayes:
Ms. Marlowe, Ms. McConnell, Ms. Stasi, Ms. Stops, Mr. Williams
DISCUSSION
Tim
Brennan, homeowner of 10 Park Place, (B32,L21) in the Historic Dristrict
(C); was unable to attend the previous meeting (April 4, 2006) regarding his
home. He prepared a short slide
presentation of existing front, side concrete porch and rear of home. Included are photos of Greek Revival homes in
the New England area that have additions.
Tim pointed out how many homes delineated between the existing and addition
noting a lowered roofline along with a higher rooflines. He likes the idea that many of the Greek
revival homes have a smaller window near the roofline to allow light and would
like to incorporate this detail on his home.
He would also like to use a hyphen to separate the original building
from the addition.
On the
east elevation, proposed is a 6’ deep inset addition, which will work as a
mudroom on the interior. The existing
side porch will remain. According to an
earlier picture, the columns on this side porch were similar to the Greek
revival front porch.
The
tiny annex (west) foundation will be repaired.
Tim
had an idea of a gable on the rear of his two story addition, but is open to
ideas that will help enhance and have a solution. Harry suggested Tim consider the idea of
running a gable on the side (east) and not the rear.
Tim researched
and explained current codes stipulate that a door cannot be added to the side. Tim also thought that it would be confused as
the front entrance. HPC feels that the
existing front makes a strong statement that it is the front entrance.
A
suggestion was made to contact the Princeton Architectural School for a
graduate student to draw a couple concept sketches. There is a concern of how the rooflines will
look from the front of the house. Tim
will get concept drawings of the front elevation showing the rooflines. Diane Stasi had recused herself for this
presentation.
Jim
Gerberich homeowner of 43 Evans Drive, (B34,L5) in the Buffer Zone; was
present to discuss proposed planned changes.
Back in December, Jim came before HPAC for changes, but was asked to
return with details. He plans to add a
portico over the front porch with square columns, 3 centered dormers across the
front elevation and new garage doors to this traditional Cape style home. Cement board is proposed for the front and
sides of dormers. The garage is brick
faced and will remain. The existing garage
doors are plain white wood. The new
doors will have a diagonal carriage look.
He is concerned of the weight and the strain on the electric
opener. Diane suggested a wooden front
garage door with a lightweight aluminum frame.
Windows on the dormers will be Woodright, if not then Marvin, with a
traditional sill. The shutters will be
replaced once the repair work and painting is completed. Jim will submit an application with project
and plan details.
Harry
addressed updates for the Certificate of Approval. He states that if there is a property description
Heritage Studies page, this should be
included along with any file photos with the application. This will also state the Classification (K,
C, I, or H). Type of application-minor,
major, re-roofing, renovation, the Administrative Officer determines the
type. Should the foot print change, a
plot plan is needed, if this not the case, reference the tax map for the
location. Determine the
location of site-in the Historic
District or 200’ Buffer Area. A
Certificate of Approval posted on site in a conspicuous spot is stated in the
new ordinance. The proposed building
materials should be detailed. Details include
windows, doors, porches, trim, and colors for proposed stones or shingles.
Plastic
shutters have been applied to 18 Maplewood Avenue, (B33, L22). After reviewing past applications in file, there
is no mention of installing shutters on this dwelling, neither has an
application been received for such. Secretary
will call Jeff Graydon.
Kate
investigated the list of historic sites that was discussed at the last
meeting. She has mapped these sites with
a couple exceptions. She will keep the
list and map for further investigation and report again of her findings. It was stated that this SHPO site list should
be included when the Historic District map for Cranbury is updated.
A date will
be set aside to review and update the Certificate of Approval. Diane and Bobbie will check their schedules
and contact secretary.
99
North Main Street, emails between
Kathy Cunningham ,clerk, and Trishka Waterbury relayed that April 1 was the
deadline that records and transcripts were to be received of HPAC’s decision
for this appeal. To date, no information
was received and per the emails, the appeal is being dismissed due to lack of
information. Email states that Trishka
will contact Frank Brennan and inform him of this. HPC asked secretary to contact Jeff Graydon
to understand the next step.
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 9:50 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 18, 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 May 2, 2006.
__________________________________________
Linda M. Scott, Secretary