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 June 20, 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
Diane Stasi, Harry Williams and Chair
Bobbie Marlowe, were present.
MINUTES
The minutes of June 6, 2006 meeting were
not reviewed but will be placed on the July 18, 2006 agenda.
APPLICATIONS
10
North Main Street, (B21,L5) In Historic District, class C/C+; Homeowner DonJo Swanagan was present for
discussion of his application. He
proposed to enlarge the existing side portico by 12” wider 6” deeper and 6”
higher. He will install a yankee gutter,
with the run off on each side. Proposed
roofing material will be copper and exterior siding will be wood. A verbal vote to approve this application as
present:
Ayes:. Ms. Marlowe, Ms. Stasi. Mr. Williams
50
Maplewood Avenue, (B33,L9) In Historic District, class C/C-; Homeowner Robert Christopher was present for
the shed application. This cedar shed measures
8’ x 12’ and will be installed in the rear of the property as indicated on
submitted plot plan. A verbal vote to
approve this application as presented:
Ayes: Ms. Marlowe, Ms. Stasi. Mr. Williams
62
Maplewood Avenue, (B33,L4) in Historic District, class C; application
submitted for adding one triangular louver vent for each gable, on the north
and south of existing house. This
application was considered as a minor application and approved by Bobbie
Marlowe.
46
North Main Street, (B32,L3) In Historic District, class C+; application
submitted for work previously completed.
The new stamped and colored concrete drive and walk were considered as a
minor application and approved by Bobbie Marlowe. Secretary will include in the approval letter
that before future work commences on site, homeowner must complete and submit
an application to the HPC office.
61
Maplewood Avenue; (B29,L12) In Historic District, class C/C+; Contractor for The Elms at Sunnyfield Nursing
Home, Mike Kaiser was present for amendments to an approved application dated
December 7, 2004. Proposed are the
repair and replacement, as needed to the front porch rail and deck. Work includes changing the finish using a
AZEK cellular PVC that will match the original.
Deck material will be a commercial grade beige color (cedar) TimberTech
Horizon tongue and groove with 1” nosing on all edges. A duplicate size and colored sample for both
the railing and decking was presented so HPC could view. Photos supplied showing the current existing porch,
deck, front door and window conditions. The
lattice under the porch will be replaced with a straight design. The front entry door will be wood single light
entry door with sidelights and transom that will match existing; the storm door
will be removed. Columns are smooth and will
be replaced exactly as per earlier approval.
Mike discussed the dilemma of these four large windows. Due to the large size of the windows and current
code regulations, the glass will need to be tempered, which results in a hefty
cost for remaking sashes. He is seeking ideas or solutions. The windows
are excluded and did not receive approval on this application. Mike Kaiser will return with a separate
application for the windows on the front porch.
A verbal vote to approve application, less the windows, was taken:
Ayes: Ms. Marlowe, Ms. Stasi, Mr. Williams
DISCUSSION
DonJo
spoke about the Heritage Studies description for 10 North Main, which he states
is incorrect. The study states this site
was home of the National Hotel burned 1881 and present house built by John
Embley c.1881. DonJo stated that it was
the Stults’ Tavern that once stood on the site before the existing house was
built. DonJo stated the tavern was the
place where the Township Committee first met in the 1870’s. After Stults’ Tavern burned down, the
individual who built the existing house purchased the double lot for an inexpensive
cost. He chuckled that it was cheap due
to a “fire sale”.
29 Station
Road (B36, L9) In Buffer Zone; Owner and general contractor, Kerry Jefferson
currently living in AZ, was present for discussion of the details for his
project. As of today, many details previously
requested by HPC have been installed on the structure, such as the roofing
material, windows, front door with sidelights and the vinyl siding project has
begun with “j” channel. Front door is a
plain smooth fiberglass with sidelights.
HPC explained to Kerry that because unapproved materials were installed,
it puts HPC in an awkward situation. After
much debate, the realization is that this application needs to move forward and
HPC reminded the homeowner not to install any more details without receiving
the proper approvals.
The
installed windows, grills and trim were discussed. It is difficult for HPC to tell from the
pictures (on laptop) how dimensional the muntins are between the glass
windows. According to Kerry, the manufacturer
stated that the window design does not allow for installed external muntins. HPC can do nothing about the installed windows
style but would like to enhance the window surround trim. They suggested that Kerry look at the homes
in the Sharbell development to better understand and see how the surround trim detail
looks. HPC feels that the window surround
trim would add much to the front façade of his home. Window, trim and sill details calling out
dimensions should be submitted for approval.
Gutters are okay as proposed. Kerry
will submit a spec sheet of the columns on the front porch, which will be tapered.
The proposed half round vinyl siding has
changed and match the other vertical siding with a decorative triangular shaped
feature in the peak. Specs on the
triangular feature will need to be submitted.
Gable end vents are not required due to the soffit and ridge vents. Diane will visit the site with the
homeowner. Bobbie is also available, but
will need to look at her calendar. Kerry
stated that his architect is drawing new plans; when received, he will submit
these updates to HPC. An alternative
date or special meeting to hear this application can be called, barring any
planned vacations or work schedules.
Kerry
suggested that guidelines were available to help ease the process and eliminate
confusion for a proposed project. Mike
Kaiser offered an idea for a window surround product that is mounted to an
existing window that will enhance the façade.
Administrative
Officer reported that Ordinary Maintenance and/or Minor applications were
approved for:
5
Evans Drive (B34 L3) in Buffer Zone; re-roofing existing structure with
same style shingles.
101
Plainsboro Road (B28 L18.01) in Historic District; re-roofing existing
structure with GAF Timberline Architectural, charcoal color. Existing roof is black color.
88 North
Main Street (B28 L3) in Historic District. Information received regarding the denied
application. According to homeowner, the
doors will be of steel and painted to match existing garage. Considered as a minor application, Bobbie
Marlowe gave this application a verbal approval on June 19. Diane feels that this application should not
have been approved due to a change in style from the existing doors.
161 North
Main Street (B25 L88.01) in Buffer Zone; replacing gutters and
re-roofing existing structure. All
materials used will be in-kind with existing.
Bobbie
Marlowe stated that a minor repair is not just a repair; it can be a simple
repair or change. For example, if
synthetic siding was to be removed and returned back to its original form. Such
was the case for 46 North Main Street and 62 Maplewood Avenue,
both approved on this date.
HPC
will review the amendments that Trishka emailed back to the Board. Due to the lateness of this meeting, these
changes will be reviewed on the July 18 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
There being no further business, on
motion duly made by Bobbie Marlowe, seconded by Harry Williams, and carried,
the meeting was thereupon adjourned at 10:23 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 June 20, 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 July 18,
2006.
__________________________________________
Linda M. Scott, Secretary