This chapter shall be known and may be referred
to by the short title of the "Historic Preservation Ordinance of the
Township of East Amwell."
These historic preservation regulations are
intended to effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement and
perpetuation of especially noteworthy examples or elements of the
township's environment in order:
A. To safeguard the heritage of East Amwell (EA) by preserving
resources within the township which reflect elements of its cultural,
social, economic and architectural history.
B. To encourage the continued use of historic landmarks
and to facilitate their appropriate use.
C. To maintain and develop an appropriate and harmonious
setting for the historic and architecturally significant buildings,
structures, site objects or districts within EA.
D. To stabilize and improve property values within the
district and foster civic pride in the built environment.
E. To promote appreciation of historic landmarks for
education, pleasure and the welfare of the local population.
F. To spur beautification and private reinvestment.
G. To manage change by educating applicants regarding
alterations to historic structures or new construction in historic
locations or districts.
H. To discourage the unnecessary demolition of historic
resources.
I. To recognize the importance of individual historic
landmarks located outside historic districts by assisting property
owners and tenants in understanding the requirements and standards
of this chapter.
J. To encourage the proper maintenance and preservation
of historic settings and landscapes.
K. To encourage appropriate alterations of historic landmarks.
L. To enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity,
continuity and interest in the town.
M. To promote the conservation of historic sites, including
historic farmsteads and districts, and to invite voluntary compliance.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ADDITION
The construction of a new improvement as part of an existing
improvement when such new improvement changes the exterior architectural
appearance of any landmark.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The person designated by the EATC to handle the administration
of historic project review applications as well as the coordination
of building permit applications as referenced in this chapter.
ALTERATION
Any work done on any improvement which is not an addition
to the improvement and constitutes a major change by addition or replacement
in the exterior architectural appearance of any improvement.
BUILDING
A structure created to shelter human activity.
DEMOLITION
Partial or total razing or destruction of any landmark or
of any improvement within a historic district.
DISREPAIR
The condition of being in need of repairs; a structure or
building in a dilapidated state.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
A geographically definable area, urban or rural, small or
large, possessing a significant concentration, linkage or continuity
of sites, buildings, structures and or objects which, viewed collectively:
A.
Represent a significant period(s) in the development
of the township; or
B.
Have a distinctive character resulting from
their architectural style; or
C.
Because of their distinctive character can readily
be viewed as an area or neighborhood distinct from surrounding portions
of the township.
D.
Resources within a historic district shall be
classified as either significant, contributing, or noncontributing,
which are defined as:
(1)
SIGNIFICANTAny buildings, structures, sites or objects which, due to their significance, would individually qualify for landmark status.
(2)
CONTRIBUTINGAny buildings, structures, sites or objects which are integral components of the historic district either because they date from a time period for which the district is significant, or because they represent an architectural type, period or method for which the district is significant.
(3)
NONCONTRIBUTINGAny buildings, structures, sites or objects which are not integral components of the historic district because they neither date from a time period for which the district is significant nor represent an architectural type, period, or method for which the district is significant.
HISTORIC LANDMARK(S)
Any buildings, structures, sites objects or districts which
possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship
and association and which have been determined, pursuant to the terms
of this chapter, to be:
A.
Of particular historic significance to EA by
reflecting or exemplifying the broad cultural, political, economic
or social history of the nation, state or community; or
B.
Associated with the historic personages important
in national, state or local history; or
C.
The site of a historic event which had a significant
effect on the development of the nation, state or community; or
D.
An embodiment of the distinctive characteristics
of a type, period, or method of architecture or engineering; or
E.
Representative of the work of an important builder,
designer, artist or architect; or
F.
Significant for containing elements of design,
detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant innovation;
or
G.
Able or likely to yield information important
in pre-history or history.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The advisory body created by this chapter which is not, however,
a historic preservation commission under the Municipal Land Use Law,
N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
[Amended 9-13-2001 by Ord. No. 01-19]
IMPROVEMENT
Any structure or any part thereof installed upon real property
by human endeavor and intended to be kept at the location of such
construction or installation for a period of not less than 120 continuous
days.
OBJECT
A thing of functional, aesthetic, cultural, historic, or
scientific value that may be, by nature or design, movable yet related
to a specific setting or environment.
ORDINARY MAINTENANCE
Repairing any deterioration, wear or damage to a structure,
or any part thereof, in order to return the same as nearly as practicable
to its condition prior to the occurrence of such deterioration, wear
or damage. Ordinary maintenance shall further include replacement
of exterior elements or accessory hardware, including signs, using
the same materials having the same appearance.
OVERLAY ZONE DISTRICT
A zoning district made up of underlying zone districts or
parts of zone districts as shown on the Township Zoning Map. An overlay zone district establishes certain standards
with the exception of bulk and use requirements, which are established
by the underlying zone district(s).
REPAIR
Any work done on any improvement which:
A.
Is not an addition to the improvement; and
B.
Does not substantially change the exterior architectural
appearance of any improvement.
REPLACEMENT
Major repairs affecting the exterior architectural appearance
of a structure when a building permit is required for the same.
REMOVAL
To partially or completely remove a structure substantially
intact.
SITE
The place where a significant event or pattern of events
occurred. It may be the location of prehistoric or historic occupations
or activities that may be marked by physical remains or it may be
the symbolic focus of a significant event or pattern of events that
may not have been actively occupied. A site may also be the location
of a ruined building, structure or object if the location itself possesses
historic, cultural, or archaeological significance. It may also be
a farmstead which would typify the working farm environment.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made work arranged in a definite pattern of organization.
UNDERLYING ZONE DISTRICT
A zoning district which forms a constituent part of an overlay
zone district. Underlying zone districts control bulk and use requirements.
The following regulations shall apply to all landmarks in a district and to any other historic resources which are designated in accordance with the procedures outlined in §
86-9.
All uses permitted for a historic landmark or
for structures with a historic district shall be those designated
by the official Zoning Map. Such uses shall not be altered by further
designation as a historic district.
[Amended 3-8-2018 by Ord.
No. 18-02]
The maximum building height, minimum lot size, maximum coverage, etc., shall be as provided in Chapter
92, Land Management, for the respective zones, except that the Planning Board may grant variances and waivers from such regulations where necessary to preserve historic characteristics.
No duties or powers of the Committee shall supersede
or infringe on the powers of other township boards and committees.