There is hereby created, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-107 et
seq., in and for the Borough of Fort Lee a commission to be known
as the "Historic Preservation Commission of the Borough of Fort Lee."
The Historic Preservation Commission, the creation of which shall
void and supersede the Historic Site, Structure, Cultural and Landmark
Committee (Ord. No. 92-20), shall consist of five regular members
and two alternate members. All members of the Commission shall be
residents of the Borough. Of the five regular Commission members,
the (then serving) Director of the Office of Cultural and Heritage
Affairs of the Borough shall be made a member of the Commission; and
at least one member shall be of Class A, at least one of the members
shall be of Class B, and three of the five members shall either be
of Class A or Class B. Notwithstanding the five members, there shall
also be a nonvoting student member, appointed by the Mayor, who shall
be a high school student in Fort Lee who shall serve a one-year term
commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment and ending June 30
of the following year. Members shall be classified as follows:
A. Class A: a person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction
in architectural history.
B. Class B: a person who is knowledgeable of or with a demonstrated
interest in local history.
C. Class C: those regular members who are not designated as Class A
or Class B. Class C members shall hold no other Borough office position
or employment, except they may be a member of the Planning Board or
the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
D. Council liaison: A member of the governing body of the Borough of
Fort lee shall serve, ex officio, as a nonvoting member of the Historic
Preservation Commission.
E. Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members.
The Commission shall create rules and procedures for the transaction
of its internal business subject to the following regulations:
A. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of three of
the Commission's members, including the Chairman or, in his/her
absence, the Vice Chairman.
B. The Commission shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member
of the Commission. The secretary shall keep minutes and records of
all meetings and proceedings, including voting records, attendance,
resolutions, findings, determination and decision. All such material
shall be public records.
C. All meetings shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A.
10:4-6 et seq.).
D. Alternate members may participate in discussion of the proceedings
but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular
member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member
may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice
must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No.
1 shall vote.
E. No member of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be permitted
to act on any matter in which he/she has, either directly or indirectly,
any personal or financial interest.
F. Upon petition of the Commission or upon a citizen complaint or motion
of a member of the governing body, a member of the Historic Preservation
Commission may be removed for cause by the governing body, after a
hearing, if requested. Said hearing shall be held in public session,
only upon the written request of the subject member.
The Historic Preservation Commission members and officers shall
serve without compensation.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall obtain its legal
counsel from the Borough Attorney, and shall be bound thereby, at
the rate of compensation determined by the governing body. Expenditures
shall not exceed, exclusive of gifts or grants, the amount appropriated
by the governing body for the Commission's use.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ADDITION
A structure added to the original structure at some time
after the completion of the original.
ALTERATION
Any work done on any improvement which is not an addition
to the improvement and which changes the appearance of the exterior
surface of any improvement.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A report issued by the Historic Preservation Commission approving,
with or without condition, any new construction or any addition to
or alteration, relocation, or demolition of a structure located on
a designated historic landmark or in an historic district.
DEMOLITION
The razing of any improvement or the obliteration of any
natural features of a landmark.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
A definable group of Tax Map lots, the improvements on which,
when viewed collectively, represent a significant period(s) in the
architectural and social history of the Borough of Fort Lee and, because
of their unique character, can readily be viewed as an area or neighborhood
distinct from surrounding portions of Fort Lee or have a unique character
resulting from their architectural style. Except as otherwise stated,
all references to "historic landmarks" in this chapter shall be deemed
to include "historic districts" as well.
HISTORIC LANDMARK(S)
Any real property, such as a building, structure, ruins,
foundation, route, trail, place or object, including but not limited
to a cave, cemetery, burial ground, camp or village area, or natural
objects or configuration, geological information or feature which
is of particular historic, cultural, scenic or architectural significance
to the Borough of Fort Lee and in which the broad cultural, political,
economic or social history of the nation, state or community is reflected
or exemplified; is identified with historic personages or with important
events in the main current of national, state or local history; shows
evidence of habitation, activity or the culture of prehistoric man;
embodies a distinguishing characteristic or an architectural type
valuable as representative of a period, style or method of construction;
represents a work of a builder, designer, artist or architect whose
individual style significantly influenced the architectural history
of the municipality; or is imbued with traditional or legendary lore.
All historic landmarks shall specifically be identified within the
Historic Preservation Plan Element of the Master Plan as recognized
by the provision of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28b(6). The designation of an
"historic landmark" shall be deemed to include the Tax Map lot(s)
on which it is located.
IMPROVEMENT
Any structure or part thereof constructed or 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
60 contiguous days.
REPAIR
Any work done on any improvement which is not an addition
to the improvement and does not change the appearance of the exterior
surface of any improvement.
REPLACEMENT
Repairs when a building permit is required for the same.
STRUCTURE
Any improvement, including but not limited to all buildings.