[Adopted 5-12-1997 by Ord. No. 97-04]
There is hereby created a Historic Preservation Commission, referred to in this chapter as the "Commission." The Commission shall carry out the responsibilities set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-109 through 40:55D-112, and any amendments or supplements thereto. In addition, the Commission shall:
A. 
Encourage the continued use of historic resources and facilitate their appropriate reuse.
B. 
Work to safeguard the heritage of the Township of Knowlton by endeavoring to preserve resources within the Township which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic and architectural history.
C. 
Encourage the maintenance and development of an appropriate and harmonious setting for the historic and architecturally significant buildings, structures, sites, objects or districts within the Township of Knowlton.
D. 
Work to stabilize and improve property values and discourage the unnecessary demolition of historic resources.
E. 
Foster and enhance civic beauty and neighborhood pride.
F. 
Promote appreciation of the Knowlton Township's historic sites and any other designated historic districts for the education, pleasure and general welfare of the citizens of the Township and its visitors.
G. 
Encourage private reinvestment in existing or new structures in a manner that preserves, restores, repairs or is compatible with the original architectural style which is characteristic of any designated historic districts in which the structure is located.
[Amended 6-14-2021 by Ord. No. 21-07]
A. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of nine regular members and two alternate members. The members shall be divided into three classes as follows:
(1) 
Class A: a person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history and who may reside outside of Knowlton Township.
(2) 
Class B: a person who is knowledgeable or with a demonstrated interest in local history and who may reside outside of Knowlton Township.
(3) 
Class C: a person who is a resident of Knowlton Township who shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment, except such person may hold membership on the Township's Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
B. 
Four of the regular members shall be drawn from Classes A and B; at least one of those four shall be a Class A member, and at least one of those four shall be a Class B member. Five of the regular members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members, and the two alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members.
A. 
The Mayor shall appoint all regular and alternate members of the Commission and shall designate at the time of the appointment the regular members by class and the alternate members as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The terms of the members first appointed under this article shall be so determined that, to the greatest practicable extent, the expiration of the terms shall be distributed, in the case of regular members, evenly over the first four years after their appointment and, in the case of alternate members, evenly over the first two years after their appointment, provided that the initial term of no regular member shall exceed four years and that the initial term of no alternate member shall exceed two years. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be four years, and the term of an alternate member shall be two years. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the Commission and the Planning Board shall be for the term of membership on the Planning Board; and the term of any member common to the Commission and the Board of Adjustment shall be for the term of membership on the Board of Adjustment.
B. 
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 has to be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote before Alternate No. 2.
C. 
The Chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission shall immediately notify the Mayor of any membership vacancies along with recommendations made by the Commission to fill such vacancies.
A. 
No members may act on any matter in which the member has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
B. 
A member may be removed by the Township Committee for just cause. Prior to such removal, the Township Committee shall conduct a hearing if the member so requests in writing within 10 days after receiving notice of intent to remove.
A. 
The Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from its members and select a Secretary, who may be a member of the Commission or a municipal employee.
B. 
The Township Committee shall provide for the Commission in its budget and shall appropriate funds for the expenses of the Commission.
C. 
The Commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with official business, and the Commission may acquire equipment, supplies and other material necessary to its effective operation through grants, gifts or funds appropriated by the Township Committee.
D. 
The Commission may employ, contract for and fix the compensation of experts and other staff and services as it shall deem necessary, except that the Commission shall obtain its legal counsel from the Township Attorney at the hourly rate of compensation set forth in the Township Attorney's contract with the municipality. Expenditures pursuant to this subsection shall not exceed, exclusive of gifts, donations or grants, the amount appropriated by the Township Committee for the Commission's use.
A. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall create and adopt internal rules and procedures for the transaction of its business, which shall be known as the "Knowlton Township Historic Preservation Commission Administrative Procedures." Said rules shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Township's ordinances.
B. 
The Commission shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. Applicants shall be notified of the meetings and attendance requirements and be advised of decisions. Written minutes of meetings and proceedings shall be kept, including voting records, attendance, findings and recommendations. All such material shall become public record.
C. 
A quorum for the transaction of all business shall be four members.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall have the following responsibilities:
A. 
Prepare a survey of historic sites of the municipality pursuant to criteria identified in the survey report.
B. 
Make recommendations to the Planning Board on the historic preservation plan element on the Master Plan and on the implications for preservation of historic sites of any other Master Plan elements.
C. 
Advise the Planning Board on the inclusion of historic sites in the recommended capital improvement program.
D. 
Advise the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment on applications for development pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-110 and 40:55D-111, to the extent permitted by law.
E. 
Provide written reports pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-111 on the application of the Zoning Ordinance provisions concerning historic preservation, to the extent permitted by law.
F. 
Carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions as will promote historic preservation in the municipality.
G. 
Effective date. This article shall take effect upon passage and publication in accordance with law.