[Ord. #98-51 § 1]
There is hereby created, ratified and adopted a new chapter
of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Woodbridge to
be entitled "Historic Preservation Commission."
[Ord. #98-51 § 1]
This chapter has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted
under the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. including,
but not limited to, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-107 to 112.
[Ord. #98-51 § 1; Ord. #08-10 §§ 1—4;
Ord. #10-47]
a.
There is hereby created and designated within the Township an Historic
Preservation Commission to be known as the "Woodbridge Township Historic
Preservation Commission" (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission")
which shall consist of eleven (11) members and two (2) alternate members
who shall be appointed by the Mayor. The Mayor shall designate at
the time of appointment the regular members by class and the alternate
members as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The classes of
regular members shall be defined as follows:
1.
Class A — A person who is knowledgeable in building design
and construction or architectural history and who may reside outside
the Township.
2.
Class B — A person who is knowledgeable or with a demonstrated
interest in local history and who may reside outside the Township.
3.
Class C — Any citizen of the Township who shall hold no other
municipal office, position, or employment except he or she may be
a member of the Township Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
b.
There shall be one (1) regular member designated as Class A, one
(1) regular member designated as Class B and nine (9) regular members
designated as Class C.
c.
1.
The terms
of the members first appointed shall be so determined so 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
(4) years after their appointment and in the case of alternate members,
evenly over the first two (2) years after their appointment; provided
that the initial term of no regular member shall exceed four (4) years
and that the initial member of no alternate member shall exceed two
(2) years. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be four
(4) years and the term of an alternate member shall be two (2) years.
2.
The terms of the members increasing the size of the Historic Preservation
Commission from five (5) to nine (9) shall be so determined so that
the expiration of the terms shall be distributed evenly over the first
four (4) years after the appointment; provided that the initial term
of any appointee shall not exceed four (4) years. Thereafter, the
term shall be four (4) years.
d.
Vacancies 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.
e.
The Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from
its members and select a Secretary who may or may not be a member
of the Commission or a municipal employee.
f.
The presence of seven (7) members, which may include alternate members
filling vacancies of regular members, at a meeting shall constitute
a quorum.
g.
Alternate members may participate in discussions 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.
h.
No member of the Commission shall be permitted to act on any matter
in which he or she has, either directly or indirectly, any personal
or financial interest.
i.
A member of the Commission may, after public hearing if he or she
requests it, be removed by the Municipal Council for cause.
[Ord. #98-51 § 1]
a.
The Municipal Council shall make provision in its budget and appropriate
funds for the expenses of the Commission.
b.
The Commission may employ, contract for, and fix the compensation
of experts and other staff and services as it shall deem necessary.
The Commission shall obtain its legal counsel from the Municipal Attorney
at the rate of compensation determined by the Municipal Council, unless
the Municipal Council, by appropriation, provides for separate legal
counsel for the Commission. Expenditures pursuant to this subsection
shall not exceed, exclusive of gifts or grants, the amount appropriated
by the Municipal Council for the Commission's use.
[Ord. #98-51 § 1]
a.
The Commission shall have the responsibility to:
1.
Prepare a survey of historic sites of the Township pursuant to criteria
identified in the survey report;
2.
Make recommendations to the Planning Board on the historic preservation
plan element of the master plan and on the implications for preservation
of historic sites of any other master plan elements;
3.
Advise the Planning Board on the inclusion of historic sites in the
recommended capital improvement program;
4.
Advise the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment on applications
for development;
5.
Carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions
as will promote historic preservation in the Township.
[Ord. #98-51 § 1]
The Planning Board and Board of Adjustment shall refer to the
Commission every application for development submitted to either Board
for development on historic sites designated on the zoning or official
map or identified in any component element of the master plan. This
referral shall be made when the application for development is deemed
complete or is scheduled for a hearing, whichever occurs sooner. Failure
to refer the application as required shall not invalidate any hearing
or proceeding. The Commission may provide its advice, which shall
be conveyed through its delegation of one of its members or staff
to testify orally at the hearing on the application and to explain
any written report which may have been submitted.
