[Ord. No. 11-2017]
From time to time, the Commission shall recommend to the City
Council the inclusion of historic places on an Official Local Register
of Historic Places. Upon such historic designation by action of the
City Council, no major alterations or additions which are deemed to
materially change the characteristics of the historic place shall
be undertaken nor approved by any local official of the City and no
demolition of said historic place shall occur until prior approval
has been obtained from the Historic Preservation Commission.
[Ord. No. 11-2017]
A.
The Commission shall consider as worthy of designation those buildings,
structures, objects, sites and districts that have integrity of location,
design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association with
events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns
of our history, the lives of persons significant in our past, that
embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of
construction, have yielded or may be likely to yield information important
to history or are otherwise of particular historic significance to
the City of South Amboy by reflecting or exemplifying the broad cultural,
political, economic or social history of the nation, state, region
or community.
B.
Any improvement, landmark, structure, or district may be designated
as Historic according to the provisions of this code based on the
following criteria:
(1)
The structure has retained as integrity either in original workmanship,
materials, design, setting or association
(2)
The structure is 50 or more years old
(3)
And meets one or more of the following:
(a)
Historical importance. The improvement, structure, landmark
or district has character, interest or value as part of the development,
heritage or cultural characteristic of the community, A is associated
with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
pattern of our history, is associated with the lives of persons significant
in our past, a exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social
or historic heritage of the community, or a may have yielded or may
be likely to yield information on recorded history
(b)
Architectural importance. The improvement, structure, landmark
or district portrays the environment of a group of people in an area
of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style, it
embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural
type, period or method, A is the work of an architect or master builder
whose individual work has influenced the development of a municipality
or several municipalities, or it contains elements of architectural
design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represents a significant
innovation. The structure has distinguishing characteristics of an
architectural style representative of a recognized historical or unique
period or method of construction
(c)
Geographic importance. The improvement, structure, landmark
or district, because of being part of or related to a square, park
or other distinctive area should be developed or preserved according
to a plan based on historic, cultural or architectural motif, or due
to as unique location or singular physical characteristics represents
an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community
or state.
C.
Criteria for evaluating structures for historic significance and
review of Local Certifications of Eligibility [COEs] will follow guidelines
outlined in state certifications.
D.
The National Register Criteria (from the National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, as amended) Criteria: The quality of significance in
American history, architecture, archaeology, culture, and engineering
is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects
that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship,
feeling and association, and; (1) that are associated with events
that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of
our past; or (2) that are associated with the lives of persons significant
in our past; or (3) that embody the distinctive characteristics of
a type, period, or method of construction or that represent the work
of a master; or that possess high artistic values, or that represent
a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack
individual distinction; or (4) that have yielded, or may be likely
to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
[Ord. No. 11-2017]
A.
Procedures for designation. Proposals to designate a property as
historic pursuant to this article may be made by the Mayor, City Council,
the Commission, the Planning Board or by the verified application
of the owner(s) or authorized agent(s) of the individual property
to be designated or, in the case of a proposed district, by the verified
application of 10% of the owners of record or persons residing within
the district or by verified application of any organization with a
recognized interest in historic preservation, in accordance with the
following procedures:
(1)
Nomination of proposals. The party proposing property for designation
under this section shall prepare and submit to the Commission a nomination
report for each proposed property, site or district. For historic
district designations, the report shall include a building-by-building
inventory of all properties within the district, photographs of representative
properties within the district, a property map of the district showing
boundaries, and a physical description and statement of significance
for the district. For individual landmark designations, the report
shall include one or more photographs, the tax lot and block number
of the property as designated on the Official Tax Map of the City
and a physical description and statement of significance and proposed
utilization of the site.
(2)
Notice. The Commission shall schedule a public hearing on the proposed
designation of a landmark or landmark district. At least 20 days prior
to the hearing, the Commission shall, by personal service or certified
mail:
(a)
Notify the owner(s) of record of a property that has been proposed
for designation or of property within a district that has been proposed
for designation that the property is being considered for such designation
and the reasons therefor.
(b)
Advise the owner(s) of record of the significance and consequences
of such designation and of the rights of the owner(s) of record to
contest such designation under the provisions of this Chapter.
(c)
Notify the owner(s) of record of the date, time and location
of the hearing concerning the proposed designation of the property.
(d)
Serve any notices further required under the provisions of the
Municipal Land Use Law.
(3)
Public notice of hearing. Public notice of the hearing shall be given
at least 20 days prior to the hearing by publication in the official
newspaper of the City. A copy of the nomination report shall also
be made available for public inspection in the Municipal Clerk's office
at least 20 days prior to the hearing.
(4)
Hearing. At a public hearing scheduled in accordance with this Chapter,
the Commission shall review the nomination report and accompanying
documents. Interested persons shall be entitled to comment on the
proposed nominations for designation. Those persons who intend to
file a formal protest against a proposed designation must submit their
protest, in writing, to the Commission in accordance with the provisions
of that section of this article.
(5)
Protests. A protest against landmark designation signed by the owners
of record of 30% or more of the properties within a proposed landmark
district or by the owner(s) of record of a proposed landmark may be
filed with the Commission 10 days prior to the scheduled hearing date
of the proposed designation before the Commission. Protests must be
in writing, must contain the reason(s) for the protest and must bear
the verified signatures of the owner(s) joining in such a protest.
(6)
Commission report. Upon Commission review and public hearing, the
Commission shall forward to the Mayor and the City Council its report,
which shall contain a statement of its recommendations and the reasons
therefor with regard to proposed designations considered at the hearing,
including a list and map of properties approved for designation.
(7)
Referral to Planning Board. The City Council shall refer the report
to the Planning Board, which in turn shall report to the City Council
as soon as possible, but within 60 days.
(8)
Final designation. As soon as possible after its receipt of the report
of the Planning Board or the expiration of the period allowed for
Planning Board comment on designations, the City Council shall act
upon the proposed designation list and map and may approve, reject
or modify by ordinance the designation recommendations made by the
Planning Board. In the event that the City Council votes to reject
or modify any Planning Board recommendations for a proposed designation,
the Council shall record in its minutes the reasons for not following
such recommendation. All action taken by the Council on proposed designations
shall become effective upon a favorable vote of a majority of its
full authorized membership, except, in cases in which a protest has
been filed, a proposed designation shall require a favorable vote
of 2/3 of the members of the Council.
(9)
Public notice of designation. Notice of designation shall be made
public by publication in the official newspaper of the City and by
distribution to all municipal agencies reviewing development applications
and permits. A certificate or letter of designation shall be sent
to the owner(s) of record.
(10)
Incorporation of designated landmarks into City records. Upon
adoption, the designation list and map shall be incorporated by reference
into the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance of the City as required
by the provisions of the Municipal Land Use Law. Designated properties
shall also be noted as such on the records for those properties maintained
by the offices of the City Tax Assessor and the Municipal Clerk.
(11)
Amendments. Landmark and landmark district designations may
be amended in the same manner as they were adopted in accordance with
the provisions of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 11-2017]
Based on NJ and National Register of Historic Places Program,
the following guidelines should be used during evaluation of historic
designations:
A.
Criteria: The quality of significance in American history, architecture,
archaeology, culture, and engineering is present in districts, sites,
buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity of location,
design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association,
and;
(1)
That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution
to the broad patterns of our past; or
(2)
That are associated with the lives of persons significant in our
past; or
(3)
That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or
method of construction or that represent the work of a master; or
that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant
and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;
or that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important
in prehistory or history.
B.
Age, Integrity, Criteria, and Areas of Significance.
To be eligible for listing on the New Jersey and National Registers,
a property must:
(1)
Be at least 50 years old, unless it is exceptionally important;
(2)
Be historically or architecturally significant on the national, state,
or local level; and
(3)
Possess "integrity" from the period during which it earned its significance.
Integrity can be defined as a high degree of retention of character-defining
features that permits a property to convey a strong sense of its historic
qualities.
C.
District. A district possesses a significant concentration, linkage,
or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically
or aesthetically by plan or physical development.
(1)
Significance. A district must be significant, as well as being an
identifiable entity. It must be important for historical, architectural,
archeological, engineering, or cultural values. A district can contain
buildings, structures, sites, objects, or open spaces that do not
contribute to the significance of the district.
(2)
Geographical Boundaries. A district must be a definable geographic
area that can be distinguished from surrounding properties by changes
such as density, scale, type, age, style of sites, buildings, structures,
and objects, or by documented differences in patterns of historic
development or associations.
Examples of districts include: Business districts, Residential
districts, residential areas, transportation networks, rural historic
districts, etc.
D.
Building. A building, such as a house, barn, church, hotel, or similar
construction, is created principally to shelter any form of human
activity. "Building" may also be used to refer to a historically and
functionally related unit, such as a courthouse and jail or a house
and barn.
(1)
If a building has lost any of its basic structural elements, it is
usually considered a "ruin" and is categorized as a site.
Examples of buildings include: Administration buildings, church,
City or town hall, courthouse, firehouse, garage, hotel, house, library,
office building, post office, school, social hall, store, train station,
etc.
