[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
An agency to be known as the Historic Preservation Commission is hereby established. The Commission shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate members who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Princeton Council. A majority of the Commission members shall be residents of Princeton.
(1) 
At least one member of the Historic Preservation Commission shall belong to each of the following classes:
CLASS A: a person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history and who may reside outside the municipality.
CLASS B: at least one person who is knowledgeable about or with a demonstrated interest in local history and who may reside outside the municipality.
CLASS C: Those regular members who are not designated as Class A or B. Class C members shall be citizens of the municipality who hold no other office, position, or employment in the municipality except for membership on the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment. If possible, Class C members shall be knowledgeable about local history, history of landscape design, archaeology, architectural history, or building design. At least one of the regular members shall, if possible, be an owner occupying his or her residence within a historic preservation district.
At least one of the Class A or B members shall, if possible, be a member of the Site Plan Review Advisory Board.
(2) 
Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members. The Mayor with the advice of the Princeton Council shall designate at the time of appointment the regular members by class and the alternate members as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." Of the regular members first appointed on January 1, 2013, one shall have a term of one year, one shall have a term of two years, one shall have a term of three years, and four shall have a term of four years. In the case of alternate members, Alternate No. 2 shall have a term of one year and Alternate No. 1 shall have a term of 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 the member's term shall be filled only for the unexpired term in the same manner as the initial appointment subject to the continuing requirements concerning the appointment of members. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Board shall be for the terms of membership on the Planning Board, and the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Adjustment shall be for the term of membership on the Board of Adjustment.
(3) 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from its members and select a municipal employee as secretary.
(4) 
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.
(5) 
No member shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he or she has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
(6) 
A member may be removed by the Princeton Council for cause including but not limited to failure to attend regular Commission meetings. The member is entitled to a public hearing.
(7) 
Members shall serve without compensation, but may, within budgetary limitations, be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred.
(8) 
The Princeton Council shall appoint annually one of its members as liaison to the Commission. Said liaison shall not be considered a member of the Commission and shall not vote on Commission matters.
[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
The Historic Preservation 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 Princeton Council, unless 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 Princeton Council for the Commission's use.
[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10; amended 1-24-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-01]
(1) 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall:
(a) 
Advise the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment on applications for development for which preservation plan approval is necessary.
(b) 
Provide written reports pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-111 on the application of the zoning ordinance provisions concerning historic preservation.
(c) 
Advise the board of jurisdiction in written form. Members or staff shall testify at the hearing on the application and explain the Commission's written report. The recommendations of the Commission shall not be disregarded by the board of jurisdiction except for reasons stated on the record.
(d) 
Make recommendations to the Planning Board, on the historic preservation element of the Princeton Master Plan and on the implications for preservation of historic sites of any other master plan elements.
(e) 
Advise the Planning Board and Princeton Council on the inclusion of historic sites or districts in the recommended capital improvements program.
(f) 
Adopt or amend guidelines pertaining to the substantive standards set forth in section 10B-386 to 10B-388 and 10B-390 and to determinations pursuant to section 10B-380 as to whether work pursuant to a preservation plan will have a significant impact.
(g) 
Prepare a survey of historic sites of Princeton pursuant to criteria identified in the survey report and to identify and maintain a survey of all buildings, structures, sites, objects, improvements, and districts of historical significance.
(h) 
Carry out such other advisory, educational, and informational functions as will promote historic preservation in Princeton.
(i) 
Hold regular meetings at least four times annually.
[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
The Historic Preservation Commission shall adopt rules governing the form and content of preservation plans and related applications and more detailed procedures for review of the plans and applications. Such rules shall to the extent practicable expedite and simplify the review process and minimize cost and inconvenience to property owners and shall be otherwise consistent with the provisions of this article.