[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
It is not the intent of this article to discourage contemporary architectural expression or to encourage new construction that emulates existing buildings of historic or architectural interest or of a certain period or architectural style, but to preserve the integrity and authenticity of the historic preservation districts and to insure the compatibility of new structures therein.
(1) 
Criteria applicable to all preservation plan applications. A preservation plan shall be approved only if the proposed action, as may be modified by conditions imposed by the reviewing municipal agency:
(a) 
Is appropriate to and compatible with the existing structures and landscape of the historic preservation district;
(b) 
Would not adversely affect the ambiance, character, and appearance of the historic preservation district and the relationships among structures and between structures and public ways in the district;
(c) 
Would not adversely affect the exterior architectural features and setting of the structure and its historical and architectural character; and
(d) 
Is consistent with the additional criteria of this section.
(2) 
Additional criteria applicable to new structures and additions and alterations to structures not considered historic structures. A preservation plan for the construction of new structures, additions to existing structures, or alterations of structures not considered historic structures shall be granted only if the proposed action, as may be modified by the reviewing municipal agency, is visually compatible with the structures and places within the district to which it is visually related, and acts as a backdrop to and does not visually intrude upon such structures and places.
(a) 
The height of the proposed structure shall be visually compatible with structures within the district;
(b) 
The relationship of the width of the structure to the height of the front elevation shall be visually compatible with the structures within the district to which it is visually related;
(c) 
The relationship of the width of windows to the height of windows in a structure shall be visually compatible with the structures within the district to which it is visually related.
(d) 
The relationship of solids to voids in the front facade of a structure shall be visually compatible with the structures within the district to which it is visually related;
(e) 
The relationship of the structure to the open space between it and adjoining structures shall be visually compatible with the structures and places within the district to which it is visually related;
(f) 
The relationship of entrance and porch projections shall be visually compatible with the structures and places within the district to which it is visually related;
(g) 
The relationship of materials, texture, and color of the facade and roof of a structure shall be visually compatible with the predominant materials used in the structures within the district to which it is visually related, and such materials, texture, and color shall act as a backdrop to and shall not intrude visually upon the structures and places within the district to which the structure is related.
(h) 
The roof shape of a structure shall be visually compatible with structures within the district to which it is visually related;
(i) 
Appurtenances such as walls and fencing shall be visually compatible with the historic walls and fencing within the district to which they are visually related;
(j) 
The size of the structure, the mass of a structure in relation to open spaces, and the windows, door openings, porches, and balconies shall be visually compatible with the structures and places within the district to which they are visually related;
(k) 
A structure shall be visually compatible with structures and places within the district to which it is visually related in its directional character, whether this be vertical character, horizontal character, or non-directional character;
(l) 
The pattern and variety of plantings shall be visually compatible with the historic landscape and streetscape within the district to which they are visually related;
(m) 
Parking areas shall be screened from the view from the public right-of-way and from the structures within the district; and
(n) 
To the extent possible, views from structures or places within the district shall not be blocked or impeded.
(3) 
Additional criteria applicable to historic structures. A preservation plan for the alteration of or additions to historic structures shall be granted only if the proposed action, as may be modified by the reviewing municipal agency:
(a) 
Preserves or enhances the historical or architectural value and character of the structure; and
(b) 
Seeks to restore the structure, or the part covered by the application, to the known or reasonably conceived appearance (including design elements, architectural details, and textures) it had when it was first constructed or when it was remodeled, except that modifications necessary or beneficial to contemporary living, including improvements for accessibility, consistent with the architectural design and character of the structure may be considered. In determining whether the applicant is proposing work which will restore the authenticity of the structure, as hereby required, the following principles, among other appropriate factors, shall when feasible be followed:
(i) 
Existing materials, if they are the original materials of the original structure or remodeling which is being restored, should be maintained and repaired rather than replaced.
(ii) 
Architectural details of the original construction or remodeling which is being restored or altered should be retained. This includes, but is not limited to, cornices and their brackets, window trim such as molded lintels, porch elements such as posts, balustrades, and spindles, shutters, and windows, particularly the number and size of the individual panes.
(iii) 
If an element must be replaced rather than repaired, a copy of the original is preferable to a similar or conjectural piece.
(iv) 
If a copy of a missing piece cannot be obtained, similar items are preferable to none at all.
(v) 
The original siding and roofing material should be maintained or repaired, and, if replacement is needed, it should be of the same material and size. If the same material is not available, a substitute material should be of the same shape and size.
(vi) 
Storm windows and doors are not prohibited, but should be as unobtrusive as possible.
(4) 
Landscape, fencing, and walls criteria.
(a) 
Plant materials shall not be installed in yards fronting on public rights-of-way when such materials at maturity would change the open character of the streetscape or obstruct the view of structures. Re-creation of historic landscapes is permitted and encouraged.
(b) 
Fencing and walls that diminish the open streetscape or obstruct the view of structures shall not be permitted. Any fencing that is permitted shall be appropriate for the historic preservation district and principal structure on the lot.
(c) 
No human-made or natural objects of any other kind shall change the open streetscape or obstruct the view of structures.
(d) 
The historic and natural character of the landscape shall be preserved, insofar as practicable and environmentally desirable, by minimizing tree and soil removal. If development of the site necessitates the removal of established trees, special attention shall be given to the planting of replacements or to other landscape treatment. Any grade changes shall be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas. In historic preservation districts and historic preservation buffer districts, landscaping shall be in keeping with the historic character of the district.
(e) 
Landscaping, including trees, may be modified to restore the landscape to its known or reasonably conceived appearance, when it was originally installed or modified as part of a building remodeling or to protect the structure.
(5) 
Sign criteria.
[Amended 2-24-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]
(a) 
Signs shall comply with the following standards:
(i) 
Size, placement and illumination shall conform to the municipal sign requirements.
(ii) 
Colors of backgrounds and letters shall be appropriate to and visually compatible with colors used on the building and in the surrounding context.
(iii) 
General design, lettering, and scale shall be appropriate to and visually compatible with the building to which it is affixed and with neighboring structures.
(iv) 
Lettering may be flat, raised, or incised.
(v) 
Placement shall be appropriate to and visually compatible with architectural elements.
(vi) 
Except with respect to projecting signs pursuant to section 17A-368 of the “Code of the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey, 1974,” logos shall not be more than one hundred fifty percent of the height of the lettering or thirty-five percent of the width of the lettering.
(vii) 
In the area bounded by John Street on the west, Hulfish Street on the north, Palmer Square West on the east and Nassau Street on the south, any sign on the fascia board or its equivalent above a shop window shall use black or white letters and the style of lettering on any such sign or on any awning or canopy shall be restricted to the particular variant of Caslon old style italic upper case as historically used in this block of Palmer Square, subject to minor variations approved by the municipal agency.
(b) 
Upon a finding that the style of lettering used on any existing sign on a property in the historic preservation district is of unique historic or architectural significance, consistent with the purposes of historic preservation set forth in section T10B-373 the reviewing municipal agency may require preservation of such style lettering in any proposed new or modified sign.
(6) 
Additional criteria for site plan applications and new dwelling units in historic preservation buffer zoning districts. Any improvement in a historic preservation buffer zoning district for which an application for development must be approved or which otherwise involves the construction of new dwelling units shall comply with the following.
(a) 
As to the location and orientation of dwelling units and other improvements:
(i) 
Section T10B-387(1)(a) and (b) shall apply;
(ii) 
Such improvements shall.
(aa) 
Respect the historic pattern of use of the historic property;
(bb) 
Respect the interrelationship of historic features of the property;
(cc) 
Provide for an adequate visual buffer for the principal structure or structures and, where appropriate, for an adequate visual buffer for the other historic features of the site;
(dd) 
As to the design of dwelling units, outbuildings or nonresidential construction, sections T10B-387(1)(a) and (b) and (2) shall apply;
(ee) 
Landscaping shall be sufficient to provide an adequate visual screen between the new construction and the historic preservation district with which the historic preservation buffer district is contiguous.
(7) 
Sustainability. All improvements shall address sustainability best practices and shall address the principles set forth in the Green Practices Checklist retained on file with the Office of Planning. The Commission shall formulate sustainability guidelines that include sustainability elements for use by property owners required to secure preservation plan approval.
[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
Development applications shall:
(a) 
Preservation plans for properties located in historic preservation zoning districts that include a "Preservation Area" as delineated on the "Map of Preservation Areas" shall be designed so that the preservation area is not disturbed (except for minimal provision for essential utility corridors).
(b) 
Preservation plans for properties located in historic preservation districts that do not include preservation areas shall establish a preservation area in which the land is not disturbed (except for minimal provision for essential utility corridors). The preservation area shall be delineated so that improvements respect the historic pattern of use of the historic property; respect the interrelationship of historic features of the property; and provide for an adequate visual buffer for the principal structure or structures and, where appropriate, for an adequate visual buffer for the other historic features of the site by use of open areas and appropriate plantings and, in implementation of these standards, create protection areas around the historic features on the property. Proposed preservation areas shall be specified in any approved development application. The area shall include the principal structure and all of the other historic features on the property except when the distance of an historic feature from the principal structure and other features makes it impracticable to be included in the proposed preservation area. The area shall also be of a size and configuration sufficient to maintain the historic setting and historic character of the property. When it is not feasible to include an historic feature in the preservation area which includes the principal structure, such historic feature shall be included in a separate historic preservation area, which shall also include the intrinsic links between such feature and the other historic features on the site. Such links shall be visually preserved in order to maintain the sense of the historic setting.
(c) 
Preservation areas shown on the approved plans shall be included in one or more lots that do not include any proposed improvements other than those accessory to the principal use or uses in the preservation areas. Such lots shall:
(i) 
Not be further subdivided so as to create additional building lots and be deed restricted in a manner acceptable to the attorney of the board of jurisdiction so as to prohibit further development on vacant land within such areas except for uses accessory to the principal uses within the areas. The board of jurisdiction may require such additional deed restrictions as it deems desirable to protect the historic features of the property. All development applications shall show all proposed improvements within the historic preservation district, which shall be developed in accordance with a comprehensive plan, except that, in the case of historic preservation districts containing tracts in different ownership, tracts therein under common ownership shall be developed in accordance with a comprehensive plan.
[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
The board of jurisdiction may approve a major site plan or subdivision only if the plan as proposed or conditioned adequately specifies how historic sites, structures, and features and archaeological sites on the parcel are to be treated and if the plan is appropriate given the nature of such sites, structures, or features. The applicant shall monitor construction to assure that all provisions of the approved plan as to the identification, preservation, or removal of historic features and historic or archaeological artifacts are complied with and shall appoint an individual in the field with the responsibility therefor and retain a person with the necessary expertise in connection therewith. In the case of accidental finds, the applicant shall report the same forthwith to the Historic Preservation Officer and cease all construction activity at that location for two working days (Monday through Friday excluding holidays). The Commission or, in the absence of a quorum, the chair or, in the chair's absence, the vice-chair, may within such time order that the artifacts discovered be documented and removed under the supervision of the expert identified in the approval and at the expense of the applicant. In the case of extraordinary finds, the Council, Commission, chair, or vice-chair may order that the work cease and that the plans be modified to reflect the find. Such order shall remain in effect only until the next meeting of Princeton Council unless the Princeton Council at such meeting continues the order, with or without modifications.
[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
(a) 
The board of jurisdiction when approving a development application in an historic preservation district or the Historic Preservation Commission when approving a preservation plan may require a stabilization plan that satisfies the following when the record before the board or the Commission demonstrates that the stability or protection of the historic structure is at risk:
(i) 
Any historic structure on the property be made secure against theft and vandalism;
(ii) 
No inflammable materials be stored therein except in a manner approved by the fire marshal;
(iii) 
Emergency repairs sufficient to protect against deterioration of the structure be undertaken and proof of inspection for insect and vermin infestations and of appropriate remedial work be submitted;
(iv) 
The structure be made structurally sound and its basic electrical, plumbing, and heating systems be in adequate working order and free of hazards to ensure structural and architectural integrity or the winterization of the historic structure so as to protect against damage be done.
(v) 
Existing landscaping be documented by photographs and preserved when appropriate and further landscaping, as installed, shall be historically appropriate.
(b) 
The board of jurisdiction when approving a development application in an historic preservation zoning district or the Historic Preservation Commission when approving a preservation plan may, when circumstances warrant for historic structures, require that the following additional requirements be included in the stabilization plan. Such requirements may be imposed only if the record before the board or the Commission demonstrates that the matters set forth below should be addressed.
(i) 
Interior features of historic significance such as moldings, fireplace mantels, doors, and fixtures not be removed except for preservation purposes and that any such features that are removed be put back in place;
(ii) 
The interior not be damaged and any damage be repaired;
(iii) 
The exterior of the structure be restored in a manner consistent with the criteria set forth in section T10B-386.
The board of jurisdiction may condition the filing of a subdivision plat upon the above obligations being met. The board of jurisdiction or Commission may establish a phasing plan setting forth when any repair work shall be completed and when the other obligations set forth herein are to be met and may require that the repair and restoration work be subject to the approval of the Historic Preservation Officer.
[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
(1) 
Demolition or moving of a structure in an historic preservation zoning district shall be approved only if the structure cannot be put to a reasonable use and its preservation will impose a financial hardship on the applicant. Structures may be moved only within Princeton unless doing so is not feasible. The structure shall be moved only to an appropriate setting. Any demolition or moving, if approved, shall be undertaken only upon receipt of a demolition or moving permit which shall be issued by the Historic Preservation Officer and by the construction code official after:
(a) 
Conclusion of all appeals opposing the approval or expiration of the time provided for the filing of such appeals without an appeal being filed; and
(b) 
The applicant has demonstrated compliance with the procedures set forth herein. For the entire period beginning with the filing of a completed application for approval of demolition or moving and ending with the issuance of a demolition or moving permit, or with denial of the application, notice of the proposed demolition or moving shall be posted on the lot or structure in a location making it clearly readable from the street. In addition, the applicant shall publish notice in an official newspaper of the municipality as follows:
(i) 
Within 10 days of the filing of an application for approval of demolition or moving and once a week for the next three weeks thereafter.
(ii) 
Unless covered by the above publications, no less than 10 nor more than 15 days prior to the meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on which the application has been placed on its agenda for action.
(iii) 
The applicant shall at least 10 days prior to the hearing date notify, by personal service or ordinary mail, all owners of property located within 200 feet of the lot that is the subject of the hearing of the date, time and place of the hearing with a brief description of the work for which approval is sought. The accompanying materials shall be on file and available for public inspection at least 10 days before the date set for the hearing.
[Ord. No. 2014-44 § 10]
(1) 
A structure in a historic preservation zoning district may be elevated only if necessary to prevent significant damage to the structure caused by flooding or unstable soil conditions and only to the extent necessary to protect it from further significant damage. The elevation shall be undertaken in a manner that maximizes to the extent practicable a harmonious relationship with the other structures and features in the district.
(2) 
If a structure must be elevated to such an extent that it is substantially out of character with the historic preservation district within which it is located and will have a substantial negative impact upon the district, the Historic Preservation Commission may deny a preservation plan application seeking approval for elevating the structure and recommend that the structure instead be moved.