There is hereby established in the Township
of Harmony an Historic Preservation Commission consisting of seven
members, all of whom shall be appointed by the Township Committee,
for the purpose of studying historic sites and landmarks, thereby
aiding in the preservation of local cultural, historical and architectural
heritages within Harmony Township. The historic sites and landmark
designations shall be included in Harmony Township's Official Map
and history and shall be referred to the Land Use Board for inclusion
in the Master Plan.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist
of seven members comprised of the following classes:
A. Class A: one person
who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural
history and who may reside outside of the Township.
B. Class B: one person
who is knowledgeable of or with a demonstrated interest in local history
and who may reside outside of the Township.
C. Class C: five members
who shall be citizens of the Township and who shall hold no other
municipal office, position or employment except for membership on
the Land Use Board.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The initial terms of members first appointed
shall be alternated such that terms may be from one to four years,
with no appointment being for a term greater than four years, except
that the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission
shall be for the term of membership on the Land Use Board. A vacancy
occurring otherwise than by expiration of the term shall be filled
for the unexpired term only. After the initial terms of membership
expire, all the new terms shall be for a period of four years, except
the terms of those members which coincide with membership of the Land
Use Board.
Members shall serve without compensation.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall elect
a Chairman and Vice Chairman from its members and select a secretary,
who may or may not be a member of the Historic Preservation Commission
or a municipal employee.
The Historic Preservation Commission may, within
the limitations of appropriations made available to it in the municipal
budget, 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 Township Attorney at the rate
of compensation determined by the Township Committee. Expenditures
shall not exceed, exclusive of gifts or grants, the amount appropriated
by the Township Committee for the Commission's use.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall have
all of the duties and responsibilities conferred by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-109.
The Land Use Board shall make available to the
Historic Preservation Commission an informational copy of every application
submitted to either Board for development on historic sites designated
on the Zoning or Official Map or in any component element of the Master
Plan. Failure to make the informational copy available shall not invalidate
any hearing or proceeding. The Historic Preservation Commission may
provide its advice, which shall be conveyed through its delegation
of one of its members or staff to testify at any such hearing on the
application and to explain any written report which may have been
submitted.