[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
The Morristown Commission (hereinafter the "Commission") is
hereby established as authorized by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-107.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a.
The membership of the Commission shall consist of seven members who
shall be appointed by the Mayor as follows:
1.
Class A: two members each being an individual who is knowledgeable
in building design and construction or architectural history and who
may reside outside the Town of Morristown; and
2.
Class B: one member, being an individual who is knowledgeable about
or with a demonstrated interest in local history and who may reside
outside the Town of Morristown.
3.
Class C: four members who shall be citizens of the Town of Morristown
and who shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment
except for membership on the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
b.
Terms of appointment. The members of the Commission shall be appointed
for a term of four years, except as follows:
1.
The initial appointments of the members of the Commission shall be
for the following terms:
2.
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member
common to the Commission and the Planning Board shall be for the terms
of the 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 the membership on the Board of Adjustment.
c.
Vacancies. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by the expiration of
a term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
The Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson
from its members and select a Secretary, who may or may not be a member
of the Commission or a municipal employee.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
No member of the Commission shall be permitted to act on any
matter in which he has, either directly or indirectly, any personal
or financial interest.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
A member of the Commission may, after public hearing if he requests
it, be removed by the governing body for cause.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a.
The Town 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.
General administrative assistance shall be provided by the staff of
the Department of Engineering, Planning and Development. The Commission
shall obtain its legal counsel from the Municipal Attorney at the
rate of compensation determined by the Town Council. Expenditures
pursuant to this subsection shall not exceed, exclusive of gifts or
grants, the amount appropriated by the Town Council for the Commission's
use.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
The Commission shall have the responsibility to:
a.
Prepare a survey of historic sites of Morristown pursuant to criteria
identified in the survey report;
b.
Make recommendations to the Planning Board on the historic preservation
plan element of the Master Plan and on implications for preservation
of historic sites of any other Master Plan elements;
c.
Advise the Planning Board on the inclusion of historic sites in the
recommended capital improvement program;
d.
If requested by the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment for specific
applications, advise the Board on applications for development pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-110;
e.
Provide written reports pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-111 on the application
of the Zoning Ordinance provisions concerning historic preservation;
and
f.
Carry out such other advisory educational and informational functions
as will promote historic preservation in the municipality.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
The Planning Board and Board of Adjustment shall make available
to the Commission an informational copy of every application submitted
to either Board for development in historic zoning districts or on
historic sites designated on the Zoning or Official Map or in any
component element of the Master Plan, or involving a building constructed
50 years prior to the submission of the application, or of any other
application which is deemed by either Board to have historic interest
or importance. Failure to make the informational copy available 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.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
Pursuant to the authority of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-27, there is hereby
established a Design Review Committee. Members shall be appointed
by the Mayor and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
The Committee shall consist of nine members, as follows:
a.
Four members who are business or property owners within the Special
Improvement District (SID). The Board of Trustees of the Morristown
Partnership shall give the Mayor nonbinding recommendations for such
appointments.
b.
One member from the Planning Board.
c.
One member who is a zoning official, from the Division of Land Use
Administration.
d.
The Town Planner.
e.
Two at-large members with building, architectural or design qualifications
or experience.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a.
The Design Review Committee shall recommend initial façade
design guidelines for consideration and approval by the Planning Board,
and adoption by the governing body. After adoption of the guidelines,
the Design Review Committee shall periodically review and report to
the Planning Board, identifying any recommended amendments to the
guidelines.
b.
The Design Review Committee shall function as an advisory board to
the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, providing nonbinding reviews
and recommendations to those Boards for all applications to within
the SID for the following:
1.
The erection or exterior alteration of any building or structure,
including the erection or alteration of any building facade elements,
such as facade materials, windows, doors, color, lighting, signage,
awnings, etc.; and
2.
Any project or development application within the Town of Morristown
for which the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment determines that
the Committee's advisory comments would be helpful.
c.
The Design Review Committee may approve applications described in
Subsection 30-826.3b1 above, referred to it by the Zoning Officer,
that conform to the Special Improvement District Facade Guidelines.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a.
All applications described in Subsection 30-826.3b1 that are not
part of a major site plan or variance application, shall be submitted
to the Zoning Office for review and consideration. The Zoning Officer
may approve complete applications where modifications to existing
facades conform to the Facade Design Guidelines. The Zoning Officer
shall make a determination not more than seven days after submission
of a complete application. Any application that the Zoning Officer
has not approved shall be referred to the Design Review Committee.
b.
The Design Review Committee shall review applications referred by
the Zoning Officer and may approve applications that conform to the
Facade Design Guidelines. The review and approval process shall not
exceed 30 days, unless the applicant consents to an extension of time.
In the event that the Committee determines that the application does
not conform to the Guidelines, it may meet with the applicant to discuss
possible amendments to the application that would conform to the Guidelines.
In the event that the Committee does not approve the application,
it will be referred to the Planning Board Site Plan Committee, for
further review.
c.
Review before the Planning Board Site Plan Committee shall take place
in accordance with the provisions of this section.
