[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Brick 10-21-1998 by Ord. No. 929-98. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Local Historian — See Ch. 48, Art. I.
Land use — See Ch. 245.
There is hereby created an Historic Preservation Commission referred to in this chapter as the "Commission." This Commission shall carry out the responsibilities set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.151 et seq.; in addition the Commission shall:
A. 
Encourage the continued use of historic resources and facilitate their appropriate reuse.
B. 
Encourage preservation of the heritage of the Township of Brick and historical resources which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic and architectural history.
C. 
Encourage the maintenance and development of an appropriate and harmonious setting for the historic and architecturally significant buildings, structures, sites, objects or districts within the Township.
D. 
Encourage the improvements of property values and discourage the unnecessary demolition of historic resources.
E. 
Foster and enhance civic beauty and neighborhood pride.
F. 
Promote appreciation of designated historic districts for the education, pleasure and general welfare of the citizens of the Township and its visitors.
G. 
Encourage preservation of the survey of historical sites prepared by the Brick Township Historical Society in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-109(a).
H. 
Encourage private reinvestment in existing or new structures in a manner that preserves, restores, repairs or is compatible with the original architectural style which is characteristic of other designated historic districts in which the structure is located.
[Added 7-13-2004 by Ord. No. 929-A-04]
Pursuant to the provision of N.J.S.A. 40A:5-29, the Historic Preservation Commission is hereby authorized to accept, on behalf of the Township of Brick, gifts, legacies and bequests to be used for the purpose of preserving and restoring and encouraging the continued use of the historical resources of the Township of Brick. All gifts, legacies and bequests shall be maintained by the Treasurer of the Township of Brick.
A. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of nine regular voting members and two alternate members. The members shall be divided into three classes as follows:
(1) 
Class A: a person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history and who may reside outside the Township of Brick.
(2) 
Class B: a person who is knowledgeable in or has a demonstrated interest in local history and who may reside outside the Township of Brick.
(3) 
Class C: a person who is a resident of the Township of Brick who shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment except for membership on the Township's Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
B. 
Four of the regular members shall be drawn from Classes A and B; at least one of those four shall be a Class A member, and at least one of those four shall be a Class B. Five of the regular members and the two alternate members shall be Class C members.
A. 
The Mayor shall appoint all regular and alternate members of the Commission and shall designate at the time of appointment the regular members by class and the alternate members as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The terms of the regular members first appointed under this chapter shall be as follows: one-year terms for a Class A member and a Class C member; two-year terms for a Class B member and two Class C members; three-year terms for a Class C member and a member of either Class A or Class B; and four-year terms for a Class C member and a member of either Class A or Class B. The terms of the alternate members first appointed under this chapter shall be one year for Alternate No. 1 and two years for Alternate No. 2. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be four years, and the term of an alternate member shall be two years. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Township of Brick Planning Board shall be for the member's term of membership on the Planning Board, and the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Township of Brick Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be for the member's term of membership on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
B. 
Alternate members may participate in discussion of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence of 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 be made as to which alternate member votes, Alternate No. 1 shall vote.
C. 
The Chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission shall immediately notify the Mayor of any membership vacancies along with recommendations made by the Commission to fill such vacancies. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Any vacancies occurring on the Commission shall be filled with qualified members within 60 days.
A. 
No members may act on any matter in which the member has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
B. 
A member may be removed by the Township Council for just cause. Prior to such removal, the Township Council shall conduct a hearing if so requested (within 10 days of notice of intention to be removed) in writing by the member.
A. 
The Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from its members and select a Secretary who may or may not be familiar with the Commission or a municipal employee.
B. 
The Township Council may provide for the Commission in its budget and may appropriate funds for the expenses of the Commission.
C. 
The Commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with official business and may obtain the equipment, supplies, and other material necessary to his effective operation, within the limits of grants, gifts or funds appropriated, if any, by the Township Council.
D. 
The Commission may employ, contract for and fix the compensation of experts and other staff and services as it shall deem necessary, except that the Commission shall obtain its legal counsel and engineering services from the Township Attorney and the Township Engineer at the hourly rate set forth in said professionals contracts with the Township. All other experts and professionals shall be retained subject to the approval of the Township Council. Expenditures pursuant to this subsection shall not exceed, exclusive of gifts or donations, the amount appropriated by the Township Council for the Commission's use.
A. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall create and adopt internal rules and procedures for the transaction of its business, which shall be known as the "Township of Brick's Historic Preservation Commission Administrative Procedures." Said rules shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Township's land use legislation.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 245, Land Use, as well other chapters of the Code concerning land use such as Ch. 162, Dune Preservation; Ch. 196, Flood Hazard Areas.
B. 
The Commission shall make its decision and recommendations in an open public meeting in compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act in accordance with N.J.S.A. 10:4-7 et seq. All written minutes of meetings and proceeding shall be kept including voting records, attendance, finding and recommendations. All such material shall become public record.
C. 
A quorum for all business shall be five members.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall have the following powers and duties.
A. 
Recommend to the Planning Board and the Township Council sites to be designated as historic landmarks pursuant to Subsection i. of Section 52 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-65).
B. 
Recommended to the Township Council criteria and standards to be made applicable to any designated historic landmark or district pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-111.
C. 
If the Township is certified under the state's Certified Local Government (CLG) Program, the Commission shall, in accordance with the State CLG Guidelines, review and comment on all state and national register nominations for the historic landmarks within the Township of Brick.
D. 
Advise the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment on developments that affect historic landmarks in accordance with the provisions set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-110.
E. 
Assist and advise other municipal agencies and public bodies in the understanding of historic landmark significance and techniques for achieving the same.
F. 
Report at least annually to the Planning Board and the Township Council on the state of historic preservation in the Township and the recommend measures to improve the same.