[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Readington 4-18-1994. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land development — See Ch. 148.
These historic preservation regulations are intended to effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of especially noteworthy examples or elements of the Township's environment in order to:
A. 
Safeguard the heritage of Readington Township by preserving resources within the Township which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic and architectural history.
B. 
Encourage the continued use of historic landmarks and to facilitate their appropriate use.
C. 
Maintain and develop an appropriate and harmonious setting for the historic and architecturally significant buildings, structures, site objects or districts within Readington Township.
D. 
Promote appreciation of historic landmarks for education, pleasure and the welfare of the local population.
E. 
Spur beautification and private reinvestment.
F. 
Manage change by educating applicants regarding alterations to historic structures or new construction in historic locations or districts.
G. 
Discourage the unnecessary demolition of historic resources.
H. 
Recognize the importance of individual historic landmarks located outside historic districts by assisting property owners and tenants in understanding the requirements and standards of this chapter.
I. 
Encourage the proper maintenance and preservation of historic settings and landscapes.
J. 
Encourage appropriate alterations of historic landmarks.
K. 
Enhance the visual and aesthetic character.
L. 
Promote the conservation of historic sites, including historic farmsteads and districts, and to invite voluntary compliance.
[Amended 10-2-2000 by Ord. No. 30-2000]
A. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of seven regular members and may have not more than two alternate members. There shall be two members each of Class A and B, three members of Class C and three ex officio members consisting of the following: Museum Director, Township Historian and Township Committee representative.
(1) 
Class A: A person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history.
(2) 
Class B: A person who is knowledgeable or with a demonstrated interest in local history.
(3) 
Class C: Citizens of the municipality who shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment, except for membership on the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
B. 
Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members.
A. 
The Mayor shall appoint all members of the Commission and shall designate at the time of appointment the regular members by class and the alternate members, if any, as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
B. 
The terms of the members first appointed shall be so determined that to the greatest practicable extent, the expiration of the terms shall be distributed, in the case of regular members, evenly over the first four years after their appointment and, in the case of alternate members, evenly over the first two years after their appointment, provided that the initial term of no regular member shall exceed four years, and that the initial term of no alternate member shall exceed two years. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be four years, and the term of an alternate member shall be two years.
C. 
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
D. 
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Board shall be for the term 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.
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.
The Commission shall create rules and procedures for the transaction of its business, subject to the following regulations:
A. 
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of three of the Commission's members, including the Chairman or, in his absence, the Vice Chairman.
B. 
The Secretary shall keep minutes and records of all meetings and proceedings, including voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings, determinations and decisions. All such materials shall be public records.
C. 
All meetings shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-7 et seq.).
D. 
Commission meetings may be held once a month or as often as required to fulfill its obligations to advise the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment and Township Committee.
E. 
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.
F. 
No member of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
G. 
A member of the Historic Preservation Commission may (after public hearing if he requests it) be removed by the governing body for cause.
The Historic Preservation shall have the responsibility to:
A. 
Prepare a survey of historic sites of the Township 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 of the 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. 
Advise the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment on applications for development pursuant to § 27-10 of this chapter.
E. 
Carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions as will promote historic preservation in the Township.
F. 
Provide written reports pursuant to § 27-10 of this Code on the application of Zoning Ordinance provisions concerning historic preservation.
[Added 6-7-2004 by Ord. No. 24-2004]
G. 
Advise the Construction Code Official (or other designed administrative officer) on applications for construction permits pursuant to § 27-11 of this Code.
[Added 6-7-2004 by Ord. No. 24-2004]
[Amended 10-4-1999 by Ord. No. 20-99]
The Planning Board and Board of Adjustment shall refer to the Historic Preservation Commission every application for development submitted to either Board for development in historic zoning districts or on historic sites designated on the Zoning or Official Map or identified in any component element of the Master Plan. This referral shall be made when the application for development is deemed complete or is scheduled for a hearing, whichever occurs sooner. Failure to refer the application as required 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 orally at the hearing on the application and to explain any written report which may have been submitted.
[Added 6-7-2004 by Ord. No. 24-2004]
A. 
Applications to the Construction Code Official (or other designated administrative officer) for the issuance of permits for development, including renovation, alteration, reconstruction or additions to existing buildings and structures within historic areas, historic districts or historic sites as may be regulated by the Land Development Ordinance,[1] shall be referred by the Officer to the Historic Preservation Commission for a written report prior to the issuance of such permits.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 148, Land Development.
B. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall review applications for the above-mentioned permits for compliance with the Township's Land Development and/or Zoning Ordinance provisions concerning historic preservation with respect to any of those aspects of the change proposed, pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40: 55d-1 et seq.).
C. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall advise the Construction Code Official (or other designated administrative officer) by way of written report as to whether or not the application for the permit is in compliance.
[Added 6-7-2004 by Ord. No. 24-2004]
A. 
In the case of an application for a construction permit, the Historic Preservation Commission shall report, in writing, to the Construction Code Official (or other designated administrative officer) within 15 days of his/her referral of the application to the Historic Preservation Commission. The Historic Preservation Commission shall give the applicant seven days' written notice of date, time and place of meeting prior to the Historic Preservation Commission meeting. If the Historic Preservation Commission recommends to the Construction Code Official (or other designated administrative officer) against the issuance of the permit or recommends conditions to the permit to be issued, the Construction Code Official (or other designated administrative officer) shall deny issuance of the permit or include the conditions in the permit, as the case may be.
B. 
In the case of a referral by the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment, the Historical Preservation Commission shall report to the particular board in question, in writing, within 45 days of the referral by the board to the Historical Preservation Commission.
C. 
Failure of the Historic Preservation Commission to report within the time periods specified in this section shall be deemed to constitute a report in favor of issuance of the permit and without the recommendation of conditions to the permit.
[Added 6-7-2004 by Ord. No. 24-2004]
A. 
Appeals of the decisions of the Construction Code Official (or other designated administrative officer) based on the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be made to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with the Municipal Land Use Law and the Readington Township Land Use Ordinance.
B. 
Appeals of the decisions of the Board of Adjustment or Planning Board based on the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Commission may be made as provided by law.