[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.
There is hereby established in and for the Township of Readington an
Historic Preservation Commission.
[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 Commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be
reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of official business.
The Historic Commission may secure the voluntary assistance of the public
and (within the limits of the budget established by operation) shall retain
consultants and experts.
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.
[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.
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.
