Franklin Township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting June 13, 2012

Transcription

1 1 Franklin Township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting June 13, 2012 Location Franklin Township Municipal Building, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tom Gale at 7:32p.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Law of Attending Members --Jean Ambrose, Andrew Burian, Tom Gale, Anthony Ganim, Susan Goldey, Barbara ten Broeke, Barbara Lawrence, John Walker Alternate--Nancy Hohnstine Staff Vince Dominach Council Member-- Ted Chase Absent Member Bob LaCorte Historic Preservation Consultant Wayne McCabe Guests Robin Suydam, Ann Suydam, Abram Suydam Six Mile Run Reformed Church Eva Campagnoli Six Mile Run Reformed Church Robert B. Dunn, Robert W. Dunn 15 Olcott Street Peter Lanfrit, Esq. Jimmy Ulfat, 2 JFK Boulevard Formal Reviews 1. Review of the application of Jimmy Ulfat, 6 Decicco Drive, Raritan, NJ Re: Request for approval of a sign variance application before the Zoning Board of Adjustment for an additional attached sign and awning signage at 2 JFK Boulevard, Somerset, NJ Block Lot 138 Zoned GB located within the D&R Canal Local Historic District. File NO Attorney Peter Lanfrit presented site plans, computer renderings, and specifications for the proposed signage on the south end of the building at 2 JFK Boulevard. Mr. Lafrit stated that the restaurant is not within the D&R Canal Historic District, but that a corner of the building in which it is located is, hence he is seeking a CofA. A motion was made and seconded and approved unanimously to approve the application as submitted as there is no negative impact on the D&R Canal Historic District. (Motion: Burian, 2 nd Ambrose) 2. Review of the application of James Black, 2 Elm Street, East Millstone, NJ Re: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness application to renovate

2 2 a former industrial building into a residence, removing and reconstructing the roof to install a standing seam metal roof with snow guards at 39 Market Street, East Millstone, NJ Block 62 Lot 2 Zoned R-10-H Located within the East Millstone Historic District. File No No action was taken as there was no representative present. 3. Review of the application of Robert Bradford Dunn, 15 Olcott Street, Somerset, NJ Re: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness application to add a shed dormer on the 2 nd floor at 15 Olcott Street, Middlebush, NJ Block 78 Lot 14 Zoned R-20-H located within the MIddlebush Local Historic District. File No Robert B. Dunn and Robert W. Dunn presented site plans and architectural renderings of the proposed remodeling project as well as photographs of the 1930 s frame house. The shed dormer on the back of the building will house a 2 nd bathroom for the house. Roofing and siding will match the existing materials. A motion was made and seconded and passed unanimously to approve the application as submitted as there is no negative impact on the Middlebush Historic District. (Motion: Hohnstine, 2 nd Goldey) 4. Review of the application of Ira Matthews, 135 Asbury Road, Farmingdale, NJ, Re: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness application to remove the existing asphalt roof on a c s horse shed and replace with new 24 red cedar shingles to return it to its original appearance at 3037 Route 27, Franklin Park, NJ Block 35 Lot 4 Zoned N-B-H located within the Franklin Park Local Historic District. File No Robin Suydam of the Six Mile Run Reformed Church presented photographs of the structure and informed the Commission that this was the last shed left of a long row of such structures that sheltered horses while their owners attended church. Such structures were typically on the grounds of churches in that era. Mr. Suydam explained how the horse sheds evolved into automobile garages. The Commission commended the Suydams for their proposed restoration of the historic structure. A motion was made and seconded and approved unanimously to grant the application as submitted. (Motion: Burian, 2 nd Ambrose) Correspondence Incoming 1. Letter from Daniel Saunders, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer to Carl Alderson, NOAA James L. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, dated April 19, Re: Comments on the Blackwells Mills Dam Stream Restoration Project. 2. Letter from Daniel Saunders, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer to Nikki Minnichbach, Cultural Resources Specialist US Army Corps of Engineers, dated

3 3 April 26, 2012, Re: Comments on the Rehabilitation of the Colonial Park Spillway project. 3. Letter from Daniel Saunders, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer to Matthew Loper, Somerset County Engineer, dated April 23, Re: Comments on the replacement of the Blackwells Mills Road Bridge over Steep Hill Brook project. 4. Letter from Millicent Nicholas, dated April 23, Re: Validity of pit-like structure at 1431 Easton Avenue, Somerset, NJ. Chairman Gale will respond to Ms. Nicholas letter stating that the Commission could find no historic significance to the pit cited in her correspondence. 5. Letter from Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc., dated 5/24/12. Re: Phase 1A Archaeological Survey for the proposed replacement of the South Middlebush Road Bridge over Six Mile Run. Approval of minutes of 4/11/2012 and 5/9/2012 The minutes were April and May meetings were approved as submitted Reports 1. Historic Preservation Consultant Chief Zoning Officer Vince Dominach reported that the estimated cost of an in-kind roof replacement on the house on the Dunn property would amount to 50 or 60K. He stated that there are three possible courses of action regarding the building: replace the roof, place a tarp over the roof, or demo the building. Dominach asked for the Commission s opinion on the preferred course of action. Discussion ensued. The Commission expressed concern that it was being asked to make a decision regarding an important historic resource without documentation of the cost estimate or analysis of the return on investment. A motion was made and seconded and passed by a vote of 7:1 with one abstention, to recommend that a tarp be placed over the roof to protect the building, with the assumption that a letter explaining the HP Consultant s preference for tarping over roof replacement be provided to the Commission. (Motion: Goldey, 2 nd : Lawrence, Dissent: ten Broeke) The Commission also requested specific information regarding the durability of the tarpaulin. Mr. Dominach reported that the list of historic properties is ready to be incorporated into the Spatial Data Logic Software. 2. Township Open Space Advisory Committee Bob LaCorte not present. Dr. Chase reported that the County Energy Committee may be able to fund the installation of energy saving/cost efficient systems in the Kingston School.

4 4 3. Stoothoff-Gunther Planning Project--Barbara Lawrence reported that Cherry Valley Group has submitted a report on the Community Input Meeting. Unfinished Business 1. Application forms and routing--barbara ten Broeke. In committee. A revision to be voted on by the Commission is anticipated for the next meeting. 2. Brochure Jean Ambrose distributed a revised copy of the brochure. Members are asked to changes to Jean before the next meeting. 3. By-laws Jean Ambrose is continuing the revision. Ambrose emphasized that the Commission By-laws will not include policies and procedures included in the Ordinance 4. CLG Wayne McCabe and Vince Domach are proceeding with the application. Dominach stated that in order to be considered for CLG, six members have to be designated as Class C. Commission members agreed to let McCabe make the designations. 5. Franklin Inn Susan Goldey reported that Preservation NJ listed the Franklin Inn as one of the State s ten most endangered historic sites. Goldey also reported that the Friends of organization has met with the Township and remains active in trying to save the building. 6. Videographer program date The Commission agreed on the August meeting for the video-taping of our procedures. New Business 1. Meadow s Van Wickle costs. Tom Gale presented a letter the Commission received regarding a shortfall between the insurance coverage and the cost of making repairs to the Van Wickle House as a result of Hurricane Irene. 2. Tom Gale inquired about the follow through on various projects that had been approved with conditions by the Commission but were not completed, e.g. the windows on the Rutgers Prep house and the façade of 844 Easton Ave. Dominach stated that he would follow through. Public Discussion None Upcoming meetings None

5 5 Next Meeting Announcement July 11, 2012 AdjournmentThe meeting was adjourned at 10:25 Ec: Mark Healey, Director of Planning Vince Dominach, Senior Zoning Officer Craig Novick, Township Manager Ann Marie McCarthy, Township Clerk