Madison Historic Preservation Commission

2004 Annual Report

 

Commission members: John Solu, Chairman, John Forte, Janet Foster, Dana Larsen, Alberta Marcy, Larry Taber, Carmine Toto. Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich.

Council Liaison Samuel Mantone.

 

The Historic Preservation Commission( HPC) meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Hartley Dodge Memorial. The HPC is empowered to identify historic sites in the Borough; to recommend to the Planning Board on the Historic Preservation Element of the Borough Master Plan; to advise the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment when designated historic sites are impacted by decisions of those Boards; to participate in Technical Coordinating Committee meetings; to report on the application of the Zoning Ordinance  relative to Historic Preservation; and to advise, educate and inform the community on Historic Preservation in the Borough.

 

 

In 2004, the HPC reviewed 13 formal applications for subdivision of properties containing existing, historic sites, where the proposed subdivision had an impact on the quality of the historic resource. This is the single biggest threat to historic properties in Madison , and must be addressed with a concerted review of zoning and land use regulations in concert with sensitivity to preserving historic structures and their settings.

 

The single most important accomplishment of 2004 was the combined effort of the Mayor and many other people and organizations within the Borough to effectively save the Luke Miller House on Ridgedale Avenue . An article detailing this cooperative effort was just published by Preservation New Jersey, and is appended to this report.

The important elements of this deal were the preservation of the setting of the 18^th century Luke Miller House,  and the attachment of easements to the house, which will allow it to continue to be used as a single family residence, while preserving significant features of its architectural character.

 

Other highlights of the year included :

 

·        Official confirmation from the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office of the placing of the Bottle Hill Historic District ( Ridgedale Avenue , extending from the Park and site of the original Bottle Hill Tavern to the Luke Miller Property) on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

·        Review of the developing plans for renovation of the historic Borough Hall, Hartley Dodge Memorial.

 

·        Conducted an orientation/education session on historic preservation for new members of the HPC and open to other Board members and Council members in Madison .

 

·        Participated with the Mayor in developing the Mayor’s Conference on Historic Preservation, held in May.

 

·        Celebrated the completion of the restoration of the Madison Train Station, a project that involved the HPC in extensive reviews in the planning stages. The HPC continues to review the proposed landscaping improvements for the station.

 

·        The HPC reviewed the existing historic preservation ordinance and made recommendations for its revision, which will begin after the first of the year, specifically tightening up regulations relative to the demolition of listed historic sites.

 

·        The HPC worked with a local resident interested in repairing a historic wall along Morris Place . Commission members were able to informally resolve the issue, but meanwhile realized that walls and other streetscape features that give character to the community are currently undesignated and unprotected. The HPC sets as a goal for next year to further identify these resources and ways to better preserve them.

 

The HPC continues as an all-volunteer, minimal budget operation, and provides a significant resource for the community through its talented members who make preservation of Madison ’s visible history an important priority in their lives.

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