Madison
Historic
Preservation Commission
2005
Annual Report
Commission
members: John Solu, Chairman, John Forte,
Janet Foster, Dana Larsen, Alberta Marcy, Cheryl Munkel, Beth Riley, Larry
Taber, Carmine Toto. Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich.
Council Liaison: Robert Conley
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 2005, the HPC reviewed
eight 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.
Other highlights of the year
included:
Historic District Review and Recommendations:
Bottle Hill National Registry
Bottle Hill District, including James Park, was entered onto the National Register of Historic Places.
Street Light Fixtures
Obtained new resource for historic fixtures to be used for recommendations for business owners.
Sidewalk Replacement (Downtown Main Street)
Reviewed and selected pavers for downtown sidewalks.
Requested budget item for maintenance of pavers.
S. Mantone (Council liaison to MHPC) interfaced with contractor to complete project with Historic integrity in mind.
Signs & Façade
Provided an HPC representative for the Signs & Façade Commission.
Reviewed sign permit application and recommended lighting details be required for all lighted signs.
Street Signs / Ridgedale Ave.
Selected design and color for street signs in the Bottle Hill District.
Luke Miller Estate
Reviewed subdivision elements.
Reviewed Historic Easement Document:
Modified driveway location
Identified architectural inventory to be protected
Worked with Open Space Committee to create Historic Easement brochure
Created a display board of Historic Districts and Surveys for Luke Miller Public Tour
Provided comments on some of the details in the document
Bayley Ellard
Recommended the Mansion and the surrounding 1867 wall as local historic landmark.
Letter written to Mayor and Council encouraging protection of the Mansion, which is the last remaining structure of Millionaire’s Alley in Madison
Salvageable items inventory was reviewed for possible placement in railroad museum.
Reviewed and accepted landscape design with comments for Madison
Train Station in letter as presented by Bruce Davies Landscape Architect
Review of plans for James Park Footbridge
Designation of Historic Walls
Commission member/restoration expert advised Morris Place project.
Historic Property Survey
Identified two vendors, Farewell Mills Gatsch and Arch II, for potential survey work.
Presentations & Outreach:
Rotary Club
Madison Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Advisory Committee.
Historic Preservation Week Activities
Created and published in the Madison Eagle “Madison Quiz”
Ordinance to Expand Madison Historic Preservation Commission from seven to nine members to expand the resources needed to deal with growing number of applications and reviews planed in the future.
Provided a Sign and Façade representative
Commission member attended Historic Preservation’s Commission Assistance and Mentoring program sponsored by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions.
Provided visual portfolio of 18th C homes in Madison and accompanying article for publication in the Madison Eagle.
Prepared by:
Members of the Historic Preservation Commission
John Solu
Chairman
Madison Historic Preservation Commission