HPC Minutes 03-22-18

A-
A+

HPC Minutes 03-22-18

MINUTES OF THE MONTCLAIR HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

The Montclair Historic Preservation Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday March 22, 2018 at 7:30pm in the Council Chambers, First Floor of the Montclair Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue, Montclair, NJ.

The meeting was broadcast live on Montclair TV34 and is available for on-demand viewing at the link below:

https://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01411&video=331886

Select “Chapters” in the Telvue player to view the video for specific agenda items.

The foregoing constitutes a verbatim record of the proceedings.

Call to Order
Reading of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Notice.
Roll Call
In attendance: Chair Bennett, Vice Chair Hyndman, Mr. Greenbaum, Ms. Gillette, Mr. Karasick and Mr. Petto. Ms. Kane Levy, Mr. Rooney and Mr. Reimnitz were excused.
Approval of Minutes
Approval of the minutes from the February 15, 2018 meeting. Approved, with modifications: 4-0
Old Business

None

New Business

Referral from Planning Board Application 2545: OA Peterson Construction Co – 78 North Willow Street/113 Walnut Street. (Block 3203, Los 17 and 21) Minor site plan application for addition with variances

The Commission reviewed the application and made the following recommendations to the Planning Board on the application:

The Commission believes the proposed signage on the Walnut Street façade for the proposed tenant is consistent in its use of wood material and dimensional lettering as presented.
The Commission recommends the applicant reuse the panels from the rear façade on the north and south façade of the proposed second floor addition for consistency of the building; as presented to the Commission by the applicant.In the event the panels are unable to be reused, the applicant should fabricate an exact match in the same finish, color and dimension to ensure consistency of the new façade with the existing building.
The Commission recommends that the historic brick façade of the subject property, fronting onto Walnut Street, be cleaned.

Referral from Planning Board Application 2546:256 Park Montclair, LLC – 256 Park Street. (Block 2503, Lot 20) Major site plan application with variances.

The Commission reviewed the application and made the following recommendations to the Planning Board on the application.

The Commission notes that the proposed redevelopment of the site will set an important precedent in the Watchung Plaza Historic District. The design presented to the Commission is not consistent with the Watchung Plaza Historic District. The recommendations, outlined below, are intended to ensure the design is more consistent with the District.

Height of the Building

The Commission recommends the parapet atop the front façade be minimized to the greatest extent possible to lower the height of the building.
The Commission also recommends that the applicant consider reducing the interior floor-to-floor heights to further reduce the height of the building.In addition, the Commission recommends reducing the third story in scale with respect to the first and second story.
The Commission recommends that the applicant introduce a white cap stone atop the parapet on the front façade to visually reduce the height of the building.
The Commissions suggests that the applicant consider a step back of the third story of the building from the second story below to reduce the height of the front façade.

Windows

The Commission recommends that the mullion pattern for the windows be consistent for both the second and third floors.
The Commission recommends that the same mullion pattern for the second and third floor windows be continued around the sides of the building.The window mullion pattern should be incorporated in windows on the north and south facades in the brick portion of the façade that continues from the front façade.
The Commission recommends that the third story windows be reduced in proportion to other windows on the building to visually minimize the third level.

Materials

The Commission recommends that the finish materials on the rear portions of the north and south façade walls be simplified and use only two colors.
The Commission recommends that the proposed metal canopy, which is too heavy for the building and inconsistent with the historic district, be replaced with open-side fabric awnings.
The Commission also recommends that the proposed metal lentils above the windows be eliminated.

Rhythm of Spacing

The Commission recommends that the spacing of the front façade of the building replicate the tripartite design of the original Park Street Garage building, prior to alterations, on the site.

2017 HPC Annual Report

The Commission reviewed the draft Annual Report, to be transmitted to the State Historic Preservation Office per Certified Local Government guidelines.

2018 Goals and Objectives

The Commission discussed Goals and Objectives for 2018.

2018 Preservation Awards

The Commission discussed the 2018 Preservation Awards, which will be announced for Nominations with a deadline of April 30, 2018. Awards are to be presented at the May HPC meeting.

HPC Consultant

The Commission considered a resolution to publish Request for Proposals to retain an HPC Consultant. Approved, with modifications: 4-0

City of Montclair Township