MINUTES OF THE MONTCLAIR HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

DECEMBER 9, 2004

Present:  Vice Chairman Ira Smith, Commissioners Susan Brady, Kathleen McDonough, Denis Orloff, Edward Lippincott, Sabine Eck, Jonathan Perlstein, John Morris

Absent:  Chairman Jerry Mosier,

Also present:  Jonathan Mellon, Commission Secretary

Order and Announcements:  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Commissioner Lippincott.  Mr. Mellon called the roll and stated that the Commission had a quorum. The notice of compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act was read, indicating that appropriate notice was forwarded to the officially designated newspaper of Montclair and also posted in the Municipal Building.

Approval of Minutes:  On a motion by Commissioner Brady and seconded by Commissioner Orloff, with Commissioner Eck and Commissioner Perlstein abstaining, the minutes of the November 18, 2004 meeting of the Commission were approved.

Adoption of 2005 Meeting Schedule

On a motion by Commissioner Brady and seconded by Commissioner Orloff, the 2005 meeting schedule was adopted.

Approval of Resolution and Certificate of Appropriateness

Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of David Dowd, 460 Bloomfield Avenue  On motion by Commissioner Brady, seconded by Commissioner Eck, the memorializing resolution was adopted as modified.

Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Javier Santiago – Nest & Company, 15 South Fullerton Avenue  On motion by Commissioner Orloff, seconded by Commissioner Brady, the memorializing resolution was adopted as modified.

Adoption of Memorializing Resolution to initiate designation of an expansion of the Town Center Historic District  On motion by Commissioner McDonough, seconded by Commissioner Brady, the memorializing resolution was adopted as modified.

New Business

Application 2004-26 – Mastery Enterprises, LLC.

220 Bloomfield Avenue (Block 3102, Lot 18)

Vice Chair Smith joined the meeting.

At the time of the public hearing, Ed Dougherty, the applicant, came forward and was sworn.  The documents that had been submitted by the applicant as a part of the application package included: a completed application for Certificate of Appropriateness; photograph of the existing conditions; rendering of the proposed signage; rendering of the exterior elevation with the proposed signage.

The application was before the Commission for review due to the proposed expansion of the Town Center Historic District.  The property in question falls within the expansion area, and thus is subject to review as part of the “Moratorium Period”.

The applicant was proposing to install new wall mounted signage on the façade; “Dressing for Pleasure”.  The new lettering will be located within the building sign location band, and will fill what is currently a blank space, as there is not any existing signage for the storefront currently in place.  The new sign is proposed to be of carved wood, and will be 10’ wide and 2’ high.  The lettering for the sign is proposed to be of gold color, with a black background.  The applicant stated they are not proposing any additional changes to any other part of the storefront façade.

Ed Dougherty provided the Commission with some background information on the project, and stated that the owner of the building was going to be undertaking a restoration of the building façade in the coming year.

Upon completion of the presentation by the applicant, the Commission discussed the proposal and stated that it had concerns about the placement of the proposed signage on the façade.  The Commission noted that the sign would have to be removed when the façade was restored, and that its location would have to be looked at again at that time.  The Commission also noted that any proposed lighting for the sign would have to be approved as a part of a future application.

Commissioner Lippincott, hearing no further questions from the members of the Commission or staff, opened the meeting to the public for comments on the application.  No public comment was offered.

On a motion by Commissioner Orloff and seconded by Vice Chair Smith to approve the application with the following condition, the Commission voted seven in favor, with no negative or abstaining votes.

Condition:

A) When an application is submitted for the restoration of the building façade, the Commission reserves the right to have the location of the sign adjusted.

Public Comment

There was no public comment offered during this portion of the meeting.

General Discussion Issues - Members of the Historic Preservation Commission

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that HUB Bank had changed the signage that was approved by the Commission at the October 21, 2004 meeting.  He provided the Commission with a summary of the minor changes to the proposed signage, which was the result of changes to the logo for the bank.  The Commission stated that it felt that the proposed changes were minor in nature, and that they were appropriate for the façade.  On a motion by Commissioner Lippincott and seconded by Commissioner Orloff to approve the changes to the application, the Commission voted seven in favor, with no negative or abstaining votes.

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that there had been no change in the status of the building at 22 South Park Street, at which changes to the windows and doors were completed without the approval of the Commission.

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that there had also been no change on the status of the application for the building at 50 Church Street.  At the October 21, 2004 meeting of the Commission, approval was granted for new window signage for Ecco Bella, which had stated its intention to return to the Commission for review of proposed changes to the front door to the building.

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that he had followed up on a report of work to the exterior of the Hinck building.  He stated that he had spoken with the owner of the building, and that the theater display box that had been removed was being restored and would be put back in its original location.  He also stated that he had informed the owner of the building that any future work to the exterior of the building would have to be reviewed by the Commission.

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that he had followed up on the concerns raised at the November meeting concerning the Washington Mutual Bank site.   He stated that he had spoken with the architect for the project, and would be following up with him on seeing that the mortar was replaced so as to have it match the rest of the mortar in the façade.

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that the owner of the restaurant Giotto, at 21 Midland Avenue had contacted him regarding a proposal to install a temporary clear plastic enclosure for use during cold weather.  He stated that he had checked with Township officials whom had stated that the enclosure was permitted.  The Commission stated that it felt that the matter should be formally reviewed, and asked that Mr. Mellon contact the owner to have an application submitted.

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that he had called the representative for the Upper Montclair Business Association, in order to follow up on the proposed establishment of a historic district.  He stated that he would provide the Commission with an update at the January meeting.

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that the January meeting would be the time when the public hearing would be held for the proposed expansion of the Town Center Historic District.  All affected property owners will be receiving by certified mail notice of the meeting, and Commission will forward its report to the Township Council.

Mr. Mellon informed the Commission that the February meeting would be the time when a public meeting would be held for the discussion of the historic preservation element of the Master Plan reexamination.

The Commission noted that it was the last meeting for Commissioner Eck, and thanked her for her contributions to the Commission during her years of service.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm on a motion made by Lippincott and seconded by Commissioner Orloff.

Respectfully submitted,

Jonathan Mellon, Commission Secretary