City of Burlington Historic Preservation Commission
Meeting Minutes: June 4, 2014
The City of Burlington Historic Preservation Commission held its regular monthly meeting on
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Complex, 525 High Street, Burlington, NJ.
1.
Introduction:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00. Chairman Van Sciver opened the meeting with an
introduction to the procedures of the Historic Preservation Commission. He then led the Pledge
of Allegiance; HPC Secretary Cindy Crivaro conducted the Roll Call.
2. Roll Call vote:
Present: Chairman Chancellor Van Sciver, Vice Chairman William Buehrig, Commissioners
Elizabeth Baird, Emma Jean Morgan, Heather Nesbit, and William Stewart. Commissioners
Brian White, Doris Johnston and Ivan Pawlenko were absent.
Also present: Commission Secretary Cindy Crivaro and Historic Preservation Consultant John
Hatch, FAIA.
3.
Consideration of Minutes:
Chairman Van Sciver asked for motions to approve the March, April and May meeting minutes.
Commissioner Buehrig made a motion to approve the March minutes; Commissioner Baird
seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor of the motion. Commissioner Buehrig then made a motion
to accept the April minutes. Commissioner Baird again seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor of
the motion. And finally, Commissioner Buehrig made a motion to accept the May minutes.
Commissioner Nesbit seconded. The vote was 5-0 in favor, with Commissioner Baird abstaining.
4. Applications:
HPC Application 2014-07: Proposal to replace existing metal flat seam roof on front and side
porch.
Owner/ Applicant: Mary Elizabeth McCahon
Site: 332 East Union Street; Block 129, Lot 19
Designation: Contributing, Municipal Historic District
a.
Description of the Property:
Likely constructed in the 1890’s, 332 East Union Street is the right-hand end of a row of
similar houses all built at the same time. In general, these are simple brick rowhouses
with two bays on the upper floors and paired windows and an impressive front door with
arched lights on the first. The bricks on these houses are molded with very tight mortar
joints. Bands of turned bricks and corbelling provide interest and shadow-lines at the
1 floor levels. The windows are wood, double hung, with a single-light sash on the bottom,
and a single-light with colored glass surround on the upper. The windows have attractive
carved stone lintels and sills, and the cornice of the houses has elaborate corbelling, with
brick brackets delineating the party-wall between each house.
One of the most attractive and prominent features of this row of houses is the front
porch, which runs the entire row. The turned columns are set on brick pier bases;
decorative arches span between each column and rounded rafter ends are exposed at the
porch roof edge. The entrances to the houses are marked by shallow gables with scallopshaped wood shakes. The porch roofs were likely originally flat seam metal (painted
red?), although virtually all of the roofs in the row have been replaced with one of several
roofing materials, including asphalt shingle, flat “roll” roofing and standing seam metal.
332 East Union Street is one of the few houses left with its original flat seam metal roof,
although this has been so covered with tar over the years that it appears to be a roll
roofing system and not metal.
b. Documents Submitted:
A completed application with a detailed description of the proposed work, photographs,
cut sheets of the proposed roofing, etc., were received around May 29, 2014.
c.
Scope of work proposed by applicant:
The existing roof is badly deteriorated with rust and holes readily apparent. The applicant
intends to remove the damaged metal roof, repair the porch roof deck (replacing wood
“in-kind” where necessary) and install a new fiberglass asphalt shingle roof, “rustic black”
color. The existing flashing would be repaired/ replaced. The porch roof deck and rafter
ends will be repainted their existing colors.
d. Discussion/ Public Comment
Chairman Van Sciver and Commissioner Stewart both recused themselves from the
discussion and vote.
Mr. Buehrig, Vice-Chair of the HPC, stepped in to Chair this portion of the meeting. The
applicant, Mary McCahon was sworn in and described the project. She stated that in the
row of houses where her house is located, four still have the original flat seam metal
roofing, but most of the others have been replaced, either with roll roofing or asphalt
shingles. She provided photographs showing the extent of the rust and damage to her
metal roof. She stated that she is intending to replace the roof with a dark asphalt shingle
that will have as smooth a texture as possible. She believes that this is the least obtrusive
solution. She also stated that any damaged wood decking or trim would be replaced inkind to match the existing configuration and profiles, and would be painted to match the
existing colors. Consultant Hatch indicated that since this house is in the less stringently
reviewed portion of the Historic District and since there are several other roofs that have
asphalt shingles, he thought that this would be an acceptable solution. Commissioner
Nesbit agreed that this solution is unobtrusive and appropriate.
2 e.
The Historic Preservation Commission recommends the following as conditions of any
approval:
NA.
f.
Commission Decision
Commissioner Morgan made a motion to approve the application as presented and
described above. Commissioner Nesbit seconded. The Commission voted 4 to 0 in favor
of the motion, with Chairman Van Sciver and Commissioner Stuart recusing themselves.
HPC Application 2014-08: Proposal to install signage in the front windows of 239 High Street.
Applicant: Michael Nelson
Owner: SSR Investment Properties, LLC
Site: 239-241 High Street; Block 118, Lot 27
Designation: Contributing, High Street Historic District
a.
Description of the Property:
Likely constructed prior to 1840, this is a three story Greek Revival building with a
shallow, side gable roof. The exterior of the upper floors is stucco and has four bays. A
“mission-style,” clay tiled pent spans the entire ground floor. Beneath are two shop
fronts with plate glass windows flanking recessed entry doors.
b. Documents Submitted:
A completed application, including a brief description of the proposed signage was
submitted on May 30, 2014.
c.
Scope of work proposed by applicant:
The applicant proposes to install signage to the inside of the glass of the storefronts,
promoting his new barbershop.
d. Discussion/ Public Comment
Mr. Nelson was sworn in. He described the project, which includes the installation of
signage on the interior of the storefront windows. He stated that he would like to include
the store hours, a barber’s pole, and barber’s shears. He showed some images of the
signage that he has on his other shop in the Township. Mr. Hatch stated that the
imagery was fine, but that the lettering should have serifs and be of an “older style,”
something like “Times New-Roman.”
Mr. Van Sciver then stated that the signage would need to meet the requirements of the
sign ordinance. Mr. Hatch suggested that Mr. Nelson submit the final design to him via
email prior to installation to confirm that it meets the intent of the HPC. Mr. Van Sciver
and other Commissioners agreed that this would be an acceptable solution.
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e.
The Historic Preservation Commission recommends the following as conditions of any
approval:
Mr. Nelson will provide the final design for the signs to Mr. Hatch for approval prior to
installation. He will use “old-fashioned” lettering that uses serifs, like Times NewRoman. The signage must meet the requirements of the Burlington City Sign
Ordinance.
f.
Commission Decision
Commissioner Nesbit made a motion to approve the application with the conditions
stated above, including the requirement to get final approval from Mr. Hatch.
Commissioner Buehrig seconded. The Commission voted 6 to 0 in favor of the motion.
Old Business:
a. Adjustment of the Historic District Borders: Commissioner Morgan stated that
consultant Barbara Fagley (sp?) had provided more detailed and better delineated maps
from the State showing the Historic Districts. Chairman Van Sciver stated that he hoped
they used GIS. Secretary Crivaro provided printed copies of the maps to HPC members,
and will send electronic copies as well. City Council will then adopt the updated maps’
the second reading is June 17.
b. Doane Academy: Chairman Van Sciver noted that prior to the construction of the new
classroom building at Doane Academy, there would need to be a Phase III archeological
survey. This will be completed by Richard Grubb and Associates and will be quite
expensive for the School.
c. CLG Grant Application: Mr. Hatch followed up with the NJ HPO. Decisions regarding
the grants are still in process. They should be made public within two months.
d. HPC Education: Mr. Hatch suggested several possible topics for the required educational
presentation to the HPC. There was consensus that a presentation on historic brick and
mortar would be the most useful, and that this should be publicized to the general public.
The tentative date would be the September regular meeting.
6. New Business:
a. Commissioner Morgan asked if Secretary Crivaro was going to continue in her position
as the HPC Secretary. Chairman Van Sciver stated that she had a six month trial period
and that it would then be up to her whether she would stay in the position. Ms. Cirvaro
stated that she thought that it was all going well at this point.
7. Public Comment:
a. There was no public comment.
8.
Adjournment:
a. Commissioner Morgan made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Baird
seconded. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted on June 18, 2014 by John Hatch, FAIA, historic preservation consultant to the
Burlington City Historic Preservation Commission.
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