CHAPTER 40. LAND USE ADMINISTRATION
ARTICLE VI. Historic Preservation Committee
[Added by Ord. No. 14-93]§ 40-46. Purposes.
The purposes of this article are:
A. To establish an Historic Preservation Committee to study and identify possible historic structures and historic landscapes within the boundaries of the Borough of Mountain Lakes.
B. To develop public awareness of any such historic structures and landscapes, in order to promote the heritage and community identity of the Borough of Mountain Lakes.
§ 40-47. Creation; composition and organization.
There is hereby created in and for the Borough of Mountain Lakes an Historic Preservation Committee for the protection, enhancement and preservation of districts, sites, buildings, structures and landscape features of historic, cultural or architectural value or interest within the Borough.
A. Membership. The Historic Preservation Committee, hereinafter referred to as the "Committee," shall consist of seven members and two alternates who shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Borough Council, and who shall serve without compensation.
B. Qualifications. Members shall be appointed from among professionals in the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archaeology or a related discipline, to the extent that such professionals are available in the Borough. Committee membership shall include other persons who have demonstrated special interest, knowledge or experience in history, architecture or a related discipline. Members may reside outside of the Borough if no resident is qualified, except that no more than two members of the Committee shall be nonresidents. Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of regular voting members and shall be designated as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2 at the time of appointment.
C. Terms. The initial terms of office of the first regular Committee members shall be for one, two, three or four years, to be designated by the Mayor in making such appointments in the following manner: one member shall be appointed for one year, two members shall be appointed for two years, two members shall be appointed for three years and two members shall be appointed for four years. The initial terms of office for the first alternate members of the Committee shall be for one year and two years, respectively. The term of each member shall expire on December 31 of the last year of each member's term. All members of the initial Committee shall be appointed within 90 days of the final passage of this article. The terms of appointment of succeeding Committee members shall be for four years each for regular voting members and two years each for alternate members, to expire on December 31 of the last year of such succeeding member's term. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the Committee and the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be for that person's term of membership on the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
D. Organization. At its annual organization meeting, the Committee shall elect from its membership a Chairperson to serve as presiding officer of the Committee. The Committee shall also elect a Vice Chairperson from its membership and select a Secretary who may or may not be a member of the Committee.
E. Training. Each year, a majority of Committee members shall attend a conference or training session in historic preservation or a related field. Failure to obtain adequate training may result in removal from the Committee.
F. Vacancies. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term only, and the appointment shall be made by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Borough Council, within 60 days of the vacancy.
G. Removal. A member of the Committee may be removed by the Borough Council for cause; provided, however, that such member shall be entitled to a public hearing if he or she requests it.
H. Records and procedures. The Committee shall keep minutes and records of all meetings and proceedings, including but not limited to voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings, determinations and decisions. All such material shall be matters of public record. All meetings shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-7 et seq. The Committee shall adopt such other procedural rules for the conduct of its business as it deems necessary and advisable. No Committee member shall vote or participate in any meeting concerning any matter in which he or she has a direct or indirect personal interest, monetary or otherwise.
I. Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be four regular and/or alternate members.
§ 40-48. Duties and responsibilities.
A. Survey. The Committee shall prepare a survey of historic sites within the Borough.
B. Master Plan recommendations. The Committee shall make recommendations to the Planning Board as to the inclusion of an historic preservation plan element of the Master Plan and on the implications for preservation of historic sites in any other Master Plan elements and to the Borough Council for the adoption of historic preservation provisions, standards and criteria in the land use ordinances.
C. Capital budget. The Committee shall advise the Borough Council on any features of the annual capital budget that have historic preservation implications.
D. Development recommendations. The Committee shall advise the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment on applications for development.
E. Assistance. The Committee shall advise and assist applicants for construction permits, if requested by said applicants, in advance of a formal application on ways to comply with the preservation objectives of this article.
F. Other functions. The Committee shall carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions as will promote historic preservation in the Borough.
G. Evaluation of sites. The Committee may evaluate historic sites included in the community-wide survey against the criteria for the National and State Registers of Historic Places and prepare nominations for consideration of the State Historical Preservation Officer.