The Township Committee is working on an ordinance that would bind commercial developers to architectural renderings of their projects.
By: Frank C. D’Amico
MILLSTONE The Township Committee is working on an ordinance that would bind commercial developers to architectural renderings of their projects.
At the June 6 Township Committee meeting, Mayor Evan Maltz said he wants to see developers bring in colored drawings showing the texture, colors, siding of the structure along with details on windows and landscaping.
"We want to give the Planning Board and the public an idea what the commercial structure will look like," he said.
Several times the renderings haven’t matched actual buildings, committee members said.
"This is something I feel strongly about," Mayor Maltz said.
Recently, a commercial development on Route 33 came before the Planning Board. The project’s original drawings showed a certain type of windows, which were favored by the board.
When the developer came back for final approval, he said he wanted a different type of window, which wasn’t considered as aesthetically pleasing by the board.
The board made the developer use the original window type.
"We want to make it clear, what we see is what we get," said Committeeman Cory Wingerter.
Mr. Wingerter said the ordinance would not apply to residential developments.
He suggested the township create an Architectural Standards Committee to assist in the process.
"We want to see Colonial buildings, not cinderblocks with a ribbon of windows and a flat roof," Mayor Maltz. "We want exceptional architecture."
Township Engineer Gordon Milnes said he supported the idea and will write a first draft of the ordinance.