have regulatory powers
in Freehold Borough
Ordinance would give life
to historic advisory panel
But new body would not
have regulatory powers
in Freehold Borough
By clare MARie celano
Staff Writer
Kevin Coyne
FREEHOLD — Borough officials are making a tangible effort to protect the precious stock of historic properties in the town.
An ordinance that will create and establish an Historic Preservation Advisory Committee was introduced at the Borough Council’s June 16 meeting.
According to the ordinance, the advisory committee, which will have between seven and 15 members, will inform residents about the aesthetic and economic benefits of historic preservation; preserve the historic fabric and character of structures and streetscapes in the borough; encourage residents and business owners to restore and maintain structures; discourage the demolition and heavy remodeling of historically significant structures; provide guidelines for new construction that are compatible with existing streetscapes; serve in an advisory capacity to the planning board, zoning board, the building department, the code office and the Borough Council in an effort to maintain the historic character of Freehold Borough.
The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading and possible adoption at the council’s July 21 meeting.
According to Councilman Kevin Coyne, an effort was initially made in the late 1980s to establish a committee that would seek to protect historic buildings, but that idea did not take off.
"It didn’t last very long though," Coyne said. "There was a much smaller pool of people interested in buying older homes then. Now, though, there is a recent phenomenon occurring where people are choosing to live in older houses. I’ve never seen this here before.
"We have something in Freehold Borough that other towns don’t have," he said, referring to the large stock of older properties, some of which have historic significance.
Coyne stressed the fact that the proposed advisory committee will not have any regulatory powers.
"This is not a ‘no-vinyl siding committee,’ " he said, explaining that the advisory committee will not have the power to regulate or restrict what people may do with their homes or buildings.
Coyne noted that while the governing bodies in some communities choose to give their local historic preservation panels some regulatory powers, that will not be the case in Freehold Borough.
"There is no appetite among council members or within the town for a regulatory body that would restrict the way people care for their homes," he said.
Coyne brought the idea of an historic preservation committee to the council almost a year ago when he asked about creating a panel that would act as an advisory body in an effort to encourage people to maintain their older homes.
He discussed situations that have arisen in some towns where historic preservation panels have regulatory powers.
"Many bitter battles have ensued among residents and governing officials because of imposed restrictions," the councilman said. "This is America and Americans don’t like to be told what they can and cannot do to their homes."
Coyne said the whole idea of the advisory committee now being proposed in the borough is to try to find "non-regulatory, non-invasive ways to do the right thing."
"We are not an affluent town; therefore, it makes it difficult for residents to adhere to certain restrictions. This (the restrictions) is the type of thing that drives people crazy, and we are not going to do that," he said.
However, Coyne said he does want people to know that improvements like putting vinyl siding on an older home may in fact decrease the home’s value.
"The supply of older homes is limited," he said. "There are not that many, and people do want to buy them here."
People in the borough today are much more interested and aware of the value of older homes and are making concerted efforts to maintain them, the councilman said.
Evidence of this was exhibited a few years ago when a group of residents objected to a plan to tear down an old home on the corner of West Main Street and Park Avenue. The residents later formed the Freehold Vintage Homeowners Associ-ation.
Wayne Mason, a member of the association who lives on Manalapan Avenue in a house built in the late 1800s, said he joined the association because he wanted to get in touch with other residents who were also fixing up their homes.
Mason explained that the formation of the association was triggered by the plan to tear down a historic home at the corner of West Main Street and Park Avenue. The plan was not approved.
"One of the things that impressed me so much was the number of people who came out to question this plan," Mason said, adding that he supports the proposed Historic Preservation Advisory Committee ordinance.
"The committee will provide guidance for the zoning and planning boards, too. Everyone is clear on what makes Freehold Borough unique. Whether you are a lifelong resident or new to the town, appreciating the historical nature of the town is recognized," Mason said.
"Everyone knows what makes an older town special," he said, mentioning towns like Cape May, Princeton and New Hope, Pa. "People won’t usually hop in their cars to spend the afternoon riding through a subdivision, but they will hop in their cars for an afternoon in an older town to shop, eat or just look around. I believe Freehold Borough has that potential. The borough has its own particular flavor."
One of the first projects the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee will work on if it is formed will be a house marking program. According to Coyne, the program would encourage residents to research the history of their home. Each participant would receive a marker that states, "Historic Freehold."
Coyne said the program will help to identify how many residents really do care about preserving older homes in the borough.