Candidates talk Historic District

Cranbury Township Committee hopefuls state their positions on ordinance that would create new Historic Preservation Commission.

By: Jessica Beym and Josh Appelbaum
   
   As longtime residents of Cranbury, both candidates for Township Committee support and ordinance creating a new Historic Preservation Commission.
   This week, Democrat Angie Cook and Republican Wayne Wittman state their positions on the changes, benefits and downside to proposed ordinance that would replace the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee with a Historic Preservation Commission.
   The ordinance was drafted during the summer and will be voted on Nov. 14. HPAC, is a five-person committee that advises homeowners and members of the Planning and zoning boards about how renovations would affect homes in the Historic District.
   Under the new commission, the guidelines provided would be more clear and precise, officials say.
   They also discuss their views on development and the third round of affordable housing obligations.
   Both candidates are running for one, three-year seat on the Township Committee. Incumbent Becky Beauregard is not seeking re-election. The election will be held Nov. 8.
Angie Cook

Democrat
   Ms. Cook said she thinks the guidelines under the proposal for the Historic Preservation Commission will offer fair improvement recommendations to homes in the Historic District.
   "It helps to have specific guidelines for the consumers who are going through the process," Ms. Cook said. "There’s a sense of a common ground between the two."
   She said most, if not all, residents who bought homes in the Historic District appreciate the value of the village and oppose changing their properties drastically.
   But she said that there has to be room to make wanted and needed changes to existing structures.
   Ms. Cook said the new commission should discuss any changes to the size or shape of the Historic District with all homeowners who are affected.
   She said the commission should also do careful research when deciding on new neighborhoods to include in the district. The current district encompasses about 800 houses along North and South Main streets from Plainsboro Road to Old Trenton Road including houses on Symmes Court, Maplewood Avenue, Park Place, Bunker Hill Road and Station Road, and also includes a buffer zone stretching 2,400 feet beyond the zone’s boundary.
   Ms. Cook said Evans Tract, a neighborhood built in the 1950s, could be included in the district.
   "We need to be flexible," Ms. Cook said. "These are peoples’ investments and livelihoods, so we can’t decide on this willy-nilly."
   She said the township needs to get the opinions of the Historic Preservation Commission, the township historian and other experts as well as homeowners. Ms. Cook said she is concerned about development and its effect on the school district.
   Two weeks ago, the township announced its round three affordable housing obligation to build an estimated 50 family houses affordable housing units. The chosen sites are land along Route 130 near Cranbury Green, a tract bordering Four Seasons on Old Trenton Road and a site behind Village Park.
   Ms. Cook said it’s important to counterbalance the increase in residents that the housing units will bring by preserving land and restricting development in the township. She said the affordable housing units alone could create a need to expand the school.
Wayne Wittman

Republican
   Mr. Wittman, who lives in a historic home on Main Street, said the new Historic District guidelines would give residents a better understanding of the process of making changes to historic homes.
   "Right now it is a cumbersome and confusing process," said Mr. Wittman. "This will really streamline any changes."
   Mr. Wittman said reorganizing the commission under the new ordinance may not seem like much of a change, but it will make a substantial difference that benefits homeowners.
   "By laying out new rules and guidelines, it will formalize the boundaries," he said. "It makes it a better ordinance in dealing with our historic homes."
   Mr. Wittman said the new commission should review HPC’s jurisdiction and make changes to the number of houses that are included. He said many homes that were built within the last 50 years are included and possibly shouldn’t be. Mr. Wittman said the changes will eliminate many of the current problems for people in newer homes looking to do construction.
   He also said there are a few parts of town, such as homes on Cranbury Station Road, that currently are not covered under HPAC, but should be.
   "Most of the historic homes are in the center of Cranbury, but there are some outlying houses that need to be included."
   Mr. Wittman said he is pleased with the potential sites for the estimated 50 affordable housing units to be built. Mr. Wittman said its important that the houses be dispersed through out the township, but still maintain direct access to the center of town.
   "It’s important to balance the new situation with the existing neighbors, and keep the units connected with the town."
   He said affordable housing is a top priority and that it is important to meet and fund the obligations, while still restricting additional development in the town.
   "We can’t have any more large developments in town," he said. "There’s no land to do it. If it’s vacant, it’s in danger of something happening."