Benefits and Consequences

of Local Historic Landmark Designation

Historic Preservation Commission

Robert Britton, Jr., Chair

Tracy Beam, V. Chair
Mark Giallella, Secretary
Marj Hopwood, Carol Hill
Elizabeth Lacy, Anne McArthur
John Rhoads, H. Robert Schroeder

Benefits
-Community recognition, including official Preservation Commission plaque
-Improved property values resulting from the maintenance of the historic property
-Create a sense of community and pride
-Information and technical assistance provided by the Commission in design development of
construction/restoration efforts
-Protection from subsequent state or federal encroachment if listed on the State/National register

Consequences
-Any exterior work (generally defined as the areas that are visible from the street, usually the
front and side views) for which building permits are required will be subject to the
Commission’s review and recommendation to the Planning Board prior to the issuance of a
building permit.

Please note:
-Ordinary maintenance and painting are not subject to the Commission’s review.
-Interior renovation is not subject to the Commission’s review.

Process
Prior to the issuance of a building permit, demolition or development applications for designated
historic landmarks will be referred by the appropriate land use regulatory board to the
Commission for review and recommendation at a public meeting. If the findings and
recommendations of the Commission are unacceptable to the owners, there is a right of appeal to
the appropriate land use regulatory board.

Please refer to Ewing Township Ordinance 2-27, Historic Preservation Commission, and the
Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission Guidelines for specific designation and
review information.
Historic Preservation Commission

Robert Britton, Jr., Chair

Tracy Beam, V. Chair
Mark Giallella, Secretary
Marj Hopwood, Carol Hill
Elizabeth Lacy, Anne McArthur
John Rhoads, H. Robert Schroeder

I. GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINATION OF HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS

Landmark Status should be provided to those buildings, structures, sites objects and
districts that represent a significant part of the history, architecture, archeology,
engineering or culture of the nation, state, or municipality.

The significance of a Landmark should be evaluated against the following criteria:

1. Properties associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad pattern of history.

2. Properties associated with persons significant in the past.

3. Properties associated with a distinctive or significant physical design or construction

including such elements as architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, and
artwork.

4. Properties yielding or likely to yield important information of prehistory or history.

If a landmark meets any one of the above criteria; and maintains its integrity which is
its ability to convey its significance through the aspects describes below, status should
be recommended.

1. Location is the place where the historic property was constructed or the
place where the historic event occurred.

2. Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space
structure and style of a property.

3. Setting is the physical environment of a historic property.

4. Materials are the physical elements that were combined or used in the
development/construction to form a historic property.

5. Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts.

6. Feeling is the property’s expression of the aesthetic or historic sense.

7. Association is the direct link between an important historic event or

person and a historic property.
Integrity is based on significance: why, where, and when a property is important. As such it is
important to determine if the property retains the identity for which it is significant both from a
physical sense as well as a visible sense.

II. GUIDELINES FOR THE REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS, BUILDING

PERMITS OR DEMOLITION REQUESTS AFFECTING LANDMARKS OR
IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN HISTORIC DISTRICTS

The Commission’s review of building permits include, but may not be limited to, the following
aspects:

A. IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING LANDMARKS

Improvements pertain to the repairs, restoration, alterations or replacements of certain aspects of the
historic building fabrics.

EXTERIOR WALLS AND FACADES (MASONRY, WOOD, ETC.)

The exterior wall surface of a building is a major element in defining its overall historic character.

• The original exterior walls and siding material should be retained and repaired rather than
replaced whenever possible.

• If the wall surface or siding material is too deteriorated to repair, replace it with material of
like construction, matching as near as possible in size, shape, texture and color.

• Do not resurface building with inappropriate new materials, i.e. Permasote, Metal/vinyl
siding.

• Paint removal from wood siding should be by handscraping, handsanding and/or electric hot
air guns. Sandblasting and waterblasting should not be allowed.

• Historically painted woodsiding or stuccoed/painted masonry should not be stripped.

FOUNDATIONS
The foundation is the base on which a house rests. In addition to its key structural role, a building’s
foundation contributes to its appearance.

• Repainting masonry should match existing color, texture and materials.

WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, AND BLINDS

Windows are a major feature of the building exterior and vary with each building style.
Windows have a proportional relationship to the structure as a whole, and they also have a
decorative function. The shape and glazing pattern of windows on a building may be one of the
principal characteristics in identifying its historic period and style.

• The number, size and location of existing windows should be retained. Do not alter the
size of the opening to fit stock windows. New openings should not be added to elevations
 subject to view from the street.

• Retain and repaint window frames, sash, decorative glass, panes, sills, head moldings,
and exterior blinds and shutters whenever possible.

• Replacement shutters or blinds should be sized to cover the entire window when closed.
Shutters should be fastened to the window frame not the siding.

• Inappropriate window features, such as plastic and metal awning or fake non-operable
synthetic shutters and blinds should not be used.

• Storm windows should be wooden or, if metal, should be onodized or painted to blend
with trim.

ENTRANCES AND PORCHES

Entrances and Porches are often the central focus of historic buildings. Each house has a
distinguishable type of entryway that directly relates to the overall building design.

• Maintain the size, shape and location of door openings. Primary entrances should not be
moved. New entrances should not be added to the main elevation. Porches which are
appropriate should not be removed.

• Retain the original features of entrances and porches whenever possible. These include
doors, fanlights and lights, sidelights, pilasters, entablatures, hardware, columns,
balustrades, and steps.

• If deterioration makes it necessary to replace part or all of an entrance or porch, the

replacement should be similar in material and design.

• Open front porches should not be enclosed.

ROOFS, DORMERS AND CHIMNEYS

The roof, its shape, functional and decorative features and roofing material, is an important
identifying element in a buildings character.

• Retain the original shape pitch and configuration of the roof.

• Preserve the functional and decorative features of the roof, such as eaves, cornices,
chimneys, dormers, cupolas, gutters, and flashings.

• Retain the original roofing material if possible. When partially re-roofing, deteriorated
roof coverings should be replaced whenever possible with new materials that match the
old in composition, size, shape and texture. When entirely re-roofing, new materials need
not replicate the old, but should be compatible substitute materials.
TRIM AND CORNICES
Trim refers to the ornamental details applied to a building such as cornices, brackets, pilasters,
railings, cornerboards, finials, bargeboards and window and door casings. Architectural trim
elements are indications of a building’s historic period and style and may exemplify skilled
craftsmanship that cannot be duplicated today.

• Trim elements should be retained and repaired rather than replaced whenever possible.

• Where necessary, replace deteriorated architectural features with material that is similar
in composition, size, shape, texture, and color.

FENCES AND WALKWAYS

Fences were used to define the boundary of the yard or to enclose a garden and served as an
ornamental function as well. Historic fences contribute to the overall character of a building
district.

• Historic fencing should be retained and repaired, rather than replaced whenever possible.

• Inappropriate enclosures include opaque fencing such as board-on-board, high beams,

chain link or contemporary metal railings. These enclosures should be used when they
are not conspicuous from the public view.

B. NEW CONSTRUCTION

New construction pertains to additions to historic buildings as well as buildings constructed in a

historic district. The important elements to consider in new construction are scale, design,
quality, and relationship to neighboring buildings. New construction is reviewed in terms of the
following:

SITING
The setback and orientation of new buildings/additions adjacent to historic landmarks should
align with neighboring buildings.

SIZE AND SCALE

New construction should conform to the massing, proportion, volume, scale and height of
neighboring buildings.

RHYTHM AND DIRECTIONAL EMPHASIS

New construction should be compatible with the rhythm of neighboring buildings along the
street. Rhythm is defined by the relationship of building to open space along the street, the
relationships of solids and voids on building facades.

The directional emphasis - whether vertical or horizontal in character - of new construction

should relate to that of neighboring buildings.
MATERIALS
The exterior materials used in new construction should be compatible with historically
appropriate materials of neighboring buildings.

BUILDINGS ELEMENTS
The various individual elements of a building - roof, windows, doors, porches, and trim - should
be carefully integrated into overall design of new construction. These elements also should
complement those of neighboring structures.

C. GUIDELINES

Any project involving any alteration or repair in the design and exterior appearance of a historic
building will be subject to the Commission’s review of building permits. The Commission’s
review of building permits will be based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation.

The Standards for Rehabilitation define “rehabilitation as the act or process of returning a
property to a state of utility through repair or alteration with makes possible an efficient
contemporary use while preserving those portions or features of the property which are
significant to its historical, architectural and cultural values.” As such, repairs or alterations that
are subject to a building permit are subject to the review and approval of the Historic
Preservation Commission.

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are as follows and should be applied
to specific rehabilitation projects in a reasonable manner, taking into consideration economic and
technical feasibility.

A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be places in a new use that requires minimal
change tot he defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.

The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic
materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.

Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that
create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural
elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.

Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired significance in their own
right shall be retained and preserved.

Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that

characterize a historic property shall be preserved.
Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission
Date

Robert Britton, Jr., Chair

Tracy Beam, V. Chair
Mark Giallella, Secretary
Marj Hopwood, Carol Hill
Elizabeth Lacy, Anne McArthur
John Rhoads, H. Robert Schroeder

Occupant
Address
Ewing, NJ -----

RE: Historic Registration

Dear Occupant:

The Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission is pleased to provide you with information
regarding the Ewing Township Register of Historic Places.
There are three separate documents included in this packet that explain:
1) When a permit is required (Construction Permit Information Sheet)
2) The benefits and consequences of registering your home (Benefits and Consequences Sheet)
3) Guidelines for review by the Historic Preservation Commission when required (Guidelines Packet)

The Construction Permit Information Sheet is a brief overview of construction activities that require a
permit in Ewing Township. This is important to owners of historic properties because the Historic
Preservation Commission reviews the permit applications to their properties to check that they are
appropriate for the historic character of the house. The Commission has established a detailed set of
Guidelines for the review of permit applications, which are also included. The packet also includes a
comparison of the Benefits and Consequences of historic registration, which is a simple overview of local
historic preservation.
We hope that these documents help you better understand the process of local historic registration, and we
look forward to considering your property for inclusion on the historic register. Inclusion of your property
will enhance the quality of our community by preserving our collective past. For more information on
how to register your property, call __Chair_____ at _________.

Yours sincerely,

____________________________________________
Chair
The Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission
 Historic Site Designation – Owner’s Permission
Ewing Township, New Jersey

Date____________________

To The Planning Board of Ewing, New Jersey

I understand that the below captioned property is nominated for inclusion on the Ewing
Township Register of Historic Places.

By signing this, I further represent that I am the owner or owners representative and lawfully
able to receive this designation of Historic Place for the below captioned structure or place.

Thank you,

Title_____________________________________________________

Homeowner_______________________________________________

Representative_____________________________________________

Signature_________________________________________________

Property address____________________________________________

Block/lot__________________________________________________

Notary ____________________________________________________
 Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission
Construction Permit Information Sheet for Registered Historic Sites
Historic Preservation Commission

Robert Britton, Jr., Chair

Tracy Beam, V. Chair
Mark Giallella, Secretary
Marj Hopwood, Carol Hill
Elizabeth Lacy, Anne McArthur
John Rhoads, H. Robert Schroeder

Repairs
• Roofing -replacement of greater than 25% during a one year period
requires a permit, and is reviewed by the Historic Preservation
Commission.

• Siding -replacement of greater than 25% during a one year period

requires
a permit, and is reviewed by the Historic Preservation
Commission.

• Windows -changing size or location of windows requires a permit, and is

reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.
-replacement of same size windows does not require a permit.

• Structure -any structural change requires a permit, and is reviewed by the

Historic Preservation Commission.

• Routine repairs -do not require a permit, and are not reviewed by the Historic
Preservation Commission.

Exterior Additions
• Additions -any exterior addition requires a permit, and is reviewed by the
Historic Preservation Commission.

• Structure -any structural change requires a permit, and is reviewed by the

Historic Preservation Commission.

• Porches/decks -any above grade work requires a permit, and is reviewed

by the
Historic Preservation Commission.
-grade work, such as a concrete slab patio, does not require a
permit.
New Construction
• Additional structures - any additional structure, such as a pool or toolshed
requires a
permit, and is reviewed by the Historic Preservation
Commission.

• New building -any new building requires a permit, and is reviewed by the
Historic Preservation Commission.

Interior changes
• Interior renovation -may require permits, but are not reviewed by the Historic
Preservation Commission.