Council renames landmarks commission to Historic Preservation Commission to unlock state tax credits for redevelopment projects
Loading...
Summary
An ordinance that renames the city's Landmarks Commission to the Historic Preservation Commission, creates a city historian post and adjusts membership, was approved so certain redevelopment projects can qualify for state historic tax credits before an application deadline.
The Trenton City Council approved an ordinance amending the municipal code to rename the Landmarks Commission as the Historic Preservation Commission, to add two commission members, to create a city historian position and to require at least one member of the commission to serve on the planning board.
Chief of Staff John (Jim) Beach told the council the changes align the city's ordinance with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requirements and will allow eligible projects — notably the former Holiday Inn building — to apply for historic tax credits in the current award round, which the administration said is time‑sensitive.
Beach said the ordinance also clarifies the commission's powers and duties under the Land Development Ordinance and that the planning board had reviewed the changes for consistency. SHPO reviewed the draft changes ahead of the meeting, the administration said, and staff recommended approval to enable redevelopment projects to seek available tax credits.
The ordinance passed on first reading; council members said the move was intended to expand redevelopment financing tools and speed applications for projects that preserve historically significant structures.
