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Red Bank preservation commission votes to urge zoning board to preserve character of 199–205 Broad Street
Summary
The commission voted to send a letter to the zoning board asking that proposed changes to 199 and 205 Broad Street preserve existing historic elements; one building received HPC recognition in 2015 although neither is formally designated historic.
The Red Bank Historic Preservation Commission voted June 17 to send a letter to the borough zoning board requesting that plans to substantially alter 199 and 205 Broad Street respect and preserve the buildings’ historic elements.
Although neither property is a designated historic site or in a historic district, commissioners noted that 199 Broad Street received an HPC recognition in 2015 for past preservation work and said the zoning board should consider that history when reviewing a zoning application that would connect the two buildings with a bridge and add residential development in the rear.
Commissioners expressed concern that the proposed consolidation and additional units would erode the street’s existing character and increase density on a block with several older Victorian-era structures. One commissioner said the changes “feel like cramming more in” and voiced worry about losing defining features; other members urged the zoning board to minimize alterations that would remove historic fabric.
Liam Collins moved to send a letter making the commission’s views known; a second was recorded and the motion passed on a voice vote. Marjorie Cavalier recused herself from discussion and any vote because she said she is a client of the property owner and therefore left the dais. Recorded voices during the roll-call of the motion included Luis Almarini (yes), Liam Collins (yes), Karen Smeskel (yes) and Betsy Valera (yes); Marjorie Cavalier recused herself.
The commission’s letter will request that the zoning board weigh preservation of character and historic elements in any approval and will be drafted by commission leadership for transmission before the zoning hearing scheduled the following day. No formal historic-designation action was taken by the HPC at the June 17 meeting.
