At the heart of the meeting was the consideration of a proposal to initiate the process of designating Irving Place as a historic district. Concerns were raised by a resident regarding the inclusion of their property in the historic element of the master plan and the potential regulatory impact on homeowners. The council clarified that for permits related to historical preservation to be applicable, properties must be included in an ordinance adopted by the borough council. The planning board’s involvement and the council’s final authority in the designation process were also points of debate. A recommendation was made to consult with Irving Place residents for their input on the historic designation and to document the historical significance of the area.

The meeting further explored the broader issues of historic preservation within Red Bank. The council examined the rule of necessity, which allows for alternate commission members to vote in case of insufficient members to form a quorum. The topic of recusal in conflict of interest situations was discussed, emphasizing the necessity for commission members to recuse themselves from the outset of any decision-making process. The possibility of holding hearings for designation during regular or special meetings was confirmed, and the content of the annual report was debated, focusing on whether to include recommendations from the past 15 years or to limit it to the report of the year.

Age as a criterion for historic designation was another point of contention, with the council concluding that age alone does not confer historic value and thus is not sufficient for designation. The need to update the properties listed in the element drafted in 2009 was acknowledged, noting that the list contained duplicates and properties that no longer exist. The importance of conducting historic surveys as an important part of the designation process was underscored.

The challenges of identifying the status of properties within historic districts were also debated. The importance of professional surveying and clear guidelines for property evaluation was emphasized to accurately determine whether properties are contributing or non-contributing to a historic district. Concerns were voiced about the potential negative impact on the character of the district if properties were designated as non-contributing. The council discussed a specific case where a property owner had removed a slate roof without approval, which led to a broader conversation on the enforcement of preservation ordinances and the distinction between minor and major alterations. The availability of design guidelines and the potential need for formal reviews to guide property owners was also discussed, including the consideration of alternative materials for historic building preservation.

The Red Bank Historic Preservation Commission’s meeting with the chairman of the Fair Haven Historic Preservation Commission provided an opportunity to gain insights into the challenges of historic preservation. The chairman shared experiences from Fair Haven, including their advisory role and the process for designating new properties as century homes. The Red Bank commission expressed interest in learning from other towns with specific and restrictive guidelines, although there was uncertainty about adopting a similar format.

The meeting encapsulated discussions on guidelines, permit denial appeals, the informal application process, and the relationship with realtors, particularly regarding the potential government mandate of property disclosures in historic districts. The commission’s attorney addressed legal inquiries, emphasizing transparency and adherence to ethical guidelines in case of conflicts of interest. It was confirmed that the attorney’s role on the commission is to provide legal support, not to serve as a voting member.