Unger proposes historic preservation ordinance
Measure calls for commission, historic inventory
BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

An ordinance that would help preserve the city's historic structures and establish a Long Branch Historic Preservation Commission is in the works.

Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger is planning to introduce an ordinance that would designate and regulate historic sites within the city.

The measure would also create a commission to review the potential effects of development and permit applications on those sites and advise the Planning and Zoning boards on such applications.

According to a draft of the proposed ordinance, the measure would "safeguard the heritage of Long Branch by preserving resources ... which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic and architectural history."

Unger is scheduled to meet with the Long Branch Historical Association Sunday at the Ocean Beach Club on Ocean Avenue to discuss a draft version of the proposed historic preservation ordinance.

"The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the ordinance," said Unger in an interview Monday. "I will have an attorney there to explain it.

"I want to hear input and any objections," he said, adding, "I also want to share this with any concerned citizens."

Although the meeting is not open to the public, Unger said community members can call him at (917) 453-7311 or e-mail to: bunger@dwjtv.com for questions or comments on the proposal.

"Long Branch is a city with a rich history," Unger said. "For the last several decades we have lost important historic treasures. Properties have been razed.

"It is my strong feeling that it is extremely short-sighted. We need to preserve our historical structures," he said.

Unger, who has been a strong advocate for preserving the historic Takanassee Beach Club from development, said the proposed ordinance was drafted with the help of his attorney, Jeff William.

The proposed ordinance would give the City Council the right to add or delete any structures or properties if it does not agree with the historic designation made by the historic preservation commission, according to Unger.

The ordinance would also discourage or deny demolition of historic resources; encourage the continued use of historic landmarks and facilitate their appropriate use.

"We have had this in our master plan for approximately 10 years," Unger said. "Historic preservation has been an element in the master plan, but the city government never adopted an ordinance to execute that element of the plan."

One site Unger said the ordinance could help preserve is the historic Takanassee Beach Club property on Ocean Avenue which is under contract to a developer.

The historic 5-acre property is currently owned by members of the Peters family and is slated to be sold to private developer Takanassee Developers.

The developer has applied to the state's coastal land use agency for approval to build 21 luxury homes on the property.

The application for a Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) permit is currently pending before the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

"We've lost key historical structures," Unger said. "Properties of President Garfield that were striking and valuable architecture have been lost.

"Those properties were actually listed in the master plan as being buildings for historical preservation, but nobody did anything.

"And we lost President Grant's house. Those are just two great historic structures gone," he said.

Unger added that there is an extensive list of historic properties remaining in Long Branch, in the Elberon section of town and throughout the city, that need protection from development and demolition.

"These are the structures that help make the city beautiful," Unger said. "It is not just high-rises and brand new buildings that make a city beautiful.

"Historic structures make a city like Long Branch an attractive destination."

Unger said his hope is to have Mayor Adam Schneider and his fellow council members on board with the ordinance and to introduce it at a public meeting in mid-September.

"Hopefully [the draft of the proposed ordinance] will be examined by City Attorney [James Aaron] by this Sunday's meeting," Unger said.

The proposed ordinance provides that the city council appropriate funds for the commission in its budget.

The historic preservation commission would have seven regular members and two alternate members appointed by the mayor.

According to a draft of the ordinance, the historic preservation commission would be charged with preparing a survey of historic landmarks in the city. The commission's role would be advisory.

The historic preservation commission's responsibilities would also include:

• Review the potential effect of, and advise the Planning and Zoning boards on, applications for development involving historic sites;

• Prepare and maintain guidelines for the architectural designs of the exteriors of structures designated historic and for the renovation of those structures.

• Review recommendations on proposed design elements that call for the construction of new buildings and the improvement or demolition of existing buildings located on an historic site.

• Promote historic preservation in ways including serving as the city's archivist and participating in educational programs.

"I think it's our duty to our children and grandchildren to take a stand now and do what other historic towns have done," Unger said.