Special Meeting Thursday on New Historic District Ordinance Draft

Haddonfield's Historic Preservation Comission, planning and zoning boards will meet Thursday for a special meeting to discuss proposed changes to the borough's historic district rules and regulations for property use and improvements.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Hall.

A working draft of the new ordinance states:

The purpose of this section is to safeguard the heritage of the borough of Haddonfield by preserving that part of the borough, which reflects elements of its cultural, social, economic and architectural history:

A. To preserve the integrity of design of the buildings the historic buildings and streetscapes within the Historic District

B. To preserve the Borough’s historic and architecturally significant buildings and sites;

C. To maintain and improve property values;

D. To preserve and promote the Historic District as an essential element of municipal character and identity, as an important factor in the economy of the borough and the property values therein;

E. To foster civic beauty;

F. To promote the use of the district for the education, pleasure and welfare of the citizens of the borough and its visitors

G. To further assure that construction, alterations, repairs, replacements such as lighting, fences, walkways, signs, color (other than paint color) and landscape features are compatible with the borough's historic, cultural, aesthetic and architectural heritage;

New considerations include:

H. To manage change by preventing alteration or new construction not in keeping with the district;

I. To discourage unnecessary demolition of historic resources;

J. To recognize the importance of individual historic landmarks located outside of a district by urging

property owners and tenants to maintain their properties in keeping with the requirements and standards of this ordinance; and

K. To promote the conservation of historic sites and districts and to invite and encourage voluntary compliance.