Historic Preservation Commission

Robert Britton, Jr., Chair

Tracy Beam, V. Chair
Mark Giallella, Secretary
Marj Hopwood, Carol Hill
Elizabeth Lacy, Anne McArthur
John Rhoads, H. Robert Schroeder

I. GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINATION OF HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS

Landmark Status should be provided to those buildings, structures, sites objects and districts that
represent a significant part of the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or culture of the
nation, state, or municipality.

The significance of a Landmark should be evaluated against the following criteria:

1. Properties associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
pattern of history.

2. Properties associated with persons significant in the past.

3. Properties associated with a distinctive or significant physical design or construction

including such elements as architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, and artwork.

4. Properties yielding or likely to yield important information of prehistory or history.

If a landmark meets any one of the above criteria; and maintains its integrity which is its ability
to convey its significance through the aspects describes below, status should be recommended.

1. Location is the place where the historic property was constructed or the place
where the historic event occurred.

2. Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space structure
and style of a property.

3. Setting is the physical environment of a historic property.

4. Materials are the physical elements that were combined or used in the
development/construction to form a historic property.

5. Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts.

6. Feeling is the property’s expression of the aesthetic or historic sense.

7. Association is the direct link between an important historic event or person and a
historic property.

Integrity is based on significance: why, where, and when a property is important. As such it is important
Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission
 to determine if the property retains the identity for which it is significant both from a physical sense as
well as a visible sense.

II. GUIDELINES FOR THE REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS, BUILDING PERMITS

OR DEMOLITION REQUESTS AFFECTING LANDMARKS OR IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN
HISTORIC DISTRICTS

The Commission’s review of building permits include, but may not be limited to, the following aspects:

A. IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING LANDMARKS

Improvements pertain to the repairs, restoration, alterations or replacements of certain aspects of the historic
building fabrics.

EXTERIOR WALLS AND FACADES (MASONRY, WOOD, ETC.)

The exterior wall surface of a building is a major element in defining its overall historic character.

• The original exterior walls and siding material should be retained and repaired rather than replaced
whenever possible.

• If the wall surface or siding material is too deteriorated to repair, replace it with material of like
construction, matching as near as possible in size, shape, texture and color.

• Do not resurface building with inappropriate new materials, i.e. Permasote, Metal/vinyl siding.

• Paint removal from wood siding should be by handscraping, handsanding and/or electric hot air guns.
Sandblasting and waterblasting should not be allowed.

• Historically painted woodsiding or stuccoed/painted masonry should not be stripped.

FOUNDATIONS

The foundation is the base on which a house rests. In addition to its key structural role, a building’s foundation
contributes to its appearance.

• Repainting masonry should match existing color, texture and materials.

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WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, AND BLINDS

Windows are a major feature of the building exterior and vary with each building style. Windows have a
proportional relationship to the structure as a whole, and they also have a decorative function. The shape
and glazing pattern of windows on a building may be one of the principal characteristics in identifying its
historic period and style.
• The number, size and location of existing windows should be retained. Do not alter the size of the
opening to fit stock windows. New openings should not be added to elevations subject to view
from the street.

• Retain and repaint window frames, sash, decorative glass, panes, sills, head moldings, and exterior
blinds and shutters whenever possible.

• Replacement shutters or blinds should be sized to cover the entire window when closed. Shutters
should be fastened to the window frame not the siding.

• Inappropriate window features, such as plastic and metal awning or fake non-operable synthetic
shutters and blinds should not be used.

• Storm windows should be wooden or, if metal, should be onodized or painted to blend with trim.

ENTRANCES AND PORCHES

Entrances and Porches are often the central focus of historic buildings. Each house has a distinguishable
type of entryway that directly relates to the overall building design.

• Maintain the size, shape and location of door openings. Primary entrances should not be moved.
New entrances should not be added to the main elevation. Porches which are appropriate should
not be removed.

• Retain the original features of entrances and porches whenever possible. These include doors,
fanlights and lights, sidelights, pilasters, entablatures, hardware, columns, balustrades, and steps.

• If deterioration makes it necessary to replace part or all of an entrance or porch, the replacement
should be similar in material and design.

• Open front porches should not be enclosed.

Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission

ROOFS, DORMERS AND CHIMNEYS

The roof, its shape, functional and decorative features and roofing material, is an important identifying
element in a buildings character.

• Retain the original shape pitch and configuration of the roof.

• Preserve the functional and decorative features of the roof, such as eaves, cornices, chimneys,
dormers, cupolas, gutters, and flashings.

• Retain the original roofing material if possible. When partially re-roofing, deteriorated roof
coverings should be replaced whenever possible with new materials that match the old in
composition, size, shape and texture. When entirely re-roofing, new materials need not replicate
the old, but should be compatible substitute materials.

TRIM AND CORNICES

Trim refers to the ornamental details applied to a building such as cornices, brackets, pilasters, railings,
cornerboards, finials, bargeboards and window and door casings. Architectural trim elements are
indications of a building’s historic period and style and may exemplify skilled craftsmanship that cannot
be duplicated today.

• Trim elements should be retained and repaired rather than replaced whenever possible.

• Where necessary, replace deteriorated architectural features with material that is similar in
composition, size, shape, texture, and color.

FENCES AND WALKWAYS

Fences were used to define the boundary of the yard or to enclose a garden and served as an ornamental
function as well. Historic fences contribute to the overall character of a building district.

• Historic fencing should be retained and repaired, rather than replaced whenever possible.

• Inappropriate enclosures include opaque fencing such as board-on-board, high beams, chain link
or contemporary metal railings. These enclosures should be used when they are not conspicuous
from the public view.

B. NEW CONSTRUCTION

New construction pertains to additions to historic buildings as well as buildings constructed in a historic
district. The important elements to consider in new construction are scale, design, quality, and
relationship to neighboring buildings. New construction is reviewed in terms of the following:

Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission

SITING

The setback and orientation of new buildings/additions adjacent to historic landmarks should align with
neighboring buildings.

SIZE AND SCALE

New construction should conform to the massing, proportion, volume, scale and height of neighboring
buildings.

RHYTHM AND DIRECTIONAL EMPHASIS

New construction should be compatible with the rhythm of neighboring buildings along the street.
Rhythm is defined by the relationship of building to open space along the street, the relationships of
solids and voids on building facades.

The directional emphasis - whether vertical or horizontal in character - of new construction should relate
to that of neighboring buildings.

MATERIALS

The exterior materials used in new construction should be compatible with historically appropriate
materials of neighboring buildings.

BUILDINGS ELEMENTS

The various individual elements of a building - roof, windows, doors, porches, and trim - should be
carefully integrated into overall design of new construction. These elements also should complement
those of neighboring structures.

C. GUIDELINES

Any project involving any alteration or repair in the design and exterior appearance of a historic building
will be subject to the Commission’s review of building permits. The Commission’s review of building
permits will be based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

The Standards for Rehabilitation define “rehabilitation as the act or process of returning a property to a
state of utility through repair or alteration with makes possible an efficient contemporary use while
preserving those portions or features of the property which are significant to its historical, architectural
and cultural values.” As such, repairs or alterations that are subject to a building permit are subject to the
review and approval of the Historic Preservation Commission.

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are as follows and should be applied to
specific rehabilitation projects in a reasonable manner, taking into consideration economic and technical
feasibility.

Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission

A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be places in a new use that requires minimal change tot
he defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.

The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or
alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.

Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create a
false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from
other buildings, shall not be undertaken.

Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired significance in their own right shall
be retained and preserved.

Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize
a historic property shall be preserved.

Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission