The NJ Historic Sites Council (HSC) held a marathon meeting last Wednesday to review an application regarding encroachments upon properties listed on the NJ Register within the Flemington Historic District. The HSC only has jurisdiction over the Hunterdon Bank Building, which is currently owned by the Borough, and is pending sale to a developer. Per the application, the facades on two sides of both the Bank Building and the Union Hotel would remain intact, with 3-story additions on one side of each, and a 7-story addition to the rear. The application called for a complete gut of the interiors of both buildings. The development also includes the demolition of 5 contributing buildings in the District.

The HSC voted to temporarily deny the application, asking for additional information related to structural integrity of the Bank Building, archaeological resources, and details as to how the size and scale of the surrounding buildings would affect the Bank Building.  PNJ intends to provide supplemental testimony in writing to the HSC specifically related to the size and character of the encroaching structures. We will continue to share information about this project as it evolves.