AGENDA | MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
December 31, 2003

ORDINANCES:

RESOLUTIONS:

1. Authorization to Make Budget Transfers

2. Authorization to Cancel 2003 Budget Appropriations

3. Authorization to Close out Petty Cash

4. Authorization to Cancel Taxes

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December 31, 2003

A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield was held on the above date at 8:00 p.m. in room 102 of the Borough Hall, Haddonfield, New Jersey.

A.

Announcement by Mrs. Colombi:

That the Annual Notice has been filed with the Retrospect stating the time, date and locations of all meetings in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

Present: Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a Moment of Silence.

C.

Moved that we waive the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and approve them as written and posted.

D.

1. Auth. to Make Budget Transfers December 31, 2003

RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that the following transfers of 2003 Budget Appropriations be made:

1. Auth. to Make Budget Transfers December 31, 2003

RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that the following transfers of 2003 Budget Appropriations be made:

Current Fund

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

2. Auth. to Cancel 2003 Budget Appropriations December 31, 2003

RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that the following 2003 Budget Appropriations be cancelled and transferred to Budget Operations Account.

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

3. Auth. to Close out Petty Cash December 31, 2003

RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that a check be drawn on the Current Account, payable to Janet G. Betley, Treasurer in the amount of THIRTY THREE DOLLARS AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS ($33.25) to close out Petty Cash.

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

4. Auth. to Cancel Taxes December 31, 2003

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that taxes be cancelled on Block 113, Lot 1.01. This property paid taxes for first half of the year on Block 888 Lot 888 which is not an actual block and lot. Taxes to be cancelled are for $3,177.20.

BE IT FURTHERRESOLVED that taxes be cancelled on Block 10.06, Lot 27. This lot has been combined with Lot 26 for the year 2003 where all taxes were paid. Taxes to be cancelled are for $648.60.

BE IT FURTHERRESOLVED that the taxes be cancelled on Block 40, Lot 15.01. This lot has been combined with Lot 2 for the year 2002 where all taxes where paid. Taxes to be cancelled are for $84.00.

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

No Public Comment.

AGENDA | MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
December 23, 2003

• Call to Order and Announcement of Public Meetings (In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of this meeting has been sent to the Retrospect and posted on the bulletin board in the Borough Hall)

ORDINANCES:

D. Ordinance Extending the Expiration Date of Ordinance #1841 – Second Reading

E. Ordinance Amending Ordinance #1161 to

Create New Sign Regulations – First Reading

F. Ordinance Amending Ordinance #1161 to

Create New Outdoor Eating Facilities Regulations – First Reading

G. Ordinance Amending Ordinance #1742 to

Create New Merchandise Display Regulations – First Reading

H. Ordinance Creating Special Improvement District – First Reading

RESOLUTIONS:

MOTIONS:

1. Motion to Hold Special Commission Meetings

PUBLIC COMMENT

Minutes 12.23.03

A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield was held on the above date at 8:00 p.m. in room 102 of the Borough Hall, Haddonfield, New Jersey.

A.

Announcement by Mrs. Colombi:

That the Annual Notice has been filed with the Retrospect stating the time, date and locations of all meetings in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

Present: Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a Moment of Silence.

C.

Moved that we waive the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and approve them as written and posted.

D.

An Ordinance by Mrs. Colombi:

SECOND READING December 23, 2003

AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE EXPIRATION DATE OF ORDINANCE #1841 REGULATING DOGS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD

The foregoing Ordinance was set forth in the minutes of the meeting of December 9, 2003 and was read in full and a public hearing was held thereon. After the public hearing the Ordinance was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

E.

An Ordinance by Mr. Tarditi:

FIRST READING December 23, 2003

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #1661 KNOWN AS THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD, COUNTY OF CAMDEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO REMOVE CHAPTER 1700 ENTITLED “SIGN REGULATIONS” AND TO CREATE A NEW SIGN REGULATION ORDINANCE

WHEREAS, it had been determined that it would be in the best interests of the Borough of Haddonfield to streamline the process for approval of business signs within the commercial and office zoning districts; and

WHEREAS, it has also been determined that business sign regulations should no longer be part of the Land Development Ordinance and should be solely regulated by the terms of this Ordinance.

THEREFORE, the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, does hereby ordain as follows:

SECTION I:

Ordinance # 1661 known as the Land Development Ordinance of the Borough of Haddonfield, is hereby amended as follows:

A. Chapter 1700 entitled “Sign Regulations” is hereby deleted in its entirety.

B. Chapter 1000 entitled “Fees, enforcement and Penalties, Zoning Officer” is amended to delete sub-section 1001, paragraph A, item 10 related to signs.

SECTION II:

Signs in the Borough of Haddonfield shall be regulated as follows:

SIGN REGULATIONS

1. APPLICABILITY

In the Borough of Haddonfield, signs shall be erected, altered, maintained, used, removed, re-lettered or moved only in compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance.

2. DEFINITIONS

A. Applicability of Definitions

Words defined in Section 200 of the Land Development Ordinance shall apply to this Ordinance in addition to the following definitions more specifically applicable to this Ordinance:

B. Additional Definitions

Banner: A temporary sign located on a public building, on a building belonging to a house of worship, or a charitable, fraternal, or eleemosynary organization or agency, or stretching across a public right of way (and erected and maintained with the permission of the Governing Body), which temporary sign promotes an activity, event or festival of a governmental agency, house of worship, or charitable, fraternal or eleemosynary organization or agency, or otherwise promotes the public good.

Commercial Information Sign: A sign or decal located on, in, or visible through a window of an office, business or retail establishment which informs the public that the establishment accepts certain credit cards, is protected by a certain security agency or alarm system, has certain hours of operation, is a member of certain professional or business associations, or provides similar information.

Deviations: Approvals by the Planning Board for a sign permit, following an appeal from the Historic Preservation Commission, for items not specifically provided for by the sign ordinance.

Double Sided Sign: A sign with two back-to-back faces and identical on both sides. It shall be measured by using the area of only one side of the sign. Where a sign with two back-to-back faces has non-identical sides, it shall be considered two signs.

Free Standing Sign: A sign that is not attached to any building. A sign that is mounted on a post is a free standing sign.

Flag:Flags mean and include a display of cloth or fabric with symbols, icons, and/or designs which is affixed to a flag pole that is free standing or mounted to the exterior of a building. The field of the flag shall not include words, logos, trademarks, or other such commercial symbols or expressions. Plastic shall not be used for a flag. Pennants and windsocks are considered to be flags.

Functional Sign: A sign that provides directional, informational, safety or public service information, such as, but not limited to, a sign indicating the location of public rest rooms, telephones or similar facilities of public convenience, or providing a place for the posting of public announcements. A functional sign shall not include any commercial name or commercial message, except as hereinafter expressly permitted.

Historical Identification Sign: A sign or marker identifying an historic structure or site, and providing information about the significance of the structure or site, and posted by a governmental entity or agency, or by the Historical Society of Haddonfield, the Camden County Historical Society, the New Jersey Historical Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution, or the Haddonfield Historic Preservation Society.

Institutional Sign: A sign for any formally organized house of worship, any charitable, fraternal or eleemosynary organization or agency, or any public school or public building.

Internally Lighted Sign: A sign with the source of artificial illumination within the sign and behind the text or message.

Interim Business Sign: A sign provided for new businesses pending approval of their formal sign application.

Legal Nonconforming Sign: A sign for which a valid sign permit has been granted prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, or which predates any regulation of signs in the Borough of Haddonfield.

Mobile Sign: An exterior temporary sign, with or without wheels, that is portable. A sign meeting the definition of Temporary Exterior Advertising Sign shall not be considered to be a Mobile sign.

Official Sign: A sign erected, constructed or maintained by a federal, state, county or local government, or any agency thereof, or by any licensed public utility, for the purpose of informing or guiding the public, or for the protection of the public health, safety or welfare, or for the public's convenience.

Off Site Sign: A sign located on a tax lot other than the lot occupied by the use, event or product which the sign identifies.

Political Sign: A sign expressing support for or opposition to a candidate for public office, an opinion about any public figure, or expressing support or opposition to a particular idea or belief.

Private Parking Sign: A sign providing directional or safety information and serving a parking area that is privately owned and reserved for the use of certain employees, patrons or other persons serving the premises.

Professional Sign: A sign that identifies the location of the office of a member of a recognized and legal profession maintained for the conduct of that profession, including attorneys, certified landscape architects, chiropractors, dentists, physicians, podiatrists, professional engineers, professional planner, psychologists, registered architects, certified public accountants, and no others.

Real Estate Sign: A sign of an owner of real property or of a licensed real estate broker that indicates that a particular parcel or portion of real property is available for sale or lease.

Residential Sign: A sign at a place of residence, which may set forth the names of the residents, the address and street name, and also may include a logo or symbol.

Sign: A lettered board or other display, or any portion thereof, on which any announcement, declaration, demonstration, logo, presentation, illumination or insignia is used to promote the interest of any person.

Storefront: A separate and individual volume for one office, commercial or business use, which has its own frontage on a public right of way, which is on a tax lot with other storefronts or uses, and which is occupied by a use or entity that is distinct and separate from the uses or entities occupying the rest of the tax lot.

Temporary Sign: A sign that is not permanently attached to a building, structure, post or land, and which is designed or intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.

Temporary Interior Advertising Sign: A temporary sign advertising or describing a sale or the availability of particular merchandise or services, which is located in the interior of a business or retail establishment, and which is primarily intended to attract the attention of persons outside the business or retail establishment.

3. GENERAL REGULATIONS

A. Sign Content:

A sign may include only the following information:

1. The principal name of the business, proprietor or owner.

2. A description of the principal goods, services, products or uses offered in trade, which description shall not exceed three words.

3. A logo or trademark by which the business, proprietor or owner is identified.

4. The street number.

5. The street name, and

6. Any other notice or information required to be provided by law or regulation.

B. Number of Signs:

1. There shall be no more than one (1) sign per tax lot, except as follows:

a. Where there is more than one building, office or storefront on one tax lot, one (1) sign per building, office or storefront shall be permitted.

b. Where more than one (1) sign per tax lot is expressly permitted by this Ordinance.

c. Where a waiver has been granted by the Historic Preservation Commission or the Planning Board pursuant to this Ordinance to permit more than one (1) sign.

2. The following signs shall not be counted as signs for the purpose of determining the number of signs on a site under this subsection:

a. Banners.

b. Commercial informational signs.

c. Functional signs.

d. Historical identification signs.

e. Official signs.

f. Political signs.

g. Private parking signs.

h. Temporary signs.

i. Temporary interior advertising signs.

C. Location of Signs:

A sign must be on the tax lot, building or storefront with which it is identified, unless a waiver has been granted by the Historic Preservation Commission pursuant to this Ordinance. No signs shall be allowed for or on accessory buildings.

D. Maximum Size of Signs:

The total area of all signs, except for Banners, Commercial informational signs, Functional signs, Historical identification signs, Official signs, Political signs, Private parking signs, Temporary signs, Temporary interior advertising signs and Temporary exterior advertising signs located on any one tax lot shall not exceed forty (40) square feet. Where there is more than one building or storefront on one tax lot, the total square footage of all signs, except for those signs excluded above, shall not exceed forty (40) square feet per building or storefront. This maximum square footage of signs may be reduced by application of the provisions of other sections of this Ordinance.

E. Computation of Size:

The size of any sign shall be computed by determining the area of the smallest quadrilateral into which the sign can fit, exclusive of supporting structure or decorative border, as permitted by this Ordinance.

F. Lighting of Signs:

Illumination of a sign shall be arranged so that no substantial light or glare is directed or reflected onto adjacent streets or properties. No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 12:01am and 7:00am if it creates any light or glare that substantially affects any dwelling or residential zone.

G. Sign Plan:

Any sign on any one tax lot shall be part of a sign plan for the entire tax lot. Where there is more than one building or storefront on one tax lot, the sign plan may be limited to that one building or storefront. Signs for any one tax lot, building or storefront shall be considered as a unitary application, and a sign permit shall not be issued for any sign on any such tax lot, building or storefront unless it is part of a complete sign plan.

H. Historic District:

1) In addition to the requirements set forth above for the particular zone, a sign in the Historic District shall conform to the requirements of this subsection of this Ordinance.

2) Any sign in the Historic District shall be granted a permit only if its appearance, coloring, lettering, size, texture of materials, design, location, position and method of attachment and lighting conform to the historical and distinctive character of the Historic District, is not detrimental to the intent and plan of historic preservation, or to those buildings and structures having architectural and historical significance, and is in harmonious relationship to the streetscape and the signs located thereon.

3) Any sign in the Historic District shall not be placed on a building or structure so as to obscure or mar any architectural feature deemed to be important to the architectural integrity of the building or structure, or be so located so that the sign, by itself or by its means of attachment, would materially damage the structure to which it is attached.

4) The following signs shall not be subject to Historic District review:

a. Banners

b. Commercial informational signs.

c. Legal non-conforming signs.

d. Official signs.

e. Political signs.

f. Residential signs.

g. Temporary signs.

h. Temporary interior advertising signs.

I. Prohibitions:

1. The following signs and types of signs are prohibited.

a. Any flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving sign, and any sign which presents an illusion of movement.

b. Any sign erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, door or other legally required means of egress from the structure, or blocking any door, window or other opening required by law.

c. Any sign which has any form, character, lighting, color, content, location or shape that may confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle.

d. Any sign which in any way simulates any official, functional, directional, or warning sign erected or maintained by any federal, state, county or local government or any instrumentality thereof, or by any railroad or public utility.

e. Any off site commercial sign, including the sandwich board type, unless expressly permitted by this ordinance.

f. Any mobile sign.

g. Any billboard or similar sign.

h. Any internally lighted sign.

i. Any neon sign.

j. Any other sign of any kind whatsoever that is not expressly allowed by this Ordinance.

2. The following locations for signs are prohibited.

a. Within or over any state, county or municipal right of way, except by permission of the Governing Body. The Historic Preservation Commission, in considering whether to grant a permit for any such sign, shall consider vehicular and pedestrian safety.

b. On any roof, including a pent roof, of any structure.

c. Directly painted on any part of a structure other than a fascia board or other architectural element designed to serve as a signboard.

d. Affixed or painted on trees, rocks, fences, gates, curbs, public rights of way, walkways, utility poles, or other signs.

e. On any window glass or door glass of any structure (unless a waiver has been granted by the Historic Preservation Commission or the Planning Board pursuant to this Ordinance to permit a sign to be so located).

f. Where the sign, by itself or by its means of attachment, would materially damage the structure to which it is attached.

g. Located so as to allow less than seven (7) feet clearance over any pedestrian walkway.

4. SIGNS FOR SPECIFIC USES

A. Standards for Specific Uses:

Any sign proposed for any of the following uses shall meet the following requirements set forth for the particular use unless expressly exempted from such review by this Ordinance.

B. Retail uses and Business, Professional or Residential Office uses:

1) Signs for retail uses shall not exceed one-half square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of building or storefront frontage on the public right of way and shall not exceed forty (40) square feet. In residential zones, the maximum size for such signs shall be six (6) square feet.

2) Signs for office, business office or professional office uses shall not exceed 1.2 square feet for the first occupant or business tenant or professional and shall not exceed one (1) square foot for each additional occupant or business tenant or professional, up to a maximum of six (6) square feet. Each name used on the sign determines the separate occupant or business tenant or professional for the purpose of the above calculation.

3) Signs in non-residential zones may also include a decorative border not exceeding one (1") inch on a side, which shall include no text, logo or lettering.

4) Where a single tax lot, building or storefront has frontage on more than one public right of way, it shall be entitled to have a sign on its primary frontage and one additional sign on its secondary frontage. The size of the sign or signs permitted shall be calculated independently for each separate frontage. Permitted sign area is not transferable from one frontage to another.

5) Where a single tax lot, building or storefront with frontage only on one public right of way has multiple entrances or uses, each with either a separate entrance or display window, each such entrance or use shall be entitled to one sign. Where one entrance serves a business or professional use, the sign for that use shall conform to the requirements of that use.

C. Institutional uses:

1. Signs for institutional uses, including the institutional name, shall not exceed a total of fifteen (15) square feet in area.

2. Any such sign may include a place for changeable text to inform the public of events, programs, holidays, or other information of public interest that the institution wishes to promote.

D. Restaurants

1) Restaurants shall be permitted to display any two (2) of the following signs:

a) A Bill of fare of food and/or beverage offerings on a free-standing, one-sided easel or on a one-sided wall mounted board with erasable text wherein such text shall be erased at the conclusion of each business day. Such sign shall not exceed five (5) square feet in area.

b) A menu of food and/or beverages placed in the restaurant window. Such menu shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area.

c) A display case mounted on the exterior of the restaurant building facade. Such display case shall contain only bill of fare signs or menu signs, and shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area

2) The maximum square footage for the area of the above two signs selected by the restaurant shall not exceed seven (7) square feet in combined total area.

3) A sign permit is required for the bill of fare sign and the mounted display case.

E. Barber Shops

1) A barber shop shall be permitted to display one (1) barber shop pole.

2) A barber shop pole means the traditional red, white and blue striped cylindrical pole, which may or may not rotate, that is approximately six (6) feet in height or less and contains no written words, symbols, and/or text.

3) The barber shop pole may be mounted to the front facade of the barber shop or may be free standing in front of the barber shop. If the barber shop pole is mounted within the public right-of-way, or encroaches within the public right-of-way, permission must be obtained from the governing body of the Borough of Haddonfield.

4) A sign permit is required for the barber shop pole.

F. Residential uses:

1) Signs on residences shall not exceed two (2) square feet in size.

2) Such signs hall not include any commercial message.

3) Residential signs shall not require any sign permit.

5. ADDITIONAL TYPES OF SIGNS

A. Temporary Signs:

1. Signs of real estate brokers, contractors, tradesmen and artisans:

a. Any such sign is permitted only during the period of time when the person or business posting the sign is actively engaged in performing the service on or for the premises where the sign is placed.

b. Any such sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in size.

c. Only one sign per tax lot, building or storefront is permitted for each person actively engaged in performing a service on or for the premises.

d. Any such sign may include the principal name of the real estate broker (and any listing agent), contractor, tradesman or artisan, and may include a brief one-line description of the principle service offered. It may also include a logo or trademark by which the service is identified, a business address, and a telephone number.

e. Any such sign shall be located only upon tax lot, building or storefront upon which the service is being performed, and only with the permission of the owner thereof. Any such sign shall not be located in any public right of way, in the park strip, or upon any other tax lot.

f. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a real estate broker (or any resident selling his or her own residence) may place one (1) temporary sign advising the public of an open house on the tax lot. This sign shall be displayed only on the day of the open house, shall not include any balloons or lighting or sound generation equipment, and may include the hours of the open house.

2. Temporary interior advertising signs:

a. Any such sign shall not be displayed for a period of more than one (1) month.

b. Any such signs in any one retail use shall not exceed thirty (30%) percent of any single window facing a public right of way, and shall not exceed ten (10%) percent of total window area.

3. Political signs:

a. Any such sign shall only be permitted on private property with the permission of the property owner.

b. Any such signs placed in the public right of way within or over any state, county or municipal right of way may be removed and disposed of by the Borough without notice.

c. Any such sign related to a candidate or referendum to be voted on at an election shall not be erected or attached prior to 60 days before the election day for which the subject will be voted on and must be removed within 14 days after the election day for which the subject was voted on.

d. Any such signs must otherwise not violate any of the prohibitions listed in sub-section I. of section 3. GENERAL REGULATIONS, of this ordinance.

B. Private Parking Signs:

1. Any such sign shall contain only lettering or text to describe the function to be served, such as "Parking", "Reserved Parking", "Handicapped Parking", "One Way", "Out", "In", "Entrance", "Exit", or the name or names of the persons or class of persons for whom the use of a particular parking space is reserved.

2. Any such sign shall not exceed the size of the smallest standard municipal sign bearing the same or a similar message. Where there is no si