North Main Street building won't be torn down

[news]

North Main Street building won't be torn down
Friday, October 12, 2007 12:01 PM EDT
By Maria Prato-Gaines

CRANBURY — The owner of a North Main Street building who had planned to demolish the structure has instead decided to apply for a use variance that would allow flowers and other items to be sold out of the location.

Glenn Johnson, owner of the building at 79 N. Main St., had been hoping to rent the former gift shop out to a tenant who also wanted to sell flowers. However, the Zoning Board of Adjustment ruled on Oct. 3 that a previous use variance that established a list of things that could be sold there, including chocolates, candles, teddy bears and other items, did not allow flowers to be sold. The building had operated as a gift shop until April.

After the ruling, Mr. Johnson said he would rather demolish the building than seek a new use variance for permission to sell flowers. Mr. Johnson also is a member of the zoning board. He recused himself from the Oct. 3 vote.

However, since the building is located in the Historic District, approval to demolish the building needs to be given by the Historic Preservation Commission, which was set to review the application Oct. 16. Mr. Johnson said approval could take too long and in the end, he would save only about $1,000 on property taxes. According to the township’s historical preservation ordinance, an owner seeking to demolish a building in the Historic District must first put the building up for sale at fair market value for at least a year before the commission will even consider the application, said Bobbie Marlow, chairwoman of the Historic Preservation Commission.
...
http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2007/10/12/cranbury_press/news/doc470f9a8d7da6e786207457.prt