On Tuesday night, 9/19 the Historic Preservation Commission** voted to advise the Zoning Board not to approve a proposal to convert the Main Street Exxon station into a combination gas station and convenience store. https://chathamchoice.org/2023/07/how-convenient/

The reason? The application was inconsistent with many of the Design Guidelines for Chatham’s Historic District and lacked sufficient details. https://www.chathamborough.org/government/documents/meeting-documents/historic-preservation-meetings/2022-historic-preservation-meeting-documents/2123-chatham-borough-historic-district-design-guidelines-2021-0221-compressed/file

End of story? No, it’s just the beginning.

The applicant could try to convince the Zoning Board to ignore the advice of the HPC, or could spruce up its proposal and give HPC another try.

That’s something HPC encouraged the applicant to consider, and it seems the applicant may do just that.

Today the Borough website indicates that 9/27 hearing before the Zoning Board will be put off once again, this time until at least October. https://chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/zoning-board-2-1695857400

Of course, even if the applicant can satisfy the Design Guidelines for the Historic District, it will still need to meet the other legal requirements for the variances necessary to complete the proposed project.

Stay tuned.

The Chatham Press, 4 Sep 1936

** The author has elected not to vote or otherwise participate in this matter in her capacity as an alternate commissioner.