The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended in 1980, has encouraged states and
their component municipalities to assume active roles in historic preservation. New Jersey's
Municipal Land Use Law NJSA 40:55D-1 et.seq. sets forth the standards, criteria, and
procedures by which municipalities may regulate the use of land including the designation and
regulation of Historic Sites or Districts.
The New Jersey Register of Historic Places was set up by legislation NJSA 13-1B-15.128 in
1970, which intends to preserve the State's historic, architectural, archeological, and cultural
heritage. The State Register mirrors the National Register and lists the buildings, districts, sites,
structures, and objects of national, state, and local significance.
In March 1984 the Mendham Historic District was nominated to and accepted by the National
Register of Historic Places. This Register officially lists those historic and cultural resources of
the Nation worthy of preservation.
In January 1986 New Jersey adopted historic preservation enabling legislation. These
amendments to the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) allow for a "historic preservation plan"
element of the Master Plan, a local ordinance, and a commission, officially establishing historic
preservation planning as part of zoning. By making historic preservation an element of the
Master Plan, the concept of historic preservation is incorporated into the planning process. After
July 1, 1994, all Historic Sites and Districts designated in the zoning ordinance must be based on
identification in the historic preservation plan element. The statute provides that the zoning
ordinance may provide design criteria and guidelines. (See the Federation Planning Information
Report, Historic Preservation Law, New Jersey Federation of Planning Officials, Vol. XX No. 2.,
p. 217).
In early 1995 the Borough was designated as a "Village Center within an environmentally
sensitive area" by the New Jersey State Planning Commission. Later that year the Borough
Council adopted Village Center Cluster zoning regulations to stimulate development reflective of
the historic patterns of the Borough. In 1995 and 1997, the Borough upgraded its development
standards for historic buildings within the Mendham Historic Business District. Also in 1997 the
Borough adopted a new ordinance to preserve and protect the visual integrity, character, and
period architectural style of the Historic Business Zone.
In late 1999 the Borough Planning Board drafted an ordinance designed to establish a Historic
Preservation Commission. This ordinance was drafted in concert with efforts to establish a
Historic District Zone and regulations, which preserve individual historic landmarks and sites
identified in the Historic Preservation Element of the Borough Master Plan.