Historic Preservation Advisory Commission

The Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (HPAC) was created in 2004, as an umbrella to the Land Use Board, with the primary purpose to preserve our local heritage, cultural, historical and archival symbols of the past. As of 2007 the historic district was expanded to cover 30 square blocks, with its boundary running from 5th Street to Chatsworth Avenue and from Bay Avenue to Atlantic Avenue.

HPAC provides assistance to property owners in shaping changes and improvements to properties, while meeting the standards of the Borough’s zoning ordinances and preservation guidelines and standards. In the early planning stages of a project, owners are encouraged to contact HPAC.

Members of the Historical Preservation Commission

Secretary- Mary Clare Bunce

Commissioner

Dean Harkness

C

12/31/2024

Jeanette Lloyd

B

12/31/2025

James M. Ciardelli

C

12/31/2025

Chris Baumiller C 12/31/2023

Kitty Snyder

B

12/31/2023

Joe Ryan

C

12/31/2026

Denise Tinquist

C, Alt #1

12/31/2023

Judy McAndrew

C, Alt #2

12/31/2024

2024 Annual Meeting Notice

Applications must be received on or before the 15th of every month to be heard for that  month’s meeting.

The HPAC does not have an office at the Borough Hall.

For information and questions please contact Vivienne “Veev” Washburn

(609)492-0111 x 224 or

vwashburn@beachhaven-nj.gov

Forms and Information

Who, What, When, Where-Instructions for COA

Process Flow Chart

Application for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE 15TH OF THE MONTH TO BE HEARD AT THAT MONTH’S MEETING

Application for Roof Replacement

Design Guidelines

Historic District Permits

Administration
Meeting Schedule

Meeting Schedule

 January 30 2024

February 27, 2024

March 26, 2024

April 30, 2024

May 28, 2024

June 25, 2024

July 30, 2024

August 27, 2024

September 24, 2024

October 29, 2024

November 26, 2024

January 28, 2025

Archival Library

HPAC continues to extend its Archival Library. If anyone is in possession of photographs of street scenes or individual houses between 5th Street and Chatsworth Avenue from 1870 to 1960, please submit them to the Borough Hall at 300 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008  or call Jeanette Lloyd at 492-2704. All photos will be scanned & originals will be returned.

Thank you for all your help!

A Great Example of What We are Trying to Preserve!

Housed in a majestic Queen Anne style home located on New Jersey’s famed Long Beach Island, and listed in both State and National historic registers, the “Williams Cottage Inn” is the culmination of a painstaking three-year effort to save one of the few remaining beachfront Victorian estates left in the Garden State from the wrecking ball. Originally constructed in 1886 by legendary Philadelphia architectural firm Wilson Brothers & Company, the once palatial summer retreat of Dr. Edward Williams had deteriorated over the years and was about to be demolished, when the Blahut family of Southern Ocean County came forward and purchased the property to keep it from being destroyed. Their goal was to carefully restore the landmark circa 1880s residence to its former grandeur and transform it into a truly outstanding small luxury hotel, thereby promoting the local economy and history of the Beach Haven community. “The Queen Anne style mansions built in Beach Haven at the end of the 1800s are among the most beautiful historic buildings in the State. These wonderful turn-of-the-century Victorian homes are the reason Beach Haven is referred to as “the Queen City” of the Jersey shore. They form an essential part of the history of our community and those of us who love Beach Haven could not bear to see the old Williams house torn down”, said owner and developer of the property Jim Blahut. “We have turned the house into a luxurious eight room Bed & Breakfast not just so people can have a great place to stay when visiting Long Beach Island, but also to preserve a very important piece of our history”. Known locally as “the Onion Dome” for its distinct onion-shaped cupola, the meticulously restored Williams Cottage Inn includes a grand entry parlor, formal dining room, large library and eight luxurious guest rooms each with a unique theme and décor. The Inn is located at the center of Beach Haven’s recently expanded historic preservation district and sits less than a hundred yards from Long Beach Island’s spectacular eighteen mile long beach, a pristine stretch of sea and sand consistently ranked as one of the best summer vacation spots in the entire United States.

For more information go to www.williamscottageinn.com.