Short Hills station safety project faces historic review Sept. 10

Millburn's $479,000 pedestrian safety project at the Short Hills Train Station faces a Historic Preservation Commission review Sept. 10.

The station at 25 Chatham Road is classified as a Key Contributing Property in the Short Hills Park Historic District, the highest designation level under Millburn's preservation ordinance. That triggers HPC review of exterior alterations, though the commission's feedback in this case will be advisory and non-binding. The meeting agenda lists the township itself as the applicant.

The project targets the eastbound side of the station and Chatham Road. Planned improvements include extended sidewalks, narrowed lanes and bumpouts, according to TAPinto reporting on the July 14 Township Committee meeting. The township has already installed an all-way stop at Hobart Avenue and Station Plaza as part of the project, as we reported Aug. 28.

A $479,000 Safe Streets to Transit grant funds the work. The township must begin construction before the end of 2026, and the Feb. 9 Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board minutes describe extensions as unlikely.

At the July 14 Township Committee meeting, Committeeman Jamie Serruto said the township had held multiple public information sessions with commuters, residents and business owners. "We had multiple information sessions and are looking to come to a final decision shortly," Serruto said at that meeting, as reported by TAPinto.

HPC Vice Chair Zachary Davis clarified at the commission's Jan. 8 meeting that advisory reviews do not result in an official vote. The commission will offer comments on whether the proposed changes align with historic preservation standards, but the project can proceed without HPC approval.

Other applications on the agenda

The Sept. 10 meeting also includes two new applications in the Short Hills Park Historic District.

Nabil Mallick and Anika Abbasi are seeking approval to demolish the existing home at 83 Stewart Road and build a new two-story house. The property is classified as Non-Contributing. At a conceptual review in April, HPC consultant Barton Ross said the home is not historically significant and is not visible from the street. Commissioners noted the proposed design was "quite modern for a Historic District."

Joshua Rodriguez of Back to Nature Home and Garden is applying for rear-yard improvements at 67 Montview Ave., also a Non-Contributing Property. The plans include fencing, patios, walkways, an outdoor fireplace, outdoor kitchen, driveway and swimming pool.

The commission will also memorialize its June 4 denial of an application at 62 Western Drive by Nick and Rachael Garrett, a Contributing Property. That application was denied 3-1 over concerns about massing and compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for historic properties.

Two Contributing Property applications carried from earlier meetings will continue: house additions and a garage replacement at 11 Wyndham Road (Balasubramanian Sivan, applicant) and a rear addition, garage alteration, deck, patio and pool at 80 Cedar St. (Julian Hoare, applicant).

A separate agenda item proposes amending HPC bylaws to bar new business after 10 p.m. and new testimony after 10:30 p.m.