A.Â
Six thousand to 8,000 Years Ago. Archaeological studies and recovered
artifacts dating from 6,000 to 8,000 years ago, and nearby finds dating
from more than 12,000 years ago, confirm that parts of the area now
known as the City of Bordentown were inhabited by prehistoric people.
Much later in the late woodlands era, some areas of the City were
occupied, fished, and hunted, by predecessors of, and later still,
members of, the Lenni Lenape tribe. Their trails formed the basis
for early pathways leading to and from City creeks, the Delaware River,
and the Trenton-Hamilton-Bordentown Marsh. Lenni Lenape people were
present when settlers arrived from Europe.
B.Â
Early Settlements. The City of Bordentown, originally known as Farnsworth's
Landing, was one of the earliest European settlements in the Province
of West Jersey, having its origin with the initial purchase of 100
acres of land by Thomas Farnsworth, on April 2, 1681. In 1682 Farnsworth
made additional purchases of land which, when combined, encompass
all of the current City of Bordentown. In the same year he built his
first cabin on a commanding site on the bluffs overlooking the Delaware
River near the present intersection of Prince and Park Streets. Thereafter,
his wife Susanna, children, servants, and other families came to live
in this place.
C.Â
1702. In 1702, following riots and revolution in the two Jersey provinces,
the proprietors of West Jersey and East Jersey surrendered their governing
powers to the British Crown and New Jersey became a united Royal colony
even though it continued to maintain two separate capitals in Amboy
and Burlington.
D.Â
1717. Joseph Borden visited at Farnsworth's Landing in 1717,
arriving on a coastal vessel and determined to purchase and locate
there. On March 3, 1724, Joseph Borden made a purchase of 105 acres
of land from Thomas's son, Samuel Farnsworth, and subsequently,
by additional purchases, became the owner of nearly the whole site
of Bordentown.
E.Â
Early colonization. Upon early colonization, the City of Bordentown
was developed with significant historical, cultural, architectural
and social events occurring through the time of the American Revolution
and during the early formative years of the United States.
F.Â
Development. Development of the City of Bordentown included the construction
of buildings and structures evidencing the style and characteristics
of the eras during which they were erected, and of which a representative
number remain to the present time and extending back to at least the
year 1740.
G.Â
Historical significance. The City of Bordentown has been the context
and home for people, events, and innovations of great historical significance
to the City, state, nation, and world. They have spanned many eras
in time and many diverse fields of human endeavor. Certain sections
of the City of Bordentown have layer upon layer of historically significant
properties, landscapes, structures, and objects with styles and characteristics
representative of many eras, each worthy of preservation. Some of
these are in close proximity to one another. When such a section of
the City is viewed as a whole, these many styles and characteristics
of these seemingly diverse eras are often intertwined, woven together
with one another. It is this fine-grained, multilayered, rich history,
and tapestry of styles and characteristics that gives much of the
City its unique and irreplaceable character.
H.Â
Heritage. The historical, cultural, architectural and social heritage
of the City of Bordentown is given in trust from generation to generation
to be used, preserved, enriched, and then passed on to succeeding
generations.
I.Â
Quality of life. The character, lifestyle, economic prosperity and,
in general, the overall quality of life in the City of Bordentown
is dependent in great measure on the City preserving, protecting,
and enhancing this heritage.
J.Â
Character. The ongoing presence of buildings and structures evidencing
the character of the City during past eras, and thereby having the
quality and dignity of being historic landmarks by virtue of style
or design, is an essential element of preserving the history, character,
and identity of the City of Bordentown, and it is likewise an important
factor in the economy of the City and maintenance and enhancement
of values throughout the City.
K.Â
Preservation. Historic sites and landmarks are vital to the education,
civic pride, and historic preservation and attitude of the City's
residents of all ages.
L.Â
Negative impacts. A number of critical factors affecting such sites
and landmarks such as indiscriminant demolition or renovation, deterioration
due to age or neglect, inattention to maintenance and repair, blight,
and similar conditions, threaten the continued preservation of such
historic structures and landmarks.
M.Â
On-going preservation. The health, safety, and welfare of the City
of Bordentown and its citizens are practically dependent on the timely
and effective preservation of its historic heritage for the reasons
herein above set forth.
Regulations. The following regulations shall apply to all properties, sites, buildings, improvements, objects, and districts designated as historic landmarks and historic districts (see Article III, § 180-11, herein, and to any other historic resources that are designated in accordance with the procedures outlined in Article IV, § 180-16. These historic designations shall be in addition to the districts that shall also be designated on the City Zoning Map and Articles of the Land Development Ordinance for such areas.[1]
Land Use. The City Zoning Map shall identify uses permitted
for land, property, sites, or areas including historic resources,
landmark(s), buildings, structures, improvements, objects, or districts.
Such permitted uses shall not be altered by further designation as
an historic and landmarks overlay zone.
Variances. Regulations, including maximum building height, area,
minimum lot size, maximum coverage, yard, building distance from lot
lines, parking, etc., shall be as provided in the Land Development
Ordinance for the respective zones, except that the Planning Board
or Zoning Board may grant variances for such regulations where necessary
to preserve historic characteristics.
Zoning regulations. All existing zoning regulations, in addition
to those enumerated in this chapter, shall apply to historic districts.
The historic structures and properties in historic districts identified
in the Bordentown Historic Survey and the City Master Plan shall be
included in the historic and Landmarks Overlay Zone.
