Holmdel wins award for master plan amendments WEST LONG BRANCH - Four separate projects from around Monmouth County received awards Oct. 25 at the 53rd Monmouth County Planning Board Awards Dinner. The dinner, attended by about 350 people, was held at Branches in West Long Branch. Awards were given to highlight "projects that serve as examples of exemplary planning," said Robert Clark, director of the county Planning Board. This year, four Merit awards and one Honorable Mention Award were presented: + Holmdel received a Merit Award for its 2005 master plan amendments, which address the planning and developing of the last remaining large, undeveloped tracts of land in the southwest corner of the township. The master plan amendments guide the appropriate development of these lands in a manner that promoted good civic design and arrangement, respects the historic character of Holmdel Village, provides a mix of residential and commercial uses, and protects natural resources, according to the county. The master plan amendments recommend the area be divided into two new land use classifications: a hamlet conservation area that provides for smaller, mixed-use development of commercial, residential and open space; and a rural conservation area, which is intended to accommodate larger-size homes. Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick presented the award to Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMaso. + Monmouth University, West Long Branch, received a Merit Award for restoration to the roof of Woodrow Wilson Hall. The building, designed by Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer, was built in 1927. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985. The building serves as the main administrative building for the university and houses many classrooms. Freeholder Lillian G. Burry presented the award to Monmouth University President Paul G. Gaffney II. + Rumson received a Merit Award for the restoration of Bingham Hall, which is a historically significant landmark, because of its strong private-sector participation. Bingham Hall was built in 1842 as a nondenominational house of worship and through the years has been used as a meeting place for various town functions, including at one time a school classroom. Rumson used its endowment fund of private donations to complete the work, which entailed new bathrooms, heating and new siding to replicate the original look. In addition, the cedar roof and cupola on the roof have been completely restored, and new gardens were added. Narozanick presented the award to Rumson Mayor John E. Ekdahl. + Long Branch received a Merit Award for Broadway Center, a mixed-use residential, retail and entertainment project aimed at revitalizing lower Broadway. The goal was to unite the newly developed beachfront community with a new commercial core to enhance the overall revitalization efforts that are under way. Broadway Center is a two-block redevelopment area just two blocks from the Long Branch shoreline that includes 500 housing units and the preservation of two historic theaters. The most distinctive feature of Broadway Center is the live/work studios, aimed at fostering an artistic environment at an above-the-street level. Freeholder Director William C. Barham presented the award to Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider. + The township of Freehold was given an Honorable Mention Award for its adoption and implementation of an architectural design ordinance, one of the first in the state, that mandates that all commercial, office and industrial buildings and sites shall be designed and developed in a manner that will be compatible with the architecture and visual characteristics of historic buildings, sites or districts within the township, including the scale, height and location of buildings as well as materials that are used. The township was founded in 1693, making it one of the oldest in the nation. Results of the ordinance can be seen at Freehold Marketplace, where large national chains such as Wal-Mart and Sam's Club set aside their prototype designs in favor of facades that met the ordinance requirements. Burry presented the award to Committeewoman Dorothy Avallone.