The planning board shall pass only on exterior features of a site and structure and shall not consider interior building arrangements, nor shall it disapprove applications except in regard to considerations as set forth herein.

The planning board shall consider the comments of the historic preservation commission, if provided. The commission's comments and recommendations to the planning board shall be advisory only, and will not constitute approval or disapproval of an application for development.

The planning board, in reviewing the appropriateness of the site design and exterior architectural features, shall keep in mind the purposes set forth in subsection 12-10A.1, above, and the Hopewell Borough Design Standards as listed in the Visual Design Plan of the 2007 Hopewell Borough Master Plan, and shall consider among other things the general compatibility of exterior design, arrangement, texture and material of the building or structure in question and the relation of such factors to similar features of buildings and structures in the immediate surroundings, the position of such buildings or structures in relation to the street or public way and to other buildings and structures, and any other factor, including aesthetics, which it deems pertinent.

The planning board shall disregard features out of public view. The planning board shall make recommendations or requirements only for the purpose of protecting and preserving the historic, cultural and architectural aspects of the surroundings and the historic district.

This section shall not apply to the selection of exterior colors, nor will it require anyone to make repairs unrelated to the proposed alteration.

This section is intended to encourage that alterations to historic structures be made in a compatible architectural style, and in such a way as to avoid impairing a buildings' original appearance.

The planning board shall encourage new construction to respect, in its design and arrangement, the historic, cultural and architectural character of the district and of surrounding existing development. The planning board shall not mandate a particular architectural style or design.

The demolition of historic or architecturally significant structures is discouraged, since demolition will architecturally impoverish the borough and the neighborhood. Relocation of such historic structures is encouraged as a final alternative to demolition.

The planning board shall be reasonable in its consideration of plans for alterations, additions, or demolition of structures, (located within the historic district) which have little historic or architectural significance unless such alterations, additions, or demolition would seriously impair the visual character of the surrounding area.

The planning board should be guided in its consideration of plans for alterations, additions, or demolition of existing structures by reports of the historic preservation commission using as the criteria of evaluation those developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.