Source: https://ecode360.com/5159007
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 22:53:59+00:00

Document:
§ 170-4 Historic Preservation Commission; membership; terms; powers and duties.
§ 170-5 Designation of historic landmarks.
§ 170-6 Certificate of appropriateness for alteration, demolition or new construction.
§ 170-7 Application for certificate of appropriateness.
§ 170-8 Criteria for approval of alteration of facades of historic landmarks.
§ 170-9 Criteria for approval of demolition or removal of historic landmarks.
§ 170-10 Hardship criteria for approval of demolition, removal or alteration of historic landmarks.
Environmental quality review — See Ch. 130.
Fire prevention and building construction — See Ch. 144.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Historic Landmarks Preservation Law of Southold Town."
Within the Town of Southold there exist landmarks of special historic significance, which by reason of their history, antiquity, uniqueness, architecture and/or character contribute to a strong sense of identity within their communities and provide tangible linkages to the Town's historic, architectural and cultural heritage.
The Town of Southold believes it important to afford proper recognition to these historic landmarks and to protect them from incompatible alterations or demolition and maintain them for the continuing recognition, use and enjoyment of current and future residents and visitors of the Town. In doing so, it is also expressly the intent of the Town of Southold not to affect, abridge, limit or change in any way the uses permitted by the zoning regulations as applicable to such properties.
Maintaining visual compatibility with the historic character of neighboring properties in public view.
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases in this chapter shall be interpreted as to give them the same meanings they have in common usage and as to apply this chapter consistent with its statement of purpose.
A process that adapts buildings for new uses while retaining their historic features.
Any act, process or work that significantly changes the exterior appearance or exterior architectural features of a landmark, including the renovation, restoration, reconstruction, obstruction, addition to or removal of any part of such a landmark.
The destruction, razing, disassembly or collapse of a landmark, or the engagement in acts that will necessarily cause such effect.
The elevations/faces of a landmark visible from a public street.
Those landmarks designated as such pursuant to § 170-10 of this chapter.
Any relocation of a landmark on its site or to another site.
All members shall have a known interest in historic preservation and architectural development within the Town of Southold.
Members of the Historic Preservation Commission shall serve for terms of four years with the exception of the initial term of one of the members which shall be for one year, two which shall be for two years, and two which shall be for three years.
There shall be a Secretary to the Commission who shall be responsible for the keeping of meeting minutes, publication of meeting minutes, posting of public notices and any other relevant duties.
The Chair, the Vice Chair and the Secretary of the Commission shall be elected by and from the members of the Commission annually at the first regular meeting of the calendar year, except for the first organizational meeting convened after this chapter is enacted.
Approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of appropriateness of demolition, alteration or economic hardship pursuant to this chapter.
The Commission shall meet at least monthly, but meetings may be held at any time on the written request of any two of the Commission members or on the call of the Chair.
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of three of the Commission's members, but not less than a majority of the full authorized membership may grant or deny a certificate of appropriateness.
All members shall attend and complete relevant training programs as the Town Board may require.
The Commission shall publish and update as needed A Guide to Historic Preservation in Southold Town.
Recommendation of landmarks; notice; hearing.
Possess a unique location or physical characteristic, thereby representing an established and familiar visual feature of the community or Town.
Owners of landmarks that meet the qualifications for designation under any of the above Subsection A(1)(a) through (d) may apply to have their properties granted landmark status and to be covered by this chapter. Those properties currently on the SPLIA list are automatically considered eligible, and may formally request designation.
The Town Clerk shall send notice pursuant to Chapter 55, Notice of Public Hearings, of the Town Code of any such proposed designation to the owner of record of the property proposed for designation, describing the property proposed and announcing a public hearing by the Town Board to consider the designation. Once the Town Board has issued notice of a proposed designation, no demolition or building permits shall be issued with regard to the property until the Town Board has made its decision on the proposed designation.
The Town Board shall hold a public hearing prior to taking action on any proposed designation. The Historic Preservation Commission, owners and any interested parties may present any relevant testimony or documentary evidence at the hearing, all of which will become part of the record. The record may also contain staff reports, public comments, and other evidence offered outside of the hearing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the landmarks located within the Town of Southold listed, as of the effective date of this chapter, on the Southold Town Designated Landmarks Roster, the state or national registers of historic places, or listed as "contributing buildings or sites" in a state or national register historic district or national landmark district, are hereby designated as "historic" for the purposes of this chapter. A listing of such landmarks is annexed hereto and made a part of this chapter.
Recognition. All owners of designated and approved landmarks in the Town will be awarded a special certificate of recognition and/or a plaque to acknowledge their property as an official Southold Town landmark.
The alteration of the facade of landmarks designated as "historic" pursuant to § 170-5 of this chapter.
No demolition or building permit shall be issued for such activities without such certificate of appropriateness. The certificate of appropriateness required by this chapter shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any building permit that may be required by any other chapter of the Town Code of the Town of Southold.
Any information required by the Historic Preservation Commission to make a determination on an application.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall hold a public hearing within 60 days after receipt of an application completed in accordance with this section. At the hearing, all interested persons shall be provided the opportunity to present their views. Notice of the public hearing shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town, i.e., the Town's official newspaper, at least 10 days prior to the date of the public hearing. At the hearing, the Historic Preservation Commission may take testimony and entertain the submission of written evidence from any person.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall act to approve, deny or approve with conditions the application for a certificate of appropriateness within 60 calendar days after the conclusion of the hearing except where such time shall be extended by mutual agreement of the Historic Preservation Commission and the applicant. Such determination shall be in writing and accompanied by findings, which findings shall seek to balance, to the extent practicable, the objectives of the applicant with broader issues that may be associated with the value of the historic site or landmark to the community's heritage. Within seven days following the determination, the applicant shall be sent by registered mail either an certificate of appropriateness or a denial and a copy thereof shall be provided to the Building Department of the Town.
In the case of the granting of a certificate of appropriateness, the Historic Preservation Commission shall be empowered to impose reasonable conditions upon the applicant to ensure that the activity is conducted in a manner which is consistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter.
A denial of the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for the denial. In the case of denial, the Historic Preservation Commission shall be required to make recommendations to the applicant concerning reuse or restoration of the landmark. The Historic Preservation Commission may also notify a governmental agency with the authority to acquire the property and prevent its demolition through exercise of its power of eminent domain.
The public interest in preserving the historic features of the landmark and its relation to the historic character of the community and Town.
Retention of the landmark will promote the general welfare by maintaining and increasing real estate values and encourage interest in American and local history and architecture.
If the Historic Preservation Commission determines that an application for certificate of appropriateness of demolition or removal should be denied, the applicant may apply for relief on the ground that the determination results in a hardship in accordance with the procedures in § 170-10.
The public interest in preserving the landmark and its relation to the historic character of the community and Town.
Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the demolition, removal or alteration of any structure which has been determined by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Southold to be dangerous or unsafe.
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Historic Preservation Commission relating to an application under this chapter may, within 30 days of the decision, file a written application with the Town Board for review of the decision. Reviews shall be conducted based on the same record that was before the Commission and using the criteria set forth in this chapter.
All activities conducted and work performed pursuant to a certificate of appropriateness issued by the Historic Preservation Commission under this chapter shall conform to the specific requirements of the certificate of appropriateness. It shall be the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer to inspect periodically any such activities or work to ensure compliance. In the event it is determined that such activities or work is not being conducted or performed in accordance with the certificate of appropriateness, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a stop-work order and all affected activities and work shall immediately cease. No further affected activities or work shall be undertaken while the stop-work order is in effect.
Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be violation of the Town Code and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000. Each week's continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation. The Town Attorney is authorized and directed to cooperate with the Code Enforcement Officer to institute any and all actions and proceedings necessary to enforce this chapter. Any civil remedy shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any criminal prosecution or penalty.
An applicant may be charged a fee by the Historic Preservation Commission for the cost of processing and reviewing an application for a certificate of appropriateness, including reasonable costs incurred for its private consultants, and for the actual cost of preparation and publication of each public notice of hearing with respect to any application. All such fees shall be in accordance with a fee schedule established and periodically reviewed by the Town Board.

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