[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Head-of-the-Harbor 1-11-1969. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Architectural review — See Ch. 59.
Building construction — See Ch. 65.
Environmental quality review — See Ch. 81.
Zoning and land development — See Ch. 165.
The land, buildings and major landscaping on both sides of North Country Road, extending to a depth of five hundred (500) feet within the Village of Head-of-the-Harbor, is declared an historic area, subject to the following regulations, special conditions and restrictions:
A. 
Any applications to erect or alter a structure within the historic area shall be approved by the Village Board of Architectural Review before a building permit is issued, unless this Board of Trustees shall otherwise determine. The criteria to be used by the Village Board of Architectural Review for approving or disapproving a proposed building or alteration shall be as follows:
(1) 
The proposed changes shall not create a depreciation of the adjacent historic structures.
(2) 
The proposed changes shall not be inconsistent with the general appearance of the area.
(3) 
The bulk and location of the buildings must be appropriate to maintain the character of the area.
[Added 8-28-1976]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADJACENT
A synonym for bordering or neighboring, meaning somewhere near, in the locality or in the vicinity or surrounding district.
ALTER OR ALTERATION
To make different in some manner, including demolition.
APPEARANCE
The outward look or aspect.
APPROPRIATE
Suitable, fitting, seemly, proper, right or in keeping with, to prevent intrusions into the area that would be incompatible with the established character of the historic district. (Conservation of Historic and Cultural Resources, Ralph W. Miner, American Society of Planning Officials, Chicago, 1969, page 5)
BULK
The size and the mass, the volume and magnitude. "Bulk" includes the height, the amount of surface and space taken up, the quantity of matter contained in a unified body and the grouping of individual parts or elements (page 803, American Heritage Dictionary). For example, height should not exceed the average height of other structures in the area or district; the breadth of a new structure or an enlarged structure should not exceed the average breadth of other structures in the area or district; the depth of a new structure or an enlarged structure should not exceed the average depth of the other structures in the area or district; and the percentage of lot covered by a new structure or an enlarged structure should not exceed the average of the percentage of lot covered by the existing structures in the area or district. (Preservation and Building Codes, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, D.C., 1974, page 4)
CHANGES
Includes erecting, demolition, moving or alteration of a structure or its setting, including parking and service areas.
CHARACTER OF THE AREA
The special thing or quality that makes the area different from others; all the qualities and features that distinguish the area from other areas; attributes; distinctive features; the combination of qualities or features that distinguish the area from other areas; and individuality. In this North County Road Historic Area the "character" is rural low-density residential, with large sections of the area being utilized for agricultural purposes (NassauSuffolk Regional Plan and National Register press release). The best way to preserve the rural character of the area is to require a buffer zone of at least two hundred (200) feet when there is new construction. (Gyrodyne covenant)
DEPRECIATION
A lessening or lowering in value. The Route 25A corridor is an historic area or district in which each unit contributes to the value of the other units in the district. The loss or alteration of any one (1) unit affects, adversely or otherwise, the value of the other units in the district, those nearest being affected the most. It should be noted that "depreciation" results if historic structures are left unoccupied or if property is not properly maintained. (Preservation and Building Codes, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, D.C., May 1974, page 4)
HISTORIC AREA
A synonym for an historic district. An "historic area" or historic district is greater than the sum of its parts. Each individual unit is of greater value as it contributes to the value of the district than its value would be as an isolated unit outside of the historic area or district.
HISTORIC/HISTORICAL AND/OR AESTHETIC VALUE
Defined in the criteria of the New York State Division for Historic Preservation Historic Resources Survey Manual, Part I, pages 7 to 11.
LEGISLATIVE INTEREST OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Clearly defined by the state legislature in its designation of Route 25A in Nassau and Suffolk Counties as a scenic and historic corridor. The intent of the state legislature is to encourage the involved towns and villages to adopt ordinances and local laws to protect the rural appearance of the historic road and to prevent the sprawl of roadside commercial development.
LOCATION
Position or place.
NORTH COUNTRY ROAD
New York State Route 25A. [NOTE: Certain sections of the North Country Road Historic District are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and are subject to the Federal Preservation Act of 1966 and Executive Order 11593. Copies of maps delineating these areas may be obtained from the Village Clerk.]
PLACE OR SITE
Includes, but is not limited to, houses, stores, outbuildings, fences, milestones, hitching posts, trees, shrubbery, hedges, hedgerows, kettle holes and other topographical features. (Notre Dame Lawyer, Volume 44, Number 3; February 1969, "Land Use Controls in Historic Areas," Thomas J. Reed, pages 388 to 389)
SECTION 96-A OF THE NEW YORK STATE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW
Provides the enabling legislation supporting the establishment of historic districts.