It is hereby declared as a matter of public
policy that the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of landmarks
and historic districts is necessary to promote the economic, cultural,
educational and general welfare of the public. Inasmuch as the identity
of a people is founded on its past and inasmuch as the Town of Farmington
has many significant historic, architectural and cultural resources
which constitute its heritage, this article is intended to:
A. Protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts
which represent distinctive elements of the Town of Farmington's historic,
architectural and cultural heritage.
B. Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past.
C. Protect and enhance the Town of Farmington's attractiveness
to visitors and the support and stimulus to the economy thereby provided.
D. Ensure the harmonious, orderly and efficient growth
and development of the Town.
E. Protect and improve property values.
F. Promote rural preservation by fostering and encouraging
restoration and rehabilitation of historic structures, buildings,
objects and sites, as well as historic rural settings, open spaces
and agricultural patterns.
G. Coordinate preservation policy with land use control
policy as part of a comprehensive plan for the future of the Town
of Farmington.
H. Promote and preserve the historic rural nature and
characteristics of structures, buildings, objects, sites, properties,
open spaces and agricultural properties.
Section 96-a of the General Municipal Law of
the State of New York entitled, "Protection of historic places, buildings
and works of art," grants local governments the authority to adopt
regulations and set special conditions and restrictions to protect,
enhance, perpetuate and regulate the use of places, districts, sites,
buildings, structures, works of art and other objects having special
character or special historical or aesthetic interest or value. Pursuant
to this authority, the Town Board of the Town of Farmington has prepared
and adopted this article setting forth standards to be followed in
historic preservation.
There is hereby created a commission to be known
as the "Town of Farmington Historic Preservation Commission."
A. The Commission shall consist of five members to be
appointed by the Town Board. All members will have a known interest
in historic preservation within the Town of Farmington and be residents
of the Town of Farmington. To the extent possible in the community,
members will either:
(1) Demonstrate expertise or experience in at least one
of the following areas:
(a) American or local history;
(b) Architecture or historic preservation; or
(c) Real estate, planning, zoning or other relevant areas;
or
(2) Have demonstrated interest in and commitment to the
field of historic preservation evidenced either by involvement in
a local historic preservation group, employment or volunteer activity
in the field of historic preservation or other serious interest in
the field, provided that at all times the membership of the Commission
shall be such as to include at least one person with such a demonstrated
interest and commitment as set forth herein.
B. Commission members shall serve for terms of three
years, with the exception of the initial terms of two of the members
which shall be one year, two which shall be two years and one which
shall be three years.
C. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Commission shall
be designated by the Town Board. The Town Board shall also appoint
a Secretary to the Commission, a nonmember, who shall keep and maintain
minutes of meetings and perform such other duties as the Commission
may require.
D. The powers of the Commission shall include:
(1) Employment of staff and professional consultants as
necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission.
(2) Promulgation of rules and regulations as necessary
for the conduct of its business.
(3) Adoption of criteria for the identification of significant
historic, architectural and cultural parks and for the delineation
of historic districts.
(4) Conduct of surveys of significant historic, architectural
and cultural landmarks and historic districts within the Town.
(5) Designation of identified structures or resources
as landmarks and historic districts.
(6) Increasing public awareness of the value of historic,
cultural and architectural preservation by developing and participating
in public education programs.
(7) Making recommendations to the Town government concerning
the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and historic districts within the Town.
(8) Keeping and maintaining a register of all properties
and structures that have been designated as landmarks or historic
districts, including all information required for each designation.
This register will be kept in the office of the Town Clerk.
(9) Conferring recognition upon the owners of landmarks,
properties or structures within historic districts by means of certificates,
plaques or markers.
E. 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 Chairman or the Supervisor.
F. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist
of three of the Commission's members, but not fewer than three votes
of the full membership may grant or deny a certificate of appropriateness.
G. The Commission shall submit an annual budget request
to the Town Board.
This article shall apply to the entire area
of the Town of Farmington.
The Town Board may from time to time amend,
supplement, change, modify or repeal this article pursuant to the
provisions of the Town Law and the General Municipal Law applicable
thereto.