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Town of Woodstock, NY
Ulster County
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A Commission for Civic Design is hereby created and maintained pursuant to Local Law No. 2 of the year 1980.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Local Law No. 2-2007, Ch. 43, Art. III of this Code.
The Commission for Civic Design shall:
A. 
Consider the historical and architectural value and significance of the building or structure before it for review and such structure's relationship to the surrounding area, as well as to any other factors which the Commission for Civic Design deems pertinent to the benefit of the Town and to the historic or cultural significance of the structure or building. The Commission shall discourage both new construction and alterations that may be architecturally incompatible with the existing development within the Town, such as "highway commercial," "big box" or "franchise modern" architectural styles.
B. 
Review applications for site plan review or building permits referred by the Zoning Enforcement Officer to the Commission for the exterior construction, addition, alteration, reconstruction, resurfacing, relocation or open area improvement of any structure within the Hamlet Preservation Overlay District which would affect the exterior appearance of such structure. Said review shall take into consideration the purposes set forth in § 260-37 and this article of this chapter.
C. 
Review applications referred by the Zoning Enforcement Officer pursuant to § 260-39 of this chapter before either a building permit or certificate of occupancy or use may be issued regarding any structure or district on the Town of Woodstock Local Historic Structures Register or the National Register of Historic Places.
D. 
Undertake design review of detached accessory apartments pursuant to § 260-60 of this chapter.
E. 
Have the authority to undertake design review of all applications requiring site plan approval by the Planning Board except as follows: mining and excavation, commercial logging, towers, antennas, dishes and repeaters.
A. 
Once it has been determined that Commission for Civic Design review and recommendations are required, no building permit or demolition permit shall be issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer for the erection, relocation or exterior alteration of any building or structure without the Zoning Enforcement Officer first referring the application to the Commission for Civic Design for a determination as to approval, approval with modification, or disapproval.
B. 
The applicant shall provide necessary plans and pertinent data to the Zoning Enforcement Officer, who shall forward them to the Commission for Civic Design for the purpose of its review. The Commission may request an applicant to appear before it and/or to provide additional information. The Commission for Civic Design shall submit its written recommendation to the Zoning Enforcement Officer and/or the Planning Board, where appropriate, within 45 days of receiving the application from the Zoning Enforcement Officer or of receipt of requested additional information, whichever is later. The application for a building permit shall not be deemed complete until the Commission for Civic Design has filed its recommendation. However, if the recommendation of the Commission for Civic Design is not submitted within the forty-five-day limit described above, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may proceed with the issuance of a building permit in accordance with the pertinent provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this article shall preclude the simultaneous review of an application by the Planning Board. However, when Commission for Civic Design review is required by this chapter, the Planning Board shall not determine an application to be complete until either a recommendation is received from the Commission or the forty-five-day limit has lapsed.
C. 
The Commission for Civic Design's written determination shall include, but not be limited to, recommendations on the following:
(1) 
Building form and massing;
(2) 
Entry articulation;
(3) 
Facade material, including colors;
(4) 
Roof shape, features and material;
(5) 
Windows;
(6) 
Doors; and
(7) 
Building-mounted exterior lighting.
An officer or board of the Town or any person aggrieved by a decision of the Commission for Civic Design under this article may appeal said decision to the Planning Board which may, by a majority plus one vote, reverse or modify the decision of the Commission for Civic Design. The Planning Board shall make its decision within 45 days of receipt of the appeal or of receipt of requested additional information, whichever is later.