The village has received numerous applications
in recent years to use public areas of the village for purposes of
commercial filming. The Board of Trustees hereby finds that it would
serve the public interest to require a permit for such use and to
establish the standards that will govern future application for such
permits.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
DOWNTOWN AREA
The following areas: Grace Avenue from Middle Neck Road to
Park Place; Middle Neck Road from Barstow Road to the northern boundary
of the village; Great Neck Road from Middle Neck Road to Bayview Avenue;
Cutter Mill Road from Middle Neck Road to Bayview Avenue; North Station
Plaza from Barstow Road to Middle Neck Road; South Station Plaza from
Barstow Road to Middle Neck Road; Gussack Plaza from Middle Neck Road
to Cutter Mill Road; all of Maple Drive; and all of Bond Street.
FILMING
The recording on film or other medium of motion pictures,
commercials, documentaries, shows, performances, athletic or sport
events or other similar events or activities, including still photography.
The "filming" of home movies taken by and intended for the exclusive
use of the owner and his/her immediate family shall be excepted here
from. "Filming" of news, political events and local sports or school
district events and "filming" by the village are also excepted here
from.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Any realty or personality or interest therein owned by the
Village of Great Neck Plaza, including streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way,
parks, lands under water, waterfront property and other public places
and every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, therein.
No person, firm, association or corporation
shall commence filming on public property in the Village of Great
Neck Plaza unless a permit therefor has been issued by the Village
Clerk. As used herein, filming on public property shall include the
use of public property for persons, equipment, vehicles, props, cameras
and any other items or materials used in connection with such filming.
[Amended 1-17-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
A. The base fee for a filming permit shall be $1,500
for each and every day or part thereof for which the permit is issued.
B. In addition to the base fee, the applicant for a permit
shall pay for the actual costs to be incurred by the Village by reason
of the filming activities. Such costs shall include but not be limited
to: the use of Village personnel for traffic control, parking direction
and similar activities; the loss of parking revenues; insurance and
legal costs; administrative expenses; and the use of any other Village
personnel, services or equipment in connection with the filming activity.
Prior to the issuance of the permit, the applicant shall pay such
costs on an estimated basis and shall also post adequate security
to ensure the payment of any such costs which cannot be reliably estimated.
C. In addition to the base fee and actual costs required by Subsections
A and
B above, the applicant shall also pay a fee to compensate the Village and its residents for the interference with and diminution in the quality of life caused by the filming activities resulting from factors such as the loss of parking availability; increased noise; excessive pedestrian crowding; reduced accessibility to certain businesses and areas of the Village; and disruption to traffic circulation. Such fee shall be established by the Village Mayor on a case-by-case basis based on a reasonable evaluation of the relevant factors given the size of the film production and the extent and length of filming activities.
D. The fees and costs described in Subsections
A,
B and
C above shall be paid in cash or certified check prior to the issuance of the permit. However, all or part of these fees and costs may be waived by the Village Clerk or Mayor in connection with filming done for a charitable, educational, public service or other similar nonprofit purpose.
For good cause shown, any provision of this
chapter may be waived by the Mayor, in his sole discretion.