As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A certificate issued by the Putnam County Legislature indicating
that a proposed change, alteration, and/or relocation of an historic
road is in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
COUNTY ROAD
Any road or portion thereof located within the boundaries
of Putnam County which has been officially incorporated into and made
a part of the County road system of Putnam County.
DESIGNATION BOUNDARY
The designation boundary for any historic road shall include
the entire length and width of each designated road or section thereof,
including any rights-of-way held by the County of Putnam unless otherwise
specified at the time of designation.
HISTORIC ROAD
Any road of historical value or aesthetic interest by reason
of its antiquity as a cultural or heritage resource may be classified
as an historical road. An historic road may be any County road which
is found to contain historic qualities, as determined by one or more
of the following categories:
A.
AESTHETIC ROUTESThese represent historic roads for which the primary rationale for development was the design and provision of a specific visitor experience. Aesthetic routes, such as parkways and park roads, have historically been intensively designed and developed for the purpose of leisure, recreation and commemoration. They typically follow the natural topography of the region. They are roads for which the alignment and details are key to the experience. Special materials, planting, lighting, well-preserved stone walls, rock outcrops, historic buildings and even building facades contribute to the character of these roads. Alterations to any component of these roads will significantly impact the historic integrity of the resource.
B.
ENGINEERED ROUTESRoads designed for a specific transportation goal, such as the movement of people, goods and services, represent the largest category of roads. They will have a documented origin or authorization and construction date. These are roads that may have been developed to open isolated areas to commerce, link the nation or simply serve our communities — roads for which the aesthetic experience was often secondary. Their alignment and detail are important in their representation of technology and culture. Many city grid patterns and our first transcontinental highways are typical of this category.
C.
CULTURAL ROUTESThese routes evolved through necessity or tradition. While these roads may have a documented date of origin, they were developed without the intensive engineering and design practices associated with aesthetic and engineered routes. These may be routes that have evolved from Native American trails, colonial post roads or simply from convenient connections between villages.