The purpose of this chapter is to preserve historic and architecturally
significant structures within the Village of Mineola by identifying
historically and architecturally significant structures and designating
such as historic sites, in order to stabilize and improve property
values, foster civic pride, strengthen the local economy and to promote
educational and cultural opportunities for the inhabitants of the
Village.
A. The Village Board finds that the preservation of historic sites and
districts within the Village fosters a greater stability in each neighborhood,
creates an appreciation of the Village's historical heritage,
and furthers the education of our future generations. Therefore, preservation
of historical sites and districts will further the general health,
safety, and welfare of the community.
B. It is the intent of this chapter to set forth procedures and criteria
to preserve certain sites and districts deemed to be significant in
the history of Mineola and to remedy circumstances which would permit
the needless alteration or destruction of these sites and districts.
An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed
alteration has been denied may apply to the Board for relief on the
grounds of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship,
the applicant shall establish that the historic site, unchanged and
as is, is incapable of earning a reasonable return, regardless of
whether that return represents the most profitable return possible.
All work performed pursuant to a certificate of appropriateness
issued under this chapter shall conform to any requirements included
therein. It shall be the duty of the Building Department to inspect
periodically any such work to assure compliance. In the event work
is found that is not being performed in accordance with the certificate
of appropriateness, or upon notification of such fact by the Board,
the Building Department shall issue a stop-work order, and all work
shall immediately cease. No further work shall be undertaken on the
project as long as a stop-work order is in effect.