[Res. No. 135-90, § 2, 11-27-1990]
There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Olean Historic Preservation Commission.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 2(a), 11-27-1990]
The historic preservation commission shall consist of nine members to be appointed, to the extent available in the community, by the mayor as follows:
(1) 
At least one shall be an architect;
(2) 
One shall be the city historian;
(3) 
One shall be the city attorney;
(4) 
Three shall be members of the Olean Historical and Preservation Society;
(5) 
Three shall be members of the common council; and
(6) 
All members shall have a known interest in historic preservation and architectural development within the city.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 2(b), 11-27-1990]
Historic preservation commission members shall serve for a term of three years, except the common council members, the city attorney, and the city historian shall have a term of two years of appointment, which shall nevertheless end at the expiration of their term of elective or appointive office.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 2(e), 11-27-1990]
The historic preservation commission shall meet at least bi-monthly, but meetings may be held anytime on the written request of any four of the commission members or on the call of the chairman or the mayor.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 2(f), 11-27-1990]
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of five of the historic preservation commission’s members.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 2(d), 11-27-1990]
The duties and powers of the historic preservation commission shall include:
(1) 
Promulgating rules and regulations as necessary for the conduct of business of the commission;
(2) 
Establishing criteria for the identification of significant historic, architectural, and cultural landmarks and monuments and areas of the city for historic district status;
(3) 
Conducting surveys of significant historic, architectural, and cultural landmarks and historic districts within the city;
(4) 
Recommending to the common council the designation of identified structures as historic landmarks or monuments and areas within the city for historic district status;
(5) 
Increasing public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and architectural preservation by developing and participating in public education programs;
(6) 
Making recommendations to the common council concerning the utilization of state, federal, and private funds to promote the preservation of landmarks and historic districts within the city; and
(7) 
Reviewing and reporting on building permit applications dealing with designated landmarks, monuments, and historic districts.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 6(c), 11-27-1990]
The historic preservation commission shall review the application and issue its report within 14 days from the receipt of the completed application. The commission may hold a public hearing on the application at which an opportunity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their views.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 6(b), 11-27-1990]
The historic preservation commission shall forward notice of each property designated as a landmark and of the boundaries of each historic district to the office of the county clerk for recordation, to the city clerk’s office, and the city building inspector where it will be available for public inspection.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 7, 11-27-1990]
(a) 
Prior to the filing of a building permit regarding the commencement of any work which might affect the historical nature of a structure in the city, whether or not it is located in a historic district or granted landmark or monument status, the owner may file a request for consultation within the historic preservation commission.
(b) 
The request shall contain the following:
(1) 
Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant;
(2) 
Location and photographs of property;
(3) 
Elevation drawings or proposed changes, if available;
(4) 
Perspective drawings, including relationship to adjacent properties, if available;
(5) 
Samples of color or materials to be used;
(6) 
Where the proposal includes signs or lettering, a scale drawing showing the type of lettering to be used, all dimensions and colors, a description of materials to be used, method of illumination, and a plan showing the sign’s location on the property; and
(7) 
Any other information which the commission may deem necessary in order to visualize the proposed work.
(c) 
No building permit shall be issued for such proposed work for 60 days from the filing of the request, or until the property owner and the commission have reached written agreement on the appropriateness of the proposed project, whichever event shall occur first.
(d) 
All agreements resulting from consultation with the commission shall be in writing and signed by the chairman of the commission or his designated representative and the property owner. A copy shall be filed with the city clerk’s office for public inspection. The agreement shall state the reasons for deeming a project appropriate to the particular property involved.
[Res. No. 135-90, § 6(a), 11-27-1990]
Any owner or interested party shall have the right to appeal the decision of the historic preservation commission to the common council within 30 days of the commission’s decision. If not satisfied with the decision of the common council, the owner or interested party may seek review by the court pursuant to Civil Practice Law and Rules art. 78 [§ 7801 et seq.] within 40 days of the final decision of the common council.