[Added 8-19-1997 by L.L. No. 10-1997[1]]
It is hereby found and declared that the central business district
of the Town of Riverhead is in need of revitalization and that the
Town Board of Riverhead has adopted a policy of providing for mechanisms
which assist in this revitalization. It is further found and declared
that the second- and third-story spaces have lost and continue to
lose retail and office tenants to more modern structures more conveniently
situated, and that the unused floor space of such buildings constitutes
a potential housing stock. It is further found and declared that residential
uses within the central business district contribute to the viability
of such business district, and that the provision of an arena for
the creation of art and cultural resources, together with living accommodations
for artists, would create a unique environment for increased investment
contributing to the revitalization of the district. It is further
found and declared that the legislation governing the alteration of
such buildings to accommodate residential use must be more restrictive
than statutes heretofore in effect.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Riverhead
Arts District Law" of the Town of Riverhead.
The Riverhead Arts District shall encompass that area bounded
as follows:
Beginning at a point at the intersection of Northville Turnpike
and Union Avenue, proceed in the direction heading southeast on Union
Avenue to the intersection of Union Avenue and East Main Street (S.R.
25). At this point, continue in a southeast direction along the property
line that separates parcels 0600-129-4-14 and 15 and 600-129-4-18.3
and 18.5 with an imaginary line to the Riverhead Town line. At this
point, proceed in a westerly direction following the Riverhead Town
line to Peconic Avenue, continue over Peconic Avenue still following
the Riverhead Town line in a westerly direction to the Center Drive
bridge. At this point, proceed in a northerly direction to the intersection
of Griffing Avenue and Court Street. At this point, proceed in a northwesterly
direction on Griffing Avenue to the intersection of Railroad Street
and Griffing Avenue. At this point, proceed in a northeasterly direction
on Railroad Street to the intersection of Roanoke Avenue and Railroad
Street. At this point, proceed in a northerly direction on Roanoke
Avenue to Northville Turnpike. At this point, proceed in a northeasterly
direction on Northville Turnpike to point of beginning.[1]
In the confines of the Riverhead Arts District, this chapter
shall be amended as follows:
A.
No building shall be occupied for an artist dwelling prior to the
issuance of a permit by the Town Board certifying the resident as
an artist. In this determination, the Town of Riverhead shall rely
upon the opinion of those experts it desires and upon the definition
of an "artist" contained herein. All applications for a permit shall
include the following information and the payment of an application
fee of $10:
(1)
The name and address of the applicant and whether the applicant
is the owner or the lessee of the premises; additional family members
must be indicated;
(2)
A description of the type of art to be created within the premises,
together with a description of the relevant art work history of the
applicant, together with references.
B.
This article does not obviate the necessity for the applicant to
obtain the assent or a permit required by any other agency before
proceeding with operations under an approved Town Board permit.
A.
The Town Clerk shall retain the original permit application and distribute
one copy to the Town Board and the Planning Department.
B.
The Town Board shall review all completed permit applications and
either approve or deny such permit by resolution. The Town Board may
consult with those experts necessary to make a decision upon the propriety
of the application for an artist designation. The Town Board may hold
public hearing on a particular permit application if it desires. In
rendering a decision of approval, approval with conditions or a denial
of a permit, the Town Board shall state in writing its findings of
fact and conclusions to be transmitted via resolution to the applicant
and the Town Clerk.
Permits shall remain in force for a period of one year or until
commencement of residence within the premises. Subsequent to commencement,
the permit shall remain perpetually in force while the applicant resides
within the premises. The applicant shall notify the Town Clerk of
any changes in occupancy of the premises. In the event that occupancy
changes to such an extent that the intent of this article is contravened,
the permit may be revoked by the Town Board subsequent to a hearing.
