[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Southeast 11-7-2013 by L.L. No. 10-2013.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Architectural Review Board — See Ch. 3.
Protection of scenic roads — See Ch. 110.
Zoning — See Ch. 138.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law superseded former Ch. 83, Historic Sites and Historic Districts, adopted 12-11-1986, as amended.
The purposes of this chapter are:
A. 
To effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of these landmarks, these historic sites, and these districts which represent or reflect elements of the Town's cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history.
B. 
To safeguard the Town's historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage.
C. 
To foster civic pride.
D. 
To protect and enhance the Town's attractions to tourists and visitors with its concomitant stimulus to business and industry.
E. 
To strengthen the economy of the Town.
F. 
To promote the use of these landmarks and historic sites for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of the Town.
A. 
Certain words used in this chapter are defined and explained in definitions which follow, and the other words in this chapter shall have the meanings commonly attributed to them. Doubts as to the precise meaning of words in this chapter shall be determined by the Zoning Board of Appeals by resolution, giving due consideration to the expressed intent and purposes of the chapter.
B. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUFFER ZONE
An area extending from the road right-of-way line on all designated scenic and historic routes a distance equal to the front yard specified in the Town Zoning Law (Chapter 138 of the Code of the Town of Southeast) into adjoining/abutting properties. An historic site shall have a buffer zone of 50 feet extending from each contributing historic element of the site. The buffer zone serves to form a barrier around the scenic and historic route and historic site to minimize disturbance to such routes, including building, grading or clearing activities, except as authorized by the Historic Sites Commission.
CERTIFICATE
A certificate of appropriateness.
COMMISSION
The Historic Sites Commission.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
A specified area which is listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places, or which has been designated by the Town Board as locally historic and is listed herein. A designated historic district possesses a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development.
HISTORIC SITE
A site or structure which is listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places, or which has been designated by the Town Board as locally historic and is listed herein. The designated historic site is the location of a significant event, a prehistoric or historic occupation or activity, or a building or structure, whether standing, ruined, or vanished, where the location itself possesses historic, cultural, or archaeological value regardless of the value of any existing structure.
ROUTE
Any public highway, street, road, or other way approved by the Town Board permanently dedicated to the movement of vehicles and pedestrians and providing the principal means of access to abutting property.
SCENIC AND HISTORIC ROUTE
A route of locally or regionally outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, cultural, historic or archaeological significance, which has been designated by the Town Board herein.
SUBSTANTIALLY CONTIGUOUS
The proposed activity is adjacent to or within 50 feet of an historic site.
A. 
The intent of this chapter is to preserve and protect locally significant historic sites and structures. Any disturbance to a designated historic site, or a property that is substantially contiguous to an historic site, shall require a certificate of appropriateness pursuant to § 83-11 from the Historic Sites Commission.
B. 
The following sites or structures are hereby designated as local historic sites:
[Amended 11-17-2016 by L.L. No. 8-2016]
S/B/L
Site Name
Address
Street
Reason for Listing
46.-2-33
Old Doansburg Schoolhouse
1662
Route 22
Excellent example of early 19th Century one-room schoolhouse. The building was used as a school until 1947.
46.-2-33
Old Southeast Church
1664
Route 22
The Old Southeast Church was constructed in 1794 and is the oldest place of worship in Putnam County.
36.17-1-25
David DeForest House
2
Sherwood Hill Road
Example of Georgian Colonial style. David Lambert DeForest was one of the earlier settlers in Southeast and builder of the Southeast Church. He served in the Revolutionary War and was buried in Milltown Cemetery.
44.-1-2
T. Kelley Residence
147
Simpson Road
Kelley served as Supervisor of the Town of Southeast in 1876. He later worked in several capacities for the Aqueduct Commission, including at the Drewville Reservoir and at the Commission offices at the Yale Homestead in Southeast Center. The Colonial-style home contains an excellent example of a beehive oven.
46.-1-19
Old Southeast Church Cemetery
1601
Route 22
The Old Southeast Church Cemetery is listed on the Historic Sites List as a property significant for containing graves of notable Southeast residents, among them the oldest marked grave in Putnam County, that of Abigail Moss Kent, wife of the Southeast Church's first pastor, and veterans of the American Revolutionary War. The cemetery contains graves dating back to the 1700s.
46.-3-7
J. Minor House
772
Route 312
Excellent example of Greek revival style. Home of Rev. J. Minor, pastor of the Old Southeast Church. Later owners included Daniel Reed, Reuben D. Barnum and James Crosby.
47.-2-26
Sherwood House
160
Sherwood Hill Road
Traditional colonial home, originally owned by the Sherwoods, farmers of English descent. It was then home to the Quigleys. Willisam Quigley served as Naval Attache to Peru, Chief of Staff of the Peruvian Navy, and as Commander during the North African Landings in 1941 and at Guadalcanal. Colonel Ludington's men passed the house on their way to fight the British in Danbury during the American Revolution.
46.-2-43
Red Rooster
1566
Route 22
The Red Rooster restaurant is an example of 1950s roadside architecture, and its design (including building form, color, lighting, and signs) is iconic of that era and of American roadside architecture in general. Listed primarily for architectural significance.
56.-1-60
Enoch Crosby Homestead
8
Enoch Crosby Road
Former homestead of Enoch Crosby, Putnam County's famous "spy" who served in the Secret Service of the Commission of Safety during the American Revolutionary War. Crosby left the farm to his oldest son, Lewis Crosby, whose heirs sold it to Reuben Wright Kirkham. According to the records from the Genealogical Sketch of the Family of Enoch Crosby, Kirkham tore down the old house and built the "present mansion."
Tilly Foster Mine
Old Mine Road
First mined in 1853 by the Harvey Iron and Steel Company, the Tilly Foster Mine boomed under the auspices of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania, which acquired the mine in 1879. At its height of production, the mine employed hundreds of workers, extracting 7,000 tons per month. By 1890, the owners converted the mine to an open pit. At one time, the pit was the largest man-made hole in the world. However, in 1895, a major collapse occurred, and the mine was closed. The mine is known worldwide for its unique variety and expanse of rocks and minerals, which are included in the collections of major museums.
56.9-1-9
15
Mine Lane
56.9-1-11
30-38
Old Mine Road
56.9-1-12
26-28
Mine Lane
56.9-1-13
20
Mine Lane
56.9-1-14
16
Mine Lane
56.9-1-18
21
Old Mine Road
56.1-19
46-50
Old Mine Road
56.18-1-34.1
Reed-Bloomer House
150-152
Putnam Avenue
Excellent example of Greek-Revival style. The property was once an expansive dairy farm.
57.-1-17
Budd's Tavern
1430-1432
Route 22
Greek Revival tavern, located at important crossroad from Brewster to Connecticut. Hiram Budd, a coach builder on Broome Street, moved to Southeast around 1830 over fear of the cholera epidemic that had struck New York City. He purchased 80 acres from Alexander Young. Budd ran the "Mountain House," also called "Kishawana Hotel," which was patronized by farmers driving their beef cattle to New York and by stage coach travelers. The building was a landmark (Old Drover's Tavern) on the New York and Albany Post Road.
57.5-3-2
Waring Homestead
11
Minor Road
Two-story vernacular residence. The Waring family was in the hat business; at one time, William Waring employed over 800 men, making 800 hats per day at his Yonkers factory. In 1859, he opened a hat factory on Railroad Avenue in the Village of Brewster, south of today's Bob's Diner.
57.18-1-2
Stonehenge Howes Residence
10
Brewster Hill Road
Original home in Southeast of Seth B. Howes. Eclectic mix of Queen Anne style, Tudoresque and Romanesque styles. Listed for its architectural and historic significance.
57.18-1-3
Yale House
2-4
Brewster Hill Road
Excellent example of Greek Revival farmhouse with square columns, small windows and second story.
67.6-1-41
Howes House
1083
Drewville Road
Fine example of ornamental Victorian architecture. Home to one of the Howes family.
67.11-1-5
Old Thomasville Comers House
4
Turk Hill Road
Neocolonial farm house with Victorian era windows. William. Thomas was originally from England; he came to the United States in 1867. Thomas managed many rental properties in a settlement just east of the East Branch of the Croton River along with a thriving furniture store. Most of the "Thomasville" settlement was flooded with the construction of the reservoir.
67.16-1-16
Spring Cottage
85
Turk Hill Road
Tudoresque-style building, listed for architectural significance. Originally part of the Howes/Heartfield property. Mrs. William Ives (daughter of Egbert Howes) lived here briefly.
67.16-1-18
Morningthorpe
100-114
Turk Hill Road
Home of Seth B. Howes. He purchased the property from Benjamin Mead in 1893. Significant for its architectural style and for the impact Howes made on the growth and development of the American circus. Howes employed the New York City architectural firm, Rossiter and Wright, to change the modest Romanesque residence to a grand Tudor style building. Includes carriage house, main building and outbuildings.
Castle
100
Turk Hill Road
Architecturally significant building in relationship to the Morningthorpe property.
Farmhouse
114
Turk Hill Road
67.16-1-3
Egbert Howe's House
115
Turk Hill Road
Work of architectural significance relating to early 19th Century.
67.18-1-1
H. Dean House
74
Deans Corner Road
Home of Hiram Dean, son of Elijah Dean, for whom Deans Corner was named. Elijah Dean served in the American Revolutionary War, Westchester County 2nd Regiment, under Thaddeus Crane. Hiram Dean and his wife, Rebecca Hoag, are buried in Drewsclift Cemetery.
67.34-2-47
Old Town Hall
67
Main Street
The building was erected in 1896 and served as the Town Hall until 1965, when the Supervisor and Town Clerk moved to 1 Main Street. The building was designed by the New York City firm, Child & de Goll. The first movies in Brewster were shown on the building's second-floor theater. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
67.34-2-56
1 Main Street
1
Main Street
The original First National Bank of Brewster, and formerly Town Hall, was built in 1886. The Romanseque-style building features a granite base, Philadelphia red brick and graduated slate roof. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
78.-1-58
Drewsclift Cemetery
149
Dean's Corner Road
Significant as the burial place of the Clift family and Daniel Drew, 19th Century entrepreneur and financier. In addition, 7 Revolutionary War soldiers are interred at Drewsclift.
78.-2-12
Field House
50
Fields Lane
The Field family is one of the oldest in Southeast, playing a significant role in Town and county civic and military life.
79.13-1-9
Rundle House
22
Starr Lea Road
Significant example of French Second-Empire Victorian style built by Nathan Rundle. The Rundle family was deeded the property by the Commissioners of Forfeiture; father and sons fought in the American Revolution.
79.-1-39
Ryder Homestead
400-406
Starr Ridge Road
90-acre farm, settled first by Eleazer Ryder. It continues to be a working farm, still owned and managed by the Ryder family. Contains significant Colonial Era farm buildings.
80.5-1-12
DF (Devoe Festus) Bailey House
214
Dingle Ridge Road
Known also as the "Ratchford House," the building is a Greek Revival with deep frieze and large return eaves. It stands at what was once the New York Post Road, an important thoroughfare between New York City and Vermont. Dr. Matthew and May Bailey Ratchford were active citizens in the Town of Southeast and supporters of many local charities. May was the granddaughter of Devoe Festus Bailey. The Baileys are one of the founding families in Southeast.
78.-4-77
Drewsclift
150
Deans Corner Road
Drewsclift was the family home of Daniel Drew, the notorious early 19th Century financier. The property was later purchased by Patrick Ryan, contractor of "Hell's Gate" Bridge and many other New York City stone bridges and highways. Ryan built the stone "castle" at the properly, which was later home of Max and Victoria Dreyfus. Dreyfus was one of the giants of the music publishing industry; he discovered, recruited, and promoted Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Vincent Youmans, Richard Rodgers, and Cole Porter. Victoria Dreyfus was an award-winning horse breeder.
57.-1-4.
Edith Diehl House
1391-1395
Route 22
The first part of the house was built by a member of the Howes family for his bride. In the 20th Century, was home to Edith Diehl, the famous bookbinder whose seminal work "Bookbinding: Its Background & Technique" remains an important work for the field. She founded the Brewster Library in 1896, and during World War I, Edith Diehl held prominent positions with the American Red Cross and Women's Land Trust Army.
46.6-1-39
Fanny Crosby House
284
Foggintown Road
Birthplace and home of the renowned blind American hymnist.
55.-1-38
Fowler House
51-59
Root Avenue
Significant example of Colonial-style architecture and for its role as a stopping place for George Washington and the Continental Army.
67.8-1-29
Lily Deacon Forepaugh House
3
Lodar Lane
The British equestrienne Lily Deacon emigrated to the United States in 1882. She became a star attraction of the Adam Forepaugh Circus, known for her equestrienne act and superior horsemanship.
A. 
The intent of this section is to recognize and encourage the preservation of the visual quality and historic character of certain routes and their surroundings within the Town. The objectives of this section are to:
(1) 
Encourage the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of such scenic and historic routes that represent or reflect the elements of the Town of Southeast's heritage.
(2) 
Recognize the Town of Southeast's scenic and historic routes, as embodied in the landscape, geologic, and man-made features, including: houses, barns, stone walls, stone chambers, bridges, cemeteries, and reservoir structures.
(3) 
Promote the use of scenic and historic routes for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the Town of Southeast.
(4) 
Protect and maintain the condition of stone walls and stone chambers within and around scenic and historic routes.
B. 
Each property adjacent to a scenic and historic route shall maintain the buffer zone, as defined in § 83-2 above, from the road right-of-way line into the property in a condition recognized by the Town Board in its designation of the scenic and historic roadway. Within the buffer zone, there shall be no significant disturbance, including, but not limited to, tree removal, clearing, grading and filling, or the building or demolition of structures, including driveways, except pursuant to a certificate of appropriateness by the Historic Sites Commission. The following activities shall not require approval:
(1) 
Maintenance of existing landscaping.
(2) 
Planting of new trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals.
(3) 
Repair of existing fences, stone walls or retaining walls, provided that original materials and building techniques are used.
(4) 
Maintenance and repair of existing driveways.
(5) 
Maintenance and repair of existing homes, barns, or other accessory structures, including painting; door, window, and siding replacement; and roof repair or replacement; provided that, from the scenic route, the general character of the home is maintained.
(6) 
Any activities outside of the designated buffer zone.
C. 
The following routes are designated as local scenic and historic routes:
(1) 
Starr Ridge Road Scenic and Historic Route: all properties that have land that abuts either Starr Ridge Road or Starr Lea Road south of I-84.
(2) 
Milltown Road Scenic and Historic Route: all properties that have land abutting either Milltown Road or that portion of Federal Hill Road from Milltown Road to Joe's Hill Road.
(3) 
Turk Hill Scenic and Historic Route: all properties that have land that abuts Turk Hill Road.
(4) 
Allview Avenue Scenic and Historic Route: all properties that have land that abuts Allview Avenue south of US Route 6/NYS Route 22 to Birch Hill Road.
The members of the Commission and the Chairman thereof shall be appointed by the Town Board for terms of seven years; provided, however, that of those members first taking office, one shall be appointed for a term of one-year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years, one for a term of five years, one for a term of six years, and one for a term of seven years. Appointments made at any time following the creation of the first Commission shall be for terms of seven years. The Town Board shall appoint to the Commission the Town Historian, if possible an architect recommended by the other members of the Board, and at least five residents of the Town of Southeast. Members may serve more than one term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments, with the advice of the remaining members of the Commission, for the remainder of the unexpired term. Each member shall serve until the appointment of his successor. The terms of members first taking office shall commence on the date of their appointment. Members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.
The Commission shall provide for its own rules and procedures. Any procedures not provided for shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, where applicable. Each member of the Commission shall be entitled to one vote, except that any member having any personal or financial interest in any matter pending before the Commission shall not participate in the Commission's deliberations or decisions. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The rules shall provide for the calling of special meetings by the Chairman or by at least three members of the Commission. All regular or special meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public, and meetings and recommendations of the Commission shall be advertised in the local newspaper at least five to 10 working days prior to the hearings.
The Commission shall keep a record of its resolutions and actions, which shall be open to public inspection. The concurring affirmative vote of a majority of members shall constitute approval of the plans before it for review or for the adoption of any resolution, motion or other action of the Commission.
A. 
It shall be the duty of the Commission to maintain the character of the historic sites and districts and to regulate and control the construction of new buildings, if any, and the reconstruction, repair or demolition of, or any other alterations or changes in, such historic sites, including but not limited to walls, fences, signs, steps, topographical features and paving, to ensure that any action taken in or with respect to such landmarks, areas, and historic sites is compatible with the existing character of such historic sites and districts.
B. 
The Commission shall have the authority to make recommendations to the Town Board of any property, area, or district to be designated as an historic site or district. The Town Board shall hold a public hearing on any proposed designation prior to adopting a local law amending this chapter to formally designate a property, area, or district as a local historic site or district.
C. 
The Commission shall have the authority to review changes in or alterations to historic sites and districts and to issue certificates of appropriateness per § 83-8.
[Amended 5-9-2024 by L.L. No. 3-2024]
A. 
No changes or alterations to the exterior of historic sites, including but not limited to construction, reconstruction, repair, restoration, renewal, demolition or painting, shall be made or commenced unless the Commission has issued a certificate of appropriateness, and no building or other permit for such purpose shall be issued unless such certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the Commission.
B. 
Application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be made to the Commission in such form and shall provide such information as may be required by the Commission.
C. 
Exception. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent ordinary maintenance or repair which does not involve a change of existing design, material, scale or appearance, including related landscaping, or significant change in color, or any work required by a Town official to eliminate unsafe conditions, provided that any permanent repairs shall meet the above-stated criteria.
D. 
Within 60 days after the application has been deemed complete by the Commission, the Commission shall determine whether the proposal set forth in the application is appropriate to the preservation of the existing character of the historic site. In the event that such a decision has not been made within the time prescribed herein and shall not have been disapproved during such time, such application shall be deemed to have been approved.
E. 
A copy of the approval or disapproval of any such application shall be filed with the Town Board and in the Town Clerk's office within 15 days after the determination has been made.
F. 
A copy of the approval or disapproval of any such application shall be filed with the Town Board and in the Town Clerk's office within a forty-five-day period.
G. 
It shall be the duty of the Commission to consider the following guidelines when reviewing an application for a certificate of appropriateness:
(1) 
Site design:
(a) 
The pattern and alignment of buildings and structures established by the traditional setbacks from the street should be maintained.
(b) 
The traditional design vocabulary used for defining building entrances should be maintained.
(c) 
The location and scale of fences, walls, and other similar objects should be maintained in their original location.
(d) 
Parking lots should be subdivided into small components so that the visual impact of large paved areas is reduced. Parking lots should be screened from view from public rights-of-way. Where historic paving materials exist in the area, similar materials should be used for new paving.
(2) 
Rehabilitation of structures:
(a) 
Any construction or reconstruction to an historic structure should respect the original design character of the building.
(b) 
New uses that require the least change to the existing structure should be encouraged.
(c) 
The removal or altering of any historic material or significant architectural features should be avoided to the greatest extent possible. Examples of historically significant features include porches, window trim, cupolas, chimneys and steps.
(d) 
The replacement of missing architectural elements should be based on accurate duplications of original features.
(e) 
The use of materials similar to those employed historically should be required.
(f) 
Where reconstruction of an element is impossible because of a lack of historical evidence, then a new design that relates to the building in general size, scale, and material may be considered.
(g) 
Service equipment and trash containers should be screened from public view.
(h) 
On commercial buildings, large display windows at the street level that are characteristic of commercial buildings should be preserved.
(i) 
Original roof forms and pitch should be preserved where they contribute to the historic character of the building.
(j) 
Original roof materials that are visible from the street should be preserved.
(k) 
Historic trim and ornaments should be preserved.
(3) 
Additions to historic structures:
(a) 
Additions to existing buildings should be compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the main building and its environments.
(b) 
New additions or alterations should not obscure or confuse the essential form and character of the original building.
(c) 
New additions or alterations that would hinder the ability to interpret the design character of the historic period of the district should be avoided.
(d) 
When locating additions to historic buildings, the pattern created by the repetition of building facades in the area should be maintained.
A. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, if the applicant established to the satisfaction of the Commission that, due to strict application of the provisions of this chapter: (1) the land or improvement in question cannot yield a reasonable return if the proposed construction, removal, alteration or demolition is not permitted; or (2) that a hardship is created for the applicant due to unique circumstances, and that the hardship is the result of the application of this section, and is not the result of any act or omission by the applicant; then the Commission may grant relief or recommend relief in the following manner:
(1) 
Authorize issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector if the proposed alteration, construction, removal or demolition will not alter the essential character of the structure or area.
[Amended 3-20-2025 by L.L. No. 2-2025]
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 15 days, or both. Each day that a violation continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense.