The purpose and intent of the Historic and Archeological Site Protection EPOD is to minimize the impacts of development activities on historic structures, historic sites, and archaeological sites which are listed on federal, state, or local registers of such sites. The aim is to enhance the architectural compatibility of proposed development with the adjacent historic or archaeological site and evidences a desire by the Town to retain, as much as possible, the natural character and historic setting of the registered site.
The boundaries of the Historic and Archeological Site Protection EPOD shall be those lands lying no farther than 500 feet from the limits of a listed site. The Historic Preservation Commission (see Chapter 159, Historic Areas, Preservation of, of the Mendon Town Code) may determine the limits of a listed site by such features as hedgerows, streams, tree lines, streets, maintained lawn areas and/or property lines.
No person may conduct any of the following activities within the Historic and Archeological Site Protection EPOD without a permit issued pursuant to the requirements of this article:
A. 
Construction of new structures or modification of existing structures, including accessory structures.
B. 
Placement of permanent signs.
C. 
Clearing of land.
D. 
Filling, cutting or excavating operations.
E. 
Discharge of stormwater or construction of stormwater runoff systems.
A. 
No permit shall be issued unless the applicant can demonstrate that the activity will not adversely affect the physical integrity or historic character of the listed site and that there is no reasonable alternative to the proposed action.
B. 
In granting, denying or conditioning any Historic and Archeological Site Protection EPOD development permit, the CEO or the Planning Board shall refer the application to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for its recommendations. The HPC will, in turn, rely upon the criteria established in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) guidelines for the treatment of archaeological sites, as well as its own criteria, established and documented prior to the subject application, to determine the appropriateness of any proposed work within the defined overlay district.
C. 
If the CEO or Planning Board chooses not to follow the HPC's recommendations, in whole or in part, the reasons for not doing so shall be made a part of the written determination.
D. 
The determining body shall consider the effect of the proposed activity upon the protection and enhancement of the listed site as well as the general public health, safety and welfare.