A. 
There is hereby created a commission to be known as the "Glen Cove Landmarks Preservation Commission."
B. 
The Commission shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of four members of the City Council, in conformance with the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A.
C. 
Among the membership, to the extent available in the community, there shall be the following:
(1) 
At least one shall be a registered New York State architect.
(2) 
At least one shall be an architectural historian.
(3) 
At least one shall be an historian.
(4) 
A member of the City Planning Board.
(5) 
The City Historian.
D. 
If membership vacancies cannot be filled in conformance with the professional qualification standards as stipulated in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A, appointments to the Commission shall then be limited to candidates who have demonstrated significant interest in, and commitment to, the field of historic preservation, evidenced either by involvement in a local historic preservation group, employment or volunteer activity in the field of historic preservation or other serious interest in the field.
A. 
Commission members shall serve for a term of three years; except for the initial term of one member who shall serve for one year, two members who shall serve for two years and two members who shall serve for three years. Members may serve for more than one term, and each member shall serve until the appointment of a successor.
B. 
The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.
Candidates for the Landmarks Preservation Commission shall be recruited to meet the minimum professional qualifications as described and mandated by the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A, in the following manner:
A. 
Timing. In the case of a vacancy occurring before the expiration of a term, the Mayor shall act as quickly as possible to fill the unexpired term.
B. 
Public announcement. An announcement shall be prepared describing the responsibilities, qualifications, term of office and directions on whom to contact for further information.
C. 
Member qualifications. Demonstrate interest, competence or knowledge of historic preservation and particular professional training and experience in the disciplines of history, architectural history, architecture, historic architecture and prehistoric/historic archaeology.
D. 
Publicizing the announcement. The announcement should be advertised in the local official paper, posted at the public library and City Hall and on the City's website. Notice should also be sent to local historical and preservation organizations, the local chapter of the AIA and local institutions of secondary and higher education.
E. 
Appointments. In selecting among the nominees, the Mayor shall weigh the qualifications and expertise of the nominees and of the current Landmarks Preservation Commission members with the aim of appointing professionals to represent all historic preservation disciplines, if possible.
F. 
In the event of a vacancy occurring during the term of a member of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Mayor, as provided above, shall make an appointment to complete the unexpired term of such member, and where such member is required to have special qualifications, such vacancy shall be filled by appointment in the manner herein prescribed with a person having the same qualifications.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to serve as Chairperson. The remaining four members of the Commission may elect a Vice Chairperson from among their fellow members.
The Commission shall meet as circumstances may require but no less than four times a year. Meetings may be held at any time upon written request of any two Commission members or upon the call of the Chairperson or the Mayor.
At least three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business or the performance of its functions. The concurring vote of three members of the Commission shall be necessary for the adoption of any recommendations or other acts of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission shall have the powers and duties granted herein:
A. 
Recommend to the City Council landmark and historic district designations to be adopted by local law and, from time to time, changes to such designations.
B. 
Evaluate applications for a certificate of appropriateness proposing exterior changes to a designated landmark or property within a designated historic district and approve, approve with modifications or deny such applications.
C. 
Evaluate applications for a certificate of economic hardship and certificates of appropriateness for demolition, removal or relocation of landmarks and approve, approve with modifications or deny such applications.
D. 
Evaluate applications for ordinary maintenance and repair of historic resources, properties or landmarks, and approve, approve with modifications or deny such applications.
E. 
Employ staff and professional consultants as necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission. Any contract agreement to retain such consultants which involves the expenditure of City funds shall be subject to the approval of the City Council.
F. 
Promulgate rules and regulations as necessary for the conduct of its business.
G. 
Provide advice and guidance to property owners and government agencies concerning historic preservation issues.
H. 
Adopt criteria for the identification of significant historic, architectural and cultural parks and for the delineation of historic districts.
I. 
Conduct surveys of significant historic, architectural and cultural landmarks and historic districts within the City of Glen Cove.
J. 
Recommend to the City Council acceptance of donations of facade easements and development rights or other interests in real property as necessary to carry out the purpose of the Commission.
K. 
Increase public awareness of the value of historic, cultural and architectural preservation by developing and participating in public education programs.
L. 
Make recommendations to the City Council concerning the utilization of state, federal, county or private funds to promote the preservation of landmarks and historic districts within the City.
M. 
Recommend acquisition of a landmark structure by the City Council where its preservation is essential to the purpose of this chapter and where private preservation is not feasible.
The Commission shall delineate landmarks or historic districts and recommend them to the City Council under local law. The Commission shall utilize the following criteria in determining whether to recommend designation by the City Council:
A. 
Individual landmark. The Commission may recommend an individual property as an individual landmark if it:
(1) 
Exemplifies or possesses special character, or historic or aesthetic interest of value as part of the political, economic or social history of the City;
(2) 
Is identified with persons or events significant in local, state or national history;
(3) 
Embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a type, period or method of construction or design style, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; or is representative of the work of a designer, architect or builder;
(4) 
Represents an established and familiar visual feature of the community by virtue of its unique location or singular physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar feature of the community;
(5) 
Has yielded or may be likely to yield information important in prehistory or history.
B. 
Historic district. The Commission may recommend a group of properties within the City as an historic district if a majority of properties therein:
(1) 
Contains properties which meet one or more of the criteria for designation as a landmark and which may have within its boundaries other properties or structures that, while not of such historic and/or architectural significance to be designated as landmarks, nevertheless contribute to the overall visual characteristics of the landmark or landmarks located within the historic district; and
(2) 
Constitutes a unique section of the City by reason of possessing those qualities that would satisfy such criteria.
C. 
Interior landmark. The Commission may recommend the interior of a property as an interior landmark if such interior has special historical or aesthetic interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City, state or nation and:
(1) 
It is customarily open or accessible to the public; or
(2) 
It is an interior into which the public is customarily invited.
D. 
Scenic landmark. The Commission may recommend a landscape feature or group of features. Recommendations for designation must be accompanied by such historical and architectural information as is required by the Commission to make an informed recommendation concerning the application, together with any fee set by the City Council. The boundaries of each landmark or historic district shall be specified in detail with reference to the Tax Map identification number and shall be filed, in writing, in the City Clerk's office and there made available for review by the public.
E. 
Ordinarily, properties that have achieved significance within the past 50 years are not considered eligible for designation under this landmarks preservation local law or local law adopted by the City Council. However, such properties will qualify if they are:
(1) 
Integral parts of historic districts that meet the criteria for designation; or
(2) 
Properties of exceptional importance.