[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Beekman 5-9-1989 by L.L. No. 2-1989. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Conservation Advisory Council — See Ch. 7.
Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 51.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 79.
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 83.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 130.
Zoning — See Ch. 155.
[Amended 7-10-1990 by L.L. No. 5-1990]
It is the Town's intent to protect those historic features which enrich the quality of life for the residents of Beekman. In furtherance of this objective, Section 1.430 of Beekman's Comprehensive Plan[1] contains a partial list of historically important sites, and the county has conducted a survey of the Town's historic resources. Historic districts and individual landmarks may be designated by the Town Board in accordance with General Municipal Law §§ 96-a and 119-aa et seq. and the procedures hereinafter specified for the following purposes:
A. 
To protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts which represent distinctive elements of Beekman's historic, architectural and cultural heritage.
B. 
To foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past.
C. 
To protect and enhance Beekman's attractiveness to visitors and the support and stimulus to the economy thereby provided.
D. 
To ensure the harmonious, orderly and efficient growth of the Town and promote the economic, cultural, educational and general welfare of the public.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Comprehensive Plan is on file in the Town offices.
A petition for designation of a historic district landmark shall be submitted with 10 copies to the Town Board by the Planning Board, Conservation Advisory Commission and local historical group. The petition shall include documentation to justify such a designation, a description of historically significant or architecturally significant features of the site(s) and recommendations for boundaries.
A. 
If the Town Board decides to consider such a petition, no building or demolition permits shall be issued by the Building Inspector until the Board has made its decision on designation.
B. 
Notice of such consideration shall be given to the public and by registered mail to the owner(s) of all properties proposed for designation. A public hearing shall be held and designation approved or disapproved within 45 days of the Board's decision to consider the petition.
C. 
If the Town Board determines that the proposed property or properties possess special character or historic or aesthetic interest or architectural merit or value as part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the locality, region, state or nation, it may designate a locally protected landmark or historic district. Notice of the designation, boundaries and the supporting documentation shall be filed with the Town Clerk for the use by the public, Building Inspector and Planning Board.
All exterior alterations, reconstruction, demolition, new construction or moving of a designated landmark or property within an historic district shall require approval by the Planning Board.
A. 
In reviewing applications and permits that involve changes to the exterior appearance of designated properties, the Planning Board's decision should be based on the following principles:
(1) 
Properties which contribute to the character of the historic district shall be retained, with their historic features altered as little as possible.
(2) 
Any alteration of an existing property or new construction shall be compatible with the property itself and surrounding properties in terms of scale, texture, materials, color, proportions of the facade, arrangement of openings within the facade, roof, shape, and rhythm or spacing of properties on the street.
B. 
The Board reserves the right to consult a professional architect with preservation expertise, at the expense of the applicant.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of any exterior architectural feature of a designated property which does not involve a change in design, material or outward appearance.
Every effort must be made in the Planning Board's review of site plans on properties adjacent to historic districts or landmarks to protect the views of historic sites and to make new construction compatible with designated properties and to avoid imposing the requirement of zoning and building codes[1] where the same, without reduction of health and safety, would destroy historical significance or architectural integrity of the site.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 155, Zoning.
[Added 7-10-1990 by L.L. No. 5-1990]
Any person committing an offense against any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable for each offense by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both.