[Adopted 9-18-2007 by L.L. No. 2-2007]
The Town Board holds as a necessary objective
forming a group whose expert advice and consultation in matters of
civic design will be provided to the Town Board, Planning Board and
other legal and properly formed municipal entities in accordance with
the guidelines and procedures set forth in this article and as further
prescribed in the Zoning Law of the Town of Woodstock.[1] The Town Board further holds that the definition of "civic
design" be broad enough to include but not necessarily be limited
to building architecture, landscape architecture, graphic design,
architectural history, and landmark preservation.
In furtherance of these objectives, the Town
Board of the Town of Woodstock hereby creates a commission which shall
be known as the "Commission for Civic Design," hereinbelow called
the "Commission."
The Commission shall consist of five members
appointed by the Town Board and serving at the pleasure of the Town
Board.
A.
Terms of office.
(1)
Commission members shall serve for staggered terms
of three years, with the exception of the initial terms, which shall
be as follows:
(2)
All subsequent appointments, other than the Town Historian
or appointments to fill vacancies occurring other than by the expiration
of a term of office, shall be made for a term of three years.
(3)
A vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of
a term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired
term.
B.
Alternate members. One or more alternates to the Commission
may be appointed for terms determined by the Town Board. Said alternates
shall be available to serve in case of a conflict of interest of a
regular member of the Commission and may serve at meetings in which
a quorum would not otherwise exist.
C.
Officers. The Commission shall annually designate
the Chairperson of the Commission and shall designate its secretary.
The Commission shall elect from its membership a Vice Chairperson
to act in the absence of the Chairperson and may further designate
a member as Acting Chairperson to preside when both the Chairperson
and the Vice Chairperson are absent.
D.
Removal. Any Commission member, including any alternate
member, is subject to removal by the Town Board for cause after public
hearing. The Town Board shall have the power to remove any member
for noncompliance with minimum requirements relating to meeting attendance
and training as established by the Town Board.
E.
Residency. Only persons who are qualified electors
of the Town of Woodstock shall be eligible for appointment as members
or alternate members of the Commission.
Subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings
Law of the State of New York and the Ethics and Disclosure Law of
the Town of Woodstock,[1] the Commission may prescribe reasonable rules and procedures,
in addition to those provided herein and in the Zoning Law of the
Town of Woodstock, for the conduct of its affairs.
The Commission shall keep accurate records of
its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report with the
Town Board of the Town of Woodstock within 31 calendar days of the
close of each and every year. Said annual report shall disclose all
activities conducted by the Commission during the year being reported.
The members of the Commission shall receive
no compensation for their services as members thereof. However, any
member may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses actually
incurred in the performance of his or her duties, provided that said
reimbursements can be paid from the annual budget and appropriation
of the Commission.
The Commission shall:
A.
Perform design review on all matters referred to the
Commission pursuant to Local Law No. 2 of the year 1989, the Zoning
Law of the Town of Woodstock.
B.
Assist the Planning Board in drafting guidelines and/or
legislation on matters relating to the Commission's areas of expertise
and jurisdiction.
C.
Establish a register of older Woodstock buildings
of historic, unusual or distinctive value that are at least 50 years
old. The Commission may initiate the nomination of such structures
or receive and keep a file of such nominations from any source. The
Commission's secretary shall keep the register. The Town Historian
shall do the research and set the date for each structure as accurately
as possible. A Commission member shall assist in doing this research
under the direction of the Town Historian. The Commission shall also
oversee the design of a standard certificate and plaque and provide
such certificate and plaque, upon request, and at a fee to cover costs,
for those buildings and/or sites honored by nomination to the register.
D.
Carry out such other tasks, projects, functions and
duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Commission by resolution
of the Town Board. These tasks may include, but are not necessarily
limited to, the following:
(1)
Provide to the Town Board and other Town agencies,
as appropriate, guidance and advice in the form of special reports
as needed or requested, making recommendations on any aesthetic and
architectural aspects related to Town-owned structures and grounds,
including but not limited to the design of Town buildings (interior
and exterior), street and exterior lighting, landscape architecture,
including the planting of trees, public spaces, sidewalk districts,
street furniture (in particular the design of benches and trash receptacles)
and accessories, signs, and bridges within the Town of Woodstock.
(2)
Develop and conduct a program of public information
in the community which shall be designed to foster increased understanding
of the nature of civic design issues, aspects and needs.
