There is hereby created a Landmarks Preservation Commission,
which shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the
Mayor with the consent of at least three members of the Village Board
of Trustees.
Among the membership, to the extent available in the
Village, there shall be one registered architect; one professional
engineer; one member of the Sea Cliff Landmarks Association; the Village
Historian; the Chairman of the Village Planning Board; and two residents
of the Village.
Other than the Village Historian and the Chairman
of the Village Planning Board who shall serve as permanent members
during their tenure as Historian and Chairman, members shall be appointed
for terms of three years, provided that of those members first taking
office, one shall be appointed for one year, two for two years, and
two for three years. Members may serve for more than one term and
each member shall serve until the appointment of a successor.
In the event of a vacancy occurring during the term
of a member of the Commission, the Mayor, as above provided, 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 members of the Commission shall serve without
compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred
in the performance of their duties, provided prior written approval
for such expenses is received from the Village Board of Trustees.
The Commission may conduct studies and surveys and
prepare reports for the purpose of identifying places, sites, structures,
buildings and districts of historic and/or architectural significance
or to be considered for designation as provided in this chapter and
to develop information to assist the Commission in the exercise of
its powers and duties.
The Commission may retain consultants, including but
not limited to technical experts, engineers, architects and historians
to advise in the preparation of any plans or projects, to conduct
studies or surveys, or to render assistance and advice in connection
with any project, to assist in any aspect of the designation procedure,
or to fulfill the duties of the Commission. Any contract to retain
such consultants which involves the expenditure of Village funds shall
require and shall be subject to the prior written approval of the
Village Board of Trustees.
The Commission may formulate recommendations concerning
the preparation of maps, brochures and historical markers for selected
historic and/or architectural sites, buildings, and structures.
The Commission may make recommendations to the Board
of Trustees for amendments to the Landmark and Historic District Map
which would change the boundaries of the historic district and/or
include other properties or areas in the historic district.
In order to increase public awareness of the value
of historic, cultural and architectural preservation, the Commission
may develop and participate in public education programs.
The Commission may make recommendations to the Village
Board concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds
to promote the preservation of landmarks and historic districts within
the Village.
The Commission may recommend the acquisition of landmark
buildings, structures, or sites by the Village where their preservation
is deemed essential to the purpose of this chapter and where private
preservation is not feasible.
The Commission may adopt criteria for the identification
of significant historic, architectural, and cultural landmarks and
landmark sites and for the delineation of historic districts. The
adoption of such criteria shall be subject to the approval of the
Board of Trustees, which may hold a public hearing thereon if it deems
it necessary.
The Commission may adopt, promulgate, amend and repeal
rules and regulations governing its procedures which it deems necessary
to the proper exercise of its responsibilities with regard to architecture,
cultural and historic preservation and for the purpose of fully implementing
this chapter. Such rules and regulations and any amendments thereto
shall be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and when approved
shall be made a part of the Village Code with the same force and effect
as all other laws of the Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members
of the Commission to serve as Chairman for a period of three years.
The remaining six members of the Commission shall elect a Vice Chairman
from among their number.
At least four members of the Commission, of which
one shall be the Chairman or Vice Chairman, shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of its business or the performance of its functions
and, except as otherwise provided for herein, the concurring vote
of at least four members of the Commission shall be necessary for
the adoption of any recommendations, motions or other acts of the
Commission.
Meetings of the Commission shall be called by the
Chairman or Vice Chairman, and no meeting of the Commission convened
to transact business may be held unless all members of the Commission
receive actual written notice of such meeting specifying the meeting
time and place at least five days in advance. This requirement shall
be waived as to any member who shall attend the meeting.
The Commission shall keep a record of its proceedings
and show the vote of each member upon any question. It shall also
keep records of its examinations and official actions.
All decisions of the Commission shall be set forth in the minutes
of the meetings of the Commission. Minutes of the meetings shall be
filed with the Village Clerk upon the approval by the Commission Chair,
after reasonable opportunity for other members of the Commission to
review draft minutes of such meetings.