As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ADDITION
The construction of any new improvement which changes the
exterior appearance of any landmark or any structure within an historic
district.
ALTERATION
Any work which changes or will change the appearance, color,
material or texture of the exterior of the structure, including but
not limited to windows, doors, lights, signs, roof, trim, shutters,
siding or columns.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A certificate issued by the Historic Preservation Commission
indicating that a proposed change, alteration, relocation or demolition
of a landmark or new construction within an historic site or district
is in accordance with provisions of this chapter.
DEMOLITION
The substantial deterioration or the razing, removal or destruction
of any structure or the obliteration of any natural feature.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Any designated area containing a significant concentration,
linkage or continuity of sites or structures which:
A.
Has historic significance.
B.
Represents one or more significant periods or
styles in the history and/or architectural and social development
of the Town.
C.
Has special character and/or special historical,
architectural or cultural value which causes it to constitute an area
or neighborhood distinct from surrounding portions of the Town.
D.
Is united by past events or aesthetically by
plan or physical development or location.
E.
Has a unique character resulting from its architectural
style.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
The attributes of a district, site or structure which possess
integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, aesthetics
and association which:
A.
Are associated with events that have made a
significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
B.
Are associated with the lives of persons significant
in our past.
C.
Embody the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction or that represent a significant
and distinguishable entity whose comments may lack individual distinction.
D.
Have yielded or may be likely to yield information
important in prehistory or history.
E.
Are part of the reconstruction when accurately
executed in a suitable environment and presented in a dignified manner
as part of a restoration master plan and when no other structure with
the same association has survived.
F.
Constitute a property primarily commemorative
in intent if design, age, tradition or symbolic value has invested
it with its own historical significance.
G.
Represent a property achieving significance
within the past 30 years if it is of exceptional importance or is
unique with the Town.
LANDMARK
Any building, structure, object, ruins, cemetery or natural
object, configuration, geological formation or feature or parcel of
land which has been designated under this chapter for any of the following
reasons:
A.
Has historic significance.
B.
Is of particular historic, cultural, scenic
or architectural significance to the Town of North Salem and reflects
or exemplifies elements of the broad cultural, political, economic
or social history of the nation, state or Town.
C.
Is identified with historic personages or with
important events in the main current of national, state or local history.
D.
Embodies a distinguishing characteristic or
an architectural type valuable as representative of a period, style
or method of construction.
E.
Represents a work of a builder, designer or
architect whose individual style significantly influenced the architectural
history of the nation, state or Town.
PROTECTIVE PERIMETER
That area surrounding a landmark, site or historic district
(not necessarily encompassing the whole legal boundary of the property)
needed to preserve the general aspect of the landmark, site or historic
district.
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
The ordinary care and repair activity for any part of an
improvement, structure or site in order to correct any deterioration,
decay or damage or otherwise to restore to the condition prior to
the occurrence of such deterioration, decay or damage and which is
not an addition or alteration and which does not change the appearance
of the exterior.
REPLACEMENT
Repairs for which a building permit is required under Chapter
250, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of North Salem and/or the New York State Building Code.
SITE
Object, ruins, cemetery or natural object, geological formation
or feature or parcel of land.
STRUCTURE
Any building, construction, sign, fence, wall, object, landscape
modification or part thereof made by human endeavor constructed or
installed upon real property, whether permanent or temporary, to be
kept at the location of such construction or installation for a period
of not less than 60 continuous days.
The Commission shall have all powers and duties
authorized by § 96-a of the General Municipal Law. Without
limitation, this includes the following:
A. To designate landmarks and historic districts pursuant to §
130-5.
B. To hear and decide applications for certificates of appropriateness pursuant to §
130-6.
C. To report at least annually to the Town Board on the
state of the historical, cultural and architectural resources in North
Salem and to recommend measures to further effectuate the purposes
of this chapter.
D. To collect and disseminate material on the protection,
enhancement and maintenance of historical, cultural and architectural
resources and techniques for preserving them.
E. To cooperate and advise all Town and any other federal,
state or local government agencies regarding historically, culturally
and/or architecturally significant structures and to serve as lead
agency where appropriate.
F. To interpret this chapter and to adopt and promulgate regulations and procedures consistent with this chapter and other applicable laws as are necessary and proper for the effective performance of the duties herein assigned, including establishing application procedures for certificates of appropriateness as provided in §
130-6 herein and standards for preparing conservation guidelines for maintenance of designated landmarks and structures within historic districts.
G. To conduct surveys and maintain inventories of historic
properties in the Town of North Salem of historical, cultural or architectural,
geological and archaeological significance.
H. To seek advisory opinions and technical assistance
from any municipal employees on any matters within the Commission's
jurisdiction.
I. To obtain the services of qualified persons to direct,
advise and assist the Commission within the limits of funds appropriated
for the performance of its work, of grants and of any gifts and to
obtain the equipment, supplies and other materials necessary to its
effective operation.
J. To hear and record the testimony of any interested
parties.
K. To maintain complete files and records with the Town
Clerk, including the record of all hearings held before the Commission
or before the Town Board under this chapter.
This chapter may be known as the "Historic Preservation
Law of the Town of North Salem."
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed
as authorizing the Commission to waive any regulation or laws relating
to zoning and planning of the Town of North Salem. In exercising its
powers and performing its functions with reference to an historic
district or a landmark, the Commission may apply or impose conditions
with respect to the construction, alteration, addition, repair, replacement,
relocation or demolition of any structure or sign, and determinations
which are more restrictive than those prescribed or made by or pursuant
to the applicable regulations contained in any other applicable provisions
of law.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by L.L. No. 5-2015]
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Historic
Preservation Commission relating to hardship or a certificate of appropriateness
may, within 90 days of the decision, file a written application with
the Town Board for review of the decision. Reviews shall be conducted
based on the same record that was before the Commission and using
the same criteria.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by L.L. No. 5-2015]
Any person or persons aggrieved by any decision
or determination under this chapter may have the decision or determination
reviewed by a special term of the New York State Supreme Court in
the manner provided by Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.