A. 
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Northport finds that:
(1) 
Certain buildings, structures and signs in the Village possess undesirable qualities that include, but are not limited to, excessive uniformity and excessive dissimilarity; inappropriate scale; discordant design, materials and/or colors; substandard design and construction; visual clutter; incompatibility with surrounding uses; and standardized or formula architecture. These and other aspects of design may have adverse impacts on the general health, safety, comfort, character and welfare of the community and on its property values.
(2) 
There exists in the Village places, districts, sites, buildings, structures, works of art, and other objects that are or may be deemed landmarks by reason of antiquity or uniqueness of architectural design or as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the Village, town, county, state or nation. The conservation, protection and preservation of such landmarks is in harmony with and will promote the public health, safety and general welfare and will preserve property values.
B. 
In response to the findings in § 13-1A, above, the Board of Trustees hereby declares that the purpose of this chapter is to accomplish:
(1) 
The protection and enhancement of the physical and visual environment of the Village of Northport pursuant to the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law § 1-(1)(ii)(a)(11);
(2) 
The protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of places, districts, sites, buildings, structures, works of art, and other objects having a special character or special historical or aesthetic interest or value, as authorized by and in accordance with Article 5, § 96-a of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York. Regulations, special conditions and restrictions enacted for this purpose may include appropriate and reasonable control of the use or appearance of neighboring private property within public view, or both. It is intended that these regulations shall be reasonable and appropriate to all of the stated purposes and objectives.
This chapter sets forth procedures to:
A. 
Encourage quality exterior building design and design that preserves, supports and enhances the character and aesthetic values of the area in which it is located.
B. 
Prevent sign clutter and ensure sign legibility.
C. 
Limit and mitigate the visual impacts of commercial, industrial, and institutional development on surrounding residential uses.
D. 
Maintain a diverse mixture of architectural styles, and permit originality and resourcefulness in building design, that are regionally and contextually appropriate.
E. 
Regulate the use of formulaic and standardized architectural elements that erode local character and community identity.
F. 
Identify, preserve and enhance landmark places, districts, sites, buildings, structures, works of art, and other objects that represent distinctive elements of Northport's historic, maritime, architectural and cultural heritage.
G. 
Prevent such design and appearances as are incompatible with the historic or architectural characteristics of a landmark building, structure or site, or historic district.
H. 
Preserve the integrity of areas and structures which have been determined to merit special protection by prior designation of the Village.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALTERATION
Includes the refacing or resurfacing of the exterior facade of a structure or building in any manner which would substantially and significantly affect its character and appearance, as well as an act or process which substantially and significantly changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a building or structure. The term "alteration" shall include the attachment of gates, fences, bars or other such devices to the windows or exterior facade of a structure or building.
BUILDING
A structure wholly or partially enclosed within exterior walls or within exterior or party walls and a roof, affording shelter to persons, animals or property.
BUILDING COMPLEX
A whole structure (as a building) made up of interconnected or related structures.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
The architectural style, design, general arrangement and components of all of the outer surfaces of any building or structure, including but not limited to the kind texture, and color of the building material and the type and style of all windows, doors, lights, ornamentation, signs and other fixtures appurtenant to said building or structure.
FORMULA ARCHITECTURE
Buildings whose design is based on a corporate prototype or other standardized architectural design that is used consistently with little or no variation at many different sites.
LANDMARK
Any structure, building, place, or object that meets at least one of the following criteria:
A. 
It is of historic value or aesthetic interest by reason of its antiquity or uniqueness of architectural design or as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the Village, town, county, state or nation.
B. 
It is listed on either the National or the New York State Register of Historic Places or the equivalent registers, if any, maintained by the County of Suffolk or the Town of Huntington.
LANDMARK AND HISTORIC DISTRICT MAP
A map to be prepared and maintained by the Department of Building, Housing and Codes, identifying the location of all landmarks, landmark sites and historic districts.
STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
A style recognized by one of the following organizations or by any other organization generally recognized as expert in historical preservation of buildings, sites and landmarks:
A. 
The National Register of Historic Places.
B. 
Historic American Buildings Survey.
C. 
Historic American Engineering Record, United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
D. 
Division for Historic Preservation, New York State Office of Parks and Recreation.
E. 
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
F. 
Society of Architectural Historians.
G. 
Society for Preservation of Long Island Antiquities.
TAX ABATEMENT
The application of tax abatement as provided for in the General Municipal Law, Article 5, § 96-a, as an incentive to assure the preservation of landmarks or landmark sites, as approved by the Tax Assessor of the Village of Northport upon direction of the Board of Trustees.