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.