HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistorical Property Tax Ex 2001~ohn & lVinrty Farris
7.$0 willow Terrace I .ane
Orient, NY 11957
Mai/lng .4ddress:
13~0 Flagler Dr.
Mamaroneck, th' ~0543-4603
Phone: 9~4-38~-5073
Fax: 9~4-698-2096
June 4, 2001
Ns. lean W. Cochran, Supervisor
Town of Southold
Town Hall
53095 Main Road
P. O. Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Dear Ms. Cochran:
We have most recenUy reviewed the ordinance that is being proposed and
considered for historic districts, such as Orient's Village Lane and the surrounding
area.
While we are very much in support of the preservation of the homes and even
the district, we think additional consideration should be given to many facets of
the proposed ordinance. We ourselves have purchased the Douglass property
off Village Lane, an 80 yr. old home that has been totally restored to its original
beauty and charm. We would be very careful and concerned about appoinUng
any more government or volunteer committees/boards to dictate to people what
they can and cannot do with their properties as well as whether they will be on
the historic registry or included in the historic district or not.
We might be very much in favor of that, but we would certainly not want that to
be automatically assumed by a seven-member board without our input. Again,
we feel the preservation of the Odent histodc district is vitally important but we
are against mandating to people what they can or cannot do including what they
must do. We read all of those things in the new proposed ordinance.
To give you an example of the problems we have had, we have spent two years
and a great deal of money redoing our property and home and doing what we
felt was correct by applying to the Town of Southold for the rebuilding of our
dock. We were approved by Southold as well as other agencies and then tumed
down by DEC. Not to belabor the point, but this dock has been behind the
Douglass property on Willow Terrace Lane for 50 years. We have pictures of this
dock from the 1950% or earlier. It is ridiculous that we might have to go through
court battles for repairs to our dock/pier that would have been taken care of
years ago if the Douglass' had the financial ability to do so. We have New York
State telling us what we can do and what we cannot do. The dock sits behind
our house in disrepair, is a blight on the Odent waterfront and a hazard to all
concerned should there be a hurricane or a severe nor'easter.
I mention the above because we are very disappointed with government
agencies, the lack of understanding involved here and who knows what would
transpire if a seven member board could tell everyone in our Village what they
can and cannot do with their properties. It would seem to us that this would
foster lilJgaUon with no provision for legal expenses, etc.
In any event, while we are members of the Odent Historical Society and very
suppoddve of the effort to keep our community the wonderful historic distdct that
it is, we would suggest a very careful review of these ordinances as is suggested
by the petil~on now being signed by vadous community and concerned residents.
Thank you for your consideration.
With kindest regards,
.lohn Farris
PHOEBE COHEN
1915VILLAGE LANE ORIENT N, Y. 11957 631-323-2519
870 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK NY 10021 212-249-2790
Ms. Jean W. Cochran
Supervisor, Town of Southold
Town Hall
P.O. Box 1179
Southold NY 11979
12 June 2001
Dear Ms. Cochran,
On May 12 I wrote to you opposing the proposed Historic Preservation Law. This
letter was subsequently printed in the Suffolk Times. I do not want to go over the
same issues again, but I understand that Southold Town is seriously considering
enacting some sort of preservation law shortly. I am sure you are aware of the
intense community opposition to this law in Orient.
I would like to call your attention to the note in the July 1 issue of Bottom Line
Personal magazine "Beware of buying property in any historic district:" (copy
enclosed) This is a national personal finance magazine with a wide readership.
The real estate attorney giving this advice is obviously all too familiar with
problems resulting from restrictive historic preservation laws.
Southold Town might realize some short-term economic benefit from
governmental incentives to enacting preservation laws. Over the long term,
however, this would be more than offset by the decline in property values caused
by these laws. Certainly any town tax receipts based on property values would be
adversely impacted, to say nothing of the economic losses sustained by town
residents.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Sincerely,
Phoebe Cohen
VOLUME 22 NUMBER 13
$4.q0 JULY 1,2001
Inside Information , .......... ,,v
'I~To gasoline price drop tiffs sum-
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America's Inside Information Magazine
All I've ever tried to tell anyone
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l've ever been was American.
-George Foreman
TO YOU
...and your money
~] Hedge your be~s: If you are
sure whether to hold a stock or a
mutual fund, sell only half. You can
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perhaps an amount that avoids putting
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Jonathau Pond, president, Fhmncial Pluming Irgoa
~ Ignore currency fluctuations
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with stock prices. But over longer peri-
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TOp performers that don't hedge: Arfisan
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,several hooks, b~duding the for thcoming J.K Lasser's
Ne~g/~jor Estate Plannin~ a. nd Tax (Wilelr)
Beware of bu3nng property in
any historic district. Real estate in
historic districts is regulated by special
laws and, in certain circumstances,
can be developed only in accordance
with the requirements of an architec-
turai review board. Even vacant lots
may come und. er such review. These
boards may operate in ways that seem
unfriendly to newcomers and to cur-
rent residents who want to make
changes to their homes. This kind of
conduct can also interfere in the
;ale of a property.,:a~
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remove hair from the back of the scalp
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$36/yr.
...and your summer
[] Safer picnics: Bring one cooler
for hot fonds and one for cold la Chill
cold foods in the refrigerator before
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stay cooler longer--fill empty space
with ice or nonperishable foods la
Keep coolers out of direct sun and the
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you open it.
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~ Post-beach shower: Fill sever-
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~ "Smoke" from air-bag deploy-
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It is not toxic--but avoid breathing or
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~ Auto lease costs are rising.
In recent years, manufacturers over-
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~5~ instead of leasing a ne~ one.
~¥/.-5 Art Spine[ia, president. CNna Marketing/
5,~.~ Re~earch, Bandon, Oregon
...and your trawls
~ Cruise lines' airline bookings
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.......................... Bottom Line
JULY 1, 2001 PERSONAL 15
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of '!equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
4. Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
NAME
ADDRESS
/zd 2.5 Orc¼otd
V,'ll%.r t.,xu
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not fimited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Conmtission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
NAME
ADDRESS
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on nmnerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
2. .b caZ V ,) 30O
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Governtnent and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
NAME
8.
9. ~ ""h' ·
ADDRESS
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
I. Orient will be deprived of"equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
ADDRESS
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HiSTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
NAME
3 ~
ADDRESS
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Cormnlssion, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
NAME ADDRESS
' · - . /_/
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the $outhold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhehning
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
NAIvlE ADDRESS
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation ConUmssion for but not limited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Comnfission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter' s alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran bas stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION whe~'e there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
NAME ADDRESS
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean C~chran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Tdwn Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
PHOEBE COHEN
PAGE
//
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certifie<l
Local Oovemn~ent and or a Landmark Preservation Com~ssion for but not limited to the following
Orient will be deprived of "e~qual protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e, Southold, New Suffolk. Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the Southotd
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
3. The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justifiable reason for Orienter's for
establishing an OFIPC with or without n Review Bo~rd. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's atone.
4. Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelnung
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reConsider creating any Certified Local {3ovemment or Landmark Preservation Comanission.
tO.
PETITION
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
We, the undersigned, Orient residents all ask the Town Board to reconsider your plan to create a Certified
Local Government and or a Landmark Preservation Commission for but not limited to the following
reasons.
1. Orient will be deprived of "equal protection under the law", by setting Orient apart from our
sister hamlets i.e. Southold, New Suffolk, Mattituck.
By establishing a quasi-judicial body, an Orient Historic Preservation Commission, the Southold
Town Board is creating an appointed body to make rules and regulations that is NOT responsible
to the voters of Orient.
The supposed Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is not a justffiable reason for Onenter s fo
establishing an OHPC with or without a Review Board. The LWRP is a Whole Town
responsibility, if the Whole Town so chooses, not Orienter's alone.
Supervisor Jean Cochran has stated on numerous occasions that she could not support any
HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION where there was not overwhelming
community support.
For the above stated reasons but not limited to we the undersigned urgently ask the Town Board to
reconsider creating any Certified Local Government or Landmark Preservation Commission.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
NAME ADDRESS
10.
SOMEONE ONCE CREATED A VERY PROFOUND PHRASE
TO DESCRIBE THE PROPOSED LAW FOR HISTORIC
DISTRICTS IN THE TOWN ON SOUTHOLD:
THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD
INTENTIONS.
THE OVERVIEW (^s i see it)
With all due respect to the decent people in Orient who want to see
this law pass, it's all about money. The Township of Southold will
receive federal grants, or federal monies through the state, for every
new historic district. This money will be used for every other
purpose but the historic district. In essence, the rights of property
owners in Orient--unlike the rest of the township--will be taken
away. The outside of every house in the historic district will be
bascially subject to federal law because of the grants.
Passing of the law will mean an automatic easement of properties
-~::_ ~'thin the historic district. In essence, an easement on your
property without just compensation. Your property physically
invaded by government and third parties.
One law applicable for all, will not apply to residents of historic
districts. A committee will tell you if your roof needs fixing or your
house is subject to be fined because of "detorioration of exterior
walls, chimneys, or stucco." The empty shell of ownership one
private property rights organization called it.
Of course, as I heard one supporter of the law say, "Well, you still
own the inside of your house."
Thanks a lot.
THE TOWN COUNCIL HAS NO AUTHORITY WITHOUT THE
CONSENT OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
The National Historic Preservation Act as amended to 1992, section
101 (a) paragraph 6, plainly states, "If the owner or owners of such
property, or a majority of owners of the properties within the district
in the case of an historic district, shall be given the opporUmity
(including a reasonable period of time) to concur in, or object to the
nomination of the property or district for such inclusion or
designation. If the owner or owners of any privately owned
property, or a majority of the owners of such properties within the
district in the case of an historic district, object to such inclusion or
designation, such property shall not be included on the National
Register or designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Further any historic district designation that exisisted before
1980 is subject to the requirements of this paragraph and that
includes historic designations by any state accepting federal funds.
THE USE OF POLICE POWERS
The use of heavy frees is perhaps the most insidious part of the
law before us. No where in the National Historic Preservation Act are
such extreme measures mentioned.
Basically if enough fines are levied against you, under the police
powers given state and local governments, your property can be
taken away from you for failure to pay the fines.
LITTLE CHANCE OF A DAY IN COURT
Before an injustice against you under the proposed law can be heard
in Federal District Court, property owners must ".exhaust all
administrative remedies." Which means dealing with the local
government and state who've ruled against you in the first place.
According to a Congressional Report, it takes an average of 9 years
for a "Taking Claim" to reach a Federal court. Not to mention the
thousands of dollars it will cost you to get to court.
Because of so many cases throughout the country of private property
rights being taken away by regulations imposed by laws like the
Historic Preservation Law of Southold Town, the House of
Representatives passed the Private Property Rights implementation
Act which allows property owners to bypass local and state
governments. However, the law is currently being tied up in the
Senate.
THE MYTH OF HIGHER PRICES FOR PROPERTY IN
HISTORIC DISTRICTS.
Being part of an historic district means there's an easement against
the outside of your house. You don't own it. The outside of your home
is owned by the local, state, and federal governments. If you owned
it you could do what you wanted with it (within reason).
To quote common law:. Property refers not simply to the underlying
estate but to all the uses that can be made of that estate. And under
the historic designation, you don't own the outside of your home.
While some prospective property owners may like that idea, many
won't. Who wants to deal with a committee telling you what you can
do with the outside of your house?
What's more, the PR baloney going around about prices being higher
for homes in historic districts is not based on qualitative research.
The truth is many real estate associations have been pressing
Congress for tax deductions for residents of historic districts because
they know it will make their job easier.
Simply stated, easements reduce property values.
FINALLY, WHO WANTS MORE REGULATION IN OUR
LIVES?
Do we really want committees telling us their standards are better
than our standards? Checking our homes every season to see if they
pass muster for the new tourist season?
Remember, for every historic district there will be a new bureacracy
to make someone's life in this township miserable.
Earl Carter, PO Box 164, Orient New York 11957
RECEIVED
BAY 2 2 2001
~outhold Towa Cle~
EARL CARTER
1405 VILLAGE LANE
BOX 164
Orient, New York, 11957
Town Council
c/o Town Clerk
Town Hall
Southold New York,
Dear Town Council members,
I'm at a loss to understand how you can legally impose new
regulations on an historic district that was established under a
different set of federal regulations.
Since when can local laws amend federal laws? When the present
historic district was founded in 1976, the current regulations you
intend to impose to receive money from the state, did not exist.
Although the Historic Preservation Act was amended, beginning in
1980, to include grants to the states, they made it very clear that
it would have to be subject to 101 (a) paragraph 6. The reason is
obvious. It was the federal govennents way of amending the act
without interferring with the rights of property owners who did
not agree to the current regulations.
To impose your new regulations, you must have the majority of
Orient residents agreeing to your new standards for an historic
designation.
What's more, your wording like "watershed" changes the boundaries
of the district, and any changes according to federal law must be
printed in the Federal Register.
I suspect you'll just forge ahead, as did the Town Council when the
garbage dump was breaking the law, and do what you want to do.
But you better hire a damn good constitutional lawyer. Because as of
today, .you are not following the rules.
Earl Carter
We have had a number of opportunities to address the board over the past
18 months, for which we are very grateful. Tonight the floor should
belong to others. However, a brief statement is necessary, simply to clari-
fy our position.
We believe that the current draft laws have been carefully crafted to strike
a reasonable balance between the need to respect the property rights of
the individual homeowner on the one hand, and the need to safeguard the
integrity of our historic community on the other. Those who are philo-
sophically opposed to the role of government will find little to cheer
about in these new laws. Likewise those who are continually dismayed
when any historic property is altered or lost will be disappointed that we
haven't gone further. We can all agree that we need to protect what we
currently enjoy, but can we now find the collective will that is required to
go beyond simply talking about it?
A careful reading of the historic preservation law will reveal that it is
indeed extremely limited in scope. The emphasis has been placed on
establishing clearly defined historic districts throughout Southold. The
preservation of contiguous, clearly defined areas within our town, benefits
not just those who choose to live in a historic property but all who live on
or visit the North Fork. This is not a blanket, all encompassing, draconian
attempt to enforce undue hardship on anybody who happens to own an
old home. It is genuinely intended to provide added protection for those
people who value what is so special about Southold.
At the same time there are substantial limits to the law, and it is these lim-
itations that make this law reasonable. Firstly, the law only pertains to the
aspect of a historical property that is visible from the right of way (or in
some instances in New Suffolk and Orient, from the waterfront). That's
all, period. Not the sides, not the back, not the landscaping, not the light
fixtures, sidewalks, fences, steps, paving or other exterior elements. And
not the inside (unless it is a public space), tt doesn't dictate paint colors.
Secondly, the law isn't triggered until the owner applies for a building
permit. Thirdly, the entire review process is limited to twenty-one days,
beginning to end. Fourthly, the members of the Historic Preservation
Commission will be professionally trained, and will have access to the
expertise of many more qualified people throughout the state.
Current town law does not preclude the owner from demolishing the
building and erecting what he or she chooses. In principle, we agree that
the rights ox e owner should be most importm, But it's interesting to
consider the following: The average American lives in slightly more than
six homes in his or her lifetime. Given a life expectancy of, let's say 84
years, that would mean that the average length of ownership is approxi-
mately 14 years. So, we feel that it is important to balance the sanctity of
an individual's property rights on the one hand, versus the relative impor-
tance of preserving the historical integrity of our community. Our current
obsession with property, and the value of real estate as an investment
should not be allowed to diminish the importance of the historical record.
Some Background
Economics
Powerful economic benefits flow to places that stress historic preservation.
It is a simple equation: For every $1 million spent rehabilitating historic
property in New York State, approximately $1.9 million is added to the
local economy.
Statewide 170 municipalities ranging from the village of Oswego to New
York City, have ordinances establishing local landmarks and historic dis-
tricts. Approximately 80,000 individual properties are currently on the
National Register.
Historic preservation can and should be used as a central component of
long-term economic development and planning for our community. Historic
preservation makes good economic sense.
Construction
There is a misconception that historic preservation does not provide as
many jobs as new construction. Since the construction industry is such an
important part of our local economy it is important to understand the
impact of this law on our economy.
In fact, rehabilitation of historic structures is more labor intensive than new
construction. $1million spent on the rehabilitation of a historic building in
New York State, will add $86,000 more to the local household income than
will the same amount spent on new construction.
That same million dollars invested in preservation construction creates five
more construction jobs and three more permanent jobs than does $1million
invested in new construction. Historic preservation is an excellent source of
jobs.
Visitors to ~ Jthold
Travelers who participate in historical and cultural activities are a lucrative
and growing market. Nationwide, 92 million people included a cultural or
historic activity on their trip in 1997-98.
63million adults visited a historic building or site while travelling.
Historical and cultural travelers spend more than others ($688 per trip ver-
sus $367 for other travelers). They also take longer trips and tend to stay in
commercial lodging rather than private homes.
In 1999, statewide travel was $30billion, creating 400,000 jobs, equivalent
to 5% of the private sector workforce.
For a town whose economy is so heavily dependent on the income pro-
duced by visitors to our area, we suggest that we cannot afford to overlook
the importance of historic preservation.
Tax Advantages
Historic preservation creates eligibility for tax credits and other incentives.
In addition to the Tax Exemption for alterations of historic property to be
discussed here tonight, which will provide a ten year abatement in real
estate taxes, there is a pending bill at the state level which is proposed in
Governor Pataki's 2001-2002 State Budget. The program will allow a tax-
payer to take a credit against his or her personal income tax equal to 15%-
25% of the cost of restoring a home designated as a historic property. If the
credit exceeds the taxpayer's tax liability for the year, the excess can be
credited for future years or be taken as a refund. The maximum credit is
$50,000 per residence; the minimum investment is $20,000 reduced to
$5,000 in designated areas of economic distress.
At a federal level, since 1986 the law has provided a 20% tax credit toward
the cost of rehabilitating an income-producing national register-listed build-
ing.
Access to resources and funding
The NYS office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation provided
nearly $9million in 1998 to preservation programs across the state, yielding
$32million in local matches and investment. These funds are being spent in
Saratoga, Coming, in Cooperstown, in short anywhere that a CLG law has
been enacted. Some of those funds can and should be accessed for our own
community.
Between 1996 and 1998 over $1billion in tax credits were approved for pro-
jects by the States preservation office.
Historic Preservation and Local Economy.
The preservation of Southold's historic resources, the places in which we
live and work, should be a central goal for all who seek a healthy economy
for our town. Historic preservation is a lasting form of community develop-
ment that invests in the best of Southold's past for the benefit of the present
and future generations.
If Southold were on the banks of the Mississippi river, would we be arguing
about how much sand to put in the bag, or who was going to pay for the
sand, or what color the bag should be, or how high the dike should be built?
This town board clearly understands that the qualities that make Southold
special, the very reason we all choose to live here, are currently threatened.
Whether it is historic preservation, an increase in the zoning from two to
five acres, protecting the open spaces, supporting the farming community or
developing a comprehensive waterfront revitalization plan, this board is
showing the determination to do what is necessary to protect our most
important resources. They should be commended in their efforts and sup-
ported in their endeavors. We are surrounded by communities that have had
neither the foresight nor the will to tackle the difficult issues, and are now
paying the price.
As a group, the steering committee of the OHDPA, over the past year and a
half, has tried to build consensus in our community for historic preserva-
tion. During the past two weeks, since the publication of the draft law, our
task has become more difficult. However, in our discussions with our neigh-
bors we have received numerous suggestions regarding the proposed laws
that we feel need to be carefully considered. We would like an opportunity
to review these suggestions with the code committee, to see if the initial
draft can be improved. It is important to recognize the anxiety that any new
law naturally creates, and to clearly differentiate between a reasonable con-
cern and a paranoid interpretation.
We believe that some form of historic preservation law will be enacted in
Southold. We would like to encourage all parties to become engaged in
improving the law and making sure that it works for all the residents of our
community, that it is effective, that it is fair, and that it is enforcable.
Conclusion
Saving old buildings and historic neighborhoods is not an abstract idea.
Each structure that is torn down takes with it part of our heritage, our con-
nection to the lives of our neighbors and our families. We are all poorer for
the loss. It is important to increase awareness of the value of the historic
record, and to protect and preserve what is left. When historic buildings are
demolished, the fabric of our town is irreparably damaged.
I would like to close this statement with a riddle given to me by one of the
residents of Orient. How you choose to answer this riddle is determined by
whether or not you have a preservation ethic that is fruitful and vital, or is
futile and easily defeated by the forces of change, rot and decay. It is the
old paradox of the farmer who says he's had the same ax all his life. He's
only changed the head twice, and the handle three times. Is it the same ax'?
OUTLINE NOTES
Standards For The Administration of Local Historic Districts
Southold Town
Reference: The Orient Historical District
A representative sample of houses from the north (beginning) of
Village Lane to Skippers Lane. Two houses on the Main Road opposite
the north end of Village Lane are included. This sample, which is
representative, shows the following time periods of construction:
Pre 1800 - Broad 1:1.%
1800-1850 - 21%
1850-1900 - 41%
Post 1900 - 24%
Post 1950 - 3%
Total; 100%
Architectural Periods:
"Colonial"
1670-1820 (This broad period is used to
refer to dewllings with little or
stylistic pretensions)
Georgian:
Federal:
Greek Revival:
Early Victorian:
20th Century:
World War I][:
1735-1790
1790-1820
1820-1860 (Gothic Revival-Romanesque)
1860-1900 (Victorian Gothic, Stick Style,
Classical and Colonial Revivals, Vernacular
Victorian)
1900-1940 (Bungalow, Period Revivals)
1940-1945 (Bungalow)
Average Renovations Per 100 Years of Age of Dwelling: Two
Brief Discussion of Four Renovations and Constructions within
the proposed Orient District:
The Ne~las House (ca 1860) Renovation
The Poggi House (ca 1880) Reconstruction
The Tupper House (ca 1980) New Construction
The Madigan House (ca 1870) Reconstruction
Standards for Historical Districts will be difficult, if not impossible to
administer, since the various constructions represent five major time
periods and at least seven different architectural periods; they repre-
Good evening. My name is Courtney Bums and I live in the Historic District in Orient. I
am also the Director of the Oysterponds Historical Society and am here tonight on behalf
of that organization to express our enthusiastic endorsement of the proposed legislation
regarding historic preservation and Certified Local Government.
As an Historical Society we are committed of course to the preservation of any form of
material culture ranging from the fragments from local archaeological discoveries, to the
historic artifacts with known provenance and documented histories, to the manuscripts
and photographs that so readily convey their information, speaking directly to us of past
experience. It is our belief that buildings also convey historic information and speak
directly of past experience. Individually and collectively as a group or a district, buildings
provide a context for understanding and appreciating the lives of past residents, and they
directly influence and shape the lives of residents today and in the future. They express
community and its inherent values and they symbolize a continuity of the past and the
present that is eroding steadily in many areas of the country.
I know that much of the argument against preservation centers around concerns for
individual property rights and the argument in favor tends to focus on property values.
However, both of these arguments are somewhat short-sighted, superficial, and
self-serving, and fly in the very face of the meaning of community. We are all endowed
with certain inalienable rights, but citizenship transcends individual autonomy and entails a
complex of interrelationships, responsibilities and collective choices. A principal duty of
government is balancing the rights of the individual with the needs of the community as a
whole. This law does that.
At a time when critics and theorists are bemoaning the deterioration of values, social
relationships, and the loss of regional and local culture through mass consumption and the
transient nature of much of today's society, historic preservation provides stability and can
help us to manage the change in other areas of our life. By preserving the structure ora
community, we can help to preserve that community.
My name is Jay A~,plegate and I am ack~ressing you this
evening in my capacity as a Vice President of Save
Open Spaces Now 2000 Ltd., a tax exempt
organization, dedicated to preserving open space,
historic structures and farmland; preserving the
integrity of our hamlet centers and preventing suburban
sprawl. Given our mission statement, it is not
surprising that we are in favor of stronger legislation
relating to protection of our historic buildings and tax
incentives to encourage restoration and renovation. We
would therefore encourage expeditious passage,
implementation and enforcement of any laws designed
to do this. However, the current draft of the Town
Board's proposed law does not do this. It is inadequate
in several ways which I would like to discuss:
First, by repealing the current law as part of adopting
the new law, the 14-day review period which currently
exists for the Landmark Preservation Commission to
review building permits relating to exterior alteration
to and demolition of an historic building is eliminated.
Therefore, prior to any historic districts or landmarks
being designed under the new law, any building which
is currently designated a landmark in Southold Town
becomes totally unprotected and could be torn down
without any legal ~cstrictions. Thus, what has been
portrayed to be a strengthened law has a problematic
transition period where all protection is eliminated.
Save Open Spaces Now strongly recommends that the
Town Board alter its current proposal to continue the
14-day review period for all currently designated
historic buildings until such time as they are designated
historic under the terms of the new law and are afforded
the increased protection. This would extend the
minimal protection that currently exists as opposed to
eliminating protection altogether. I also wonder why
this meeting was called at all as you, Jean Cochran, sent
out a memo on May 2nd announcing the Reappointment
of selected members of the existing Landmark
Preservation Commission to the new Landmark
Commission. Were you telling them and us that the
passage of this new law was a fete accompli before
tonight's hearing 999999. . . . . .
Secondly, you as taxpayers should know that the new
law as currently drafted does not meet the minimum
requirements under State law to qualify Southold Town
for further receipt of monies under the Local
Waterfront Revitalization Plan. Many of us assumed
that the only reason the Town Board was moving
town attorney whi,.n told you how to accomplish that
without a public referrendum). Since then, you have
allowed the building to fall into disrepair through total
neglect of maintenance and protection. This treatment
of an historic building is a violation of the law which
you are currently proposing. On page 8 of the draft
legislation, it says (and I paraphrase) "No owner shall
permit property to fall into a serious state of
disrepair .... "Given the report on the condition of the
Whitaker House done by James Richter for the Town
Board prior to their purchase of it, it is clear that the
deterioration has occurred on your watch. So you are
asking the owners of historic properties in this town to
be held to a different standard than that to which you
hold yourselves and to standards which we are now
aware are not sufficient to get us monies to which we
would otherwise be entitled under the LWRP? Again, I
ask the Town Board (rhetorically) why?
In addition to the allowed deterioration, at the time of
purchase of the Whitaker House, you were advised by
the New York State Department of Parks, the Society
for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, the
Southold Historical Society and the Town Historian
(again, I have copies of all the correspondence here),
forward to strengtt,en the historic prese,'vation laws was
to continue to qualify for LWRP monies. This law does
not do that. Steve Ridler in State Department told me
yesterday that the Town Board is aware of the
additional provisions needed to qualify but the last draft
of the law had not included these provisions and
without them, the Town will not be eligible to receive
further funding under the LWRP. The Town has
received approximately $400,000 from the LWRP to
date and, if it complies, stands to receive more in the
future. Non-compliance means non-receipt of funds
which means higher taxes. Therefore, those of you who
object to the new law on the grounds of property rights
should be aware that you are therefore voting for higher
taxes. However, that leaves us with the fact that the
proposed law is not strong enough to assure us the
continued eligibility for LWRP funds. I ask the Town
Board (rhetorically of course), why is that?
Thirdly, the recent plans for a new Town Hall
incorporate once again the proposed demolition of the
historic Whitaker House which the Town acquired in
1998 and passed a resolution to demolish (I have a copy
of the resolution where that was done and the
accompanying memorandum written by the former
that this building ~, as of great historic ~ alue and should
not be demolished. There was also a public outcry.
The estimate by Fairweather Brown at the time of
purchase of the Whitaker House to renovate it for use
as an annex to town hall was approximately $250,000
and a recent study by John Collins suggested
approximately the same amount. Again, I ask the Town
Board, why are you proposing to tear it down? An
administration which truly supports historic
preservation would either take the Collins report and
implement it or sell the building to some one who
would restore it, whether or not you had passed a tough
law which would insure its preservation, not let it
deteriorate, threaten to tear it down and/or sponsor a
Halloween haunted house party for which the interior
was defaced.
As a result of your actions, a letter was sent yesterday
to the Secretary of State by our organization which
outlines these developments and expresses to him our
concerns. We stated that in our opinion, given the
above sighted examples, the Town Board has
demonstrated that they are not responsible stewards of
our historic resources and our waterfront and that we
believe that you should no longer be able to exercise
local control or receive funds under the LWRP. We
further suggest to him that your actions in each of these
instances have been highly hypocritical and duplicitous.
We have also sent letters to Ruth Pierpont in the
Department of Parks and Barbara Van Liew of the
Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities
to advise them of your proposal regarding the
demolition of the Whitaker House. It should be noted
that the Department of Parks is involved in reviewing
the Town's eligibility for LWRP funds and we assume
that your proposal to demolish the Whitaker House will
not be viewed favorably in that light. Should you
actually go through with the demolition, you further
diminish the likelihood of gaining their approval.
In conclusion, I would ask that you strengthen the
proposed historic preservation law to meet the State's
requirements and eliminate the loophole to which I
alluded earlier in my remarks in order to truly provide
ongoing protection for our historic buildings and that
you become responsible stewards of all our historic
buildings including those owned by the taxpayers of
Southold Town.
Thank you very m~,ch for your time.
May 21, 2001
Charles T. King and Joann King
27555A Main Rd.
Orient, N.Y., 11957
RECEIVED
IdAY 2 2 2001
Southold Town Clerk
Supervisor Jean Cochran and Members of the Town Board
53095 Main Street
Southold, N.Y., 11971
Dear Supervisor Cochran and Members of the Town Board:
We wish to add our names to the list of homeowners who
are objecting to the Historic Preservation Law, at least in it's
present state.
We think it is incredible that a committee could have the
authority to put restrictions on our property.
Please at least allow the homeowners in the community to
vote on whether or not they desire to have this law.
Very truly yours,
Joann and Charles King
RECEIVED
MAY 2 1 2001
Southold Town ClerL
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Andrade,
975 Navy Street, P.O. Box 147
Orient, N.Y., 11957
May 21, 2001
Supervisor Jean Cochran and Members of Town Board
Southold Town Hall
53095 Main Rd.
Southold, N.Y., 11971
Dear Supervisor Cochran and Members of the Town Board:
We oppose the enactment of the proposed historic preservation
law. We built our home, pay taxes and now are possibly facing a
review board who may come around and tell us what to do with it.
We were initially led to believe by some proponants of this law,
that this committee would be triggered by a request for a building
permit. However, there seems to be nothing in the law that states
that. How in America can a committee tell you what to do with your
home? This should not be forced on anyone who does not want
to be inbluded.
In the section that deals with violations, the teeth are mighty
sharp. In fact, we cannot think of any fines (except in cases where
the health and safety of the general public are at risk), in the local
Court where there are fines as heavy as this.
For an example, supposing that there is an elderly person living
in a house in the historic district, all alone on a very limited budget.
The house falls into minor disrepair because of a lack of funds to maintain
the house. The person may not have the "matching funds" to apply for a
grant and certainly would not have the resources to get a loan.
Certainly this committee will come around and enforce their law.
People should be entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their homes.
We believe in the sanctity of an individual's property rights.
If this law is passed, the "facade" of a home will be just the
beginning. The Town has a Planning Dept., a Building Dept., and a Board of
Appeals. Is this committee going to usurp their powers?
Please at least let this come up for a public referendum. There
is a silent majority who are not in favor of this, and a very vocal
minority who are, and who we are sure will be on this committee.
Please do not disregard the Petition handed in at the local meeting
where 100 signatures were turned in to you, against the law.
Very truly yours,
Barbara and Joseph Andrade, Jr.
May 14, 2001
It is with mncl~ dismay that I sJl here.at my :families' kiI~]teo table contemplating my thought~ to
transcribe to ~he ~rdtten word. Famed statemenm such as. 'It ~s with malice towards nmie and chadw
toward all" ~at I would l~e to keep the spffit of this le~r - how tlmt roms om howex~f is unee~ain, t x~ll
not revise only ~it this d~
I appeared before you-this past Tuegday evening - the issue at hand was and will continue It> be
one ol~th~ most thndarra~mtal rights we cherish ia thi~ great nation of ours, "the right of private ownership
of'property". My fi~ars were fl~at there was going to bo a raking ofproperty and righla that are guaranteed
to each amt every citizen of this c, ommm~dty, t will quote a fei,v Presidents tllmughout this loller. To bogie
Thomas Jefferson valid, "The policy of American government is to leave fl~eir citizens free, neither
reslruinJng nor aidiog them in their pursuits," This present Term Board needs lo take. heed of flutt
philosophy.
Yet, either tmknowingly, uncaringly, or conspirator/ally this Tom Board has allowed a much
more grievous offence to occur. How in Ood*s ~ame could this Town Board allow bnreau~ to
c~fiscate ~bem bet;~cn I ,~00 to 2,000 homes and pro~. ~at's ~t, confiscatel And who did
the~ bareaucra~ ~nfi~ato the fi~ls to do ~th their horses and pro~fly from? Well in lbo words of
Ronald R~gan tt would ~, "Indiddoals each ~th his or her o~m ho~s and dreams, plans and ~lems
a~ lhe kind ofqui~ ~ ~t m~es ~is ~ole ~tmt~ nm bea~ than just abo~ any other pla~
~h." That would be ~fra~ homes a~ businesses where placed on a so called "SPLIA List".
a SPLIA List o~ might ask? Tl~t is a ~ a~n~ Iht, ~e 8~ie~ fo~ tlm Pmae~atioa offing Island
AntiquiOes. Now, Pll pause for an~iquilies an ~nmremlng word "ancient times, middle ag~." Well, 1
would like ~o introdum anyo,* ~o did ibis ~ M~h~melah.
Jus! orte last point that I would like to make. Those signanlres that r presenled to you represent
people who live in wo~darfid homes, Atthe tlme o£oollcetioo I had yello fi~ll¥ understand the impact
of SPLIA, no less how terdbly lacking in Jndco-Chhstian elhics that proposed law is. This is very
gemmn.e a) all of ua anti will effect how we live our lives. Still, I am encouraged that we c~m right this
ship of~tate that has been so suddenly tossed asm~der. For in thq same spirit flint then Gen. Washington
was asked, "Why whom tlte~ emerging Araericans happy and cbnfident in the flare o£war and d~perate
timeT," he replied "The*e is fveexlom, there is spac~ for a man to be alon~ and ll~ink and them are
who owe each other llothing but affection."
Think you tDr reading this and lets work toward a Imtter day~
~9~servativel~
500 Villag~ Lane
Orient, 'NY
Ann Stevenson Colley
1251 Avenue of the Americas, 17~h Floor,
New York, NY 10020
RECEIVED
May 17, 2001
Members of the Town Council
Town Hall
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Town
To whom it may concern:
I was distraught to see that Whitaker House may be tom down. I wanted to appeal to the Town Council
not to tear the house down if it oan possibly be saved. Certainly, a decision should not be made until
the forensic study is complete. Along with open space, we need to preserve historic structures such as
the Whitaker House. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ann Stevenson Colley
MAY-08-2001 19:41
JON A. TURNER, Ph.D.
CONSULTANT
155 EaST 78 STREET
NEW YORK NY ~0021 0482
212.2~.3334
NYU-INFORMATION SYSTEMS
£
2129954228 P.01/01
Fax To: 631 765 1823
May 8, 2001
Jean W. Cochran
Supervisor
Town of Southold
Suffolk County, NY
Dear Supervisor Cochran,
My wife Margaret Helfand and I recently purchased a home in Orient, NY, on Village Lane.
We wanted to express our wholehearted suplma't for the proposed "Historic Preservation
Law" as well as new "Tax Exemptions of Alterations and Rehabilitation of historic property
in the Town of Southold".
I understand that some in the bu$ineas commumty may be oppo*ed to [his proposed law.
Economists refer to a good shared by the community as a 'public good'. Since the marginal
net private benefits of public goods do not usually equal their marginal net social benefits
(termed 'externalities'), some mechanism, other than the market, needs to be employed for
their allocation. The usual approach, in this case, is to place bruits of some sort on private
behavior. This is what the proposed Historic Preservation Law does. Thus, it is conceptually
sound.
Yours since, rely,
Ion A. Turner
Margaret Helfand
information ~ystem. s Strategy mgan[zation development
TDTAL P. 01
PUBLIC HEARING
MAY 8, 20001
7:34 P.M. (9:45 P.M.)
ON THE PROPOSED "LOCAL LAW 1N RELATION TO CHAPTER 85 (TAXATION), ARTICLE
V, TAX EXEMPTION FOR ALTERATIONS AND REHABILITATION OF HISTORICAL
PROPERTY IN THE TOWN OF SOUTHOLD"
Present:
Absent:
Supervisor Jean W. Cochran
Justice Louisa P. Evans
Councilman William D. Moore
Councilman John M. Romanelli
Councilman Craig A. Richter
Town Clerk Elizabeth A. Neville
Town Attorney Gregory A. Yakaboski
Councilman Brian C. Murphy
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We will move on to the next hearing. We are well past 7:34, so I think we
are okay, gang.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: "NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there has been presented to the
Town Board of the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, New York, on the 27th day of March 2001, a
Local law entitled "A Local Law in relation to Chapter 85 (Taxation), Article V, Tax Exemption
for alterations and rehabilitation of historical property in the Town of Southold" and,
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold will hold a
public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at the Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road, Southold,
New York, and hereby sets 7:34 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2001, as the time and place for a public
hearing at which time all interested persons will be heard.
The proposed Local Law in relation to Chapter 85 (Taxation), "Article V, Tax Exemption for
alterations and rehabilitation of historical property in the Town of Southold" which includes the
following:
LOCAL LAW NO. - 2001
A Local Law in relation to Chapter 85 (Taxation), Article V, "Tax Exemption for alterations and
rehabilitation of historical property" in the Town of Southold
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Southold, as follows:
I. Chapter 85 (Taxation)
Article V Tax Exemption for alterations and rehabilitation of historical
property in the Town of Southold
§ 85-10 Exemption for alteration and rehabilitation of historic property.
A. Amount of Exemption.
(1) Historic property shall be exempt from taxation to the extent of any increase in value
attributable to such alteration or rehabilitation pursuant to the following schedule:
§ 85-11 Conditions
Year of Exemption pement of exemption
1 100
2 100
3 100
4 100
5 100
6 80
7 60
8 40
9 20
10 0
No such exemptions shall be granted for such alterations or rehabilitation unless:
A. Such property has been designated as a landmark, or is a property that contributes to the
character of an historic district, created by a local law passed pursuant to section ninety-six-a or
one hundred nineteen-dd of the general municipal law;
B. Alterations or rehabilitation must be made for means of historic preservation;
C. Such alterations or rehabilitation of historic property meet guidelines and review standards in
the local preservation law;
D. Such alteration or rehabilitation of historic property are approved by local preservation
commission prior to commencement of work;
E. Alterations or rehabilitation are commenced subsequent to the effective date of this local law.
§ 85-12 Applications.
A. Such exemption shall be granted only by application of the owner or owners of historic real
property on a form prescribed by the state board. The application shall be filed with the assessor of the
Town of Southold on or before the appropriate taxable status date of the Town of Southold.
B. Such exemption shall be granted where the assessor is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to
an exemption pursuant to Section 444-a of Real Property Tax Law. The assessor shall approve
such application and such property shall thereafter be exempted from taxation and special ad
valorem levies as provided in Section 444-A commencing with the assessment roll prepared on
the basis of the taxable status date referred to in subdivision three of Section 444-a. The
assessed value of any exemption granted pursuant to Section 444-a shall be entered by the
assessor on the assessment roi1 with taxable property, with the mount of the exemption shown
in a separate column.
II Severability.
The provisions of this La~v are severable. In any provision of this local law or its application to any
person or cimumstance is held invalid, said invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application
of this local law which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application of the local law.
III When effective.
This Local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary Of State as provided by
law. By order of the Southold Town Board of the Town of Southold. March 27, 2001. Elizabeth A.
Neville, Southold Town Clerk." This ties into the other one. We have proof of publication at the
Suffolk Times, proof that it was posted on the Town Clerk's Bulletin Board. There is no
correspondence in relation to this, but ties into the Historic Preservation and the ability to get taxes
abatements.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: You have heard the reading of the Local Law for tax abatement in
relation to the Historic Preservation Law. Anyone like to address the Town Board, either pro or con?
JAY APPLEGATE: I support the proposal. My name is Jay Applegate, and I support your proposal.
PETER DEUTSCH: Peter Deutsch. The only concern I have is that we had discussed whether or not it
would be possible to approach the school boards before the law is passed, and I think it is very
important that the impact of the tax abatement is explained fully to all of the school boards, and I
encourage you with the Assessors' Office to work hard on making that presentation as clear and as
informative as possible.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: I appreciate that. Let me just make my thoughts known. I have talked to
Mr. Scott of our Assessors Department with some concerns on the law as it was written unrelated to
the schools. This law would only be abatement on the Town portion. I believe we can tie it into the
County portion as well. We have a cooperative agreement with the County, Town abatement affected
by this, but my thoughts were this. Having heard a variety of comments about the substance about the
actual Historic Preservation Law I felt we might want to have that one cleaned up, fixed up, and if the
Board is going to consider it. To me it is hand and glove. I will speak personally. If we are going to do,
or I mn going to agree to this, it has to include significant tax abatement. I know we want to go out and
make a presentation. You are heating it ahead of time, Mr. Duell, but we have got to draft letter that I
have not sent out yet to go to each school board for us to come out and talk to the school boards, as far
as their interest in participating, because obviously that is a separate elected body, and if they see the
wisdom of this, or the appropriateness of the school district involved by all means. But that is their
decision. I think the Assessors have volunteered to speak with the school boards, and that letter will go
out, but unless you all think it should be different. I thought we ought to deal with the actual substance
of law in Historic Preservation first, so we see what that looks like. A lot of really great comments and
points were raised tonight. People read very. carefully, and I appreciate all the input, so we would clean
that first, and then go out to the school boards.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else? Bob Scott.
BOB SCOTT: Bob Scott from the Assessors Office. We would be happy to go to the school boards.
That is not a problem. We have always offered that right from the very beginning. As far as this
specific law is concerned, the exemption law, I have made my questions to the Town Board and in
particular Bill Moore, and some of the others. We do want a clear understanding of which properties
are the ones that would qualified for the exemptions, whether it is just the ones mentioned under the
certified local government, or whether it would be the ones that are the SPEA list, or the National
Registrar, or whatever, and we need to have something that would be coming from the Town Board to
show us that, because it is sort of like a veterans exemption where if somebody is a veteran in Orient,
and there is one in Mattituck, and one in the Greenport Historical District, and the people in Orient are
qualified and have a historical home, but the one in Mattituck isn't on that list, or the one in Greenport
isn't on that list, according to the real property tax laws we feel we would have to give it to all three of
them, unless it is specifically designated by the Town Board otherwise. We just want a clarification.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thanks, Bob.
LINTON DUELL: Linton Duell. I am on the school board from Oysterponds, but since it is not in
session 1 am only speaking for myself. When you go to the tax exemption portion of this law comes
after 56, I think you better think about why you are giving exemptions to people who have put down
$400,000, and $500,000 for a house? People who have the wherewithal to buy any house in Orient
Village Lane most of them have the money to do the extensive repairs on their own. What you are
going to do is take a tax exemption, give it to somebody who is extremely wealthy, and you are going
to make the rest of the town pay the difference. I think you should consider that. When you draft the
law or after you critique this first law, and you come to the school boards, please, tell us where the
money is going to come from, and who is going to pay for the tax exemptions? It is going to be the
guys making $40,000 a year? Is it going to be the person making $30,000 a year? Or is it going to be
the person making $400,000 a year, or a $100,000,000 a year? We have all those types of people in
the hamlet of Orient, and in the Oyster Ponds School District, East Marion and Orient. I think you had
better consider that, because it is just going to effect a lot more people than the hundred houses on
Village Lane. Eventually this affect the entire town of Southold, that includes Fishers Island, too, a
very wealthy area. Do they need tax exemptions on their historic houses?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you, sir. Alex?
ALEX WIPF: Jean, if I am not mistaken this would only affect about 6% of the housing stock in
Southold. Is that an accurate statistic? I am talking about historic houses. There only comprise about
6%.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Bob, you would know better that I would.
BOB SCOTT: I understand there is 1,200.
JOHN GREENE: Just as a point of clarification that you might want me to stand up. Legally right
everything right now on the SPLEA list is covered by the law. Voluntary, whether you want it or not, it
is not an issue. I think Mr. Yakaboski clarified that in the law. Being a volunteer under the present law
that it is voluntary. The SPLEA list the last time we did an update understand that Barbara Brown did
in 1986 and 87, there were about 1,200 properties. We tried to update it last summer. There were
significantly fewer. I believe there are 20,000 taxable parcels.
BOB SCOTT: There are surprisingly 18,400 parcels all together.
JOHN GREENE: At this point there are probably a thousand on the SPLEA inventory. Five pement
would be a lot.
ALEX WIPF: Also, ifI am not mistaken it is a tax abatement, isn't it? Because what happens is after
the period of incentive is over it is in fact is fully taxed at the reevaluated price. So, in the long run you
not only get a preserved historic dwelling, and there are many people other than the people on Village
Lane, who might take advantage of this, people who really do need the monies that are offered in tax
abatements. I know you will keep in mind that in the long run the property will be worth much and the
taxes will flow into the school boards with greater revenue than they do now. Thank you.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: I just want to make two points. It is a phased in, or phased out, exemption
as proposed. It comes right out of the State Real Property Tax Law as this is what we are authorized to
grant. I will speak personally. My thought was if you are going to put someone through historic
preservation and the perceived or actual difficulties of it make it worth their while. Go ahead and
consider the economic wherewithal individual. I understand Mr. Duell's point. Yes, the school district
if they chose to participate. Let's forget the town for example. They say, hey, we think this is a great
idea, and we support historic preservation, and we support the tax abatement, the tax relates to the
enhance value associated with the renovations that are being done.
ALEX WIPF: So it will be worth more eventually.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: So, I look at this as an annuity. We encourage someone to make a
renovation, or a restoration, or an improvement, and yes, after five years it will kick in. For the first
five years you don't see it, but it is out there to be obtained.
ALEX WIPF: You will get it. You will get your money.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: It is two sides of the same coin, and I understand the point that you are
making.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Jim, I am going to finish with you, and then I am going to move along,
and you will have the opportunity. I am leaving it open. You will have the opportunity two more weeks
of input if you go home, and think of something else, please, send it by mail, because I would like to
get the people that are waiting for the next hearing.
JAMES GRATHWOHL: Bill's clarification I think just helped a lot, but my point is, with the Federal
tax credits, and the State tax credits, if the local school board, or whatever it is, decides not to give the
abatement I think those other benefits on both the Federal level and the State level will more than
compensate. So, I would not trash the law if you could get that one incentive. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Okay. I am going to move along. Please, as I say if you think of anything
else that is good input send it to my office, and it will become a part of tonight's hearing.
Southold Town Clerk
ther~ has. been presented to
Town Boar~l of the Town of
Southold, Suffolk County, New York,
on the 27th day of Match 2001, a
Loc~ Law Chi/tied "A Locd Law k
that th~ Town Board of th~ To~a of
Southold ~ hold a public
on the ~e~ald Loc~ Law at th~
$ou~ Town ~ ~3095 Main ·
Road, ,~outhold. New York, md
he. rely ~els ?:34p. m., T~ 1)~
K ~1, an tho thno a~d'lti~e for a
Publi~ h~rlng at whl~ timo all tn2r.
Th~ [m~d La~l Lmv h Ma.
LOCXL LAW NO~ __
..Lo~_~ ~ in r~hfion to
- Uoetct of lh~ ~Vn of SoWtho~. a~
follows~
' il) ~lY~c pr~ sh~l be
eanmFt fi~m taxatiett to the eztem of
any increase in valne att~hut~ble to
aunt to the foEowing schedule:
Year of percent of
I 100
2 100
3 100
4 100
$ [00
6 ~0
? 6O
8 4O
9 2O
10 0
~ ~ s~ ~ ~ l~s
~,~tof~
~ of~w ~ ~v~-
~. ~my ~sbn offs 1~ hw ~
i~ ~ ~ ~y ~ or c~um.
~ ~ ~ ~y ~ ~on ~
'~ ~s 1~ law ~ch c~
~ly u~n filing with ~e
~ ~ ~ ~ by law
BY O~ER OF ~
~O~ ~ BO~
OF ~ ~ OF SO--OLD,
~ 27, ~1
ELI~E~ A. ~LLE
~O~ TO~ ~ERK
I835-1TA$
STATE OF NEW YORK)
)SS:
%~OUNTY OF SUFFOLK)
C)~ of Mattituck, in said
county, bein~ duly sworn, says that he/she is Principal
clerk of THE SUFFOLK TIMES, a weekly newspaper, pub-
' lished at Mattituck, in the Town of Southold, County of
Suffolk and State of New York, and that the Notice of which
the annexed is a pfintad copy, has been regularly pub-
lished in said Newspaper once each week
for J weeks successive_ly, commencing
on the ~ day
of
Sworn to before me this
day of ~ ¢~ 20
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there has been presented to the Town Board
of the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, New York, on the 27th day of March 2001, a
Local law entitled "A Local Law in relation to Chapter 85 {Taxation), Article V, Tax
Exemption for alterations and rehabilitation of historical property in the Town of
Sonthold" and,
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold
will hold a public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at the Southold Town Hall, 53095
Main Road, Southold, New York, and hereby sets 7:34 I>.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2001, as
the time and place for a public hearing at which time all interested persons will be heard.
The proposed Local Law in relation to Chapter 85 (Taxation), "Article V, Tax
Exemption for alterations and rehabilitation of historical property in the Town of
Southold" which includes the following:
LOCAL LAW NO. -2001
A Local Law in relation to Chapter 85 (Taxation), Article V, "Tax Exemption for
alterations and rehabilitation of historical property" in the Town of Southold
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town o£ Southold, as follows:
I. Chapter 85 (Taxation)
Article V Tax Exemption for alterations and rehabilitation of historical
property in the Town of Southold
§ 85-10 Exemption for alteration and rehabilitation of historic property.
A. Amount of Exemption.
(1) Historic property shall be exempt from taxation to the extent of any
increase in value attributable to such alteration or rehabilitation pursuant
to the following schedule:
Year of Exemption percent of exemption
1 100
2 100
3 100
4 100
5 100
6 80
7 60
8 40
9 20
10 0
§ 85-11 Conditions
No such exemptions shall be granted for such alterations or rehabilitation unless:
A. Such property has been designated as a landmark, or is a property that contributes
to the character of an historic district, created by a local law passed pursuant to
section ninety-six-a or one hundred nineteen-dd of the general municipal law;
B. Alterations or rehabilitation must be made for means of historic preservation;
C. Such alterations or rehabilitation of historic property meet guidelines and review
standards in the local preservation law;
D. Such alteration or rehabilitation of historic property are approved by local
preservation commission prior to commencement of work;
E. Alterations or rehabilitation are commenced subsequent to the effective date of
this local law.
§ 85-12 Applications.
A. Such exemption shall be granted only by application of the owner or owners of
historic real property on a form prescribed by the state board. The application shall be
filed with the assessor of the Town of Southold on or before the appropriate taxable
status date of the Town of Southold.
Such exemption shall be granted where the assessor is satisfied that the applicant
is entitled to an exemption pursuant to Section 444-a of Real Property Tax Law.
The assessor shall approve such application and such property shall thereafter be
exempted from taxation and special ad valorem levies as provided in Section 444-
A commencing with the assessment roll prepared on the basis of the taxable status
date referred to in subdivision three of Section 444-a. The assessed value of any
exemption granted pursuant to Section 444-a shall be entered by the assessor on
the assessment roll with taxable property, with the amount of the exemption
shown in a separate column.
II Severability.
The provisions of this Law are severable. In any provision of this local law or its
application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, said invalidity shall not affect
any other provision or application of this local law which can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application of the local law.
III When effective.
This Local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary Of State as
provided by law.
BY ORDER OF THE SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF SOUTHOLD,
MARCH 27, 2001.
ELIZABETH A. NEVILLE
SOUTHOLD TOWN CLERK
PLEASE PUBLISH ON APRIL 5, 2001, AND FORWARD ONE (1) AFFIDAVIT OF
PUBLICATION TO ELIZABETH NEVILLE, TOWN CLERK, TOWN HALL, PO
BOX 1179, SOUTHOLD, NY 11971.
Copies to the following:
The Suffolk Times
Town Board Members
Town Attorney
Tax Assessors
Landmark Preservation Commission
John Cushman, Comptroller
Town Clerk's Bulletin Board
2
STATE OF NEW YORK )
SS:
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK)
ELIZABETH A. NEVILLE, Town Clerk of the Town of Southold, New York being
duly sworn, says that on the 29TM day of March ,2001, she affixed a
notice of which the annexed printed notice is a true copy, in a proper and substantial
manner, in a most public place in the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, New York, to
wit: Town Clerk's Bulletin Board, 53095 Main Road, Southold, New York.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEAR1NG:
Local Law in relation to Chapter 85 (Taxation),
"Article V, Tax Exemption for alterations and
rehabilitation of historical property in the Town
of Southold
May 8, 2001, 7:34 pm
Southold Town Clerk
Swom before me this
~cl'r~ dayof ~"~.. , 2001.
LYNDA M. BOHN
NOTARY PUBLIC, State of New York
No. 01BO6020932
Oualified in Suffolk County
Term Expires March 8, 20~=,
ELIZABETH A. NEVILLE
TOWN CLERK
REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS
MARRIAGE OFFICER
RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971
Fax (631) 765-6145
Telephone (631) 765-1800
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION NO. 294 OF 2001
WAS ADOPTED AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
ON MARCH 27, 2001:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there has been presented to the Town Board of the
Town of Southold, Suffolk County, New York, on the 27th day of March 2001, a Local law
entitled "A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of Southold"
and,
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold will
hold a public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at the Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road,
Southold, New York, and hereby sets 7:32 I~.m., Tuesdaw May 8, 2001, as the time and I~lace
for a Imblic hearin8 at which time all interested persons will be heard.
The proposed "A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of
Southold" which includes the following:
LOCAL LAW NO. -2001
A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of Southold
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Sonthold as follows:
Chapter 56 of the Code of the Town of Southold, designated Landmark Preservation and
originally adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Southold on January 18, 1983, as Local
Law 1 of 1983, is hereby repealed in its entirety and the following Historic Preservation Law, to
be known as Chapter 56 of the Code of the Town of Southold, be and hereby is enacted in its
place and stead:
Section 56-1 Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Historic Preservation Law of Southold
Town".
Section 56-2 Purpose
The Town Board hereby declares as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement,
and perpetuation of landmarks and historic districts is necessary to promote the economic,
cultural, educational, and general welfare of the public. Inasmuch as the identity of a people is
founded on its past, and inasmuch as Southold Town has many significant historic, architectural,
and cultural resources which constitute its heritage, this act is intended to:
(a) protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts which represent distinctive
elements of Southold's historic, architectural, and cultural heritage;
(b) foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;
(c) protect and enhance Southold's attractiveness to visitors and the support and stimulus
to the economy hereby provided; and
(d) insure the harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth and development of the town.
Section 56-3 Historic Preservation Commission
There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Town of Southold Historic
Preservation Commission.
(a) The commission shall consist of 7 members to be appointed, to the extent available in
the community, by the Town Board as follows:
At least one shall be an architect experienced in working with historic buildings;
At least one shall be a resident of an historic district
At least one shall have demonstrated significant interest in and commitment to the
field of historic preservation evidenced by either involvement in a local historic
preservation group, employment or voluntary activity in the field of historic
preservation, or other serious interest in the field; and
All members shall have a known interest in historic preservation and architectural
development within the Town of Southold.
(b) Commission members shall serve for a term of four years, with the exception of the
initial term of one of the members which shall be for one year, two which shall he for
two years, and two which shall be for three years. (see attached schedule A)
(c) The chair and the vice chair of the commission shall be elected by and from among
the members of the commission.
(d) The powers of the commission shall include:
(i) employment of staff and professional consultants as necessary to carry out
the duties of the commission;
(ii) promulgation of rules and regulations as necessary for the conduct of its
business
(iii) adoption of criteria for the delineation of historic district
(iv) conduct of surveys of significant historic, architectural, and cultural
landmarks and historic district within the town;
(v) designation recommendations of identified structures or resources as
historic districts and landmarks;
(vi) acceptance on behalf of the town government of the donation of facade
easements and development rights, and the making of recommendations to
the town government concerning the acquisition of facade easements or
other interests of real property as necessary to carry out the purposes of
this act;
(vii) increasing public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and
architectural preservation by developing and participating in public
education programs; making recommendations to town government
concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and historic districts within the town;
(viii) recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the town
government where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act
and where private preservation is not feasible; and
(ix) approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of appropriateness
pursuant to this act.
(e)
The commission shall meet at least monthly, but meeting may be held at any time on
the written request of any two of the commission members or on the call of the chair
or the supervisor.
(f)
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of 4 of the commission's
members, but not less than a majority of the full authorized membership may grant or
deny a certificate of appropriateness.
(g) All members shall attend and complete relevant training programs as the Town Board
may require.
Section 56-4 Historic District Review Board
The Town Board, upon the recommendation of the commission, shall establish a review board
for each approved historic district.
The review board shall consist of 3 members to be appointed, to the extent available in the
community, from a list provided by local historic district preservation organization.
(a) Review Board members shall serve for a term of four years, with the exception of the
initial term of one of the members which shall be for two years. (see attached
schedule B)
(b) The duties of the review board shall include:
(i) adoption of criteria for appropriateness for all landmarks and structures
within the local historic district;
(ii) making recommendations to the Historic Preservation Commission
concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and structures within the local historic district;
(iii) recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the town
government where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act
and where private preservation is not feasible; and
(iv) recommending approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of
appropriateness pursuant to this act.
Section 56-5 Designation of Historic Districts or Landmarks
(a) The commission may recommend a group of properties as a historic district to the
Town Board for designation if the group:
(i) contains properties which meet one or more of the criteria for designation
as a landmark; and
(ii) by reason of possessing such qualities, constitutes a distinct section of the
town.
(b) The commission may recommend to the Town Board the designation of an individual
property as a landmark if it:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
possesses special characteristics or historic or aesthetic interest or value as
part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the locality,
region, state, or nation; or
is identified with historic personages; or
embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style; or
is the work of a designer whose work has significantly influenced an age;
or
because of its unique location or singular physical characteristic,
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood.
(c) The commission may recommend to the Town Board the recognition of a historic
district that has been so designated by the state or federal government.
The boundaries of each historic district designated henceforth shall be specified in detail and
shall be filed, in writing, in the town clerk's office for public inspection.
(d) Notice of a proposed designation shall be sent by registered mail to the owner of the
property proposed for designation, describing the property and announcing a public
hearing by the commission to consider the designation. Notice of a proposed designation
shall also be by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation at least 14
days prior to the date of the public hearing. Once the commission has issued notice of a
proposed designation, no building permits for construction or demolition shall be issued
by the building inspector until the Town Board has made its decision.
(e) The commission shall hold a public heating prior to designation of any landmark or
historic district. The commission, owners, and any interested parties may present
testimony or documentary evidence at the hearing which will become part of a record
regarding the historic, architectural, or cultural importance of the proposed landmark or
historic district. The record may also contain staff reports, public comments, or other
evidence offered outside of the heating.
(f) The commission shall forward notice of each property designation as a landmark and
the boundaries of each designated historic district to the office of the Southold Town
Clerk for recordation.
Section 56-6 Certificate of Appropriateness for Alteration, Demolition or New
Construction Affecting Historic Districts or Landmarks
No person shall cmry out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new
construction, or moving of a landmark or property which faces a public right of way within a
historic district, nor shall any person make any material change in the appearance of such
property without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness from the historic preservation
commission.
(a) In the specific case where the property or landmark is located on the waterfront, the
watershed is considered a public right of way and the aspect of the property or
landmark visible from the watershed is subject to the aforementioned requirement.
(b) In the specific case where the property or landmark is located on a comer, all aspects
of the property or landmark visible from the public right of way are subject to the
aforementioned requirement to obtain a certificate of appropriateness before carrying
out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new construction,
or moving of the landmark or property.
Section 56-7
Criteria for Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness
(a) In passing upon an application for a certificate of appropriateness, the historic preservation
commission shall not consider changes to interior spaces, unless they are open to the public.
The commission's decision shall be based on the following principles:
(i) properties which contribute to the character if the historic district shall be
retained, with their historic features altered as little as possible.
(ii) Any alteration of existing properties shall be compatible with its historical
character, as well as with the surrounding district; and
(iii)New construction shall be compatible with the district in which it is located.
(b) In applying the principle of compatibility, the commission shall consider the following
factors:
(i) the general design, character, and appropriateness to the property of the proposed
alteration or new construction;
(ii) the scale or proposed alteration or new construction in relation to the property
itself, surrounding properties, and the neighborhood;
(iii)materials and their relation to similar features of other properties in the
neighborhood;
(iv)visual compatibility with surrounding properties, including proportion of the
property's front faqade, proportion and arrangement of windows and other
openings with the faCade, roof shape, and the rhythm of spacing of properties on
streets, including setbacks; and
(v) the importance of historic, architectural, or other features to the significance of the
property.
Section 56-8
Certificate of Appropriateness Application Procedure
(a) Prior to the commencement of any work requiring a certificate of appropriateness, the owner
shall file an application for such a certificate with the historic preservation commission. The
application shall contain:
(i) name, address, and telephone number of applicant;
(ii) location of property and photographs of the property;
(iii) elevation drawings of proposed changes, if available,
(iv) perspective drawings, including relationship to adjacent properties, if available;
(v) samples of materials to be used;
(vi) where the proposal includes signs or lettering, a scale drawing showing the type
of lettering to be used, all dimensions and colors, a description of materials to be
used, method of illumination, and a plan showing the signs location on the
property; and
(vii) any other information which the commission may deem necessary in order to
visualize the proposed work.
(b) No building permit for construction or demolition shall be issued for such proposed work
until a certificate of appropriateness has first been issued by the historic preservation
commission. The certificate of appropriateness required by this act shall be in addition to and
not in lieu of any building permit that may be required by any other ordinance of the Town of
Southold.
(c)
The commission shall approve, deny, or approve the permit with modifications within 21
days from receipt of the completed application. If there has been no notification of approval,
denial or approval with modifications, by the end of the 21st day, said permit shall be deemed
approved. The commission may hold a public hearing on the application at which an
o.pportunity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their
views.
(d) All decisions of the commission shall be in writing. A copy shall be sent to the applicant by
registered mail and a copy filed with the town clerk's office for public inspection. The
commission's decision shall state the reason for denying or modifying any application.
(e) Certificates of appropriateness shall be valid for 18 months, after which time the owner must
reapply if he/she still wishes to undertake work on the property.
Section 56-9
Demolition Hardship Criteria
(a) An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed demolition has been denied
may apply for relief on the ground of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship,
the applicant shall establish that:
(i) the property is incapable if earning a reasonable return, regardless of whether the
return represents the most profitable return possible;
(ii) the property cannot be adapted for any other use, whether by the current owner or by
a purchaser, which would result in a reasonable return; and
(iii) efforts to find a purchaser interested in acquiring the property and preserving it have
failed.
Section 56-10 Alteration Hardship Criteria
An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed alteration has been denied may
apply for relief on the ground of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship, the
applicant shall establish that the property in incapable of earning a profitable return, regardless of
whether that return represents the most profitable return possible.
Section 56-11 Hardship Application Procedure
(a) After receiving written notification from the commission of the denial ora certificate of
appropriateness, an applicant my commence the hardship process. No building permit or
demolition permit shall be issued unless the commission makes a finding that a hardship
exists.
(b) The commission may hold a public hearing on the hardship application at which an
opportunity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their
views.
(c) The applicant shall consult in good faith with the commission, local preservation groups, and
interested parties in a diligent effort to seek an alternative that will result in the preservation
of the property.
(d) All decisions of the commission shall be in writing. A copy shall be sent to the applicant by
registered mail and a copy filed with the town clerk's office for public inspection. The
commission's decision shall state the reasons for granting or denying the hardship
application. If the application is granted, the commission shall approve only such work as is
necessary to alleviate the hardship.
Section 56-12 Enforcement
All work performed pursuant to a certificate of appropriateness issued under this ordinance shall
conform to any requirements included herein. It shall be the duty of the building code
enforcement officer to periodically inspect any such work to assure compliance. In the event
work is found that is not being performed in accordance with the certificate of appropriateness,
or upon notification of such fact by the historic preservation commission, the building code
enforcement officer shall issue a stop work order and all work shall immediately cease. No
further work shall be undertaken on the project as long as a stop work order is in effect.
Section 56-13 Maintenance and Repair required
Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of
any exterior architectural feature of a landmark or property within a historic district which does
not involve a change in design, material, or outward appearance. No owner or person with an
interest in real property designated as a landmark or included within an historic district shall
permit the property to fall into a serious state of disrepair which would result in the deterioration
of any exterior architecture; feature which would, in the judgment of the historic preservation
commission, produce a detrimental effect upon the character of the historic district as a whole or
the life and character of the property itself. Examples of such deterioration include:
(a) deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical supports;
(b) deterioration of roofs or other horizontal members;
(c) deterioration of exterior chimneys;
(d) deterioration or crumbling of exterior stucco or mortar;
(e) ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, or foundations, including broken
windows or doors; and
(f) deterioration of any feature so as to create a hazardous condition which could lead to the
claim that demolition is necessary for the public safety.
Section 56-14 Violations
(a) Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed a violation
and the violator shall be liable to a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1000 for
each day the violation continues.
(b) Any person who demolishes, alters, constructs, or permits a designated property to fall
into a serious state of disrepair in violation of this ordinance shall be required to restore
the property and its site to its appearance prior to the violation. Any action to enforce this
subsection shall be brought by the town attorney. This civil remedy shall be in addition to
an not in lieu of any criminal prosecution and penalty.
Section 56-15 Appeals
Any person aggrieved by a designation decision by the Town Board or a decision of the historic
preservation commission relating to a hardship or a certificate of appropriateness may, within 45
days of the decision, file a written application with the Town Board for review of the decision.
Reviews shall be conducted and based on the same record that was before the Town Board or
commission and using the same criteria.
Section 56-16 Severability.
The provisions of this Law are severable. In any provision of this local law or its application to
any person or cimumstance is held invalid, said invalidity shall not affect any other provision or
application of this local law which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application of the local law.
Section 56-17 When effective.
This Local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary Of State as provided
by law.
Attachment A
Historic Preservation Commission
7 Members, 4 year appointment, town wide.
Year New Members
1 7
2 1 6
3 2 4+1
4 2 2+1+2
5 2 1+2+2
6 1 2+2+2
7 Repe~
Old Members
Attachment B
Historic District Review Board
3 Members, 4 year appointment, specific to historic district
Year New Members
1 3
2 3
3 1 2
4 2+1
5 2 1
6 1+2
7 Repeat
Old Members
Elizabeth A. Neville
Southold Town Clerk
RESOLUTION
MARCH 27, 2001
V - 294
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of
Southold, Suffolk County, New York, on the 27th day of March 2001, a Local law entitled "A
LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of Southold" and,
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold will
hold a public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at the Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road,
Southold, New York, and hereby sets 7:30 Ixm., Tuesday, May 8, 2001, as the time and Iflace
for a public hearim, at which time all interested persons will be heard.
The proposed "A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of
Southold" which includes the following:
LOCAL LAW NO. -2001
A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of Southold
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Southold as follows:
Chapter 56 of the Code of the Town of Southold, designated Landmark Preservation and
originally adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Southold on January 18, 1983, as Local
Law 1 of 1983, is hereby repealed in its entirety and the following Historic Preservation Law, to
be known as Chapter 56 of the Code of the Town of Southold, be and hereby is enacted in its
place and stead:
Section 56-1 Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Historic Preservation Law of Southold
Town".
Section 56-2 Purpose
The Town Board hereby declares as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement,
and perpetuation of landmarks and historic districts is necessary to promote the economic,
cultural, educational, and general welfare of the public. Inasmuch as the identity of a people is
founded on its past, and inasmuch as Southold Town has many significant historic, architectural,
and cultural resoumes which constitute its heritage, this act is intended to:
(a) protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts which represent distinctive
elements of Southold's historic, architectural, and cultural heritage;
(b) foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;
(c) protect and enhance Southold's attractiveness to visitors and the support and stimulus
to the economy hereby provided; and
(d) insure the harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth and development of the town.
Section 56-3 Historic Preservation Commission
There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Town of Southold Historic
Preservation Commission.
(a) The commission shall consist of 7 members to be appointed, to the extent available in
the community, by the Town Board as follows:
At least one shall be an architect experienced in working with historic buildings;
At least one shall be a resident of an historic district
At least one shall have demonstrated significant interest in and commitment to the
field of historic preservation evidenced by either involvement in a local historic
preservation group, employment or voluntary activity in the field of historic
preservation, or other serious interest in the field; and
All members shall have a known interest in historic preservation and architectural
development within the Town of Southold.
Co)
Commission members shall serve for a term of four years, with the exception of the
initial term of one of the members which shall be for one year, two which shall be for
two years, and two which shall be for three years. (see attached schedule A)
(c) The chair and the vice chair of the commission shall be elected by and from among
the members of the commission.
(d) The powers of the commission shall include:
(i) employment of staff and professional consultants as necessary to carry out
the duties of the commission;
(ii) promulgation of roles and regulations as necessary for the conduct of its
business
(iii) adoption of criteria for the delineation of historic district
(iv) conduct of surveys of significant historic, architectural, and cultural
landmarks and historic district within the town;
(v) designation recommendations of identified structures or resources as
historic districts and landmarks;
(vi) acceptance on behalf of the town government of the donation of faCade
easements and development rights, and the making of recommendations to
the town government concerning the acquisition of faCade easements or
other interests of real property as necessary to carry out the purposes of
this act;
(vii) increasing public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and
architectural preservation by developing and participating in public
education programs; making recommendations to town government
2
concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and historic districts within the town;
(viii) recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the town
government where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act
and where private preservation is not feasible; and
(ix) approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of appropriateness
pursuant to this act.
(e)
The commission shall meet at least monthly, but meeting may be held at any time on
the written request of any two of the commission members or on the call of the chair
or the supervisor.
(f)
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of 4 of the commission's
members, but not less than a majority of the full authorized membership may grant or
deny a certificate of appropriateness.
(g) All members shall attend and complete relevant training programs as the Town Board
may require.
Section 56-4 Historic District Review Board
The Town Board, upon the recommendation of the commission, shall establish a review board
for each approved historic district.
The review board shall consist of 3 members to be appointed, to the extent available in the
community, from a list provided by local historic district preservation organization.
(a) Review Board members shall serve for a term of four years, with the exception of the
initial term of one of the members which shall be for two years. (see attached
schedule B)
(b) The duties of the review board shall include:
(i) adoption of criteria for appropriateness for all landmarks and structures
within the local historic district;
(ii) making recommendations to the Historic Preservation Commission
concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and structures within the local historic district;
(iii) recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the town
government where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act
and where private preservation is not feasible; and
(iv) recommending approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of
appropriateness pursuant to this act.
Section 56-5 Designation of Historic Districts or Landmarks
(a) The commission may recommend a group of properties as a historic district to the
Town Board for designation if the group:
3
(i)
(ii)
contains properties which meet one or more of the criteria for designation
as a landmark; and
by reason of possessing such qualities, constitutes a distinct section of the
town.
(b) The commission may recommend to the Town Board the designation of an individual
property as a landmark if it:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
possesses special characteristics or historic or aesthetic interest or value as
part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the locality,
region, state, or nation; or
is identified with historic personages; or
embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style; or
is the work of a designer whose work has significantly influenced an age;
or
because of its unique location or singular physical characteristic,
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood.
(c) The commission may recommend to the Town Board the recognition of a historic
district that has been so designated by the state or federal government.
The boundaries of each historic district designated henceforth shall be specified in detail and
shall be filed, in writing, in the town clerk's office for public inspection.
(d) Notice of a proposed designation shall be sent by registered mail to the owner of the
property proposed for designation, describing the property and announcing a public
hearing by the commission to consider the designation. Notice of a proposed designation
shall also be by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation at least 14
days prior to the date of the public heating. Once the commission has issued notice of a
proposed designation, no building permits for construction or demolition shall be issued
by the building inspector until the Town Board has made its decision.
(e) The commission shall hold a public hearing prior to designation of any landmark or
historic district. The commission, owners, and any interested paIties may present
testimony or documentary evidence at the hearing which will become part of a record
regarding the historic, architectural, or cultural importance of the proposed landmark or
historic district. The record may also contain staffreports, public comments, or other
evidence offered outside of the hearing.
(f) The commission shall forward notice of each property designation as a landmark and
the boundaries of each designated historic district to the office of the Southold Town
Clerk for recordation.
4
Section 56-6 Certificate of Appropriateness for Alteration, Demolition or New
Construction Affecting Historic Districts or Landmarks
No person shall can'y out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new
construction, or moving of a landmark or property which faces a public right of way within a
historic district, nor shall any person make any material change in the appearance of such
property without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness from the historic preservation
commission.
(a)
(b)
In the specific case where the property or landmark is located on the waterfront, the
watershed is considered a public right of way and the aspect of the property or
landmark visible from the watershed is subject to the aforementioned requirement.
In the specific case where the property or landmark is located on a comer, all aspects
of the property or landmark visible from the public right of way are subject to the
aforementioned requirement to obtain a certificate of appropriateness before carrying
out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new construction,
or moving of the landmark or property.
Section 56-7
Criteria for Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness
(a) In passing upon an application for a certificate of appropriateness, the historic preservation
conunission shall not consider changes to interior spaces, unless they are open to the public.
The commission's decision shall be based on the following principles:
(i) properties which contribute to the character if the historic district shall be
retained, with their historic features altered as little as possible.
(ii) Any alteration of existing properties shall be compatible with its historical
character, as well as with the surrounding district; and
(iii)New construction shall be compatible with the district in which it is located.
(b) In applying the principle of compatibility, the commission shall consider the following
factors:
(i) the general design, character, and appropriateness to the property of the proposed
alteration or new construction;
(ii) the scale or proposed alteration or new construction in relation to the property
itself, surrounding properties, and the neighborhood;
(iii)materials and their relation to similar features of other properties in the
neighborhood;
(iv)visual compatibility with surrounding properties, including proportion of the
property's front faCade, proportion and arrangement of windows and other
openings with the fagade, roof shape, and the rhythm of spacing of properties on
streets, including setbacks; and
(v) the importance of historic, architectural, or other features to the significance of the
property.
5
Section 56-8
Certificate of Appropriateness Application Procedure
(a) Prior to the commencement of any work requiring a certificate of appropriateness, the owner
shall file an application for such a certificate with the historic preservation commission. The
application shall contain:
(i) name, address, and telephone number of applicant;
(ii) location of property and photographs of the property;
(iii) elevation drawings of proposed changes, if available,
(iv) perspective drawings, including relationship to adjacent properties, if available;
(v) samples of materials to be used;
(vi) where the proposal includes signs or lettering, a scale drawing showing the type
of lettering to be used, all dimensions and colors, a description of materials to be
used, method of illumination, and a plan showing the signs location on the
property; and
(vii) any other information which the commission may deem necessary in order to
visualize the proposed work.
(b) No building permit for construction or demolition shall be issued for such proposed work
until a certificate of appropriateness has first been issued by the historic preservation
commission. The certificate of appropriateness required by this act shall be in addition to and
not in lieu of any building permit that may be required by any other ordinance of the Town of
Southold.
(c)
The commission shall approve, deny, or approve the permit with modifications within 21
days from receipt of the completed application. If there has been no notification of approval,
denial or approval with modifications, by the end of the 21~t day, said permit shall be deemed
approved. The commission may hold a public hearing on the application at which an
opportunity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their
views.
(d) All decisions of the commission shall be in writing. A copy shall be sent to the applicant by
registered mail and a copy filed with the town clerk's office for public inspection. The
commission's decision shall state the reason for denying or modifying any application.
(e) Certificates of appropriateness shall be valid for 18 months, after which time the owner must
reapply if he/she still wishes to undertake work on the property.
Section 56-9
Demolition Hardship Criteria
(a) An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed demolition has been denied
may apply for relief on the ground of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship,
the applicant shall establish that:
(i)
the property is incapable if earning a reasonable return, regardless of whether the
return represents the most profitable return possible;
(ii) the property cannot be adapted for any other use, whether by the current owner or by
a purchaser, which would result in a reasonable return; and
(iii) efforts to find a purchaser interested in acquiring the property and preserving it have
failed.
Section 56-10 Alteration Hardship Criteria
An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed alteration has been denied may
apply for relief on the ground of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship, the
applicant shall establish that the property in incapable of earning a profitable return, regardless of
whether that return represents the most profitable return possible.
Section 56-11 Hardship Application Procedure
(a) After receiving written notification from the commission of the denial of a certificate of
appropriateness, an applicant my commence the hardship process. No building permit or
demolition permit shall be issued unless the commission makes a finding that a hardship
exists.
(b) The commission may hold a public hearing on the hardship application at which an
opportunity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their
views.
(c) The applicant shall consult in good faith with the commission, local preservation groups, and
interested parties in a diligent effort to seek an alternative that will result in the preservation
of the property.
(d) All decisions of the commission shall be in writing. A copy shall be sent to the applicant by
registered mail and a copy filed with the town clerk's office for public inspection. The
commission's decision shall state the reasons for granting or denying the hardship
application. If the application is granted, the commission shall approve only such work as is
necessary to alleviate the hardship.
Section 56-12 Enforcement
All work performed pursuant to a certificate of appropriateness issued under this ordinance shall
conform to any requirements included herein. It shall be the duty of the building code
enfomement officer to periodically inspect any such work to assure compliance. In the event
work is found that is not being performed in accordance with the certificate of appropriateness,
or upon notification of such fact by the historic preservation commission, the building code
enfomement officer shall issue a stop work order and all work shall immediately cease. No
further work shall be undertaken on the project as long as a stop work order is in effect.
Section 56-13 Maintenance and Repair required
Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of
any exterior architectural feature of a landmark or property within a historic district which does
not involve a change in design, material, or outward appearance. No owner or person with an
interest in real property designated as a landmark or included within an historic district shall
permit the property to fall into a serious state of disrepair which would result in the deterioration
of any exterior architecture; feature which would, in the judgment of the historic preservation
commission, produce a detrimental effect upon the character of the historic district as a whole or
the life and character of the property itself. Examples of such deterioration include:
(a) deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical supports;
(b) deterioration of roofs or other horizontal members;
(e) deterioration of exterior chimneys;
(d) deterioration or crumbling of exterior stucco or mortar;
(e) ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, or foundations, including broken
windows or doors; and
(f) deterioration of any feature so as to create a hazardous condition which could lead to the
claim that demolition is necessary for the public safety.
Section 56-14 Violations
(a) Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed a violation
and the violator shall be liable to a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1000 for
each day the violation continues.
(b) Any person who demolishes, alters, constructs, or permits a designated property to fall
into a serious state of disrepair in violation of this ordinance shall be required to restore
the property and its site to its appearance prior to the violation. Any action to enforce this
subsection shall be brought by the town attorney. This civil remedy shall be in addition to
an not in lieu of any criminal prosecution and penalty.
Section 56-15 Appeals
Any person aggrieved by a designation decision by the Town Board or a decision of the historic
preservation commission relating to a hardship or a certificate of appropriateness may, within 45
days o f the decision, file a written application with the Town Board for review of the decision.
Reviews shall be conducted and based on the same record that was before the Town Board or
commission and using the same criteria.
Section 56-16 Severability.
The provisions of this Law are severable. In any provision of this local law or its application to
any person or circumstance is held invalid, said invalidity shall not affect any other provision or
application of this local law which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application of the local law.
8
Section 56-17 When effective.
This Local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary Of State as provided
by law.
Attachment A
Historic Preservation Commission
7 Members, 4 year appointment, town wide.
Year New Members
1 7
2 1 6
3 2 4+1
4 2 2+1+2
5 2 1+2+2
6 1 2+2+2
7 Repe~
Old Members
Attachment B
Historic District Review Board
3 Members, 4 year appointment, specific to historic district
Year New Members
l 3
2 3
3 1 2
4 2+1
5 2 1
6 1+2
7 Repeat
Old Members
9
ELIZABETH A. NEVILLE
TOWN CLERK
REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS
MARRIAGE OFFICER
RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971
Fax (631) 765-6145
Telephone (631) 765-1800
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION NO. 293 OF 2001
WAS ADOPTED AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
ON MARCH 27, 2001:
WHEREAS, there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of Southold,
th
Suffolk County, New York, on the 27 day of March 2001, A Local Law in relation to the
establishment of Chapter 56, "Historic Preservation Law in the Town of Southold" of the Town
Code of the Town of Southold, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that this Local Law be referred to the Southold Town Planning
Deoartment and the Suffolk County Plannin~ Commission for recommendations and reports,
all in accordance with the Southold Town Code and the Suffolk County Charter.
The proposed "A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of
Southold" which includes the following:
LOCAL LAW NO. -2001
A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of Southold
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Southold as follows:
Chapter 56 of the Code of the Town of Southold, designated Landmark Preservation and
originally adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Southold on January 18, 1983, as Local
Law 1 of 1983, is hereby repealed in its entirety and the following Historic Preservation Law, to
be known as Chapter 56 of the Code of the Town of Southold, be and hereby is enacted in its
place and stead:
Section 56-1 Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Historic Preservation Law of Southold
Town".
Section 56-2 Purpose
The Town Board hereby declares as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement,
and perpetuation of landmarks and historic districts is necessary to promote the economic,
cultural, educational, and general welfare of the public. Inasmuch as the identity of a people is
founded on its past, and inasmuch as Southold Town has many significant historic, architectural,
and cultural resources which constitute its heritage, this act is intended to:
(a) protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts which represent distinctive
elements of Southold's historic, architectural, and cultural heritage;
(b) foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;
(c) protect and enhance Southold's attractiveness to visitors and the support and stimulus
to the economy hereby provided; and
(d) insure the harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth and development of the town.
Section 56-3 Historic Preservation Commission
There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Town of Southold Historic
Preservation Commission.
(a) The commission shall consist of 7 members to be appointed, to the extent available in
the community, by the Town Board as follows:
At least one shall be an architect experienced in working with historic buildings;
At least one shall be a resident of an historic district
At least one shall have demonstrated significant interest in and commitment to the
field of historic preservation evidenced by either involvement in a local historic
preservation group, employment or voluntary activity in the field of historic
preservation, or other serious interest in the field; and
All members shall have a known interest in historic preservation and architectural
development within the Town of Southold.
Co)
Commission members shall serve for a term of four years, with the exception of the
initial term of one of the members which shall be for one year, two which shall be for
two years, and two which shall be for three years. (see attached schedule A)
(c) The chair and the vice chair of the commission shall be elected by and from among
the members of the commission.
(d) The powers of the commission shall include:
(i) employment of staff and professional consultants as necessary to carry out
the duties of the commission;
(ii) promulgation of roles and regulations as necessary for the conduct of its
business
(iii) adoption of criteria for the delineation of historic district
(iv) conduct of surveys of significant historic, architectural, and cultural
landmarks and historic district within the town;
(v) designation recommendations of identified structures or resources as
historic districts and landmarks;
(vi) acceptance on behalf of the town government of the donation of facade
easements and development rights, and the making of recommendations to
the town govemment conceming the acquisition of facade easements or
other interests of real property as necessary to carry out the purposes of
this act;
(vii) increasing public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and
architectural preservation by developing and participating in public
education programs; making recommendations to town government
concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and historic districts within the town;
(viii) recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the town
government where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act
and where private preservation is not feasible; and
(ix) approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of appropriateness
pursuant to this act.
(e) The commission shall meet at least monthly, but meeting may be held at any time on
the written request of any two of the commission members or on the call of the chair
or the supervisor.
(f) A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of 4 of the commission's
members, but not less than a majority of the full authorized membership may grant or
deny a certificate of appropriateness.
(g) All members shall attend and complete relevant training programs as the Town Board
may require.
Section 56-4 Historic District Review Board
The Town Board, upon the recommendation of the commission, shall establish a review board
for each approved historic district.
The review board shall consist of 3 members to be appointed, to the extent available in the
community, from a list provided by local historic district preservation organization.
(a) Review Board members shall serve for a term of four years, with the exception of the
initial term of one of the members which shall be for two years. (see attached
schedule B)
(b) The duties of the review board shall include:
(i) adoption of criteria for appropriateness for all landmarks and structures
within the local historic district;
(ii) making recommendations to the Historic Preservation Commission
concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and structures within the local historic district;
(iii) recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the town
government where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act
and where private preservation is not feasible; and
(iv) recommending approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of
appropriateness pursuant to this act.
Section 56-5 Designation of Historic Districts or Landmarks
(a) The commission may recommend a group of properties as a historic district to the
Town Board for designation if the group:
(i)
(ii)
contains properties which meet one or more of the criteria for designation
as a landmark; and
by reason of possessing such qualities, constitutes a distinct section of the
town.
(b) The commission may recommend to the Town Board the designation of an individual
property as a landmark if it:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
possesses special characteristics or historic or aesthetic interest or value as
part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the locality,
region, state, or nation; or
is identified with historic personages; or
embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style; or
is the work of a designer whose work has significantly influenced an age;
or
because of its unique location or singular physical characteristic,
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood.
(c) The commission may recommend to the Town Board the recognition of a historic
district that has been so designated by the state or federal government.
The boundaries of each historic district designated henceforth shall be specified in detail and
shall be filed, in writing, in the town clerk's office for public inspection.
(d) Notice of a proposed designation shall be sent by registered mail to the owner of the
property proposed for designation, describing the property and announcing a public
hearing by the commission to consider the designation. Notice of a proposed designation
shall also be by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation at least 14
days prior to the date of the public hearing. Once the commission has issued notice of a
proposed designation, no building permits for construction or demolition shall be issued
by the building inspector until the Town Board has made its decision.
(e) The commission shall hold a public hearing prior to designation of any landmark or
historic district. The commission, owners, and any interested parties may present
testimony or documentary evidence at the heating which will become part ora record
regarding the historic, architectural, or cultural importance of the proposed landmark or
historic district. The record may also contain staff reports, public comments, or other
evidence offered outside of the hearing.
(f) The commission shall forward notice of each property designation as a landmark and
the boundaries of each designated historic district to the office of the Southold Town
Clerk for recordation.
Section 56-6 Certificate of Appropriateness for Alteration, Demolition or New
Construction Affecting Historic Districts or Landmarks
No person shall carry out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new
construction, or moving of a landmark or property which faces a public right of way within a
historic district, nor shall any person make any material change in the appearance of such
property without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness from the historic preservation
commission.
(a)
(b)
In the specific case where the property or landmark is located on the waterfront, the
watershed is considered a public right of way and the aspect of the property or
landmark visible from the watershed is subject to the aforementioned requirement.
In the specific case where the property or landmark is located on a comer, all aspects
of the property or landmark visible from the public right of way are subject to the
aforementioned requirement to obtain a certificate of appropriateness before carrying
out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new construction,
or moving of the landmark or property.
Section 56-7
Criteria for Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness
(a) In passing upon an application for a certificate of appropriateness, the historic preservation
commission shall not consider changes to interior spaces, unless they are open to the public.
The commission's decision shall be based on the following principles:
(i) properties which contribute to the character if the historic district shall be
retained, with their historic features altered as little as possible.
(ii) Any alteration of existing properties shall be compatible with its historical
character, as well as with the surrounding district; and
(iii)New constmction shall be compatible with the district in which it is located.
(b) In applying the principle of compatibility, the commission shall consider the following
factors:
(i) the general design, character, and appropriateness to the property of the proposed
alteration or new construction;
(ii) the scale or proposed alteration or new construction in relation to the property
itself, surrounding properties, and the neighborhood;
(iii)materials and their relation to similar features of other properties in the
neighborhood;
(iv)visual compatibility with surrounding properties, including proportion of the
property's front faqade, proportion and arrangement of windows and other
openings with the fagade, roof shape, and the rhythm of spacing of properties on
streets, including setbacks; and
(v) the importance of historic, architectural, or other features to the significance of the
property.
Section 56-8
Certificate of Appropriateness Application Procedure
(a) Prior to the commencement of any work requiring a certificate of appropriateness, the owner
shall file an application for such a certificate with the historic preservation commission. The
application shall contain:
(i) name, address, and telephone number of applicant;
(ii) location of property and photographs of the property;
(iii) elevation drawings of proposed changes, if available,
(iv) perspective drawings, including relationship to adjacent properties, if available;
(v) samples of materials to be used;
(vi) where the proposal includes signs or lettering, a scale drawing showing the type
of lettering to be used, all dimensions and colors, a description of materials to be
used, method of illumination, and a plan showing the signs location on the
property; and
(vii) any other information which the commission may deem necessary in order to
visualize the proposed work.
(b) No building permit for construction or demolition shall be issued for such proposed work
until a certificate of appropriateness has first been issued by the historic preservation
commission. The certificate of appropriateness required by this act shall be in addition to and
not in lieu of any building permit that may be required by any other ordinance of the Town of
Southold.
(c)
The commission shall approve, deny, or approve the permit with modifications within 21
days from receipt of the completed application. If there has been no notification of approval,
denial or approval with modifications, by the end of the 21st day, said permit shall be deemed
approved. The commission may hold a public hearing on the application at which an
opportunity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their
views.
(d) All decisions of the commission shall be in writing. A copy shall be sent to the applicant by
registered mail and a copy filed with the town clerk's office for public inspection. The
commission's decision shall state the reason for denying or modifying any application.
(e) Certificates of appropriateness shall be valid for 18 months, after which time the owner must
reapply if he/she still wishes to undertake work on the property.
Section 56-9
Demolition Hardship Criteria
(a) An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed demolition has been denied
may apply for relief on the ground of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship,
the applicant shall establish that:
(i) the property is incapable if earning a reasonable return, regardless of whether the
return represents the most profitable return possible;
(ii) the property cannot be adapted for any other use, whether by the current owner or by
a purchaser, which would result in a reasonable return; and
(iii) efforts to find a purchaser interested in acquiring the property and preserving it have
failed.
Section 56-10 Alteration Hardship Criteria
An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed alteration has been denied may
apply for relief on the ground of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship, the
applicant shall establish that the property in incapable of earning a profitable return, regardless of
whether that return represents the most profitable return possible.
Section 56-11 Hardship Application Procedure
(a) After receiving written notification from the commission of the denial of a certificate of
appropriateness, an applicant my commence the hardship process. No building permit or
demolition permit shall be issued unless the commission makes a finding that a hardship
exists.
(b) The commission may hold a public heating on the hardship application at which an
opportunity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their
views.
(c) The applicant shall consult in good faith with the commission, local preservation groups, and
interested parties in a diligent effort to seek an alternative that will result in the preservation
of the property.
(d) All decisions of the commission shall be in writing. A copy shall be sent to the applicant by
registered mail and a copy filed with the town clerk's office for public inspection. The
commission's decision shall state the reasons for granting or denying the hardship
application. If the application is granted, the commission shall approve only such work as is
necessary to alleviate the hardship.
Section 56-12 Enforcement
All work performed pursuant to a certificate of appropriateness issued under this ordinance shall
conform to any requirements included herein. It shall be the duty of the building code
enforcement officer to periodically inspect any such work to assure compliance. In the event
work is found that is not being performed in accordance with the certificate of appropriateness,
or upon notification of such fact by the historic preservation commission, the building code
enfomement officer shall issue a stop work order and all work shall immediately cease. No
further work shall be undertaken on the project as long as a stop work order is in effect.
Section 56-13 Maintenance and Repair required
Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of
any exterior architectural feature of a landmark or property within a historic district which does
not involve a change in design, material, or outward appearance. No owner or person with an
interest in real property designated as a landmark or included within an historic district shall
permit the property to fall into a serious state of disrepair which would result in the deterioration
of any exterior architecture; feature which would, in the judgment of the historic preservation
commission, produce a detrimental effect upon the character of the historic district as a whole or
the life and character of the property itself. Examples of such deterioration include:
(a) deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical supports;
(b) deterioration of roofs or other horizontal members;
(c) deterioration of exterior chimneys;
(d) deterioration or crumbling of exterior stucco or mortar;
(e) ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, or foundations, including broken
windows or doors; and
(f) deterioration of any feature so as to create a hazardous condition which could lead to the
claim that demolition is necessary for the public safety.
Section 56-14 Violations
(a) Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed a violation
and the violator shall be liable to a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1000 for
each day the violation continues.
(b) Any person who demolishes, alters, constructs, or permits a designated property to fall
into a serious state of disrepair in violation of this ordinance shall be required to restore
the property and its site to its appearance prior to the violation. Any action to enforce this
subsection shall be brought by the town attomey. This civil remedy shall be in addition to
an not in lieu of any criminal prosecution and penalty.
Section 56-15 Appeals
Any person aggrieved by a designation decision by the Town Board or a decision of the historic
preservation commission relating to a hardship or a certificate of appropriateness may, within 45
days of the decision, file a written application with the Town Board for review of the decision.
Reviews shall be conducted and based on the same record that was before the Town Board or
commission and using the same criteria.
Attachment A
Historic Preservation Commission
7 Members, 4 year appointment, town wide.
Year New Members Old Members
1 7
2 1 6
3 2 4+1
4 2 2+1+2
5 2 1+2+2
6 1 2+2+2
7 Repe~
Attachment B
Historic District Review Board
3 Members, 4 year appointment, specific to historic district
Year New Members
1 3
2 3
3 1 2
4 2+1
5 2 1
6 1+2
7 Repeat
Old Members
Elizabeth A. Neville
Southold Town Clerk
RESOLUTION
MARCH 27, 2001
V-293
WHEREAS, there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of Southold,
Suffolk County, New York, on the 27th day of March 2001, A Local Law in relation to the
establishment of Chapter 56, "Historic Preservation Law in the Town of Southold" of the Town
Code of the Town of Southold, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that this Local Law be referred to the Southold Town Plannim/
Department and the Suffolk County Plannin~ Commission for recommendations and reports,
all in accordance with the Sonthold Town Code and the Suffolk County Charter.
The proposed "A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of
Southold" which includes the following:
LOCAL LAW NO. -2001
A LOCAL LAW to establish a Historic Preservation Law in the Town of Southold
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Southold as follows:
Chapter 56 of the Code of the Town of Southold, designated Landmark Preservation and
originally adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Southold on January 18, 1983, as Local
Law 1 of 1983, is hereby repealed in its entirety and the following Historic Preservation Law, to
be known as Chapter 56 of the Code of the Town of Southold, be and hereby is enacted in its
place and stead:
Section 56-1 Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Historic Preservation Law of Southold
Town".
Section 56-2 Purpose
The Town Board hereby declares as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement,
and perpetuation of landmarks and historic districts is necessary to promote the economic,
cultural, educational, and general welfare of the public. Inasmuch as the identity of a people is
founded on its past, and inasmuch as Southold Town has many significant historic, architectural,
and cultural resources which constitute its heritage, this act is intended to:
(a) protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts which represent distinctive
elements of Southold's historic, architectural, and cultural heritage;
(b) foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;
(c) protect and enhance Southold's attractiveness to visitors and the support and stimulus
to the economy hereby provided; and
(d) insure the harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth and development of the town.
Section 56-3 Historic Preservation Commission
There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Town of Southold Historic
Preservation Commission.
(a) The commission shall consist of 7 members to be appointed, to the extent available in
the community, by the Town Board as follows:
At least one shall be an architect experienced in working with historic buildings;
At least one shall be a resident of an historic district
At least one shall have demonstrated significant interest in and commitment to the
field of historic preservation evidenced by either involvement in a local historic
preservation group, employment or voluntary activity in the field of historic
preservation, or other serious interest in the field; and
All members shall have a known interest in historic preservation and architectural
development within the Town of Southold.
Co)
Commission members shall serve for a term of four years, with the exception of the
initial term of one of the members which shall be for one year, two which shall be for
two years, and two which shall be for three years. (see attached schedule A)
(c) The chair and the vice chair of the commission shall be elected by and from among
the members of the commission.
(d) The powers of the commission shall include:
(i) employment of staff and professional consultants as necessary to carry out
the duties of the commission;
(ii) promulgation of rules and regulations as necessary for the conduct of its
business
(iii) adoption of criteria for the delineation of historic district
(iv) conduct of surveys of significant historic, architectural, and cultural
landmarks and historic district within the town;
(v) designation recormnendations of identified structures or resources as
historic districts and landmarks;
(vi) acceptance on behalf of the town government of the donation of faCade
easements and development rights, and the making of recommendations to
the town government concerning the acquisition of fagade easements or
other interests of real property as necessary to carry out the purposes of
this act;
(vii) increasing public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and
architectural preservation by developing and participating in public
education programs; making recommendations to town government
concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and historic districts within the town;
(viii) recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the town
government where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act
and where private preservation is not feasible; and
(ix) approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of appropriateness
pursuant to this act.
(e)
The commission shall meet at least monthly, but meeting may be held at any time on
the written request of any two of the commission members or on the call of the chair
or the supervisor.
(t)
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of 4 of the commission's
members, but not less than a majority of the full authorized membership may grant or
deny a certificate of appropriateness.
(g) All members shall attend and complete relevant training programs as the Town Board
may require.
Section 56-4 Historic District Review Board
The Town Board, upon the recommendation of the commission, shall establish a review board
for each approved historic district.
The review board shall consist of 3 members to be appointed, to the extent available in the
community, from a list provided by local historic district preservation organization.
(a) Review Board members shall serve for a term of four years, with the exception of the
initial term of one of the members which shall be for two years. (see attached
schedule B)
(b) The duties of the review board shall include:
(i) adoption of criteria for appropriateness for all landmarks and structures
within the local historic district;
(ii) making recommendations to the Historic Preservation Commission
concerning the utilization of state, federal or private funds to promote the
preservation of landmarks and structures within the local historic district;
(iii) recommending acquisition of a landmark structure by the town
government where its preservation is essential to the purposes of this act
and where private preservation is not feasible; and
(iv) recommending approval or disapproval of applications for certificates of
appropriateness pursuant to this act.
Section 56-5 Designation of Historic Districts or Landmarks
(a) The commission may recommend a group of properties as a historic district to the
Town Board for designation if the group:
3
(i)
(ii)
contains properties which meet one or more of the criteria for designation
as a landmark; and
by reason of possessing such qualities, constitutes a distinct section of the
town.
(b) The commission may recommend to the Town Board the designation of an individual
property as a landmark if it:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
possesses special characteristics or historic or aesthetic interest or value as
part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the locality,
region, state, or nation; or
is identified with historic personages; or
embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style; or
is the work of a designer whose work has significantly influenced an age;
or
because of its unique location or singular physical characteristic,
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood.
(c) The commission may recommend to the Town Board the recognition of a historic
district that has been so designated by the state or federal government.
The boundaries of each historic district designated henceforth shall be specified in detail and
shall be filed, in writing, in the town clerk's office for public inspection.
(d) Notice ora proposed designation shall be sent by registered mail to the owner of the
property proposed for designation, describing the property and announcing a public
heating by the commission to consider the designation. Notice of a proposed designation
shall also be by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation at least 14
days prior to the date of the public hearing. Once the commission has issued notice of a
proposed designation, no building permits for construction or demolition shall be issued
by the building inspector until the Town Board has made its decision.
(e) The commission shall hold a public heating prior to designation of any landmark or
historic district. The commission, owners, and any interested parties may present
testimony or documentary evidence at the hearing which will become part of a record
regarding the historic, architectural, or cultural importance of the proposed landmark or
historic district. The record may also contain staff reports, public comments, or other
evidence offered outside of the hearing.
(f) The commission shall forward notice of each property designation as a landmark and
the boundaries of each designated historic district to th6 office of the Southold Town
Clerk for recordation.
4
Section 56-6 Certificate of Appropriateness for Alteration, Demolition or New
Construction Affecting Historic Districts or Landmarks
No person shall carry out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new
construction, or moving of a landmark or property which faces a public right of way within a
historic district, nor shall any person make any material change in the appearance of such
property without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness from the historic preservation
commission.
(a~
(b)
In the specific case where the property or landmark is located on the waterfront, the
watershed is considered a public right of way and the aspect of the property or
landmark visible from the watershed is subject to the aforementioned requirement.
In the specific case where the property or landmark is located on a comer, all aspects
of the property or landmark visible from the public right of way are subject to the
aforementioned requirement to obtain a certificate of appropriateness before carrying
out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new construction,
or moving of the landmark or property.
Section 56-7
Criteria for Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness
(a) In passing upon an application for a certificate of appropriateness, the historic preservation
commission shall not consider changes to interior spaces, unless they are open to the public.
The commission's decision shall be based on the following principles:
(i) properties which contribute to the character if the historic district shall be
retained, with their historic features altered as little as possible.
(ii) Any alteration of existing properties shall be compatible with its historical
character, as well as with the surrounding district; and
(iii)New construction shall be compatible with the district in which it is located.
(b) In applying the principle of compatibility, the commission shall consider the following
factors:
(i) the general design, character, and appropriateness to the property of the proposed
alteration or new construction;
(ii) the scale or proposed alteration or new construction in relation to the property
itself, surrounding properties, and the neighborhood;
(iii)materials and their relation to similar features of other properties in the
neighborhood;
(iv)visual compatibility with surrounding properties, including proportion of the
property's front fafade, proportion and arrangement of windows and other
openings with the fafade, roof shape, and the rhythm of spacing of properties on
streets, including setbacks; and
(v) the importance of historic, architectural, or other features to the significance of the
property.
5
Section 56-8
Certificate of Appropriateness Application Procedure
(a) Prior to the commencement of any work requiring a certificate of appropriateness, the owner
shall file an application for such a certificate with the historic preservation commission. The
application shall contain:
(i) name, address, and telephone number of applicant;
(ii) location of property and photographs of the property;
(iii) elevation drawings of proposed changes, if available,
(iv) perspective drawings, including relationship to adjacent properties, if available;
(v) samples of materials to be used;
(vi) where the proposal includes signs or lettering, a scale drawing showing the type
of lettering to be used, all dimensions and colors, a description of materials to be
used, method of illumination, and a plan showing the signs location on the
property; and
(vii) any other infonuation which the commission may deem necessary in order to
visualize the proposed work.
(b) No building permit for construction or demolition shall be issued for such proposed work
until a certificate of appropriateness has first been issued by the historic preservation
commission. The certificate of appropriateness required by this act shall be in addition to and
not in lieu of any building permit that may be required by any other ordinance of the Town of
Southold.
(c) The commission shall approve, deny, or approve the permit with modifications within 21
days from receipt of the completed application. If there has been no notification of approval,
denial or approval with modifications, by the end of the 21st day, said permit shall be deemed
approved. The commission may hold a public hearing on the application at which an
opportunity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their
views.
(d) All decisions of the commission shall be in writing. A copy shall be sent to the applicant by
registered mail and a copy filed with the town clerk's office for public inspection. The
commission's decision shall state the reason for denying or modifying any application.
(e) Certificates of appropriateness shall be valid for 18 months, after which time the owner must
reapply if he/she still wishes to undertake work on the property.
Section 56-9
Demolition Hardship Criteria
(a) An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed demolition has been denied
may apply for relief on the ground of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship,
the applicant shall establish that:
(i)
the property is incapable if eaming a reasonable return, regardless of whether the
return represents the most profitable return possible;
(ii) the property cannot be adapted for any other use, whether by the current owner or by
a purchaser, which would result in a reasonable retum; and
(iii) efforts to find a purchaser interested in acquiring the property and preserving it have
failed.
Section 56-10 Alteration Hardship Criteria
An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness for a proposed alteration has been denied may
apply for relief on the ground of hardship. In order to prove the existence of hardship, the
applicant shall establish that the property in incapable of earning a profitable return, regardless of
whether that return represents the most profitable return possible.
Section 56-11 Hardship Application Procedure
(a) After receiving written notification from the commission of the denial of a certificate of
appropriateness, an applicant my commence the hardship process. No building permit or
demolition permit shall be issued unless the commission makes a finding that a hardship
exists.
(b) The commission may hold a public hearing on the hardship application at which an
opporttmity will be provided for proponents and opponents of the application to present their
views.
(c) The applicant shall consult in good faith with the commission, local preservation groups, and
interested parties in a diligent effort to seek an alternative that will result in the preservation
of the property.
(d) All decisions of the commission shall be in writing. A copy shall be sent to the applicant by
registered mail and a copy filed with the town clerk's office for public inspection. The
commission's decision shall state the reasons for granting or denying the hardship
application. If the application is granted, the commission shall approve only such work as is
necessary to alleviate the hardship.
Section 56-12 Enforcement
All work performed pursuant to a certificate of appropriateness issued under this ordinance shall
conform to any requirements included herein. It shall be the duty of the building code
enforcement officer to periodically inspect any such work to assure compliance. In the event
work is found that is not being performed in accordance with the certificate of appropriateness,
or upon notification of such fact by the historic preservation commission, the building code
enforcement officer shall issue a stop work order and all work shall immediately cease. No
further work shall be undertaken on the project as long as a stop work order is in effect.
Section 56-13 Maintenance and Repair required
Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of
any exterior architectural feature of a landmark or property within a historic district which does
not involve a change in design, material, or outward appearance. No owner or person with an
interest in real property designated as a landmark or included within an historic district shall
permit the property to fall into a serious state of disrepair which would result in the deterioration
of any exterior architecture; feature which would, in the judgment of the historic preservation
commission, produce a detrimental effect upon the character of the historic district as a whole or
the life and character of the property itselfi Examples of such deterioration include:
(a) deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical supports;
(b) deterioration of roofs or other horizontal members;
(c) deterioration of exterior chimneys;
(d) deterioration or crumbling of exterior stucco or mortar;
(e) ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, or foundations, including broken
windows or doors; and
(t) deterioration of any feature so as to create a hazardous condition which could lead to the
claim that demolition is necessary for the public safety.
Section 56-14 Violations
(a)
Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed a violation
and the violator shall be liable to a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1000 for
each day the violation continues.
(b)
Any person who demolishes, alters, constructs, or permits a designated property to fall
into a serious state of disrepair in violation of this ordinance shall be required to restore
the property and its site to its appearance prior to the violation. Any action to enfome this
subsection shall be brought by the town attorney. This civil remedy shall be in addition to
an not in lieu of any criminal prosecution and penalty.
Section 56-15 Appeals
Any person aggrieved by a designation decision by the Town Board or a decision of the historic
preservation commission relating to a hardship or a certificate of appropriateness may, within 45
days of the decision, file a written application with the Town Board for review of the decision.
Reviews shall be conducted and based on the same record that was before the Town Board or
commission and using the same criteria.
Attachment A
Historic Preservation Commission
7 Members, 4 year appointment, town wide.
Year Nexv Members Old Members
1 7
2 1 6
3 2 4+1
4 2 2+1+2
5 2 1+2+2
6 I 2+2+2
7 Repeat
Attachment B
Historic District Review Board
3 Members, 4 year appointment, specific to historic district
Year New Members
1 3
2 3
3 1 2
4 2+1
5 2 1
6 1+2
7 Repeat
Old Members