The Village of New Paltz
The Village of New Paltz
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Welcome to VoNP Historic Preservation CommissionTo protect, enhance and perpetuate the heritage of New Paltz Thomas G. Olsen, Chair Ellen Mosen James, Vice-Chair Agnes Devereux Kristine Harris Vacancy Valerie McAllister, Secretary Terry Dungan, Village Board Liaison The Historic Preservation Commissions of the Village and Town of New Paltz The role of the Historic Preservation Commission in New Paltz Click here for brochure What are the Historic Preservation Commissions? The Historic Preservation Commissions of the Village and Town were created by Municipal Codes (Village Code Chapter 9, Town Code 140-118) to protect historic buildings and sites in the community. These volunteer Commissions are charged with designating properties as historic landmarks, recommending the creation of historic districts, and reviewing all proposed exterior changes to designated properties. What is a historic landmark building? A historic landmark building is a structure officially designated by one of the two commission as possessing special character, historical significance, or aesthetic value to the community. What is a historic district? A historic district is a group of properties that has been designated because it has special character, historical significance, or aesthetic value. A district may contain a variety of styles or periods but must represent a distinct area of the community. All properties in an historic district need not be historic, yet all are regulated by the designation. What does designation mean to owners? Ownership of all designated properties, or ownership of property within a designated historic district, requires owners to act as responsible stewards of our community's irreplaceable cultural heritage. To accomplish this, owners are required to obtain prior approval from the appropriate Commission before exterior alterations or major landscape changes are made to ensure that they do not negatively affect the historic character of the property. However, building designation does not freeze a building or district in time. Alterations and new construction can continue, but Commission review is required to protect the historic integrity of the building or district. What changes require Commission prior approval? Except for maintenance activity, all exterior work on historic district properties or designated historic landmarks - including permanent alterations in landscaping and any change in exterior colors - requires Commission review. This includes changes to all existing structures, as well as to the construction of new structures on the property. Are there changes that would not require Commission prior approval? Commission approval is not required for ordinary maintenance and repair of the exterior, or for interior alterations that do no affect the exterior. Approval of paint colors is not required if color changes are not proposed. How can I get prior approval for changes to my property? Contact the Building Department in the earliest planning stages. If appropriate, the Building Inspector will make available an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, which must be completed by the owner and submitted to the Commission for review. A public hearing is necessary when the proposed changes require a building permit. My contemporary home is in a historic district; does review also apply to me? Yes. Exterior changes, including major landscape changes, to all properties in historic districts are subject to review to protect the overall character of the district. Can the Commission require me to make repairs and maintain my property? The law required that designated properties be kept in good repair to prevent "demolition by neglect." This is similar to the legal requirement that all buildings in the community be maintained in safe condition. When you need to make repairs, please contact the Building Inspector as early as possible for advice about historic preservation and other municipal requirements. Can the Commission require me to restore my building to the way it looked when it was new? No. All aspects of a building's history are considered important, not just the earliest. The Commission reviews only proposed changes to prevent alterations that would adversely affect the building's historic integrity. Can a designated building ever be demolished? An owner may apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish or to make inappropriate alterations to a building if it is not possible to earn a reasonable return without the proposed action. This stringent process requires that the owner prove the claim conclusively, regardless of whether that return is the most profitable return possible. Application For Certificate of Appropriateness Click here for application A comprehensive report with historic data on 659 Village properties built before 1965
Cover and Table of Contents [121KB] Historic Survey Overview [111KB] Methodology [87KB] Timeline of Village [146KB] Architectural Survey Table of Contents [90KB] New York State and National Registers of Historic Places Click here for frequently asked questions and answers Last Updated Thursday, January 20 2011 @ 04:06 PM EST|2,730 Hits |
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