STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1531
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
___________
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to the creation
and recognition of architectural districts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The article heading of article 5-K of the general municipal
2 law, as added by chapter 354 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as
3 follows:
4 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHITECTURAL DISTRICTS
5 § 2. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new section
6 119-ddd to read as follows:
7 § 119-ddd. Architectural districts. In addition to existing powers and
8 authorities to regulate by planning or zoning laws, historic preserva-
9 tion laws and regulations or by local laws and regulations for the
10 creation of districts, the governing board of a municipal corporation is
11 hereby empowered to:
12 1. Recognize and establish an architectural district or commission
13 with such powers as are necessary to carry out all or any of the author-
14 ity possessed by the municipal corporation for such creation, as the
15 governing board deems appropriate.
16 2. Any resident of a municipal corporation may submit to the governing
17 board of such municipal corporation a detailed plan setting forth archi-
18 tectural design characteristics such as, but not limited to, natural
19 areas, aesthetics, and open spaces. Such plan shall include a rendering,
20 drawing, or sketch prepared to specifications which shows the arrange-
21 ment, layout and design of the proposed architectural district and shall
22 be reviewed pursuant to subdivision three of this section.
23 3. Upon receipt of such plan, the governing board of such municipal
24 corporation may hold a public hearing regarding a proposed creation and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01291-01-7
S. 1531 2
1 recognition of the architectural district with notice provided to the
2 affected community.
3 4. After notice and public hearing by the governing board of such
4 municipal corporation, regarding a proposed creation and recognition of
5 an architectural district, such board may determine whether to recognize
6 and establish such district and preserve the qualities it deems quali-
7 fies as such district.
8 5. The governing board of a municipal corporation in which an archi-
9 tectural district is created and recognized, pursuant to subdivision
10 four of this section, shall designate the local agency or department
11 that shall enforce the preservation of such district.
12 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
