The Common Council of the City of Peekskill hereby finds and declares that it is desirable to take measures to provide for the designation of historic districts and landmarks in furtherance of the following public purposes, which are found to promote the economic benefits, the cultural and educational advantages, and the general welfare of the City of Peekskill:
 

(1) To provide for the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of those districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects which are illustrative of the growth and development of our nation, our state and our City and which are of particular historic or aesthetic value to Peekskill.
 

(2) To recognize and ensure the preservation of those elements of the City's past which represent the many and varied architectural, artistic, technological and cultural achievements which cannot be duplicated or otherwise replaced.
 

(3) To promote the use and preservation of landmark buildings, historic districts, structures, sites and objects as a means of providing enjoyment and unique educational benefit by perpetuating the physical evidence of Peekskill's past.

(4) To stabilize and improve property values of such historic districts, buildings, structures, sites and objects and otherwise promote their reuse.
 

(5) To protect and enhance the City's attractions to tourists and visitors and the support and stimulus to business and industry thereby provided.
 

(6) To foster civic pride in those elements of the City's past which have given Peekskill its unique character and set it apart from other communities.
 

(7) To foster economic growth and development within the City through the preservation of landmark buildings, historic districts, structures, sites and objects.

The Board shall consist of seven members appointed by a majority vote of the Common Council. All Board members must be residents of the City of Peekskill and should have a demonstrated interest, competence or knowledge of historic preservation. The Board shall consist of the following, to the extent available in the community:

(a) At least one Board member shall have demonstrated significant interest in and commitment to the field of historic preservation evidenced either by involvement in an established local historic preservation group or employment or volunteer activity in the field of historic preservation.
(b) At least one shall be a planner, architect or engineer with experience working with historic buildings.
(c) At least one shall be a licensed real estate professional.
(d) At least one shall be an owner/occupant in an historic district.

The Director of Planning and Development or the Director's designee shall be an ex officio nonvoting member of the Board, and the staff of the Department of Planning, Development and Code Enforcement shall serve as staff to the Board for the purpose of conducting and coordinating studies and research and providing other material and information necessary for the Board to exercise its powers and duties.

The Peekskill Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board shall perform the duties as described herein:
 

A. Prepare reports for and recommendations to the Common Council on nomination or rescission of areas, buildings, structures, sites or objects as landmarks or historic districts.

B. Issue or deny certificates of appropriateness for buildings, structures, sites or objects in historic districts or designated as landmarks.

C. Maintain and periodically revise public listings of historic sites, buildings, structures, objects or districts and data about them in a manner and form that are consistent with that established by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
 

D. Formulate design guidelines and recommendations for the designation of landmarks and historic districts to be approved and adopted by the Common Council. These guidelines shall conform to the standards set forth in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings prepared by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

E. Formulate recommendations concerning the establishment of an appropriate system of markers for selected historic and/or architecturally significant buildings, structures, sites,objects or districts, including proposals for the installation and care of such historic markers.

F. Formulate recommendations concerning the preparation and publication of maps, brochures and descriptive material about the City's historic and/or architectural features and resources.
 

G. Cooperate with and advise the Common Council, the Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals and other City boards, agencies, departments, bureaus and offices regarding matters involving historically and/or architecturally significant sites and buildings as well as landmarks, including, but not limited to, parking facilities and signs.
 

H. Encourage and promote education about historic landmarks and districts within the City of
Peekskill.
 

I. Cooperate with and enlist assistance from the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and other state, national or local public or private agencies or groups concerned with historic buildings, structures, sites, objects or districts.
 

J. Advise the owners of historic buildings, structures, sites or objects on issues of preservation relating to their properties.
 

K. Advise the Common Council of gifts and grants available to the City that would contribute to the preservation of historic artifacts and landmarks and to further historic preservation planning and documentation.
 

L. File an annual report regarding its activities with the Common Council.
 

M. Work in cooperation with City staff and other state, county and local historic preservation agencies toward the goal of promoting and preserving the City's rich cultural heritage.
 

N. Adopt rules and regulations as necessary for the conduct of its business.

Please visit the Planning Department's web page for more information.