Governance & Accountability

What preservation law governs us?

• The Model Landmarks Preservation Law for New York State Municipalities (Model Preservation Law) sets forth the legal framework and body of law for our historic preservation efforts.
  http://landuselaw.wustl.edu/Ordinances/ModelLawForLocalGovernments.pdf
   
• Using the Model Preservation Law, over 175 municipalities across the state, including Yorktown, have adopted some form of standalone historic or architectural resource protection.
   
• Yorktown’s local preservation law can be found at the Town of Yorktown website:
  https://www.ecode360.com/6851490
  Chapter 198 Landmark Preservation (§ 198-1 – § 198-20) 
           
• Our law protects, enhances and perpetuates landmarks and historic districts representing distinctive elements of the Town’s significant cultural, social, economic, political, educational, architectural and cultural resources, through local designation and application approval processes.

Who are we accountable to?

• The Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), consisting of a minimum of five members, is appointed by the Town Board.
   
• HPC members are volunteers and serve three year staggered terms.
   
• The HPC’s role is to identify, authenticate, preserve and / or save, and create awareness of our robust historic resources.
   
• The HPC recommends land marking to the Town Board who approves or denies the recommendation.
   
• For Homes of Historic Distinction and Certificate of Appropriateness applicants, the HPC has the sole power to approve or disapprove the application.