Rockland County Historic Preservation Board

Agendas and Minutes

Certified Local Government:

On July 3, 2002, the National Park Service concurred with the recommendation of the New York State Historic Preservation Office and accepted the Rockland County application to become a Certified Local Government (CLG). Pursuant to this action, Rockland County became a participant in the Certified Local Government Program, a program that was created by the 1980 amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act. Rockland is the first county in New York State to become a CLG. The CLG program includes grants and technical assistance from the State Historic Preservation Office to support local historic preservation efforts. In order to participate, a local government is required to adopt a local law that meets certain standards and to establish a qualified preservation board.

The Local Law and Board Responsibilities:

The Rockland County Legislature adopted a law that met the CLG program standards on March 19, 2002. Traditionally, a local historic preservation board has land use regulatory powers. However, in New York State zoning and other land use control powers over unincorporated areas reside with local governments, rather than with county governments. Therefore, the New York State guidelines make special requirements for county CLGs. The State guidelines specify that county CLGs must have the power to review and comment upon all county undertakings that might affect historic properties. Whenever the county is asked for planning advice concerning actions that may affect historic properties, a county CLG has the power to review said action and report the pertinent county or municipal agency.

The main features of the Rockland County historic preservation law are the powers and duties of the Rockland County Historic Preservation Board and the requirements for board membership. The Historic Preservation Board plays and advisory role to the County Executive, County Legislature, Commissioner of Planning, other County agencies, Towns, and Villages. As required by the State guidelines, in addition to the county-specific requirements discussed above, the County local law requires that the county historic preservation board will:

• Provide advice and guidance to property owners and government agencies concerning historic preservation issues
• Recommend designation of properties and historically sensitive areas as worthy of preservation
• Participate in and support the nomination of worthy properties to the State and National Registers of Historic Places