Town Board adopts historic preservation law
The Town Board has approved a Historic and Archaeological Site Preservation Law aimed at protecting the community’s character.
The law was adopted after a public hearing Monday evening at which support for the proposal was voiced.
The law mandates an advisory board be created to review concerns about proposed projects that involved historic structures and/ or properties. The board’s recommendations, though, will not be binding.
“My wife and I are owners of the Pultz Farmhouse on Wurtemburg Road,” town resident David Kliphon said. “Our home dates back to 1745, and my wife operates it as the Olde Rhinebeck Inn Bed and Breakfast. As such, we have a great appreciation for the value of the history of Rhinebeck and have been fortunate to share the history of our home with guests while they also take in our area’s many ... attractions.”
Kliphon listed more than 20 properties with some degree of historic character that should be protected in the hamlet of Wurtemburg and said the law would protect more than houses.
“Along with archaeological sites ... perhaps the next most vulnerable historic assets in the town of Rhinebeck are its barns,” he said. “We hope they are given the preservation attention they deserve.”
Warren Smith, a member of the town Historic Preservation Committee, said the preservation law is needed because there have been no regulations to prevent changes being made to historically significant properties. He said even being listed on the state or national historic registries can’t save a building from changes.
“That ... gives a building no protection from anything an owner might do to it unless there is a local law in place,” he said. “Someone could tear the building down or alter it in any way.”
The advisory board also will be tasked with fostering education about and civic pride in accomplishments of the past; strengthening the town’s attractiveness while providing support and stimulus to the local economy; and identifying and protecting the town’s cultural heritage.
Councilman Joseph Gelb objected to the new law, saying it could be applied to almost any application — for exterior or interior work — being reviewed by the town Planning Board.
“The requirement that the Planning Board, rather than the building inspector, pass on applications for building permits is unusual in historic preservation laws,” Gelb said. “These laws generally are concerned with exterior work visible to the public, and not with interior work or work not visible to the public.”