New Rochelle, NY Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Chapter 170's landmark and historic district process, run by the seven-member Historical and Landmark Review Board, normally requires a certificate of appropriateness before any exterior change to a designated landmark or a building in a historic district. Section 170-3, added in 1987, creates a lighter-touch alternative: recognition of a "historically significant property," defined as a building, structure or parcel that lacks architectural significance but is associated with historically significant persons or events, or illustrates the City's, region's, state's or nation's growth and development. An owner or applicant petitions the Board in writing with a statement of how the site meets that definition, a description showing why it lacks landmark-level architectural merit, current exterior photographs and a site map.

The Board must declare the application complete within 62 days, publish notice, hold a public hearing, and mail notice to the property owner, neighborhood civic groups and the City Manager's office. It then makes a recommendation to the City Council, which refers the matter to the Planning Board for a compatibility review before the Council decides within 45 days of its own hearing. Critically, § 170-3D exempts properties recognized under this section from any design criteria review or certificate-of-appropriateness requirement for future facade changes, additions or new construction, unlike full landmark or historic district designation under §§ 170-2 and 170-5.