Requires public notice to be provided prior to the demolition of certain historic buildings by publication, posting of signs, direct mailing and public hearing

Title of bill

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to requiring public notice to be provided prior to the demolition of a historic building

Purpose

Requires public notice be provided prior to the demolition of an historic building by publication, posting of signs, direct mailing and public hearings

Summary of provisions

§ 14.11 Demolition of historic buildings. The owner of a publicly or privately owned historic building shall provide public notice of the intended demolition of such historic building at least one year prior to such intended demolition by:

1. publishing notification of the intended demolition of such historic building in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the historic building is located no less than one year prior to the intended date of demolition to such building;

2. posting signs on the affected historic building or the property on which such building is situated at least ten months prior to the intended date of the demolition of such building;

3. mailing notification of intended demolition to all residents within a 2 mile radius of historic building ten months prior to intended demolition. Such mailing shall include the date, time, and location of public hearing to be held pursuant to subdivision four of this section; and

4. holding at least two public hearings' on the proposed demolition before the relevant state agency or governmental body authorizing such demolition. One hearing shall be held at least nine months prior to the intended demolition and the second shall be held at least six months prior to intended demolition

Justification

All too often we find ourselves reading or hearing about an historic building that has been torn down by a developer. Later that developer then replaces it with a new shopping mall or apartments. This legislation will help to protect buildings that are of significant historic value to the communities by not allowing them to become arbitrary. When an historic building is being looked at with the intention of demolishing it, the person, company or corporation will be responsible to notify certain people in the community of his or her intentions. Furthermore, members of the community will be provided ample time to add their input. This legislation is also important because it shows community leaders that we stand with them in viewing the importance of past generations. This legislation does not prevent future development from taking place but merely recognizes historic value must also be considered before buildings can be torn down arbitrarily.

Legislative history

(Latimer) 2013-14 REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

Fiscal implications

None to the state LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

Effective date

This will take effect immediately