New York Consolidated Laws, General Municipal Law - GMU § 119-bb. Definitions

1. “Development rights” means the rights granted to a lot or parcel of land under a zoning ordinance or local law respecting permissible use, area, bulk or height of improvements executed thereon.  Development rights may be calculated and allocated in accordance with such factors as area, floor area, floor area ratios, height limitations or any other criteria including assessed valuation that will effectively quantify a value for the development right in a manner that will carry out the objectives of this article.

2. “Historic and/or cultural place or property” means any building, structure, district, area, site or object, including the underground and underwater sites, with significance in the history, architecture, archeology or culture of the state, its communities, or the nation.

3. “Historic district” means any area which:  (a) has a special character or special historic, architectural, archeological or cultural value;  or (b) represents one or more periods or styles of architecture typical of one or more eras;  and (c) causes such area, by reason of such factors, to constitute a distinct section.

4. “Historic preservation” means, for the purposes of this article and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the study, designation, protection, restoration, rehabilitation and use of buildings, structures, districts, areas, sites or objects significant in the history, architecture, archeology or culture of this state, its communities, or the nation.

5. “Registered property” means any historic place or property within the boundaries of the state nominated by the commissioner of parks and recreation for listing on the national register of historic places or listed on the New York state register of historic places established pursuant to section 14.07 of the parks and recreation law.

6. “Transfer of development rights” means the process by which development rights are passed from one lot or parcel to another.