New York Consolidated Laws, General Municipal Law - GMU § 119-dd. Local historic preservation programs

1. Provide by regulations, special conditions and restrictions for the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of places, districts, sites, buildings, structures, works of art and other objects having a special character or special historical, cultural or aesthetic interest or value.  Such regulations, special conditions and restrictions may include appropriate and reasonable control of the use or appearance of neighboring private property within the public view, or both.

2. Establish a landmark or historical preservation board or commission with such powers as are necessary to carry out all or any of the authority possessed by the municipality for a historic preservation program, as the local legislative body deems appropriate.

3. After due notice and public hearing, by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, lease or otherwise, acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development right, easement, covenant or other contractual right necessary to achieve the purposes of this article, to historical or cultural property within its jurisdiction.  After acquisition of any such interest pursuant to this subdivision, the effect of the acquisition on the valuation placed on any remaining private interest in such property for purposes of real estate taxation shall be taken into account.

4. Designate, purchase, restore, operate, lease and sell historic buildings or structures.  Sales of such buildings and structures shall be upon such terms and conditions as the local legislative body deems appropriate to insure the maintenance of the historic quality of the buildings and structures, after public notice is appropriately given at least thirty days prior to the anticipated date of availability and shall be for fair and adequate consideration of such buildings and structures which in no event shall be less than the expenses incurred by the municipality with respect to such buildings and structures for acquisition, restoration, improvement and interest charges.

5. Provide for transfer of development rights for purposes consistent with the purposes of this article.