Historic Districts and Landmarks

Cultural Heritage in Buffalo
Resource Guide
Buffalo NY

Historic Districts and Landmarks:
A Comparison of the Processes for Obtaining Local Designations
VS
Listings on the State and National Registers of Historic Places

LOCAL

STATE/NATIONAL

Process for designation
City of Buffalo, NY, Charter and Ordinances - Chapter 13
http://www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html New York State and National Registers Information
www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/register/nomination_process.htm

Governing agencies
City of Buffalo Preservation Board
www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/presbd.html

Contact: Thomas Marchese, Secretary, 716-851-5029 State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO):
NY Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation Division
Peebles Island / Box 189 / Waterford, NY 12188-0189

Contact: Dan McEneny, 518-237-8643. ext 3257

Applications
Available from City of Buffalo Preservation Board.
Also: www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/Local_DstctApp/1.jpg If you decide to nominate your neighborhood to the State and National Registers, you will work closely with the SHPO field representatve, Claire Ross, for our area. She will answer questions, lead you through the nomination process, and provide all information and forms.

Some of the nomination provisions include describing the property's setting and physical characteristics, documenting its history, conveying its significance in terms of its historic contex,t and demonstrating how it meets the register's criteria.

Criteria for designation
Chapter 13, Section 337-15
www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html#Designation www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/register/criteria_evaluation.htm

Step #1
Submit completed application
Most property owners must each "favor the inclusion of this property in the Historic District."

Usually, a consultant is hired to complete the form. A current list of consultants offering services in the Buffalo area is available upon request from the State Historic Preservation Office or from the Landmark Society (716.852.3300) Submit completed application
Most property owners must be in favor of the Historic District.

Usually, a consultant is hired to complete the form. A current list of consultants offering services in the Buffalo area is available upon request from the State Historic Preservation Office or from the Landmark Society (716.852.3300)

Filing fee
$500.00 for non-owner occupied sturctures (for hearings notice costs) None

Step #2
Public hearing
Scheduled by City of Buffalo Preservation Board Inspection
SHPO staff person (Claire Ross) inspects the property(ies)

Step #3
Recommendation
Made by City of Buffalo Preservation Board to the Common Council Review
A formal review by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation State Review Board is scheduled. The board meets quarterly.

Step #4
Public hearing #2
Scheduled by Common Council Committee on Legislation Finalized
If recommended, the nomination form is finalized and forwarded to the State Historic Preservation Officer for review and signature.

Step #5
Final determination
Made by the Common Council Once signed, the nomination is entered on the New York State Register of Historic Places and transmitted to the National Park Service where it is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NY/Erie/districts.html

Step #6
Successful outcome
Designated local district
Unofficial list: ah.bfn.org/a/landmks/landmks6.html Successful outcome
If approved by the Keeper of the Register, the nomination is signed and listed on the National Register.
www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NY/Erie/districts.html

Benefits
www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/benefits.html http://www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/benefits.html

Protection afforded
For Construction, Alteration, Removal or Demolition, a certificate and building permit are required
www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html#Construction The State and National Registers are a valuable tool in the planning of publicly funded, licensed or permitted projects. Government agencies are responsible for avoiding or reducing the effects of projects on properties that are eligible for or listed on the registers.

1. Process information

LOCAL: City of Buffalo Charter and Ordinances - Chapter 13 http://www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html

STATE/NATIONAL: New York State and National Registers Information www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/register/nomination_process.htm

2. Governing agencies

LOCAL: City of Buffalo Preservation Board www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/presbd.html
Contact: Thomas Marchese, Secretary, 716-851-5029

STATE/NATIONAL: State Historic Preservation Office
Contact: Dan McEneny, 518-237-8643. ext 3257

3. Applications

LOCAL: Available from City of Buffalo Preservation Board. Also: www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/Local_DstctApp/1.jpg

STATE/NATIONAL: Applicant Form and a Historic Resource Inventory Form are available from State Historic Preservation Office

4. Criteria for designation

LOCAL: Chapter 13, Section 337-15 www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html#Designation

STATE/NATIONAL: www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/register/criteria_evaluation.htm

5. Process

LOCAL:

Step #1 - Submit completed application
Most property owners must each "favor the inclusion of this property in the Historic District."

Usually, a consultant is hired to complete the form. A current list of consultants offering services in the Buffalo area is available upon request from the State Historic Preservation Office or from the Landmark Society (716.852.3300)

Filing fee: $500.00 for non-owner occupied sturctures (for hearings notice costs)
Step #2 - Public hearing scheduled by City of Buffalo Preservation Board
Step #3 - Recommendation made by City of Buffalo Preservation Board to the Common Council
Step #4 - Public hearing #2 scheduled by Common Council Committee on Legislation
Step #5 - Final determination made by the Common Council
Step #6 - Successful outcome: Designated local district. Unofficial list: ah.bfn.org/a/landmks/landmks6.html

STATE/NATIONAL:

Step #1 - Submit completed application
Most property owners must be in favor of the Historic District.

Usually, a consultant is hired to complete the form. A current list of consultants offering services in the Buffalo area is available upon request from the State Historic Preservation Office or from the Landmark Society (716.852.3300)
Step #2 - Inspection by State Historic Preservation Office staff person (Claire Ross) inspects the property (ies)
Step #3 - Formal review is scheduled by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation State Review Board . The board meets quarterly.
Step #4 - Finalized. If recommended, the nomination form is finalized and forwarded to the State Historic Preservation Officer for review and signature.
Step #5 - Once signed, the nomination is entered on the New York State Register of Historic Places and transmitted to the National Park Service where it is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NY/Erie/districts.html
Step #6 - Successful outcome. If approved by the Keeper of the Register, the nomination is signed and listed on the National Register. www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NY/Erie/districts.html

6. Benefits

LOCAL: www.landmark-niagara.org

STATE/NATIONAL: http://www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/benefits.html

7. Protection afforded

LOCAL: For Construction, Alteration, Removal or Demolition, a certificate and building permit are required www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html#Construction

STATE/NATIONAL: The State and National Registers are a valuable tool in the planning of publicly funded, licensed or permitted projects. Government agencies are responsible for avoiding or reducing the effects of projects on properties that are eligible for or listed on the registers.

This page was created by the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier as a public service.
Please email additions

	LOCAL	STATE/NATIONAL
Process for designation	City of Buffalo, NY, Charter and Ordinances - Chapter 13 http://www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html	New York State and National Registers Information www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/register/nomination_process.htm
Governing agencies	City of Buffalo Preservation Board www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/presbd.html Contact: Thomas Marchese, Secretary, 716-851-5029	State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO): NY Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Historic Preservation Division Peebles Island / Box 189 / Waterford, NY 12188-0189 Contact: Dan McEneny, 518-237-8643. ext 3257
Applications	Available from City of Buffalo Preservation Board. Also: www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/Local_DstctApp/1.jpg	If you decide to nominate your neighborhood to the State and National Registers, you will work closely with the SHPO field representatve, Claire Ross, for our area. She will answer questions, lead you through the nomination process, and provide all information and forms. Some of the nomination provisions include describing the property's setting and physical characteristics, documenting its history, conveying its significance in terms of its historic contex,t and demonstrating how it meets the register's criteria.
Criteria for designation	Chapter 13, Section 337-15 www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html#Designation	www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/register/criteria_evaluation.htm
Step #1	Submit completed application Most property owners must each "favor the inclusion of this property in the Historic District." Usually, a consultant is hired to complete the form. A current list of consultants offering services in the Buffalo area is available upon request from the State Historic Preservation Office or from the Landmark Society (716.852.3300)	Submit completed application Most property owners must be in favor of the Historic District. Usually, a consultant is hired to complete the form. A current list of consultants offering services in the Buffalo area is available upon request from the State Historic Preservation Office or from the Landmark Society (716.852.3300)
Filing fee	$500.00 for non-owner occupied sturctures (for hearings notice costs)	None
Step #2	Public hearing Scheduled by City of Buffalo Preservation Board	Inspection SHPO staff person (Claire Ross) inspects the property(ies)
Step #3	Recommendation Made by City of Buffalo Preservation Board to the Common Council	Review A formal review by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation State Review Board is scheduled. The board meets quarterly.
Step #4	Public hearing #2 Scheduled by Common Council Committee on Legislation	Finalized If recommended, the nomination form is finalized and forwarded to the State Historic Preservation Officer for review and signature.
Step #5	Final determination Made by the Common Council	Once signed, the nomination is entered on the New York State Register of Historic Places and transmitted to the National Park Service where it is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NY/Erie/districts.html
Step #6	Successful outcome Designated local district Unofficial list: ah.bfn.org/a/landmks/landmks6.html	Successful outcome If approved by the Keeper of the Register, the nomination is signed and listed on the National Register. www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NY/Erie/districts.html
Benefits	www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/benefits.html	http://www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/benefits.html
Protection afforded	For Construction, Alteration, Removal or Demolition, a certificate and building permit are required www.landmark-niagara.org/presbd/bflocharter.html#Construction	The State and National Registers are a valuable tool in the planning of publicly funded, licensed or permitted projects. Government agencies are responsible for avoiding or reducing the effects of projects on properties that are eligible for or listed on the registers.