Plandome Heights proposes voluntary historic landmark program
New village code chapter requires homeowner consent for designation and uses the existing board of trustees for oversight.
By Layla Fontaine ·
The Village of Plandome Heights is proposing a new historic preservation law that relies entirely on voluntary participation from property owners. The draft legislation, designated as Chapter 71 of the village code, would allow residents to apply for landmark status for their homes without forcing any designation on those who opt out.
The board of trustees has discussed and revised the proposal over several months. The initiative responds to preservation concerns regarding the village's historic Duke Houses. Developer Benjamin N. Duke built these homes in the early 20th century as part of a planned community. Eight of the original ten houses still stand today.
At a public hearing held on November 2, Mayor Kenneth Riscica stressed that homeowner consent is mandatory under the new rules. He explained that the village cannot designate a property based solely on historical anecdotes or public purpose decisions made by a commission. Riscica stated that the property owner always retains the right to decide whether to participate in the program.
The proposal avoids creating a separate preservation commission. Instead, the current seven-member board of trustees would serve as the landmarks preservation commission. Riscica noted that the village has a small number of likely landmark candidates, making a separate volunteer board impractical. The trustees already handle zoning and land-use matters with guidance from the village attorney and building inspector.
Residents generally supported the proposal during the hearing. One attendee asked if a designation would bind future buyers. Riscica confirmed that the status would run with the property and be recorded on the deed. This allows prospective buyers to see the designation before purchasing the home. Another resident suggested including streetscapes, landscaping, and original sidewalks in the preservation scope. A third resident urged the village to offer incentives to attract more homeowners to the program.
Former Mayor Marion Endrizzi praised the board's approach to the legislation. She said she was happy that the homeowner applies for the designation and that the village is not coercing anyone to join. The board still needs to finalize the enforcement penalties for the law. The current draft has blank amounts for fines, though Riscica expects the final figures to be lower than the $25,000 mentioned during early discussions. The board plans to determine these penalties when it votes on the legislation at its next meeting.
The public comment record will remain open before the board makes its final decision. In other business, the trustees discussed diversifying village savings across four banks to secure competitive interest rates. The village is also planning to seek bids for a new sanitation contract, with a one-year agreement currently favored due to economic uncertainty.
