2. The Recognition and Protection of the Historic and Cultural Resources of the Community

The Town of Red Hook is fortunate to have extensive historic and cultural resources witch are significant to the community and, in fact, help shape the character of the community and help shape the character of the community and the quality of life experienced by its residents.

Fine examples of period architecture, stonewalls, Hudson River estates and historic hamlets all contribute to the unique physical quality and diversity of the community. Through its participation in the formation of one of the largest historic districts in the country and in its development of a local waterfront revitalization program, the Town has clearly recognized the importance of its Hudson Riverfront location and the historic features associated with its heritage.

The Town is equally endowed with a diversity of cultural resources, including the educational and arts-oriented facilities and programs of Bard College and Montgomery Place.

The Town will continue to recognize, support, and maintain historical and cultural elements that contribute to the character of the community by:

a.   Establishing design and review criteria to ensure that the new development within, or adjacent to, Town-recognized historic sights is compatible with the setting, scale, and architecture of existing resources.

b.   Encouraging the continuing study, identification, and recognition of significant historic and cultural resources, including, but not limited to, historic buildings, sites, roads, stonewalls, cemeteries, and monuments

c.   Promoting the appropriate adaptive reuse of historic buildings throughout the community to avoid the loss of structures that may no longer be needed, or functional, for their original use.

d.   Promoting the use of innovative land use techniques, such as conservation easements, transfer of development rights and cluster development, to protect significant historic and cultural resources, while ensuring that intrusions do not occur that would adversely affect the character, setting, or integrity of these resources.

e.   Encouraging support for cultural and artistic endeavors and the enhancement or development of related facilities and programs, with fundamental considerations in extending support being the availability of such facilities or programs to members of the Red Hook community and their overall compatibility with the Town's Comprehensive Plan objectives.