N.Y. General Municipal Law § 119-bb: Definitions

§ 119-bb. Definitions. When used in this article, unless a different

meaning clearly appears from the context, the terms listed below shall

have the following meanings:

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.