Rochester Preservation Board

Division of Zoning
City Hall - Room 125B
Rochester, New York 14614
Telephone (585) 428-7238

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About the Preservation Board

Citizens serving on a public board or commission help to ensure that decision making is based upon the public interest and its citizens’ points of view. This seven member citizen board reviews applications for Certificates of Appropriateness required for alterations to landmarks and properties located in the City’s eight preservation districts – Corn Hill, Mt. Hope Avenue, East Avenue, Susan B. Anthony, Beach Avenue, South Avenue/Gregory Street, Grove Place, and Brown’s Race. It is also responsible for developing and adopting preservation guidelines.

The Board’s authority and procedures are established by the City Code in Sections 120-185, 120-193, and 120-194. Written decisions are made for each application, based upon specific standards in the City Code and findings made by the Board.

Preservation Board Hearings

Public hearings are held evenings in City Council Chambers, Room 302A, City Hall at 6:00 PM, and staff support is provided by the Division of Zoning. See below for specific schedule times, application deadlines, agendas, and hearing information.

The applicant or a representative is required to attend the hearing to describe the proposal. Neighbors and other interested individuals are permitted to speak, and Board members may ask questions. After testimony is heard, the Board members deliberate among themselves and then decide to approve the proposal as submitted, approve the proposal with certain conditions, or deny the proposal. A majority vote of four members is needed for a decision. A written decision is mailed within 10 business days of the hearing. Please note that the decision is not a permit to commence construction. Standard permits are still required, such as those for construction, signage and plumbing.

A decision of the Board may be appealed to the State Supreme Court within 30 days after the Board's decision has been filed with the City Clerk's Office.

For information, an appointment, application forms, or to request sign language interpreter service at the hearing, please contact Christopher Snyder, Interim Board Staff, at (585) 428-6510 or Christopher.Snyder@cityofrochester.gov.

Applications must be complete to be accepted, and instructions and fees are specified on each application form. Please note that all applications must be submitted by appointment only, or by other specific arrangement.

Preservation Board Membership

Preservation Board members are selected by the Mayor, confirmed by City Council, and serve without pay or compensation. They must be City residents and serve for terms of 2 years, and may serve without limit to the number of terms. Selections must also include one member from the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors; one from a recognized historical association; two registered architects; two residents of Preservation Districts; and one city resident at large.

If you are interested in applying for a position on the Board, please contact Josanne Reaves in the Mayor’s Office at (585) 428-6140 or email Josanne.Reaves@cityofrochester.gov.

Current Board Membership

FULL MEMBERS:		ALTERNATES:
Deborah Beardslee	At-Large Member	Jon Schick (Architect)
Christopher Carretta	Realtor	Karsten Solberg (Architect)
Jason Dobbs	Architect
Gerald Gamm	Preservation District Member
James DeVinney	Preservation District Member
David Matthews	Architect
Edward Cain	Preservation District Resident
Tom Warth (City Staff)	City of Rochester, Law Department
Christopher Snyder (Interim Staff)	City of Rochester, City Planner
Zina Lagonegro (City Staff)	Manager of Zoning

Public Hearing Schedule - 2019

Public Hearing	Application Deadline	Agendas	Grids
January 2, 2019	December 3, 2018	Agenda	Grid
February 6, 2019	January 7, 2019	No Hearing
March 6, 2019	February 4, 2019	Agenda	Grid
April 3, 2019	March 4, 2019	Agenda	Grid
May 1, 2019	April 1, 2019	Agenda	Grid
June 5, 2019	May 6, 2019	Agenda	Grid
July 10, 2019	June 3, 2019	Agenda	Grid
August 7, 2019	July 8, 2019	Agenda	Grid
September 4, 2019	August 5, 2019	Agenda	Grid
October 2, 2019	September 3, 2019	Agenda	Grid
November 6, 2019	October 7, 2019	Agenda	Grid
December 4, 2019	November 4, 2019	Agenda	Grid