N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law § 119-aa

§ 119-aa. Purpose. It is hereby declared to be the purpose of this\narticle to encourage local governmental programs for the preservation,\nrestoration and maintenance of the historical, architectural,\narcheological and cultural environment by clarifying and amplifying\nexisting authority and providing necessary tools for such purpose. The\nframework provided by this article is intended to maintain and encourage\nthe opportunity and flexibility for the counties, cities, towns and\nvillages of the state to manage the historic and cultural properties\nunder their jurisdiction in a spirit of stewardship and trusteeship for\nfuture generations and to authorize local governments to conduct their\nactivities, plans and programs in a manner consistent with the\npreservation and enhancement of historic and cultural properties.\n