Property and Construction Resources

Important Documents

ALU Compliance Certificate Application
ALU Compliance Certificate Ledger
ALU Regulations
Architects List
Contractor Authorization Certificate
Rules and Regulations
2022–2023 Contractor List
Important Contacts

Please DO NOT Obstruct or Block Roadways Without Receiving Authorization At Least 24 Hours In Advance

Please find off-street parking for your vehicles — do not park in grass, roadways or walkways

January 2, 2023

Dear Contractors:

We are happy to welcome construction and other contractors to the grounds and to see all of the incredible craftsmanship and work that you are doing for this community! We recognize that this work requires substantial resources, including equipment, materials, personnel and vehicles, often packed into narrow open spaces and roadways. As you work, a reminder that it is imperative that you utilize off-street parking for your vehicles. If off-street parking is not possible nearby, you and your crews must drop-off what you need to and park in the North, South or Main lots.

Please find off-street parking in Institution lots, or in a spot where you have secured permission to park from the owner. Do not park on grass, on walkways or in ways that obstruct traffic or views.

If your project requires obstructing or blocking roadways, you must receive authorization from the Office of Campus Planning & Operations at least 24 hours in advance.

We will begin issuing traffic tickets from Department of Safety & Security and penalties from our Administrator of Architectural & Land Use Regulations should we see any contractors parking on the street without authorization.

Thank you so much for doing the work that you do, and for cooperating with the Architectural & Land Use Regulations and Rules & Regulations of Chautauqua Institution. If you have questions or wish to apply for a temporary road closure, please contact Jennifer Majewski at 716-357-6245. She will confer with our Grounds staff and Department of Safety & Security to receive proper authorization for the temporary closures.

John L. Shedd, AIA
Vice President of Campus Planning and Operations
jshedd@chq.org | 716.357.6245

The built environment is an integral and vital component of the fabric of Chautauqua. Private property owners have the privilege and responsibility to improve and maintain this fabric through revitalization efforts as well as the occasional construction of a new dwelling. This effort is only possible with the pool of talented professional contractors that commit to using their experience in this critical effort as well.

Being a unique place, there are unique circumstances under which capital improvement projects can be accomplished. As private property and an Historic District, there are certain processes, rules and regulations that have been put in place to help maintain Chautauqua’s national historic significance and presence. The Architectural and Land Use Regulations (ALU) were created for this purpose and the procedures that are required flow out of the need for continual and steadfast enforcement of the ALU.

The information contained on this page as well as the links to PDF documents and forms will help the homeowners, architects and contractors walk down the road to successful design and construction within the confines of the regulations. The following gives a brief overview of methods and process for completion of work within Chautauqua. The Operations Office is always available and willing to assist through the various stages along the way.

Contact Information

John Shedd
Vice President of Campus Planning and Operations
campops@chq.org
716-357-6245

Jack Munella
Director of Facilities and Grounds; Capital Projects Manager
Campus Planning & Operations Office
campops@chq.org
716-357-6245

UTILITY COMPANIES

National Fuel
1-800-365-3234

Chautauqua Utility District
716-357-8137

National Grid
1-800-642-4274

Waste Management Program

Absolutely no construction debris in the dumpsters.

view schedule

Process Chart

How To Work Here – What To Do

To be authorized to work on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution:

  1. Know and understand the Architectural and Land Use Regulations (ALU)
  • Request a printed copy ($25) from the Operation Office
  • Access it for free on our website
  • Schedule an appointment with the Administrator
  1. Complete a Contractor Authorization Certificate form and submit to the Operations Office
  • Request a printed copy from the Operation Office
  • Download it from our website
  • Return form in person, by mail or email to the Operations Office
  • Renew every year – by end of Season (August), Operations Office will send out new forms
  1. Activate or purchase new Contractor Vehicle Pass and hang on mirror – ALL YEAR
  • $10 one-time cost
  • Must contact operations office with Pass # to reactivate
  • Applies to all contractors and their employees

In order to complete projects on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution:

  1. Refer to Compliance Process Matrix to determine level of action required
  • See Article 6.3 of the ALU
  1. Submit completed Compliance Certificate Application to Operations Office
  • Can be done by either the Owner or Contractor
  • Schedule an appointment with the Administrator – I will guide you
  • Forms available from the Operations Office
  • Download it from our website
  • Return application and any documents in person, by mail or email to the Operations Office
  1. Review Process
  • Administrator and/or Architectural Review Board
  • Administrator will advise throughout and notify when approval complete
  • Operations Office will fax completed Certificate to Town of Chautauqua when relevant for a Building Permit
  1. Pick up, submit payment for and post the Compliance Certificate
  • Fees per the schedule
  • Violations and additional Fees if Certificate not posted
  • Work not to start until Certificate is approved and posted (unless written permission is granted from the Administrator)

2013 ALU Revisions

ALU HISTORY

ALU Study Group Members

2013 ALU Revisions

REVISED ARCHITECTURAL AND LAND USE REGULATIONS

At its annual end-of-season meeting on Saturday, Aug. 24, Chautauqua Institution’s board of trustees approved revisions to its Architectural and Land Use (ALU) Regulations, which will go into effect on Dec. 1, 2013.

The revised regulations include several important changes aimed at benefitting property owners and the larger Chautauqua community going forward:

  • The new regulations are geared toward preserving existing structures through restoration or renovation and discourage demolition. The process for renovation approval has been streamlined and simplified.
  • The new regulations have been designed to be clear, straight-forward and quantifiable. Definitions and requirements are more comprehensive, and quantitative measures have been defined for setbacks, height limits, percentage of green space and building size, to name a few. This information will help ensure consistent results.
  • The new regulations create 5 distinct districts (formerly 18) based on the character of buildings, lot layout patterns, building heights, setbacks, appearances and uses. We feel that the impact of this change on current property owners will be minimal since it’s reflective of existing conditions, allows for more uniform rules and regulations, and grandfather provisions will be made for prior compliant situations that are not compliant with new regulations.
  • The new regulations require that each project recognizes either the existing architectural style of a building or utilizes an academically identifiable architectural style for new construction.
  • Within each of the 5 districts a box or envelope has been created that follows the pattern in that district. Projects that work within that box or envelope will be reviewed by the Institution’s Architectural and Land Use Administrator even when a substantial rehabilitation project is proposed. Currently all substantial rehabilitation projects are reviewed by the Architectural Review Board.

ALU HISTORY

The revisions to the Institution’s ALU Regulations are the result of a two-year process involving an ALU Study Group (members listed below), assembled by then-board chairman George Snyder, numerous public input and presentation sessions in 2011 and 2012, and the posting of drafts on the Institution’s website for review and comments up until April 2013.

The 16-person ALU Study Group held six meetings between January and October 2011. During Weeks Two through Seven of the 2011 Season, study group members held one-on-one interviews at the Main Gate ate Welcome Center with the public to discuss their thoughts, concerns and issues related to ALU regulations. The comments of 55 total participants were summarized in two public presentations, which were attended by more than 100 members of the community. A final report of the study group was presented to the board at its annual retreat on Feb. 3, 2012.

Following the Feb. 2012 presentation, Snyder commissioned a subgroup (listed below) that included several members of the original study group and members of the board of trustees to review the report and prepare a draft of revised regulations. The subgroup met several times during the 2012 Season in a workshop-type setting to discuss existing regulations. The group also held a public presentation during Week Nine of the 2012 Season, answering questions from those in attendance.

Drafts of the proposed ALU regulations were published for public review on the Institution’s “On the Grounds” website in the fall of 2012 and spring 2013. At the May board meeting, a group of board members was charged with developing a final draft to present to the full board for consideration at the Aug. 24 meeting. The ALU regulations are currently being updated, with new regulations expected to be finalized in November 2021.

ALU Study Group Members

Study Group Members

Amelia Dean, property owner and interior designer
Bill Laubscher, property owner and architect
David Rosen, property owner and architect with involvement in land use, Zoning Boards of Adjustments and Historic Preservation Commissions.
Gayle Camden, property owner and professional designer
Jane Buch, property owner and BTG member
Jeffrey Simpson, author and editor, Architectural Digest
Jim Lynch, property owner
Jim Pardo, property owner, Trustee, member of the Architectural Review Board
Karen Goodell, property owner, realtor, real estate developer, and Foundation Director

Kathryn Lincoln, property owner, Trustee and Foundation Director
Markie McCarthy, property owner, CPOA Board member
Miles DeMott, property owner
Wendy Barensfeld, property owner
Susan Luehrs, property owner of a historic rooming house
Tom Small, property owner, officer of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy
Bob Jeffrey, property owner, member of the Architectural Review Board, former manager of City of St. Petersburg’s Urban Design and Historic Preservation Division