Source: https://www.ecode360.com/13960950
Timestamp: 2019-02-18 03:45:26
Document Index: 164303800

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 239', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 274', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 277', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121']

Town of Amenia, NY Special Permits and Site Plan Review
Ch 121 Art IX Special Permits and Site Plan Review
§ 121-60 Purpose and applicability.
§ 121-61 Required submissions for special permit applications.
§ 121-62 Procedure for special permits.
§ 121-63 Findings required.
§ 121-64 Special permit amendments.
§ 121-65 Site plan review and approval.
§ 121-66 Procedure for major project site plan approval.
§ 121-67 Procedure for minor project site plan approval.
§ 121-68 Implementation, revision, and enforcement of approved site plans.
Article IX Special Permits and Site Plan Review
Chapter 121 Zoning Article IX Special Permits and Site Plan Review
It is the policy of the Town of Amenia to allow a variety of uses of land, provided that such uses do not adversely affect neighboring properties, the natural environment, or the rural and historic character of the Town. Many uses are therefore permitted only upon issuance of a special permit by the Planning Board, in order to ensure that these uses are appropriate to their surroundings and consistent with the purposes of this chapter. Some uses are allowed by right, subject only to site plan approval (see the Use Table in § 121-10).[1] Telecommunications towers require a special permit issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Adult uses, soil mines and uses not listed on the Use Table (if not prohibited by § 121-10C) require a special permit issued by the Town Board. In reviewing special permit applications, the Town Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals shall follow the procedures and standards established for the Planning Board in this Article IX.
Conversion of existing structures totalling 5,000 square feet to another use.
Soil mining that does not require a DEC permit.
A site plan, containing the information listed in § 121-65B, unless submission of certain information has been waived at a preapplication meeting.
A narrative report describing how the proposed use will satisfy the criteria set forth in § 121-63, as well as any other applicable requirements relating to the specific use proposed.
An agricultural data statement as defined in § 121-74, if required by § 121-37C.
A plot plan providing information sufficient to enable the reviewing board to make an informed decision (which may include some of the site plan information listed in § 121-65B).
The minor project application fee, as established by the Town Board, and an escrow deposit (if required).
Preapplication meetings. Before filing an application, a preliminary conference with the Code Enforcement Official is required to discuss the nature of the proposed use and to classify it as a major or minor project. If the Code Enforcement Official classifies the project as a major project, a preliminary meeting with the Planning Board is required to discuss the nature of the proposed use and to determine the information that will need to be submitted in the site plan.
Mediation option. At any point in a project review process, the Planning Board may, if it deems appropriate and the parties consent, appoint a mediator to work informally with the applicant, neighboring property owners, and other interested parties to address concerns raised about the proposed special permit use. Any party may request mediation. Such mediation may be conducted by any qualified and impartial person acceptable to the parties and the Planning Board. The mediator shall have no power to impose a settlement or bind the parties or the Planning Board, and any settlement reached shall require Planning Board approval to assure compliance with all provisions of this chapter. The cost, if any, of such mediation may be charged to the applicant as part of the cost of project review, with the applicant's written consent. Such cost may also be paid by the Town, or shared by other parties with their written consent.
Application for area variance. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, where a proposed special permit contains one or more features which do not comply with the dimensional requirements of this chapter, application may be made to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an area variance pursuant to § 121-59F without a decision or determination by the Code Enforcement Official.
Referral to County Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
Upon receipt of application materials it deems to be complete, the Planning Board shall refer to the County Planning Board any application for a special permit affecting real property within 500 feet of the boundary of the Town of Amenia, the boundary of any existing or proposed county or state park or other recreational area, the boundary of any existing or proposed county or state roadway, the boundary of any existing or proposed right-of-way for a stream or drainage channel owned by the county for which the county has established channel lines, the boundary of any existing or proposed county or state-owned land on which a public building or institution is situated, or the boundary of a farm operation within an agricultural district as defined in Article 25AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law, pursuant to General Municipal Law Article 12-B, §§ 239-l and 239-m, as amended.
No action shall be taken on applications referred to the County Planning Board until its recommendation has been received, or 30 days have elapsed after its receipt of the complete application, unless the county and Town agree to an extension beyond the thirty-day requirement for the County Planning Board's review.
Any major project special permit application shall be referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals no later than the time of referral to the County Planning Department. The Board of Appeals shall have a maximum of 45 days to review the application and submit written comments to the Planning Board. The Planning Board shall consider the written comments of the Board of Appeals in making its decision on the application. If no comments are received within the forty-five-day referral period, the Board of Appeals shall be deemed to have waived its right to comment.
The Planning Board shall hold a public hearing on a complete special permit application within 62 days of its submission. The Board shall give public notice of such hearing by causing publication of a notice of such hearing in the official newspaper at least five days prior to the date thereof. The Board shall also send notices of the hearing by certified mail to owners of contiguous properties. If the application is for a property located within 500 feet of the boundary of an adjacent municipality, notice of the hearing shall be sent to the Clerk of the adjacent municipality by mail or electronic transmission at least 10 days prior to such hearing, and such adjacent municipality may appear and be heard. The cost of giving all notices shall be charged to the applicant.
For all major projects, the applicant shall also be required to post a notice on a sign purchased from the Town Clerk stating that there is a pending application on the property and providing the date, time, and place of the hearing, the place and times the application may be reviewed by the public, and a telephone number to call for further information. This sign shall be posted in public view in a conspicuous location within three days after the Planning Board establishes a public hearing date, shall be updated if more hearing dates are scheduled, and shall remain in place until the day after the hearing is closed.
The Board shall grant, deny, or grant subject to conditions the application for a special permit within 62 days after the hearing for a major project and within 31 days for a minor project. Any decision on a major project shall contain written findings explaining the rationale for the decision in light of the standards contained in § 121-63 below.
In granting a special permit, the Planning Board may impose any conditions which it considers necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. These conditions may include increasing dimensional or area requirements, requiring the set-aside of perpetual open space land pursuant to § 121-20, specifying location, character and number of vehicle access points, requiring landscaping, planting and screening, requiring clustering of structures and uses in order to preserve environmental resources and minimize the burden on public services and facilities, and requiring action by the applicant, including the posting of performance bonds and the furnishing of guarantees to insure the completion of the project in accordance with the conditions imposed.
Every decision on a special permit shall be filed in the office of the Town Clerk within five business days after the decision is rendered and shall be a public record. A copy thereof shall be placed in the permanent file of the property and shall also be mailed to the applicant within the same five-day period.
The special permit and accompanying site plan shall be implemented as provided in § 121-68.
Expiration, revocation, and enforcement.
A special permit shall expire if the special permit use or uses cease for more than 24 consecutive months for any reason, if the applicant fails to obtain the necessary building permits or fails to comply with the conditions of the special permit within 12 months of its issuance, or if its time limit expires without renewal.
Any violation of the conditions of a special permit shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to enforcement action as provided in § 121-57.
Will comply with all land use district, overlay district, and other specific requirements of this and other chapters and regulations, and will be consistent with the purposes of this chapter and of the land use district in which it is located.
Will not overload any public water, drainage, or sewer system or any other municipal facility.
Will be suitable for the property on which it is proposed, considering the property's size, location, topography, vegetation, soils, natural habitat, and hydrology and, if appropriate, its ability to be buffered or screened from neighboring properties and public roads.
Will comply with applicable site plan criteria in § 121-65D.
The terms and conditions of any special permit may be amended in the same manner as required for the issuance of a special permit, following the criteria and procedures in this section. Any enlargement, alteration, or construction of accessory structures not previously approved shall require site plan review only, provided that the use does not change.
Site plan approval by the Planning Board shall be required for all permitted uses listed on the Use Table as requiring site plan approval only.[1] Site plan review shall be included as an integral part of the special permit approval process, and no separate site plan approval shall be required for uses requiring a special permit.
The procedures for review of major and minor (as defined in § 121-60C) site plans are described in §§ 121-66 and 121-67. Agricultural structures with a footprint of over 10,000 square feet shall require minor site plan approval. Agricultural structures with a footprint of 10,000 square feet or less are exempt from site plan approval requirements.
Site plan approval shall also be required for any development which is the functional equivalent of a land subdivision but which is structured for ownership purposes as a condominium project. In such cases, the Planning Board shall apply all relevant review criteria contained in the Subdivision Law (Chapter 105 of the Town Code) as well as the provisions of this chapter.
Required information for site plan. An application for site plan approval shall be accompanied by plans and descriptive information sufficient to clearly portray the intentions of the applicant. Minor project site plans shall contain the information required by § 121-67C and other information listed below if the Planning Board deems such information necessary to conduct an informed review. Major project site plans shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer, architect, or landscape architect and shall include the following (unless waived):
An existing conditions map or maps, showing existing buildings, roads, utilities, and other man-made features, as well as topography and all existing natural land features that may influence the design of the proposed use such as rock outcrops, single trees eight or more inches in diameter located within any area where clearing will occur, forest cover, soils (including prime and statewide important agricultural soils), and ponds, lakes, wetlands and watercourses, aquifers, floodplains, and drainage retention areas. Such map or maps shall also show mapped ecological and natural resource information from the report "Significant Habitats in the Town of Amenia, Dutchess County, New York" by Hudsonia Ltd. (2006) (hereinafter cited as the "Hudsonia Report").
A site plan, drawn at a scale and on a sheet size appropriate to the project. The information listed below shall be shown on the site plan and continuation sheets. The site plan shall also show all development overlaid on the ecologically significant habitats map in the Hudsonia Report.
Name of the project, boundaries, date, North arrow, and scale of the plan. Name and address of the owner of record, developer, and seal of the engineer, architect, or landscape architect. If the applicant is not the record owner, a letter of authorization shall be required from the owner.
Erosion and sedimentation control plan required by § 121-32 to prevent the pollution of surface or groundwater, erosion of soil both during and after construction, excessive runoff, excessive raising or lowering of the water table, and flooding of other properties, as applicable.
Traffic flow patterns within the site, entrances and exits, and loading and unloading areas, as well as curb cuts on the site and within 100 feet of the site. The Planning Board may, at its discretion, require a detailed traffic study for large developments or for those in heavy traffic areas to satisfy the requirements of § 121-40N.
Estimated area of structure currently used and intended to be used for particular uses such as retail operation, office, storage, etc.;
Estimated maximum number of current and future employees;
Waivers. The Planning Board may waive or allow deferred submission of any of the information required in Subsection B above, as it deems appropriate to the application. Such waivers shall be discussed in the course of preapplication conferences. The Planning Board shall issue a written statement of waivers for all major projects. This statement shall be filed in permanent record of the property.
Criteria. In reviewing site plans, the Planning Board shall consider the criteria set forth below. The Planning Board shall also consider the three-volume set of illustrated design guidelines published by the Dutchess County Department of Planning in 1994, entitled "Hamlet Design Guidelines," "Building Form Guidelines," and "Rural Design Guidelines," and shall adapt the recommendations of those documents to the requirements of this chapter.
To the maximum extent practicable, development shall be located to preserve the natural features of the site and to avoid wetland areas, steep slopes, significant wildlife habitats and other areas of environmental sensitivity. The placement and design of buildings and parking facilities shall take advantage of the site's topography, existing vegetation and other pertinent natural features. The Planning Board may require that an applicant prepare a conservation analysis as described in § 121-20A of this chapter.
All structures in the plan shall be integrated with each other and with adjacent structures and shall have convenient access between adjacent uses. Structures shall, where practical, be laid out in the pattern of a traditional hamlet.
Structures that are visible from public roads shall be compatible with each other and with traditional structures in the surrounding area in architecture, design, massing, materials, proportion, texture, color and placement and shall harmonize with traditional elements in the architectural fabric of the area. Building components such as windows, rooflines and pitch, doors, eaves and parapets shall be compatible with historic structures in the Town. Vertical, double-hung windows and steeply pitched roofs are encouraged. Designs shall avoid flat roofs, large expanses of undifferentiated facades, and long plain wall sections. Rooftop and ground level mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view using materials harmonious with the building or shall be located where they are not visible from any public ways.
Trademarked architecture which identifies a specific company by building design features shall be prohibited, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the design is compatible with the historic architecture of Amenia or the Building Form Guidelines.
Newly installed utility service systems, and service modifications necessitated by exterior alterations, shall be installed underground. When feasible, existing aboveground utility service systems shall be placed underground.
Landscape plantings of shrubs, ground cover and shade trees, as well as perennials and annuals and other materials such as rocks, water, sculpture, art, walls, fences, paving materials and street furniture, shall be encouraged to create pedestrian-scale spaces and to maintain landscape community within the community. All landscaping within the site shall be designed to facilitate conservation of the environment and preservation of community aesthetic character. This shall be accomplished through the use of native plant material and the retention of existing natural vegetation, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for irrigation, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
Existing tree stock eight or more inches in diameter at breast height shall be protected and preserved to the maximum extent possible to retain valuable community natural resources and promote energy conservation by maximizing the cooling and shading effects of trees. The preservation of mature plant species, hedgerows, wetlands and woodlots shall be encouraged and included as a design element in the development of the site.
Landscape buffers shall be provided between uses that may be incompatible, such as large-scale commercial uses and residences. Such buffers may include planted trees and shrubs, hedgerows, berms, existing forestland or forest created through natural succession. The width of such buffer areas will depend upon the topography, scale of the uses, and their location on the property.
If deemed appropriate for the site by the Planning Board, shade trees at least six feet tall and two-inch caliper shall be planted and maintained at twenty-foot to forty-foot intervals along roads, at a setback distance acceptable to the Highway Superintendent.
For landscaping parking lots, see § 121-38A(4)(c).
Parking, circulation, and loading.
Roads, driveways, sidewalks, off-street parking, and loading space shall be safe and shall encourage pedestrian movement.
Off-street parking and loading standards in § 121-38 shall be satisfied.
Parking spaces shall have wheel stops or curbs to prevent injury to trees and shrubs planted in landscaped islands.
Bicycle parking spaces and racks shall be provided in an area that does not conflict with vehicular traffic. Designated van/carpool parking, and other facilities for alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle use, shall be provided wherever possible.
In developments where a link to schools, churches, shopping areas, trails, greenbelts and other public facilities is feasible or where a trail connection is recommended in the Comprehensive Plan or in a Town open space plan, a trail corridor shall be reserved on the approved site plan for this purpose.
Reservation of parkland. For any site plan containing residential units, the Planning Board may require the reservation of parkland or payment of a recreation fee pursuant to Town Law. § 274-a, Subdivision 6.
Exterior lighting fixtures shall be shielded and directed downward to prevent light from shining directly onto neighboring properties or public ways. Light standards shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
Drainage of the site shall recharge groundwater to the extent practical. The park rate of surface water flowing off site shall not increase above pre-development conditions and shall not adversely affect drainage on adjacent properties or public roads.
No materials shall be placed below the finished grade of a site other than utilities, sand, gravel, rocks, and soil that are uncontaminated by any solid waste or hazardous materials. Materials that were previously contaminated and have been reconditioned shall not be permitted under this Subsection D(5)(e), except that decontaminated material may be used as a base for road or parking lot construction, provided that such decontaminated material does not pollute groundwater or surface water.
Structures shall be located, constructed and insulated to prevent on-site noise from interfering with the use of adjacent properties. Similarly, buildings shall be situated to prevent off-site noise from intruding on new development. Methods for blocking noise shall be used where appropriate and shall include fencing, walls and natural buffers, such as berms and landscape planting with deciduous and coniferous trees and large shrubs.
Applicability. This § 121-66 applies to major project site plan approval applications where no special permit is required. See § 121-67 for minor project site plan applications.
Preapplication meetings. Before filing an application, a preliminary conference with the Code Enforcement Official and one person designated by the Planning Board Chair is required to discuss the nature of the proposed use and to classify it as a major or minor project. If the Code Enforcement Official classifies the project as a major project, a preliminary conference with the Planning Board is required to discuss the nature of the proposed use and to determine the information that will need to be submitted in the site plan.
Submission. All major project site plans shall be submitted, with multiple copies as required by the Planning Board, to the Code Enforcement Official, who shall distribute them to the Planning Board and such other municipal boards, officials, and consultants as the Planning Board deems appropriate. In addition to the site plan drawings, the applicant shall submit:
Application for area variance. Where a proposed site plan contains one or more features which do not comply with the dimensional regulations of this chapter, application may be made to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an area variance pursuant to § 121-59F without a decision or determination by the Code Enforcement Official.
The Planning Board shall hold a public hearing on the site plan and shall follow the provisions on notice, agricultural data statements, county review, and time limits for special permits in §§ 121-62E through G.
Criteria for decisions on site plans shall be limited to those listed in § 121-65D. In granting site plan approval, the Planning Board may impose any conditions which it considers necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. These conditions may include increasing dimensional or area requirements, requiring the set-aside of perpetual open space land pursuant to § 121-20, specifying location, character and number of vehicle access points, requiring landscaping, planting and screening, requiring clustering of structures and uses in order to preserve environmental resources and minimize the burden on public services and facilities, and requiring performance guarantees to insure the completion of the project in accordance with the conditions imposed.
The procedure for minor project site plan approval by the Planning Board shall be the same as prescribed in § 121-66 for major projects, except for the following:
A short-form environmental assessment form (EAF) will normally be required. If the application is classified as a Type I action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, a long-form EAF shall be required. The Planning Board, at its discretion, may require the long-form environmental assessment form for any application categorized as "unlisted" under SEQRA.
A minor project site plan application shall contain the following information: For nonagricultural structures, the Planning Board may request additional information listed in § 121-65B if the Board deems it essential to conduct an informed review. Minor project site plan application materials may be prepared by a licensed professional engineer, architect, or landscape architect, but the Planning Board shall not require this unless the services of such professionals are necessary to provide accurate information or are otherwise required by law.
A sketch of the parcel on a location map (e.g., a Tax Map) showing boundaries and dimensions of the parcel and identifying contiguous properties that are within 200 feet of the proposed structure and any known easements or rights-of-way and roadways.
Existing features of the site lying within 200 feet of the proposed structure, including land and water areas, water or sewer systems, and the approximate location of all structures within 200 feet of the proposed structures.
The proposed location and arrangements of structures and uses on the site, including means of ingress and egress, parking, and circulation of traffic.
A sketch of any proposed structures (including signs), showing exterior dimensions and elevations of front, side, and rear views; copies of available blueprints, plans, or drawings.
A concise description of the project describing the intended use of proposed structures (including signs) and any changes in the existing topography and natural features.
The name and address of the applicant and any professional advisors, and the authorization of the owner if the applicant is not the owner.
If the parcel contains a stream, wetland, or floodplain, a copy of the floodplain map and wetland map that corresponds with the boundaries of the property.
No public hearing shall be required for a minor project site plan. The Planning Board may, in its sole discretion, hold a public hearing following the procedures in § 121-66F. If no public hearing is held, the Planning Board shall give notice to the County Planning Board and to farm operators as required in §§ 121-62E and F and render a decision within 45 days of its receipt of a complete site plan application. In order to approve a minor project site plan, the Planning Board must find that the proposal is generally consistent with the criteria in § 121-65D and will not adversely affect neighboring properties.
Within six months after receiving approval of a site plan, with or without modifications, the applicant shall submit multiple copies of the site plan to the Planning Board for stamping and signing. The site plan submitted for stamping shall conform strictly to the site plan approved by the Planning Board, except that it shall further incorporate any required revisions or other modifications and shall be accompanied by the following additional information:
An estimated project construction schedule. If a performance guarantee pursuant to Subsection B is to be provided by the applicant for all or some portion of the work, a detailed site improvements cost estimate shall be included.
Upon stamping and signing the site plan, the Planning Board shall forward a copy of the approved site plan to the Code Enforcement Official and the applicant. The Code Enforcement Official may then issue a building permit or certificate of occupancy if the project conforms to all other applicable requirements.
Performance guarantee. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all improvements shown on the site plan are installed, or a sufficient performance guarantee has been posted for improvements not yet completed. The performance guarantee shall be posted in accordance with the procedures specified in § 277 of the Town Law relating to subdivisions. The amount and sufficiency of such performance guarantee shall be determined by the Town Board after consultation with the Planning Board, Town Attorney, Code Enforcement Official, other local officials, and its consultants.
As-built plans and inspection of improvements. No certificate of occupancy shall be granted until the applicant has filed a set of as-built plans with the Code Enforcement Official, indicating any deviations from the approved site plan. The Code Enforcement Official shall be responsible for the inspection of site improvements, including coordination with the Town's consultants and other local officials and agencies, as may be appropriate, and shall grant a certificate of occupancy upon a finding that the project as built complies in all material respects with the site plan. The Code Enforcement Official shall also have the authority to inspect soil mines for compliance with conditions authorized by § 121-17D throughout the life of the mine. Costs of any required inspections may be charged to the applicant as provided in section § 121-58.
If the Planning Board determines that the proposed amendment is consistent with the terms of the applicable special permit approval (or if no special permit is required), but is a substantial change from the approved site plan, it shall follow the procedures for site plan approval contained in § 121-66F and hold a public hearing if the amendment would be considered to be a major project.
If the Planning Board determines that the proposed amendment is inconsistent with the terms of any special permit approval, it shall consider the application to be one for a special permit amendment and proceed pursuant to § 121-62.
A site plan approval shall expire if the applicant fails to commence construction, to obtain the necessary building permits, or to comply with the conditions of the site plan approval within 18 months of its issuance or if the special permit with which it is associated expires. The Planning Board may grant a one-time six-month extension.