Crawford City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIIIA
Fees
§ 137-37.1 Statement of intent.
A.
The Town of Crawford incurs significant expenses in the operation of the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the office of the Building Inspector.
B.
These expenses include but are not limited to administrative, legal and engineering costs.
(1)
Administrative costs include but are not limited to processing applications, consultations among municipal officers and officials regarding the facts and circumstances of the application, the preparation of hearing notices, the publication of hearing notices, providing notice to other governmental agencies, the preparation of affidavits of posting and publication, the preparation and maintenance of official records regarding the application and municipal review of the application, testimony by municipal officials at public hearings, the processing of resolutions and determinations, filing fees and miscellaneous services and disbursements.
(2)
Legal costs include but are not limited to application review, the review and analysis of applicable zoning law provisions, the review and analysis of applicable subdivision regulations, the preparation of hearing notices, attendance at meetings and public hearings, the preparation of resolutions and determinations, the preparation of SEQR determinations, the review of bonds for public improvements, the review of offers of dedication, the review of easements, the preparation and review of agreements, the review of deeds and miscellaneous services and disbursements.
(3)
Engineering costs include the review of plans at various stages, the analysis of public improvements, the preparation of reports, design analysis, inspection fees, the preparation of improvement costs estimates, the examination of property descriptions and miscellaneous services and disbursements.
C.
When these expenses are occasioned in connection with an appeal, application or petition made by an applicant to the Town or an instrumentality of the Town, then it is proper and in the public interest for the applicant to bear the cost of these expenses.
§ 137-37.2 Timing of fees to be paid for any Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and/or Building Department applications.
[Amended 9-18-2025 by L.L. No. 5-2025]
A.
Unless otherwise specifically provided in this section or in a subsequent resolution establishing fees, the fees required pursuant to this section shall be paid in advance upon submission of an application, and the failure to submit the full payment required shall render the application incomplete.
B.
Inspection escrow. In land use applications that propose site improvements, routine, and, if necessary, emergency inspections shall be conducted by the Town or its Town Engineer, consulting engineers and/or Building Inspector to ensure completion of the site improvements in conformance with the terms of the approval of the application and in accordance with the site plan or subdivision plat. The owner is responsible for the payment of all inspections, as-built drawings and related costs. Initially, an inspection escrow, in the amount of 4% of the approved site work cost estimate, shall be deposited with the Town, prior to the time that the Chairman of the Planning Board signs the final plat or the start of any site improvement work. The escrow percentage may also be reviewed and revised by resolution of the Town Board. The inspection fee escrow shall be used to pay any and all Town engineering, Building Department, legal and staff expenses associated with inspection of the site improvements. Any fees not paid by the owner shall be billed to the owner and, if not paid within 30 days after billing, shall be assessed and levied against the property and shall be collected in the same manner as real property taxes.
§ 137-37.3 Fees to be set by resolution; liability for additional expenses.
A.
The fees required pursuant to this section may be established by resolution of the Town Board, and such resolution may be modified from time to time. Any such resolution or modification shall take effect after adoption and upon filing with the Town Clerk and shall apply to all applications filed thereafter, including pending applications.
B.
Except in the case of area variances, the fees established pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be minimum fees, and any additional expenses actually incurred by the Town for professional consultations, hearing notices and other nonministerial expenses shall be imposed on the applicant and paid prior to the endorsement of an approved subdivision plat or site plan or the issuance of any building permit or the filing of any applicable local law with the Secretary of State.
§ 137-37.4 Zoning Board of Appeals.
§ 137-37.5 Planning Board.
Fees shall be established for the following Planning Board matters:
§ 137-37.6 Local laws resulting from application or petitions.
A.
Whenever, in connection with an application or petition, a local law is necessary or appropriate to implement the benefit or relief sought or to regulate conditions occasioned by the granting of an approval or approvals, the total actual expenses incurred by the Town in connection with the preparation and consideration of a proposed local law shall be borne by the applicant. The minimum fees established by resolution shall be paid by the applicant upon the earlier of: submission of a petition, if applicable, or prior to the endorsement of an approved subdivision plat or site plan or the issuance of any building permit or the filing of any applicable local law with the Secretary of State.
C.
If the administrative or other expenses of the Town exceed the amount deposited pursuant to this section, the balance shall be paid by the applicant prior to the endorsement of any subdivision plat or site plan or the issuance of any building permit or the filing of any applicable local law with the Secretary of State.
§ 137-37.7 Building Inspector.
§ 137-37.8 Freshwater wetlands.
Fees shall be established for freshwater wetlands applications and/or permits.
§ 137-37.9 Reacquaintance fees.
[Amended 5-8-1997 by L.L. No. 4-1997[1]]
Whenever an extension is necessary to prevent an approval from lapsing or becoming otherwise void, the first such request for an extension shall be processed at no charge, and the second and each subsequent request for an extension shall be processed only upon prior payment of the fees established by resolution of the Town Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also provided that it shall supersede any inconsistent provision of the Town Law.
§ 137-37.10 Abatement not to be granted.
No abatement of fees shall be granted as a result of an applicant's seeking more than one approval or submitting more than one application in connection with a particular project.
§ 137-37.11 State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) compliance.
Whenever environmental analysis is required pursuant to the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) or any local law implementing SEQRA, all expenses relating to the environmental analysis shall be borne by the applicant. Fees shall be established pursuant to a resolution of the Town Board, in a manner consistent with Title 6 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, Part 617.
§ 137-37.12 Amendments to approved plans to be deemed new applications.
Whenever an application is submitted to amend an approved plan or permit, it shall be deemed a new application, and the fees specified pursuant to this section shall apply; provided, however, that, in the case of an amendment to a subdivision plat, the fees shall be based on the number of lots modified or affected by the amendment, and provided further that in no event shall the fees due on a subdivision amendment application be less than the minimum provided for a minor or major subdivision, respectively.