Pierrepont Town City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 205-1 Title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Town of Pierrepont Zoning Regulations."
§ 205-2 Authority.
Enactment of this chapter by the Town of Pierrepont is pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law and § 261 of the Town Law of the State of New York.
§ 205-3 Scope.
A.
This chapter shall apply to the construction, erection or location of any new building or use; the expansion or addition that would alter the exterior dimensions of an area occupied by an existing building or use; and the introduction, expansion or change or any use provided for in the Town of Pierrepont.
B.
This chapter authorizes and empowers those duly appointed or delegated by the Town Board of the Town of Pierrepont to approve or disapprove zoning permits, certificates of compliance, sign permits, site plans and variance applications.
C.
Whenever the requirements of this chapter is at variance with the requirements of any lawfully adopted rules, regulations or ordinances, such as the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the most restrictive or those imposing the higher standards shall govern.
§ 205-4 Purposes.
This chapter is designed to serve the general purposes of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the Town of Pierrepont. In particular, this chapter is intended to further the following community goals and objectives.
A.
Community character.
(1)
Goal 1: maintain and enhance the physical attractiveness and quiet, rural, open-country character of the Town.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Minimize conflicts among land uses through the adoption of improved zoning and buffering requirements.
[2]
Set minimum standards for lot sizes and dimensions, setbacks, and the percentage of the lot that may be occupied.
[3]
Recognize the value to the character of the community of agricultural uses, forestlands, and other scenic views throughout the Town.
[4]
Restrict junk cars and salvage materials from roadside view.
[5]
Encourage proper waste disposal and enforce laws to prevent illegal waste dumping.
[6]
Adopt regulations so that billboards and signs will be consistent with the community character.
[7]
Encourage proper forest management to improve the aesthetic and economic values of forests.
B.
Environmental health.
(1)
Goal 2: prevent the contamination of groundwater.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Identify problem soil areas.
[2]
Enforce the sanitary regulations.
[3]
Develop minimum lot size standards to prevent off-site environmental harm.
[4]
Periodically review local development activity to determine whether community facilities are warranted.
C.
Natural resources.
(1)
Goal 3: maintain the high quality of Pierrepont's rivers and streams.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Develop minimum setbacks from surface waters for structures, excavation, and sewage disposal systems.
[2]
Encourage the management of woodlands in ways that protect water supplies.
(2)
Goal 4: maintain resources and protect environmentally sensitive or unique natural areas.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Identify and map natural areas with local significance.
[2]
Limit the intensity of development in sensitive areas.
[3]
Limit development on steep slopes, wetlands, and in other areas unsuitable for on-site sewage disposal.
[4]
Recognize the benefits of wetlands for pollution and flood control, wildlife habitat, and community character, as well as the limitations they pose for development.
[5]
Require a wastewater disposal system inspection prior to approving any variance request which would increase the volume of wastewater generated on the site or decrease the amount of land for leach fields.
D.
Community growth.
(1)
Goal 5: encourage development that will be consistent with the community character and the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Develop review standards so that new development will not impair the value or discourage the appropriate development and use of adjacent lands.
[2]
Encourage commercial development in areas of the Town where they will not cause undo traffic problems or conflict with the neighborhood.
(2)
Goal 6: strengthen the historic role of the Town's hamlets as residential, social, and commercial centers.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Provide for a variety of compatible residential, commercial, recreational, and light industrial uses within the hamlets.
[2]
Require nuisance-prone land uses, such as junkyards, kennels, and landfills, to locate far away from population centers.
E.
Community services.
(1)
Goal 7: promote the development of efficient and dependable community services that meet residents' needs at an affordable cost.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Encourage development patterns that will be least likely to require an expensive sewage treatment system, water supply systems, or other avoidable public expenditures.
[2]
Explore entering cooperative ventures with nearby towns to provide cost-effective public services, such as a recreational program, to meet the needs of Town residents.
F.
Historic and cultural resources.
(1)
Goal 8: retain and strengthen Pierrepont's historical and cultural resources.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Recognize the need for Town resources to maintain historic Town buildings and properties.
[2]
Ensure the compatibility of land uses adjacent to properties listed on the State Register of Historic Sites.
G.
Transportation.
(1)
Goal 9: work with the New York State Department of Transportation and the county to maintain the safety and free flow of traffic along the highway network in the Town.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Enforce the subdivision regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 152, Subdivision of Land.
[2]
Develop design standards to prevent vehicles from backing out onto state or county highways.
[3]
Encourage cluster development for projects located adjacent to state or county highways.
[4]
Set aside a park-and-ride carpool area, if sufficient interest is expressed.
H.
Regulations.
(1)
Goal 10: develop land use regulations that are reasonable, fair, easy to understand and enforce, and which provide flexibility to accommodate unforeseen circumstances.
(a)
Objectives:
[1]
Encourage public participation through public hearings and making available copies of the proposed regulations and Zoning Map.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[2]
Increase understanding of land use regulations by including a Zoning Schedule[3] to serve as a quick reference to requirements and developing flow diagrams to guide applicants through the local permitting process.
[3]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Schedule is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[3]
Provide for ongoing training for the Code Enforcement Officer and interested members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
§ 205-5 When effective; repealer.
This chapter shall take effect upon its being duly filed in the office of the Secretary of State after adoption by the Town Board of the Town of Pierrepont. The effective date of this chapter shall be the date that the Secretary of State notifies the Town that the chapter is filed. Upon enactment, all local laws or portions thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed.
§ 205-6 Severability.
Should any section or provision of this chapter be decided by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision(s) shall not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole or any part thereof other than the specific section or provision so decided to be unconstitutional or invalid.
§ 205-7 Fees.
Application and permit fees shall be paid according to the Fee Schedule that may be established by resolution of the Town Board and amended from time to time.