Tuxedo Park City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Board of Zoning Appeals
§ 100-45 Establishment.
[Amended 6-7-2006 by L.L. No. 3-2006]
There is hereby established a Board of Zoning Appeals. Such Board shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Board of Trustees pursuant to § 7-712 of the Village Law to serve for a term of office as set forth in § 15-13 of the Code of the Village of Tuxedo Park. The Board of Trustees shall, by resolution, designate from the members of such Board a Chairman and Deputy Chairman. A quorum shall consist of not less than three members. Any member may be removed by the Mayor for cause after a public hearing.
§ 100-45.1 Alternate member of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
[Added 12-18-2025 by L.L. No. 3-2025]
A.
The Board of Trustees finds that it is in the best interests of the Village residents to create a position of alternate member of the Board of Zoning Appeals to sit on applications and other matters for such members who have a conflict of interest or otherwise are unwilling, unavailable, or for any other reason do not attend a meeting or participate on an application, in order to help assure that a quorum is readily available to hear applications and other matters in a timely manner.
B.
In addition to regular members appointed and serving pursuant to § 100-45 of this chapter, the Board of Trustees is hereby authorized to appoint an alternate member to the Board of Zoning Appeals to serve as provided herein. No alternate member shall also serve as a member or alternate member of the Planning Board or Board of Architectural Review.
C.
The alternate member shall serve for a term of one year expiring at the end of the Village official year. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by the Board of Trustees for the unexpired term.
D.
Subject to the provisions in Subsection B above, the alternate member may serve as a substitute for a regular member when such regular member is unable to participate because of a conflict of interest on an application or other matter before the Board of Zoning Appeals, or when a regular member is unwilling, unavailable or for any other reason does not attend a meeting or participate on an application. Any regular Board member who is unable to participate shall notify the Building and Land Use Officer at such time as the Board member becomes aware of such inability to participate in a meeting or particular matter. Upon being made aware of such inability, the Building and Land Use Officer shall notify the alternate member. Once designated to serve on a particular matter before the Board, the alternate member shall have the same powers, duties, and responsibilities as a regular member of the Board until that matter is concluded. When so designated, such designation shall be entered into the minutes of the initial Board of Zoning Appeals meeting at which the substitution is made. Any determination by the Board consisting of alternate members shall have the same weight and be entitled to the same authority as the act or deed of the regular Board of Zoning Appeals, and all laws, statutes and regulations shall apply and be applied with equal force and effect.
E.
The term limit restrictions set forth under § 15-13 shall not apply to an alternate member of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
F.
Although the alternate member of the Board of Zoning Appeals may attend all meetings of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the alternate member shall have no power to participate in any actions of the Board of Zoning Appeals except as provided herein.
G.
Except to the extent any provision herein conflicts with any provision of state law, all provisions of state law, as well as any provisions of any local law, relating to Board of Zoning Appeals member training and continuing education, attendance, conflict of interest, compensation, eligibility, vacancy in office, removal, compatibility of office and service on other boards shall apply to alternate Board of Zoning Appeals. For all other matters, where a provision herein is in conflict with state law, this section shall supersede such state law.
§ 100-46 Board rules and procedures.
[Amended 12-21-1990 by L.L. No. 1-1990; 6-7-2006 by L.L. No. 3-2006]
The Board of Appeals shall adopt such general rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to interpret and carry into effect the provisions of this chapter and shall, consistent with the Village Law, determine its own rules and procedures. All meetings of the Board of Appeals shall be public. A quorum shall consist of three members. The Board of Appeals shall keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote of each member on every question. If a member is absent or fails to vote, the minutes shall indicate such fact. The Board shall also keep records of its examinations and other official actions. Every rule, regulation, every amendment or repeal thereof and every order, requirement or decision of the Board shall immediately be filed in the office of the Village Clerk and shall be a public record. All meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the Chairman and at such times as the Board may determine. Such Chairman or, in his absence, the Deputy Chairman, may administer oaths or compel the attendance of witnesses. The concurring vote of three members of the Board shall be necessary to decide in favor of the applicant any matter upon which said Board is required to pass under this chapter unless there is specific provision requiring a unanimous vote.
§ 100-47 Appeals.
A.
Appeals to the Board of Appeals may be taken by any person aggrieved (which shall include a purchaser under contract) or by an officer, department or board of the Village.
B.
Such appeals shall be taken within such time as shall be prescribed by the Board of Appeals by filing with the officer from whose decision the appeal is taken and with the Board of Appeals a notice of appeal specifying the grounds therefor.
C.
The officer from whose decision the appeal is taken shall forthwith transmit to the Board all papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken, together with a statement of position and representation at all pertinent hearings held by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
§ 100-48 Powers.
A.
Review. The Board of Appeals shall, pursuant to the Village Law, hear and decide appeals from and review any orders, requirements, decisions or determinations made by the Building Inspector or other officer charged with the enforcement of this chapter, as well as any other matter requiring its determination pursuant to this chapter.
B.
Variance. Where there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the way of carrying out the strict letter of any of the provisions of this chapter, the Board of Appeals shall have the power, in passing upon appeals, to vary or modify the application of any of the regulations or provisions of this chapter relating to the use, construction or alteration of buildings or structures or the use of land, so that the spirit of this chapter shall be observed, public safety and welfare secured and substantial justice done.
C.
Special exceptions. When, in its judgment, the public convenience and welfare will be substantially served and the appropriate use of neighboring property will not be injured thereby, the Board of Appeals may, in a specific case to the extent hereinafter set forth, after due notice and public hearing and subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards, determine and vary the application of this chapter in harmony with its general purpose and intent as follows:
(1)
Grant a permit wherever it is provided in this chapter that the approval of the Board of Appeals is required.
(2)
Permit the continuance of a nonconforming use or building upon the lot occupied by such use or building at the time of the adoption of this chapter.
(3)
Modify the yard requirement in cases where the proposed building adjoins, on either or both sides, buildings that do not conform to the minimum setback line or where compliance with the minimum setback line would cause unnecessary hardships to the owner without any compensating benefit to the community, provided that each encroachment shall not extend into the yard more than the building which has the greatest encroachment on such yard setback.
(4)
Vary the application of the regulations herein established and establish appropriate requirements for irregular lots or lots that do not meet the area requirements for the particular district which so existed at the effective date of this chapter.
(5)
Vary yard restrictions where conformance would cause unnecessary hardship to the owner without any compensating benefit to the community.
(6)
Vary the application of the regulations herein established and modify the requirements hereof in cases of exceptional topography under such conditions as will safeguard the neighborhood.
(7)
Permit the encroachment of buildings and structures into the front, rear and side yards, as follows:
(a)
An existing accessory building, the use of which is converted into a main dwelling.
(b)
Fences, swimming pools, outdoor fireplaces, trellises, decks, driveways, pergolas, tennis courts, flagpoles, walls, gates and gate posts.
[Amended 2-21-1990 by L.L. No. 1-1990]
(c)
A main dwelling or accessory building which, by inadvertence (unintentional mistake), is found when erected to be in violation of a yard requirement, provided that such violation or encroachment does not exceed five feet.
(8)
[1]Modify the minimum net floor by not more than 50 square feet when error in size is caused by unintentional mistake and cannot be remedied except at considerable expense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 100-48C(8), regarding the conversion, alteration and use of an accessory building, was repealed 5-20-1998 by L.L. No. 4-1998. This local law also provided for the renumbering of former Subsection C(9) and (10) as Subsection C(8) and (9), respectively.
(9)
Approve the issuance of a permit for the use of a proposed or existing building for the establishment or expansion of an educational or religious institution; provided, however, that permit with respect to both types of institutions may be granted only with respect to the institutions in existence at the time of the enactment of this chapter on the following conditions; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall such institutions be permitted on any lot or parcel of land or in any structure or building located on such lot or parcel of land that fronts on Tuxedo Lake, Wee Wah Lake or Pond No. 3.
[Amended 6-17-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998; 4-18-2001 by L.L. No. 1-2001]
(a)
Buildings as to which a permit may be granted shall be of fireproof construction.
(b)
Such institutions shall provide off-street parking area and reasonable off-site road improvements of such size and character as in the judgment of the Board of Appeals shall be adequate for the number of people who may be accommodated in the building and the purpose for which it may be used.
(c)
Such other reasonable conditions relating to the location and physical characteristics of such institutions that Board of Zoning Appeals may deem appropriate under the circumstances in order to insure the peace and harmony of the surrounding neighborhood, such as, but not limited to, screening and other inhibitors with regard to demonstrated off-site impacts due to excessive light and noise.
(d)
Such permit for tax-exempt institutions may be granted only with respect to the quantity of acreage which is required exclusively for carrying out the purposes of such variance's use and subject to such setbacks as may be prescribed by the Board of Zoning Appeals. In determining the acreage requirements and the setbacks, the following factors, among others, shall be taken into consideration:
[1]
The size and location of the building or buildings thereon.
[2]
The proposed number of visitors and occupants of the building or buildings thereon.
[3]
The use for which the building or buildings thereon are intended.
D.
The Board of Appeals may, in appropriate cases, provide that any permit granted under this section shall be temporary and shall be effective only for the period fixed by the Board, and any application or renewal of such permit shall be acted upon in the same manner as an initial application.
E.
On all applications for permits under this section, the Board of Appeals, in addition to the requirements hereinbefore set forth, shall give consideration to the health, safety, morals, convenience and general welfare of the Village and of its property owners and residents and shall act in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this chapter and of the applicable provisions of the Village Law.
F.
The determination of the Board of Appeals on all applications under this section shall be made in accordance with the comprehensive plan and design set forth in this chapter, with the purpose and intent set forth in the title, subtitle and preamble thereto, and in § 7-704 of the Village Law.
G.
The Board shall not authorize the issuance of any permit under any of the provisions of this section unless it finds in each case that the proposed use of the property or the erection, alteration or maintenance of the proposed building or structure will not:
(1)
Depreciate or tend to depreciate the value of property in the Village.
(2)
Create a hazard to health, safety, morals or general welfare.
(3)
Be detrimental to the neighborhood or to the residents thereof.
(4)
Alter the essential character of the neighborhood.
(5)
Otherwise be detrimental to public convenience and welfare.
H.
The Board of Appeals may exercise such other powers or original jurisdiction as are specifically provided for in other sections of this chapter or as are authorized under the Village Law of the State of New York.