Watertown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 310-1 Title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "City of Watertown Zoning Ordinance."
§ 310-2 Authority; applicability.
A.
Authority. The City of Watertown is authorized to enact this chapter by the authority and power of the New York State General City Law, General Municipal Law, Municipal Home Rule Law, and the Statute of Local Governments.
B.
Applicability. If an application is deemed complete, then it shall proceed within the current zoning.
§ 310-3 Conflict.
A.
Whenever any provision of this chapter imposes a greater requirement or a higher standard than is required in any state or federal statute, the provision of this chapter shall govern. Whenever any provision of any state or federal statute imposes a greater requirement or a higher standard than is required by this chapter, the provision of such state or federal statutes shall govern.
B.
The City Council hereby declares its legislative intent to supersede any provision of any local law, rule, regulation, or provision of the General City Law inconsistent with this chapter. The courts are hereby directed to take notice of this legislative intent and apply it in the event the City has failed to specify any provision of law that may require supersession. The City Council hereby declares that it would have enacted this chapter and superseded such inconsistent provision had the need to do so been apparent.
§ 310-4 Supersession.
The City hereby declares its legislative intent to supersede provisions of the General City Law and General Municipal Law that are inconsistent with this chapter. The courts shall take notice of the legislative intent to supersede pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Law and the Constitution of the State of New York and apply it to any provision of law that may require supersession.
§ 310-5 Minimum requirements.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for necessary promotion of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity or general welfare. It is not the intent of this chapter to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants, or other agreements between parties; provided, however, that where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use and dimensions of buildings or premises or requires larger open spaces than are imposed or required by other ordinances, rules, regulations, or by easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this chapter shall govern, except where expressly qualified by this chapter.
§ 310-6 Purpose and intent.
A.
This chapter is intended to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public and to be a guide for the orderly development of the City.
B.
To accomplish these ends, this chapter is designed to:
(1)
Encourage growth and development in accord with the City of Watertown's most recent Comprehensive Plan.
(2)
Protect and enhance the Black River as a community resource for all.
(3)
Create and maintain conditions under which people and their environment can exist in productive and enjoyable harmony while fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.
(4)
Cultivate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community.
(5)
Provide for City growth that is consonant with the efficient and economic use of public funds and environmental resources.
(6)
Recognize the need for housing, industry and business in the City's future growth.
(7)
Provide residential areas with healthy surroundings.
(8)
Encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and a broad tax base.
(9)
Encourage the preservation of the Black River, floodplain areas, steep slopes, lands of natural beauty, scenic vistas, and other similar areas and to ensure that development in such area is well controlled.
(10)
Promote housing of such type, size and cost as will allow City residents of every economic condition to reside in safe, sanitary dwelling units.
§ 310-7 Periodic review of provisions.
From time to time, the Planning and Community Development Department shall reexamine the provisions of this chapter and the location of district boundary lines and shall submit a report to the City Council recommending changes or amendments, if any, which may be desirable in the interest of public welfare, convenience, and necessity.