You can download the proposed code revisions from this link Until Dec. 1:
http://www.varickny.com/VZC_Draft_Oct_30_07.pdf
This version includes some changes based on residents' comments at the October 17 informational meeting.
November 04, 2007
October 03, 2007
Informational meeting on proposed code revisions
The Varick Planning Board invites all residents to attend an information meeting about the proposed revisions to the zoning code.
The resident's vision for the future of our town were identified and goals for realizing that vision were adopted in the Comprehensive Plan in 2005. As a result of the Comprehensive Plan, it was clear that people wanted provisions in the zoning code to protect the quality of life that made them choose to live in Varick. The Planning Board has put in two years of hard work to develop those provisions. We will present the results at this meeting.
The resident's vision for the future of our town were identified and goals for realizing that vision were adopted in the Comprehensive Plan in 2005. As a result of the Comprehensive Plan, it was clear that people wanted provisions in the zoning code to protect the quality of life that made them choose to live in Varick. The Planning Board has put in two years of hard work to develop those provisions. We will present the results at this meeting.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
7:30 pm
Varick Fire Hall
State Rt. 96A
7:30 pm
Varick Fire Hall
State Rt. 96A
September 2007 Agenda
Varick Planning Board
Agenda
September 27, 2007
Agenda
September 27, 2007
Approve minutes
August 23, 2007
Committee reports: none
Information items:
Commercial use of Carl Stuck property:
East Coast Flooring, Jennifer Salone and Joseph Sapio, Atty at Law
New Business: none
Old business:
Zoning Code
- “Grandfathering needs to be specific” for uses, structures and lots that become non-conforming
- What is seasonal use of travel trailer?
- Information meeting: date, location, outline, advertising
- Small Business Park and Institutional south border
- Special Uses
- Common Access
Set next meeting time: Currently scheduled for October 25, 2007 7:00 pm
Adjourn
August 2007 Minutes
Varick Planning Board
Minutes
August 23, 2007
Minutes
August 23, 2007
Meeting called to order: 7:05pm
Attendees: Thomas Bjorkman(Chairman), Bill Larzelere, Frankie Long, Larry Peterson,
Absent: Annie Bachman, Kevin Swartley, Bob Kayser
The July meeting minutes were approved .
The following discussion was on an effort to develop a coordinated Docks and Moorings ordinance between the various towns in the Cayuga and Seneca Lake watersheds
The initial discussions will probably be between Varick, Ovid, Romulus and Fayette and be focused on the Cayuga Lake shoreline.
The Cayuga Lake Watershed Staff will be paid to facilitate the group effort.
Volunteers from the Towns are going to be solicited to serve on a committee. Suggestions for people are welcomed.
The next topic was a report on the draft Dog Ordinance presented to the Varick Town Board
John Vincent (town dog control officer) was present.
After reading and discussing the ordinance, the Board took no action to adopt the ordinance.
Approved Kennels must follow Ag and Markets rules and regulations for their operation.
Art Sherman (local veterinarian) will meet with Joan Teichner (Town Supervisor) to discuss the ordinance and his recommendations of issues related to vicious dog behavior.
The next topic was a discussion on the status of the new Zoning Code the Planning Board has been working on.
Harriet Haynes (Seneca County planner) has read the new code and likes the changes. She likes the separation of the districts.
She suggests that 7/10ths of an acre is small for a building lot in the Ag and Rural district because of the code requirements for being able to have enough space for two septic fields on the property and distance from the water well. Her suggestion was 1 acre lots.
Existing lot sizes and setbacks will be grandfathered and people applying for permits will work with the Zoning Board of Appeals to come up with acceptable sizes and setbacks when changing their land usages.
Harriet suggested a Bulk Table for all the setbacks, standards,etc. for the various Districts so a person could look at one table and find all the pertinent development information. Thomas will reformat for the final draft.
A map of the new Zoning Code Districts is needed to be included in the document. Greater Finger Lakes Planning Council has the capabilities to do this. A motion was made by Frankie Long to contract with this group to create a map of the new Districts in the Town of Varick. It was seconded by Larry Peterson and the vote was unanimous. Thomas will arrange.
Thomas would like to have a Public Hearing on the new Zoning Code before the October meeting of the Town Board. He also would like Planning Board members to go over the new code with individual board members before the public hearing to answer any questions and assure their support. After discussion, it was agreed when Thomas gets the final draft to the Planning board members, Bill Larzelere will meet with Kurt Karlsen, Frankie Long and Larry Peterson will meet with Jeff Case, Thomas Bjorkman will meet with Joan Teichner and Kathy Russo and Thomas will ask Annie Bachman to meet with Dick Peterson.
Thomas would also like Planning Board members to line up support people that would be willing to say a few words in support of the new Zoning Code effort.
The next meeting was scheduled for September 27th 2007 in the Varick Fire Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Larzelere
Secretary
Approved Sept. 27, 2007
September 06, 2007
August 2007 Agenda
Varick Planning Board
Agenda
July 26, 2007
Agenda
July 26, 2007
Approve minutes
June 28, 2007 5 min
Committee reports: none
Information items:
Discussion items:
New Business
Ordinance regarding dangerous dogs 60 min
Old business:
Zoning Code 30 min
Definition and regulation of “Camp;” a structure less than a dwelling but more than a shed. Not an accessory structure if the lot has no main structure.
Permit requirement for 120+ days travel trailer on others’ property
Flood zone: Change datum and minimum height?
New subdivision proposals: None
Set next meeting time: Currently scheduled for August 23, 2007 7:00 pm
Adjourn
July 2007 Minutes
Town of Varick Panning Board Meeting Minutes
Date of meeting : July 26, 2007
Meeting called to order: 7:10pm
Attendees: Thomas Bjorkman(Chairman), Bob Kayser, Bill Larzelere, Frankie Long, Larry Peterson, Kevin Swartley
Absent: Annie Bachman
Thomas Bjorkman informed the Board that Larry Peterson was stepping down as Secretary of the board and thanked him very much for the many years of performing this task. All agreed he had done a great job. Thomas then said that Bill Larzelere had volunteered to take over the duties for a one year period.
The June meeting minutes were approved with 5 revisions .
The following discussion was on an ordinance for dangerous and/or vicious dogs in the town.
Thomas said the Town Board had asked our Board to craft an ordinance after several complaints from town residents of being harassed or threatened by such dogs, specifically on the East Lake road.
Frankie Long and Thomas Bjorkman had done research on some existing ordinances and submitted one from the Town of Utica as an example for discussion. The ordinance from Ag and Markets was also brought to the table. Ag and Markets version was the least strict allowed and Towns could be more strict.
It was noted that the ordinance cannot discriminate against any certain breed of dog.
Bob Kayser had done Web searches and had many useful definitions. One being:
“A potentially dangerous dog is any dog which when unprovoked on two separate occasions within the prior 36 months engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog.”
It was decided to use this definition and also language in Paragraph 1 of the Utica ordinance in describing dangerous/vicious dogs.
Kevin Swartley had talked to Judge Case who felt that the Ag and Markets version lacked “teeth” to allow him to be effective in discouraging these types of animals and prosecuting cases of people being harassed by them.
After discussion, Bob Kayser made a motion that a fine for an offense be a $1000 dollar fine and up to six months in jail for each violation of the ordinance. Larry Peterson seconded the motion. Approved unanimously.
It was also decided that electronic (invisible) fencing was not adequate for containment of these animals.
It was then discussed how dogs that were determined by the courts to be dangerous/vicious could be moved to a lower level by having behavioral pattern improvements verified by the ASPCA or other accredited organization. This was in the Town of Utica ordinance.
Thomas suggested giving the Town Board language about owners, of dogs being taken for walks, being responsible for picking up fecal matter from their animal. He also suggested some leash law language. After discussion and suggestions that maybe this wasn’t the place for such language, it was decided for Thomas to craft the language and let the Town Board decide if this is something they would want to see in this ordinance.
Kevin Swartley made a motion that the Town of Utica Ordinance, with our changes and additions discussed, be presented to our Town Board as the Town of Varick Dangerous/Vicious Dog Ordinance. Bob Kayser seconded and it passed unanimously.
The next topic was a discussion on Personal Travel Trailers
Temporary hunting and camping camps on owners property are acceptable as long as healthy hygiene practices are followed in water and sewage.
Modification to Travel trailer code: 21 days OK- After 21 days permit is required and after 120 days travel trailers are not permitted.
Must conform to all health codes for electrical, water and sewage with no sewage discharge permitted.
Code Enforcement Officer has discretion for siting and setbacks.
Thomas Bjorkman has language details decided upon.
Kevin Swartley moved to make the above changes to the code. Larry Peterson seconded, and it passed unanimously.
The next topic was a discussion on a change to the Zoning code on page 7 paragraph 6 Flood Zone lowest living level.
Change lowest living level for new construction in the town from 1 to 2 feet above the 100 year flood level.
Bob Kayser moved to make this change. Larry Peterson seconded and it passed unanimously.
Next Topic for discussion was a definition for Commercial Property for the new Zoning Code
Definition discussed and agreed to. Thomas Bjorkman has language details decided upon. Bob Kayser moved to accept the definition, and Frankie Long seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Kevin Swartley brought up the need to better define “Common Access” roads and development regulations on them, in the Zoning Code. Because of time restrictions, this was noted as a topic for the next meeting.
The next meeting was scheduled for August 23rd 2007 in the Varick Fire Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Larzelere
Secretary
Approved August 23, 2007
Date of meeting : July 26, 2007
Meeting called to order: 7:10pm
Attendees: Thomas Bjorkman(Chairman), Bob Kayser, Bill Larzelere, Frankie Long, Larry Peterson, Kevin Swartley
Absent: Annie Bachman
Thomas Bjorkman informed the Board that Larry Peterson was stepping down as Secretary of the board and thanked him very much for the many years of performing this task. All agreed he had done a great job. Thomas then said that Bill Larzelere had volunteered to take over the duties for a one year period.
The June meeting minutes were approved with 5 revisions .
The following discussion was on an ordinance for dangerous and/or vicious dogs in the town.
Thomas said the Town Board had asked our Board to craft an ordinance after several complaints from town residents of being harassed or threatened by such dogs, specifically on the East Lake road.
Frankie Long and Thomas Bjorkman had done research on some existing ordinances and submitted one from the Town of Utica as an example for discussion. The ordinance from Ag and Markets was also brought to the table. Ag and Markets version was the least strict allowed and Towns could be more strict.
It was noted that the ordinance cannot discriminate against any certain breed of dog.
Bob Kayser had done Web searches and had many useful definitions. One being:
“A potentially dangerous dog is any dog which when unprovoked on two separate occasions within the prior 36 months engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog.”
It was decided to use this definition and also language in Paragraph 1 of the Utica ordinance in describing dangerous/vicious dogs.
Kevin Swartley had talked to Judge Case who felt that the Ag and Markets version lacked “teeth” to allow him to be effective in discouraging these types of animals and prosecuting cases of people being harassed by them.
After discussion, Bob Kayser made a motion that a fine for an offense be a $1000 dollar fine and up to six months in jail for each violation of the ordinance. Larry Peterson seconded the motion. Approved unanimously.
It was also decided that electronic (invisible) fencing was not adequate for containment of these animals.
It was then discussed how dogs that were determined by the courts to be dangerous/vicious could be moved to a lower level by having behavioral pattern improvements verified by the ASPCA or other accredited organization. This was in the Town of Utica ordinance.
Thomas suggested giving the Town Board language about owners, of dogs being taken for walks, being responsible for picking up fecal matter from their animal. He also suggested some leash law language. After discussion and suggestions that maybe this wasn’t the place for such language, it was decided for Thomas to craft the language and let the Town Board decide if this is something they would want to see in this ordinance.
Kevin Swartley made a motion that the Town of Utica Ordinance, with our changes and additions discussed, be presented to our Town Board as the Town of Varick Dangerous/Vicious Dog Ordinance. Bob Kayser seconded and it passed unanimously.
The next topic was a discussion on Personal Travel Trailers
Temporary hunting and camping camps on owners property are acceptable as long as healthy hygiene practices are followed in water and sewage.
Modification to Travel trailer code: 21 days OK- After 21 days permit is required and after 120 days travel trailers are not permitted.
Must conform to all health codes for electrical, water and sewage with no sewage discharge permitted.
Code Enforcement Officer has discretion for siting and setbacks.
Thomas Bjorkman has language details decided upon.
Kevin Swartley moved to make the above changes to the code. Larry Peterson seconded, and it passed unanimously.
The next topic was a discussion on a change to the Zoning code on page 7 paragraph 6 Flood Zone lowest living level.
Change lowest living level for new construction in the town from 1 to 2 feet above the 100 year flood level.
Bob Kayser moved to make this change. Larry Peterson seconded and it passed unanimously.
Next Topic for discussion was a definition for Commercial Property for the new Zoning Code
Definition discussed and agreed to. Thomas Bjorkman has language details decided upon. Bob Kayser moved to accept the definition, and Frankie Long seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Kevin Swartley brought up the need to better define “Common Access” roads and development regulations on them, in the Zoning Code. Because of time restrictions, this was noted as a topic for the next meeting.
The next meeting was scheduled for August 23rd 2007 in the Varick Fire Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Larzelere
Secretary
Approved August 23, 2007
August 01, 2007
July 2007 Agenda
Varick Planning Board
Agenda
July 26, 2007
Agenda
July 26, 2007
Approve minutes
June 28, 2007
Committee reports: None
Information items: None
Discussion items: None
New Business
- Ordinance regarding dangerous dogs
- Zoning Code
- Definition and regulation of “Camp;” a structure less than a dwelling but more than a shed. Not an accessory structure if the lot has no main structure.
- Permit requirement for 120+ days travel trailer on others’ property
- Flood zone: Change datum and minimum height?
Set next meeting time: Currently scheduled for August 23, 2007 7:00 pm
Adjourn
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