[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of Lewisboro 11-27-1990 by L.L. No.
5-1990.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 126.
Wetlands and watercourses — See Ch. 217.
Zoning — See Ch. 220.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was accepted by the state
2-11-1991.
Pursuant to Article 8 of the New York State Environmental Conservation
Law providing for environmental quality review of actions which may
have a significant effect on the environment, the Town Board of the
Town of Lewisboro, State of New York, hereby enacts the following.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Environmental
Quality Review Law of the Town of Lewisboro."
It is the intent of the Town Board that:
A.
Environmental factors be incorporated into the existing planning
and decision-making processes of all Town agencies.
B.
All agencies shall conduct their affairs with an awareness that they
are stewards of the air, water, land and living resources and that
they have an obligation to protect the environment for the use and
enjoyment of this and all future generations.
C.
Protection of the environment and enhancement of human and community
resources shall be given appropriate weight along with social and
economic considerations, and all these factors shall be considered
together in reaching decisions on proposed actions. A suitable balance
of social, economic and environmental factors shall be incorporated
in the planning and decision-making of all agencies.
D.
The processes set forth in this chapter shall as far as possible
be integrated into existing agency procedures and shall not result
in undue delays in agency planning and decision-making.
As used in this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words
and their derivatives shall have the meanings given herein:
Any activity of any agency, except an exempt action as defined
in this section, including, without limitation:
Physical activities such as construction, destruction, or other
activities, including the approval thereof, which change the use or
appearance of any natural resource or structure.
Funding activities such as the proposing, approval or disapproval
of contracts, grants, subsidies, loans, tax abatements or exemptions
or other forms of direct or indirect financial assistance.
Licensing activities such as the proposing, approval or disapproval
of a lease, permit, license, certificate or other entitlement for
use or permission to act.
Planning activities such as site selection for other activities
and the proposing, approval or disapproval of master or long-range
plans, zoning maps and ordinances, development plans or other plans
designed to provide a program for future activities.
Policy-making activities such as the making, modification, repeal
or establishment of rules, regulations, procedures, policies and guidelines.
Any Town department, official, officer, employee, board,
agency, commission, council, district, public benefit corporation
or public authority, including the Town Board, which is determined
to be conducting an action or is responsible for an action as hereinbefore
defined.
Draft environmental impact statement.
A preliminary environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to § 110-9 herein.
Environmental impact statement.
The physical conditions which will be affected by a proposed
action, including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, noise,
features of historic or aesthetic significance, existing patterns
of population concentration, distribution or growth and existing community
or neighborhood character.
A form used to determine whether an action is likely to have
a significant effect on the environment and, if so, to determine the
primary areas to be analyzed in the DEIS.
A form used to determine the proper classification of a proposed
action.
A detailed statement setting forth the matters specified in § 110-7 herein. It includes any comments on a draft environmental impact statement which are received pursuant to § 110-9D and E herein, and the agency's response to such comments, to the extent that such comments raise issues not adequately resolved in the draft environmental impact statement.
See § 110-15C.
Where several agencies are involved in an action, that agency
primarily responsible for preparation of the environmental impact
statement.
That newspaper formally designated by the Town Board as the
official newspaper or, if none, a newspaper of general circulation
within the Town.
Any person, individual, corporation, governmental entity,
partnership, association, trustee or other legal entity.
Includes but is not limited to the following activities:
vegetation removal; demolition; stockpiling materials; grading and
other forms of earthwork; dumping; filling or depositing; excavation
or trenching; dredging; flooding or draining; paving; construction
of buildings or structures.
The State Environmental Quality Review Act, Article 8 of
the New York State Environmental Conservation Law.
A.
No decision to carry out or approve an action other than an exempt or Type II action, as set forth in §§ 110-6 and 110-15 herein, shall be made by an agency until there has been full compliance with all requirements of this chapter; provided, however, that nothing herein be construed as prohibiting:
(1)
The conducting of contemporaneous environmental, engineering, economic
feasibility or other studies and preliminary planning and budgetary
processes necessary to the formulation of a proposal for action which
do not commit the agency to approve, commence or engage in such action;
or
(2)
The granting of any part of an application which relates only to
technical specifications and requirements, provided that no such partial
approval shall entitle or permit the applicant to commence the action
until all requirements of this chapter have been fulfilled.
B.
Programmatic statements.
(1)
Agencies may identify programs or categories of actions which could
most appropriately be covered by a single environmental impact statement.
Programmatic statements are often appropriate to assess the environmental
effects of:
(2)
Such statements will eliminate multiple sequential reviews of the
same or similar actions. When an individual action is proposed which
was encompassed in such a programmatic EIS and the action is to be
carried out in conformance with the conditions discussed in the programmatic
statement, a subsequent EIS should be prepared only if site-specific
impacts need to be addressed. Agencies preparing such a statement
shall develop procedures for amending or supplementing such statements
to reflect impacts which are not addressed or adequately analyzed
in such a statement as initially prepared. Such procedures shall include
provision for informing the public and other agencies of the preparation
of such amendments or supplements and for allowing comment thereon
before incorporation of such amendments or supplements in said statement.
To simplify the task of determining whether or not a proposed
action may have a significant effect on the environment, actions are
divided into three classes: Type I, Type II and unlisted.
A.
Type I actions or classes of actions are likely to, but will not necessarily, require preparation of environmental impact statements because they will in almost every instance have a significant effect on the environment. For all individual actions which are Type I, the determination of significance must be made comparing the impacts which may be reasonably expected to result from the proposed action with the criteria listed in Subsection C. Type I actions are listed in § 110-15 herein.
B.
Type II actions or classes of actions have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and do not require environmental impact statements. Type II actions are listed in § 110-15 herein.
C.
Unlisted actions.
(1)
Unlisted actions or classes of actions are actions which are neither
Type I nor Type II and which may have a significant effect on the
environment if they can reasonably be expected, by the agency, to
lead to one of the following consequences:
(a)
A substantial adverse change to ambient air or water quality
or noise levels or in solid waste production, drainage, erosion or
flooding.
(b)
The removal or destruction of large quantities of flora or fauna,
substantial interference with the movement of any resident or migratory
fish or wildlife species, impacts on critical habitat areas or the
substantial affecting of a rare or endangered species of animal or
plant or the habitat of such a species.
(c)
The encouragement or attraction of a large number of people
to a place or places for more than a few days relative to the number
of people who would come to such place absent the action.
(d)
The creation of a material conflict with a community's
existing plans or goals as officially approved or adopted.
(e)
The impairment of the character or quality of important historical,
archaeological, architectural or aesthetic resources or of the existing
community or neighborhood character.
(f)
A substantial change in the use of either the quantity or type
of energy.
(g)
The creation of a hazard to human health or safety.
(h)
A substantial change in the use or intensity of use of land
or other natural resources or in the capacity of land or other natural
resources to support uses.
(i)
The creation of a material demand for other actions which would
result in one of the above consequences.
(j)
Changes in two or more elements of the environment, no one of
which is substantial but, when taken together, result in a material
change in the environment.
(2)
For the purpose of determining whether an action will cause one of
the foregoing consequences, the action shall be deemed to include
other contemporaneous or subsequent actions which:
(3)
The significance of a likely consequence should be assessed in connection
with its setting, its probability of occurrence, its duration, its
irreversibility, its controllability, its geographic scope and its
magnitude.
(4)
Environmental assessment forms may be used in whole or in part by
an agency to aid in determining whether or not an unlisted action
will have a significant effect on the environment.
A.
Within the framework presented in Subsection D herein, environmental impact statements should deal only with the specific significant environmental impacts which can be reasonably anticipated. They should not contain more detail than is appropriate considering the nature and magnitude of the proposed action, the significance of its potential impacts and the existing resources and capability of the agency responsible for the statement. An agency may require that an EIS be prepared by a duly qualified professional.
B.
All draft and final environmental impact statements shall be preceded
by a cover sheet stating:
(1)
Whether it is a draft or final.
(2)
The name or other descriptive title of the action.
(3)
The location of the action, including the name of this Town.
(4)
The name and address of the agency which required its preparation
and the name and telephone number of a person at the agency to be
contacted for further information.
(5)
Identification of the individuals or organizations who prepared any
portion of the statement.
(6)
The date of its completion and the date of its acceptance by the
agency responsible for its preparation.
(7)
In the case of a draft EIS, the date by which comments must be submitted.
C.
If a draft or final environmental impact statement exceeds 10 pages
in length, it shall have a table of contents following the cover sheet
and a precise summary which adequately and accurately summarizes the
statement, focusing on issues of controversy, matters to be decided
and major conclusions.
D.
The body of all draft and final environmental impact statements shall
at least contain the following:
(1)
A concise description of the proposed action, its purpose and need.
(2)
A concise description of the environmental setting of the areas to
be affected, sufficient to understand the effects of the proposed
action and alternatives.
(3)
A statement of the environmental impact of the proposed action, including
its short-term and long-term effects, and typical associated environmental
affects.
(4)
An identification of any adverse environmental effects which cannot
be avoided if the proposed action is implemented.
(5)
A description and evaluation of reasonable alternatives to the action
which would achieve the same or similar objectives. (The description
and evaluation should be at a level of detail sufficient to permit
a comparative assessment of the alternatives discussed. The no-action
alternative must also be discussed and evaluated.)
(6)
An identification of any irreversible and irretrievable commitments
of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should
it be implemented.
(7)
A description of mitigation measures to minimize the adverse environmental
impacts.
(8)
A discussion of the effects of the proposed action on the use and
conservation of energy, where applicable and significant.
(9)
A list of any underlying studies, reports and other information obtained
and considered by the agency in preparing the statement.
(10)
For final environmental impact statements, copies or a summary of the substantive comments received in response to the DEIS and the responses to such comments, and the statements of findings required by § 110-9H(3) and (4). All changes made to the DEIS incorporated in the final EIS shall be specifically indicated and identified as such.
(11)
A list of agencies which will be reviewing the DEIS.
E.
An environmental impact statement may incorporate by reference all
or portions of other documents which contain information relevant
to the statement. The referenced document shall be made available
to the public at the Town Clerk's office in the Town Hall. When
a statement uses incorporation by reference, the referenced document
shall be briefly described, its date of preparation provided and its
applicable findings summarized.
A.
Coordination. When an action which may have a significant effect
on the environment involves the approval of more than one agency,
all involved agencies shall, to the fullest extent possible, coordinate
their environmental reviews through a lead agency to the end that
the requirements of this chapter are met by a single DEIS, a single
final EIS and a single hearing process. Such coordination is mandatory
for all Type I actions and for all unlisted actions which the agency
determines may have a significant effect on the environment. For all
other actions, coordination is optional. However, where an agency
wishes to finalize, in the shortest possible time, lead agency status
and the agency's determination of nonsignificance, the agency
should follow the coordination procedures below.
B.
Application forms. To aid in determining whether an action is an exempt Type I, Type II or unlisted action, agencies may use an environmental clearance form. For Type I actions and all other actions for which there will be coordination, agencies and applicants requesting approval by an agency shall complete an environmental assessment form to aid in determining whether the action may have a significant effect on the environment. In order to expedite any coordination, agencies shall require applicant to specify in their applications whether other agencies, to the best of their knowledge, will have approval authority over the proposed action. If no coordination is intended, an agency may require an applicant requesting approval by an agency to complete such form. An applicant shall present such form to the agency whose approval is being sought, accompanied by a fee as set forth in § 110-12 herein.
C.
Type I actions.
(1)
For Type I actions, the agency shall send the completed form and
a copy of any application it has received to all involved agencies,
notifying them that, within 30 calendar days of the date the forms
were mailed, a lead agency must be designated by agreement among them.
The following criteria, in order of importance, shall be used to designate
the lead agency:
(a)
Whether the anticipated impacts of the action being considered
are primarily of statewide, regional or local significance, all other
considerations being equal the local agency involved shall be the
lead agency.
(b)
Which agency has the broadest governmental powers for investigation
into the impacts of the proposed action.
(c)
Which agency has the greatest capability for providing the most
thorough environmental assessment of the proposed action.
(2)
The lead agency chosen shall determine the need for an EIS according to Subsection F. Such determination shall be made within 15 calendar days of designation as lead agency or within 15 calendar days of receipt of a complete application, whichever is later; provided, however, that such period may be extended, by mutual agreement of the applicant and the agency.
D.
Other actions.
(1)
For all actions which are not Type I, the agency shall make an initial determination of the need for an EIS according to Subsection F. Use of an environmental assessment form therein is discretionary. In cases where an applicant is involved, the determination shall be rendered within 30 calendar days following receipt of a complete application for approval of the action sought; provided, however, that such period may be extended by mutual agreement of the applicant and the agency.
(2)
If the agency determines that the action is exempt, Type II or an
unlisted action which will not have a significant effect on the environment
and intends no coordination, it shall so inform the applicant and
the proposed action may be processed without further regard to this
chapter.
(3)
If the agency finds the action may have a significant effect on the
environment or it wishes to coordinate with other agencies, the agency
shall notify such other agencies of the initial determination and
reasons supporting it, supplying them with copies of any environmental
assessment forms and any applications which have been prepared.
(4)
If, within 15 calendar days from the date of mailing such notification, no other involved agency submits a written objection to the initial agency being lead agency, the initial determination of need shall be confirmed. If, within 15 calendar days from the date of notification, any other involved agency submits a written objection to the initial agency being lead agency, all involved agencies shall follow the procedures of Subsection E below.
E.
Lead agency resolution. If all involved agencies are unable, under either Subsection C or D, to resolve the choice of lead agency, they shall:
(1)
Where the agencies are all agencies of the Town of Lewisboro, submit
the question to the Town Board for its determination; or
(2)
Where nonlocal agencies are involved, submit the question, in writing, to the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, who shall, within 12 business days of the date the request was mailed, designate a lead agency, based on a review of the facts, the criteria in Subsection C(1) and any comments received.
F.
G.
If the lead agency, once chosen or confirmed, determines that a proposed
action is an exempt or Type II action or an unlisted action which
will not have a significant effect on the environment, the proposed
action may be processed without further regard to this chapter.
H.
If the lead agency, once chosen or confirmed, determines that the
proposed action is a Type I action, whether it may or may not have
a significant effect on the environment, or an unlisted action which
may have a significant effect on the environment, the agency shall
do the following:
(1)
The agency shall prepare a written notice, which shall state:
(a)
Either that it is a positive declaration (a DEIS is required),
or that it is a negative declaration (a DEIS is not required).
(b)
The name and address of the agency.
(c)
The name and telephone number of a person who can provide further
information.
(d)
A brief and precise description of the nature, extent and location
of the action proposed.
(e)
The reasons supporting the determination.
(f)
In the case of an action which may have a significant effect,
the location and nature of its potential significant environmental
impacts and effects.
(2)
Such written notice shall be circulated to:
(3)
If, within 15 calendar days from the date of mailing such notification,
there are no written objections to the lead agency's determination
that a Type I action will have no significant effect on the environment
(negative declaration, no DEIS is required), the proposed action may
be processed without further regard to this chapter.
A.
Following a determination that a proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment, the agency shall prepare a draft environmental impact statement or, in the case of an action involving an applicant, the applicant shall prepare an environmental impact report in form of a draft environmental impact statement. The applicant shall submit a fee, in accordance with § 110-12 herein, to defray the expense to the agency of reviewing the DEIS and, if necessary, the final EIS. If the applicant decides not to submit an environmental impact report, the processing of the application will cease and no approval will be issued.
B.
An application for a permit or authorization for an action upon which
a DEIS is determined to be required shall not be complete until such
DEIS has been filed and accepted by the agency as satisfactory with
respect to scope, content and adequacy. Commencing upon such acceptance,
the EIS process shall run concurrently with other procedures relating
to the review and approval of the action so long as reasonable time
is provided for preparation, review and public hearing with respect
to the DEIS.
C.
Notice of completion.
(1)
Upon completion of a draft environmental impact statement, a notice
of completion shall be prepared by the agency which shall state:
(a)
That it is a notice of completion of a DEIS.
(b)
The name and address of the lead agency.
(c)
The name and telephone number of a person who can provide further
information.
(d)
A brief and precise description of the nature, extent and location
of the action proposed.
(e)
The location and nature of the action's potential significant
environmental impacts and effects.
(f)
Where and how copies of the statement can be obtained from the
agency.
(g)
That comments on the DEIS are requested and will be received
and considered by the agency at a given address for a given period,
which shall not be less than 30 calendar days from the date of circulation
of the notice of completion or 10 calendar days following a public
hearing, whichever is longer.
(3)
In addition, the notice of completion and a copy of the DEIS shall
be circulated to:
(a)
Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
(b)
Region 3, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
(c)
The Town Clerk.
(d)
Any other agencies involved in approval of the action.
(e)
Persons requesting it. Where sufficient copies of a statement
are not available, the agency may charge a fee to cover its costs
in making the additional statement available.
D.
Public hearing.
(1)
If the agency, at its discretion, decides to hold a public hearing
on a DEIS, notice thereof shall be prepared by the agency. It shall
specify the time, place and purpose of the hearing and shall contain
a summary of the information contained in the notice of completion
of the DEIS. The notice shall be circulated to:
(2)
A notice of hearing may be combined with the notice of completion
of the DEIS and shall be published in the official newspaper at least
14 calendar days prior to such public hearing. The hearing shall commence
no less than 15 calendar days nor more than 60 calendar days from
the date of circulation of the DEIS, except as otherwise provided
where the agency determines that additional time is necessary for
the public or some other agency to review the DEIS or to coordinate
the environmental review process with other procedures relating to
review and approval of an action or where a different hearing date
is required as appropriate under other applicable law.
E.
Analysis of the DEIS. If, on the basis of a draft environmental impact statement or a public hearing thereon the agency determines in writing that an action will not have a significant effect on the environment, the proposed action may be processed without further regard to this chapter. For public information purposes, copies of such determination shall be circulated as listed in Subsection C(2) and (3).
F.
Final EIS. If the agency determines that an action may have a significant effect on the environment, the agency shall prepare or cause to be prepared a final EIS. If the action involves an application, the agency may direct the applicant to prepare the final EIS. Such final EIS shall be prepared within 45 calendar days after the close of any hearing or within 60 calendar days after the circulation of the DEIS, whichever last occurs; provided, however, that the agency may amend this time as necessary to complete the statement adequately or where problems identified with the proposed action require material reconsideration or modification or to coordinate the environmental review process with other procedures relating to review and approval of an action or where mutually agreed to by the applicant and the agency. Where the action involves an application, such final EIS shall be accompanied by a fee, in accordance with § 110-2 herein.
G.
Notice of completion.
(1)
Upon completion of a final EIS, a notice of completion shall be prepared
by the agency which shall state:
(a)
That it is a notice of completion of a final EIS.
(b)
The name and address of the agency.
(c)
A brief and precise description of the nature, extent and location
of the action proposed.
(d)
The location and nature of the action's potential significant
environmental impacts and effects.
(e)
Where and how copies of the statement can be obtained from the
agency.
H.
Approval or disapproval of action.
(1)
No decision to carry out or approve an action which has been the
subject of a final EIS shall be made until after the circulation and
consideration of such final EIS.
(2)
Prior to the agency's decision on an action, it shall afford
other agencies and the public a reasonable time period, not less than
10 calendar days, in which to consider the final EIS. Where the agency
has been the lead agency for an action, it shall make a decision whether
or not to approve the action within 30 days of the date of circulation
of the final EIS.
(3)
Minimization of adverse effects.
(a)
An agency shall not carry out or approve an action which may
have a significant effect on the environment unless it determines,
in writing, that:
[1]
Consistent with social, economic and other essential considerations
from among the reasonable alternatives thereto, the action to be carried
out or approved is one which minimizes or avoids adverse environmental
effects to the maximum extent practicable, including the effects disclosed
in the relevant EIS.
[2]
Consistent with social, economic and other essential considerations,
to the maximum extent practicable, adverse environmental effects revealed
in the EIS process will be minimized or avoided by incorporating as
conditions to the decision those mitigative measures which were identified
as practicable.
[3]
The requirements of this chapter and 6 NYCRR 617 have been met.
(b)
Such determination shall also state the facts and conclusions
relied upon in the EIS supporting its decision and shall indicate
the social, economic and other factors and standards which formed
the basis of its decision.
(4)
No agency shall make a decision not to carry out or not to approve
an action until it has prepared a written statement of the facts and
conclusions relied on in the EIS or comments provided thereon.
A.
Where there has duly been prepared, under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, both a draft environmental impact statement and a final environmental impact statement for an action under consideration, the agency shall have no obligation to prepare an environmental impact statement or make findings under this chapter with respect to the action. However, except in the case of exempt actions, no agency may undertake or approve the action until the final federal EIS has been completed and the agency has made the findings required in § 110-9H.
B.
Where there has duly been prepared under the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 a negative declaration or other written determination
that the action will not require a federal impact statement, the agency
shall determine whether or not the action may have a significant effect
on the environment pursuant to this chapter.
Action undertaken or approved or on which substantial work has
been undertaken prior to the effective dates of this chapter shall
be exempt actions; provided, however, that if after such dates an
agency modified an action undertaken or approved prior to that date
and the agency determines that the modification may have a significant
effect on the environment, such modification shall be an action subject
to this chapter.
[Amended 12-4-1990]
A.
When a Type I or unlisted action involves an applicant, the agency
may charge fees in order to recover the costs incurred in preparing,
causing to be prepared or reviewing an EIS regarding the action. Any
part of such fee collected by an agency and not used for such purposes
shall be returned to the applicant.
B.
The fees may be paid in cash or, at the discretion of the agency
and subject to the approval of the Town Board as to form and sufficiency,
in the form of a bond or, at the discretion of the approving agency,
by withdrawals from an escrow account established to reimburse the
Town for the cost of planning, engineering, environmental, legal or
other professional services determined to be necessary in connection
with the preparation or review of such environmental impact statement.
If the establishment of such escrow account is required, the applicant
shall then provide funds to the Town for deposit into such account,
in an amount to be determined by the approving agency based on its
evaluation of the nature and complexity of the application. The applicant
shall be provided with copies of any Town voucher for such services
as they are submitted to the Town. When the balance in such escrow
account is reduced to 1/2 of its initial amount, the applicant shall
deposit additional funds into such account to bring its balance up
to 100% of the amount of the initial deposit, or to some lesser amount
as deemed acceptable by the approving agency to complete the review
of the environmental impact statement. If such account is not replenished
within 20 days after the applicant is notified in writing of the requirement
for such additional deposit, the agency may suspend its work on preparation
or review of such environmental impact statement. A building permit
or certificate of occupancy or use shall not be issued unless all
professional review fees charged in connection with the applicant's
project have been reimbursed to the Town. After all pertinent charges
have been paid, the Town shall refund to the applicant any funds remaining
on deposit.
C.
The fees shall be as follows:
(1)
Accompanying an environmental clearance form: no fee.
(2)
Accompanying an environmental assessment form: $50, to be submitted at the time of application, as set forth in § 110-8A herein.
(3)
Submitted within 10 days after the adoption of a positive declaration by the approving agency and prior to the initiation of scoping: an amount to be determined by the approving agency based on its evaluation of the nature and complexity of the proposed action. The maximum fee shall be as specified in Subsection D herein, minus $50.
D.
The total amount of all fees charged an applicant shall not exceed:
(1)
For residential projects, 2% of the total project cost. The total
project cost shall be the cost of the land, plus the cost of all site
improvements required, not including the cost of buildings and structures.
(2)
For nonresidential projects, 1/2 of 1% of the total project cost.
The total project cost shall be the cost of supplying utility service
to the project, the cost of site preparation and the cost of labor
and material as determined with reference to a current cost data publication
in common usage such as Building Construction Cost Data by Means.
The agency shall maintain files, which shall be open for public
inspection, of all determinations of need, notices of completion,
draft and final EIS, written comments, minutes of the public hearings
and the written determinations resulting therefrom and all other applications.
As provided by § 8-0117 of Article 8 of the Environmental
Conservation Law, the provisions of this chapter shall take effect
June 1, 1977, as pertains to actions directly undertaken by agencies,
and shall take effect September 1, 1977, as pertains to actions requiring
permits or other approvals from agencies.
Actions shall be classified as follows:
A.
Type I actions:
(1)
The adoption of a Town Development Plan, a comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
or a comprehensive Resource Management Plan.
(3)
The granting of a zoning change for an action that meets or exceeds
one or more of the limits given in other sections of this list.
(4)
The acquisition, sale, lease or other transfer of 100 or more contiguous
acres of land by a state or local agency.
(5)
Construction of 50 or more residential dwelling units.
(6)
Construction of new nonresidential facilities which meet or exceed
any of the following limits; or the expansion of existing nonresidential
facilities by more than 50% of any of the following limits, provided
that the expansion and the existing facilities, when combined, meet
or exceed any limit contained in this section:
(7)
Any nonagricultural use occurring wholly or partially within an agricultural
district (certified pursuant to Agriculture and Markets Law Article
25-AA, § 303) which exceeds 10% of any threshold established
in this section.
(8)
Any action (unless the action is designed for the preservation of
the facility or site) occurring wholly or partially within or contiguous
to any facility or site listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, or any building, structure or site that has been proposed
by the Committee on the Registers for consideration by the New York
State Board on Historic Preservation for a recommendation to the State
Historic Officer for nomination for inclusion in said National Register.
(9)
Any project or action which exceeds 25% of any limit in this section,
occurring wholly or partially within or substantially contiguous to
any publicly owned or operated parkland or recreation area or designated
open space.
B.
Type II actions:
(1)
Construction or alteration of four or fewer single- or two-family
residences and accessory appurtenant uses or structures if not in
conjunction with the construction or alteration of a total of more
than four such residences and if not in a wetland, as defined in the
Wetlands Law of the Town of Lewisboro,[1] or on a slope exceeding a grade of 15%.
(2)
The extension of utility facilities to serve new or altered single-
or two-family residential structures or to render service in approved
subdivisions.
(3)
Construction or alteration of a store, office or restaurant designed
for an occupant load of 200 persons or fewer, and the construction
of utility facilities to serve such establishments, if not in conjunction
with the construction or alteration of two or more stores, offices
or restaurants and if not in a wetland, as defined in the Wetlands
Law of the Town of Lewisboro, or on a slope exceeding a grade of 15%.
(4)
The granting of individual setback and lot line variances and the
like.
(5)
Agricultural farm management practices, including construction, maintenance
and repair of farm buildings and structures and land use changes consistent
with generally accepted principles of farming.
(6)
Operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing structures,
land uses and equipment.
(7)
Restoration or reconstruction of an existing structure which increases
existing overall size, square footage and usage by less than 50%.
(8)
Reconditioning, repair, preservation and repaving of existing highways
not involving the addition of new travel lanes.
(9)
Street openings for the purpose of repair or maintenance of existing
utility facilities.
(10)
Installation of traffic control devices on existing streets,
roads and highways other than multiple fixtures on long stretches.
(11)
Mapping of existing roads, street, highways, uses, ownership
patterns and the like.
(12)
Sales of surplus government property other than land, radioactive
material, pesticides, herbicides or other hazardous materials.
(13)
Collective bargaining activities.
(14)
Investments by or on behalf of agencies or pension or retirement
systems.
(15)
Actions which are immediately necessary for the protection or
preservation of life, health, property or natural resources.
(16)
Routine or continuing agency administration and management,
not including new programs or major reordering of priorities.
(17)
Routine activities of educational institutions which do not
include capital construction.
(18)
Snow and ice control, including plowing, the application of
salt, sand, cinders, gravel, dirt or similar substances or any combination
thereof, to paved or other road surfaces.
(19)
Replacement of a facility, in kind, on the same site unless
such facility meets any of the thresholds in the Type I list.
(20)
Public or private forest management practices other than the
removal of trees or the application of herbicides or pesticides.
(21)
Construction or placement of minor structures accessory or appurtenant
to existing facilities, including garages, carports, patios, home
swimming pools, fences, barns or other buildings not changing land
use or population density.
(22)
Maintenance of existing landscaping or natural growth.
(23)
Inspections and licensing activities relating to the qualifications
of individuals or businesses to engage in their business or profession.
(24)
Pure information collection, including basic data collection
and research, Master Plan study components, water quality and pollution
studies, traffic counts, engineering studies, boring studies, surveys
and soil studies.
(25)
Minor temporary uses of land having negligible or no permanent
effect on the environment.
C.
Exempt actions:
(1)
Enforcement or criminal proceedings or the exercise of prosecutorial
discretion in determining whether or not to institute such proceedings.
(2)
Ministerial actions, which are actions performed upon a given state
of facts in a prescribed manner imposed by law without the exercise
of any judgement or discretion as to the propriety of the action,
such as the grant of a driver's license, although such law may
require in some degree, a construction of its language or intent.
(3)
Maintenance or repair of an existing structure or facility.
(4)
Actions requiring a certificate of environmental compatibility and
public need under Articles VII and VIII of the Public Service Law
and the consideration of, grant or denial of any such certificate.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Public Service Law Art. VIII, Siting of Major
Steam Electric Generating Facilities, expired 1-1-1979 and 1-1-1989
pursuant to L.1972, c. 385, § 8 and L.1978, c. 708, § 4.
(5)
Except as set forth in § 110-11 herein, Actions undertaken or approved prior to effective date of regulations, an action shall be deemed to be undertaken or given final approval prior to such date if, in the case of an action involving federal participation, either a draft environmental impact statement or a negative declaration has been duly prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; in the case of a subdivision of land, conditional approval of a preliminary or final plat has been given; in the case of a site plan, special permit use, or variance, approval with or without conditions has been given; and in the case of all other such actions requiring a permit or authorization from an agency, each such permit or authorization has been granted.
(6)
Actions which are immediately necessary on a limited emergency basis
for the protection or preservation of life, health, property or natural
resources.
(7)
Actions of any court.
D.
Unlisted actions: all actions not included in one of the above categories.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: The Environmental Clearance Form, Preliminary
Environmental Review Option A and Preliminary Environmental Review
Option B, which immediately followed this section, are on file in
the office of the Town Clerk.
