As stated in Village Code § 300-1.2B, the Board of Trustees finds that the "Village of Sag Harbor is uniquely situated on a navigable arm of Peconic Bay and tributaries thereof. As a result of its unusually extensive water frontage development, it is of necessity closely related to valuable marine environmental resources. Preservation and enhancement of these marine resources will continue to be important in the Village's future. The Village has a long history beginning with its settlement in the early 18th century and development soon thereafter as a major port. It has an unusually rich and varied architecture and an environment reflecting its development stages."
The Sag Harbor Waterfront Overlay is adopted to advance the objectives
of the Sag Harbor Comprehensive Plan through standards that guide
the relationship between building facades and the public realm and
protect against over-development on the waterfront. These standards
enact the following intents: (i) protect and enhance the unique and
eclectic character of the Village; (ii) preserve and enhance public
views of the waterfront and provide continuity of access directly
to the water; (iii) encourage a diversity of scales, architectural
styles, and materials which respects the historical character and
gives the Village its authentic and unique nature; (iv) continue to
support a mixture of local industrial, commercial, water-dependent
businesses, and residential uses; (v) enhance streetscaping and the
pedestrian environment; (vi) establish a level of development appropriate
for a waterfront location; and, (vii) incorporate strategies to minimize
adverse impacts on groundwater and surrounding surface waterbody quality.
Buildings or structures over 3,500 square feet in gross floor area within the WFOD shall be required to obtain a special exception permit from the Village Planning Board pursuant to Village Code § 300-11.23.
Except for the special exception permit required above in § 300-15.2A and in § 300-11.23 and residential use restrictions in § 300-15.3K, Village Code § 300, Attachment 1, Table of Uses, designating the uses for the underlying zoning districts within the WFOD, shall apply.
Lands to which this article applies. This article shall apply to
all areas of land shown on the map entitled "Proposed Zoning Map Amendments,"
dated December 2, 2021, prepared by Nelson Pope and Voorhis.
Interpretation and conflict with other laws. In their interpretation
and application, the provisions of this article shall be held to be
minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion of the public health,
safety and welfare. Whenever the requirements of this article are
at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules,
regulations or ordinances, the most restrictive or that imposing the
higher standards shall govern.
Lot, waterfront. A lot that abuts a water body; a lot that abuts
a park that abuts a water body; and a lot that abuts an easement,
private road, private accessway right-of-way, or flag (to a current
or former flag lot) that abuts a water body or park that abuts a water
body, as set forth in the diagram below.
The permitted height of structures on waterfront lots in the
WFOD shall be 25 feet as measured from street or lowest grade on-site,
whichever is less with a maximum of two stories.
The permitted height of structures that are not waterfront lots in the WFOD shall be governed by the underlying zoning district regulations for that property as set forth in Chapter 300, Attachment 2, Table of Dimensional Regulations.
Setbacks. On waterfront properties located in the WFOD, the required
waterfront yard setback for principal structures shall be a minimum
of 30 feet from the mean high water line.
Waterfront visual access. Provision of open viewsheds at ground level
to provide water view from public streets and surrounding properties.
The provision of visual access yards shall be provided on all properties
fronting on the waterfront or on waterfront parks. The minimum visual
access yard shall be 20% of the lot width, but no less than 15 feet
in width for any individual lot. The visual access yard shall not
be obstructed with visual barriers (including, but not limited to,
landscaping, fencing, accessory structures) and shall not be used
for parking or loading spaces. Where a property is located opposite
a publicly owned property or public roadway, the visual access yard
shall be provided to provide views from same.
Floodproofing. For buildings within a flood zone, dry floodproofing
of the ground floor and maintenance of existing grade is required
in lieu of raising the ground floor elevation.
Roof-mounted mechanical equipment must be fully screened from
view at ground level on all sides of the structure and, to the extent
practicable, from adjacent buildings of similar height. Such mechanical
equipment must be set back a distance of 1 1/2 times its height
from the facade and must not occupy more than 20% of the total area
of the roof. Screens must be of durable, permanent materials and be
constructed to a height of at least one foot above the height of the
mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment must be the minimum height
necessary to perform its proper function. No mechanical equipment
may be greater than five feet in height above the roof surface, except
where the Planning Board has affirmatively approved such additional
height with a specific reference in the site plan approval. Where
permitted, solar installations may occupy more than 20% of the total
area of the roof.
Ground-mounted mechanical equipment must be screened with a
fence, wall, or dense evergreen hedge, so that no portion is readily
visible from any public right-of-way. If ground-mounted mechanical
equipment is screened by existing structures, fencing, or landscape,
this requirement will be deemed to have been met. No mechanical equipment
may be located in a waterfront yard or visual access yard.
Vents, air conditioners, and other utility elements, except
where such elements are enclosed, camouflaged, screened, obscured,
or otherwise not readily apparent to a casual observer, are prohibited
as part of a front or corner side facade, or of a facade facing a
waterfront yard or visual access yard.
Any existing mechanical equipment, which was lawfully established
prior to the adoption of this overlay, will be considered conforming,
and may be repaired and replaced in-kind.
Refuse areas. The storage of refuse and recyclables must be provided
inside a fully enclosed building or within an outdoor area enclosed
by walls or opaque fencing. Any refuse area located outside of a fully
enclosed building must be sited as follows:
Refuse areas, including dumpsters and garbage cans, must be
located in the rear yard adjacent to the principal building. No refuse
area may be located in a waterfront yard or visual access yard.
Refuse areas must be screened by a fence or enclosure of at
least six feet in height on all sides, or as necessary to conceal
any dumpsters or other refuse structures. Enclosures must remain locked
and closed, except when in use.
All development shall comply with Suffolk County Sanitary Code and Chapter 220, Sewers, of the Village Code. Where extension of a sanitary sewer service area or new connection is required, all costs shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
All development shall manage stormwater on-site in accordance with
New York State and Suffolk County guidelines, and may not impact adjoining
property owners or public lands. If on-site management is not practical
or if the property is within the flood plain, the applicant will be
responsible for the cost to extend and if needed, improve the storm
sewer system, and provide on-site pretreatment prior to discharge
as required.