[Amended 11-10-1959; 11-27-1962]
A special exception use permit may be granted, after public hearing, by the Board of Appeals, for the excavation, without processing, treatment or classification, of sand, gravel, top- or common soil, peat or humus in conformity with the following provisions:
A.
Notice of application shall be given as required by this chapter, and also notice shall be sent by mail to the owners of all property within a distance of at least 1,000 feet of the premises described in the application.
B.
Proof shall be submitted with each application that there are no unpaid taxes or assessments affecting or constituting a lien upon the premises described in the application.
C.
Any approval of the Board of Appeals provided for herein shall be for a period not to exceed one year.
D.
Any excavation shall be so made and so operated that neither the excavation nor any deposit, topsoil, earth, stone, gravel, rock or other natural mineral deposit shall interfere with any natural watercourse or the natural drainage of the property, and, at the termination of the permit, the premises shall be rough-graded in such manner that the natural drainage shall be fully restored. No excavation shall be made below the adjacent grade of any abutting road unless the Board of Appeals shall find that the peculiar conditions pertaining to the property affected would justify such depth of excavation, and, in any such case, the Board of Appeals may impose such further conditions as are, in the judgment of the Board of Appeals, appropriate to safeguard the public interest. In any case, where an excavation is made under this chapter, the property shall be graded so that the natural slopes of the property will be preserved, subject to the reduction in elevations, the intent being that the property shall, after excavation, not be left with holes or gullies, and that the natural watershed will be undisturbed. The Board of Appeals shall require that the site, after the excavation has been completed and prior to the expiration of the permit, shall be properly seeded or planted, or both, to conform to the natural terrain and landscaping of adjacent and surrounding areas, unless the Board of Appeals for good cause shown shall dispense therewith, the reasons therefor to be stated in its determination.
[Amended 4-29-1965]
E.
Any excavation extending below the lines prescribed in this chapter or in a permit issued hereunder shall be immediately refilled to the natural grade of the property with clean unburnable fill, containing no garbage, refuse or other deleterious matter. No permit shall be issued for excavating which provides or contemplates creation of a body of water, except as provided in Subsection J of this section, until a site plan with respect thereto shall first have been submitted to and approved by the Planning Board, after public hearing, as provided in §§ 276 and 277 of the Town Law.
F.
At the termination of the approval period, any structure, improvement, equipment or machinery heretofore erected, placed or maintained upon such premises, except as may otherwise be permitted under this chapter, shall be removed, and the premises restored to the contours authorized in the permit.
G.
Every application for such approval shall be in such form as the Board of Appeals shall require and shall be accompanied by a map or survey sufficient to identify the property by giving the location and dimensions of the property, operation and the location of any buildings, structures, equipment or improvements to be located thereon and shall also give the full names, signatures and addresses of the owner, lessee and applicant and the written consent of the mortgagee, if any, and a statement clearly detailing the extent of operations. No permit shall be issued for an excavation covering an area of more than five acres. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall require that a topographic survey, prepared by a licensed engineer or surveyor, accompany the application, showing the existing contours and the contours proposed to be established at the conclusion of the operation. The Board shall also require that copies of such survey, amended if necessary to conform with the decision of the Board, are filed with the Board prior to issue of permit.
H.
No operation referred to in this chapter shall be conducted after 7:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m. nor at any time on Sunday, and, during the hours of operation, such shall be conducted without unreasonable noise.
I.
Prior to the issuance of a permit under this section, the person, firm or corporation to whom such permit is to be issued shall furnish to the Town of Somers a penal bond and a performance bond. Each bond shall be issued by a bonding or surety company approved by the Town Board, or by the owner or owners of the property involved with security acceptable to the Town Board, and such bond shall also be approved by the Town Board as to form, sufficiency and manner of execution. Each of said bonds, including any renewal or renewals or increases or decreases as hereinafter provided, shall be in an amount determined by the Town Board. In each case, the Board of Appeals shall report to the Town Board its recommendation as to the amount of each bond and the reasons therefor. In no event shall the penal bond be less than $1,000 per acre of land included in the permit. The amount of any bond may be increased or reduced, from time to time by the Town Board, after public hearing by the Board of Appeals and its recommendation with respect to the amount thereof, as aforesaid, upon the same notice as required upon the original hearing or such additional notice as the Board of Appeals may require.
J.
Excavations for the construction of a wall, building or part thereof; customary appurtenances to a farm or dwelling, including a cellar, well, pond or pool; farming; or topsoil to be used within the Town of Somers for the improvement of residential property therein shall be deemed permitted uses and shall not require the issuance of a special exception use permit under this section.