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Town of Walworth, NY
Wayne County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Prior to the issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy in all zoning districts, except accessory buildings incidental to customary agricultural operations and accessory residential structures, whether attached or detached from the residential structure, the Code Enforcement Officer shall require the preparation of a site plan. The Code Enforcement Officer shall refer the applicant to the Board for site plan review and approval in accordance with § 274-a of the Town Law (except where inconsistent with this chapter) and the standards and procedures set forth in this chapter, except when site plan approval is sought for a one-lot residential development, then § 151-18 of this chapter shall apply.
A. 
A preapplication site plan conference may be held between the Board and the site plan applicant prior to the preparation and submission of a formal site plan. The intent of such conference is to enable the applicant to inform the Board of his or her proposal prior to the preparation of a detailed site plan and for the Board to review the basic site plan concept, advise the applicant as to potential problems and concerns and to generally determine the information to be required on the site plan. In order to accomplish these objectives, the applicant should provide the following:
(1) 
Statement and sketch plan showing the locations and dimensions of principal and accessory structures, parking areas, access signs (with descriptions), existing and proposed vegetation and other planned features and anticipated changes in the existing topography and natural features.
(2) 
A map of the area of adequate scale which clearly shows the location of the site with respect to the nearby street right-of-way, properties, easements and other pertinent features.
(3) 
A topographical or contour map of adequate scale and detail to show site topography.
B. 
The site plan applicant may request, in writing, at any time that his or her application for preapplication site plan conference be added to the agenda of a regularly scheduled Board meeting, and his or her application shall be so added, provided that the request is submitted at least seven days prior to the requested regularly scheduled Board meeting.
A. 
An application for site plan approval, except as provided for in § 151-18 of this chapter, shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by 12 prints of a site plan, certified by a professional engineer or land surveyor, containing information contained on the following checklist. The application must contain a statement setting forth:
(1) 
Whether or not a hazardous waste site registered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is located within a one-mile radius of the proposed development.
(2) 
The impact of the development on the Town's sanitary sewer capacity, water supply capacity, drainage and traffic flow.
B. 
If the site plan applicant is not the record owner of the site, the application must include an affidavit from the record owner giving his or her consent to the application.
C. 
The following materials shall be submitted by the applicant:
(1) 
A map of the applicant's entire holding at the scale of not more than one inch equals 100 feet, unless the Board determines a different scale more appropriate.
(2) 
An area map, at the scale of one inch equals not more than 50 feet, showing all properties, subdivisions, streets, watercourses and easements which pass through the property or are known to abut the applicant's property.
(3) 
A topographic map, at a scale of one inch equals not more than 50 feet, showing contours at intervals not greater than two-foot intervals.
(4) 
A site plan containing the following information necessary to demonstrate conformance with standards for site plan approval as required in § 151-16:
(a) 
The title of the drawing, including the name(s) and address(es) of the site plan applicant and owner of record.
(b) 
North point, date and scale.
(c) 
The name and address of the person, firm or organization preparing the map.
(d) 
Boundaries of the property plotted to scale.
(e) 
Existing watercourses and directions of drainage flow.
(f) 
A site plan showing the location of proposed use or uses, bulk and height of all buildings and location of all parking areas, with access drives thereto.
(g) 
The location of all existing or proposed site improvements, including:
[1] 
Drains, culverts, retaining walls and fences.
[2] 
Existing water and other utility facilities.
[3] 
Description of methods of sewage disposal and location of such facilities.
[4] 
Location and sizes of all permitted signs, which shall be in accordance with Chapter 143, Signs, including the submission of any sign permit applications where required by Chapter 143.
[Amended 8-16-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
[5] 
Location and design of lighting facilities.
[6] 
The amount(s) of building area(s) proposed for retail sales, if any.
[7] 
Existing areas of vegetation and trees (in general, five inches or more in diameter or, if in significant clusters, those less than five inches).
(h) 
A tracing overlay showing areas, if any, with moderate to high susceptibility to flooding or ponding, moderate to high susceptibility to erosion and slopes in excess of 15%. For areas with potential erosion problems, the overlay shall also include an outline of existing vegetation.
(i) 
A grading plan showing existing and proposed elevation of site.
(j) 
Landscape plan and planting schedule.
(k) 
Architectural plans. Architectural plans of all proposed commercial and industrial buildings and structures and signs and outdoor illumination facilities, unless otherwise provided in connection with the site plan, as applicable to the particular application, which plans may be preliminary in form but shall include exterior elevation drawings, floor plans and perspective drawings in sufficient detail to indicate the exterior building materials, color, height, bulk, stories, roofline, ornamentation and general characteristics and the interior uses of the floor area, all prepared, except the drawings for signs, by an architect or professional engineer licensed to practice in the State of New York; three copies shall be submitted. All revisions shall be numbered, dated and notated.
[Amended 3-6-1997 by L.L. No. 2-1997]
D. 
Stormwater pollution prevention plan. A stormwater pollution prevention plan consistent with the requirements of Article 1 of Local Law No. 3-2007[1] and § 180-44.1 of Chapter 180, Zoning, shall be required for site plan approval. The SWPPP shall meet the performance and design criteria and standards in § 180-44.1 of Chapter 180, Zoning. The approved site plan shall be consistent with the provisions of Chapter 147, Article I, Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control, § 180-44.1 of Chapter 180, Zoning, and this subsection.
[Added 9-20-2007 by L.L. No. 3-2007]
[1]
Editor's Note: A complete copy of L.L. No. 3-2007 is on file in the Town offices.
A. 
In acting on any proposed site plan application, the Board shall take into consideration the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan, as well as the Official Map as it may be adopted by the Town Board. Site plans shall conform to all other provisions of § 274-a of the Town Law (except where inconsistent with this chapter), the Town Construction Specifications and Design Standards[1] and the standards hereinafter specified.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said document shall be on file in the Town offices. See also Art. VI, Design Standards.
B. 
Neighborhood. The site plan and architectural plan shall be of a character as to harmonize with the neighborhood, to accomplish a transition in character between areas of unlike character, to protect property values and to preserve and enhance the appearance and beauty of the community. This may include, for example, requiring a vegetative buffer along the lot lines of parcels which share a boundary with a different zoning district in order to assist in the transition between districts.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
C. 
Access and circulation. Provision shall be made for vehicular access to the lot and circulation upon the lot in such a manner as to safeguard against hazards to traffic and pedestrians in the street and upon the lot, to avoid traffic congestion on any street and to provide safe and convenient circulation upon the lot. Access and circulation shall also conform to the following:
(1) 
Where reasonable alternative access is available, the vehicular access to the lot shall be arranged to avoid commercial traffic use of local residential streets situated in or bordered by residential districts.
(2) 
Where a lot has frontage on two or more streets, the access may be limited to one street if the Board feels such limitation is necessary to lessen potential for traffic congestion and hazards to traffic and pedestrians.
(3) 
The street giving access to the lot shall have traffic-carrying capacity and roadway improvements and traffic management facilities that are sufficient to accommodate the amount and types of traffic generated by the proposed use, taking into account access to existing uses along the street and existing traffic, projected to the date of occupancy of the site. Roadway, traffic management and other deficiencies in the street giving access, which result in congestion or impairment of safety and convenience, may be remedied by the applicant if authorized by the owner of the street.
(4) 
Where necessary to safeguard against hazards to traffic and pedestrians and/or to avoid traffic congestion, provision shall be made for turning lanes, traffic directional signals, frontage road driveways and traffic controls within the street.
(5) 
Access driveways shall be of a design and have sufficient capacity to avoid queuing of entering vehicles within any street.
(6) 
Driveways into the lot shall not exceed a grade of 10% and shall meet the street line and travel way of the street with proper transition grades and sight lines for safe, convenient and efficient access and in such a manner as to conform to the established cross section for the street.
(7) 
Where topographic and other conditions are reasonably usable, provision may be made for circulation driveway connections to adjoining lots of similar existing or potential use when such driveway connection will facilitate fire protection services and/or when such driveway will enable the public to travel between two existing or potential uses, open to the public generally, without need to travel upon a street.
(8) 
There may be no more than one driveway connection from any lot to any street, except that an additional driveway connection may be provided where necessary to safeguard against hazards and to avoid congestion or when it is determined that there will be no increased hazards or congestion as a result of the additional driveway connection.
D. 
Existing streets. Where the lot has frontage on an existing street, proper provision shall be made for grading and improvement of shoulders and sidewalk areas within the right-of-way of the street and for provision of curbs and sidewalks in accordance with the pattern of development along the street. Where necessary to provide for suitable access or for a system of neighborhood circulation streets, provision shall also be made for appropriate continuation and improvement of streets terminating at the lot where the use is to be located.
E. 
Parking and loading. Off-street parking and truck loading spaces shall be provided in accordance with the Town Construction Specifications and Design Standards. Whenever possible, area on the lot shall be provided for any truck maneuvering necessary to use off-street truck loading spaces. Truck loading spaces and maneuvering areas shall have dimensions sufficient to accommodate the type and size of truck expected at the premises.
F. 
Drainage.
(1) 
Provision shall be made on the lot for the management of stormwater, including collection, detention, retention and disposal thereof, in the following manner:
(a) 
To assure the usability of off-street parking and loading spaces.
(b) 
To avoid hazards to pedestrians and vehicular traffic on the lot and in any street.
(c) 
To avoid stormwater flow across sidewalks and other pedestrianways.
(d) 
To protect watercourses and wetlands from pollution, erosion and sedimentation.
(e) 
To avoid an amount of discharge and time of concentration of flow beyond the capacity of downstream drainage channels.
(f) 
To avoid downstream flooding.
(2) 
Provision shall also be made for on-site detention, retention or recharge for the protection or improvement of existing watercourses, channels, floodways and other drainage systems, on the lot or downstream from the lot, as needed to accept or regulate the proposed drainage discharge, based on sound design criteria under good engineering practice, taking into account the drainage requirements of the entire watershed in which the lot is located.
G. 
(Reserved)[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection G, Soil erosion and sediment control, was repealed 9-20-2007 by L.L. No. 3-2007.
H. 
Wetlands and watercourses. Where wetlands and/or watercourses are located on or adjacent to the lot, provision shall be made for their protection in a natural state, unless modification is approved by the Board and, when subject to regulatory jurisdiction by a Town, county, state or federal agency, is approved by such agency prior to site plan approval.
I. 
Special flood hazard areas. When any part of the lot is located within an area of special flood hazard, the site plan shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 88, Flood Damage Prevention.
J. 
Fire protection. Proper provision shall be made for fire protection facilities and access, taking into account any recommendations of the Chief of the Fire Department serving the proposed development and including the following:
(1) 
Suitable location for and access to fire hydrants and/or fire ponds and other water storage.
(2) 
Suitable access to buildings and open storage areas for operation of fire protection vehicles and equipment.
(3) 
Sufficient controls on traffic and parking to permit access by fire protection vehicles in emergencies.
(4) 
Adequate circulation driveways within the lot, coordinated with access to other lots, to permit access by fire protection vehicles.
K. 
Sanitation. Provision shall be made for water supply, sewage disposal, control of wastes and protection of water quality in accordance with the following criteria:
(1) 
Proper provision shall be made for the water supply and sewage disposal requirements of the proposed use. When on-site systems are to be used, such systems shall be designed and constructed in accordance with applicable county and/or state law, and the design concept and layout for such systems shall be approved by Wayne County or New York State departments and agencies, if required prior to approval of the site plan. Approval of the site plan may be conditioned upon such department's or agency's approval of the final design of the system.
(2) 
Proper provision shall be made for the collection, storage and disposal of solid and liquid wastes accumulated in connection with the proposed use and for control of litter by means of receptacles, fences, programs for site maintenance and cleaning and other means approved by the Planning Board.
(3) 
The site plan shall demonstrate how any toxic or hazardous substances are to be managed in accordance with applicable law and so as to avoid danger to the public health and degradation of surface waters and groundwaters and wetlands.
(4) 
Proper provision shall be made for any aboveground or in-ground storage of fuels and deicing salts and chemicals in a manner that protects groundwater aquifers having potential for significant water supply.
L. 
Landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided and permanently maintained on the lot to conform to the standards of the Town Construction Specifications and Design Standards,[3] particular requirements of this chapter and the following:
(1) 
All areas of the lot not covered by buildings and other structures, open storage and approved paving shall be suitably landscaped with trees and/or shrubs, lawns or other suitable landscaping or shall be left as natural terrain, if not disturbed by filling, grading or excavation.
(2) 
Landscaping, including grading, provided in the front yard area of the lot shall be of a type, size and height as to avoid obstruction of minimum sight lines along the street as well as from access driveways onto the street, whether the driveway is located on the lot or any other lot, in accordance with the standards of the New York State Department of Transportation.
[3]
Editor's Note: The Design Standards are on file in the Town offices. See also Art. VI, Design Standards.
M. 
Lighting. The location, height, design, direction and brightness of outdoor illumination (area lighting, floodlighting and illumination of signs) shall be arranged and maintained as follows:
(1) 
To provide sufficient illumination for safety, convenience and security.
(2) 
To minimize sky glow.
(3) 
To safeguard against discomfort glare and visibility veiling glare in any street and upon pedestrianways and vehicular parking, loading and circulation areas on the lot where located or any other lot.
(4) 
To harmonize with the neighborhood and avoid trespass illumination on any other lot.
(5) 
Sign lighting shall be in accordance with the sign regulations in Chapter 143.
[Added 8-16-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
N. 
Signs. Any signs to be established on the lot shall be part of the site plan submission and shall be in accord with the Sign Law at Chapter 143 of the Town Code, including that where the Sign Law requires a sign permit for any signs, such permit application(s) be submitted along with any site plan applications.
[Amended 8-16-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
O. 
Buildings and structures. Buildings and other structures shall have an exterior design to harmonize with the surrounding neighborhood. The exterior walls of any building that are visible from any street or any other lot shall present a finished appearance by means of materials consistent with the design of the building as a whole. No mechanical equipment shall be located on the roof of a building if visible from any street, unless such equipment is housed or screened from view in a manner consistent with the architectural design of the building.
P. 
Nonconformity. After public hearing as provided in § 151-17B, the Planning Board may approve a site plan authorizing the construction, moving or alteration of buildings and structures on a lot having existing site development which fails to conform to the standards of this section and/or authorizing continuation, enlargement, extension, moving or reconstruction of existing site development which fails so to conform if the Planning Board finds that the following standards are met:
(1) 
The proposed construction will result in a general improvement of the lot with regard to safe access, sight lines along streets, suitable drainage and adequate landscaping.
(2) 
Nonconforming signs and lighting will be brought into a conforming or more nearly conforming condition.
(3) 
Adequate provision is made for landscaping abutting nonbusiness districts.
(4) 
There shall be no increase in the nonconformity of buildings and other structures and site improvements.
A. 
The site plan applicant may request, in writing, at any time that his/her/its application be added to the agenda of the regularly scheduled Board meeting and his/her/its application shall so be added, provided that the request is submitted at least 21 days prior to the requested regularly scheduled Board meeting if a hearing is required, and seven days prior to the requested regularly scheduled Board meeting if no public hearing is required.
[Amended 5-20-1999 by L.L. No. 2-1999]
B. 
The Board shall hold a public hearing on the application for site plan approval, which hearing shall be held within 62 days after completion of the application and upon publication of notice of hearing at least five days prior to the date of the hearing. Within 62 days after the public hearing, the Board shall approve, conditionally approve, with or without modification, or disapprove the application for site plan approval. If modifications are required, the applicant shall make the changes, add a revision date and resubmit to the Board 12 copies of the revised site plan. The findings and decision of the Board shall be in writing and filed in the office of the Town Clerk. A copy of the decision shall be mailed to the applicant at the address indicated on the application.
A. 
Site plans.
[Amended 3-7-2002 by L.L. No. 2-2002; 2-3-2005 by L.L. No. 2-2005]
(1) 
Site plan review of a single residential lot for the construction of a residence and/or associated accessory structures shall be administratively reviewed by the Code Enforcement Officer and the engineer for the Town, and thus not require formal site plan review pursuant to this chapter. However, if the Code Enforcement Officer or the engineer for the Town finds, in either of their sole discretion, that the application is not appropriate for administrative review because facts of the application instead merit discretionary review by the Planning Board, then the application shall be referred to the Planning Board for review and approval in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(2) 
For the amendment or modification of a one-lot, one-parcel, one-plot or one-site residential site plan which has been previously approved and where the applicant desires to amend or modify the site plan approval previously granted, the applicant shall make application to the Building Inspector for a building permit and said building permit shall be issued, provided:
(a) 
The proposed amendment or modification to the site plan does not increase the square footage of the building footprint set forth on the original site plan by more than 40%; and
(b) 
The proposed amendment or modification to the site plan complies with all state, county and Town laws, rules and regulations.
B. 
An application for a one-lot residential site plan approval shall be made, in writing, to the Code Enforcement Officer and engineer for the Town and shall be accompanied by 12 copies of a site plan prepared by a professional engineer or land surveyor. The plan sheet shall be prepared on a cloth or Mylar having a trim line dimension of 22 inches by 34 inches, and the plan shall be at a scale of one inch equals 50 feet or larger. All dimensions or distances shall be to the nearest hundredth of a foot. The following information shall be shown on the site plan:
(1) 
Identification: a title for each sheet in the lower right-hand corner indicating the name of the proposed development, owner and developer; great lot number, Township 13, Range 3, Town of Walworth, Wayne County, New York, scale and date.
(2) 
North arrow: a North arrow oriented towards the top or right-hand side of the sheet.
(3) 
Bench mark: United States Geological Survey (USGS) or assumed datum bench mark.
(4) 
Certification: the plan sheet certification as follows:
"This site plan was prepared from the notes of a boundary line and topographic survey completed under my supervision (completion date of survey). Sewage disposal and water supply facilities have been designed to meet the minimum requirements of the State of New York, Department of Health. Signed ________________P.E. License No. ________or signed and sealed pursuant to § 7208, Subdivision n, of the State Education Law. Signed ________________ L.S. License No. __________."
(5) 
Stamp and signature: Legibly stamp the plan with professional engineer or licensed surveyor license stamp and affix signature adjacent to the stamp.
(6) 
Existing street: Show right-of-way lines, street width, street pavement, pavement width and any assigned state route numbers, county road numbers and street names.
(7) 
Property lines: boundaries of the proposed development with bearings and distances. Tie dimensions to nearest street intersection.
(8) 
Property markers: three-fourths-inch diameter by 3 1/2 feet long standard steel pipes set flush with finished grade to mark all property corners of the development. A note stating that "Property markers shall be set prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy."
(9) 
Owner's names: the names of the owners of all adjacent properties including those on the opposite side of the street.
(10) 
Area: area shall be given to the nearest hundredth of an acre for each lot.
(11) 
Easements: boundaries of existing and proposed easements with bearings and distances.
(12) 
Existing topography: existing grade contours at one-foot intervals and other significant topographic features.
(13) 
Existing utilities: water mains, with size and location, hydrants, valves; wells within 100 feet of the proposed development; storm drains and culverts with size, invert elevations and direction of flow; electric poles and telephone poles.
(14) 
Proposed grading and drainage: finished grade contours at one-foot intervals; storm drains and culverts with size, invert elevations and direction of flow; drainage ditches and swales.
(15) 
Proposed water supply: for well supplies, provide well sections; for public water supply, show size of existing main and proposed service with curb stop location and/or meter pit for services exceeding 200 feet in length.
(16) 
Proposed sewage disposal: in accordance with § 180-30 of Chapter 180, Zoning.
[Amended 12-6-2007 by L.L. No. 6-2007]
(17) 
Proposed driveway location with site distance dimensions.
C. 
Site plans for applications to convert nonresidential structure into residential building.
[Added 3-7-2002 by L.L. No. 2-2002]
(1) 
Site plans prepared for an application to convert an existing nonresidential structure into a residential building shall:
(a) 
Be made to the Planning Board;
(b) 
Be certified by a professional engineer or architect in the event the costs of the conversion exceed $20,000.
(c) 
Contain competent proof of the cost of the conversion.
(2) 
The Planning Board shall review and approve all architectural aspects of the building as proposed to be converted, including, but not limited to, exterior building material, color, roof lines, ornamentation and general characteristics, to assure that the building is compatible and in harmony with other residential buildings in the surrounding neighborhood.
[Amended 3-7-2002 by L.L. No. 2-2002]
The applicant may be required to post performance security in the form of a letter of credit or a certified check based upon an engineer's estimate (the cost amount must be based on prevailing rates required by public works projects) in an amount and duration all as set forth in § 151-7 of this chapter to assure that all streets and improvements and other public places shown on a site plan shall be suitably graded and paved and that the street signs, sidewalks, streetlighting standards, curbs, gutters, street trees, water mains, fire alarm signal devices, including necessary wires and cables and other connecting facilities, sanitary sewers, storm drains and combined sewers shall be installed in accordance with standards, specifications and procedures acceptable to the Board. If performance security is required, the Board may also require labor payment, material payment, operation and maintenance security as required in § 151-7 of this chapter.
[Amended 12-18-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003; 2-3-2005 by L.L. No. 2-2005]
Upon a finding by the Planning Board that, due to special conditions particular to a site, certain of the information normally required as part of the site plan is inappropriate or unnecessary or that strict compliance with such requirements may cause extraordinary and unnecessary hardships, the Planning Board may vary or waive such requirements whenever, in the opinion of the Planning Board, such variance or waiver shall not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare or have any effect of nullifying the intent and purpose of the site plan submission, the Official Map, the Town's Comprehensive Plan or this article. The site plan applicant desiring such a waiver shall file a written request, at the time the application is added to the Planning Board's agenda, setting forth why the waiver should be granted.
[Amended 5-20-1999 by L.L. No. 2-1999; 4-5-2001 by L.L. No. 2-2001; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Site plan approval, whether granted by the Code Enforcement Officer and the engineer for the Town pursuant to § 151-18 or by the Planning Board pursuant to § 151-5B(10), 151-17 or 151-18, will expire if a building permit for the development thereof is not issued within one year or if construction is not completed during the life of such building permit. Site plan approval may be extended prior to expiration, once, for one year, by the Planning Board in its discretion so long as an extension would not be a detriment to the Town due to changed circumstances since approval, upon the submittal of a written application with payment of the application extension fee. Said application must be accompanied by a statement from an architect, professional engineer or land surveyor licensed to practice in the State of New York setting forth that the site plan, as previously approved, still conforms and is in compliance with all State of New York, Town of Walworth laws, rules and regulations. Upon receipt of the completed application, appropriate fee, and required documentation, the matter will then be added to the agenda of the next regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting.