This chapter shall be known as the "Zoning Law of the Village of Hudson Falls, New York." The enactment of this chapter is pursuant to New York State Village Law § 7-700.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community and to further the following objectives of the Village of Hudson Falls:
A. 
To guide and regulate orderly growth, development, and redevelopment of the Village in a manner consistent with the Village's Comprehensive Plan and with the long-range goals of the community;
B. 
To preserve and enhance the historical character of the Village;
C. 
To encourage development that is responsive to local needs and that does not have a negative impact on the Village's infrastructure, community facilities, and appearance.
The headings appearing in this chapter are inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way define, limit, construe, or describe the scope or intent of any particular section, nor in any way affect the interpretation of the chapter.
A. 
Except where specifically defined herein, all words used in these regulations shall carry their customary meanings. Words used in the present tense shall include the future; words used in the singular number shall include the plural; and words used in the plural number shall include the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
B. 
The word "shall" is always mandatory; the word "may" is permissive. "Building" or "structure" includes any part thereof. A "building" includes all other structures of every description, except fences and walls, regardless of dissimilarity to conventional building forms. The word "lot" includes the word "plot" or "parcel"; the word "person" includes a corporation as well as an individual.
C. 
The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for" and "occupied for."
A. 
In accordance with § 7-718 of the Village Law of the State of New York, the Planning Board shall consist of seven members. The members and the Chairperson of the Planning Board shall be designated by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. In the absence of a Chairperson, the Planning Board may designate a member to serve as Acting Chairperson. The Board of Trustees may provide for compensation to be paid to experts, clerks and a secretary and provide for such other expenses as may be necessary and proper, not exceeding the appropriation made by the Board of Trustees for such purpose. The Board of Trustees may require members of the Planning Board to complete training and continuing education courses in order to fulfill their duties as members of the Planning Board.
B. 
The terms of the membership of the Planning Board shall be as set forth in § 7-718, Subdivisions 4 and 5, of the Village Law and any amendments thereto. Removal of any members of the Planning Board shall be governed by § 7-718, Subdivision 9, of the Village Law and any amendments thereto.
C. 
Pursuant to § 7-718, Subdivision 16, of the Village Law, the Mayor may appoint alternate members of the Planning Board, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, for the purpose of substituting for a member in the event such member is unable to participate due to absence or a conflict of interest. The term of the appointment of said alternate members shall be established through resolution of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may also require said alternate members to complete training and continuing education courses in order to fulfill their duties as members of the Planning Board.
D. 
The Planning Board shall have such authority, powers and duties as specified in Article 7 of the Village Law and as may be amended, as well as the authority, powers and duties specified in the Code of the Village of Hudson Falls and as may be amended.
Pursuant to § 7-712 of the Village Law, the Village of Hudson Falls has created a Zoning Board of Appeals consisting of five members appointed by the Village Board of Trustees in such manner and for such term as provided in the Village Law. The Hudson Falls Village Board of Trustees shall appoint the Chairperson of the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall have all the powers and perform all the duties prescribed by statute and by this chapter. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall have appellate jurisdiction for all matters pertaining to this chapter. The Zoning Board shall have the authority to interpret all matters related to this chapter.
No land use or development shall be undertaken or maintained except in conformity with all provisions contained in this chapter relating to both the zoning district and the land use area in which the land, water, site, structure or use is located or is proposed to be located and in conformity with the permit requirements of this chapter.
Wherever the regulations or restrictions made by this chapter require greater restrictions upon the use of land and structures or impose other higher standards than required in any other ordinance, regulation, or restriction, the provisions of this chapter shall govern. Wherever a chapter, ordinance or regulation other than this chapter imposes a greater restriction than imposed herein, then the more restrictive shall control.