[Amended 7-12-2016 by L.L. No. 2-2016, effective 7-29-2016; 9-12-2017 by L.L. No.
2-2017, effective 9-26-2017]
This chapter shall be administered, enforced and prosecuted
by the Zoning Administrator, the Building Inspector (BI), the Fire
Inspector, the Attorney to the Town, the Town Attorney, the Planning
Board and/or the Zoning Board of Appeals in the manner prescribed
below for the application and issuance of permits, submission of plans,
conduct of hearings and handling of violations, including but not
limited to the prosecution thereof. The Attorney to the Town or Town
Attorney shall have the authority to enforce and prosecute all provisions
of this chapter. Notwithstanding the forgoing, prior to the commencement
of any legal action in the Town of Clinton Justice Court or any court
of competent jurisdiction, including an appeal of a judicial decision,
such action must be duly authorized and approved by the Town Board.
[Added 8-8-2000 by L.L. No. 3-2000]
The Town of Clinton has adopted “Greenway
Connections: Greenway Compact Program and Guides for Dutchess County
Communities,” as amended from time to time, as a statement of
land use policies, principles, and guides. In its discretionary actions
under this chapter, the reviewing agency shall be guided by said statement
of policies, principles, and guides.
This chapter, or any part, including the Zoning
District Map indicating the various district boundaries, may from
time to time be amended, supplemented, changed, modified or repealed
by the Town Board in the manner prescribed by Municipal Home Rule
Law.
A. Initiation. Consideration of an amendment to this
chapter may be initiated in one of three ways:
(1)
By the Town Board upon its own volition.
(2)
By resolution of the Planning Board sent to
the Town Board and filed with the Town Clerk, where certain changes
or repeal of certain provisions are recommended. Where practical,
the Town Board shall initiate consideration of such proposed amendment
within 90 days of the time the resolution is filed by the Planning
Board in the office of the Town Clerk.
(3)
By petition duly signed and acknowledged from
the owners of 50% or more of the public road frontage in any zoning
district requesting an amendment, supplement or change in the regulations
prescribed for such zoning district or part thereof. Where practical,
the Town Board shall initiate consideration of such petition for amendment
within 90 days of the time the petition is filed by the petitioners
in the office of the Town Clerk. Said petition shall be accompanied
by the applicable fee, if any, in accordance with the fee schedule
established and annually reviewed by the Town Board.
B. Report of the Planning Board. Proposed amendments
may be referred to the Planning Board for a report and recommendation.
In undertaking such review, the Planning Board shall make inquiry
and provide recommendation concerning the matters specified below:
(1)
Whether such change is consistent with the intent
of this chapter as applied to the particular zoning districts concerned.
(2)
Which areas and establishments in the Town will
be directly affected by such change and in what way they will be affected.
(3)
Whether adequate public service and other support
facilities exist or can be created to serve the needs of any additional
development that may occur as a result of such change.
(4)
What other regulations may be affected, and
to what extent, as a result of such change.
(5)
Whether such proposed change is consistent with
the underlying objectives of the Town Master Plan and this chapter.
(6)
If such a referral is made, the Planning Board
shall submit its report to the Town Board within 60 days. Failure
of the Planning Board to report within the required time period shall
be deemed to be a recommendation of approval of the proposed amendment.
C. Town Board procedure.
(1)
Public notice and hearing. The Town Board shall
fix the time and place of the public hearing on the proposed amendment
and cause notice thereof to be given pursuant to Municipal Home Rule
Law.
(2)
Required referral. The Town Board shall transmit
a full statement of any proposed amendment, whether a map amendment
or a text amendment, that meets the referral requirements of § 239-l
or 239-m of the General Municipal Law, to the Dutchess County Department
of Planning for its review and recommendation. No action shall be
taken by the Town Board on such proposed amendment until a recommendation
has been received from the County Department of Planning or 30 days
have elapsed since said department received such full statement.
(3)
Compliance with SEQRA. Proposed amendments are
actions subject to the provisions of the New York State Environmental
Quality Review Act. Prior to formal consideration and public hearing,
the Town Board shall make a determination as to the type of action,
lead agency status, and environmental significance of the proposed
amendment in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation
Law and Title 6, Part 617 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations.
Any action to initiate an amendment to this chapter shall be specifically
accompanied by either a short or full environmental assessment form
as required by SEQRA.
(4)
Town Board action. The Town Board may approve
any such proposed amendment by a majority vote of the Board, except
that a favorable vote of at least four members of the Town Board,
i.e., a majority plus one, shall be required if action being taken
is contrary to the advisory recommendation received from the Dutchess
County Department of Planning under the provisions of §§ 239-l
and 239-m of the General Municipal Law. If the action taken is contrary
to the advisory recommendation of the County Department of Planning,
a report on the action shall be filed within seven days thereof with
said department.
Fees shall be paid on the filing of any application,
in accordance with the fee schedule established by resolution and
annually reviewed by the Town Board.