This article shall be known as "Department of Economic Development
and Planning (DEP) of the Town of Riverhead."
A.
In furtherance of a reorganization of several departments within
the Town of Riverhead, including those concerned with community development,
planning, building, zoning, natural resources and other related matters,
the Town Board created the Department of Economic Development and
Planning (DEP). The Department includes several distinct but interrelated
divisions and offices: Community Development, Planning Department,
and Building Department.
B.
The Department of Economic Development and Planning (DEP)'s
mission is focused on providing the highest level of service to the
citizens of Riverhead. The overall mission statement of the Department
is as follows:
(1)
Administer, coordinate, develop and enforce all land development
and environmental programs, procedures and regulations.
(2)
Process all land development applications in a timely, coordinated
and efficient manner.
(3)
Undertake and implement short- and long-range plans to guide land
development and conservation of the natural environment.
(4)
Promote and support business retention and attraction.
(5)
Provide professional and technical support services to the Community
Development Department, Planning Department, Planning Board, Zoning
Board of Appeals, Conservation Advisory Council, Architectural Review
Board, Landmarks Preservation Commission and citizen and related advisory
committees appointed by the Town Board in connection with various
comprehensive community, economic, and planning initiatives.
(6)
Manage and participate in the planning of capital improvements, environmental
conservation and related projects and programs.
(7)
Coordinate community housing projects and programs to facilitate
affordable housing opportunities, working with both the public sector
and private sector.
C.
The Town Board also created the position of Administrator of Economic
Development and Planning (DEP) and, in the absence or unavailability
of the Administrator of Economic Development and Planning (DEP), the
Town Board may appoint an interim Administrator within the Community
Development or Planning Departments to oversee and manage the Department
of Economic Development and Planning (DEP).
D.
The Administrator of Economic Development and Planning (DEP) is charged
by the Town Board with significant and independent authority to manage
the Town's overall planning, development and conservation of
land resources and implementation of policy.
The Administrator of the Department of Economic Development
and Planning (DEP) shall be the principal executive officer and administrative
head of the Community Development, Planning and Building Departments.
The Administrator of Economic Development and Planning (DEP)
shall have such duties as the Town Board may from time to time prescribe,
including but not limited to the following:
A.
Assist the Town Board with the establishment and implementation of
land use and development legislation, priorities, policies, projects
and programs.
B.
Assist the Town Board and Financial Administrator with financial
and related analysis pertaining to development projects and programs.
C.
Coordinate the efforts of the Community Development Department, Planning
Department, and Building Department of the Department of Economic
Development and Planning (DEP) during the review of development projects
and programs.
D.
Represent the Town on various development-oriented committees, task
forces and forums.
E.
Lead the implementation of design and development projects, programs
and strategies recommended by the Comprehensive Plan update.
F.
Manage professional and administrative staff assigned to the Department,
including all data entry, accounting, clerical and related support
services required by each division.
G.
Under the direction of the Town Attorney, review all legal matters
arising within the divisions of the Department.
I.
Serve as the coordinator for the State Environmental Quality Review
Act (SEQRA) for various Town-initiated legislation, priorities, projects,
and programs, as well as petitions submitted for the Town Board's
consideration regarding change of zones and other related requests.
J.
Administer, supervise, manage, coordinate and enforce the zoning
laws and applicable local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
of the Town of Riverhead and the applicable building codes, state
and/or local and applicable laws of the State of New York as legally
required throughout the properties of the Town of Riverhead.
The Investigation Unit of the Office of the Town Attorney, commonly
referred to as "Code Enforcement," shall have authority to enforce
the zoning laws and applicable local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
of the Town of Riverhead and the applicable building codes, state
and/or local and applicable laws of the State of New York as legally
required throughout the properties of the Town of Riverhead. In addition,
the Town Investigator and such other persons who are certified as
Code Enforcement Officials as provided by Title 19 NYCRR Part 434
are authorized to issue appearance tickets as defined by § 150.10
of the Criminal Procedure Law, summonses or any other notices as permissible
by law for violation of the sections of the Town Code of the Town
of Riverhead over which they have jurisdiction. Nothing hereinabove
shall be deemed to diminish or restrict the performance of such duties
as are vested in and imposed upon the departments, officers or employees
identified above. Nothing hereinabove shall be deemed to diminish
or restrict the performance of such duties as are vested in and imposed
upon the Investigation Unit, Senior Town Investigator, Town Investigator
and such other officers or persons employed in the Investigation Unit.
The provisions set forth in this article are enacted pursuant
to Town Law §§ 268 and 138 and Municipal Home Rule
Law § 10, Subdivision 1(ii)a(1) and 1(ii)d(3), and are intended
to supersede Town Law § 65, Subdivision 1.