[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of New Rochelle 6-21-2016 by Res. No. 143-2016. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter will be known as the "City of New Rochelle Waterfront
Consistency Review Law."
A.
This chapter is adopted under the authority of the Municipal Home
Rule Law and the Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland
Waterways Act of the State of New York (Article 42 of the Executive
Law).
B.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework for the agencies
of the City of New Rochelle to consider the policies and purposes
contained in the City of New Rochelle Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program (LWRP) when reviewing applications for actions or direct agency
actions located in the waterfront area; and to assure that such actions
and direct actions are consistent with the said LWRP policies and
purposes.
C.
It is the intention of the City of New Rochelle that the preservation,
enhancement and utilization of the unique waterfront area of the City
of New Rochelle take place in a coordinated and comprehensive manner
to ensure a proper balance between protection of natural resources
and the need to accommodate limited population growth and economic
development. Accordingly, this chapter is intended to achieve such
a balance, permitting the beneficial use of waterfront resources while
preventing: loss and degradation of living waterfront resources and
wildlife; diminution of open space areas or public access to the waterfront;
disruption of natural waterfront processes; impairment of scenic,
cultural or historical resources; losses due to flooding, erosion
and sedimentation; impairment of water quality; or permanent adverse
changes to ecological systems.
D.
The substantive provisions of this chapter shall only apply while
there is in existence a City of New Rochelle Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program, which has been adopted in accordance with Article 42 of the
Executive Law of the State of New York.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Either Type I or unlisted actions as defined in SEQRA regulations
(6 NYCRR 617.2) which are undertaken by an agency and which include:
Projects or physical activities, such as construction or any
other activities that may affect the natural or man-made environment
by changing the use, appearance or condition of any resource or structure,
that:
Agency planning and policymaking activities that may affect
the environment and commit the agency to a definite course of future
decisions;
Adoption of agency rules, regulations and procedures, including
resolutions, codes, ordinances, executive orders and resolutions that
may affect waterfront resources or the environment; and
Any combination of the above.
Any board, agency, department, office, other body, or officer
of the City of New Rochelle.
That portion of New York State coastal waters and adjacent
shorelands as defined in Article 42 of the Executive Law which is
located within the boundaries of the City of New Rochelle as shown
on the coastal area map on file in the office of the Secretary of
State and as delineated in the City of New Rochelle Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program.
The Building Inspector and/or Code Enforcement Officer of
the City of New Rochelle.
That the action complies with the LWRP policy standards,
conditions and objectives and, whenever practicable, will advance
one or more of them.
Actions planned and proposed for implementation by an applicant
or agency, such as, but not limited to, a capital project, rule making,
procedure making and policy making.
All conditions, circumstances and influences surrounding
and affecting the development of living organisms or other resources
in the waterfront area.
The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program adopted by the
City of New Rochelle and approved by the Secretary of State pursuant
to the Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways
Act (Executive Law, Article 42).
Includes the following actions, which are not subject to
review under this chapter:
Maintenance or repair involving no substantial changes in an
existing structure or facility.
Replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure
or facility, in kind, on the same site, including upgrading buildings
to meet building or fire codes, except for structures in areas designated
by the Coastal Erosion Hazard Area (CEHA) Law where structures may
not be replaced, rehabilitated or reconstructed without a permit.
Repaving or widening of existing paved highways not involving
the addition of new travel lanes.
Street openings and right-of-way openings for the purpose of
repair or maintenance of existing utility facilities.
Maintenance of existing landscaping or natural growth, except
where threatened or endangered species of plants or animals are affected,
or within locally significant habitat areas.
Granting of individual setback and lot-line variances, except
in relation to a regulated natural feature or a bulkhead or other
shoreline defense structure or any activity within the CEHA.
Minor temporary uses of land having negligible or no permanent
impact on waterfront resources or the environment.
Installation of traffic control devices on existing streets,
roads and highways.
Mapping of existing roads, streets, highways, natural resources,
land uses and ownership patterns.
Information collection, including basic data collection and
research, water quality and pollution studies, traffic counts, engineering
studies, surveys, subsurface investigations and soils studies that
do not commit the agency to undertake, fund or approve any action.
Official acts of a ministerial nature involving no exercise
of discretion, including a building permit where issuance is predicated
solely on the applicant's compliance or noncompliance with the
relevant local building code.
Routine or continuing agency administration and management,
not including new programs or major reordering of priorities that
may affect the environment.
Conducting concurrent environmental, engineering, economic,
feasibility and other studies and preliminary planning and budgetary
processes necessary to the formulation of a proposal for action, provided
that those activities do not commit the agency to commence, engage
in or approve such action.
Collective bargaining activities.
Investments by or on behalf of agencies or pension or retirement
systems, or refinancing existing debt.
Inspections and licensing activities relating to the qualifications
of individuals or businesses to engage in their business or profession.
Purchase or sale of furnishings, equipment or supplies, including
surplus government property, other than the following: land, radioactive
material, pesticides, herbicides, storage of road de-icing substances,
or other hazardous materials.
Adoption of regulations, policies, procedures and local legislative
decisions in connection with any action on this list.
Engaging in review of any part of an application to determine
compliance with technical requirements, provided that no such determination
entitles or permits the project sponsor to commence the action unless
and until all requirements of this chapter have been fulfilled.
Civil or criminal enforcement proceedings, whether administrative
or judicial, including a particular course of action specifically
required to be undertaken pursuant to a judgment or order, or the
exercise of prosecutorial discretion.
Adoption of a moratorium on land development or construction.
Interpreting an existing code, rule or regulation.
Designation of local landmarks or their inclusion within historic
districts.
Emergency actions that are immediately necessary on a limited
and temporary basis for the protection or preservation of life, health,
property or natural resources, provided that such actions are directly
related to the emergency and are performed to cause the least change
or disturbance, practicable under the circumstances to waterfront
resources or the environment. Any decision to fund, approve or directly
undertake other activities after the emergency has expired is fully
subject to the review procedures of this chapter.
Local legislative decisions such as rezoning where the Council
of the City of New Rochelle determines the action will not be considered
for approval.
The Waterfront Revitalization Area delineated in the City
of New Rochelle's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
The form used by an agency to assist in determining the consistency
of an action with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
A.
The Council of the City of New Rochelle shall be responsible for
coordinating review of actions in the City of New Rochelle waterfront
area for consistency with the LWRP, and will advise, assist and make
consistency recommendations to other City of New Rochelle agencies
in the implementation of the LWRP, its policies and projects, including
physical, legislative, regulatory, administrative and other actions
included in the program.
B.
The Council of the City of New Rochelle shall coordinate with the
New York State Department of State regarding consistency review of
actions by federal agencies and with state agencies regarding consistency
review of their actions.
C.
The Council of the City of New Rochelle shall make applications for
funding from state, federal, or other sources to finance projects
under the LWRP.
D.
The Council of the City of New Rochelle shall perform other functions
regarding the waterfront area and direct such actions or projects
as the City Council of the City of New Rochelle may deem appropriate
to implement the LWRP.
A.
Prior to approving, funding or undertaking a proposed action located within the City of New Rochelle, each City agency shall determine whether the action is consistent or not consistent with the LWRP policy standards summarized in Subsection H herein. No action in the waterfront area shall be approved, funded or undertaken by the designated agency without a determination regarding consistency.
B.
Whenever a City agency receives an application for approval or funding
of an action, or as early as possible in the agency's formulation
of a direct action to be located in the waterfront area, the agency
shall refer a copy of the completed WAF to the Planning Board within
10 days of its receipt and prior to making its determination, shall
consider the recommendation of the Planning Board with reference to
the consistency of the proposed action.
C.
Planning Board action.
(1)
After referral from an agency, the Planning Board shall consider whether the proposed action is consistent with the LWRP policy standards set forth in Subsection H herein. The Planning Board shall require the applicant to submit all completed applications, WAFs, EAFs, and any other information deemed necessary to its consistency recommendation.
(2)
The Planning Board shall render its written recommendation to the
agency within 30 days following referral of the WAF from the agency.
The Planning Board recommendation shall indicate whether the proposed
action is consistent with or inconsistent with one or more of the
LWRP policy standards and shall elaborate in writing the basis for
its opinion. The Planning Board shall, along with a consistency recommendation,
make any suggestions to the agency concerning modification of the
proposed action, including the imposition of conditions, to make it
consistent with LWRP policy standards or to greater advance them.
(3)
In the event that the Planning Board's recommendation is not
forthcoming within the specified time, the agency shall make its consistency
decision without the benefit of the Planning Board's recommendation.
D.
If an action requires approval of more than one City agency, decisionmaking
will be coordinated between the agencies to determine which agency
will conduct the final consistency review, and that agency will thereafter
act as designated consistency review agency. Only one WAF per action
will be prepared. If the agencies cannot agree, the City Council of
the City of New Rochelle shall designate the consistency review agency.
E.
Decision of agency; variance applications.
(1)
Upon receipt of the Council of the City of New Rochelle's recommendation, the agency shall consider whether the proposed action is consistent with the LWRP policy standards summarized in Subsection H herein. The agency shall consider the consistency recommendation of the Council of the City of New Rochelle, the WAF and other relevant information in making its written determination of consistency. No approval or decision shall be rendered for an action in the waterfront area without a written determination of consistency having first been rendered by a City agency.
(2)
The Zoning Board of Appeals is the designated agency for the determination
of consistency for variance applications subject to this chapter.
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall consider the written consistency
recommendation of the Council of the City of New Rochelle in the event
and at the time it makes a decision to grant such a variance and shall
impose appropriate conditions on the variance to make the activity
consistent with the objectives of this chapter.
F.
Where an environmental impact statement (EIS) is being prepared or required, the draft EIS must identify applicable LWRP policy standards in Subsection H and include a discussion of the effects of the proposed action on such policy standards.
G.
In the event the Planning Board's recommendation is that the
action is inconsistent with the LWRP, and the agency makes a contrary
determination of consistency, the agency shall elaborate in writing
the basis for its disagreement with the recommendation and state the
manner and extent to which the action is consistent with the LWRP
policy standards.
H.
Actions to be undertaken within the waterfront area shall be evaluated
for consistency in accordance with the following summary of LWRP policy
standards (for the 13 policies), which are derived from and further
explained and described in Section III, Policies, of the City of New
Rochelle LWRP, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's
office and available for inspection during normal business hours.
Agencies which undertake direct actions must also consult with Section
IV in making their consistency determination. The action must be consistent
with the policies to (include just the standards that apply to this
LWRP):
(1)
Foster a pattern of development in the waterfront area that enhances
community character, preserves open space, makes efficient use of
infrastructure, makes beneficial use of a waterfront location, and
minimizes adverse effects of development (Policy 1);
(2)
Preserve historic resources in the waterfront area (Policy 2);
(3)
Enhance visual quality and protect scenic resources in the waterfront
area (Policy 3);
(4)
Minimize loss of life, structures, and natural resources from flooding
and erosion (Policy 4);
(5)
Protect and improve water quality and supply in the waterfront area
(Policy 5);
(6)
Protect and restore the quality and function of the waterfront area
ecosystem (Policy 6);
(7)
Protect and improve air quality in the waterfront area (Policy 7);
(8)
Minimize environmental degradation in the waterfront area from solid
waste and hazardous substances and wastes (Policy 8);
(9)
Provide for public access to, and recreational use of, waterfront
waters, public lands, and public resources of the waterfront area
(Policy 9);
(10)
Protect water-dependent uses and promote siting of new water-dependent
uses in suitable locations (Policy 10);
(11)
Promote sustainable use of living marine resources in the waterfront
area (Policy 11);
(12)
Protect agricultural lands in the waterfront area (Policy 12);
(13)
Promote appropriate use and development of energy and mineral
resources (Policy 13).
I.
Each agency shall maintain a file for each action made the subject
of a consistency determination, including any recommendations received
from the Planning Board. Such files shall be made available for public
inspection upon request.
No action within the City of New Rochelle waterfront area which
is subject to review under this chapter shall proceed until a written
determination has been issued from the designated City agency that
the action is consistent with the City of New Rochelle LWRP policy
standards. In the event that an activity is being performed in violation
of this chapter or any conditions imposed thereunder, the City of
New Rochelle Code Enforcement Officer or any other authorized official
of the City of New Rochelle shall issue a stop-work order and all
work shall immediately cease. No further work or activity shall be
undertaken on the project so long as a stop-work order is in effect.
The City of New Rochelle Attorney, Code Enforcement Officer and Police
Department shall be responsible for enforcing this chapter.
A.
A person who violates any of the provisions of, or who fails to comply
with any condition imposed by, this chapter shall have committed a
violation, punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 for a conviction
of a first offense and punishable by a fine of $500 for a conviction
of a second or subsequent offense. For the purpose of conferring jurisdiction
upon courts and judicial officers, each week of continuing violation
shall constitute a separate additional violation.
B.
The City of New Rochelle is authorized and directed to institute
any and all actions and proceedings necessary to enforce this resolution.
Any civil penalty shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any criminal
prosecution and penalty.
