[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Clayton 7-25-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter will be known as the "Town of Clayton 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 agencies
of the Town of Clayton to incorporate the policies and purposes contained
in the Town of Clayton Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP)
when reviewing applications for actions or direct agency actions within
the Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA), and to assure that such
actions and direct actions by Town agencies are consistent with the
LWRP policies and purposes.
C.
It is the intention of the Town of Clayton that the preservation,
enhancement and utilization of the unique waterfront of the Town 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 when
there is in existence a Town of Clayton 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:
Includes all the following, except "minor actions":
Projects or physical activities, such as construction or any
other activities that may affect natural, man-made or other resources
in the WRA or the environment by changing the use, appearance or condition
of any resource or structure, that:
Agency planning and policy making 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
local laws, 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 Town of Clayton.
The action will fully comply 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 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 of the Town of
Clayton, approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to the Waterfront
Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act (Executive
Law, Article 42), a copy of which is on file in the office of the
Clerk of the Town of Clayton.
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 significant coastal fish and wildlife 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 building where issuance is predicated solely
on the applicant's compliance or noncompliance with the relevant
local building code.[1]
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
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 Town
Board determines the action will not be approved.
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 Town of Clayton, as shown on
the waterfront revitalization boundary area map on file in the office
of the Secretary of State and as delineated in the Town and Village
of Clayton Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).
The form, a sample of which is appended to this chapter as
Appendix A,[2] used by an agency to assist in determining the consistency
of an action with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
[2]
Editor's Note: Said appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A.
The Joint Town/Village of Clayton Planning Board (the Planning Board)
shall be responsible for coordinating review of actions in the Town's
waterfront area for consistency with the LWRP, and will advise, assist
and make consistency recommendations to other Town 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 Planning Board 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 Planning Board shall assist the Town Board in making applications
for funding from state, federal, or other sources to finance projects
under the LWRP.
D.
The Planning Board shall perform other functions regarding the waterfront
area and direct such actions or projects as the Town Board may deem
appropriate to implement the LWRP.
A.
Whenever a proposed action is located within the Town's waterfront area, each Town agency shall, prior to approving, funding or undertaking the action, make a determination that it is consistent with the LWRP policy standards in Subsection H herein. No action in the waterfront area shall be approved, funded or undertaken by that agency without such a determination.
B.
Whenever a Town 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 review and recommendation.
(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,
unless extended by mutual agreement of the Planning Board and the
applicant or, in the case of a direct action, the agency. The Planning
Board's 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 Town agency, decision
making 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 Town Board shall designate the consistency review agency.
E.
Determination of consistency of proposed actions and variances.
(1)
Upon receipt of the Planning Board's recommendation, the agency shall consider whether the proposed action is consistent with the LWRP policy standards in Subsection H herein. The agency shall consider the consistency recommendation of the Planning Board, 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 Town agency.
(2)
The Joint Town/Village of Clayton Zoning Board of Appeals (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 Planning Board 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 EIS is being prepared or required, the draft EIS must identify applicable LWRP policies 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 LWRP policy standards,
which are further explained and described in the Town and Village
of Clayton LWRP, a copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk's
office and available for inspection during normal business hours.
Agencies which undertake direct actions must also consult with LWRP
Section V, in making their consistency determination. The action must
be consistent with the policies to:
|
Policy
|
Policy Statements
|
|---|---|
|
DEVELOPED WATERFRONT POLICIES
| |
|
Policy 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 1.1
|
Concentrate development and redevelopment in order to revitalize
and enhance the waterfronts, strengthen the traditional village core
and rural edge, and prevent sprawl.
|
|
Policy 1.2
|
Ensure that development or uses take appropriate advantage of
their waterfront location.
|
|
Policy 1.3
|
Protect stable residential areas.
|
|
Policy 1.4
|
Maintain and enhance natural areas, recreation, open space,
and agricultural lands.
|
|
Policy 1.5
|
Minimize adverse impacts of new development and redevelopment.
|
|
Policy 2
|
Preserve historic resources of the waterfront area.
|
|
Policy 2.1
|
Maximize preservation and retention of historic resources.
|
|
Policy 2.2
|
Protect and preserve archaeological resources.
|
|
Policy 2.3
|
Protect and enhance resources that are significant to the waterfront
culture.
|
|
Policy 3
|
Enhance visual quality and protect scenic resources throughout
the waterfront area.
|
|
Policy 3.1
|
Protect and improve visual quality throughout the waterfront
area.
|
|
Policy 3.2
|
Protect aesthetic values associated with recognized areas of
high scenic quality.
|
|
NATURAL WATERFRONT POLICIES
| |
|
Policy 4
|
Minimize loss of life, structures, and natural resources
from flooding and erosion.
|
|
Policy 4.1
|
Minimize flooding damage in the Town and Village of Clayton
through the use of appropriate management measures.
|
|
Policy 4.2
|
Preserve and restore natural protective features.
|
|
Policy 4.3
|
Protect public lands and public trust lands and use of these
lands when undertaking all erosion or flood control projects.
|
|
Policy 4.4
|
Manage navigation infrastructure to limit adverse impacts on
waterfront processes.
|
|
Policy 4.5
|
Ensure that expenditure of public funds for flooding and erosion
control projects results in a public benefit.
|
|
Policy 4.6
|
The construction or reconstruction of docks, boathouses, boat
hoists, public access facilities and other shoreline structures shall
be undertaken in a manner which will, to the maximum extent practicable,
protect against or withstand the destructive forces of wave action
and ice movement.
|
|
Policy 4.7
|
Water level management practices shall not damage significant
fish and wildlife and their habitats, increase shoreline erosion or
flooding, or interfere with the local economy.
|
|
Policy 4.8
|
Ice management practices shall not damage significant fish and
wildlife and their habitats, increase shoreline erosion or flooding.
|
|
Policy 4.9
|
Use environmentally sound, cost-effective measures when proven
necessary to minimize impacts of wave action and ice movement. Such
measures shall be pursued in consultation with appropriate state and
federal agencies, local interests, and experts in the fields of marine
engineering and construction.
|
|
Policy 5
|
Protect and improve water quality and supply.
|
|
Policy 5.1
|
Prohibit direct or indirect discharges, which would cause or
contribute to contravention of water quality standards.
|
|
Policy 5.2
|
Manage land use activities and use best management practices
to minimize nonpoint source pollution of waterfront areas.
|
|
Policy 5.3
|
Protect and enhance the quality of waterfront area waters.
|
|
Policy 5.4
|
Limit the potential for adverse impacts of watershed development
on water quality and quantity.
|
|
Policy 5.5
|
Protect and conserve the quality and quantity of potable water.
|
|
Policy 6
|
Protect and restore the quality and function of the ecosystem.
|
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Policy 6.1
|
Protect and restore ecological quality.
|
|
Policy 6.2
|
Protect, preserve, and where practical, restore significant
waterfront fish and wildlife habitats.
|
|
Policy 6.3
|
Protect and restore freshwater wetlands.
|
|
Policy 6.4
|
Protect vulnerable fish, wildlife, and plant species, and rare
ecological communities.
|
|
Policy 7
|
Protect and improve air quality in the waterfront area.
|
|
Policy 7.1
|
Control or abate existing and prevent new air pollution.
|
|
Policy 7.2
|
Limit discharges of atmospheric radioactive material to a level
that is as low as practicable.
|
|
Policy 7.3
|
Limit sources of atmospheric deposition of pollutants to the
waterway, particularly from nitrogen sources.
|
|
Policy 8
|
Minimize environmental degradation in the waterfront area
from solid waste and hazardous substances and wastes.
|
|
Policy 8.1
|
Manage solid waste to protect public health and control pollution.
|
|
Policy 8.2
|
Manage hazardous wastes to protect public health and control
pollution.
|
|
Policy 8.3
|
Protect the environment from degradation due to toxic pollutants
and substances hazardous to the environment and public health.
|
|
Policy 8.4
|
Prevent and remediate discharge of petroleum products.
|
|
Policy 8.5
|
Transport solid waste, hazardous substances, and hazardous waste
in a manner which protects the safety, well-being, and general welfare
of the public; the environmental resources of the state; and the continued
use of transportation facilities.
|
|
Policy 8.6
|
Seek alternatives to locations within the Clayton waterfront
revitalization area for solid and hazardous facilities.
|
|
PUBLIC WATERFRONT POLICY
| |
|
Policy 9
|
Provide for public access to and recreational use of the
waterway, public lands, and public resources of the waterfront area.
|
|
Policy 9.1
|
Promote appropriate and adequate physical public access and
recreation throughout the waterfront area.
|
|
Policy 9.2
|
Access to the publicly owned foreshore and to lands immediately
adjacent to the foreshore or the water's edge that are publicly
owned shall be provided. Obtain public access to the foreshore through
the use of easements, land purchase or other measures where necessary
and feasible.
|
|
Policy 9.3
|
Provide public visual access to waterfront lands and waters
or open space at all sites where physically practical.
|
|
Policy 9.4
|
Preserve the public interest in and use of lands and waters
held in public trust by the state and other public entities.
|
|
Policy 9.5
|
Assure public access to public trust lands and navigable waters.
|
|
Policy 9.6
|
Provide access and recreation that is compatible with natural
resource values.
|
|
Policy 9.7
|
Development, when located adjacent to the shore, shall provide
for water-related recreation, as a multiple use, whenever such recreational
use is appropriate in light of reasonably anticipated demand for such
activities and the primary purpose of the development.
|
|
WORKING WATERFRONT POLICIES
| |
|
Policy 10
|
Protect water-dependent uses and promote siting of new
water-dependent uses in suitable locations.
|
|
Policy 10.1
|
Protect existing public and commercial water-dependent uses.
|
|
Policy 10.2
|
Promote the siting of new public and commercial water-dependent
uses at suitable locations and provide for their safe operation.
|
|
Policy 10.3
|
Improve the economic viability of water-dependent uses.
|
|
Policy 10.4
|
Promote efficient management of surface waters and underwater
lands.
|
|
Policy 11
|
Promote sustainable use of fish and wildlife resources.
|
|
Policy 11.1
|
Provide for and promote the health and recreational use of fishing
resources.
|
|
Policy 12
|
Protect the agricultural lands.
|
|
Policy 12.1
|
Protect existing agriculture and agricultural lands from conversion
to other land uses.
|
|
Policy 12.2
|
Establish and maintain favorable conditions that support existing
or promote new agricultural production.
|
|
Policy 12.3
|
Minimize adverse impacts on agriculture from unavoidable conversion
of agricultural land.
|
|
Policy 12.4
|
Preserve scenic and open space values associated with agricultural
lands.
|
|
Policy 13
|
Promote appropriate use and development of energy and
mineral resources.
|
|
Policy 13.1
|
Conserve energy resources.
|
|
Policy 13.2
|
Promote alternative energy sources that are self-sustaining,
including solar- and wind-powered energy generation.
|
|
Policy 13.3
|
Ensure maximum efficiency and minimum adverse environmental
impact when siting major energy generating facilities.
|
|
Policy 13.4
|
Minimize adverse impacts from fuel storage facilities.
|
|
Policy 13.5
|
Ensure that mining, blasting, excavation and dredging do not
cause an increase in erosion, any adverse effects on natural resources
or degradation of visual resources.
|
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 Clayton waterfront area, which is subject
to review under this chapter, shall proceed until a written determination
has been issued from a Town agency that the action is consistent with
the Town's LWRP policy standards. In the event that an activity
is being performed in violation of this chapter or any conditions
imposed thereunder, the Zoning Enforcement Officer or any other authorized
official of the Town 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 Town
Attorney, Town Zoning 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 $500 for a conviction
of a first offense and punishable by a fine of $1,000 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 Town Attorney is authorized and directed to institute any and
all actions and proceedings necessary to enforce this chapter. Any
civil penalty shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any criminal
prosecution and penalty.
The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any provision
of this chapter is found invalid, such finding shall not affect the
validity of this chapter as a whole or any part or provision hereof
other than the provision so found to be invalid.
