This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Consolidated Zoning Law of the Town of Geneseo, New York." For convenience, it is referred to throughout this chapter as the "Zoning Law" or "Zoning Code."
This Zoning Law is adopted pursuant to the powers granted and limitations imposed by legislation of the State of New York.
The regulations of this Zoning Law apply to all development, public or private, within the corporate limits of the Town of Geneseo unless otherwise expressly state in this Zoning Law.
There is hereby established a new comprehensive Zoning Law for the Town of Geneseo, which is set forth in the text, tables, illustrations and map that constitute this chapter. The Zoning Law is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare. The Zoning Law is intended to implement the goals and objectives of the Town of Geneseo 2008 Comprehensive Master Plan Update, including but not limited to:
A. 
General character.
(1) 
Preserve Geneseo's small town character and quality of life.
(2) 
Maintain the appearance, scale and function of developed areas.
B. 
Environmental features. Preserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas and scenic resources.
C. 
Recreation: open space and public amenities.
(1) 
Maintain and preserve open space.
(2) 
Provide adequate community gathering spaces.
D. 
Residential land use. Ensure that development does not outpace community services and infrastructure.
E. 
Traffic and transportation.
(1) 
Improve safety, access, and circulation on and between roadways.
(2) 
Create comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle network.
A. 
The provisions of this Zoning Law are the minimum requirements deemed necessary to carry out the Zoning Law's stated purpose and intent.
B. 
In addition to the requirements of the Zoning Law, all uses and development must comply with all other applicable Town, state, and federal regulations.
C. 
All references in the Zoning Law to other Town, state, or federal regulations are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a complete list of such regulations. These references do not imply any responsibility for the Town to enforce state or federal regulations.
A. 
Conflict with state or federal regulations. If either the State of New York or the federal government has legislatively expressed an intent to regulate any particular activity which is also regulated under this Zoning Law, said state or federal regulation shall supersede any provisions of this Zoning Law which conflict with such state or federal regulation. The foregoing statement notwithstanding, this Zoning Law is intended to be an exercise of the general powers of the Town authorized pursuant to § 10 the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law, Article 16 of the New York State Town Law and any other enabling legislation granting such powers to the Town.
B. 
Conflict with other Town regulations. If the provisions of this Zoning Law are inconsistent with one another, or if they conflict with provisions found in other adopted laws or regulations of the Town, the more restrictive provision will control. The more restrictive provision is the one that imposes greater restrictions or more stringent controls.
C. 
Conflict with private agreements and covenants. This Zoning Law is not intended to interfere with, abrogate or annul any easement, covenant, deed restriction or other agreement between private parties. If the provisions of this Zoning Law impose a greater restriction than imposed by a private agreement, the provisions of this Zoning Law will control. If the provisions of a valid, enforceable private agreement impose a greater restriction than this Zoning Law, the provisions of the private agreement will control. The Town does not enforce or maintain a record of private agreements.
If any portion of this Zoning Law is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, that portion is to be deemed severed from the Zoning Law, and in no way affects the validity of the remainder of the Zoning Law.