A.
Purpose. The purpose of this overlay is to protect the quality of habitats, underlying aquifer, scenic vistas, and open space of the Neversink River. To this end, these regulations apply to all lands within the overlay. These regulations further protect the ecological systems associated with the river. It is well established that impervious surfaces collect and accumulate pollutants deposited from the atmosphere, leaked from vehicles or derived from other sources. During storms, accumulated pollutants are quickly washed off and rapidly delivered to surface water systems through stormwater runoff. Further, the Neversink River is utilized by the bald eagle and other species, and land disturbances in close proximity to the river will degrade habitat for these species. In order to protect the Neversink River, the following standards shall apply to any lot within the Neversink River Overlay District to protect the values of this resource.
B.
Applicability. The Neversink River Overlay boundary is defined as within 300 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of the river, or the extent of the one-hundred-year AE or A zones as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Maps, as amended, whichever is greater. These regulations apply to any development application, wholly or partially located within the overlay area, that requires site plan, special use permit, or subdivision approval of the Planning Board. These regulations shall limit the total maximum lot coverage of any property within the Overlay District. The total lot coverage shall be the percentage of the lot area within the overlay that is occupied by the area of buildings, structures and all impermeable and/or compacted surfaces, including but not limited to roads, parking lots, access and circulation drives that may be or are proposed to be located on any lot. The maximum lot coverage shall apply to the cumulative impervious surfaces shown on any site or subdivision plan, including roads.
C.
Limitation on impervious surface coverage. The maximum lot coverage of any property within the Overlay District shall be 10%.
D.
Conditions. The Planning Board shall attach conditions to its approval as it deems necessary to achieve the objectives of the Overlay District. It shall require applicable notes on any map, site plan or subdivision plan. Such conditions may include the following:
(1)
Limiting the total impervious surface area on any lot.
(2)
Requiring a conservation easement on land outside a building envelope.
(3)
Reducing the footprint of a proposed structure.
(4)
Requiring cluster subdivision development.
(5)
Reducing the total number of buildings, the area dedicated to parking, and limiting the length of driveways.
(6)
Requiring that buildings and structures be situated on other portions of the property outside the Overlay District.
(7)
Limiting the amount of disturbance of lands within the Overlay District, and specifically at the edge of the river. Except for existing, bona fide farming practices in operation as of July 1, 2017, a minimum one-hundred-foot undisturbed vegetative buffer shall be retained along the river's shoreline.
(8)
Restricting illumination levels, except this condition will not apply to one-family dwellings.
(9)
Other conditions deemed necessary to achieve the objectives of this section.