A. 
Procedure. On any lot, accessory buildings and uses in connection with the principal structure and use may be constructed and located subject to the following process:
(1) 
All accessory buildings or uses shall require a permit to be issued prior to their initiation and a certificate of compliance upon their completion as elsewhere required in these regulations.
(2) 
Where applicable, such permit shall be issued conditional upon satisfactory completion and issuance of a certificate of compliance for the principal building or use to which it is accessory. If said certificate of compliance is not issued within 12 months from the date of issuance of the permit for the accessory building or use, the conditions upon which said permit was issued shall be deemed not to have been complied with, and the accessory building or use shall be considered in violation of these regulations unless an application for an extension of time is made to the Board of Appeals and the Board, by resolution, authorizes an extension of such time, as it may deem appropriate, to allow for compliance with the conditions under which the permit was issued.
B. 
Applicable standards. Accessory buildings and uses shall be governed by the following:
(1) 
No more than one accessory building, in addition to any private automobile garage, shall be permitted on any residential lot in conjunction with any standard use. All accessory buildings or uses accessory to a residence shall be considered in character and use with the principal residential use.
(2) 
Accessory buildings and uses in conjunction with a use requiring site plan review, a special use or a Planned Unit Development District shall be determined by the Planning Board, Board of Appeals or Board of Trustees in accord with the respective review process stipulated for any site plan, proposed special use or Planned Unit Development District.
(3) 
An accessory building, other than those storage sheds meeting the dimensional requirements and other criteria set forth in § 180-21B(9), whether attached to the principal structure or not, shall comply in all respects with the requirements of the regulations applicable to the principal building, except in the instance of building height which is expressly stipulated as distinct for an accessory building as set forth below.
[Amended 8-16-2004 by L.L. No. 8-2004]
(4) 
The maximum height of any accessory building shall be 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet, whichever is less, except that it shall not exceed the height of the principal building.
(5) 
A private, outdoor swimming pool shall be permitted as an accessory use to a dwelling unit only in accordance with the following:
(a) 
Such pool shall be located, constructed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 149, Swimming Pools, of the Village Municipal Code.
(b) 
Such pool shall not be erected or constructed in any front yard, shall conform to the minimum side and rear yard requirements for the district in which it is located, except as Chapter 149, Swimming Pools, of the Village Municipal Code requires an additional setback, and shall be not less than 15 feet distant from any principal structure.
(c) 
Such pool shall be adequately screened or otherwise situated so as not to be physically or visually obtrusive from the public right-of-way or to present a nuisance to any adjoining use, and all lighting or other appurtenances shall be so arranged as not to interface with neighboring uses.
(d) 
Such pool shall be constructed and maintained in conformance with the requirements of the New York State Department of Health.
(6) 
A swimming pool to be constructed or installed as an accessory use to a motel, tourist or like accommodation or as part of any commercial or club facility shall be permitted after application and consideration according to the applicable process for the type of use and respective zoning district in which it is located. Such swimming pool shall be so located as not to cause a hazard to public safety or nuisance to adjoining uses and shall be designed, located and maintained in accord with acceptable engineering standards, Chapter 149, Swimming Pools, of the Village Municipal Code and the applicable requirements of the New York State Department of Health.
(7) 
The minimum yard requirements of these regulations shall not apply to a fence. Such fence or other like construction, however, shall not be located within three feet of any front lot nor be constructed of a material or in a manner that would be hazardous or unsightly or would otherwise interfere with the use of adjoining properties or the public right-of-way.
(8) 
A satellite dish antenna shall be permitted as an accessory use to a principal use only in accordance with the following:
(a) 
Such dish antenna shall not be erected in any front yard and shall conform to the minimum side and rear yard requirements for the district in which it is located.
(b) 
Such satellite dish shall be ground mounted and shall not exceed 12 feet in height.
(c) 
All satellite dishes 20 inches or less in diameter shall be exempt from the above requirements.
[Added 3-6-1995 by L.L. No. 3-1995]
(9) 
A storage shed shall be permitted as an accessory use to a dwelling unit only in accordance with the following:
[Added 2-7-1994 by L.L. No. 3-1994]
(a) 
Such storage shed shall be located at the rear of the home constructed on said lot.
(b) 
The maximum size of the storage shed shall be limited to 120 square feet, with a minimum dimension of five feet and a maximum dimension of 12 feet in either horizontal direction and a maximum height of 10 feet six inches.
(c) 
The minimum side and rear yard setback shall be five feet zero inches.
(d) 
The shed shall be constructed according to the applicable provisions of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
(e) 
The applicant shall submit a complete set of drawings to the Code Enforcement Office and obtain a building permit prior to commencing construction.
(f) 
Prefabricated buildings are acceptable.
(g) 
These requirements and allowances are for R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Zones only.
A. 
Purpose. It is the objective of this section to provide standards for the accommodation of the off-street parking and loading needs of motor vehicles in the Village in recognition of the important relationship of these needs to an orderly, efficient and safe traffic system, the proper function of the business center and the attractive preservation of residential neighborhoods.
B. 
Procedure. Any principal building or use requiring a permit under these regulations shall comply with the parking standards specified below:
C. 
Applicable standards. Unless specifically waived by the Planning Board, Board of Appeals or Board of Trustees as is appropriate under the site plan, special use/appeal or planned unit development review processes, the following minimum standards shall apply for the types of uses set forth below.
(1) 
One-family and two-family dwellings: two parking spaces for every dwelling unit.
(2) 
Multiple-family dwellings: one parking space for each bedroom within the dwelling.
[Amended 5-6-2002 by L.L. No. 10-2002]
(3) 
Group dwellings: three parking spaces for every two residents.
(4) 
Professional residence-offices, personal service uses and home occupations: in addition to the requirements for the residence, one parking space for the equivalent of every full-time employee, plus one additional parking space for every 200 square feet of office area.
(5) 
Hotels, motels, tourist homes, rooming houses: in addition to the requirements for the residence, one parking space for the equivalent of every full-time employee, plus one space for every guest room.
(6) 
Hospitals: one parking space for the equivalent of every full-time employee, plus one space for every two beds.
(7) 
Places of public assembly: one parking space for every five seats or one parking space for every 100 square feet of floor area, whichever requires the greater number of parking spaces.
(8) 
The parking requirement for commercial, retail businesses, professional, medical and other business offices located in the B-1 and B-2 Zoning Districts subject to the Village's parking regulations for the Central Area Overlay at § 180-22D(3) is one space for each vehicle used for business purposes, one space for each full-time equivalent employee and a maximum of one space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area of a newly constructed or renovated structure subject to the following:
[Amended 6-17-2013 by L.L. No. 5-2013]
(a) 
Parking facilities shall be developed on the side or rear of buildings to promote a more cohesive community character and increase front yard space dedicated to open or green space.
(b) 
Parking facilities shall make use of permeable paving materials to the greatest extent possible to slow stormwater runoff and provide an opportunity for the absorption of runoff on site to prevent over burdening of the Village's stormwater system.
(c) 
Parking facilities shall provide for the management of stormwater runoff using underground storage in combination with green space to maintain the building site's natural hydrologic characteristics after development. The use of stormwater detention ponds are discouraged unless there is no other reasonable alternative stormwater management strategy. Site plan review applicants must submit a stormwater pollution prevention plan that complies with the New York State Building Code if less than one acre is proposed for development, substantial renovation or new construction and the most recent edition of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Stormwater Management Manual if the area proposed for development, substantial renovation or new construction is greater than one acre and shall submit a draft New York State approved stormwater pollution prevention plan and permit for projects greater than one acre in size with the applicant's application for site plan review.
(d) 
A minimum of one Class II bicycle rack with the capacity to store four bicycles will be required for parking areas/lots having greater than 20 parking stalls proposed. Bicycle racks are to be placed in a visible location that will minimize conflict between bicyclists and pedestrians and bicycle parking signs that comply with the United States Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices shall be provided at each bicycle rack provided. (See Zoning Attachment II-B, Sign Diagrams.[1])
[1]
Editor's Note: See 180 Attachment 3, Figure 9B-4, included with this chapter.
(e) 
Parking facilities shall be landscaped to facilitate traffic channelization and control, to promote pedestrian safety, to minimize heat and glare, to increase the supply of oxygen and manage stormwater runoff. (See examples of parking area/lot landscaping in Zoning Attachment II-C, Off-Site Parking Facilities Landscape Diagrams.[2]) Native plants, shrubs and trees properly suited to the environment should be employed in landscaping. Medium (greater than 30 feet in height) and large deciduous trees (50 feet or higher in height) are preferred.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 180 Attachment 3.1, included with this chapter.
(f) 
Each application for site plan review shall provide a landscaping plan that identifies features such as strips, islands, perimeter strips or similar features.
(g) 
Parking facilities shall be properly screened from adjacent properties by a fence, wall, berm, landscaping or some combination thereof which obscures, from horizontal view, the parking facility. Good site lines at driveways or interconnecting roadways will be maintained to promote the public's health, safety and welfare.
(h) 
Roads that interconnect adjacent parking areas/lots shall be encouraged at every opportunity to relieve traffic congestion on major Village thoroughfares.
(i) 
Lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas/lots shall comply with Dark-Sky lighting standards and be located, shielded and directed upon the area or lot in a manner that minimizes backlight (light trespass), uplighting (artificial glow) and glare and does not interfere with adjacent property owners or with street traffic.
(j) 
Sidewalks shall be provided in conformance with Chapter A185 and, if applicable, with § A186-15A(2) along the frontage and interconnecting roadways.
(9) 
(Reserved)[3]
[3]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection C(9), regarding professional, medical and other business offices, was repealed 6-17-2013 by L.L. No. 5-2013. See now Subsection C(8).
(10) 
Restaurants, bars and eating and drinking establishments: one parking space for the equivalent of every full-time employee, plus one space for every four seats.
(11) 
Industrial, wholesale, bulky retail warehouse, storage, freight and trucking uses: one parking space for every motor vehicle used directly in the business, plus one space for the equivalent of every full-time employee, plus one space for every 500 square feet of business area.
(12) 
Unspecified uses: as required by the Planning Board, Board of Appeals or Board of Trustees, as is appropriate, in the course of any site plan, special use/appeal or planned unit development review.
D. 
Additional parking and loading requirements.
(1) 
A required driveway shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide and no greater than 20 feet wide. Existing driveways may be surfaced or reconstructed to within six inches of an adjoining property line but may not drain on an adjoining property. A new construction driveway may be built to within three feet of an adjoining property line but may not drain on an adjoining property. No driveway shall be designed to provide more than two parking spaces side by side or more than a total of four resident vehicles in the front yard portion of said driveway, which must meet specifications outlined in the definition of "driveway" in § 180-4B. Only one such driveway (per property) shall be allowed unless a permit for a second driveway is granted by the Planning Board under the site plan approval process.
(2) 
Every building hereafter erected or occupied for the purpose of business or industry shall provide adequate space for the loading and unloading of vehicles off the street, as determined by the Planning Board, Board of Appeals or Board of Trustees, as is appropriate, in the course of any site plan, special use/appeal or planned unit development review.
(3) 
In the Central Area (Overlay) District, the Planning Board, the Board of Appeals or the Board of Trustees may modify the off-street parking and loading requirements for any use if it finds that the above required spaces are not appropriate in the course of any site plan, special use/appeal or planned unit development review. This provision is intended to recognize the fact that, in the central business area, parking areas can be used to serve two or more individual uses without conflict because hours of operation for different uses vary. In considering a request to modify the parking requirements for a central business district use, the respective Board(s) shall use as a guideline the parking standards developed in the 1984 Village of Potsdam Downtown Parking Study (See the 1984-1985 General Development Plan, Appendix A, page 4)[4] and shall consider the existing parking supply/demand in the area surrounding the proposed use. Parking spaces for any number of separate uses may be combined in one parking lot, but the required space assigned to one use may not be assigned to another at the same time, except upon approval of the Planning Board, Board of Appeals or Board of Trustees, as is appropriate.
[4]
Editor's Note: The study and plan are on file in the village offices.
(4) 
The parking of motor vehicles is prohibited in any front yard as defined in § 180-4 in all zoning districts in the Village of Potsdam unless a parking space or vehicle is located in a designated driveway conforming to the provision of this chapter, except for retail motor vehicle sales lots located in the B-1, or commercial land uses in the Aviation and Industrial, Zoning Districts.
[Amended 8-16-2021 by L.L. No. 4-2021]
E. 
Parking overload. Notwithstanding the above requirements, an observed overload of parking which causes spillover onto neighboring properties or road rights-of-way shall constitute a violation of these regulations.
F. 
The construction of structures designed and intended to accommodate the parking of motor vehicles of any kind in a front yard as defined in § 180-4 is prohibited in all of the Village of Potsdam's zoning districts except for commercial land uses in the Aviation and Industrial Zoning Districts and retail motor vehicle sales lots located in the B-1 Zoning District.
[Added 8-16-2021 by L.L. No. 4-2021]
A. 
Purpose. The objective of this section is to regulate existing and proposed signs in order to create a more attractive and prosperous business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, preserve the visual character of the village and reduce sign distractions and obstructions that may pose a vehicular or pedestrian traffic hazard.
B. 
General requirements. The following general requirements shall apply to all signs:
(1) 
Construction and maintenance.
(a) 
All signs shall be constructed of durable material, maintained in good condition and not allowed to become dilapidated or in a state of disrepair. Any sign no longer maintained in a satisfactory state of repair shall be improved to a satisfactory condition as determined by the Code Enforcement Official and reviewed by the Planning Board or removed within 30 days from the date of notification that such a sign has been found in disrepair.
(b) 
Any sign no longer maintained for a business, service or activity no longer in existence at that location shall be removed within 30 days from the date of the discontinuation of the business, service or activity. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to remove such sign if the business fails to comply.
(c) 
In case of a business relocation within the village limits, a temporary sign indicating the new location may be displayed for up to 60 days. A temporary permit for such sign shall be obtained from the Code Enforcement Official.
(d) 
Any wall, surface or other area from which any sign is removed shall be restored so that no remnant of the sign is visible.
(e) 
The back or reverse side of a single-faced sign visible from any public right-of-way shall be finished in an appropriate manner which shall include a backing consistent with the face in terms of materials and finish and the covering of all structural members of the sign as may be deemed appropriate.
(f) 
All construction fixtures, wiring and installation shall conform to the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, where applicable.
(g) 
All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground, and all transformers or other installations shall be located and screened to the satisfaction of the Planning Board in accord with its review of the sign permit and/or site plan.
(h) 
The requirements of Chapter 145, Streets and Sidewalks, Article II, of the Village Municipal Code regarding security deposits, public liability insurance or other acceptable assurance of liability coverage for any sign overhanging the public right-of-way shall be met.
(i) 
Signs shall be designed and installed so as to provide for maximum public safety.
(2) 
Location. Every sign shall be so designed and located as not to physically or visually impair vehicular or pedestrian traffic by design, illumination, color or placement. In particular, no sign shall:
(a) 
Impair public safety.
(b) 
Restrict clear vision for vehicles entering and leaving the highway or between a sidewalk and street.
(c) 
Create confusion relative to any traffic sign or signal.
(d) 
Prevent free access to any door, window or fire escape.
(3) 
Illumination.
(a) 
Any sign illumination shall not be directed toward any public street or adjacent uses in a manner that would interfere with safe travel on the street or the useful enjoyment of abutting properties.
(b) 
No lights or string of lights will be used for the purpose of advertising, displaying or otherwise attracting attention to the premises when not part of a sign or approved street or outdoor lighting.
(c) 
No moving, flashing, rotating, animated, or otherwise nonstationary or intermittently lighted sign shall be permitted, except time-and-temperature signs, the intermittently lighted portion of which shall contain no commercial message, and standard barber poles that denote the location of a barbershop.
[Amended 7-20-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006]
(d) 
Neon shall be permitted for use in window signs only and shall be further limited so as not to exceed 20% of the size of the window. [In other words, if a window measures 40 square feet, a neon sign in this instance will be limited to eight square feet.] A neon sign advertising the name of a business will constitute one of the permissible signs for that establishment.
(e) 
Illumination shall not contain more than four colors, and all colors shall be static.
[Added 7-20-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006]
(4) 
Sign type requirements. In addition to the above-identified requirements for all signs and those stipulated in Subsection D for the respective zoning districts, the following requirements shall apply to the individual types of signs:
(a) 
Freestanding signs. A freestanding sign shall not be more than 24 feet in height as measured at the edge of the road surface on which it fronts or 20 feet as measured from ground level at the base of the sign, whichever shall permit the greater height. Such sign shall be a minimum of 20 feet from any street line and 10 feet from any other lot line. Every freestanding sign placed within 30 feet of the curbline of intersecting streets and driveways shall have an open space of at least eight feet from the ground to the base of the sign. A freestanding sign which is more than 40 square feet in area shall not be closer than 100 feet to any other freestanding sign more than 40 square feet in size.
(b) 
Wall signs. A wall sign shall be attached to the wall or face of the building and shall not project more than one foot from such wall or face. A wall sign shall not exceed 40% of the signable area of the building facade, which is that area from the exterior ground level to the roofline, excluding windows, doors and major architectural detail.
(c) 
Window signs. A "window sign" is defined as a sign painted in the window or one hung in the window and shall not exceed 50% of the area of the window in which it is displayed. A window sign will constitute one of the permissible signs for that establishment.
[Amended 9-21-1992 by L.L. No. 8-1992]
[1] 
Window signage shall not exceed 50% on the individual window's area.
[2] 
The window may be used for posters, flyers, announcements or advertisements of special sales events, which will not require a permit as long as the total window signage does not exceed the requirements as stated above.
(d) 
Roof signs. A roof sign shall not exceed 40% of the portion of the roof area which it occupies and shall not project above the roof line, subject to the sign size limitations specified in Subsection D(2)(b) and (d) below.
(e) 
Projecting signs.
[Amended 9-20-2004 by L.L. No. 12-2004]
[1] 
Projecting signs in the B-1 Central Overlay Area. Projecting (overhanging) signs shall be permitted per the following conditions:
[a] 
Size and location. Signs shall be no more than six square feet in size, and shall not project from the primary facade of the building more than 36 inches, including the bracket. Signs shall have a minimum clearance from the sidewalk of eight feet, with the maximum bottom height to be no more than ten feet above the sidewalk. Signs shall be at least one inch in thickness, but not more than six inches. Projecting signs on corner buildings are to be located on the primary facade of the building, and shall be perpendicular to the building (i.e., not projecting outward from the corner). The Planning Board shall have discretion in regard to the location of the sign on the facade so as to minimize interference with signs on other storefronts and for the preservation of historic materials and facades.
[b] 
Attachments and brackets. Signs are to be attached in a manner that is protective of the construction of historic buildings, with all metal attachments and hardware painted black. A mounting plan shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer. Installation of the sign should not result in irreversible damage to the facade of the building. Removal of any historic material or features shall require the approval of the Planning Board.
[c] 
Materials, design and coloration. Signs shall be wooden or cast metal, with lettering to be of professional quality. The background shall be of earth colors. A minimum of three colors are to be used; fluorescent colors are not permitted. Designs which connote or describe the business are to be encouraged (for example, a sign shaped like a cup for a coffee shop), but must meet the size requirement, defined as fitting within a rectangle of no more than six square feet in size. No corporate or other logos or trademark names shall be allowed, other than those directly related to the name of the business.
[d] 
Lighting: external lighting of signs only, without the use of exposed conduit on the facade of the building. No neon is to be allowed.
[e] 
Number of projecting signs. Each business is limited to one projecting sign per storefront. In the case of a basement or upper-story business, the sign shall be placed over the primary street entrance, and only one sign shall be allowed, regardless of the number of basement or upper-story businesses, although multiple businesses may be named on the sign. In the case of multiple businesses per sign, each shall be limited to 1 1/2 square feet of size per business, up to the total of six square feet allowed.
[f] 
Total signage. A projecting sign shall count as one of the three signs allowed per business per § 180-23. Businesses using a projecting sign shall not be allowed to also have a sandwich board sign, advertising flag, or canopy sign.
[g] 
Approval. Projecting signs shall not be allowed in the B-1 Overlay District without a permit from the Planning Board and without proof of liability insurance. All projecting signs shall be annually registered with the Code Enforcement Officer, who will annually inspect the signs for conformity to the Code and for maintenance and safety.
[2] 
Projecting signs in the B-1 (other than Central Overlay Area), BLI, BLI-2 and industrial areas. Projecting (overhanging) signs shall be permitted per the following conditions:
[a] 
A projecting sign shall have a clear distance from the sidewalk or ground level of at least 10 feet and may project no more than four feet from the building facade and requires review by the Planning Board.
[b] 
No projecting sign shall be allowed without a permit, review by the Planning Board and proof of liability insurance.
[c] 
Projecting signs shall be annually registered with the Code Enforcement Officer, who will annually inspect the signs for conformity to the Code and for maintenance and safety.
(f) 
Double-faced sign. A sign which is designed to be viewed from two directions and which two faces are not more than three feet apart at any point and are either parallel or at not more than a thirty-degree angle to one another shall be considered to be one sign for the purpose of determining the allowable number of signs. Only one face, the larger of the two if they are different in size, shall be measured to determine the allowable sign area.
(g) 
Banners, mobiles, moving signs, strings of lights.
[1] 
No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners; pennants; ribbons; streamers; spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices; or strings of lights, excepting fiber-optic design.
[2] 
No mobile sign shall be permitted.
(h) 
Multitenant listing signs.
[1] 
A multitenant listing sign must be made of materials appropriate to the CA (Overlay) District and compatible in design and color with other principal signs in the area.
[2] 
A multitenant listing sign must be solidly affixed to a flat, exterior wall or surface, and its width must allow for side margins or borders of not less than three inches.
(i) 
Changeable copy or reader board signs.
[Amended 7-20-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006]
[1] 
A reader board sign must be a component of a principal freestanding sign and is allowed in the Business and Industrial Districts (B-1, IND) outside the Central Area (Overlay) District (CA). The reader board sign, typically used to display products and price changes and to announce special promotions, is subject to all the restrictions governing freestanding signs [Subsection B (4) (a)], double-faced signs [Subsection B (4) (f)] and size, location and other requirements as stated in this section. Electronic reader board signs shall be limited to text, and the message must not change more than eight times per day.
[2] 
Building-mounted changeable signs are allowed with the following conditions: Their size is limited to the business’ allowed second sign, the display shall be limited to text and the message must not change more than eight times per day. Such signs are allowed only in the Business and Industrial Districts (B-1, IND) outside the Central Area (Overlay) District (CA).
(j) 
Canopy signs. Canopies and canopy signs are permissible in the Business and Industrial Districts (B-1, IND), subject to the following restrictions:
[1] 
The color of the canopy and any sign lettering thereon must be approved by the Planning Board.
[2] 
Any sign affixed to a canopy shall be considered either a principal or an accessory sign and will be subject to the limitations stated in this section.
(k) 
Permanent advertising signs. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a business establishment from incorporating the generic name or commercial name, logo or trademark of a product sold in that establishment into the permanent principal or accessory sign. However, each establishment will be strictly limited to displaying no more than two permanent product advertising signs that can contain slogans, in addition to the approved business signage. Furthermore, these permanent advertising signs shall:
[1] 
Be painted in or hung in a window, only one sign per window.
[2] 
Not exceed 50% of the area of the window in which they are displayed.
[3] 
In the case of a neon sign, be subject to the limitations stated in Subsection B(3)(d), i.e., 20% of the window area.
(l) 
Sandwich board signs. Each business shall be allowed one moveable sandwich board sign per the following conditions:
[Added 9-21-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998]
[1] 
Each sign shall not exceed two feet wide by three feet high and shall be professionally constructed and painted and shall be kept in good condition.
[2] 
The sign shall be maintained properly and positioned so as not to create a danger or inconvenience to pedestrians or drivers.
[3] 
The sign may be displayed only during the hours the business is open and shall be removed during periods when snow removal is required, accepting responsibility for all damages that occur to the sign.
[4] 
Applications for sandwich board sign permits shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer, with the Planning Board to review and approve the application based on the above conditions.
[5] 
Sign owners accept total responsibility for any and all injuries that may occur as a result of the use of temporary signs.
(m) 
Flags used for advertising or business promotion. Each business shall be allowed one flag to hang perpendicular to the building facade from a fixture on the business as a means of advertising the business. Flags considered exempt signs (Subsection C) do not apply to this section. Advertising flags shall be approved by the Planning Board subject to the following conditions:
[Added 9-21-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998]
[1] 
The flag shall be no larger than four feet by six feet.
[2] 
The lowest point of the flag shall be of sufficient height not to obstruct or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
[3] 
The flag will not display the name of the business but may contain a symbol or other decoration representative of the business.
[4] 
Flags shall be professionally made and kept in good condition.
(n) 
Banners. Banners used for advertising and business promotion. Businesses located in B-1, B-2, BLI, BLI-2 or industrial districts shall be allowed to use banners on premises per the following conditions:
[Added 6-7-2004 by L.L. No. 5-2004]
[1] 
Businesses will be required to obtain a permit from the Code Enforcement Office prior to hanging a banner. A separate permit is required each time a banner is used. The Village Board shall, by resolution, set any fees deemed to be appropriate for a banner permit.
[2] 
Time allowed for banners. Each business will be allowed five banner permits per year, with the banner allowed for a duration of not more than three weeks; i.e., banners can be displayed for a total of fifteen weeks per year per business. Permits can be obtained consecutively, but each three-week period requires a separate permit.
[3] 
Size and number of banners. For businesses within 150 feet of a major street, the business will be allowed one square foot of banner area per linear foot of building storefront along the side of the major street, up to a maximum of forty square feet. For businesses more than 150 feet from a major street, a banner will be allowed 1.5 square feet of banner size per linear foot, up to a maximum of 80 square feet. Businesses will be allowed, at any given time, no more than two banners, with the sum of the square footage of the two banners not to exceed the maximum allowed for a single banner (i.e., two banners equal to a total of one square foot per linear foot of the business frontage, up to forty square feet in size, shall be allowed for businesses within 150 feet of a major street).
[4] 
Nonprofit and community events. Banners announcing a community event or nonprofit event or service are allowed off premises, with a permit. Each permit will be for a three-week period. However, the restriction on five banner permits per year does not apply for nonprofit event or service banners.
[5] 
Banners shall be installed in such a manner as to avoid a nuisance condition or a hazard to the general public and to adjacent property owners.
(o) 
Not-for-profit and community events may be advertised on wall-mounted signs or posters within the B-1 Central Overlay District subject to the following conditions:
[Added 7-20-2006 by L.L. No. 5-2006]
[1] 
Off-premises wall signs may be no larger than 15 square feet in size.
[2] 
The applicant for a permit must file a copy of his/her U.S. Internal Revenue Service advance or final ruling of tax exempt status with his/her application to the Code Enforcement Officer for a sign permit.
[3] 
Each wall sign or poster shall be enclosed in a sign frame that protects the poster from the elements. The property owner must furnish the Code Enforcement Officer with evidence that the sign frame and lighting fixture, if any, are fully compliant with U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures and that it shall be fastened in such a way so as not to cause physical damage to National Register listed buildings. Additionally, the sign frame and lighting must comply with the New York State Building Code.
[4] 
The property owner must file an affidavit with the Code Enforcement Officer that he/she is not financially benefitting from the advertising of a not-for-profit community event through a cash transaction, in-kind service or gift, tickets to events or other financial inducements.
[5] 
No more than one sign may be posted on any single building at any one time. Not-for-profit organizations may use only one wall sign location within the B-1 Central Overlay District at any given time.
[6] 
Wall-mounted signs may not be displayed for more than 30 days and must be removed within 48 hours after the event has taken place.
[7] 
Property owners hosting an off-premises wall-mounted sign shall not be required to decrease the square footage of signs advertising their business as a result of participation in a not-for-profit advertising campaign.
[8] 
Not-for-profit organizations are permitted to display banners or signs at their primary business locations as set forth in § 180-23B(4).
C. 
Exempt signs.
[Amended 9-21-1992 by L.L. No. 8-1992]
(1) 
Exempt signs shall comply with § 180-23B(4)(c), shall not require a permit and shall be as follows:
(a) 
Flags, emblems, names or insignia of nations, municipalities, tax-exempt service organization names or schools may be displayed in any district without a permit. Fraternity or sorority and other social organization signs require a permit and are subject to the restrictions detailed in Subsection D(1)(b) of this section.
(2) 
Temporary signs.
(a) 
All temporary noncommercial signs expressing a political, personal, or religious view shall be exempt from permitting in this Code. Temporary noncommercial signs may be erected 30 days prior to and shall be removed five days from the date relating to the original purpose. No such sign shall be attached to any building face, fence, traffic sign post, utility pole, tree or any natural feature of landscape. Temporary noncommercial signs may not exceed six square feet in size and cannot be placed within a Village, state, or federal highway right-of-way.
[Amended 8-18-2008 by L.L. No. 3-2008]
(a.1) 
Temporary window signs in the B-1 and B-1 Central Area District shall not require a permit provided that they are placed not more than 30 days prior to, and are removed 15 days after, the date or range of dates relating to the original purpose, and that the total sign area of any window does not exceed 50% of the window area. Said temporary signs may not exceed 16 inches by 20 inches in size.
[Added 1-4-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
(b) 
All other temporary signs shall require a permit and shall be as follows:
[1] 
All temporary signs shall be placed not to exceed 30 days prior to and removed 15 days from the date relating to the original purpose. No such sign shall be attached to any building face, fence, traffic signpost, utility pole, tree or any natural feature of landscape.
[2] 
A window sign in excess of 50% of individual window coverage shall be considered a temporary sign and shall require a permit.
D. 
District requirements. In addition to the above-identified general requirements for all signs, the following requirements shall pertain to signs located in the respective zoning districts according to the following:
(1) 
Residential. In residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4) or for residences in other districts, the following signs are permitted when located on the same lot as the principal use:
(a) 
One sign, either attached or freestanding, indicating only the name of the owner or occupant and the street number, not to exceed two square feet in area. This does not include a mailbox sign and requires no sign permit.
(b) 
One attached sign identifying an organization residing within a group dwelling, not to exceed 12 square feet. Such sign requires a sign permit.
(c) 
One attached sign identifying a home occupation or professional residence-office permitted in the applicable residential district, not to exceed 12 square feet in area. Such sign requires a sign permit.
(d) 
One sign identifying any nonresidential building or use permitted in the applicable residential district, not to exceed 12 square feet in area.
(e) 
On any premises, the following:
[1] 
Up to two but not more than two temporary unlighted real estate signs not larger than six square feet in area, advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or subdivision on which they are erected.
[2] 
One but not more than one temporary unlighted sign not larger than 25 square feet indicating the name and address of the parties involved in construction on the premises.
[3] 
For a development of two or more lots or dwelling units, a real estate sign not larger than 25 square feet at each visible street entrance to the development from a prior existing street.
(f) 
One memorial sign or tablet up to six square feet indicating the name of the building and/or the date of erection. Such sign or tablet requires no sign permit.
(2) 
Business and light industrial, business and industrial. In Business and Light Industrial, Business and Industrial Districts (BLI, B-1 and IND) a maximum of three signs shall be located at any one time on any single business or industrial premise, excepting any parking or directional sign(s) provided for under Subsection D(2)(f) below. A window sign will constitute one of the three signs. The following signs are permitted:
[Amended 2-21-1994 by L.L. No. 5-1994]
(a) 
The appropriate signs allowed for in the residential districts, where applicable and according to the restrictions identified in Subsection D(1) above.
(b) 
One principal business sign per separate and distinct business establishment, the total area of which shall not exceed one square foot for each one linear foot of single building frontage, except that no such principal business sign shall exceed a maximum of 80 square feet in area.
(c) 
When more than one separate and distinct business or profession occupies a single building, whether on the same or separate floors, the total allowable sign size shall be based on the linear frontage of the building and may be combined in one or more principal signs so long as the total allowable sign area for the building is not exceeded, as is preferred by the applicant and determined satisfactory by the Planning Board under the site plan review process.
(d) 
One accessory business sign per each permitted principal business sign, not to exceed 50% of the size of the area of a permitted principal business sign. This sign can be located in the largest window, not to exceed 50% of that area [refer to Subsection B(4)(c)].
(e) 
A third business sign, not to exceed 30% of the size of the area of a permitted principal business sign, may be permitted and can only be located on the side of a building which has more than one exposed face or in the rear of a building.
(f) 
On-premises "parking," "entrance" or other directional signs may be permitted as applied for and approved by the Planning Board.
(g) 
Two additional business signs not to exceed four square feet in area may be permitted and can only be located on the sides at a canopy located over gasoline pumps at a service station or convenience store. Such signs may only bear the identification of the petroleum company (e.g., "Citgo," "Sunoco") under whose brand gasoline sold at the location is marketed.
(h) 
Primary wall signs. Primary wall signs for businesses having a minimum of 150 feet of front yard setback from the public right-of-way of the major street shall be allowed per the following specifications:
[Added 9-21-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998]
[1] 
Business frontage widths measuring from 12 linear feet to a maximum of 40 linear feet shall be allowed up to two square feet of sign face per linear foot of frontage.
[2] 
Business fronts with widths measuring from greater than 40 linear feet to 80 linear feet shall be allowed 1.5 square feet of sign face per linear foot of frontage.
[3] 
Business front widths measuring greater than 80 linear feet up to 100 linear feet shall be allowed 1.25 square feet of sign face per linear foot of frontage.
[4] 
Business front widths measuring more than 100 linear feet shall be allowed 1.25 square feet of sign face per linear foot of frontage to a maximum of 180 square feet.
(i) 
For multitenant buildings or multitenant commercial/industrial parks areas or other commercial or industrial developments served by a common driveway or street (but not retail shopping centers), one off-premises sign shall be allowed listing the names of the businesses in the building or the park. The sign may include the names of individual businesses, without additional advertisements, with individual company names not to exceed an area formed by a six-square-foot rectangle. Such signs are to be located in a manner that promotes vehicle and pedestrian safety. The Planning Board shall review all applications for installation of multitenant signs.
[Added 9-20-2004 by L.L. No. 10-2004]
(2.1)
Light Business District (B-2). The following signs shall be permitted:
[Added 12-19-1994 by L.L. No. 12-1994; amended 4-20-1995 by L.L. No. 5-1995]
(a)
The appropriate signs allowed for in the residential districts, where applicable and according to the restrictions identified in Subsection D(1) above.
(b)
One fifteen-square-foot sign per lot for a single business or, if multiple businesses, a maximum of 20 square feet. No illumination shall be allowed past normal business hours.
(3) 
Other districts. In the Institutional and College (SCH), Natural Conservation (NC) and Planned Unit Development (PUD) Districts, the following signs are permitted:
(a) 
The appropriate signs allowed for in the residential districts where applicable and according to the restrictions identified in Subsection D(1) above.
(b) 
Such other sign or signs of a type, size, location and number as the Planning Board shall determine necessary and appropriate in the course of its site plan review for any new or expanded use or for any additional or altered sign in these zoning districts.
(4) 
B-1 Central Overlay District, off-premises directional signage.
[Added 9-20-2004 by L.L. No. 11-2004]
(a) 
The purpose of this subsection is to allow for limited, pedestrian-oriented, directional signage for businesses located off of primary business streets in the B-1 Central Business (overlay) District. The purpose is not to provide signage for businesses on primary business streets, home-based businesses, or other businesses outside of the Central Overlay District. The signs will be installed on a post or other device owned by the Village of Potsdam or the Village's designated agent. In order to provide for a uniform approach and aesthetics, all signage shall meet specifications necessary for installation, including:
[1] 
Primary business streets. For the purposes of this subsection, the portions of the following streets located in the B-1 Central Overlay Area shall be considered primary business streets: Elm, Main, Maple and Market, Businesses with access to these streets shall not be eligible for off-premises directional signage.
[Amended 7-21-2005 by L.L. No. 4-2005]
[2] 
Signage shall be installed on poles or other devices owned by the Village or an agent designated by the Village Board.
[3] 
Each business shall be allowed one off-premises directional sign. Buildings containing over four businesses (such as shopping centers) may be identified as such ("XYZ Shopping Center") at more than one location, so long as each location involves a direct means of reaching the building along Village streets, with approval of the Planning Board.
[4] 
In order to have uniform, standard signage, directional signage shall be of dimension, color and materials as set by the Village Board based on a recommendation of the Planning Board, but in no case will signs for individual businesses be greater than 144 square inches.
[Amended 7-21-2005 by L.L. No. 4-2005]
[5] 
In locations where the number of businesses desiring signage exceeds the practical space available on a pole or other device designated for signage, the Village Board shall allocate space based on a system set by the Board.
[6] 
The Village shall be responsible for the cost of installing and removing off-premises directional signage. The participating businesses shall be responsible for the purchase and maintenance of such signs in coordination with the Village.
[Amended 7-21-2005 by L.L. No. 4-2005]
[7] 
The directional signs shall consist only of the name of the business and a business logo.
(b) 
Off-premise signs. Except as permitted in this subsection, and in § 180-23D(2), off-premises business and advertising signs shall not be permitted in the Village.
E. 
Administration.
(1) 
Permits. All signs, except those specifically exempted in this section or those undergoing minor modifications, per § 180-23E(1)(a), shall require a sign permit and shall be subject to review and approval by the Planning Board prior to their erection or alteration.
[Amended 9-21-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998]
(a) 
Signs undergoing only minor modifications, not involving the size, shape, position, direction, scale or general design, shall be administratively approved by the Code Enforcement Officer and no further review of the sign application shall be required. Sign alterations determined by the Code Enforcement Officer not to be a minor alteration shall be submitted to the Planning Board for review, per § 180-32.
(b) 
Sign applications for businesses located outside the Central Overlay District, which otherwise meet the relevant criteria for signs per this section, shall be administratively approved by the Code Enforcement Officer, with no further review of the application necessary.
(2) 
Design guidelines. In addition to the specific requirements regarding number, size, location, etc., outlined above in this section, all proposed signs must comply with the following design guidelines. The Planning Board shall determine compliance with the design guidelines as part of the process of site plan review.
(a) 
The sign scale is appropriate in relation to development scale, viewer distance and travel speed and sign sizes on nearby structures.
(b) 
The sign size, shape and placement serve to define or enhance such architectural elements of the building as columns, sill lines, cornices and roof edges and not to interrupt, obscure or hide them.
(c) 
The sign design is not wholly discontinuous with other signage on the same or adjacent structures, providing continuity in mounting location and height, proportions, materials or other important qualities.
(d) 
The sign materials, colors, lettering style and form are compatible with the building design and use.
(e) 
The sign content doesn't overcrowd the background [normally not exceeding 40% of background area].
(f) 
The sign legibility isn't impaired by excessive complexity, multiple lettering styles or colors or other distracting elements.
(g) 
The signs do not contain selling slogans, product descriptions, help-wanted notices or other advertising which is not an integral part of the name or other identification of the location or the enterprise.
F. 
Registration of existing signs. In order to record existing signs in relation to the requirements of this section, the process set forth below is hereby established:
(1) 
The Planning Board, at its discretion, shall record and register existing signs in the village. Each business, service or profession with existing sign(s) may be photographed, and the number, location and size of said signage shall be recorded.
(2) 
The Planning Board shall review existing signage for each use and determine whether or not the signs meet the requirements of the current Village Zoning Regulations and shall authorize issuance of a certificate of registration for each business, service or professional establishment reviewed. Such certificate shall stipulate the approved number, location, size, arrangement and any other requirements established by the current regulations. Where any existing sign does not meet the requirements of those regulations, the certificate will so note, and such sign shall be deemed to be a nonconforming sign.
(3) 
The Planning Board shall notify, in writing, the owner or tenant of each business, service or profession whose signs have been determined to be nonconforming. Such written notification shall describe the nature of the nonconformity and shall stipulate the approved number, location, size, arrangement and any other requirements which must be met to bring the signage into compliance with the current regulations.
(4) 
Within 30 days of written notification, the owner of each business, service or profession with a nonconforming sign or a person duly designated to act on his behalf shall either remove, alter or replace such sign(s) in conformity with the standards set forth in the current regulations or, alternatively, the owner or his designee may elect to meet with the Planning Board to discuss an appropriate remedy for the nonconformity within 45 days. If an owner elects to consult with the Planning Board, such meeting shall take place within 60 days of notification of the nonconformity. All nonconforming signs shall subsequently be removed, altered or replaced within 30 days of the date of the meeting with the Planning Board. No nonconforming sign shall be replaced, added to or enlarged except in compliance with the current regulations.
(5) 
Failure to comply with the procedures set forth in this section within the time frames indicated shall constitute a violation of these regulations.
A. 
Purpose. The objective of this section is to provide the necessary consideration to those physical and visual elements of the village, scape that require or may be improved by treatment of the landform, plant materials and man-made constructions arranged so as to improve the appearance, screen or effectively separate different types of land use.
B. 
Procedure. Landscape requirements shall be determined by the Planning Board, Board of Appeals or Board of Trustees, as is appropriate, in the course of their respective reviews of any site plan, special use or planned unit development.
C. 
Landscape techniques. The particular type of landscape treatment required shall be determined by the respective village body responsible for such review according to the following major types of treatment:
(1) 
Visual separation, including earth-mounding and screen-planting techniques designed to obscure or soften an unattractive or incompatible view.
(2) 
Visual setting, including ground cover and plant materials designed to stabilize the landform and provide an appropriate foreground or setting.
(3) 
Physical separation, including a combination of plant and man-made materials designed to separate distinct land use types or activities.
D. 
Applicable standards. In the application of this section, the responsible village body shall use the following standards:
(1) 
Where any land use in nonresidential districts abuts land in any residential district, a strip of land at least 25 feet in width shall be maintained as an open landscaped area in the front yard, side yards and rear yard which adjoin these other districts. Such dimension may be part of the required minimum yard dimensions and is not in addition to the minimum yard dimensions.
(2) 
Where any nonresidential land use within a residential district abuts any residential use, a strip of land at least 15 feet in width shall be maintained as an open landscaped area in the front yard, side yards and rear yard which adjoin these uses. Such dimension may be part of the required minimum yard dimensions and is not in addition to the minimum yard dimensions.
(3) 
Landscaping required to be installed and maintained in front, side and rear yards shall take the form of shade trees, deciduous shrubs, evergreens, well-kept grassed areas and ground cover. Plant materials of the type, size and number as are appropriate to the purpose and size of the area under consideration shall be determined by the responsible village body. All disturbed soil areas shall be replanted or reseeded in an appropriate fashion and shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition.
(4) 
No landscape feature, including any fence, wall or solid screen planting more than three feet in height, shall be erected, placed or maintained within the required minimum front yard which obstructs visibility in such a manner as to interfere with the safe movement of vehicular traffic.
See Chapter 110, Housing Standards, of the Village Municipal Code, § 110-44, for permit requirements to operate an existing mobile home court.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to locate a mobile home on any public or private property, except in accordance with these regulations as follows:
(1) 
In an approved mobile home park.
(2) 
In an approved mobile home sales lot.
(3) 
Upon review and authorization by the Planning Board under the provisions of the site plan review process to permit a mobile home to be located on the construction site of a new residence for a period not to exceed six months.
B. 
Registration of existing mobile home parks. In order to record the number, arrangement and accommodation for individual mobile homes in existing mobile home parks, the process set forth below is hereby established:
(1) 
Within six months from the effective date of these regulations, the owner or a person duly designated, in writing, to act on his behalf of every mobile home park shall make application under the provisions of this section for a certificate of registration to denote the approved number, arrangement and accommodation for all mobile homes within the park.
(2) 
Such application shall include those items of information required under § 180-32, Site plan review, and the review of said application by the Planning Board shall be in accord with the provisions of the site plan review process and the standards of § 180-31E(4).
(3) 
The Planning Board shall authorize the issuance of a certificate of registration under and according to the provisions of this section within six months from the date of application.
(4) 
Any certificate of registration issued hereunder shall denote the approved number, arrangement and accommodation for mobile homes within the park and any other conditions or requirements related to the mobile home park provisions of these regulations and Chapter 110, Housing Standards, of the Village Municipal Code; and thereafter, operation of the premises shall be in accord with the conditions and stipulations of the certificate of registration.
(5) 
Any addition, relocation or other change either in the number of approved mobile homes in the park or to the provisions for the existing mobile homes shall require a new application for a certificate of registration, which shall be considered on the same basis as an initial application.
(6) 
A certificate of registration, once issued, shall be valid for a period of two years from its date of issuance. six months prior to its expiration date, an application will be filed for its renewal for a subsequent period of two years.
(7) 
Failure to apply for an initial certificate of registration within six months from the effective date of these regulations, failure to receive a certificate of registration within 12 months from this same effective date or failure to comply in every regard with the conditions and stipulations of a certificate of registration once issued shall constitute a violation of these regulations.
In all districts, the following performance standards shall be met. The Planning Board, upon request of the Code Enforcement Official and according to the site plan review process, shall determine whether the proposed or existing uses meet the standards. In all districts, uses are not permitted which do not comply with any applicable state or federal requirements or which are characterized by any of the following as measured at the individual property line:
A. 
Emitting noise in excess of that allowed by the Village Noise Ordinance, Chapter 124, Peace and Good Order, Article II, §§ 124-2 through 124-4.2, of the Municipal Code.
B. 
Emitting any odor which is considered offensive.
C. 
Emitting dust or dirt which is considered offensive.
D. 
Emitting any smoke in excess of Ringelmann Smoke Chart No. 2.
E. 
Emitting any noxious gases which endanger the health, comfort, safety or welfare of any person or which have a tendency to cause injury or damage to property, business or vegetation.
F. 
Lighting or signs which create glare which could impair the vision of a driver of any motor vehicle.
G. 
Causing a fire, explosion or safety hazard.
H. 
Causing harmful wastes to be discharged into the sewer system, river or other bodies of water or onto the land except in an approved landfill.
In all districts, the following uses are prohibited:
A. 
Smelters.
B. 
Blast furnaces.
C. 
Slaughterhouses.
D. 
Rendering plants.
E. 
Hide tanning or curing plants.
F. 
The manufacture or processing of fertilizer, bone, rubber, asphalt, ammonia or chlorine.
G. 
The manufacture or refining of petroleum, gas or explosives.
H. 
Bulk storage of explosives.
I. 
The dumping of refuse and waste material, including junkyards, except in a municipally operated sanitary landfill.
J. 
Mining and topsoil mining/excavation, meaning the sale of soil, fill, gravel or other material from a parcel, unless such material is incidental from the construction of a building or site development with a building permit.
[Added 12-15-2003 by L.L. No. 9-2003]
K. 
Outdoor wood- and/or refuse-burning furnaces. The use of outdoor wood- and/or refuse-burning furnaces, meaning an accessory structure designed and intended for use through the burning of wood or refuse for the purpose of heating the principal structure or any other site, building, or structure on the premises, shall be prohibited. Wood stoves or fireplaces used to heat a building in which they are located are exempt. Furnaces regulated under a New York State issued air quality permit and used for institutional, commercial or industrial operations in appropriately zoned locations shall also be exempt.
[Added 8-16-2004 by L.L. No. 7-2004]
A. 
A building/use permit may be issued on a temporary basis by the Code Enforcement Official for a period not exceeding six months for incidental uses not otherwise permitted as follows:
(1) 
Temporary uses incidental to a construction project.
(2) 
A temporary real estate sales office incidental to a subdivision.
(3) 
Other similar temporary, incidental uses.
B. 
Such permit shall be conditioned upon agreement by the applicant to remove the structure or use upon expiration of a period not to exceed six months.
C. 
Any temporary, transient, nonpermanent use, location or activity, including any license required by a transient vendor or merchant, shall meet and be approved under the applicable provisions of Chapter 128, Peddlers and Solicitors, Article II, of the Village Municipal Code.
D. 
Temporary permits may be extended by the Code Enforcement Officer for a period not to exceed six months and renewable after that time upon application.
[Added 5-6-2002 by L.L. No. 11-2002]
A. 
Nonconforming lots of record. A permitted building or use may be constructed or located on any lot of record in any district even if said lot is less than the minimum area required for said use in the district in which it is located, provided that the following conditions exist or are met:
(1) 
The owner of said lot owns no adjoining vacant land which would create a conforming lot if combined with the lot which is deficient in area; and
(2) 
Any structure erected or use located on a nonconforming lot shall have front, side and rear yards conforming to the minimums required for the district in which said lot is located, except as may be otherwise approved by the Board of Appeals as elsewhere provided for and according to the variance procedures under these regulations.
B. 
Nonconforming buildings and uses. The lawful use of any land or principal or appurtenant structure or use requiring a permit under these regulations and existing on their effective date may be continued although such use or structure does not conform to the provisions of the regulations, and any such use or structure may be reconstructed, altered or changed in use subject to the following:
(1) 
A nonconforming building or use shall not be added to or enlarged in any way that will increase the nonconforming features in any manner. The application for any variance from this provision will subject the owner or applicant to compliance with all other applicable standards and provisions of these regulations as applied to the entire site or lot, to include, without limit, special permit requirements and parking and signage requirements. There shall be a mandatory site plan review of any improvements proposed in connection with such a request for variance.
(2) 
A nonconforming use may be changed to another nonconforming use only upon a determination by the Planning Board and Board of Appeals according to the site plan review and variance processes that such change represents an improvement to the existing use and its relationship to adjoining uses in a manner that will further the purposes of these regulations and the objectives of the Village General Development Plan (1984-1985), and as such plan may be subsequently amended.
(3) 
A nonconforming structure or use of property not involving a structure, once removed (whether intentionally or unintentionally), shall not be reintroduced or replaced other than by a conforming structure or use.
(4) 
Whenever a nonconforming use or the use of a nonconforming structure or lot has been discontinued for a period of one year, any future use shall be in conformity to the provisions of these regulations.
(5) 
A nonconforming structure or use which has been damaged by fire or other natural causes may not be restored, reconstructed or used as before without review and approval by the Planning Board and Board of Appeals according to the site plan review and variance processes as elsewhere provided for in these regulations. In no case shall the reconstructed building exceed the bulk, height and area requirements which existed before said damage. Said restoration must be completed within 18 months of such occurrence or the use of the building or land as a legal nonconforming use thereafter shall be terminated, except as application may be made to the Board of Appeals, which Board, for due cause shown, may extend the required completion date for one additional period of 18 months or such lesser period as the Board may determine necessary.
(6) 
Any building or use which has been conclusively initiated or for which a permit has been lawfully granted and on which construction has been started and diligently prosecuted before the effective date of these regulations or their applicable amendment may be completed.
(7) 
Nothing in the foregoing shall be interpreted to preclude the improvement of a nonconforming building or use to a safe and sanitary condition when it is in the interest of the health, safety and welfare to allow for such improvement. Restorations made under this provision shall allow for only those minimum improvements necessary to correct an unsafe or unsanitary condition and shall not violate the purpose and interest of this section to limit the expansion and extension of nonconforming situations.
C. 
Nonconforming parking provisions, signs and mobile home parks. The provisions of this section shall apply to existing off-street parking arrangements, signs and mobile home parks only to the extent that they do not conflict with the specific provisions for the registration and certification of such uses provided for in § 180-22, 180-23 and 180-25 of this Article.
[Amended 9-21-1998 by L.L. No. 7-1998]
A. 
The State Environmental Quality Review Act[1] requires that local governments examine the environmental impact of all actions they permit, fund or construct. Article 8 and Part 617 of Title 6 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations are hereby adopted by reference.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Art. 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law, § 8-0105 et seq.
B. 
All Type I actions (8 NYCRR 617) shall require the submission and review of an environmental assessment form.
C. 
For zoning actions reviewed by the village, the following bodies shall be the lead agencies, unless otherwise delegated by the Board of Trustees:
Type of Action
Lead Agency
Zoning text amendments
Board of Trustees
Zoning district amendments (including establishment of PUD Districts)
Board of Trustees
Site plan approvals and special permits
Planning Board
Variances
Zoning Board of Appeals
D. 
If, in the opinion of the local lead agency, after review of the environmental assessment form, there appears the potential for a significant environmental impact, the lead agency shall cause the applicant to prepare a draft environmental impact statement. Review, notice and action on the environmental impact statement shall be conducted according to Part 617.