A.
Pursuant to the authority enumerated in Article XIV herein, the Planning Board of the Village of Sloatsburg is hereby empowered to review and approve, approve with modifications or disapprove site plans, in order to ensure that proposed development and use of land within the area of the Village of Sloatsburg will have a harmonious relationship with the existing or permitted use of contiguous land and of adjacent neighborhoods and that the health, safety, welfare, comfort and convenience of the public is fully considered.
B.
Applicability. The types of development or use set forth below shall require site plan approval by the Planning Board:
(1)
New construction. The erection of any structure or building other than a one-family detached or two-family dwelling or for structures or buildings accessory thereto, in any district.
(2)
Enlargement or alteration. The enlargement or alteration of any building other than a one-family dwelling or any existing building that is accessory thereto.
(3)
Use of land. All use of land not involving buildings or structures.
(4)
Change of use. Any change of use or intensity of use of premises other than the above which will require a modification of existing means of access or egress, parking or loading facilities, drainage, utilities, landscaping or screening or outdoor lighting.
C.
Building permit and certificate of occupancy or use. No building permit or certificate of occupancy or use shall be issued except in conformity with the approved site plan or any modification of such plan and all conditions attached by the Planning Board to the approval of either the original or the modified site plan. The continued validity of any certificate of occupancy shall be subject to continued conformance of the development with such site plan and all attached conditions.
D.
Site plan approval findings and standards. In considering and approving site plans, the Planning Board shall take into consideration the public health, safety, and general welfare and the comfort and convenience of the public in general, and of the residents or users of the proposed development and the immediate neighborhood in particular, and shall prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this chapter and Comprehensive Plan in effect in the Village with regard to achieving the following objectives in particular:
(1)
That all proposed traffic access ways have sufficient, but not excessive, capacity; are adequate in width, grade, alignment, and visibility; are not located too near street corners or places of public assembly; are designed with due regard to other similar safety considerations; and are provided with all traffic safety devices needed for the protection of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
(2)
That the interior circulation system is adequate to provide safe access to all required off-street parking spaces, loading bays, and building services. That adequate off-street parking is provided to prevent parking in public streets of vehicles, except in those zoning districts that permit on-street parking, of any persons connected with or visiting the use and that the interior circulation system is adequate to provide safe accessibility to all required off-street parking. On sites with mixed and nonresidential uses, parking should, to the extent practicable, be located in proximity to the uses that generate the highest parking demand and turnover.
(3)
That, wherever possible, areas set aside for play and other active use by residents or users of the site are located with due regard for their safety and welfare.
(4)
That all playground, parking, and service areas are reasonably screened at all seasons of the year from the view of adjacent residential lots and streets where practical and needed for the protection of such lots and streets; that the general landscaping of the site is in character with, or superior to, that generally prevailing in the neighborhood and will enhance the aesthetic aspect of the abutting street or streets; and that all existing trees over eight inches in diameter, measured three feet above the base of the trunk, are retained to the maximum extent possible.
(5)
That all areas not paved or improved with buildings be landscaped, so as to avoid the creation of expanses of pavement.
(6)
That all outdoor lighting is of such nature and so arranged as to harmonize with the character of the neighborhood, and preclude the diffusion of glare onto adjoining properties and streets.
(7)
That the drainage and sewerage systems are adequate to accommodate any expected loads, and that all runoff from storm and sub-surface waters are carried into approved watercourses and drainage systems shown on Official Maps, and that all connections to Village systems are in accordance with Village standards, and where appropriate that such drainage improvements be installed on easements to be granted to the Village of Sloatsburg.
(8)
That water supply is adequate to accommodate the expected demand and that all water supply structures, lines, equipment and materials are designed adequately.
(9)
That all proposed structures, equipment, or materials will be readily accessible for fire protection and will not constitute a fire hazard for adjacent structures.
(10)
That the site plan and building design consider the conservation of energy.
(11)
That adequate provision be made for emergency services, including the provision of water to meet fire safety requirements, based on recommendations or requirements of the Sloatsburg Fire Department.
(12)
That the site layout and overall appearance of buildings on the site will not have any reasonably avoidable adverse impact upon the desirability of adjacent properties by impairing the established character or value thereof.
(13)
That trees and natural vegetation are to be protected to the maximum extent, and clearcutting shall be strictly limited. Clearing limit lines shall be strictly adhered to, selective cutting is the preferred method of tree removal, and landscaping plans shall be provided to mitigate any impacts to offset the impacts of clearing.
(14)
That development shall be avoided on ridgelines to the maximum extent practicable, and that the Planning Board may impose conditions to limit potential views of structures on ridgelines where development cannot be avoided.
(15)
That to avoid the disturbance to steep slopes, the Planning Board shall establish conditions to minimize impacts, including terrain adaptive housing, limitations on the use of retaining walls, and other similar mitigation.
(16)
That the Planning Board finds that the development shown on the site plan is consistent with the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan and of this chapter.
E.
Referral to County Planning Department. In accordance with § 239-m of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, site plans shall be referred to the Rockland County Planning Department in accordance with the § 402-96 of this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]