[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Islip 4-8-1997 by L.L. No. 3-1997.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 39A, Planning, Department of, adopted 2-6-1990 by L.L. No. 1-1990.
This local law shall be known as the "Town of Islip Department of Planning and Development Law."
A. 
Word usage. Whenever used in local law, words used in the singular include the plural and vice versa.
B. 
Definitions. As used in this local law, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMMISSIONER
The Commissioner of Planning and Development, Chief Executive officer of the Department.
DEPARTMENT
The Town of Islip Department of Planning and Development, which shall perform a major function of Town government.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER(S)
The Deputy Commissioner(s) of the Town of Islip Department of Planning and Development, who shall act generally for and in place of the Commissioner.
A. 
There shall be in the Town of Islip a Department of Planning and Development. The principal executive officer and administrative head of such Department shall be the Commissioner of Planning and Development who shall be appointed by the Town Board for the term fixed by law at such a salary as may from time to time be fixed by said Town Board. The Commissioner of Planning and Development shall be appointed on the basis of his administrative experience and qualifications for the duties of such office and such additional standards as may be required by the Town Board. He shall be the executive secretary of any advisory board or commission assigned to his jurisdiction by the Town Board. The Commissioner shall be the head of the Department with power and authority to appoint and remove officers and employees under his jurisdiction in accordance with Civil Service Law and other applicable laws.
B. 
The Commissioner is empowered herein to appoint two Deputy Commissioners who shall generally act for and in his behalf and who shall perform such duties as are vested in and imposed upon that office by the provisions of this local law, by statute or other lawful authority. There may be designated a Deputy Commissioner of Planning who shall have administrative jurisdiction of the Divisions of Planning and Economic Development. There may also be designated a Deputy Commissioner of Development who shall have administrative jurisdiction of the Divisions of Building and Engineering. Both Deputy Commissioners shall report directly to the Commissioner of Planning and Development. In the absence of the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Planning shall act as the chief executive officer of the Department. In the absence of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Planning, the Deputy Commissioner of Development shall act as the chief executive officer of the Department. The Commissioner shall be authorized to modify the divisions assignments and the responsibilities of the Deputy Commissioners as he shall deem necessary.
[Amended 1-15-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013]
C. 
The Commissioner or his deputy(s) may also serve as a division head within the Department.
A. 
The Commissioner shall have such powers as shall be necessary for the proper administration of the Department consistent with applicable provisions of law.
B. 
Until such time as the same may be either amended or modified, the Department shall be divided into the following Divisions:
(1) 
Division of Building.
(2) 
Division of Economic Development.
(3) 
Division of Engineering and Contracts.
(4) 
[1]Division of Planning.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(4), Division of Land Management, was repealed 1-15-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013. This local law also provided for the redesignation of former Subsection B(5) as B(4).
A. 
The powers and duties of such Divisions shall be under the administration, direction and control of the Commissioner, and each of said Divisions shall be supervised by a division head who shall be designated as division director.
[Amended 6-8-2010]
B. 
The Commissioner may, with the approval of the Town Board, establish, consolidate or abolish any Divisions now existing or hereafter created in said Department and establish, consolidate or abolish any bureau or subdivisions now existing or hereafter created in any such Division.
C. 
The powers and duties of individual Divisions shall be as follows:
(1) 
Division of Building. Its powers and duties are to administer, supervise, manage, coordinate and enforce the zoning laws and applicable local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of the Town of Islip, the applicable building codes, state and/or local and applicable laws of the State of New York, as legally required throughout the properties of the Town of Islip, to review, evaluate, judge and advise on applications related thereto. The Chief Building Inspector shall be the director of the Building Division.
[Amended 6-8-2010]
(2) 
Division of Economic Development. Its powers and duties are to administer, develop, manage, implement and promote industrial and business programs serving the interests and welfare of the people of the Town of Islip.
(3) 
Division of Engineering and Contracts. Its powers and duties are to perform the duties of Town Engineer and to have general charge and supervision of the engineering design of all highways, roads, streets, sidewalks, bridges, municipal parking areas, drains and drainage structures of the Town or any of its special districts and to have general charge and supervision of the engineering design and construction of Town buildings, parks, grounds and other structures or improvements in the nature of public works as the Town or any of its special districts may construct. The division head of the Division of Engineering and Contracts will be the Town Engineer for the Town of Islip, who shall be appointed by the Town Board for the term fixed by law, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Planning and Development.
[Amended 5-28-2008 by L.L. No. 11-2008]
(4) 
[1]Division of Planning. Its powers and duties are to prepare and update the Town of Islip Comprehensive Plan, carry out any plans and programs, including capital programming, and initiate developmental policy recommendations for the Town Board. In addition, the Division will perform the duties, studies and supervision as delegated by the Town Board in order to provide for the orderly growth of the Town and to achieve the highest and most efficient available levels of services for its residents. This Division also serves the staff of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals and other boards of commissions assigned to it by the Town Board, as established under Town Law and will prepare studies, reports and programs, as the Planning Board may require.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C(4), Division of Land Management, was repealed 1-15-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013. This local law also provided for the redesignation of former Subsection C(5) as B(4).
D. 
The Commissioner, acting by and through any of said existing or hereafter-named divisions, shall be empowered to perform such other duties and functions that are prescribed by him in any law, ordinance or resolution of the Town Board or lawful directive of any Supervisor. However, the Commissioner may delegate any of his duties to be performed by a Division Director or an administrative assistant.
E. 
Furthermore, the Commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered, subject to the prior approval of the Town Board, except that such prior approval will not be required in cases of emergency, to retain and employ private engineers, architects and consultants, or firms practicing such profession, for the purposes of:
(1) 
Preparing designs, plans and estimates of structures or projects of any type and character.
(2) 
Rendering assistance and advise in connection with any project, whether defined or proposed and under the supervision of the Department of Planning and Development.
(3) 
Performing such other and necessary services as the Commissioner may deem necessary in the administration of the Department.
F. 
Power to erect screening devices.
(1) 
The Commissioner shall have the power and authority, with the express approval of the Town Board, to erect, replace, repair and maintain fences, trees, plantings, shrubbery or other screening on private property located within the Town of Islip. However, prior to taking such action, the Commissioner must determine that the following conditions and procedures have been met:
(a) 
The owner of the private property has been required by stipulation or covenant of the Town Board, Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals or by a provision of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Islip to erect such screening on his property.
(b) 
The owner has failed to comply with the requirements of said Board or the Zoning Ordinance.
(c) 
The Town Board has passed a resolution authorizing the Commissioner to take such appropriate action.
(d) 
More than 30 days have expired since the owner of the private property has been served with notice of such pending action along with a copy of the resolution of the Town Board authorizing such action. Such notice and resolution shall be sent to the owner by registered mail.
(2) 
Upon taking such appropriate action, the Commissioner shall notify the Town Assessor of the cost of such activity. Any expense incurred by the Town in erecting, replacing or maintaining such fences, trees, plantings, shrubbery or other form of screening in or on behalf of such owner shall be assessed by the Town against the land on which such screening is located.
All costs and expenses incurred by the Department or its officers or employees on behalf of a special improvement district or special Town project shall be charged against such project and paid from the funds duly appropriated for the purpose of such district or project.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to delegate or transfer any power of the Town Supervisor, contained in §§ 29, 52 and 125 of the Town Law of the State of New York or any other powers which may be lawfully exercised by said Supervisor.
The Commissioner may establish a schedule of fees to be collected by him for:
A. 
The filing in his office or Department of any map or written instrument required to be so filed.
B. 
The preparation of any copy of a map or written instrument filed in his office or Department.
C. 
Certifying any such map or written instrument.
D. 
Any other service rendered in connection with the work of his Department and for which he deems it necessary to charge and to collect a fee therefor.
If any section, provision or part thereof in this local law shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such jurisdiction shall not affect the validity of the local law as a whole, or any section, provision or part thereof not so adjusted invalid or unconstitutional.
This local law shall be effective 20 days after the appropriate certified copies are filed with the Secretary of State of New York.