[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Amsterdam 11-17-1992
by L.L. No. 6-1992. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter will be known as the "City of Amsterdam Waterfront Consistency
Law."
A.
This chapter is adopted under the authority of the Municipal
Home Rule Law and the Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland
Waterways Act of the State of New York (Article 42 of the Executive Law).
B.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework
for agencies of the City of Amsterdam to consider the policies and purposes
contained in the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program when reviewing applications
for actions or direct agency actions located in the waterfront area; and to
assure that such actions and direct actions are consistent with said policies
and purposes.
C.
It is the intention of the City of Amsterdam that the
preservation, enhancement and utilization of the natural and manmade resources
of the unique waterfront area of the city take place in a coordinated and
comprehensive manner to ensure a proper balance between natural resources
and the need to accommodate population growth and economic development. Accordingly,
this chapter is intended to achieve such a balance, permitting the beneficial
use of waterfront resources while preventing: loss of fish and wildlife; diminution
of open space areas or public access to the waterfront; erosion of shoreline;
losses due to flooding, erosion and sedimentation; or permanent adverse changes
to ecological systems.
D.
The substantive provisions of this chapter shall only
apply while there is in existence a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
which has been adopted in accordance with Article 42 of the Executive Law
of the State of New York.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Either Type I or unlisted actions as defined in SEQRA regulations
(6 NYCRR 617.2) which are undertaken by an agency and which include:
Projects or physical activities, such as construction or other activities
that may affect the environment by changing the use, appearance or condition
of any natural resource or structure that:
Agency planning and policymaking activities that may affect the environment
and commit the agency to a definite course of future decisions.
Adoption of agency rules, regulations and procedures, including local
laws, codes, ordinances, executive orders and resolutions that may affect
the environment.
Any combinations of the above.
Any board, agency, department, office, other body or officer of the
City of Amsterdam.
That the action will fully comply with the Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program policy standards and conditions and, whenever practicable, will advance
one or more of them.
Actions planned and proposed for implementation by an agency, such
as, but not limited to, a capital project, rule making, procedure making and
policymaking.
The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program of the City of Amsterdam,
approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to the Waterfront Revitalization
of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act (Executive Law, Article 42), a copy
of which is on file in the Office of the Clerk of the City of Amsterdam.
The waterfront revitalization area delineated in the city's
Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
The form used by an agency to assist it in determining the consistency
of an action with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
A.
Whenever a proposed action is located in the city's waterfront area, an agency shall, prior to approving, funding or undertaking the action, make a determination that it is consistent with the LWRP policy standards and conditions set forth in Subsection K herein.
B.
Whenever an agency receives an application for approval
or funding of an action or as early as possible in the agency's formulation
of a direct action to be located in the waterfront area, the applicant or,
in the case of a direct action, the agency shall prepare a waterfront assessment
form (WAF) to assist with the consistency review.
C.
The agency shall refer a copy of the completed WAF to
the Waterfront Development Committee within 10 days of its submission and
prior to making its determination shall consider the recommendation of the
Waterfront Development Committee with reference to the consistency of the
proposed action.
D.
After referral from an agency, the Waterfront Development Committee shall consider whether the proposed action is consistent with the LWRP policy standards and conditions set forth in Subsection I herein. The Waterfront Development Committee shall require the applicant to submit all completed applications, WAF's and any other information deemed to be necessary to its consistency recommendation.
E.
The Waterfront Development Committee shall render a written
recommendation to the agency within 30 days following referral of the WAF
from the agency, unless extended by mutual agreement of the Committee and
the applicant or, in the case of a direct action, the agency. The recommendation
shall indicate whether, in the opinion of the Waterfront Development Committee,
the proposed action is consistent with or inconsistent with one or more of
the LWRP policy standards or conditions and shall elaborate, in writing, the
basis for the opinion. The Waterfront Development Committee shall, along with
the consistency recommendation, make any suggestions to the agency concerning
modification of the proposed action to make it consistent with the LWRP policy
standards and conditions or to greater advance them. In the event that the
Waterfront Development Committee's recommendation is not forthcoming
within the specified time, the referring agency shall make its decision without
the benefit of the Committee's recommendation.
F.
If the agency and the Committee concur in the consistency
of the proposed action, the agency may proceed with the action. In the event
that the agency, after reviewing the written recommendation of the Committee,
finds that it disagrees with the consistency recommendation of the Committee,
the agency shall within 15 days prepare a written finding detailing its position
and transmit it to the Committee. The Committee and the agency shall meet
to resolve their differences within 15 days of the Committee's receipt
of the agency's finding.
G.
If the Committee and the agency cannot reach a mutually
agreeable determination of consistency, the matter will be referred to the
City Common Council for a finding of consistency. The agency shall take no
action until the Common Council has made a determination and finding of consistency
with the LWRP.
H.
The provisions of Subsection G shall not apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Instead, where the Zoning Board of Appeals is the agency, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall consider the written consistency recommendation of the Committee when reviewing and considering an application for a variance.
I.
Actions to be undertaken within the waterfront area shall
be evaluated for consistency in accordance with the following LWRP policy
standards and conditions, which are derived from and further explained and
described in Section III of the City of Amsterdam LWRP, a copy of which is
on file in the City Clerk's office and available for inspection during
normal business hours. In the case of direct actions, the agency shall also
consult with Section IV of the LWRP in making their consistency determination.
The action shall be consistent with the policy to:
(1)
Revitalize and redevelop deteriorated and underutilized
waterfront areas for commercial, industrial, cultural, recreational and other
comparable uses.
(2)
Facilitate the siting of water-dependent uses and facilities
on or adjacent to coastal waters.
(3)
Strengthen small harbors by maintaining the mix of traditional
uses, assuring safe navigation and resolving use conflicts and competition
through harbor and water surface use management.
(4)
Encourage the location of development in areas where
public services and facilities essential to such development are adequate.
(5)
Significant fish and wildlife habitats will be protected,
preserved and, where practical, restored to maintain their viability as habitats.
(6)
In order to minimize damage to natural resources and
property from flooding and erosion, development will be sited away from hazard
areas wherever practical and natural flooding and erosion protective features
will not be degraded.
(7)
Erosion protection structures shall be constructed only
if they are necessary to protect human life, existing development or new water-dependent
development and will result in no measurable increase in erosion or flooding
at other locations. Nonstructural measures shall be used whenever possible.
Public funds shall only be used where the public benefits outweigh the long-term
costs.
(8)
Maximize public access and recreational opportunities
to the shoreline and to waterways.
(9)
Protect, enhance and restore structures, districts and
sites that are of significance to the history, architecture, archaeology or
culture of the state, its communities or the nation.
(10)
Protect and improve the visual quality of the waterfront.
(11)
Municipal, industrial and commercial discharge of effluent
and pollutants, including but not limited to toxic and hazardous substances,
into water bodies will conform to state and national water quality standards.
(12)
Policies and management objectives of approved local
waterfront revitalization programs will be considered while reviewing water
body classifications and while modifying water quality standards; however,
those waters already overburdened with containments will be recognized as
being a development constraint.
(13)
Best management practices will be used to ensure the
control of stormwater runoff, combined sewer overflows and the nonpoint discharge
of excess nutrients, organics and eroded soils into state waterways.
(14)
Discharge of waste materials into state waters from vessels
subject to state jurisdiction will be limited so as to protect significant
fish and wildlife habitats, recreational areas and water supplies.
(15)
Excavation, dredging and dredge spoil disposal will be
undertaken in a manner which protects fish and wildlife habitats, scenic resources,
natural protective features, important agricultural land and wetlands and
does not cause an increase in the erosion of such land.
(16)
Preserve and protect wetlands and the benefits derived
from these resources.
J.
Determination of agency.
(1)
If the agency determines that the action would not be
consistent with one or more of the LWRP policy standards and conditions, such
action shall not be undertaken unless the determining agency makes a written
finding with respect to the proposed action that:
(a)
No reasonable alternatives exist which would permit the
action to be undertaken in a manner which will not substantially hinder the
achievement of such LWRP policy standards and conditions.
(b)
The action would be undertaken in a manner which will
minimize all adverse effects on such LWRP policy standards and conditions.
(c)
The action will advance one or more of the other LWRP
policy standards and conditions.
(d)
The action will result in an overriding city, regional
or statewide public benefit.
(2)
Such a finding shall constitute a determination that
the action is consistent with the LWRP policy standards and conditions.
K.
Each agency shall maintain a file for each action made
the subject of a consistency determination, including any recommendations
received from the Waterfront Development Committee. Such files shall be made
available for public inspection upon request.
A.
The City Building Inspector shall be responsible for
enforcing this chapter. No work or activity on a project in the waterfront
area which is subject to review under this chapter shall be commenced or undertaken
until the Building Inspector has been presented with a written determination
from an agency that the action is consistent with the city's LWRP policy
standards and conditions.
B.
In the event that an activity is not being performed
in accordance with this chapter or any conditions imposed thereunder, the
Building Inspector shall issue a stop-work order, and all work shall immediately
cease. No further work or activity shall be undertaken on the project so long
as a stop-work order is in effect.
A.
A person who violates any of the provisions of or who
fails to comply with any condition imposed by this chapter shall have committed
a violation, punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 for a conviction of a
first offense and punishable by a fine of $1,000 for a conviction of a second
or subsequent offense. For the purpose of conferring jurisdiction upon courts
and judicial officers, each week of continuing violation shalt constitute
a separate additional violation.
B.
The City Corporation Counsel is authorized
and directed to institute any and all actions and proceedings necessary to
enforce this chapter. Any civil penalty shall be in addition to and not in
lieu of any criminal prosecution and penalty.
