The Town Board shall provide for the services
of a Building Inspector. The Building Inspector is hereby given the
duty, power and authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
He shall examine all applications for permits; issue permits for the
construction, alteration, enlargement and occupancy of all uses which
are in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and refer
all nonconforming uses to the Zoning Board of Appeals; record and
file all applications for permits with accompanying plans and documents;
and make such reports as may be required. Building permits for a variance
from the requirements of this chapter shall be issued only upon written
order of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
[Added 10-11-2005 by L.L. No. 5-2005]
A. Statement of purpose.
(1)
It is the express purpose of this section to
provide special qualitative and quantitative development controls
for all lands located within the Town that have present within their
boundaries topographical conditions, hereinafter defined as "steep
slopes and ridgelines."
(2)
Effective and reasonable application of these
regulations will protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens
of the Town and is consistent with the Town of Marlborough Comprehensive
Plan.
(3)
The ridgeline protection area is defined as
the area on the map known as the "Town of Marlborough Ridgeline Protection
Map," adopted with this code, and any subsequent amendments.
The ridgeline of the Town of Marlborough shall be generally viewed
as the high points of the ridge commonly known as the "Marlborough
Mountains" as viewed from the east in a westerly direction.
B. Applicability. The requirements, guidelines and controls
promulgated under this section shall be applicable to all properties
within all zone districts situated in the Town in their existing physical
state or condition as of the date of the passage of this section.
(1)
The term "Town Engineer" shall include the Planning
Board Engineer by definition.
(2)
No lot shall be created by subdivision or other
means which, by its creation, would result in a separate lot that
cannot meet the following provisions for steep slope regulation or
ridgeline protection as hereafter delineated.
C. Construction control limitations. Disturbance of steep
slopes shall be limited to the following based on indicated slopes:
|
Slopes
|
Permitted Activity
|
---|
|
Less than 15%
|
All activities
|
|
15% to 25%
|
All activities, subject to review and approval
of individual grading plans
|
|
More than 25%
|
No disturbance permitted other than hereafter
provided
|
D. Exception. The above construction control limitations
for steep slopes are not applicable for isolated steep slopes with
an area of a total of 10,000 square feet or less for the application
under consideration.
E. Lot grading/driveway/drainage plans. For all lots
with proposed disturbance of a 15% to 25% steep slope area, a lot
grading, driveway, and/or drainage plans shall be approved by the
Town Engineer prior to the issuance of subdivision approval or a building
permit. Said plan shall include, but not be limited to, existing and
proposed contours, limits of soil clearing and/or disturbance, construction
details, soil erosion, sedimentation control measures and drainage
calculations and, where required by the other sections of the Code
of the Town of Marlborough and/or Town Engineer, stormwater control
measures. The Town Engineer may require additional information to
make a determination of both applicability of steep slope and ridgeline
protection as well as uphold the intent of this chapter.
(1)
No soil shall be excavated, removed, deposited
or disturbed except as a result of, and in accordance with, a lot
grading plan approved under the terms of this chapter.
(2)
Proposed disturbance of soil shall be for purposes
consistent with the intent of this chapter.
(3)
Provision shall be made for the proper disposition
of surface water runoff so that it will not create unstable conditions.
(4)
Provision shall be made for any structural or
protective measures that proposed slopes may require for the protection
of the public safety, including, but not limited to, retaining walls,
guide rails, headwalls, and fences.
(5)
Buffers of undisturbed land shall be maintained
between adjoining properties to the extent practicable as determined
by the Town Engineer.
(6)
Should, in the opinion of the Town Engineer,
application of these provisions render a lot that existed at the time
this Code is adopted unbuildable, application of these regulations
may be modified by the Town Engineer to preserve an allowable use
of land with the intent that these provisions be applied to the greatest
reasonable extent.
F. Ridgeline protection requirements.
(1)
Applicability, review of plans; compliance.
The requirements, guidelines and controls promulgated under this section
shall be applicable to site plan and subdivision applications and
building permits of new buildings. The Planning Board or Zoning Board
of Appeals, as the case may be, shall review all plans submitted under
this section as part of any application for site plan, subdivision
or variance approval.
(2)
Applicants shall submit for a determination
whether the ridgelines depicted on a map entitled "Marlborough Ridgeline
Protection Map" adopted upon the passage of this section is within
100 feet of the property which is the subject of the application for
review and approval by the appropriate agency. Said map is intended
as a guideline and is subject to further clarification by the Town
Engineer for each property which may be affected. The applicant shall
depict all ridgelines as shown on said map which are on or within
100 feet of said applicant's property. The map is intended to depict
the ridgelines occurring in the Town at a USGS elevation of 750 feet
or greater [in North American DATUM 1927 (NAD27)].
(3)
The determination of the presence of the ridgelines
above mentioned shall be done on a map provided by the applicant with
topography depicted at two-foot contour intervals.
(4)
Applicants for construction on properties to
which this section applies shall demonstrate to the reviewing board
or Town Engineer, as the case may be, that the proposed buildings
or structures will not extend above the predominant treeline. No structure
that is the subject of this section shall be located closer than 50
feet in elevation to the ridgeline affected by the application, as
determined by the Town Engineer.
(a)
If, in the Town Engineer's opinion, such requirements
would render an existing lot unbuildable, the Town Engineer may recommend
the issuance of, and the Building Department may issue, a construction
permit for an existing lot of record which does not meet the requirements
of this section upon his determination that no suitable conforming
location is available.
(b)
There shall be no disturbance within this fifty-foot
area except for access driveways when said driveway cannot be reasonably
located outside the fifty-foot area.
(5)
Development should be sited behind or below
visual barriers such as trees, ridgelines and other topographic features.
The height and location of development shall not alter the views of,
and from, the natural ridgeline.
(6)
No agricultural activity, as defined in the Code of the Town of Marlborough, Chapter
115, Right to Farm, shall be impeded by the adoption of this section.
G. Violations; penalties for offenses.
(1)
Violation of any approvals or permits given
under this section shall result in an immediate work stoppage, other
than to protect life, limb and property. Work shall not resume until
such violation(s) has been remedied or mitigation is authorized by
the agency which issued the permit or approval.
(2)
Violations of this subsection shall be prosecuted
pursuant to any relevant provisions in the Town Code, Town or state
law.
H. Minor changes. The Town Engineer may approve minor
changes to approved plans or permits if, in the opinion of the Town
Engineer, such minor changes do not affect the intent or substance
of said approval or permit.
I. This section shall be effective for all applications
for permits, subdivision or other applicable actions filed after the
date of adoption by the Town Board.
[Amended 8-22-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994; 9-14-2009 by L.L. No.
6-2009]
A. The Town Board shall charge the following categories of fees in such
amounts as the Town Board shall determine by schedule of fees adopted
at an annual reorganizational meeting, or by resolution from time
to time. Fee schedules are available at the Town Hall as adopted by
the Town Board. All of the fees herein shall be payable by check to
the Town of Marlborough, and the payor shall identify the specific
fee(s) for which payment is made.
B. Schedule of Fees categories. The listing herein shall not be exclusive
or deemed to limit other fees authorized by law, rule or regulation.
C. Planning Board fees.
(1) Site plan review fees.
(a)
All such applications made to the Planning Board, for initial
or revised approval of site plans, shall be in writing on forms prescribed
by the Planning Board and shall be accompanied by a fee determined
as follows:
[1]
For residential uses only: an application fee consisting of
a base amount plus a fee per lot.
[2]
For commercial/industrial uses (including tree harvesting, mining
and excavating):
[a] Application fee consisting of a base amount plus
a fee per 1,000 square feet or part thereof.
[b] The application fee for site plans reviewed pursuant to Chapter
141, Article
I, Tree Harvesting, or §
155-26, Mining and excavation, shall be a fee consisting of a base amount plus a fee per acre of disturbance or part thereof.
(b)
Publication. The applicant shall be required to pay for the
actual costs of publication of any and all notices required by any
provision of this chapter or other provisions of law.
(c)
Documentary and mailing fees. The applicant shall be required
to pay for the actual costs of the mailing to all owners who shall
receive certified mailing of the notice of public hearing. The applicant
shall also be required to pay a fee to cover the costs to the Town
of compiling the names and address of all owners who shall receive
notice of the public hearing.
(2) Land subdivision.
(a)
All such applications made to the Planning Board shall be in
writing on forms prescribed by the Board and shall be accompanied
by a fee determined as follows: an application fee consisting of a
base amount plus a fee per dwelling unit.
(b)
All original legal documents required to be filed in the Ulster
County Clerk's office in connection with an application shall be submitted
to the Town Planning Board Attorney along with the actual costs of
filing all necessary documents in the Ulster County Clerk's office.
The subdivision map shall not be signed by the Chairman of the Planning
Board unless each fee has been paid.
(c)
Final plat submission. If a final plat is submitted for only
a portion of the major subdivision shown on the approved preliminary
plat, an additional filing fee shall be paid for each final section
submitted thereafter, plus an amount per lot or dwelling unit not
shown on the approved preliminary plat.
D. Zoning Board of Appeals fees.
(1) An application fee shall be set for:
(c)
Appeals (including interpretations).
(2) Publication. The applicant shall also be required to pay for the
actual costs of publication of any and all notices required by any
provision of this chapter or other provisions of law.
(3) Documentary and mailing fees. The applicant shall be required to
pay for the actual costs of the mailing to all owners who shall receive
certified mailing of the notice of public hearing. The applicant shall
also be required to pay a fee to cover the costs to the Town of compiling
the names and address of all owners who shall receive notice of the
public hearing.
E. Town Board fees.
(1) Petition to amend Zoning Law.
(a)
An application fee consisting of a base amount plus a fee per
acre of land.
(b)
Publication. The applicant shall also be required to pay for
the actual costs of publication of any and all notices required by
any provision of this chapter or other provisions of law.
(c)
Documentary and mailing fees. The applicant shall be required
to pay for the actual costs of the mailing to all owners who shall
receive certified mailing of the notice of public hearing. The applicant
shall also be required to pay a fee to cover the costs to the Town
of compiling the names and address of all owners who shall receive
notice of the public hearing.
F. Building Department fees.
(1) Building permit fees.
(a)
Fee for new structures and additions: an application fee per
the schedule of the Town Board.
(b)
Alterations and renovations: an application fee per the schedule
of the Town Board.
(c)
In the event that an application for a building permit is denied,
and provided that no construction has commenced, the applicant shall
be entitled to a refund of the application fee less the amount of
the base fee. There shall be no refund if construction work has commenced
prior to a denial.
(d)
If, during the course of construction, the Building Inspector
or Code Enforcement Officer finds violations of any municipal or governmental
regulations, codes or ordinances, then the applicant shall pay an
additional fee per each additional inspection of the site to verify
remediation of the violation.
(2) A fee for issuance of a certificate of occupancy and/or certificate
of compliance.
(3) Other permit fees:
(a)
The Building Department is frequently called upon to retroactively issue permits, for various items listed in Subsection
F(1) and
(2) above due to the applicant's and/or homeowner's failure to timely apply for a proper permit. Recognizing the extra clerical and follow-up enforcement costs to the Building Department necessitated by such delinquent applications, an additional administrative fee shall be charged for the retroactive issuance of permits.
(b)
Renewal of a special use permit.
(c)
Renewal of an approval for the operation of a home occupation.
(d)
Commercial storage tanks.
(g)
Construction of swimming pools and for an extension of time
on an existing pool permit.
(h)
Heating apparatus (wood furnaces, wood stoves, broilers, fireplaces).
(j)
Special exception from Town Code Chapter
93, Explosives and Blasting.
(k)
Clearing and grading permits.
(l)
Permit to move or relocate an existing structure.
(4) Annual site plan inspection fee.
(5) Miscellaneous items:
(a)
Miscellaneous letters requested from the Building Inspector.
(b)
Requests for copies of certificates of occupancy or certificates
of compliance.
(c)
Requests for letters relating to flood zones in the Town.
(d)
Municipal searches which include copies of certificates of occupancy,
reissue of certificates, a street report and a violation report letter
(also known as an "archival search").
(e)
An additional fee shall be charged when the applicant and/or
owner has failed to appear for a scheduled inspection with the Building
Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
(f)
If the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer appears
for a scheduled inspection, and the work to be inspection is not yet
completed or otherwise ready for inspection, an additional administrative
fee shall be charged.
G. Water District fees.
(1) A fee for turning water on.
(2) A fee for damage or destruction to the water meter due to negligence,
freezing or other damage.
(3) A fee upon the filing of an application to connect any service that
has been disconnected (also referred to as a "reapplication" fee or
the "reactivation of existing service").
(4) A fee upon the filing of an application for the tapping of the water
main and appurtenances for residential use by the Town of Marlborough
Water Department. The application fee shall cover the water meter,
corporation cock, curb valve, curb box, use of tapping machine, up
to 25 feet of k copper pipe and up to four hours of work. An additional
fee may be assessed for work and supplies in excess of that listed
within this subsection.
(5) Fees for work which requires that the road be cut ("road cut fee")
in the following categories:
(a)
A fee for road cut work where the road cut is less than 60 square
feet.
(b)
A fee for road cut work where the service line crosses the entire
roadway width.
(6) For work which is not installed or performed by the Town of Marlborough:
(a)
A fee for the Town to inspect the main and tap; and
(b)
A fee for the Town to inspect each service line and tap.
(7) A fee for the meter and connectors. The fee charged for a tap will
vary depending upon the size of the tap.
(8) In the event of special circumstances requiring additional material
and labor to be expended by the Town of Marlborough, the following
fees shall apply:
(a)
For work that requires the Town's use of a backhoe, a fee shall
be charged for each hour or portion thereof that the backhoe is used.
(b)
For work that requires the Town's use of a dump truck, a fee
shall be charged for each hour or portion thereof that the dump truck
is used.
(c)
For work that requires the Town's use of a compressor, a fee
shall be charged for each hour or portion there that the compressor
is used.
(d)
Water service customers shall reimburse the Town for the actual
of costs of k copper piping needed.
(e)
For labor, a fee shall be charged for each hour or portion thereof
that labor is used.
(f)
The applicant/customer will pay the actual cost of all boring
underneath road surfaces which are six years of age or less.
H. Sewer District fees.
(2) A road cut fee for installation of a service line to cross a Town
road.
I. Driveway permits.
(1) An escrow deposit, made by certified or bank check, refundable upon
satisfactory completion of work.
(2) A nonrefundable inspection fee, plus a fee per each additional inspection
over one inspection.
J. Mobile homes and courts.
(1) A permit fee for mobile homes outside of parks, consisting of a base
fee plus an additional fee per square foot.
(2) A mobile home park license fee.
(3) A mobile retail stand license fee.
[Added 9-14-2009 by L.L. No. 6-2009]
A. Where the Town Board, Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Appeals uses the services of private engineers, attorneys or other consultants for purposes of engineering, scientific, land use planning, environmental or legal reviews of the adequacy or substantive details of applications, or issues raised during the course of review of such applications for special permit approvals under §
155-32 of this chapter, site plan approvals under §
155-31 of this chapter, subdivision approvals under Chapter
134, Subdivision of Land, of the Town Code, use or area variances under Article
VIII of this chapter, applications for rezoning of parcels to accommodate site-specific land development proposals or otherwise, applications for approval under Chapter
141, Trees, or for any other land use or development permits or approvals required from such agencies under the Town Code, as well as to assist in assuring or enforcing an applicant's compliance with the terms and conditions of all the aforementioned administrative and legislative permits or approvals, the applicant shall be responsible for payment of all the reasonable and necessary costs of such services. In no event shall that responsibility be greater than the actual cost to the Town of such engineering, legal or other consulting services.
B. The Town Board, Planning Board, or Zoning Board of Appeals, through
or with the assistance of Town planning staff, may require advance
periodic monetary deposits, to be held on account of the applicant
by the Town of Marlborough, to secure the reimbursement of the Town's
consultant expenses. Said initial deposit shall be in an amount set
periodically by resolution of the Town Board and deemed to be reasonable
and necessary for the review of the proposed action of the applicant.
The Town may make payments from the deposited funds for engineering,
legal or consulting services. The Town shall supply copies of such
vouchers to applicant, appropriately redacted where necessary to shield
legally privileged communications between Town officers or employees
and the Town's consultants. When it appears that there may be insufficient
funds in the account established for applicant by the Town to pay
current or anticipated vouchers, the Town shall cause the applicant
to deposit additional sums to meet such expenses or anticipated expenses.
C. In the absence of a tender of payment, the Town shall be under no
obligation to issue any permit, permission, resolution, consent or
other final determination of the matter under consideration until
such time as such tender has been made and/or the dispute has been
resolved. Failure to remit in a timely manner, within 30 days, any
fee required under this section shall be deemed to be abandonment
of the application pending before the Town. In the event of failure
to reimburse the Town for fees incurred, the following shall also
apply:
(1)
The Town may seek recovery of unreimbursed engineering, legal
and consulting fees by action venued in a court of appropriate jurisdiction,
and the defendant(s) shall be responsible for the reasonable and necessary
attorneys' fees expended by the Town in prosecuting such action.
(2)
Alternatively, if the owner is also the applicant, at the sole
discretion of the Town, a default in reimbursement of such engineering,
legal and consulting fees expended by the Town shall be remedied by
charging such sums against the real property which is the subject
of the land development application, by adding that charge to, and
making it a part of, the next annual real property tax assessment
roll of the Town. Such charges shall be levied and collected at the
same time and in the same manner as Town-assessed taxes and shall
be applied in reimbursing the fund from which the costs were defrayed
for the engineering, legal and consulting fees. Prior to charging
such assessments, the owners of the real property shall be provided
written notice to their last known address of record, by certified
mail, return receipt requested, of an opportunity to be heard and
object before the Town Board to the proposed real property assessment,
at a date to be designated in the notice, which shall be no less than
30 days after its mailing.
[Added 9-14-2009 by L.L. No. 6-2009]
A. Where the Town employs the services of private engineers or other
consultants for the purpose of inspecting public infrastructure improvements
identified on land use approvals or permits as the responsibility
of the project sponsor to construct in accordance with such approvals
or permits, and which improvements may potentially be accepted by
the Town through a process of dedication, the project sponsor shall
defray the actual professional consulting expenses incurred by the
Town in the course of inspection. The project sponsor shall, as a
precondition for the right to commence work, deposit with the Town
funds to be disbursed by the Town to cover these actual costs of inspection.
The amount of deposit shall be set by the Town Board in an amount
equal to 6% of the value of the improvements as concluded within a
recommendation of the relevant engineering consultant to the Town.
B. Where the Town employs the services of private engineers or other
consultants for the purpose of inspecting private infrastructure improvements
identified on land use approvals or permits as the responsibility
of the project sponsor, or its successors, to construct, own, maintain,
and repair in accordance with such approvals or permits, and where
there is no anticipation in the approvals or permits that the Town
will accept the improvements by dedication, the project sponsor shall
defray the actual professional consulting expenses incurred by the
Town in the course of inspection. The project sponsor shall, as a
precondition for the right to commence work, deposit with the Town
funds to be disbursed by the Town to cover these actual costs of inspection.
The amount of deposit shall be set by the Town Board in an amount
equal to 2% of the value of the improvements as concluded within a
recommendation of the relevant engineering consultant to the Town.
This deposit shall represent a cap on the project sponsor's responsibility
for inspection of such private infrastructure improvements.
C. Any portion of the deposits in this section which are not expended
as a result of the inspection process shall be returned to the depositor.
D. If, at any time during the period of inspection with respect to public
improvements, the account falls below 25% of the original amount,
the Town may request additional escrow. Such incremental additional
deposits, if necessary, shall not exceed 50% of the original deposit
amount.
E. In the event that the escrow account falls below standards identified
in this section, the Town's inspections may cease pending further
deposit.
F. In the event of dispute, the Town shall be entitled to exercise the
same remedies set forth in § 154-47.1C(1) and (2) of this
chapter.