A.
Purpose and intent. The purpose and intent of this section is to ensure that development in residential districts is consistent with the policies of the Master Plan, generally furthers the orderly, efficient and economical development of the Town and ensures that subdivisions are designed so as to be safe for building purposes without danger to health, safety and welfare. Such development plans in residentially zoned districts shall provide for drainage, water, sewage and the necessary infrastructure; protect environmental features, such as water bodies, watershed areas, flora and fauna, scenic views and other natural resources; ensure that proposed access to and from the site conforms to Town goals and is compatible with existing and future development in the area; ensure that access and drives are of such width, grade and location to accommodate existing and future traffic patterns; facilitate fire protection and provide access to emergency vehicles and firefighting equipment to buildings; and ensure that open spaces are reserved for recreational and public use. This section is also intended to ensure that development is designed to harmonize with the neighborhood, to accomplish a transition of character between areas of unlike character to protect property values and to preserve and enhance the appearance and beauty of the community and to avoid an adverse impact on adjacent land uses.
B.
Applicability of regulations. Where a development approval plan is required by this section, no site shall be disturbed (including, but not limited to, removal of trees), and no building permit or certificate of occupancy shall issue until such a plan has been reviewed and approved by the Planning Board. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for such premises until all of the requirements of the Planning Board's approval, including any conditions attached thereto, have been met. A development approval plan is required for any proposed use, change in use of land, buildings and other structures, or for determining an "envelope" in which construction and/or site development may occur. A development approval plan shall be required for the following actions:
[Amended 10-22-2003 by L.L. No. 8-2003]
(1)
Any subdivision in the PD (Preservation District), CD (Conservation District), R-3 (Low Density Residence District), R-2 (Moderate Density Residence District), R-1 (Medium Density Residence District) and LP (Lake Peekskill Residence District).
(2)
(3)
Any development or improvement in the PD (Preservation District) or CD (Conservation District), including alterations of any kind to accessory uses and/or change(s) or expansion of any existing use, including alteration of land, but excepting therefrom:
[Amended 8-13-2003]
C.
Application procedures.
(1)
Application requirements.
(a)
Applications for a development approval plan shall be presented to the Planning Board at least three weeks prior to a public meeting and shall be accompanied by appropriate fees and a sketch plan including the following:
[1]
A location map, at a scale of one inch equals 1,000 feet showing the applicant's entire property and all easements and streets and existing structures within 200 feet of the applicant's property. The location shall include the names of owners of record for all parcels within 200 feet.
[2]
The proposed location, size and use of all buildings and structures, at a scale of one inch equals 50 feet.
[3]
Any proposed division of buildings into units of separate occupancy.
(b)
In the event that the proposal does not conform in some way with the zoning regulations, the application shall be denied by the Planning Board and the applicant may seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals. After receiving sketch plan approval, the applicant shall present a detailed site plan prepared by a qualified individual or firm, including a registered architect, professional engineer, landscape architect or professional planner, and shall contain at least the following information:
[1]
Existing topography and proposed grade elevations of the project area at a contour interval of not more than two feet, unless otherwise specified by the Planning Board.
[2]
Soil types using data available from the Soil Conservation Service or, if required by the Planning Board, a detailed on-site soil analysis.
[3]
The location, size and function of local and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) designated wetland areas, lakes, ponds, streams and other natural drainage features.
[4]
One-hundred-year floodplain areas and/or other drainage or flood areas as specified by the Planning Board.
[5]
Terrain with slopes that fall within 15% to 20% and slopes in excess of 20%.
[6]
A tree plan pursuant to Article VA of this chapter.
[Amended 10-22-2003 by L.L. No. 8-2003]
[7]
The location and capacity or number of all existing and proposed roads, paper roads, parking and loading areas, including access and egress drives.
[8]
The location, description and design of all existing and proposed site improvements, including pavements, walks, curbing, drains, culverts, retaining walls and fences, parks, open space and recreation facilities, stone walls and other stone structures.
[9]
A description of the method of sewage disposal and location of such facilities.
[10]
A description and the location of all existing and proposed water supply facilities, including wells, casings, pumps, mains, hydrants and storage tanks.
[11]
The location, height, design and size of all temporary and permanent signs.
[12]
Identification of proposed landscaping and buffer screening areas, including a landscape plan, and species and quantities of existing and proposed vegetation.
[13]
The location and design of lighting and security features.
[14]
The location and character of all power distribution and transmission lines.
[15]
The location and description of all subsurface site improvements and facilities.
[16]
A grading plan showing before and after contours. The site plan should also show the extent and amount of cut and fill for all disturbed areas, including before and after profiles of typical development areas, parking lots and roads and the disposition of any cut and fill in excess of 500 cubic yards. The grading plan shall include an erosion control plan during and after construction.
[17]
All stormwater retention/detention facilities. Adequate provisions for the handling of stormwater runoff should be made to include retention/detention, piping or channeling to existing drainage systems during and after construction.
[18]
At the request of the Planning Board, any other pertinent information as may be necessary to determine and provide for the proper enforcement of specific provisions of this section shall be provided.
[19]
The Planning Board may also require a long environmental assessment form and/or other pertinent information.
[20]
Compliance with Chapter 155, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, of the Code of the Town of Putnam Valley.
[21]
Sight distances shall be measured and included on all plans in accordance with the current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards.
[Added 12-14-2022 by L.L. No. 10-2022]
(2)
Approval process.
(a)
The Planning Board shall schedule and conduct a public hearing on a development approval plan application within 62 days after receipt of all items required and the recommendations of the following, if required:
[1]
Putnam County Planning Department.
[2]
Putnam County Health Department.
[3]
New York State Health Department.
[4]
Putnam Valley Commission for the Conservation of the Environment.
[5]
Putnam Valley Highway Department.
[6]
Putnam Valley Town Emergency Services.
[7]
Putnam County Department of Highways and Facilities.
[8]
Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District.
[9]
Other pertinent agencies.
(b)
Within 62 days of the date of the close of the public hearing, the Planning Board shall act to approve, disapprove or approve with conditions the plan application.
(c)
Revisions or amendments.
[Amended 10-15-2008 by L.L. No. 6-2008]
[1]
Except as provided in Subsection C(2)(c)[2] hereof, revisions or amendments to an approved plan shall be acted upon in the same manner as the application for approval of the original plan.
[2]
Minor revisions.
[a]
Minor revisions to an approved plan, necessitated by field conditions experienced during the course of construction, which were not or could not reasonably have been anticipated during the original approval process and which, if executed, will not materially affect the approval plan from a visual or operational standpoint, and which will not adversely impact the community or the environment, may be approved by the Town Engineer in consultation with the Code Enforcement Officer, Highway Superintendent, Town Attorney, Town Planner, and Town Wetlands Inspector, as applicable.
[b]
All requests for minor revisions to an approved plan pursuant to Subsection C(2)(c)[2][a] hereof shall be made to the Planning Board, in writing, and shall be accompanied by a drawing and referred by said Board to the Town Engineer.
[c]
All minor revisions approved by the Town Engineer shall be made in writing and shall be filed in the Office of the Planning Board.
[d]
Upon receipt of a referral from the Planning Board pursuant to Subsection C(2)(c)[2][b] hereof, the Town Engineer may determine that the proposed revision is not minor and shall refer same back to the Planning Board for the filing of a formal application to amend the approved plan.
[e]
Minor revisions contemplated under this Subsection C(2)(c)[2] include, by way of example, the following:
(3)
Security. A cash bond, letter of credit or other security in a form approved by the Town Attorney, and in an amount determined by the Planning Board, shall be submitted by the applicant before the development approval plan is signed by the Planning Board Chairman or Secretary. The bond shall cover the full cost of the improvements required by the Planning Board and shall ensure the Town of Putnam Valley that the applicant will conform to the approved development approval plan and applicable regulations. The bond shall be an escalating bond, and the face value shall escalate as follows: 125% of the actual cost of improvements in the first year, 150% of the original cost of improvements in the second year. Prior to the end of the two-year period, the Planning Board shall review the work remaining to be done and revise the amount of the security. The revision of the amount shall follow the same procedure adopted for the original security. Should a portion of the work be done during the first two years to the satisfaction of the town, the Planning Board shall recommend to the Town Board, upon request by the applicant, that the amount of the security be reduced. The amount of reduction shall be based on the original cost breakdown approved by the Planning Board at the time of the initial development plan approval.
(4)
Engineering/inspection fee. An engineering/inspection fee equal to 5% of the estimated cost of the improvements, required by the Planning Board as a condition of the development approval plan, shall be submitted in the form of a certified check. The Planning Board may waive the above fee if and to the extent that the Town’s actual inspection fees, including but not limited to engineering, planning, wetlands and/or environmental, are paid from an escrow account funded by the development approval plan applicant.
[Amended 5-20-2009 by L.L. No. 3-2009]
(5)
Duration of approval. The approved development approval plan shall be valid for a period of 18 months after the development approval plan has been signed by the Chairman or Secretary of the Planning Board and may be extended once by the Planning Board for a period not to exceed six months. After 24 months, if an extension has been approved, but before 36 months after the development approval plan has been signed and prior to the issuance of a building permit, the Code Enforcement Officer shall reaffirm that conditions of the approval have not changed. If in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer site conditions have changed, or the conditions of approval are no longer relevant, the development plan shall be referred to the Planning Board for review. After 36 months after the development approval plan has been signed, the development approval plan (or, in the case of a subdivision, the portion of the development approval plan relating to the lot in question), or the portions of the development approval plan for lots for which a building permit has not been issued) shall be deemed to have expired. No building permits may be issued for lots for which the development approval plan has expired.
[Amended 6-26-2002 by L.L. No. 7-2002]