A. 
It is the policy of the Town of Goshen to allow a variety of uses of land, provided that such uses do not adversely affect neighboring properties, the natural environment, or the rural and historic character of the Town. Many uses are therefore permitted only upon issuance of a special permit by the Planning Board, in order to ensure that these uses are appropriate to their surroundings and consistent with the purposes of this chapter. Some uses are allowed by right, subject only to site plan approval (see Use Table in § 97-10B[1]).
[1]
Editor's Note: The Use Table is included at the end of this chapter.
B. 
Uses not listed on the Use Table (if not prohibited by § 97-10C) may be allowed by a special permit issued by the Town Board, which shall follow the procedures and standards established for the Planning Board in this Article IX. Upon receipt of a complete application, the Town Board shall refer such a special permit application to the Planning Board for its recommendation. If the Planning Board does not respond within 30 days of the referral, the Town Board may proceed to make its decision without such recommendation.
C. 
Accessory uses or structures used in connection with a special permit or site plan use shall be subject to the same approval requirements as the principal structure or use.
D. 
Minor and major projects.
(1) 
A minor project is a special permit or site plan application that falls under all of the following thresholds (over a three-year period):
(a) 
Construction of four multifamily dwelling units or a lodging facility with six bedrooms.
(b) 
Construction of facilities or structures for a nonresidential use covering 3,000 square feet of building footprint.
(c) 
Alteration of existing structures or expansion of such structures by 1,000 square feet.
(d) 
Conversion of existing structures totaling 5,000 square feet to another use.
(e) 
Alteration and active use of 10,000 square feet of land, with or without structures.
(f) 
Soil mining that does not require a Department of Environmental Conservation permit.
(2) 
A major project is a special permit or site plan application exceeding any of the minor project thresholds.
Because the impact of special permit uses varies, the review procedure and information required to be submitted for a special permit varies depending upon whether it is a major or minor project.
A. 
Major project special permit. An applicant for a major project special permit shall submit the following:
(1) 
A major project application form.
(2) 
A site plan, containing the information listed in § 97-75B, unless submission of certain information has been waived at a preapplication meeting.
(3) 
A narrative report describing how the proposed use will satisfy the criteria set forth in § 97-73, as well as any other applicable requirements relating to the specific use proposed.
(4) 
A long-form environmental assessment form or draft environmental impact statement.
(5) 
An agricultural data statement as defined in § 97-84, if required by § 97-47C.
(6) 
The major project special permit application fee, as established by the Town Board, and any required escrow deposit for review costs, as required by the Planning Board.
(7) 
Any other information the Planning Board deems necessary to make an appropriate determination on the application.
B. 
Minor project special permits. An applicant for a minor project special permit shall submit the following:
(1) 
A minor project application form.
(2) 
A plot plan providing information sufficient to enable the reviewing board to make an informed decision (which may include some of the site plan information listed in § 97-75B).
(3) 
A brief narrative describing the proposed use.
(4) 
A short-form environmental assessment form (EAF) (unless the Planning Board determines that the proposed special permit is a Type I action, in which case a long-form EAF shall be required).
(5) 
An agricultural data statement as defined in § 97-84, if required by § 97-47C.
(6) 
The minor project application fee as established by the Town Board and an escrow deposit (if required).
(7) 
Any other information the Planning Board deems necessary to make an appropriate determination on the application.
A. 
Preapplication meetings. Before filing an application, a preliminary conference with the Building Inspector is required to discuss the nature of the proposed use and to classify it as a major or minor project. If the Building Inspector classifies the project as a major project, a preliminary meeting with the Planning Board is required to discuss the nature of the proposed use and to determine the information that will need to be submitted in the site plan.
B. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, Mediation option, was repealed 1-22-2018 by L.L. No. 1-2018.
C. 
Application.
(1) 
Application for a special permit shall be made to the Planning Board in the manner prescribed by the Board.
(2) 
If an application is for a parcel or parcels on which more than one use requiring a special permit is proposed, the applicant may submit a single application for all such uses. The Planning Board may grant the application with respect to some proposed uses and not others. For purposes of determining whether the application is a major or minor project, and for SEQRA[2] compliance, all proposed uses on a single parcel or on contiguous or related parcels under single or related ownership shall be considered together.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Environmental Conservation Law § 8-0101 et seq.
(3) 
Application for area variance. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, where a proposed special permit contains one or more features which do not comply with the dimensional requirements of this chapter, application may be made to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an area variance pursuant to § 97-69F without a decision or determination by the Building Inspector.
D. 
State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)[3] compliance. Upon receipt of application materials it deems complete, the Planning Board shall initiate the New York State environmental quality review process by either circulating the application and environmental assessment form to all involved agencies (if coordinated review is undertaken) or by issuing its determination of significance within 20 days. Where the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment, the Planning Board shall issue a positive declaration and require the submission of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). No time periods for decision making in this chapter shall begin to run until either acceptance of a DEIS as satisfactory pursuant to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations or the issuance of a negative declaration.
[3]
Editor's Note: See Environmental Conservation Law § 8-0101 et seq.
E. 
Referrals.
(1) 
Upon receipt of application materials it deems to be complete, the Planning Board shall refer to the County Planning Board, unless the Town's Memorandum of Agreement with the County Planning Board specifies otherwise, any application for a special permit affecting real property within 500 feet of the boundary of the Town of Goshen, the boundary of any existing or proposed county or state park or other recreational area, the boundary of any existing or proposed county or state roadway, the boundary of any existing or proposed right-of-way for a stream or drainage channel owned by the county for which the county has established channel lines, the boundary of any existing or proposed county- or state-owned land on which a public building or institution is situated, or the boundary of a farm operation within an agricultural district as defined in Article 25-AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law, pursuant to the General Municipal Law, Article 12-B, §§ 239-l and 239-m, as amended.
(2) 
No action shall be taken on applications referred to the County Planning Board until its recommendation has been received or 30 days have elapsed after its receipt of the complete application, unless the county and Town agree to an extension beyond the thirty-day requirement for the County Planning Board's review.
(3) 
County disapproval. A majority-plus-one vote of the Planning Board shall be required to grant any special permit which receives a recommendation of disapproval from the County Planning Board before the Planning Board takes action. The Planning Board shall by resolution set forth its reasons for such contrary action.
(4) 
In addition to any required referral to the County Planning Board, the Planning Board shall review all applications to the Environmental Review Board (ERB) for comment. ERB comments shall become part of the official record of the special permit proceeding.
F. 
Notice and hearing.
[Amended 1-22-2018 by L.L. No. 1-2018]
(1) 
If an agricultural data statement is required, the applicant shall mail certified written notice of the special permit application to the owners of the land as identified by the applicant in the agricultural data statement. Such notice shall include a description of the proposed project and its location. Proof of such mailing shall be provided to the Building Department prior to the public hearing.
(2) 
The Planning Board shall hold a public hearing on a complete special permit application within 62 days of its submission. The Board shall give public notice of such hearing by causing publication of a notice of such hearing in the official newspaper at least five days prior to the date thereof. The cost of publishing all notices shall be charged to the applicant. The applicant shall send notices of the hearing by certified mail to owners of contiguous properties within 300 feet of the subject property. Proof of such mailing shall be provided to the Building Department prior to the public hearing.
G. 
Action.
(1) 
The Board shall grant, deny, or grant subject to conditions the application for a special permit within 62 days after the hearing for a major project and within 31 days for a minor project. Any decision on a major project shall contain written findings explaining the rationale for the decision in light of the standards contained in § 97-73 below. The Board's failure to act within the specified time periods shall not constitute a default approval of the application.
(2) 
In granting a special permit, the Planning Board may impose any conditions which it considers necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. These conditions may include increasing dimensional or area requirements, requiring the set-aside of perpetual open space land pursuant to § 97-21, specifying location, character and number of vehicle access points, requiring landscaping, planting and screening, requiring clustering of structures and uses in order to preserve environmental resources and minimize the burden on public services and facilities, and requiring action by the applicant, including the posting of performance bonds and furnishing of guaranties to insure the completion of the project in accordance with the conditions imposed.
(3) 
The special permit and accompanying site plan shall be implemented as provided in § 97-78.
H. 
Expiration, revocation and enforcement of special permits.
(1) 
A special permit shall expire if the special permit use or uses cease for more than 24 consecutive months for any reason, if the applicant fails to obtain the necessary building permits or fails to comply with the conditions of the special permit within 12 months of its issuance, or if its time limit expires without renewal.
(2) 
A special permit may be revoked by the Planning Board after notice and hearing if the permittee violates the conditions of the special permit or engages in any construction or alteration not authorized by the special permit.
(3) 
Any violation of the conditions of a special permit shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to enforcement action as provided in § 97-67.
In granting or denying special permits, the Planning Board shall take into consideration the scale of the proposed project, the possible impact of the proposed project on the functioning of nearby farm operations, and, in rural areas, the tradition of freedom of land use where such use does not interfere with or diminish the value of adjoining property. The Planning Board shall also take account of any proposed conservation easements, architectural restrictions, or other measures that would tend to mitigate potential adverse impacts and preserve or enhance the scenic and historic character of the Town. No special permit shall be granted for any property on which there exists a violation of this chapter, including a violation of any condition of a previous municipal approval, unless the Planning Board finds that the applicant has no legal right or ability to remedy the violation or that the grant of a special permit is necessary to remedy a condition that poses a risk to public health or safety.
A. 
Minor projects. A minor project shall be presumed to be acceptable if it complies with applicable health laws and other specific provisions of this chapter. In order to grant a minor project special permit, the Planning Board must determine that none of the criteria for major projects listed in Subsection B below will be violated. The Planning Board shall deny a minor project special permit if it determines that one or more of these criteria will be violated.
B. 
Major project criteria. Before granting or denying a major project special permit, the Planning Board shall make specific written findings establishing whether or not the proposed major project:
(1) 
Will comply with all land use district, overlay district, and other specific requirements of this chapter and other local laws and regulations and will be consistent with the purposes of this chapter and of the land use district in which it is located.
(2) 
Will not result in excessive off-premises noise, dust, odors, solid waste, or glare or create any public or private nuisances.
(3) 
Will not cause significant traffic congestion, impair pedestrian safety, or overload existing roads, considering their current width, surfacing, and condition, and any improvements proposed to be made to them by the applicant.
(4) 
Will be accessible to fire, police, and other emergency vehicles.
(5) 
Will not overload any public water, drainage, or sewer system, or any other municipal facility.
(6) 
Will not materially degrade any watercourse or other natural resource or ecosystem or degrade the water quality or quantity of an aquifer.
(7) 
Will be suitable for the property on which it is proposed, considering the property's size, location, topography, vegetation, soils, natural habitat, and hydrology, and, if appropriate, its ability to be buffered or screened from neighboring properties and public roads.
(8) 
Will be subject to such conditions on operation, design and layout of structures, and provision of buffer areas as may be necessary to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses and to protect the natural, historic, and scenic resources of the Town.
(9) 
Will be consistent with the goal of avoiding strip commercial development and buffering nonresidential uses that are incompatible with residential use.
(10) 
Will not adversely affect the availability of affordable housing in the Town.
(11) 
Will comply with applicable site plan criteria in § 97-75D.
(12) 
If the property is in a residential district, will have no greater overall off-site impact than would full development of the property with uses permitted by right, considering relevant environmental, social, and economic impacts.
The terms and conditions of any special permit may be amended in the same manner as required for the issuance of a special permit, following the criteria and procedures in this article. Any enlargement, alteration, or construction of accessory structures not previously approved shall require site plan review only, provided that the use does not change.
A. 
Applicability.
(1) 
Site plan approval by the Planning Board shall be required for all permitted uses listed on the Use Table[1] as requiring site plan approval only. Site plan review shall be included as an integral part of the special permit approval process, and no separate site plan approval shall be required for uses requiring a special permit.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Use Table is included at the end of this chapter.
(2) 
The procedures for review of major and minor site plans (as defined in Article XII) are described in §§ 97-76 and 97-77.
B. 
Required information for site plan. An application for site plan approval shall be accompanied by plans and descriptive information sufficient to clearly portray the intentions of the applicant. Minor project site plans shall contain only such information listed below as the Planning Board deems necessary to conduct an informed review. Major project site plans shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer, architect, or landscape architect and shall include the following (unless waived):
(1) 
A vicinity map drawn at the scale of 2,000 feet to the inch or larger that shows the relationship of the proposal to existing community facilities which affect or serve it, such as roads, shopping areas, schools, etc. The map shall also show all properties, subdivisions, streets, and easements within 500 feet of the property. Such a sketch may be superimposed on a United States Geological Survey or New York State Department of Transportation map of the area.
(2) 
An existing conditions map, showing existing buildings, roads, utilities, and other man-made features, as well as topography and all existing natural land features that may influence the design of the proposed use, such as rock outcrops, single trees eight or more inches in diameter located within any area where clearing will occur, forest cover, soils (including prime and statewide important agricultural soils), and ponds, lakes, wetlands and watercourses, aquifers, floodplains, and drainage retention areas.
(3) 
A site plan, drawn at a scale and on a sheet size appropriate to the project. The information listed below shall be shown on the site plan and continuation sheets.
(4) 
Name of the project, boundaries, date, North arrow, and scale of the plan, name and address of the owner of record, developer, and seal of the engineer, architect, or landscape architect. If the applicant is not the record owner, a letter of authorization shall be required from the owner.
(5) 
The location and use of all existing and proposed structures within the property, including all dimensions of height and floor area, all exterior entrances, and all anticipated future additions and alterations.
(6) 
The location of all present and proposed public and private ways, off-street parking areas, driveways, outdoor storage areas, sidewalks, ramps, curbs, paths, landscaping, walls, and fences. Location, type, and screening details for all waste disposal containers shall also be shown.
(7) 
The location, height, intensity, and bulb type (sodium, incandescent, etc.) of all external lighting fixtures. The direction of illumination and methods to eliminate glare onto adjoining properties must also be shown.
(8) 
The location, height, size, materials, and design of all proposed signs.
(9) 
The location of all present and proposed utility systems, including:
(a) 
Sewage or septic system;
(b) 
Water supply system;
(c) 
Telephone, cable, and electrical systems; and
(d) 
Storm drainage system, including existing and proposed drain lines, culverts, catch basins, headwalls, endwalls, hydrants, manholes, and drainage swales.
(10) 
Erosion and sedimentation control plan required by § 97-42 to prevent the pollution of surface or ground water, erosion of soil both during and after construction, excessive runoff, excessive raising or lowering of the water table, and flooding of other properties, as applicable.
(11) 
Existing and proposed topography at two-foot contour intervals, or such other contour interval as the Board shall specify. All elevations shall refer to the nearest United States Coastal and Geodetic bench mark. If any portion of the parcel is within the one-hundred-year floodplain, the area will be shown and base flood elevations given. Areas shall be indicated within the proposed site and within 50 feet of the proposed site where soil removal or filling is required, showing the approximate volume in cubic yards.
(12) 
A landscape, planting, and grading plan showing proposed changes to existing features.
(13) 
Land use district boundaries within 200 feet of the site's perimeter shall be drawn and identified on the site plan, as well as any overlay districts that apply to the property.
(14) 
Traffic flow patterns within the site, entrances and exits, and loading and unloading areas, as well as curb cuts on the site and within 100 feet of the site. The Planning Board may, at its discretion, require a detailed traffic study for large developments or for those in heavy traffic areas to satisfy the requirements of § 97-50N.
(15) 
For new construction or alterations to any structure, a table containing the following information shall be included:
(a) 
Estimated area of structure intended to be used for particular uses such as retail operation, office, storage, etc.;
(b) 
Estimated maximum number of employees;
(c) 
Maximum seating capacity, where applicable; and
(d) 
Number of parking spaces existing and required for the intended use.
(16) 
Elevations at a scale of 1/4 inch equals one foot for all exterior facades of the proposed structure(s) and/or alterations to or expansions of existing facades, showing design features and indicating the type and color of materials to be used.
(17) 
Where appropriate, the Planning Board may request soil logs, percolation test results, and storm runoff calculations.
(18) 
Plans for disposal of construction and demolition waste, either on site or at an approved disposal facility.
(19) 
Long-form environmental assessment form or draft environmental impact statement.
(20) 
Where appropriate, a cultural resource survey of resources with historic or archaeological significance.
(21) 
Other information that may be deemed necessary by the Planning Board.
(22) 
A stormwater pollution prevention plan consistent with the requirements of Articles I and II of Chapter 80C shall be required for site plan approval. The SWPPP shall meet the performance and design criteria and standards in Article II of Chapter 80C, and the approved site plan shall be consistent with the provisions of Chapter 80C.
[Added 1-12-2017 by L.L. No. 2-2017]
C. 
Waivers. The Planning Board may waive or allow deferred submission of some of the information required in Subsection B above, as it deems appropriate.
D. 
Criteria. In reviewing site plans, the Planning Board shall consider the criteria set forth below. The Planning Board may also use as approval criteria the three-volume set of illustrated design guidelines referred to in § 97-5, and may adapt the recommendations of those documents to the requirements of this chapter.
(1) 
Layout and design.
(a) 
All structures in the plan shall be integrated with each other and with adjacent structures. In the HR District, all structures shall be laid out in the pattern of a traditional hamlet where practicable.
[Amended 1-22-2018 by L.L. No. 1-2018]
(b) 
Structures that are visible from public roads shall be compatible with each other and with traditional structures in the surrounding area in architecture, design, massing, materials, and placement and shall harmonize with traditional elements in the architectural fabric of the area.
(c) 
Architectural design shall be in keeping with the small-town architectural character of Goshen. In general, the design shall avoid flat roofs, large expanses of undifferentiated facades, and long, plain wall sections.
(d) 
Where appropriate, setbacks shall maintain and continue the existing setback pattern of surrounding properties.
(e) 
The Planning Board shall encourage the creation of landscaped parks or squares easily accessible by pedestrians.
(f) 
Trademarked architecture which identifies a specific company by building design features shall be prohibited, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the design is compatible with the historic architecture of Goshen or the Building Form Guidelines.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Appendix D at the end of this chapter.
(g) 
Impacts on historic and cultural resources shall be minimized.
(2) 
Landscaping. The objective of this subsection is to require landscape treatments that enhance the appearance of development, screen such development, and/or separate incompatible land uses. An additional objective is to minimize the impact on adjoining uses of dust, litter, noise, glare, runoff, outdoor storage, loading, and parking areas. The Planning Board shall require that a professional licensed landscape architect prepare plans under this subsection. This requirement may be waived for minor projects in which no significant site alterations are planned.
(a) 
Landscaped buffer yards, as required in Subsections D(2)(f) and (g) below, shall be provided between uses that may be incompatible or need to be screened, such as large-scale commercial uses and residences. Such buffers may include planted trees and shrubs, hedgerows, berms, existing forest land or forest created through natural succession. The width of such buffer areas will depend upon the topography, scale of the uses, and their location on the property.
(b) 
Landscaping shall be an integral part of the entire project area and shall buffer the site from and/or integrate the site with the surrounding area, as appropriate.
(c) 
Landscape plants selected should generally be native to the region and appropriate to the growing conditions of the Town's environment.
(d) 
Insofar as practical, existing trees and other vegetation shall be conserved and integrated into the landscape design plan.
(e) 
For landscaping parking lots, see § 97-48A(4)(c).
(f) 
Buffer yard techniques. The particular type of buffer yard required shall be as determined by the Planning Board to meet the intent of this subsection. The following major types of treatment and combinations shall be considered:
[1] 
Visual separation/screening, including earth-mounding, berm and screen-planting techniques designed to separate, obscure or soften an incompatible view or use.
[2] 
Visual setting, including ground-cover and plant materials designed to stabilize the landform and provide an appropriate foreground or setting.
[3] 
Physical separation, including a combination of plant and man-made materials or features, designed to separate distinct land use types or activities.
(g) 
Buffer yard requirements.
[1] 
Planting specifications. The following planting specifications indicate the specifications of each buffer yard (See Appendix B[3]). Buffer yard requirements are stated in terms of the width of the proposed planted buffer yard and the number of plant units required per 100 linear feet of buffer yard. The requirements of a buffer yard may be satisfied by any of the options thereof described. The "plant unit multiplier" is a factor by which the basic number of plant materials required for a given buffer yard is determined given a change in the width of that yard. The type and quantity of plant materials required by each buffer yard, and each buffer yard option, are specified in this subsection.
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included at the end of this chapter.
[2] 
Minimum plant size. Unless otherwise specifically indicated elsewhere in this chapter, all plant materials shall meet the following minimum size standards:
Plant Material Type
Planting in Buffer Yards Abutting Vacant Lands
All Other Plantings
Canopy tree
Single stem
1 1/2 inches caliper
2 1/2 inches caliper
Multistem clump
6 feet (height)
10 feet (height)
Understory tree
4 feet (height)
1 1/2 inches caliper
Evergreen Tree
3 feet (height)
5 feet (height)
Shrub
Deciduous
15 inches (height)
24 inches (height)
Evergreen
12 inches (height)
18 inches (height)
[3] 
Plant material substitutions. The following plant material substitutions shall satisfy the requirements of this section:
[a] 
In all buffer yards, evergreen canopy or evergreen understory trees may be substituted for deciduous canopy trees without limitation.
[b] 
In all buffer yards, evergreen or conifer shrubs may be substituted for deciduous shrubs without limitation.
(h) 
All disturbed soil areas of the site shall be replanted or reseeded in an appropriate fashion.
(i) 
No landscape feature shall be erected, placed or maintained in such a manner as to interfere with clear vision and/or the safe movement of vehicular traffic.
(3) 
Parking, circulation and loading.
(a) 
Roads, driveways, sidewalks and off-street parking and loading space shall be safe and shall encourage pedestrian movement.
(b) 
Vehicular and pedestrian connections between adjacent sites shall be provided to encourage pedestrian use and to minimize traffic entering existing roads. The construction of connected parking lots, service roads, alleys, footpaths, bike paths, and new public streets to connect adjoining properties shall be required where appropriate.
(c) 
Off-street parking and loading standards in § 97-48 shall be satisfied.
(d) 
Access from and egress to public highways shall be approved by the appropriate highway department, including Town, county, and state.
(e) 
All buildings shall be accessible by emergency vehicles.
(4) 
Reservation of parkland. For any site plan containing residential units, the Planning Board may require the reservation of parkland or payment of a recreation fee pursuant to Town Law § 274-a, Subdivision 6, and Town of Goshen Code § 83-16.
[Amended 4-14-2005 by L.L. No. 5-2005; 1-22-2018 by L.L. No. 1-2018]
(5) 
Miscellaneous standards.
(a) 
Buildings and other facilities shall be designed, located, and operated to avoid causing excessive noise on a frequent or continuous basis.
(b) 
Exterior lighting fixtures shall be directed downward and shielded to prevent light from shining upward into the sky or directly onto neighboring properties or public ways. Light standards shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
(c) 
Drainage of the site shall recharge groundwater to the extent practical. The peak rate of surface water flowing off site shall not increase above predevelopment conditions and shall not adversely affect drainage on adjacent properties or public roads.
(d) 
Applicable requirements for proper disposal of construction and demolition waste shall be satisfied, and any necessary permits or agreements for off-site disposal shall be obtained.
(e) 
No materials shall be placed below the finished grade of a site other than sand, gravel, rocks, and soil that are uncontaminated by any solid waste or hazardous materials.
A. 
Applicability. This § 97-76 applies to major project site plan approval applications where no special permit is required. See § 97-77 for minor project site plan applications.
B. 
Preapplication meetings. Before filing an application, a preliminary conference with the Building Inspector and the Planning Board's consultants is required to discuss the nature of the application and to classify it as a major or minor project. If the Building Inspector classifies the project as a major project, a preliminary conference with the Planning Board is required to discuss the nature of the proposed project and to determine the information that will need to be submitted in the site plan.
C. 
Submission. All major project site plans shall be submitted, with multiple copies as required by the Planning Board, to the Planning Board Secretary, who shall distribute them to the Planning Board, the Environmental Review Board, and such other municipal boards, officials, and consultants as the Planning Board deems appropriate. In addition to the site plan drawings, the applicant shall submit:
(1) 
A long-form environmental assessment form or draft environmental impact statement.
(2) 
An agricultural data statement as defined in § 97-84, if required by § 97-47C.
(3) 
The site plan application fee, as established by the Town Board, and any required escrow deposit for review costs, as required by the Planning Board.
D. 
Application for area variance. Where a proposed site plan contains one or more features which do not comply with the dimensional regulations of this chapter, application may be made to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an area variance pursuant to § 97-69F without a decision or determination by the Building Inspector
E. 
SEQRA[1] compliance. Upon receipt of application materials it deems complete, the Planning Board shall initiate the New York State environmental quality review process by either circulating the application and environmental assessment form to all involved agencies (if coordinated review is undertaken) or by issuing its determination of significance within 20 days. Where the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment, the Planning Board shall issue a positive declaration and require the submission of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). No time periods for decisionmaking in this chapter shall begin to run until either acceptance of a DEIS as satisfactory pursuant to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations or the issuance of a negative declaration.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Environmental Conservation Law § 8-0101 et seq.
F. 
Public hearing and decision.
(1) 
The Planning Board shall hold a public hearing on the site plan and shall follow the provisions on notice, agricultural data statements, county and ERB review, and time limits for special permits in § 97-72E through G.
(2) 
Criteria for decisions on site plans shall be limited to those listed in § 97-75D. In granting site plan approval, the Planning Board may impose any conditions which it considers necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. These conditions may include increasing dimensional or area requirements, requiring the set-aside and perpetual protection of open space land pursuant to § 97-21, specifying location, character and number of vehicle access points, requiring landscaping, planting and screening, requiring clustering of structures and uses in order to preserve environmental resources and minimize the burden on public services and facilities, and requiring performance guaranties to insure the completion of the project in accordance with the conditions imposed.
(3) 
A copy of the decision shall be filed within five business days in the Town Clerk's office and mailed to the applicant. A resolution of either approval or approval with modifications and/or conditions shall include authorization to the Planning Board Chairman to stamp and sign the site plan upon the applicant's compliance with applicable conditions and the submission requirements stated herein.
(4) 
If the Planning Board's resolution includes a requirement that modifications be incorporated in the site plan, conformance with these modifications shall be considered a condition of approval. If the site plan is disapproved, the Planning Board may recommend further study of the site plan and resubmission to the Planning Board after it has been revised or redesigned.
The procedure for minor project site plan approval by the Planning Board shall be the same as prescribed in § 97-76 for major projects, except for the following:
A. 
A short-form environmental assessment form (EAF) will normally be required. If the application is classified as a Type I action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act,[1] a long-form EAF shall be required. The Planning Board, at its discretion, may require the long-form environmental assessment form for any application categorized as unlisted under SEQRA.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Environmental Conservation Law § 8-0101 et seq.
B. 
A minor project application fee established by the Town Board shall be paid, and an escrow deposit may be required to cover review costs at the discretion of the Planning Board.
C. 
The requirements of § 97-75B may be waived as deemed appropriate by the Planning Board.
D. 
No public hearing shall be required for a minor project site plan. The Planning Board may, in its sole discretion, hold a public hearing following the procedures in § 97-76F. If no public hearing is held, the Planning Board shall give notice to the County Planning Board, the ERB, and farm operators, as required in § 97-72E and F, and render a decision within 62 days of its receipt of a complete site plan application.
A. 
Within six months after receiving approval of a site plan, with or without modifications, the applicant shall submit multiple copies of the site plan to the Planning Board for stamping and signing.
(1) 
The site plan submitted for stamping shall conform strictly to the site plan approved by the Planning Board, except that it shall further incorporate any required revisions or other modifications and shall be accompanied by the following additional information:
(a) 
Record of application for and approval status of all necessary permits from federal, state, and county officials.
(b) 
Detailed sizing and final material specification of all required improvements.
(c) 
An estimated project construction schedule. If a performance guaranty pursuant to Subsection B is to be provided by the applicant for all or some portion of the work, a detailed site improvements cost estimate shall be included.
(d) 
Proof of payment of the Planning Board's reasonable review costs.
(2) 
Upon stamping and signing the site plan, the Planning Board shall forward a copy of the approved site plan to the Building Inspector and the applicant. The Building Inspector may then issue a building permit or certificate of occupancy if the project conforms to all other applicable requirements.
B. 
Performance guaranty. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all improvements shown on the site plan are installed or a sufficient performance guaranty has been posted for improvements not yet completed. The performance guaranty shall be posted in accordance with the procedures specified in § 277 of the Town Law relating to subdivisions. The amount and sufficiency of such performance guaranty shall be determined by the Town Board after consultation with the Planning Board, Town Attorney, Building Inspector, other local officials, and its consultants.
C. 
As-built plans and inspection of improvements. No certificate of occupancy shall be granted until the applicant has filed a set of as-built plans with the Building Inspector, indicating any deviations from the approved site plan. The Building Inspector shall be responsible for the inspection of site improvements, including coordination with the Town's consultants and other local officials and agencies, as may be appropriate. Landscaping for all major projects shall be inspected by a licensed landscape architect. The Building Inspector shall grant a certificate of occupancy upon a finding that the project as built complies in all material respects with the site plan.
D. 
Site plan amendments. An approved site plan may be amended by filing an application with the Planning Board for a site plan amendment.
(1) 
If the Planning Board finds that such proposed amendment is consistent with the terms of any applicable special permit approval (or if no special permit is required) and does not represent a substantial change from the approved site plan, it shall grant the amendment without a hearing.
(2) 
If the Planning Board determines that the proposed amendment is consistent with the terms of the applicable special permit approval (or if no special permit is required) but is a substantial change from the approved site plan, it shall follow the procedures for site plan approval contained in § 97-76F and hold a public hearing if the amendment would be considered to be a major project.
(3) 
If the Planning Board determines that the proposed amendment is inconsistent with the terms of any special permit approval, it shall consider the application to be one for a special permit amendment and proceed pursuant to § 97-72.
E. 
Expiration, revocation and enforcement.
(1) 
A site plan approval shall expire if the applicant fails to obtain the necessary building permits or fails to comply with the conditions of the site plan approval within 18 months of its issuance or if the special permit with which it is associated expires. The Planning Board may grant a one-time six-month extension.
(2) 
A site plan approval may be revoked by the Planning Board that approved it if the permittee violates the conditions of the site plan approval or engages in any construction or alteration not authorized by the site plan approval.
(3) 
Any violation of the conditions of a site plan approval shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to enforcement action as provided herein.