Zoning Ordinance Revisions (Adopted 7/21/2011) – Public Notice

The following summary highlights features of the Town of Ancram Zoning Ordinance revisions adopted by the Town Board at the July 21, 2011 Town Board meeting: Section I. Title and Scope: Amendments update the purpose statements to ensure consistency between the zoning ordinance and the Town of Ancram Comprehensive Plan. Section VII. Administration and Enforcement: The amendment creates the position of Zoning Enforcement Officer, identifies ZEO powers and duties, addresses appointment and qualifications for a Deputy ZEO (if appointed), and for an Acting ZEO. It also addresses stop work orders and compliance orders, and specifies a process to investigate alleged violations of the zoning law. In addition, the amendment addresses ZEO recordkeeping, program review and reporting, violations, appearance tickets, civil and criminal penalties, and injunctive relief. Section VIII. Zoning Board of Appeals: This amendment enables the ZBA to hear appeals of actions not only by the Building Inspector, but also by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and Code Enforcement Officer. It provides for appointment and activation of an Alternate Member, requires training for members and alternates, and identifies causes for removal of board members. The amendment lays out procedures and requirements for appeals, provides for default denial if the ZBA does not decide within prescribed timeframes, and specifies approval criteria for use and area variances. Section IX. Planning Board: This amendment identifies Planning Board jurisdiction and authority, including decision about special use permits. It explains member appointment, terms, and training; provides for appointment and activation of an Alternate Member; requires training for members and alternates, lays out decision-making procedures; and provides for default approval if the Planning Board fails to act within established timeframes. This new section coincides with NYS law, including reference to the jurisdictional limits of the Planning Board. Section XI. Interpretation and Application: Legislative Intent amendment improves coherence and makes intent compatible with purposes in Section I. The Non-Interference and Precedence sub-section clarifies this ordinance’s relationship to other laws. The Violation sub-section has been deleted because the updated, expanded Violations sub-section is now part of Section VII, Administration and Enforcement. Separate Validity text remains the same. Effective Date text was amended to coincide with NYS law. A new sub-section explains the purpose and standing of Reader’s Aid Boxes that now appear throughout the zoning ordinance. Section XII. Definitions: To accommodate changes to Sections IX, X, and XI, Definitions that previously were at Section XI will now be at Section XII.