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Village of Suffern, NY
Rockland County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (1) Index
A. 
Formal applications for site plan approval may be preceded by the submission of a schematic (or conceptual) plan. The purpose of the schematic plan is to afford the applicant the opportunity to consult early and informally with the Planning Board before preparation of a complete and detailed site plan. The applicant may submit a schematic plan as many times as may be necessary for presentation to the Planning Board.
B. 
The schematic plan shall be submitted to the Planning Board not less than three weeks prior to the date of the Planning Board meeting at which it is to be considered and shall be accompanied by a narrative summary. The narrative summary shall provide a description of the project which the applicant desires to undertake, the purpose of said project, a characterization of the neighborhood in which the project is proposed to be located and the project's conformity with same and a list of approvals and/or variances and exceptions from the Zoning Law[1] required to develop said project. The narrative summary for subsequent submissions shall identify how prior comments have been satisfied.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 266, Zoning.
C. 
At the Planning Board meeting, the Board shall review the schematic plan and may schedule a field inspection of the site. The Board shall notify the applicant of any suggested changes prior to the preparation of a complete site plan.
D. 
The schematic plan shall contain sufficient information for the Planning Board to determine the general nature of the proposal and its effects on the Village, including at least the following:
(1) 
The name and address of the owner.
(2) 
The name and address of the engineer or architect preparing the plan.
(3) 
Property boundaries.
(4) 
North point, scale and date.
(5) 
Site location map.
(6) 
Streets on and adjacent to the property.
(7) 
Significant topographical and physical features.
(8) 
Proposed general layout of buildings, driveways, parking and loading areas and buffer areas.
(9) 
Bulk table, identifying noncomplying items or those needing a variance. (Refer to Attachment A for Bulk Table format.)[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Attachment A is located at the end of this chapter.
(10) 
Any additional information recommended by the Planning Board.
A complete site plan application for site plan approval, including any information required, shall be submitted to the Planning Board not less than three weeks in advance of the Planning Board meeting at which the site plan is to be reviewed.
A. 
The applicant shall submit all application materials outlined below in as much detail as necessary to enable the Planning Board to come to a conclusion as to the merits of the application.
(1) 
One copy of the site plan application with an affidavit of ownership.
(2) 
Ten copies of the narrative summary of the proposed plan and history of the property, including identification of any changes made from the schematic plan.
(3) 
One copy of the Applicant Notice Form.
(4) 
A letter from the Building Inspector, not less than 60 days old, stating whether or not any violations exist on the property.
(5) 
One copy of 809 Affidavit. (Refer to Attachment B.[1])
[1]
Editor's Note: Attachment B is located at the end of this chapter.
(6) 
One copy of Owner's Consent Affidavit. (Refer to Attachment C.[2])
[2]
Editor's Note: Attachment C is located at the end of this chapter.
(7) 
Ten copies of the site plan with the information listed in § 228-5D of these regulations in addition to any other information required by the Planning Board. More copies may be required depending on the number of referrals to be made for review and recommendations of approval.
(8) 
Ten copies of single-line building floor plans and elevations.
(9) 
Three sets of color photos depicting the streetscape immediately adjacent to the project site, including any adjacent buildings.
(10) 
Long Environmental Assessment Form, Part 1, pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)[3] and other SEQRA documentation which may be required by the Planning Board.
[3]
Editor's Note: See Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law.
(11) 
A list of any covenants, deed restrictions, easements or other reservations of land relative to the site, in addition to that not able to be shown on the final site plan.
(12) 
Two copies of the Cost Estimate Form. (Refer to Attachment D.[4])
[4]
Editor's Note: Attachment D is located at the end of this chapter.
(13) 
All required federal, state and County permits (United States Army Corps of Engineers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Thruway Authority, Rockland County Drainage Agency, Rockland County Planning Department, Rockland County Highway Department, Rockland County Health Department).
(14) 
A certified check, payable to the "Village of Suffern," in accordance with the Standard Schedule of Fees.[5]
[5]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A275, Fees.
B. 
The Planning Board will review the proposed plan and may grant approval in accordance with § 228-14, with such conditions as are necessary to ensure conformity of said plan with the general and specific criteria set forth in this chapter, the Zoning Law[6] and other applicable rules and regulations of the Village of Suffern.
[6]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 266, Zoning.
[Amended 9-25-1996 by L.L. No. 5-1996]
A public hearing shall be held on a site plan application unless said hearing is waived by the Planning Board. Any hearing shall be held within 62 days of the date of receipt of a complete application. The Planning Board shall cause notice of said hearing to be mailed to the applicant or his authorized representative at least 10 days prior to said hearing.
The Village shall publish notice of the public hearing in the official newspaper not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days prior to the date of the public hearing. The applicant shall mail said notice not less than 10 days prior to the hearing to owners of property abutting or across the street from said property. The applicant shall cause two signs on each road frontage, or one sign for every one 100 feet of road frontage, whichever is greater, to be posted on said property, indicating the date and purpose of the public hearing. The form of such notices shall be prescribed by the Planning Board, and the cost of such notice shall be paid by the applicant. At the public hearing the applicant shall submit an affidavit of mailing, which shall include a list of the property owners to whom the notice of hearing was sent.
The public hearing procedure shall be as follows:
A. 
Sign-in sheets (optional, for use at hearings on major proposals). At the discretion of the Chairman, sign-in sheets may be required. During the public comment portion of the hearing, speakers will be called in the order shown on the sign-in sheets.
B. 
Hearing opened.
(1) 
The Chairman opens the hearing, explaining the purpose of the hearing and the history of the proposal before the Board.
(2) 
Affidavit of posting, publication and mailing are noted.
(3) 
Reports in the file are noted.
(4) 
Comments of the other municipal agencies are noted.
C. 
Applicant's presentation. The applicant, his technical representatives, attorneys, etc. make their presentation.
D. 
Consultant reports. Consultants, agencies, etc., present a short summary of their reports in the file.
E. 
Public comment.
(1) 
Names are called from the sign-in sheet, in order, until the sheet is exhausted.
(2) 
Each speaker shall state his name and address.
(3) 
Each person may speak once; the maximum time allocated is five minutes. The Chairman may allow additional opportunities to speak.
(4) 
Any questions asked will be answered by the appropriate party, as directed by the Chairman.
(5) 
When the public has concluded, the applicant is permitted to comment.
(6) 
Any member of the public wishing clarification may ask for such at this time, with a time limit of three minutes.
F. 
Close or adjournment of public hearing.
G. 
Board discussion of application.
H. 
Board action. The options available to the Board are:
(1) 
Approve the application.
(2) 
Approve the application with conditions.
(3) 
Deny the application.
(4) 
Reserve decision or adjourn to a future meeting.
The Planning Board may submit copies of the site plan application to the following agencies for information, review and comment regarding facilities under their jurisdiction and to any other Village, County, state or federal agency with jurisdiction:
A. 
The Village of Suffern Building Inspector.
B. 
The Village of Suffern Department of Public Works.
C. 
The Suffern Fire Department.
D. 
The Rockland County Drainage Agency.
E. 
The Rockland County Planning Department.
F. 
The Rockland County Highway Department.
G. 
The New York State Department of Transportation.
H. 
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
I. 
The New York State Thruway Authority.
J. 
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
K. 
The United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The fee for site plan review shall be in accordance with the Standard Schedule of Fees of the Village of Suffern.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A275, Fees.
Prior to the approval of the site plan, the Planning Board shall have determined whether the action it is reviewing may have a significant effect on the environment in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to § 8-0113 of the Environmental Conservation Law to implement the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Fees for SEQRA processing are in addition to other fees required by these regulations as set forth in the Standard Schedule of Fees of the Village of Suffern.
[Amended 9-25-1996 by L.L. No. 5-1996]
A. 
The Planning Board shall approve, approve with modifications or deny the final site plan application within 62 days of the date of the hearing, or, if no hearing is held, within 62 days of the date of receipt of an application accepted as complete. Planning Board approval, approval with modifications or disapproval shall be in written form and shall include specific findings with respect to the standards as contained in § 228-22 of these regulations.
B. 
The decision of the Planning Board shall be filed in the office of the Village Clerk within five business days after it is rendered, and a copy thereof shall be mailed to the applicant.
Upon submission of the final site plan with any modifications required by the Planning Board in its final approval and upon satisfaction of any conditions imposed by such approval, the Chairman of the Planning Board shall sign the approved site plan and file it with the Village Clerk. One copy shall also be filed with the Building Inspector, who may thereafter issue a building permit, certificate of occupancy and certificate of use in reliance thereon in accordance with Article VIII of the Zoning Law[1] and § 228-16 of these regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 266, Zoning.
A. 
The Planning Board shall require that on- or off-site improvements be installed, including, but not limited to, on- or off-site drainage systems, to ensure that all drainage, storm runoff and subsurface waters are carried into approved watercourses and drainage systems. The Planning Board shall further require that all off-site improvements and/or drainage systems be installed on property granted to the Village by fee, easement or otherwise, as determined by the Planning Board.
B. 
No certificate of occupancy or use shall be issued for the site until all improvements shown on the site plan, including off-site requirements as required by site plan approval, have been duly installed and all easements and property interests have been granted or dedicated to the Village. A performance bond or other surety shall be posted in an amount that shall cover the cost of completing all on- and off-site improvements. Said bond or surety shall be set and held by the Village Board of Trustees, upon the advice of the Planning Board and the Village of Suffern Department of Public Works, and in such form as meets the approval of the Village Attorney. The Building Inspector shall report to the Planning Board when the requirements, construction, installation and all other items of the site plan have been completed, at which time the Planning Board may authorize the release of the surety.
C. 
A temporary certificate of occupancy and/or use may be granted prior to the completion of any required landscaping, concrete work or other improvements which may not be installed due to seasonal constraints, upon the approval of the Planning Board, provided that a bond or surety is posted in such amount as shall be set and held by the Village Board of Trustees, upon the advice of the Building Inspector and the Village of Suffern Department of Public Works, with the approval of the Planning Board, and in such form as meets the approval of the Village Attorney. The Planning Board may recommend release of the performance bond or surety upon recommendation of the Building Inspector.
D. 
A temporary certificate of occupancy and/or use may be issued in accordance with Article VIII of the Village of Suffern Zoning Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 266, Zoning.
During construction, the Village Engineer may authorize or require, at his own determination or, upon the request of the applicant, minor adjustments to the approved site plan when such adjustments are necessary due to unforeseen site conditions first discovered during actual construction. The Village Engineer may refer said request to the Building Inspector or project architect for his review. Minor adjustments shall be consistent with the spirit and intent of the approved site plan. Approval of such adjustment, with the reasons therefor, shall be in writing and a copy provided to the Planning Board.
Where unforeseen conditions are encountered which require any material change to an approved site development plan or where the developer wishes to modify the approved plan for other reasons, an amended site plan shall be filed with the Planning Board for review and approval in accordance with the same procedures required for initial site plan applications.
It shall be the duty of every property owner to maintain his property in conformity with the approved site plan. Failure to do so shall constitute a violation of these regulations.