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Town of Webb, NY
Herkimer County
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This chapter hereby establishes the zoning districts identified in § 480-6 below, divides the Town into such residential, commercial, open space and other districts, and within such districts, regulates and restricts the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, and use of buildings, structures, and land in a manner deemed most appropriate and best suited to carry out the purpose of this chapter and the purposes and objectives of the Town Land Use Plan (hereinafter referred to as "Town Plan") and the Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan (hereinafter referred to as "Adirondack Park Plan").
A. 
The Town of Webb is divided into the following zoning districts and subdistricts, hereafter called "district(s)" or "subdistrict(s)":
(1) 
Private lands:
RV
Residential Village District
RS
Residential Seasonal District
RS-1
Residential Seasonal District
RS-2
Residential Seasonal District
RR
Residential Rural District
CB
Commercial Business District, further divided into Commercial Business Subdistricts CB-1, CB-2, CB-3, CB-4, CB-5 and CB-6
OS
Open Space District
CO
Conservation Overlay District
(2) 
State lands:
W
Wilderness District
WF
Wild Forest District
I
Intensive Use District
B. 
Provision is also made for creation of one or a combination of the following planned districts:
P-R
Planned Residential District
P-Rec
Planned Recreational District
P-C/I
Planned Commercial/Industrial District
The above-established districts are delineated on an overall Zoning Map of the Town entitled "Zoning Map No. 1" and a series of zoning subarea maps of various portions of the Town listed below, included herein as Attachment 2,[1] or on file with the Town, and hereby made a part of this chapter:
Zoning Map
Area
No. 1
Town of Webb (overall)
No. 2
Okara Lakes
No. 3
Thendara, Old Forge
No. 4
First, Second, Third Lakes
No. 5
Fourth Lake, Eagle Bay
No. 6
Rondaxe Lake
No. 7
Big Moose Lake
No. 8
Big Moose Station, Ainsworth Lake
No. 9
Twitchell Lake
No. 10
Beaver River
No. 11
Stillwater
No. 12
Moshier Falls
No. 13
McKeever
No. 14
Minnehaha
Nos. 15 and 16
Thendara — Old Forge (portions of areas on Map No. 3 and No. 4 shown in more detail)
[1]
Editor's Note: Attachment 2 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
Standard and conditional uses permitted in each of the above-established districts, and basic standards applicable thereto, are set forth in Attachment 1, Summary Schedule of Permitted Uses and Standards Applicable Thereto,[1] included herein and hereby made a part of this chapter. Additional standards applicable to conditional uses are outlined in § 480-15. Additional standards applicable to accessory buildings and uses are outlined in § 480-13. Additional standards applicable to shorelines are outlined in § 480-31.
[1]
Editor's Note: Attachment 1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A. 
Purpose.
(1) 
The purpose of a planned district is to permit and encourage alternative concepts for developing and adapting land areas within the Town for appropriate residential, recreational, commercial or industrial use, or acceptable combinations of such uses, where clustering and other land development techniques will contribute to more effective and economical land use and growth; preservation of existing land, water, and other natural resources; reduction of the need for extension of public services and systems; and strengthening of the Town's economic base, without departing from the spirit and intent of this chapter.
(2) 
This provision permits establishment of a planned district for areas of proposed new land use and development, including clustering and mixing of dwellings and other uses, modification of existing resort facilities which may be subdivided, converted, and expanded for residential use, and other concepts and approaches to land use and development which are consistent with Town needs and objectives. Permitted land use and development in a planned district may involve adjustment or waiver of permitted uses, minimum lot area, minimum yard dimensions, and other basic standards applicable to development under this chapter. See also Subsection D, Waiver of nonapplicability, herein, whereby conversion of existing resort facilities for one-family dwellings may be permitted through a waiver by the Planning Board without establishment of a planned district.
(3) 
Nothing herein shall obligate the Town to establish a planned district nor to approve any requested adjustment or waiver of permitted uses or development standards within a district. An application for a planned district must demonstrate that an alternative development concept proposed for the land in question will be beneficial to the basic purposes of this chapter.
B. 
Procedure. The procedure for establishment of a planned district shall be as follows:
(1) 
Sketch plan/discussion with Planning Board. An applicant may submit appropriate sketch site plan information identified in Appendix B[1] of this chapter to the Planning Board and arrange to informally discuss a proposed planned district project with the Board in order to identify key land use and development considerations and potential problems, if any, to be evaluated in further refinement of a planned district proposal for a formal application to the Town.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(2) 
Establishment of a planned district.
(a) 
An application to the Town Board for establishment of a P-R, P-Rec or P-C/I District shall be referred to the Planning Board within 10 days of receipt by the Town Board. The application shall include site plan information identified in Appendix B of this chapter. Such information shall fully identify, locate, and explain all proposed new and modified land use and development.
(b) 
The Planning Board, using the services of a professional planning advisor as it may elect, shall review such application. The Board may request additional information from the applicant and may require such changes in the site plan as are found to be necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter, to protect established permitted uses and natural resources in the vicinity, and to promote the orderly growth and sound development of the Town. In evaluating the proposal and in making a decision regarding the site plan, the Planning Board shall consider and make findings of fact and conclusion regarding the following considerations and criteria:
[1] 
The need for the proposed project in terms of residential and other land use, growth and development in the Town.
[2] 
The degree to which the plan is or is not consistent with the stated purposes of the planned district, this chapter, the Town Plan and the Adirondack Park Plan.
[3] 
The existing character of the neighborhood and the effects, beneficial or adverse, of the proposed development on the neighborhood.
[4] 
The location of principal and accessory buildings and uses on the lot in relation to one another and to other structures and uses in the neighborhood, including density, coverage, bulk, height, yards and other considerations.
[5] 
The provision for pedestrian circulation and open space facilities on the site, including the reliability of maintenance and conservation of such facilities.
[6] 
The recognition and satisfactory accommodation and protection of important land, water, visual and other natural resources and features on or adjoining the site, including applicable development considerations listed in § 480-43, Required referrals; Town review of Class B regional projects.
[7] 
The traffic approach and circulation within the site, including the amount of, location of, and access to vehicular parking, loading, and related service areas.
[8] 
The volumes of traffic generated at peak hours and the provisions for adequately handling such volumes, with particular reference to points of ingress and egress, potential hazards such as inadequate sight distances and intersection design, and the nature and adequacy of the connecting street or highway system to absorb the anticipated traffic changes.
[9] 
The provision for storm drainage, sanitary and solid waste disposal, water supply, and other basic services on and adjacent to the site.
[10] 
The proposed location, type and size of signs and landscape features.
[11] 
The physical design of the site plan and the manner and extent to which the design furthers the amenities of light, air, visual enjoyment, and natural resource protection.
(c) 
The Planning Board shall report its findings and make its recommendation to the Town Board within 45 days. It may recommend approval, disapproval, or conditional approval subject to modification of the site plan. Where the Planning Board acts to recommend conditional approval, the applicant shall be given an opportunity to amend the site plan to conform to the Board's suggested modifications prior to the Board's report to the Town Board.
(d) 
The Town Board shall hold a public hearing after public notice as required for any amendment to this chapter and shall consider the report and recommendations of the Planning Board and all other comments, reviews and statements pertaining thereto. The Town Board may amend the Zoning Map to establish and define the type and boundaries of the planned district, and in so doing may state specific conditions in addition to those provided by this section, further restricting the nature or design of the above development, and may require that the applicant submit an amended site plan conforming with such conditions prior to final action by the Board to establish a district. As part of an action to establish a district, the Town Board may waive certain requirements of permitted uses and standards identified in Attachment 1,[2] except streetfront/shoreline yard dimensions, where it is determined that such waivers will not adversely affect the character of the neighborhood or adjacent land uses or natural resources. Any such waivers shall be expressly related to representations made by the applicant on site plan drawings and other documents submitted with the application and shall not serve to waive any other requirements or to permit the applicant to modify or relax other requirements.
[2]
Editor's Note: Attachment 1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(3) 
Approval of development within an established planned district.
(a) 
Amendment of the Zoning Map to establish a planned district shall not constitute authorization to undertake any construction and development in the district.
(b) 
Such authorization shall require that the applicant submit to the Planning Board an amended site plan conforming to conditions and restrictions previously imposed by the Planning Board and Town Board, if any, and such further plans and specifications, supporting documents and data as are required under Item IIA, Site Plan(s), in Appendix B of this chapter,[3] hereafter referred to as the "plan."
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(c) 
Conformity required.
[1] 
No permit shall be issued until the Planning Board has determined that the plan has been made to conform to all prior conditions and restrictions and has approved the plan and until the Board has forwarded a copy of the plan and reported to the Town Board as to its intent to authorize issuance of a permit.
[2] 
Affirmative action by the Planning Board shall be construed as permitting subdivision, construction, or development in a planned district only in substantial conformity with the plan approved by the Board; the applicant shall not amend the plan nor have the right to request a variance therefrom except upon application to the Planning Board for such amendment or variance. The Board of Appeals is not authorized to grant a variance from the plan approved by the Town Board.
(d) 
The approved plan shall run with the land and continue to control development and shall not lapse or be waived as a result of any change in tenancy or ownership of any or all of the designated districts.
(e) 
If construction in accordance with the approved plan has not started within one year after the date of the Planning Board resolution authorizing issuance of the permit, the permit shall become null and void, and the plan approval shall be deemed revoked and vacated, except that such time period may be extended upon application to and authorization by the Planning Board. If no construction has commenced within two years after the date of the Planning Board resolution authorizing issuance of the permit, the Town Board may elect to conduct a public hearing and otherwise consider and act upon amendment of the zoning of the land from planned district to its former zoning district status.
C. 
Standards applicable to planned districts. The following planned districts may be considered according to the requirements stipulated for each:
(1) 
Planned Residential (P-R) District.
(a) 
Permitted uses. Uses include, but are not limited to:
[1] 
Any types of one-family, two-family and multiple-family dwellings, or a combination thereof.
[2] 
Park, playground, swimming pool, golf course, and other developed or natural recreation areas and facilities.
[3] 
Accessory uses customarily incidental and subordinate to the foregoing uses.
[4] 
Limited commercial uses compatible with and supportive of the residential uses within the district, and otherwise clearly appropriate to surrounding uses and to the location within the Town, may be permitted.
[5] 
All dwelling units within a P-R District shall be served by public water and sewer systems or by other water and sewer systems meeting the requirements of the Town Sanitary Code and the New York State Department of Health.
(b) 
Area of district. A P-R District shall be at least five acres in area.
(c) 
Density/clustering permitted.
[1] 
The maximum density of dwelling development of land within a district shall generally conform to the maximum density permitted in the zoning district existing prior to establishment of the district, measured in terms of minimum lot area requirements per dwelling. The Planning Board may permit increases in density up to 25% above the maximum density otherwise permitted where it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board that the particular location and site can reasonably sustain such increased density and that the average density of the general area, including surrounding areas, will not exceed average density requirements of the Adirondack Park Plan.
[2] 
Detached and attached one-family dwellings and other dwellings may be developed on single ownership or common ownership lots smaller than required in the existing district and may be otherwise clustered or grouped without regard for minimum lot areas and widths and minimum yard dimensions, except as noted elsewhere.
[3] 
In addition, a lot or portion of a lot allocated to multiple-family dwellings shall provide an average lot area of 8,000 square feet for each dwelling. A minimum lot area of 4,000 square feet shall be provided for each such dwelling when land is subdivided for attached dwellings such as townhouses.
[4] 
In order to encourage clustering of buildings and the maintenance of undeveloped shorelines, as an alternative to minimum lot widths, shoreline dwelling development may be clustered based upon the following approximate maximum number of principal buildings (other than boathouses) per linear mile of shoreline or proportionate fraction thereof:
District
Principal Buildings Per Linear Mile
RV, CB
106
RS
53
RS-1, RS-2
42
RR
36
OS
26
[5] 
Cluster development within a district in both shoreline and nonshoreline areas requires that land used to determine density of development but which is not developed shall be preserved and maintained as open land, and upon request by the Town, all development rights thereto shall be conveyed to the Town for as long as these structures shall exist. Where groups of landowners are acting together to employ cluster development, approval of such development may also require such conveyance of development rights, or such other provisions, whether by deed restriction, restrictive covenant or other appropriate means, to insure the permanent retention in open space of the undeveloped portions of land developed on a cluster basis instead of on the basis of minimum individual lot area and width requirements.
[6] 
Conversion and subdivision, and any expansion and improvement of existing resort club, lodge facilities and lots for one-family or other dwellings, may be permitted through establishment of a planned district, and minimum lot areas and widths, minimum yard dimensions, and other requirements of the existing zoning district(s) may be waived. Maximum permitted density may be increased up to 25% as noted above. See also Subsection D, Waiver of nonapplicability, herein for an alternative procedure for conversion of existing resort club, lodge facilities for one-family dwellings.
(d) 
Other requirements and standards.
[1] 
All yards shall be as large as possible. Streetfront and shoreline yards shall not be less than those required in the zoning district(s) existing prior to establishment of the planned district. Side and rear yards in any part of the district shall not be less than those required for lots immediately adjoining that part of the district; if necessary, yards shall vary to correspond to such adjoining yard requirements.
[2] 
Building coverage of the lot shall generally not exceed the average coverage required in the zoning district(s) existing prior to establishment of the district.
[3] 
Building height shall generally not exceed 35 feet, provided that greater height may be approved by the Planning Board.
[4] 
Circulation system and other facility design standards shall include:
[a] 
Adequate, safe and convenient arrangement of roadways, driveways, off-street parking and loading space, and pedestrian circulation facilities.
[b] 
Roads, pedestrian walks and open space designed as integral parts of an overall site design, properly related to existing and proposed buildings, and appropriately landscaped.
[c] 
Buildings, vehicular circulation and open spaces arranged so that pedestrians moving between buildings are not unnecessarily exposed to vehicular traffic.
[d] 
Landscaped, paved and comfortably graded pedestrian walks provided along the lines of most intense use, particularly from building entrances to streets, parking areas and adjacent buildings.
[e] 
Materials and design of street and other paving, and all curbs, gutters, sidewalks, walls, lighting, and other street appurtenances, whether or not to be offered for cession to the Town, constructed in accordance with applicable Town standards as set forth in Chapter 410, Subdivision of Land, of the Code of the Town of Webb and any additional requirements or stipulations deemed necessary by the Town Highway Superintendent.
[f] 
Sewer, water, and drainage systems constructed in accordance with applicable Town and New York State Health Department standards, whether or not to be offered for cession to the Town. Such utility systems shall be ceded to the Town where streets are to be ceded to the Town. Nothing herein shall require the Town to accept such streets and utility systems.
[5] 
Off-street parking spaces:
[a] 
At least 1 1/2 spaces per dwelling unit.
[b] 
As otherwise required in this chapter for permitted commercial uses, plus additional spaces, if any, required by the Planning Board, depending on the type(s) of uses, to insure that the site is reasonably self-sustaining in meeting off-street parking needs without relying on parking spaces required for dwelling units.
[c] 
Landscaped and screened from external and interior view to the extent necessary to reduce visual impact and monotony of parked cars.
[d] 
Designed with careful regard to orderly arrangement, topography, landscaping, and ease of access and developed as an integral part of the overall site plan design.
[e] 
Any above-grade loading facility screened from external and interior view to the extent necessary to reduce visual impact.
[6] 
Open space recreation areas:
[a] 
Suitable and satisfactorily located lands comprising at least 5% of the area of the district designated and reserved for open space recreation purposes and improved in a manner acceptable to the Town.
[b] 
Area and facilities may be offered for cession to the Town or retained in private ownership under an agreement for permanent maintenance satisfactory to the Town. In the instance where satisfactory accommodation of open space recreation needs cannot be reasonably accomplished, the Town may, at its discretion, accept a payment in lieu of, and comparable to the value of, such land and its improvement to a recreation fund for the explicit purpose of future acquisition or improvement of recreational lands and facilities in the Town to reasonably serve the needs of the planned district residents.
[c] 
Such open space recreation area shall be in addition to lands otherwise reserved for minimum required setbacks, buffer areas and preservation of unique or outstanding natural site features.
[7] 
Landscape design standards.
[a] 
Landscape treatment for roads, sidewalks, and service and parking areas shall be designed as an integral part of a coordinated landscape design for the entire district.
[b] 
Natural landscape features shall be preserved and integrated into the design as much as possible, supplemented with new plantings appropriate to the site and environmental characteristics, combined with appropriate paving and other treatment to provide an attractive development pattern.
[c] 
All streets bordering the district shall be planted at appropriate intervals with street trees as required to supplement natural tree cover.
[8] 
General requirements:
[a] 
Consistent quality of architectural treatment of all sides of all buildings within a residential group.
[b] 
Design of all facilities to conform to and take advantage of natural topography of the project site wherever feasible and appropriate, avoiding excessive topographic alteration and disturbance of natural conditions or intensification of surface runoff rates or volumes which would cause erosion, flooding, or otherwise adversely affect downstream conditions.
[c] 
Buildings spaced and oriented to insure adequate light and air.
[d] 
Buildings arranged to avoid undue exposure to concentrated loading or parking facilities wherever possible and oriented to preserve visual and audible privacy between adjacent buildings.
[e] 
All buildings arranged to insure access by emergency vehicles.
(2) 
Planned Recreation (P-Rec) District.
(a) 
Permitted uses. Uses include, but are not limited to:
[1] 
Commercial recreation, tourist attraction.
[2] 
Fishing, hunting club, lodge.
[3] 
Group camp.
[4] 
Resort club, lodge.
[5] 
Recreational campsite.
[6] 
Open space recreation use.
[7] 
Such accessory uses as are customarily incidental and subordinate to the above uses.
(b) 
Area of district. Any P-Rec District shall be at least 10 acres in area, but not less than the minimum lot area required for the proposed principal use in the zoning district existing prior to establishment of the district.
(c) 
Density/clustering permitted. Several principal uses may be combined or clustered on a lot which is smaller than the aggregate lot area required for the individual uses, provided that the proposed density of such combined or clustered uses is able to be accommodated without adverse impact on the capacity or integrity of land, water and other natural resources and features or on the capacity of Town services and other public systems.
(d) 
Other requirements and standards:
[1] 
Same as other requirements and standards for P-R Districts, except as indicated below:
[a] 
Off-street parking shall provide one space per individual customer, guest, member, or other patron to be accommodated at peak use, plus employee parking and loading and service areas as necessary.
[b] 
Open space recreation areas: not applicable.
[2] 
In all cases, Planning Board and Town Board consideration of waivers or adjustments of permitted uses, density, and development standards for a P-Rec District shall take into consideration the effective accommodation of such use and development on the land without adverse environmental impacts where such a district can also be shown to result in favorable long-term preservation of natural resources.
(3) 
Planned Commercial/Industrial (P-C/I District).
(a) 
Permitted uses. Uses include, but are not limited to:
[1] 
Retail sales.
[2] 
Personal service.
[3] 
Shopping center.
[4] 
Office.
[5] 
Bank, financial institution.
[6] 
Lodging facility, hotel/motel.
[7] 
Eating/drinking establishment, restaurant.
[8] 
Commercial recreation.
[9] 
Research/scientific/technological facility.
[10] 
Light manufacturing/assembly.
[11] 
Accessory uses as are customarily incidental and subordinate to the above uses.
(b) 
Area of district. Any P-C/I District shall be at least 10 acres in area, except that in a CB District served by public sewer and water systems, a P-C/I District shall be at least five acres in area.
(c) 
Density/clustering permitted. Several principal uses may be combined or clustered on a lot which is smaller than the aggregate lot area required for the individual uses, provided that the proposed density of such combined or clustered uses is able to be accommodated without adverse impact on the capacity or integrity of land, water and other natural resources and features or on the capacity of Town services and other public systems.
(d) 
Other requirements and standards. Same as other requirements and standards for P-R Districts, except as indicated below:
[1] 
Off-street parking.
[a] 
Off-street parking for all uses, except research/scientific/technological facility and light manufacturing/assembly uses, shall provide one space per individual customer, guest, or other patron to be accommodated at peak use, but not less than one space for each 200 square feet of building floor area, plus employee parking and loading and service areas as necessary.
[b] 
Off-street parking for the above-excepted uses shall provide parking space for each employee at peak shift, plus an additional 10% of such spaces for visitors, plus loading and service areas as necessary.
[2] 
Open space recreation areas: not applicable.
D. 
Waiver of nonapplicability; conversion of resort club, lodge use to one-family dwelling use.
(1) 
As an alternative to establishment of a planned district for conversion and subdivision of all or a portion of resort club, lodge lot and facilities for detached and attached one-family dwellings, the Planning Board, consistent with the provisions of § 278 of the Town Law and § 811 of the Adirondack Park Agency Act, may consider an application for a waiver of nonapplicability of minimum lot area and width and minimum yard dimension standards and shoreline requirements of this chapter applicable to individual dwellings resulting from the conversion and subdivision. The Planning Board may permit increases in density up to 25% above the maximum density which would otherwise be permitted on the basis of minimum lot area required for each dwelling, where it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board that the particular location and site can reasonably sustain such increased density and that the average density of the general area, including surrounding areas, will not exceed average density requirements of the Adirondack Park Plan.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(2) 
Said application shall include submission of applicable site plan information required in Appendix B of this chapter.[5] Subject to any conditions established by the Board, issuance of such a waiver shall release the applicant from compliance with all or some of the above standards and requirements.
[5]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(3) 
In making its determination, the Planning Board shall conduct a public hearing in accordance with public hearing procedures herein for conditional uses and shall consider said application in accordance with all requirements and standards herein applicable to a Planned Residential District.