[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Victor 10-26-1970; amended in its entirety 4-9-1979. Subsequent
amendments noted where applicable.]
The Town of Victor hereby creates the Conservation
Board of the Town of Victor.
[Added 5-11-2009 by L.L. No. 6-2009; amended 10-9-2012 by L.L. No.
16-2012]
A.
Members.
The Conservation Board of the Town of Victor shall consist of five
members, all of whom shall be residents of the Town of Victor. No
more than two members may be between the ages of 16 and 21. To the
extent the Conservation Board consists of greater than five members
at the time of adoption of this section, all such members shall be
permitted to continue to serve until the expiration of their current
term, regardless of whether their continued service would result in
Conservation Board membership greater than five.
B.
Appointment.
Conservation Board members shall be appointed by the Town Board for
a term of five years each.
C.
Expiration
of term. Each member of the Conservation Board shall continue to hold
office until the expiration of his or her present term. Upon the expiration
or his or her term, the Town Board shall appoint a successor, but
only where such appointment would maintain the Conservation Board
membership at not more than five members.
D.
Vacancy.
Should there be a vacancy on the Conservation Board other than by
expiration of term, either at the time of adoption of this section
or after, said vacancy shall be filled by Town Board appointment for
the unexpired term of the vacant seat, but only if said appointment
would maintain the Conservation Board membership at not more than
five members.
[Amended 5-11-2009 by L.L. No. 6-2009[1]]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall mean or include:
An area containing environmentally sensitive features, including,
but not necessarily limited to, open marshlands, swamps, ponds, wetlands,
steep slopes, glacial features, mature woodlands, flood zones, stream
corridors or other hydrological features.
The natural resource area inventory and map after acceptance
and approval by the Town Board.
Any area characterized by natural scenic beauty or whose
existing openness, natural condition or present state of use, if preserved,
would enhance the present or potential value of abutting or surrounding
development, would establish a desirable pattern of development, would
offer substantial conformance with the planning objectives of the
Town or would maintain or enhance the conservation of natural or scenic
resources.
The open area inventory and map after acceptance and approval
by the Town Board.
[Amended 5-11-2009 by L.L. No. 6-2009]
A.
The Conservation Board shall:
(1)
Assist the Town in the development of sound planning in open areas
and assure preservation of the Town's natural and scenic resources.
(2)
Annually prepare and submit to the Town Board an updated open area
inventory and map of all open areas within the Town with the intent
of identifying information pertinent to proper utilization of such
open lands, including lands owned by the state, any other municipality
within the state or by the Town itself, for acceptance and approval
by the Town as the Town's Open Space Index.
(3)
Annually prepare and submit to the Town Board an updated natural
resource inventory and map of all Natural Resource Areas within the
Town with the intent of identifying information pertinent to proper
utilization of such lands, including lands owned by the state, any
other municipality within the state or by the Town itself, for acceptance
and approval by the Town as the Town's Natural Resource Index.
(4)
Review each application received by the Town, or by the Building
Department, Zoning Board, Planning Board or other administrative body,
which seeks approval for the use or development of any open area or
Natural Resource Area listed in the Open Space Index or Natural Resource
Index.
(5)
Review all Town-sponsored projects presented to the Town Board which
seek approval for the use or development of any open area or Natural
Resource Area listed in the Open Space Index or Natural Resource Index.
(6)
Submit a written report to the referral body within 45 days of receipt
of such application or presentation of said Town project. Such report
shall evaluate the proposed use or development of open space or Natural
Resource Areas in consideration of the planning objectives of the
municipality and shall include the effect of such use or development
on the Open Space Index or Natural Resource Index. The report shall
make recommendations as to the most appropriate use or development
of open space or Natural Resource Areas and may include preferable
alternative use proposals consistent with conservation. A copy of
every report shall be filed with the Town.
(7)
Maintain accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall file
an annual report with the Town Board on or before the 31st day of
December each year. Once approved, the Town Board shall forward a
copy of this report to the State Commissioner of Environmental Conservation.
(8)
Make available for public inspection at the office of the Conservation
Board copies of all such reports of the Conservation Board.
(9)
Conduct research into the land area of the Town, as the Conservation
Board deems to be necessary.
(10)
Upon a group's request and consent, coordinate activities of
unofficial groups organized for similar purposes and cooperate with
other Town groups active in the area of community planning for the
Town.
(11)
Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans
and pamphlets which the Conservation Board deems necessary for its
work.
(12)
Perform any additional duties assigned to it by resolution of the
Town Board.
B.
To assist the Conservation Board in carrying out its functions, powers
and duties, it may request the Department of Environmental Conservation
to:
(1)
Prepare reports outlining objectives, priorities and proposed relationships
of the Board to the Town;
(2)
Prepare descriptions of work to be undertaken, advantageous techniques
to be used and suggested roles of Conservation Board members;
(3)
Provide research on conservation facts and procedures;
(4)
Provide, on a consulting basis, technical and research assistance,
as may be required to assist the Conservation Board in carrying out
its work and to enable the Conservation Board to offer recommendations
to the Town;
(5)
Describe particular areas of natural resources within the Town which
require particular attention by the Conservation Board.
