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Proposed Nassau County Planning Initiatives

Proposed Nassau County Planning Initiatives. Presentation for the Long Island Regional Planning Council. February 2009. Review of Development in Nassau County.

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Proposed Nassau County Planning Initiatives

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  1. Proposed Nassau CountyPlanning Initiatives Presentation for the Long Island Regional Planning Council February 2009

  2. Review of Development in Nassau County Among other duties, the Planning Commission plays a role in administering the physical development of the County, in coordination with NCDPW and NCDOH • Directly via Subdivision Review • Uniquely applies to Nassau County • Advisory Role via Zoning Referrals, OSPAC & SEQRA • Conducts Current and Long-Term Planning Studies

  3. Background • Process began because: • Subdivision development standards in County were “stuck” in old “sprawl” mold • Regulations were last overhauled around post-World War II suburban expansion • Complicated organization and language needed to be simplified and clarified • Notice to neighbors needed to be expanded • Penalties needed additional legislation to be enforceable • Laws relating to SEQRA and zoning needed to be harmonized with changes in state law • “Loopholes” to avoid County subdivision review needed to be closed

  4. Process Initiated in 2005 • Broad input was received from internal advisors, including: • County Attorney’s Office • NCDPW • NCDOH • Planning Department staff • Planning Commissioners past and present contributed • Public Participation • Website Posting • Hearings at the NCPC • Outreach with members of the real estate bar, private & public developers, municipal officials, planners and other individuals, including: • Nassau County Bar Association, Long Island Builders Institute, The Village Officials Association

  5. 3 Revisions/Updates Undertaken • The Nassau County Charter • NCPC Regulations for the Subdivision of Land • Nassau County Guidelines for Streamlining Zoning Referrals

  6. Proposed Legislative Initiatives:The Nassau County Charter • Training • Proposing 4 hours per year – similar to state law requirements for other planning boards in the state • SEQRA • Proposals reconcile case law and County procedures • Added standards for Electronic Filings • Incorporated Planning Department duties relating to transportation systems & environmental sustainability, reflecting current responsibilities of the department. • Added procedures for appealing both department staff and final NCPC decisions • Alternates • Proposing 2 alternates to ensure quorums, especially at hearings (to avoid default approvals), in the event of conflicts, as well as excused member appearances for the bi-weekly day & night meetings, & to accommodate development timeframes.

  7. Zoning vs. Subdivision Powers • Zoning: The power to enact land use controls, including the permissible uses on the land, some dimensional standards as well as residential density and non-residential bulk requirements • Subdivision Review: The power to divide land into two or more lots, usually for the purpose of selling the apportioned lot(s) to others • Ensures that newly created lots have adequate infrastructure and are properly designed within context of surrounding environment • NY State law & the NC Charter vest zoning authority in the cities, towns and villages. • In Nassau County (only), the Charter vests subdivision review in the County (via the NCPC) in the unincorporated areas, as well as within 300’ of municipal boundaries.

  8. Proposed Legislative Initiatives:Subdivision Control • Key revisions and amendments include: • Minor vs. Major Subdivision terminology • Changed the phrase “Waiver of Filing Requirements” to “Minor Subdivision” when describing the creation of 4 or fewer lots • Terminology would now conform to other municipal codes and other regulatory thresholds • Penalties • $500 – 5,000 per lot for premature marketing • $1,000 – 10,000 per lot for premature construction • Definition of Subdivision and Lot • Removal of certain exceptions to prevent unreviewed subdivision of land in County • Noticing to Neighbors • Increase notice period from 7 to 13 days, and from contiguous neighbors only to all owners within 200’ radius

  9. Proposed Legislative Initiatives:Subdivision Control(cont’d) • Key proposals include: • Clear application requirements and procedures • Incorporating different degrees of review and required extra-agency approvals depending on number of proposed lots and complexity of subdivision proposals. • Simplification of application process • Removed specific engineering standards, deferring to other applicable county and state requirements • General Subdivision Specifications • Streets – More modern, flexible and adaptable requirements • Lot Size / Lot Width – Specific size/area requirements removed; deferring to local zoning regulations • Environmental Conditions – Specifies NCPC consideration of • Sensitivity to preserving & enhancing environmental features when configuring new lots (trees, freshwater / tidal wetlands) • Stormwater Management Practices – conform to local and state regulations.

  10. Proposed Legislative Initiatives:Subdivision Control(cont’d) • Flag and Panhandle Lots • Certification of sufficient emergency access • Public infrastructure design issues addressed • Sustainable, Efficient (“Smart”) Growth / Anti-Sprawl Concepts incorporated, including: • Pedestrian & Non-Motorized Transportation Accessibility Plans • Public Transportation Accessibility Plans • Liability Insurance - updated required amounts • Bond Procedures – clarified • Enforcement mechanisms – including stop work orders & preconstruction conferences • Post-approval procedures – reaffirmations, extensions of time, map amendments, certification of resolutions now incorporated • Fees – added 2 categories: Amended Map Applications & Appeals to the Planning Commission

  11. Proposed Legislative Initiatives:Streamlining Zoning Referrals • Limits the kinds of zoning actions that must be “referred” to the NCPC (per General Municipal Law Section 239-m) • Lessens burdens on the local municipalities • Increases local municipal efficiencies • Decreases burdens on the NCPC, permitting more focused review of County and regionally significant zoning matters • Certain proposed local actions need only be noticed to the NCPC,including: • Minor additions or renovations to properties; • Most fence variances; • Telecommunicationantennasmounted on structures such as buildings or water towers; • Single and separate residential lots that require area variances; and • Parent/child permit requests/renewals.

  12. Planning Initiatives Status • Public Hearings held • Comment Period closed Next Steps: • Proposals to be submitted to NC Legislature

  13. Presenters: Jeffrey H. Greenfield, NCPC Chair Patricia Bourne, Executive Commissioner Jackie L. Gross, Deputy County Attorney Sean E. Sallie, Planner III *This is only a summary of some of the material changes proposed, and is not intended to include all proposed revisions. All proposed revisions can be found in the NCPC’s proposed Local Law, Regulations and Guidelines, available on the Internet at: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Planning/ProposedLegislativeInitiatives.html

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