County seeks changes in Delaware zoning

Story by Dan Hust
HORTONVILLE — July 30, 2013 — Friday’s story on the proposed Town of Delaware zoning changes inaccurately referred to the Sullivan County Division of Planning’s review letter as being in approval.
A copy of that July 19 letter indicates Acting County Planning Commissioner Jill Weyer is concerned the proposed amendments “may have adverse inter-community impacts.”
While Weyer said her division “appreciates that the board is working to clarify the zoning code for ease of interpretation,” she argued that the Delaware River overlay zone in the RU (Rural) District “is not fully incorporated in a consistent manner into the zoning text” and thus creates confusion.
“The board needs to include a section in the zoning text that clearly describes what the overlay seeks to accomplish. It needs to be more than a reference to the Upper Delaware River Management Plan, since that creates a complicated process for a landowner, developer, or planning board member and therefore more potential for multiple interpretations and more business for the ZBA [Zoning Board of Appeals].”
Weyer also recommended consistent referencing of the overlay zone on the zoning map; ensuring insurance offices, print shops, professional offices and real estate offices are specifically kept as special uses in the RU District; defining allowable density for multiple-family dwellings in the RU District; and setting the maximum number of solar panels by acreage and not lot size.
Though the county’s review was mandatory under state law, the town is not required to act on any of these recommendations. However, it must file a “report of final action” within 30 days of approving/rejecting the zoning amendments and must give a reason or reasons if it chooses not to implement the recommendations.
A Delaware Town Board meeting on the zoning is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. at the town hall in Hortonville.