Zoning definitions take sharper focus
Panel begins arduous task of shaping terms and conditions
By Doron Tyler Antrim
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
CAIRO — The Cairo Zoning Commission continues to hone its draft law and answer questions submitted by the public. On Monday, the commission followed up on last month’s decision expanding the list of potential uses in the Route 145 commercial/mixed-use district.
At that January meeting, the group voted that an educational or training facility could be built there under a special-use permit. But they elected to give themselves more time in crafting a definition for what would qualify as such a facility.
On Monday, the group released its definition, which states: “A building or part thereof which is designed, constructed, or used for instruction or education including, but is not limited to elementary, parochial, private, secondary or vocational schools. It shall also mean a business organized to operate for a profit, offering instruction and training in a trade, service or an art.”
The commission also settled on a definition for the municipal district, a collection of town properties to be shielded from future development. The definition states: “To limit residential and commercial uses on town-owned lands in order to preserve access and use of land for municipal functions including but not limited to highway, and town hall and offices and for other uses that benefit the entire community.”
Under the law, all existing uses will be allowed to stay.
Released last November, the zoning law caps a three-year effort to provide business owners, builders and homeowners with clear rules governing development in the town.
The commission has met regularly over the three years to draw up the 158-page plan.
Since the law’s unveiling, the commission has made many amendments small and large to the text and zoning map.
The commission has been aided in the process by Nan Stolzenburg of Community Planning and Environmental Associates.
Cairo has never had a zoning law.
A five-member Zoning Board of Appeals, appointed by the town board, will need to be established upon passage of the law. Each member will serve a five-year term.
Enforcement of the law will fall to the zoning enforcement officer, another appointed position, which officials have said could be the same person as the code enforcement officer.
Following a public hearing by the zoning commission, the law will be handed to the town board. The board must then hold its own hearing.
All the documents, as well as the responses to public comments, can be viewed online at www.planningbetterplaces.com/cairo.
The commission’s next meeting is set for Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. at Gallagher’s Banquet Hall.
At that January meeting, the group voted that an educational or training facility could be built there under a special-use permit. But they elected to give themselves more time in crafting a definition for what would qualify as such a facility.
On Monday, the group released its definition, which states: “A building or part thereof which is designed, constructed, or used for instruction or education including, but is not limited to elementary, parochial, private, secondary or vocational schools. It shall also mean a business organized to operate for a profit, offering instruction and training in a trade, service or an art.”
The commission also settled on a definition for the municipal district, a collection of town properties to be shielded from future development. The definition states: “To limit residential and commercial uses on town-owned lands in order to preserve access and use of land for municipal functions including but not limited to highway, and town hall and offices and for other uses that benefit the entire community.”
Under the law, all existing uses will be allowed to stay.
Released last November, the zoning law caps a three-year effort to provide business owners, builders and homeowners with clear rules governing development in the town.
The commission has met regularly over the three years to draw up the 158-page plan.
Since the law’s unveiling, the commission has made many amendments small and large to the text and zoning map.
The commission has been aided in the process by Nan Stolzenburg of Community Planning and Environmental Associates.
Cairo has never had a zoning law.
A five-member Zoning Board of Appeals, appointed by the town board, will need to be established upon passage of the law. Each member will serve a five-year term.
Enforcement of the law will fall to the zoning enforcement officer, another appointed position, which officials have said could be the same person as the code enforcement officer.
Following a public hearing by the zoning commission, the law will be handed to the town board. The board must then hold its own hearing.
All the documents, as well as the responses to public comments, can be viewed online at www.planningbetterplaces.com/cairo.
The commission’s next meeting is set for Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. at Gallagher’s Banquet Hall.
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