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Office of the Town Clerk
Diane M. Wilhelm, Town Clerk
Registrar of Vital Statistics Records Management Officer Marriage Officer
August 20, 2020
Honorable Town Clerk:
Your response to this letter will acknowledge receipt of the attached resolution
adopted by the Riverhead Town Board. Kindly please sign and email back to the
Riverhead Town Clerk, Diane Wilhelm at wil'helm townofriverlieadn . ov.
Signature: Date:
Town Board Meeting August 18, 2020, 2:00 PM
ENCLOSED HEREWITH please find the following resolution which was adopted by the
Riverhead Town Board at a Regular Town Board meeting on August 18, 2020
#2- Resolution #435 —Adopted 8/18/2020
ADOPTS A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND CHAPTER 301 ENTITLED "ZONING AND
LAND DEVELOPMENT" OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF RIVERHEAD
Sincerely,
Diane M. Wilhelm
Town Clerk
DW:cd
FSRIt FRbS%kl'Y.AS%PPROGPSAS4n1 F/
Office of the Town Clerk
Diane M. Wilhelm, Town Clerk
Registrar of Vital Statistics Records Management Officer Marriage Officer
August 20, 2020
Suffolk County Planning Department
L.I. State Park Commission
Town of Southold
Town of Southampton
Town of Brookhaven
ENCLOSED HEREWITH please find the following resolution which was adopted by the
Riverhead Town Board at a Regular Town Board meeting on August 20, 2020.
Resolution # 435 —Adopted 8/18/2020
ADOPTS A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND CHAPTER 301 ENTITLED "ZONING AND LAND
DEVELOPMENT" OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF RIVERHEAD
If you have any questions, please call Carol Del Vecchio at 631-727-3200, Ext 262, or Diane
Wilhelm at Ext. 260
Sincerely,
Diane M. Wilhelm
Town Clerk
DW:cd
Enc.
200 Howell Avenue — Riverhead, New York 11901— (631)727-3200 Ext. 260 ~ Fax (631)208-4034
Mfr
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Office of the Town Clerk
Diane M. Wilhelm, Town Clerk
Registrar of Vital Statistics Records Management Officer Marriage Officer
August 20, 2020
Honorable Town Clerk:
Your response to this letter will acknowledge receipt of the attached resolution
adopted by the Riverhead Town Board. Kindly please sign and email back to the
Riverhead Town Clerk, Diane Wilhelm at wiIhelm Ca).townofriverheadny.gov.
Signature: Date:
Town Board Meeting August 18, 2020, 2:00 PM
ENCLOSED HEREWITH please find the following resolution which was adopted by the
Riverhead Town Board at a Regular Town Board meeting on August 18, 2020
#2- Resolution #435 -Adopted 8/18/2020
ADOPTS A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND CHAPTER 301 ENTITLED "ZONING AND
LAND DEVELOPMENT" OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF RIVERHEAD
Sincerely,
i A - �ju-
Diane
M. Wilhelm
Town Clerk
DW:cd
200 Howell Avenue - Riverhead, New York 11901- (631)727-3200 Ext. 260 - Fax
(631)208-4034
10.29
08.18.2020 ADOPTED
TOWN OF RIVERHEAD
Resolution 2020-435
ADOPTS A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND CHAPTER 301 ENTITLED "ZONING AND
LAND DEVELOPMENT" OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF RIVERHEAD
Councilwoman Giglio offered the following resolution,
which was seconded by Councilman Bevrodt Jr.
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk was authorized to publish and post a public notice to
hear all interested persons to consider a local law amending Chapter 301 entitled, "Zoning
and Land Development"of the Riverhead Town Code('Town Code"); and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on the 4th day of August, 2020 at 2:05
o'clock p.m. at the Riverhead Town Hall, 200 Howell Avenue, Riverhead, New York, the
date, time and place specified in said public notice, and all persons wishing to be heard
were heard; and
WHEREAS, the Riverhead Planning Department has reviewed the submission
and recommended it be considered a Type II action pursuant to 6NYCRR Part 617.5(c)
(26) & (33) as routine or continuing administration and management and the adoption of
policies in connection therewith such that agency SEQR responsibilities end with this
designation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board be and hereby,
adopts the Riverhead Planning Department recommendation and hereby classifies
same to be a Type II action for purposes of SEQR compliance; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the local law amending Chapter 301 entitled, "Zoning and Land
Development" of the Town Code is hereby adopted as specified in the attached notice
of adoption; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized to publish the attached
notice of adoption once in the News-Review Newspaper and to post same on the
signboard at Town Hall; and be it further
RESOLVED, that all Town Hall Departments may review and obtain a copy of
this resolution from the electronic storage device and, if needed, a certified copy of
same may be obtained from the Office of the Town Clerk.
THE VOTE
Packet Pg.231
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] 10.29
MOVER: Jodi Giglio, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Frank Beyrodt Jr., Councilman
AYES: Yvette Aguiar, Jodi Giglio, Catherine Kent, Frank Beyrodt Jr.
ABSENT: Tim Hubbard
Packet Pg. 232
10.29.a
TOWN OF RIVERHEAD
c
NOTICE OF ADOPTION
0
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Town Board of the Town of Riverhead adopted
a local law amending the Chapter 301, entitled "Zoning and Land Development' of the
Riverhead Town Code, at its regular meeting held on August 18, 2020.
LU
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Riverhead as follows: co
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CHAPTER 301 a
Zoning and Land Development
s
Part 3. Supplementary Regulations
Chapter 301 Part 3 Article Lill Water Conservation in Landscaping
J
&301-284 Intent: The Town of Riverhead, together with New York State, its departments
and agencies, and counties, towns and villages throughout the state, recognize that our 0
water systems are vital assets. The water system challenges include water-source
contamination; constraints on water supplies due to climate change and increasing
CL
demand; and necessary and costly infrastructure improvements due to transmission lines,
pumps and treatment facilities susceptibility to deterioration together with limits on
available funding. Water conservation will assist the Town of Riverhead in maintaining a M
supply-demand balance and realize other benefits, including but not limited to, greater o
efficiency and appropriate expenditures for expansion of water supplies by allowing o
existing water supplies to serve increasing populations; alleviation of competing demands na
for water resources; and, increased ability to handle emergencies such as drought, o
mechanical failure and water contamination. While there are many different and effective CU
ways to minimize water use within residential, commercial and institutional buildings, y
including plumbing fixtures with flow restrictions, water conserving toilets, water pressure 0
control devices, at peak demand outdoor water use represents nearly seventy five
percent of total water demand for lawn, landscape and garden watering, the Town, by this ca
local law, seeks to require landscape designs to require less water by incorporating
Xeriscape landscape techniques, including reducing turf area, planting drought-tolerant o
or low water using species, creation of storm water gardens and other planned methods
for protection of infrastructure and water aquifer, and installation of low volume and smart
controlled irrigation systems.
0
$301-285 Purpose: The Town of Riverhead has demonstrated its commitment and desire o
to be a sustainable community. The purpose of establishing landscape designs which
utilize best management practices and incorporate Xeriscape techniques, together with o
low volume and smart controlled irrigation systems is intended to further this commitment U
by improving and maintaining the health of our waters, and reducing the stress on our z
infrastructure.
U
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Packet Pg.234
10.29,a
W1-286 Definitions:
"Anti-drain or check valve" means a valve, located under a sprinkler head and installed
lower than the lowest head on the system, to hold water in the system when not in use
so it minimizes drainage from the lower elevation sprinkler heads.
"Application rate" means the depth of water applied to a given area, usually measured in
inches per hour. w
"Applied water" means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the o
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landscape.
"Automatic controller" means a mechanical or solid state timer, capable of operating valve Q
stations to set the days and length of time of a water application.
"Backflow prevention device" means a safety device used to prevent pollution or
contamination of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation
system. <
"Best Management Practice (BMP)" A design or practice employed with the primary °
obiective to minimize adverse water quality impacts, preserve beneficial features on-site,
m
avoid downstream erosion and habitat loss, maintain natural base flows and groundwater J
recharge, prevent downstream flooding, provide multiple uses of drainage and storm o
water drainage facilities, and/or provide for the economical, safe and aesthetically
pleasing drainage system for development.
"Certified Nursery Professional"A landscape professional having successfully completed o
the examination for, and continuously maintains their status in, the Certified Nursery
Professional Program administered by the NYS Nursery and Landscape Association. LO
"Drought Tolerate Planting" means a planting which can survive on minimal water from
natural rainwater. (See Cornell University Integrative Plant Species Guidance o
Documents).
"Ecological restoration prosect" means a project where the site is intentionally altered to 0
establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
"Invasive species" 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2)
whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm
to human health. v
"High flow sensors" or "flow meters" detect and report high flow conditions created by
system damage or malfunction.
"High water using plant" means a plant that will require regular irrigation for adequate o
appearance, growth and disease resistance.
"Irrigated" means supplied with equipment that can apply water from an irrigation system. U
L
"Irrigation efficiency" means the measurement of the amount of water beneficially used °
divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is derived from measurements o
and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and from management practices. An o
example of how estimating can be done is by comparing water meter readings to
estimated water need over a period of time such as a billing period. o
"Irrigation system" means a complete connection of system components, including the
water source, the water distribution network, controller and the necessary irrigation o
equipment. z
"Landscape area" means the total cumulative area of the portions of a project
development site to be improved with planting and irrigation. It includes water bodies s
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Packet Pg. 235
10.29.a
supplied with water such as fountains, swimming pools and ponds but does not include
natural open spaces and non-irrigated storm water treatment areas (e.g., a detention
pond or non-irrigated bio swales), building footprints, walkways, decks, patios, driveways,
non-irrigated synthetic turf, non-irrigated portions of parking lots, and other non-irrigated N
hardscape areas.
"Licensed Landscape Architect" An individual licensed by the NYS Department of
Education's Office of Professionals, to perform services further described in Title VIII of w
the NYS Education Law. o
"Low volume irrigation" means the application of irrigation water at low pressure through
a system of tubing or lateral lines and low volume emitters which may include but are not
limited to drip, drip lines, micro-sprayers, and bubblers and which target small volumes of
water at or near the root zone of plants.
"Low water using plant" means a plant that can survive throughout the year with little
irrigation and is semi-drought-tolerant. <
"Rain sensor" or "rain sensing shutoff device" means a device in wired or wireless °
communication with the automatic controller that shuts off the irrigation system when it
rains. J
"Runoff and Overspray" The irrigation system shall deliver water at a rate compatible with o
the site's soil types and infiltration rates. All irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid
cu
runoff, low head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows onto
adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways or structures. Proper irrigation o
equipment and schedules, including features such as repeat cycles, shall be used to d
closely match maximum application rates to infiltration rates. LO
"Smart irrigation controller" means an electronic automatic irrigation controller that is 17
weather- or soil-moisture-based with a timing device used to operate remote control o
valves that operate an irrigation system, which schedules irrigation events using
evapotranspiration (weather-based) data such as that from the California Irrigation and o
Management Information System (see definition of"CIMIS") and/or data from an integral
or auxiliary soil moisture or rain sensor, and which may also include a high flow sensor a)
for high flow damage or malfunction control. C
"Soil moisture sensor" means an instrument for measuring the moisture content of the
soil and capable of interruption of the irrigation cycle sensor when excessive moisture is
detected., 3:
means quality landscapes that conserve water and protect the environment o
and are adaptable to local conditions and which are drought tolerant. The principles of co
Xeriscape include planning and design, appropriate choice of plants, soil analysis which
may include the use of solid waste compost, efficient irrigation, practical use of turf, °
appropriate use of mulches, and proper maintenance. o
a
§301-287 Site Improvements and Development Projects subject to Water Conservation
Landscape Requirements o
a)
u
A. This Chapter shall apply to all of the following development .o
application/proiects: z
1_ Application for building permit for new development of a Single Family, Two-
Family or Multi-Family Residential Structure or an addition, renovation, alteration or E
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Q
Packet Pg. 236
10.29.a
improvement of an existing Single Family, Two-Family or Multi-Family Residential
Structure increasinq square footage by 25% or increases the existing lot area coverage
by 25% or greater; and C:
2. Application for Minor and Maior Subdivision-including development of each N
individual residential lot and all landscaped common areas (*note, a land division without
proposed development improvements shall not require a landscape design; and
3. Application for Site Plan and Special Permits, including applications for w
expansion of existing commercial and industrial sites; and o
B. The following development applications/proiects are exempt from the
requirements of this Chapter: ct
Q
1. Agricultural and horticultural commerce (for example, commercial activities
such as farming of grains, wine grapes, vegetables, fruit and nut trees and other -e
agricultural crop production; greenhouses; nurseries; and floriculture facilities); and a)
2. Plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the Q
public; and 0
3. Ecological restoration projects; and
4. Community gardens open to the public.
U
O
X301-288 Water Conservation Landscape Requirements
U)
A. All applicants seeking a permit or approval of a site improvements or development o
prosect identified in §287-A above shall provide a landscape design to include and be
installed meeting the following criteria: LO
M
1. All landscape designs shall employ best management practices and include a minimum o
of fifteen percent (15%) of the total landscaped area Xeriscape or drought tolerate or low N-
water using plantings of the total landscaped areas; and o
2. All landscape designs which include the installation of irrigation system(s), be it at thein
v
time of issuance of the building permit or at any and all times after issuance of building
permit, shall adhere to the following requirements: ci
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a) Low volume irrigation shall be used in all landscaped areas less than eight feet
in width in any direction; mulched areas; areas within 24 inches of a non- o
permeable surface unless no runoff occurs or the adiacent non-permeable
surface drains entirely to permeable surfaces capable of admitting and retaining
L
the irrigation runoff; and, on slopes greater than 25 percent (where "25 percent" °
means one foot of vertical elevation change for every four feet of horizontal o
length), unless an alternative design having the effect of low volume irrigation o
(e.g., micro-sprayers) and which will avoid runoff and erosion is approved by
Director of Planning & Building Department, Planning Board or Town Board; and o
b) Smart irrigation controllers shall be required for all irrigation systems and must
be able to accommodate all aspects of the design. Individual controllers irrigating o
an area of 10,000 or more square feet shall be installed with a rain sensor(s) z
which shall be properly installed (e.g., in a location suitable for detecting rain
without interference from structures and irrigation spray); and E
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Y
g. 233
Packet P ,,,
10.29.a
c) Irrigation systems shall not be planned, installed or operated so as to permit
water to spray on public sidewalks, paved areas or neighboring parcels. No
underground piping shall be laid within the Town highway right-of-way; and
d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit, restrict or prohibit irrigation N
of any sort which is accomplished by obtaining water by means that would not
deprive or otherwise retard recharge of the US EPA designated sole source
aquifer system under the Safe Water Drinking Act. LU
0
B. The landscape design package referenced in §288-A a shall be prepared by an
architect, landscape architect or certified nursery professional licensed by New York State
in good standing containing and satisfying the conditions and elements above and
submitted with the building permit application, site plan application, special permit
application or subdivision application. Notwithstanding the above, applicants seeking a
building permit for an addition, renovation, alteration or improvement of an existing Single <
Family, Two-Family or Multi-Family Residential Structure increasing square footage by '0
25% or increases the existing lot area coverage by 25% or greater shall not be
required to retain an architect or landscape architect and instead applicant may prepare
and submit a landscape plot plan, depicting the location of planting and identification of o
plant/tree species.
C. The Superintendent of the Water District may require a site plan, special permit or o
subdivision applicant to submit a copy of the water budget calculations required by the
proiect as part of the landscape design plan. LO
D. Upon approval of the landscape design plan, applicant shall be required to file a
covenant agreeing to maintain the landscape design plan in conformance with generally o
acceptable landscaping practices and standards. The applicant shall authorize periodic
inspections upon reasonable notice. This covenant shall run with the land in perpetuity o
and shall be binding upon any and all successors in interest.
L
§301-289 This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretar roof o
State.
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Dated: Riverhead, New York
August 18, 2020 0
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* Underline represents addition(s)
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* Overstrike represents deletion(s) °
BY THE ORDER OF THE TOWN
BOARD OF THE TOWN OF o
RIVERHEAD
DIANE M.WILHELM,Town Clerk 0
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Local Law#22020
CHAPTER 301
Zoning and Land Development
Part 3. Supplementary Regulations
Chapter 301 Part 3 Article Lill Water Conservation in Landscaping
§301-284 Intent: The Town of Riverhead, together with New York State, its departments
and agencies, and counties, towns and villages throughout the state, recognize that our
water systems are vital assets. The water system challenges include water-source
contamination; constraints on water supplies due to climate change and increasing
demand; and necessary and costly infrastructure improvements due to transmission lines,
pumps and treatment facilities susceptibility to deterioration together with limits on
available funding. Water conservation will assist the Town of Riverhead in maintaining a
supply-demand balance and realize other benefits, including but not limited to, greater
efficiency and appropriate expenditures for expansion of water supplies by allowing
existing water supplies to serve increasing populations; alleviation of competing demands
for water resources; and, increased ability to handle emergencies such as drought,
mechanical failure and water contamination. While there are many different and effective
ways to minimize water use within residential, commercial and institutional buildings,
including plumbing fixtures with flow restrictions, water conserving toilets, water pressure
control devices, at peak demand outdoor water use represents nearly seventy five
percent of total water demand for lawn, landscape and garden watering, the Town, by this
local law, seeks to require landscape designs to require less water by incorporating
Xeriscape landscape techniques, including reducing turf area, planting drought-tolerant
or low water using species, creation of storm water gardens and other planned methods
for protection of infrastructure and water aquifer, and installation of low volume and smart
controlled irrigation systems.
§301-285 Purpose: The Town of Riverhead has demonstrated its commitment and desire
to be a sustainable community. The purpose of establishing landscape designs which
utilize best management practices and incorporate Xeriscape techniques, together with
low volume and smart controlled irrigation systems is intended to further this commitment
by improving and maintaining the health of our waters, and reducing the stress on our
infrastructure.
§301-286 Definitions:
"Anti-drain or check valve" means a valve, located under a sprinkler head and installed
lower than the lowest head on the system, to hold water in the system when not in use
so it minimizes drainage from the lower elevation sprinkler heads.
"Application rate" means the depth of water applied to a given area, usually measured in
inches per hour.
"Applied water" means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the
landscape.
"Automatic controller" means a mechanical or solid state timer, capable of operating valve
stations to set the days and length of time of a water application.
"Backflow prevention device" means a safety device used to prevent pollution or
contamination of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation
system.
"Best Management Practice (BMP)" A design or practice employed with the primary
objective to minimize adverse water quality impacts, preserve beneficial features on-site,
avoid downstream erosion and habitat loss, maintain natural base flows and groundwater
recharge, prevent downstream flooding, provide multiple uses of drainage and storm
water drainage facilities, and/or provide for the economical, safe and aesthetically
pleasing drainage system for development.
"Certified Nursery Professional" A landscape professional having successfully completed
the examination for, and continuously maintains their status in, the Certified Nursery
Professional Program administered by the NYS Nursery and Landscape Association.
"Drought Tolerate Planting" means a planting which can survive on minimal water from
natural rainwater. (See Cornell University Integrative Plant Species Guidance
Documents).
"Ecological restoration project" means a project where the site is intentionally altered to
establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
"Invasive species" 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2)
whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm
to human health.
"High flow sensors" or "flow meters" detect and report high flow conditions created by
system damage or malfunction.
"High water using plant" means a plant that will require regular irrigation for adequate
appearance, growth and disease resistance.
"Irrigated" means supplied with equipment that can apply water from an irrigation system.
"Irrigation efficiency" means the measurement of the amount of water beneficially used
divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is derived from measurements
and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and from management practices. An
example of how estimating can be done is by comparing water meter readings to
estimated water need over a period of time such as a billing period.
"Irrigation system" means a complete connection of system components, including the
water source, the water distribution network, controller and the necessary irrigation
equipment.
"Landscape area" means the total cumulative area of the portions of a project
development site to be improved with planting and irrigation. It includes water bodies
supplied with water such as fountains, swimming pools and ponds but does not include
natural open spaces and non-irrigated storm water treatment areas (e.g., a detention
pond or non-irrigated bio swales), building footprints, walkways, decks, patios, driveways,
non-irrigated synthetic turf, non-irrigated portions of parking lots, and other non-irrigated
hardscape areas.
"Licensed Landscape Architect" An individual licensed by the NYS Department of
Education's Office of Professionals, to perform services further described in Title VIII of
the NYS Education Law.
"Low volume irrigation" means the application of irrigation water at low pressure through
a system of tubing or lateral lines and low volume emitters which may include but are not
limited to drip, drip lines, micro-sprayers, and bubblers and which target small volumes of
water at or near the root zone of plants.
"Low water using plant" means a plant that can survive throughout the year with little
irrigation and is semi-draught-tolerant.
"Rain sensor" or "rain sensing shutoff device" means a device in wired or wireless
communication with the automatic controller that shuts off the irrigation system when it
rains.
"Runoff and Overspray" The irrigation system shall deliver water at a rate compatible with
the site's soil types and infiltration rates. All irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid
runoff, low head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows onto
adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways or structures. Proper irrigation
equipment and schedules, including features such as repeat cycles, shall be used to
closely match maximum application rates to infiltration rates.
"Smart irrigation controller" means an electronic automatic irrigation controller that is
weather- or soil-moisture-based with a timing device used to operate remote control
valves that operate an irrigation system, which schedules irrigation events using
evapotranspiration (weather-based) data such as that from the California Irrigation and
Management Information System (see definition of "CIMIS") and/or data from an integral
or auxiliary soil moisture or rain sensor, and which may also include a high flow sensor
for high flow damage or malfunction control.
"Soil moisture sensor" means an instrument for measuring the moisture content of the
soil and capable of interruption of the irrigation cycle sensor when excessive moisture is
detected.
"Xeriscape" means quality landscapes that conserve water and protect the environment
and are adaptable to local conditions and which are drought tolerant. The principles of
Xeriscape include planning and design, appropriate choice of plants, soil analysis which
may include the use of solid waste compost, efficient irrigation, practical use of turf,
appropriate use of mulches, and proper maintenance.
§301-287 Site Improvements and Development Projects subject to Water Conservation
Landscape Requirements
A. This Chapter shall apply to all of the following development
application/projects:
1. Application for building permit for new development of a Single Family, Two-
Family or Multi-Family Residential Structure or an addition, renovation, alteration or
improvement of an existing Single Family, Two-Family or Multi-Family Residential
Structure increasing square footage by 25% or increases the existing lot area coverage
by 25% or greater; and
2. Application for Minor and Major Subdivision-including development of each
individual residential lot and all landscaped common areas (*note, a land division without
proposed development improvements shall not require a landscape design; and
3. Application for Site Plan and Special Permits, including applications for
expansion of existing commercial and industrial sites; and
B. The following development applications/projects are exempt from the
requirements of this Chapter:
1. Agricultural and horticultural commerce (for example, commercial activities
such as farming of grains, wine grapes, vegetables, fruit and nut trees and other
agricultural crop production; greenhouses; nurseries; and floriculture facilities); and
2. Plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the
public; and
3. Ecological restoration projects; and
4. Community gardens open to the public.
§301-288 Water Conservation Landscape Requirements
A. All applicants seeking a permit or approval of a site improvements or development
project identified in §287-A above shall provide a landscape design to include and be
installed meeting the following criteria:
1. All landscape designs shall employ best management practices and include a minimum
of fifteen percent (15%) of the total landscaped area Xeriscape or drought tolerate or low
water using plantings of the total landscaped areas; and
2. All landscape designs which include the installation of irrigation system(s), be it at the
time of issuance of the building permit or at any and all times after issuance of building
permit, shall adhere to the following requirements:
a) Low volume irrigation shall be used in all landscaped areas less than eight feet
in width in any direction; mulched areas; areas within 24 inches of a non-
permeable surface unless no runoff occurs or the adjacent non-permeable
surface drains entirely to permeable surfaces capable of admitting and retaining
the irrigation runoff; and, on slopes greater than 25 percent (where "25 percent"
means one foot of vertical elevation change for every four feet of horizontal
length), unless an alternative design having the effect of low volume irrigation
(e.g., micro-sprayers) and which will avoid runoff and erosion is approved by
Director of Planning & Building Department, Planning Board or Town Board; and
b) Smart irrigation controllers shall be required for all irrigation systems and must
be able to accommodate all aspects of the design. Individual controllers irrigating
an area of 10,000 or more square feet shall be installed with a rain sensor(s)
which shall be properly installed (e.g., in a location suitable for detecting rain
without interference from structures and irrigation spray); and
c) Irrigation systems shall not be planned, installed or operated so as to permit
water to spray on public sidewalks, paved areas or neighboring parcels. No
underground piping shall be laid within the Town highway right-of-way; and
d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit, restrict or prohibit irrigation
of any sort which is accomplished by obtaining water by means that would not
deprive or otherwise retard recharge of the US EPA designated sole source
aquifer system under the Safe Water Drinking Act.
B. The landscape design package referenced in §288-A a shall be prepared by an
architect, landscape architect or certified nursery professional licensed by New York State
in good standing containing and satisfying the conditions and elements above and
submitted with the building permit application, site plan application, special permit
application or subdivision application. Notwithstanding the above, applicants seeking a
building permit for an addition, renovation, alteration or improvement of an existing Single
Family, Two-Family or Multi-Family Residential Structure increasing square footage by
25% or increases the existing lot area coverage by 25% or greater shall not be required
to retain an architect or landscape architect and instead applicant may prepare and
submit a landscape plot plan, depicting the location of planting and identification of
plant/tree species.
C. The Superintendent of the Water District may require a site plan, special permit or
subdivision applicant to submit a copy of the water budget calculations required by the
project as part of the landscape design plan.
D. Upon approval of the landscape design plan, applicant shall be required to file a
covenant agreeing to maintain the landscape design plan in conformance with generally
acceptable landscaping practices and standards. The applicant shall authorize periodic
inspections upon reasonable notice. This covenant shall run with the land in perpetuity
and shall be binding upon any and all successors in interest.
§301-289 This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of
State.