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New Zoning Regulations and What is Fair
Posted on November 24, 2009 at 01:07:08 AM by Ken Buttolph

I've given a lot of thought about the new proposed zoning regulations after going to the Zoning hearing Thursday.

I realize that the existing zoning regulations are seriously outdated and that modern, hot-button issues have arisen in recent years utterly unaddressed in the 1973 regulations. In no particular order of importance I'll mention a sampling of issues, like windmills, transmission towers and wood-fired boilers. There is virtually no mention of such items in the old zoning regulations, so, when there is no codified definition or desired application of such or similar items, it leaves our local government no direction to turn for precedence or guidance. Therefore an updated zoning ordinance makes sense.

However, in the process of producing new zoning laws, it is also possible to go too far.

To paraphrase the opening "Intent" clause from the new zoning laws, "Such Law is made to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community and to
protect, preserve and enhance the scenic qualities and rural character of the Town of Spafford." Further specific mention is made regarding overcrowding, retention of farm land, protection of waterfront enjoyed by the town's residents which areas contribute to the unique and scenic nature of the town. Most language in this clause is about the character of the town.

Two of the three proposed Zoning Districts are lake-oriented, either Skaneateles or Otisco, while the third is Residential- Agricultural. I'm concerned about the new regulation(s) regarding what may or may not be parked on one's own private property, i.e., its location, type of vehicle, its ability to be seen from property sight lines and so forth. In a lake/agricultural district, I think it's reasonable that a majority of people might own some form of boat, RV, trailer, farm machinery, earth moving equipment as might be used in such zoning districts. In my mind, and most who have spent a fair amount of time in this town will find these very items are icons to the measured uses of the populace. Is it really fair to suddenly place the burden of having to hide these items from some perceived, off-property, line-of-sight view even remotely in keeping with the "unique and scenic nature" of this town?

I don't think so.

It can't escape notice a recent influx of new property owners from various upscale areas of the country have arrived in Spafford. Although it might be understood there has been a way of life here before their arrival, often that gets forgotten once some are settled-in. Many have lots of time and money on their hands, enough of both to badger the bejabbers out of our local volunteer government about someone else's unsightly property, like it's not only their business but their right to tell others what to do.

The thorny issue for our local legislators is, when does one person's property with things on it cross the line and become a junkyard? So it's easier to say no to anything than be inclusive of anything.

But this is the wrong tack to take, or we'll all be bullied away from our property rights!

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