Gaines looks to bring back Planning Board, expand commercial district on 104
Courtesy of Town of Gaines: Gaines is proposing a change in the zoning map that expands the commercial district on Route 104, west of the Cobblestone Museum. Gaines also has commercial zoning districts at the 5 corners and intersection of routes 279 and 104.
GAINES – After a year-long effort, the Town of Gaines is proposing changes to its zoning regulations and map, including expanding the commercial district on Route 104, from the Cobblestone Museum going east to Brown Road.
That will allow more options for development on Ridge Road that aren’t in a historic district.
The town also is looking to eliminate a commercial zoning district in the Eagle Harbor hamlet, while keeping the commercial district at the 5 Corners and expanding the district at the routes 279 and 104 intersection.
The Town Board will have a public hearing 7 p.m. Thursday about the zoning changes. The hearing will be at the Town Hall.
The Town Board formed the Zoning Advisory Committee about a year ago to review the zoning. That committee worked with LaBella Associates on the project.
The committee recommended Gaines bring back its Planning Board. That board was abolished in January 2012 with its duties passed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Town Supervisor Joe Grube said Gaines is the only town in the county without a Planning Board.
He is pleased with the zoning revisions proposed by the committee and Labella. It5 also updates a comprehensive plan for land use, that Grube said was originally adopted in 1983.
“This will bring the zoning into 2020,” Grube said.
The revisions include more detail on development in the commercial districts, especially with signage.
Other highlights include:
• Establishes regulations for R-1 Residential District and Planned Development District as floating zones. They are not specified on the zoning map, but can be added to rezoned land if the Town Board deems either district appropriate.
• Establishes new regulations for the Commercial Historic District, including standards for building design, building placement, parking and landscaping, with a goal to prevent incompatible development with the historic district.
• Adds provisions for farm labor and agricultural packing and processing facilities.
The Orleans County Planning Board last Thursday reviewed the proposal and recommended the Town of Gaines pass the changes.
Click here to see the zoning ordinance being proposed by Gaines.
