Sea Cliff Village approves third change to building code

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The Village Board of Trustees hosted a public hearing Tuesday to consider input from residents regarding a law to amend Sea Cliff’s building code in relation to property improvements (1808). After comments were received, trustees unanimously approved the proposal.
In September, representatives from the village’s Subdivision Committee gave a presentation outlining proposed changes to the village’s code. Building Department Supervisor Shane Dommin said the changes would “enhance village processes” with the goal of simplifying the building code. Since that meeting, the code has been gradually amended to include the committee’s recommendations.
Village Attorney Brian Stolar, who advises the committee, explained that the first portion of the new law is related to section 107-4 of the current code, which requires site plan review by Sea Cliff’s Planning Board. The amendment, he said, broadens the scope of the code to “include specific items of development” (see box).
The second portion of the law addresses “design standards,” and requires all proposed site plans to include information contained in section 145-8 of the village code. Such standards include: property owner; Nassau County Land and Tax Map description; village zoning district; and proposed location, arrangement and dimensions of all structures.
Coming down the pike

Tuesday’s agenda also included hearings on two other laws proposed by the Subdivision Committee.
The first (1807), would amend the code “in relation to definitions of lot area and accessory structures, and regulat[e] certain accessory structures.”
The second (1809), would amend the code “in relation to the mailing of public hearing notices for applications before the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board and the deposit of monies on account of costs.”
Section one of 1807 outlines the definition for “accessory building” and lists items, elements, equipment and structures deemed as such. It also includes the amended definition for “lot area,” as well as what is excluded under the term
According to 1809, “In all cases where the village will incur expenses, including publication, stenographer’s fees, attorneys’ fees or any other consultant providing engineering, surveying or other investigative or expert advice, payment for those fees shall be the responsibility of the applicant.”
Stolar said the purpose of the amendments is to “eliminate certain hearing and mailing requirements to make for a short, quick application process.”
Hearings for both laws will be continued at the next public comment meeting on Jan. 14. All three laws are available on the village website for residents’ convenience.