Planned Development District

Summary

The Rosendale Town Board established a Zoning Review Committee.
As part of its work, the ZRC considered a proposal for a Planned Development District as part of the Town zoning code.
A PDD designation would potentially permit HRVR to avoid the necessity for obtaining numerous Special Use Permits and zoning variances for their proposed project.

ZRC Mission statement

"The Zoning Review Committee (ZRC) was established by a Town Board resolution to review town zoning codes. Our work involves considering and recommending zoning code affecting design standards, community character, zoning districts, application procedures, protecting areas of environmental significance, identification of suitable areas for potential development and "smart growth" development.

The work of the ZRC is guided by the Comprehensive Plan which was developed to serve as a guideline to regulate land use for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, quality of life and general welfare of its citizens."

History of the Planned Development District in Rosendale

The PDD concept and the initial wording regarding it was introduced to the ZRC by their consultants, Behan Planning and Design. It is not called for by the Rosendale Comprehensive Plan.
The ZRC discussed PDD and made some changes to the text provided by Behan, but soon concluded that there was "no unanimity among ZRC members on how to proceed". Consideration was given to asking for an extension of the deadline imposed by the Town Board; in the end it was decided that PDD represented a change in zoning policy that should be addressed directly by the Town Board, not the ZRC.
The Town Board took no action.
People became curious about the status of PDD. There was some confusion regarding who was working on it.
The ZRC discussed the matter and then told the Town Board that they were willing to add PDD back on to their workload, but that it would follow all of their already-scheduled activities.
When it became apparent that having the ZRC work on PDD was going to delay it for a significant time, The Town Board formed a working group to address it, consisting of selected members of the Town Board, Planning Board, etc.

What is a PDD?

An owner-specific overlay on the existing land-use zones, including the Residence A zone.
Approved by the Town Board on a case-by-case basis.
Replaces "the conventional use and dimensional requirements" of the Zoning Code with site-specific approval by the Town Board of a Development Plan which has been reviewed by both the Town and County Planning Boards.
In exchange for relaxed use, sizing, and dimensional requirements, approval by the Town Board is contingent on the provision by the developer of 'amenities' which provide a benefit to the Town as a whole.
Within a current residential zone, the following additional land uses would be permitted within a PDD:
- A variety and mix of different residential housing types (example: not just single-family in a Residence A zone).
- Mixed residential and commercial, and non-residential accessory uses that primarily serve the residents of the PDD.
- Hotels, resorts and their non-residential accessory uses, including lodging, health spas, restaurants, and recreation facilities.
- "Such other uses as are allowed in the underlying district and approved by the Planning Board."

More detail can be found in the rough draft document developed by the ZRC. Note, however, that this document was not finalized and left many issues unresolved. Here is a review of the Planned Development District proposal.

Last updated 11 Jul 2011.

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