Local Laws and Ordinances

Incorporated Village of Shoreham

Local Law 89-2: VILLAGE OF SHOREHAM Local Law No. 2 of the year 1989

Coastal Erosion Hazard Area

4. Variances and Appeals

4.1 Variances from Standards and Restrictions.

Strict application of the standards and restrictions of this local law may cause practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship. When this can be shown, such standards and restrictions may be varied or modified provided that the following criteria are met:

  1. No reasonable, prudent, alternative site is available.

  2. All responsible means and measures to mitigate adverse impacts on natural systems and their functions and values have been incorporated into the activity's design at the property owner's expense.

  3. The development will be reasonably safe from flood and erosion damage.

  4. The variance requested is the minimum necessary to overcome the practical difficulty or hardship which was the basis for the requested variance.

  5. Where public funds are utilized, the public benefits must clearly outweigh the long-term adverse effects.

4.2 Format and Procedure.

Any request for a variance must be in writing and specify the standard, restriction, or requirement to be varied and how the requested variance meets the criteria of Section 4.1 of this local law. The burden of demonstrating that the requested variance meets those criteria rests entirely with the applicant.

4.3 Fees.

Each variance request must be accompanied by the required fee or fees as established by the Village legislative body under separate resolution.

4.4 Expiration.

Any construction activity allowed by a variance granted by the Coastal Erosion Hazard Board of Review must be completed within 1 year from the date of approval or approval with modifications or conditions.

Variances expire at the end of this 1 year period without further hearing or action by the Coastal Erosion Hazard Board of Review.

4.5 Coastal Erosion Hazard Board of Review.

The Planing Board is hereby designated as the Coastal Erosion Hazard Board of Review and has the authority to:

  1. Hear, approve, approve with modification or deny requests for variances or other forms of relief from the requirements of this local law.

  2. Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Administrator in the enforcement of this local law, including any order requiring an alleged violator to stop, cease and desist.

4.6 Appeal.

The Coastal Erosion Hazard Board of Review may, in conformity with the provisions of this local law, reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision, or determination of the Administrator, including stop or cease and desist orders. Notice of such decision will forthwith be given to all parties in interest. The rules and procedures for filing appeals are as follows:

  1. Appeals must be filed with the Municipal Clerk within 30 days of the date of the adverse decision.

  2. All appeals made to the Coastal Erosion Hazard Board of Review must be in writing on standard forms prescribed by the Board. The Board will transmit a copy to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for his information.

  3. All appeals must refer to the specific provisions of this local law involved, specify the alleged errors, the interpretation thereof that is claimed to be correct and the relief which the appellant claims.

4.7 Appeal to the Court.

Any person or persons, jointly or severally aggrieved by a decision by the Coastal Erosion Hazard Board of Review or any officer, department, Board or Bureau of the Village, may apply to the Supreme Court for review by a proceeding under Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.

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