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Village Waterfront Area Planning Analysis and Zoning Amendments
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The Village of Sag Harbor is experiencing increasing development pressures and it’s leaders are concerned that the current zoning ordinance does not provide the tools to shape future development in the waterfront area including key properties that are poised for redevelopment—to ensure that the area retains the human scale, eclectic character, and access to the water that the residents value. In response, the Board of Trustees enacted a six-month moratorium on development and retained the consultant team of Nelson Pope & Voorhis, LLC (NPV), the Form-Based Codes Institute (FBCI), and Chuck Banas Design (CBD) to review the current zoning code and to propose revisions, which would ensure that any new development balances the protection and enhancement of the unique and eclectic qualities of the village waterfront with the economic realities of property values and limited areas for development in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from, the overall character and charm of the Village.
The Village will undertake a study of the Waterfront Study Area to assess whether current zoning can achieve the above goals and examine new zoning strategies that could be adopted to guide future growth of the Village. The intent of the study is to identify code changes, which will ensure that any redevelopment is at an appropriate scale, enhances the waterfront area, preserves views of the water, protects groundwater, natural resources and community recreation facilities, and optimizes pedestrian access. Nelson Pope & Voorhis, LLC (NPV), the Form-Based Codes Institute (FBCI), and Chuck Banas Design (CBD) will conduct a study of the waterfront area and prepare zoning code amendments to achieve the goals for this area of the village. The following provides a timeline of past and future steps for implementation of this project, including opportunities for public comment highlighted in yellow.
The June 2021 Waterfront Overlay District Code is the most recent version of the draft Waterfront Overly Code which includes the following modifications since the April 20,2021 version of the code:
- The Zoning Map and Height Subareas Map being modified to change the Waterfront Overlay Boundary to:
- Removed the properties which are being studied as part of the Sewer Master Plan along Bridge, Meadow, and Rose streets.
- Included all of Steinbeck Park within the Overlay – previously only the OD zoned portion of the park was included (with a recommendation to change the zone to PC).
- Zoning map:
- Added labels for the Village parking lot, Post Office, and National Grid properties.
- Added note that the entire area is within the Historic Overlay District
- The maximum building and impervious coverage in the VB and OD has been reduced to 70% to be consistent with the current code maximums in VB and OD.
- A superscript (2) has been added to the Use Table for each of the office uses in the VB column and added a note at the end of the table consistent with the current code to read “In the Village Business (VB) District, offices and banks are prohibited on the first floor, and permitted on the second floor and above. See Section 300-6.4E”.
- Updated the Use Table for the OD District to be consistent with the current Use Table. While the current version maintains the same SE uses in the OD, it continues to limit the size within the overlay to 1,500 SF. The current version continues to allow for upper story dwellings and live work units as SE in the OD – since an apartment building is permitted as an SE in the OD now.
- A new use added for rooftop patios/decks has been added to the Accessory Use table which is shown as prohibited in all districts within the Overlay. The current version removes awnings and other encroachment exceptions within the required 10’ stepback (and the diagram in Section 5.3.5 Height no longer shows a person or awning within the upper story stepback).
- The current version requires that all development comply with Suffolk County Sanitary Code and Chapter 220 of Village Code (and that any costs for extension of a sewer service area be the responsibility of the applicant). Chapter 220 already requires that connections be paid for by the applicant.
- Changed historic to “historical” in Section 1.2. It now reads “Encourage a diversity of scales, architectural styles, and materials which respects the historical character and gives the Village its authentic nature”
Please click the following link to view to the June 2021 Waterfront Overlay District Code: Waterfront Overlay District Code
| TOPIC | DATE |
| Stakeholder Session 1 | Monday, October 25, 2021 |
| Stakeholder Session 2 | Tuesday, October 26, 2021 |
| Clarify and Confirm the Vision, Goals, and Concerns for the Redevelopment of the Sag Harbor Waterfront | Wednesday, October 28, 2020 |
| Presentation by Marta Goldsmith on Form Based Codes | Tuesday, November 10, 2020 |
| Diagnostic of Existing Zoning Code Provisions Relevant to the Waterfront Area | |
| Draft Waterfront Overlay Zoning Presentation | Wednesday, January 27, 2021 |
| Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | |
| Written public comment period on initial Waterfront Overlay provisions received through this date | Tuesday, February 16, 2021 |
| Presentation at Board of Trustees Work session of the Waterfront Overlay recommendations from the Waterfront Planning Committee regarding the public input received | |
| Provide status update on the revision process for the Waterfront Overlay District Code - receive additional feedback from the BOT on public summary document | Tuesday, March 9, 2021 |
| Presentation at Board of Trustees Work session on the updated Waterfront Overlay which incorporated recommendations based on the public input | Wednesday, March 24, 2021 |
| Thursday, April 1, 2021 | |
| Board of Trustees Working Meeting to review Waterfront Overlay Code | Friday, April 9, 2021 |
| Meeting in Steinbeck Park | Friday, April 23, 2021 |
| Planning Board update | Tuesday, April 27, 2021 |
| Presentation at Board of Trustees Work session of the updated Draft Waterfront Overlay code which incorporates the revisions of the Trustees schedule Q &A Sessions | Wednesday, April 28, 2021 |
Monday, May 3, 2021 | |
| Question and answer session (3 pm) | Monday, May 10, 2021 |
| Tuesday, May 11, 2021 | |
| Planning Board Update at Work Session | Tuesday, May 25, 2021 |
| Wednesday, May 26, 2021 | |
| Introduce local law at Board of Trustees meeting on the Waterfront Overlay code, establish Lead Agency under SEQR, schedule public hearing | Tuesday, June 8, 2021 |
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 | |
| Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | |
| Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | |
| BOT Work Session | Tuesday, June 23, 2021 |
| Harbor Committee Meeting - Coastal Consistency Recommendation | |
| Suffolk County Planning Commission Meeting | Wednesday, July 7, 2021 |
| Public Hearing | Tuesday, July 13, 2021 |
*Shaded lines indicate items with opportunity for public comment
Please click to view the Presentation presented at the Regular Board Meeting on November 10, 2020: An Overview of Form-Based Codes
Products
Overlay Waterfront Draft
- Draft Transportation Demand Management
- 2021-02-23 Public Comments
- Public Comment Summary 210224
- 2021-02-24 Table of Uses Comparison
- Sag Harbor Waterfront Overlay, March 2021
- Sag Harbor Waterfront Overlay District Code Draft - April 20
- Sag Harbor Waterfront Overlay District Code - June 2021 (1)
- 2021-04-15 Table of Uses - Comparison WF Overlay to Existing Code
Clarify and Confirm the Vision, Goals, and Concerns for the Redevelopment of the Sag Harbor Waterfront
An effective zoning code is the legal interpretation of a community vision or plan. Sag Harbor’s Comprehensive Plan and its current Local Waterfront Redevelopment Plan updates are an important part of the Village’s vision for the future. In addition, the Waterfront Planning Committee has articulated Goals and Strategies for the future development in the area, which further defines this vision. In this phase, a review of all of these documents, as well as the current zoning ordinance will be undertaken and confirmation with key stakeholders of the most important elements of the Vision for the Waterfront will take place. This phase will consist of the following tasks:
● Review the Sag Harbor Comprehensive Plan, Sag Harbor Waterfront Planning Analysis, Sag Harbor Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Update, and related planning documents;
● Review the July 27, 2020 Statement of Goals and Strategies for the Waterfront and list of potential tools/code amendments to consider;
● Review the Sag Harbor Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map;
● Gain access to and review GIS data for the Village of Sag Harbor;
● Virtually meet with key stakeholders to review the Vision and Goals, and their concerns with the code structure, administration, and development outputs.
The deliverable for Phase I will be a brief Waterfront Vision Statement for review, comment, and confirmation by the Waterfront Planning Committee that includes:
● A clear vision of the future Sag Harbor Waterfront with a narrative, conceptual map, and illustrative images;
● Goals and guidelines for zoning updates of the Sag Harbor Waterfront area, which will achieve the vision; and
● A list of concerns with the current regulatory framework, which Village leaders believe may impede the achievement of the Vision and Goals.
● Goals and guidelines for zoning updates of the Sag Harbor Waterfront area, which will achieve the vision; and
● A list of concerns with the current regulatory framework, which Village leaders believe may impede the achievement of the Vision and Goals.
Timeframe for Phase I:
● Phase I deliverable due to Committee for review: October 19, 2020
● Posted on Village Website: October 22, 2020
● Presentation at Board of Trustees Work Session: October 28, 2020
Diagnostic of Existing Zoning Code Provisions Relevant to the Waterfront Area
The team will analyze the provisions of Chapter 300, Zoning that regulate development in the Waterfront Study Area to assess their potential impact on the Village’s ability to achieve the Vision and Goals, and sufficiently address the Concerns identified in Task I. The code review and analysis will result in the development of a report that will summarize recommended zoning revisions and anticipated improvements to be achieved for future redevelopment patterns through adoption of code amendments. This phase will consist of the following tasks:
- Outline relevant Village plan provisions, goals and other “guideposts” for zoning implementation;
- Assess Sag Harbor's historic development pattern to serve as a basis for the form-based provisions in a proposed zoning overlay;
- Produce key findings on code performance and proposed reforms;
- Lay out recommended changes to code structure and layout, zone standards, building form standards, supplemental standards (parking/TDM, landscape, signs, etc.), and standards addressing visual and physical access to the water;
- Draft a code template with illustrations, tables, and simple text for review;
- Virtually present the Zoning Diagnostic Report to the Waterfront Planning Committee, Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders, as requested.
The deliverable from Phase II will be a report that will document:
- Key features from the Village Comprehensive Plan, historic development pattern analysis, and the Vision and Goals that will guide the code reform.
- Key findings on performance in the Waterfront Study Area of the existing code.
- Recommended changes to the zoning code structure and layout, for the Waterfront Areas, possibly to include: zone standards, building form, supplemental standards (parking/TDM, landscape, signs, etc.), and standards addressing visual and physical access to the water.
Timeframe for Phase II:
- Phase II deliverable due to Committee for review: November 14, 2020
- Posted on Village Website: November 16, 2020
- Presentation at Board of Trustees Work Session: November 23, 2020 (special meeting due to holiday)
Proposed Zoning Ordinance Updates and Alternatives
Based on the work in Phase I and II, the consultant team will prepare proposed zoning modifications and standards for the Waterfront Study Area, in the form of a potential overlay district. These standards will address building form, type and placement; landscaping; required viewsheds; and pedestrian corridors and access for both private and public spaces. In addition, this phase will include massing scenarios to illustrate the proposed zoning modifications and standards for three properties within the Study Area, to include waterfront and inland (large and small) properties. This phase will consist of the following tasks:
- Draft regulations for a Sag Harbor Waterfront Overlay to include building form, architectural character, block and street dimensions, and the relationship between the Village and the water;
- Graphically depict the community's vision for the Sag Harbor waterfront as a guide to property and business owners and investors;
- Update the Zoning Map, if needed, to better align with the provisions in the Overlay, the Vision and Goals for the Village, and market trends;
- Virtually present the Sag Harbor Waterfront Overlay to the Waterfront Planning Committee, Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders, as requested.
The deliverable from Phase III will be the draft zoning Overlay District, to include:
- Text of required zoning code amendments;
- Form-based standards for building form and placement, streetscape and the pedestrian experience, landscaping, minimum parameters for water views, and uses.
- Massing scenarios for three different property types.
- Map of overlay district (if applicable)
Timeframe for Phase III:
- Phase III deliverable due to Committee for review: January 15, 2021
- Posted on Village Website: January 20, 2021
- Presentation at Board of Trustees Work Session: January 27, 2021
Please click on link to view image: Figure 1 Study Area AerialPlease click on link to view image: Figure 2 Study Area with Zoning
Project Team - Waterfront Planning and Zoning Committee
Village of Sag Harbor Members
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Kathleen Mulcahy | Mayor |
| Bob Plumb | Trustee |
| Kay Preston Lawson | Planning Board Chair |
| Tim McGuire | Zoning Board of Appeals Chair |
| Dean Gomolka | Board of Historic Preservation & Architectural Review Board |
| Ron Reed | Planning Board Member |
| Will Sharp | Harbor Committee Member |
| Jayne Young | Sag Harbor Partnership Representative |
| Beth Kamper | Village Clerk |
| Denise Schoen | Village Attorney |
Consultant Team
| Name | Title/Organization |
|---|---|
| Kathy Eiseman | Village Planner, Partner of Nelson, Pope & Voorhis |
| Bonnie Franson | Partner, Nelson, Pope & Voorhis |
| Valeria Monastra | Principal Planner, Nelson, Pope & Voorhis |
| Taylor Garner | Environmental Planner at Nelson, Pope & Voorhis |
| Marta Goldsmith | Executive Director of the Form Based Code Institute |
| Chris Hawley | Planner, Chuck Banas Design |
| Chuck Banas | Urban Designer, Chuck Banas Design |
| Bernice Radle | Planner, Chuck Banas Design |