New zoning district and rules approved for Duane Lake

This comes as part of a lengthy process of updating the Town’s overall zoning ordinance and was approved at its June 2015 meeting.

The Board of Directors of the Duane Lake Association intervened in the process when it noticed the Town’s original proposals for Duane Lake would treat Duane Lake the same as Mariaville Lake and would have allowed several kinds of commercial land use that are prohibited by deed restrictions governing every property around Duane Lake. The DLA Board of Directors proposed, instead, that a new zoning district be added to the Town’s zoning ordinance especially for Duane Lake, a district that would conform with the deed restrictions.

As required by New York State law, the Duanesburg Town Board held a public hearing (in May) to receive public comments about proposed revisions to the town’s zoning ordinance.

In response to proposals by the DLA, Town Attorney Jeffrey Siegal suggested a petition be developed by the DLA to demonstrate support from the Duane Lake community.

Our petition attracted 89 signatures representing 62 households, or 78% of those eligible. Fifteen households did not respond. Only two property owners declined to sign. The Association is grateful to residents of the Duane Lake community for its support.

The Duanesburg Town Board unanimously approved the new zoning ordinance at its June 2015 meeting. The Duane Lake Association Board of Directors thanks the Town Board for its openness to suggestions and citizen input in this long process.

Here is the new wording that now governs land use in the new Duane Lake zoning district:

Lake District (L-2) (Duane Lake)
7.2.1 PURPOSE: This district is made up of properties that surround Duane Lake. The purpose is to protect the lake from significant environmental impacts while maintaining the traditional character of the lake.

7.2.2 PERMITTED USES
1) Dwelling, Single-Family, consisting of a minimum gross floor area of 600 square feet
2) Family Day Care Home
3) Group Family Day Care Home

7.2.3 NOT USED

7.2.4 USES PERMITTED BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT
1) Dwelling, Two-Family

7.2.5 MINIMUM LOT SIZES:
1) Minimum Land Area shall be 43,560 square feet (1 acre)
2) Minimum Lot Width shall be 175 feet
3) Minimum Lot Depth shall be 200 feet
4) Maximum Lot Coverage shall be 30%

7.2.6 MINIMUM BUILDING SETBACK DIMENSIONS:
1) Minimum Front Setback shall be 40 feet from Front Building Line
2) Minimum Side Setback shall be 40 feet from Side Building Line
3) Minimum Side Setback on corner lot shall be 40 feet from Side Building Line
4) Minimum Rear Setback shall be 40 feet from Rear Building Line

7.2.7 LAKE ACCESS: No new access way to the lake can be constructed between a non-contiguous lake parcel and a contiguous lake parcel.

7.2.8 MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT:
1) Maximum Building Heights shall be 2 ½ stories not exceeding 35 feet.