For Immediate Release: March 18, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- The Adirondack Park Agency unanimously gave final approval to regulatory revisions on definitions and companion changes at its meeting on March 15. In its final decision, the 11-member board approved 22 new or revised provisions, among them, changing a proposed 16-foot height limitation on new boathouses in favor of a more flexible approach that would allow different boathouse designs.
Legal Affairs Committee co-chair James Townsend, who guided the regulatory revision process, described the Agency’s decision as "another step towards clearer and more easily understood regulations." He added: "The revisions include important adjustments that will benefit homeowners, improve administration of the APA Act, and clarify ambiguities identified by New York courts in the Agency’s definition of boathouse."
After considering a number of public comments submitted during the rule-making process, the Agency agreed that an earlier proposed definition of "boathouse" could conflict with existing architectural and design standards and with different municipal standards in the Adirondack Park. The board’s final vote clarified that definition substituting the more flexible concept of "a single story" for a proposed numeric height limitation to define "boathouse" and also added minor clarifications to the definitions of "dock " and "navigable."
The Agency also approved revisions which will allow small "bed-and-breakfast" facilities which meet certain standards to be treated as "accessory uses" to single family dwellings, allowed in existing homes without an Agency permit in many areas of the Park. This change will not supersede local land use regulations for bed and breakfast accommodations.
Other revisions were intended as minor clarifications of regulations pertaining to group camps, guest cottages, marinas, retaining walls, and conversions of pre-existing resort facilities to residential uses.
Commenting on the Agency’s adoption of these revisions, Chairman Richard Lefebvre said, " We hope that these changes will help Adirondack homeowners better understand permitted home uses that would otherwise be regulated by the Park Agency Act, and are pleased to continue other clarifications of regulations last generally visited in the early 1980's. This regulatory revision effort is part of a balanced Agency agenda that also includes a new Citizen’s Guide to Adirondack Park Agency Land Use Regulations."
The Agency initiated its consideration of these regulatory changes in 1998. Following numerous public outreach efforts, including several public meetings, the Agency agreed in July of 2000 on draft regulatory language. After approval by the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform, formal rule-making began. Four public hearings were held in January and February of 2002. Public comments received during the hearing process were considered in preparing the final text of the regulatory changes.
The regulatory revisions will be filed with the Department of State and noticed in the NYS Register. An announcement of the effective date of the regulatory changes is expected by early May.
For more information on the regulatory changes contact Victoria Hristovski at the APA headquarters at (518) 891-4050 ext. 173, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.