Watkins Glen passes new zoning rules

WATKINS GLEN--After months of discussion and COVID-19 related delays, the Watkins Glen board of trustees unanimously passed a slate of new zoning laws during a Zoom meeting Tuesday, Jan. 18. Replacing in some cases zoning laws that were roughly 50 years old, the new zoning laws were another aspect of the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
"I would like to thank the advisory committee... (and everyone else) that helped rework the zoning... we appreciate the effort," said Mayor Luke Leszyk.
The new zoning laws had been in the works for months and were expected to be completed last year but according to Leszyk, delays, in part created by COVID, caused the process to last much longer than expected. During the meeting, Leszyk explained that board members went through the new zoning regulations page by page and members of the zoning board, planning board and advisory committee all contributed.
According to the presentation given to the board prior to the vote, the new zoning laws will, "create a more user-friendly, readable document to improve guidance and understanding for all users of the zoning law."
The new laws are also designed to streamline the review process while also defining the short-term rental rules and regulations, making the recent moratorium no longer necessary.
During the meeting, it was also announced that Cargill Salt has sent a letter to the village approving proposed changes to Clute Park. Already in the midst of a multi-million dollar renovation, the village has also been making plans to expand the number of campground spaces available by repurposing underused areas.
Now that approval has been obtained more finite plans can be made going forward.
With unbelievably cold temperatures and the first real snow of the winter, the board also took time to remind residents that it is their responsibility to shovel sidewalks.
"We need a reminder to everyone to shovel the sidewalks... people need to get out there and do it. And I know it's a pain, but we don't want to send out our crews because then you will get charged for that by the village," said board member Laurie DeNardo.
Leszyk agreed, and said it can be impossible for pedestrians to move throughout the village if the sidewalks are not clean and it is not just a residential responsibility but the responsibility of local businesses as well.