Planning Board Members:
Todd Schwendeman, Chair
Mike Vincent
Emily Vincent
Mark Sengenberger
Alexis Goldsmith
Secretary: Cathy Shultes
bernepbandzba@gmail.com
Planning Board Meetings:
1st Thursday ∗ of the month at 7:00PM
∗As needed a second Planning Board meeting may also
be held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00PM
All new applications coming before the Planning Board need to be complete and submitted to the Building & Zoning Dept. at berne.ny.zoning @gmail.com; 518-872-1448 ext. 104 no less that two weeks prior to the next scheduled board meeting.
MEETING MINUTES:
Archives are available upon request at the Town Hall
FORMS
- Application for Historic District status
- Lot Line Adjustment Fee sheet
- APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL IN TN/MU1 OR TN/MU2 DISTRICT
- Site Visit Consent Form
FORMS FOR APPLYING TO SUBDIVIDE
5 files. Print and fill out all pages 1-5.
Hand deliver or mail to: Planning Board, Berne Town Hall, PO Box 57, Berne, NY 12023.
- Planning Board Subdivision Application
- Minor Subdivision Checklist (page 1 – Sketch Plan)
- Minor Subdivision Checklist (page 2: Final Plan)
- Short Environmental Assessment Form
- Subdivision Fee sheet (For applicant’s information only)
TOWN OF BERNE PLANNING BOARD MINOR SUBDIVISION APPLICATION STEP BY STEP PROCEDURES
PRE-APPLICATION STAGE
Once the decision is made to subdivide a parcel of land, the suggested first step in the process, especially for those who have not retained a professional land surveyor or attorney (or prior to hiring a professional…), is to investigate the current zoning requirements of the subject parcel with the Town Building Department. This can be easily accomplished by doing the following:
1. Using an existing plot plan (if available from owners records) or a small photocopy of the tax map for the parcel (a copy can be obtained from the Town Clerk), explain to the building department how the parcel is proposed to be subdivided. If possible, sketch the proposed subdivision lines on the tax map and indicate approximate dimensions (area, lot line or frontage dimensions).
2. The Building Inspector will be able to explain the current zoning of the parcel as well as the required minimum lot size, frontage and setback requirements in the zoning district. This will provide some initial idea as to whether the subdivision is reasonable.
3. If necessary, the Building Inspector may direct an applicant to the Planning Board at this early stage to provide further guidance to the applicant in an attempt to avoid spending money unnecessarily.
4. If a proposed subdivision is thought to be acceptable, the applicant will be directed to have prepared and submit a formal Sketch Plan, subdivision application and Environmental Assessment Form (EAF).
SKETCH PLAN STAGE
The requirements of the formal Sketch Plan submission are shown on the attached submittal checklist. At this stage, the applicant should do the following:
1. Contact a licensed land surveyor to perform a survey of the subject parcel and prepare a map. The surveyor should be given the subdivision checklist to insure that the prepared map will meet the Town’s requirements.
2. The applicant may be able to fill out the subdivision application and environmental assessment form and provide a copy of the present property deed on their own, rather than having the surveyor complete this work.
3. Once all required information is completed, the Planning Board Secretary should be contacted (872-1448) so that the application may be placed on the agenda for the next Planning Board meeting. At this time, the owners of the abutting properties will be notified that an application for subdivision will be submitted at the next Planning Board meeting.
4. The application should attend the meeting to formally submit the Sketch Plan, subdivision application and the EAF and to explain and discuss the proposal with the Planning Board. A minimum of five(5) paper print copies of the Sketch Plan should be submitted to the Board for Town use. The applicant may send the surveyor or another professional as a representative if so desired, however it is not necessary.
5. At the meeting, the Planning Board may suggest modifications to the plan to address any concerns raised during the discussion. These recommendations should be incorporated into the next submission.
6. The Planning Board will also schedule a site visit to the property for members of the Planning Board and the Town’s Conservation Board to review the side conditions and the proposed subdivision lines.
APPROVAL STAGE
Based upon the recommendations of the Planning Board following the Sketch Plan meeting and the site visit, a final submittal should be made in accordance with the attached checklist for Final Plan per the following:
1. The surveyor and/or the applicant should coordinate with the Albany County Health Department to obtain the appropriate testing for wells and for sanitary disposal systems.
2. The Planning Board Secretary will then schedule a Public Hearing for the application at which time the Board will undertake a final review of the information and obtain any public comments on the application.
3. When all required information has been satisfactorily submitted and reviewed, and the Public Hearing held, the Planning Board will be in a position to render a decision on the application.
4. When approved, the Planning Board Chairman will stamp and sing the appropriate number of maps. Some will be retained for the Town file and the remainder will be returned to the applicant. The applicant is responsible for filing the appropriate maps, along with the new deeds, in the Office of the County Clerk.