Town of Varick

Planning Board

Members:

	Term expires	Area	Telephone	email
Linda Mastellar, Chair	2026	Seneca	315-382-6070	lmastellar@rochester.rr.com
Thomas Björkman, Secty	2027	Cayuga	315-549-8421	tnb1@cornell.edu
Lauren Burling	2027	Cayuga	215-694-6054	laurenburling0524@gmail.com
Frankie Long	2026	Seneca	315-585-6750	tlong24@rochester.rr.com
vacant	2024	Center
Seth Brandow	2027	Center	315-871-9150	sethbrandow@live.com
Cindy Lont	2025	Seneca		cmlont@gmail.com

Responsibility:

Approve subdivisions of property.
Conduct site plan review for larger developments.
Review applications for Special Use Permits
Recommend changes in the Zoning Code, local law or ordinance pertaining to land use.

The current Subdivision Code was adopted in February 2016. Application form for minor subdivision. (Fillable docx)

The current Zoning Code was adopted in February 2023. Application for zoning permits. Fees

Some changes in the latest code are intended to ease the congestion pressure an maintain the Lakeshore Residential District as a pleasant place to reside.

High-traffic uses that are not allowed in the Lakeshore residential district can’t have driveway access through that district even if they are outside it. (309.5G Design standards for Lakeshore Residential District)
In LRR, Side setbacks have increased and maximum lot coverage decreased (309.1 Bulk table)
Building height restrictions that were in place between Rt. 89 and Cayuga Lake now also apply between East Lake Rd. and Seneca Lake. (309.1 Bulk Table)
Area-specific caps on non-resident Short Term Rental permits are in place. No new permits will be issued until the number of outstanding permits drops below the caps. There is no cap on operations where the owner is present during the rental period. (315.2 Short Term Rentals)

Our land use regulations are made in accordance with a formal planning process. In 2004-2005 we developed a comprehensive plan that was adopted by the town. You can view the Varick Comprehensive Plan and details of our process. In 2006-07 we made major changes in the Zoning and Subdivision codes, which were adopted on December 4, 2007. Additional amendments have been made in 2008, 2009-10, and 2014-15, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The most recent Zoning code was adopted July 2, 2019.

Varick Land Use Regulations

Are on the Planning and Zoning page.

A Zoning Compliance Permit is needed for most construction and new land uses.
Application and checklist are available at the ZBA website

Meetings

The regular meeting time is the fourth Thursday of the month. (except the third Thursday in November and December). Meetings are cancelled when there are no items before the board.
7:00 pm at the Varick Town Hall, St. Rt. 96.

Agenda and minutes

Recent agenda, minutes and announcements

Old minutes:

2006	January	February
2005	January	March	May	July		November
2004		March		July	September
2003	January	March				November
2002	January	March	May	July	September	November
2001				June	August	October

Seneca:Towns:Varick:Planning Board