August 19, 2025

A special meeting of the Varick Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Hayssen at 6:00 p.m.  Present at this meeting were Councilmen Richard McCulloch, Tom Fox, James Velie and Eric Riegel, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Code Enforcement Officer, Tim Dorn, Planning Board Members Linda Mastellar and Ann Kaminski.  Also present was Bill Kaminski. 

Supervisor Hayssen opened the floor to Planning Board Chairperson, Linda Mastellar, to discuss the planning board’s suggested revisions to the Town of Varick Zoning Code. 

Mrs. Mastellar reviewed the purpose of a zoning code and noted that the code is developed from the town’s Comprehensive Plan.  This plan is a document designed to guide the future actions of a community. It presents a vision for the future, with long-range goals and objectives for all activities that affect the town.. She reported that the recommended updates have three purposes:

1.  Ease of enforcement
2. New Development of Short-Term Rentals
3. Updates to keep consistent with Changes in Law and Zoning Coverage

Mrs. Mastellar distributed information pertaining to the duties of the STR Clerk, STR Inspection sheet, STR Internal Procedures and the STR Process currently. A discussion was held regarding this process with no action taken by the board with further review to be completed.

Mrs. Mastellar reported that STR clerk and planning board member, Cindy Lont, resigned from these positions with her letter of resignation dated August 7, 2025.  She went on to report that Ms. Lont would consider continuing in these positions contingent on the acceptance of the suggested revisions by the Planning Board to the STR procedures and responsibilities. Supervisor Hayssen noted this meeting is to address the Zoning Code revisions.  No action will be taken at this time regarding the STR procedures and Ms. Lont’s resignation will be addressed at the September 2nd board meeting at which time he will call for an executive session.

Zoning Code Revisions:

The board reviewed and discussed:

1.  Solar Code: the square footage of area permitted for solar panels in the lakeshore district and the new regulations regarding electric service passed by the governor.  It was suggested that the ground area remain the same and add square footage for roof top panels.   The Planning Board will look at verbiage for this provision and bring it back to the board.
2. Docks and Hoists: suggested revisions with regards to square foot coverage for docks and boat hoists.  The view by neighbors being obstructed and not restricting the use of owner’s property unreasonably. 
3. Short Term Rentals:  Recommended changes to section 315 Short-term rentals which consisted primarily of deleting “Zoning Code Enforcement Officer and adding Varick Code Enforcement Officer.
4. Sections 401 to 406.  The changes in these sections included change in the title of Varick Code Enforcement Officer, the addition of 404.4 Short-term Rental Permits. Application for short-term rental permit procedures and 405.2 Short-term Rental Permits: application form details.  

The discussion on the proposed changes to the Zoning Code was felt by Eric Riegel and James Velie to be at a standstill, and they offered the following motion:

A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

Roll call:

Robert Hayssen – No

Richard McCulloch – No

Tom Fox – No

Eric Riegel- Yes

James Velie – Yes

Yes:  2  No 3  Not Carried

The meeting continued with the attorney inquiring as to what other revisions needed to be reviewed.  Linda Mastellar reported that there were minor typo errors and the removal of Special Use for STR’s, and some definition updates. 

It was noted that the board did approve 405.2 Short Term Rental Permits pertaining to the application forms.  Mr. Bove said the code in the short-term rental section should refer to the STR Clerk responsibilities. 

Mr. Dorn recommended if someone other than the code enforcement officer were to complete STR inspections, they should also be responsible for completing all enforcement of the zoning codes pertaining to STR’s.  The board did not support this recommendation. 

Due to the current vacancy of the STR clerk position, STR applications will be submitted to the Town Clerk, who will then forward them to the code enforcement officer to review, confirm the submittal of required documentation and to complete the inspection.  Once the inspection is completed and all requirements are met, he will forward the application to the Planning Board to schedule a public hearing.

Mr. Bove suggested the board consider a mechanism to resolve issues that were discussed pertaining to the suggested changes.  He informed the board that once the Zoning Code changes have been approved by the board a Local Law Amending the Town of Varick Zoning Code would be drafted and a resolution by the board introducing the Local Law and holding a public hearing would need to be held.

A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

                                                            Respectfully Submitted,

                                                            Donna Karlsen

                                                            Varick Town Clerk