The Town of Varick is on the verge of acting on significant revisions to an old and obsolete zoning code. The I encourage the town board to pass these revisions on December 4th. It is essential for protecting the interests of Varick’s residents.

This is truly the plan of the people of Varick. Hundreds of people have had direct input to the planning board through our comprehensive planning, and during the two years that we have worked on turning the vision into specific policies in the form of these revisions. The full text of the revisions can bee seen on Varick’s website www.VarickNY.com.

Varick will continue to change. Passing an up-to-date zoning code lets those of us who have chosen to live in Varick have some assurance that what we value will still be here tomorrow. Our neighbors on Canandaigua and Keuka Lakes waited until it was too late. They suffer with congestion and high taxes that many in Varick shudder at. There is till time to determine our fate, but not much time.

The main thing the revisions achieve is to create districts that reflect different expectations and land use challenges.

• The lakeshore and hamlet zones require some protections to recognize the high-density residential development there.
• Agriculture is central to Varick’s nature, both as a major business and what creates the beautiful environment that we so value.
• Hamlet vitality is encouraged through development that makes them more attractive to live in.
• The plan encourages business, especially home-grown small business, that strengthens our community. The businesses at the north end of the Depot are good fits that need encouragement and protection from incompatible uses.
• Water is a defining character of Varick, and resident are deeply concerned about water quality. The plan protects water quality, especially near the lakeshore.

The code revisions provide basic protections for residents and property owners in Varick that are missing in the current code.

Of interest to many residents is that the plan codifies our vision for future development on the former Seneca Army Depot. In New York, the Town has responsibility for determining land use. The proposed revisions fulfill that responsibility by establishing guidance for that part of the town that reflects what Varick resident value: Conservation, recreation and green energy. It also gives town officials a needed legislation to support them when they partner with the Seneca County IDA in redeveloping this property for the benefit of the community.

In a small town, providing accurate, uniform, customer-friendly zoning enforcement is a challenge. The code revisions are designed to be very clear. Residents can plan projects seeing clearly what provisions need to be met for the community’s sake. They are also easier and less expensive to enforce so that they are fair to everyone.

Passing these revisions shows accountability to the residents of the town, and a willingness to take responsibility for our future. Failing to revise the zoning code in the conservative manner proposed by the planning board leaves the town vulnerable and without an adequate voice in its own future.

Thomas Björkman