Info about Zoning in Caroline
Zoning FAQs
What is zoning?
A zoning law is a local law consisting of rules used to guide development in a community, for example housing density and locations where certain land uses can occur. Zoning is the only legally robust tool our community has to shape future development to be consistent with our Comprehensive Plan.
Why zoning in Caroline?
Most residents want to preserve the unique character of Caroline. Without zoning, any land use can go anywhere (e.g. a factory in a residential area). Enacting responsible zoning provides protection:
Who benefits from zoning?
All of us! Every town with zoning (and most have it) has its own unique zoning law that is tailored to fit its community. The Caroline Zoning Commission has met for more than 19 months to draft a law that reflects Caroline’s character and the Comprehensive Plan. They have listened to all points of view and have worked diligently to promote a positive vision for our town that benefits all of our diverse neighbors. The current draft law allows small lot sizes and multi-family buildings, supports home and small businesses, encourages affordable housing, and promotes clustered development in our hamlets while protecting waterways, open space, and farmland. The Commission has been very open to public input, and continues to revise the draft in response to feedback.
Will there be a referendum?
No. State law requires that a Town Board set up a Zoning Commission to develop a draft law, which will then be submitted to the Town Board for consideration of its passage as a local law. The zoning law has to meet certain standards, be legally sound, and reflect the community’s Comprehensive Plan.
Where is the process now (March 2023)?
The Caroline Zoning Commission has been working at a careful and thoughtful pace for nearly two years. The Commission recently released a preliminary report on the draft Caroline Zoning Law, which includes an updated draft zoning law and map, and held two public hearings. The Commission will now consider whether to make additional changes, and will then submit its final draft to the Town Board. The Board will then closely review the document, hold its own public hearing, make its own changes, and vote on whether to pass it into law.
A zoning law is a local law consisting of rules used to guide development in a community, for example housing density and locations where certain land uses can occur. Zoning is the only legally robust tool our community has to shape future development to be consistent with our Comprehensive Plan.
Why zoning in Caroline?
Most residents want to preserve the unique character of Caroline. Without zoning, any land use can go anywhere (e.g. a factory in a residential area). Enacting responsible zoning provides protection:
- Protection of our homes and local businesses from adjacent incompatible land uses.
- Protection of critical habitats and natural resources (water, farmland, forests, air).
- Protection of our town from outside pressures that don’t have Caroline’s best interests in mind.
Who benefits from zoning?
All of us! Every town with zoning (and most have it) has its own unique zoning law that is tailored to fit its community. The Caroline Zoning Commission has met for more than 19 months to draft a law that reflects Caroline’s character and the Comprehensive Plan. They have listened to all points of view and have worked diligently to promote a positive vision for our town that benefits all of our diverse neighbors. The current draft law allows small lot sizes and multi-family buildings, supports home and small businesses, encourages affordable housing, and promotes clustered development in our hamlets while protecting waterways, open space, and farmland. The Commission has been very open to public input, and continues to revise the draft in response to feedback.
Will there be a referendum?
No. State law requires that a Town Board set up a Zoning Commission to develop a draft law, which will then be submitted to the Town Board for consideration of its passage as a local law. The zoning law has to meet certain standards, be legally sound, and reflect the community’s Comprehensive Plan.
Where is the process now (March 2023)?
The Caroline Zoning Commission has been working at a careful and thoughtful pace for nearly two years. The Commission recently released a preliminary report on the draft Caroline Zoning Law, which includes an updated draft zoning law and map, and held two public hearings. The Commission will now consider whether to make additional changes, and will then submit its final draft to the Town Board. The Board will then closely review the document, hold its own public hearing, make its own changes, and vote on whether to pass it into law.
