Watkins Glen tables zoning law updates

WATKINS GLEN (7/20/16)--The Watkins Glen village board tabled a proposed local law Monday, July 18, that would update the village zoning code. The board heard complaints from two residents regarding the wording in the law that limits how long a person can park a recreational vehicle (RV) on village streets and where on their property they can park it. This was brought up as it was claimed not all residents have room on their property to store their RV and it would be a financial burden to have to rent a campsite just to store the vehicle.
Trustee Tony Fraboni said he has heard complaints from residents who had RVs park along the street and in front of their houses while living in them for most of the summer. He said the main intention was to avoid situations like this, as well as when the motor home owners set up chairs and cook on the grill by their RV on the street.
County Planner Kristin VanHorn said the village may want to check with their attorney in order to clarify the legality of some of the language in the proposed local law. Village Clerk Donna Beardsley noted the law was put together by a committee that has been working on it for over a year. She added the village would have to send the law back to the planning board with their concerns for revisions, adding changes were likely to take a bit of time.
In other business:
• The board also listened to concerns about parking along 10th Street, hearing claims that residents of the Watkins Glen Middle School Apartments were parking long-term on 10th Street instead of in the building's parking lot. A time limit for parking on the street was suggested, along with the possibility of a four-way stop at the 10th and Decatur Street intersection due to additional traffic from the state park. The board took no action, but noted they would look into these issues.
• Several grant applications were also approved during the meeting. One was for the improvement of bathrooms in Clute Park along with other upgrades, while the other was for improvements to the Project Seneca plan. The board also approved a resolution in support of Main Street grant application funding.