Proposed APA Land Classification Map Changes
download: APA Map of Proposed Land Clasification Changes
More than 90% of the acreage in the Town of Inlet is Forever Wild Forest Preserve making private property here a limited resource. Consequently, the Town of Inlet has been very deliberative with land use issues.
In 2003, after careful consideration, the Inlet Town Comprehensive Plan (TCP) identified areas deemed suitable for increased land use density and set forth an action item requesting specific land use classification changes from APA.
The intent of the TCP was not to simply create more building lots but to allow the owners of parcels that are suitable for subdivision the legal right to pursue it if they so choose.
Were APA to approve these classification changes it would not give property owners instant permission to subdivide. Most, if not all, future subdivisions will still be subject to APA jurisdiction and DEC inspection for wetlands.
However, Inlet believes, as founded in the TCP, that any parcel suitable for increased density, e.g., subdivision, should have the legal right to pursue such. Hence the application to the APA for land classification changes to increase density.
All lots created and conveyed as a result of this action (if approved) will still be subject to the most recent Department of Health regulations, Inlet zoning and the Town’s comprehensive On-site Wastewater Treatment Law.
The good news though is that for a town with a limited amount of housing stock, a density increase could result in a few more homes or a hostelry that would benefit Inlet in multiple ways, not the least of which is greater opportunity to establish affordable housing in-perpetuity through the Adirondack Community Housing Trust.
Based on the Inlet TCP approved in 2003, the areas included in this land use classification change request are:
Area A: (Uncas Road) Low Intensity Use to Moderate Intensity Use
Area A is residential and located between the hamlets of Eagle Bay and Inlet, just off Route 28. It is characterized by gentle to moderate slopes, sandy loam soils and it appears that the physical and biological aspects of the resource will tolerate additional density. The current Town of Inlet zoning is R1 Residential and there are no commercial uses. The intent for this area is to remain residential and to provide room for residential expansion.
Area B: (Rt 28, across from Fifth Lake) Low Intensity Use to Moderate Intensity Use
Area B borders the core of Inlet’s downtown Hamlet area on Route 28 and contains mixed residential and commercial uses. The Inlet zoning is C2 Commercial and the character of use is more accurately reflected in the APA description for Hamlet. It includes moderate to severe slopes but it is also adjacent to Inlet’s recently formed downtown sewer district. This potentially increases the carrying capacity of the resource. It should also be noted that Area B is Low Intensity bordering Hamlet without an intermediate step.
Area C: (Limekiln Road) Rural Use to Moderate Intensity Use
Area C presents Rural Use bordering Hamlet without the intended progressive steps of Moderate or Low Intensity Use between. The Inlet zoning is a mix of Commercial and Residential. The area includes commercial, service and residential uses, including the Inlet Highway Department & Transfer Station on Limekiln Road, a short distance from Route 28. It is characterized by gentle to moderate slopes, loamy soils and does not resemble the APA description for Rural Use. The limiting factors characteristic of Rural Use are not apparent and the physical and biological aspects of the resource will tolerate additional density.
Area D: (Rt. 28 from Bottle Brook to Wheeler Creek, approximately) Low Intensity Use to Moderate Intensity Use
Area D is primarily residential and separated from a bordering Moderate Intensity area to the north by Route 28. It is characterized by gentle to moderate slopes, loamy soils and it appears that the physical and biological aspects of the resource will tolerate additional density. The current Town of Inlet zoning is RR Resort Residential. There are no commercial uses and the intent for this area is to remain residential and to provide room for residential expansion.