A. 
Enforcing officer.
[Amended 9-13-2007 by L.L. No. 10-2007; 8-17-2017 by L.L. No. 3-2017]
(1) 
The provisions of this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Building Inspector or, in his absence, a person in the office of the Building Inspector designated by him to act in his absence, or the City Planner, or Assistant City Planner (referred to in this section as the Building Inspector), who shall have the power to make inspections of buildings or premises necessary to carry out their duties in the enforcement of this chapter.
(2) 
The Building Inspector, housing code inspector, municipal code inspector, police officer or parking enforcement officer may enforce the provisions of § 360-36 of this chapter relating to front yard parking.
B. 
Powers and duties.
(1) 
Records. It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector to keep a record of all applications for permits and a record of all permits issued, with a notation of all special conditions involved. The Building Inspector shall file and safely keep copies of all plans submitted, and the same shall form a part of the records of that office and shall be available for use of the Common Council and other officials.
(2) 
Permits and certificates. The Building Inspector shall issue building and zoning permits and certificates of occupancy upon compliance by an applicant with all provisions of this chapter, as well as other ordinances and administrative procedures of the City which require review of plans by other departments, such as police, fire, engineering, etc., and all county, state and federal regulations which require compliance insofar as they apply.
A. 
Zoning and building permits.
(1) 
Permit required. It shall be unlawful to change the use of any building or structure or to commence the excavation for or the construction of any building or structure, including accessory buildings, or to commence the moving or alteration of any building or structure, including accessory buildings, without a building and zoning permit for such work.
(2) 
Permit application and issuance. The building and zoning permit application shall include a plan to scale indicating the shape, size, height and location in relation to all property lines and to street or road lines of all buildings or structures to be erected, altered or moved and of any building or structure already on the lot. The application shall also state the existing and/or intended occupancy and use of all such buildings and land and supply other information as may be required by the Building Inspector to ensure that the provisions of this chapter are being observed. If the proposed actions as set forth in the application are in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and other ordinances of the City of Plattsburgh then in force, the Building Inspector shall issue a permit for such actions.
(3) 
Refusal. If the application is denied, the applicant shall be notified promptly by regular mail.
(a) 
Fees. The fees for the issuance of zoning and building permits shall be established by resolution of the Common Council and kept on file in the office of the City Clerk and Building Inspector.
(b) 
For the purpose of calculating permit fees, the volume of a building shall be calculated using the exterior dimensions and shall include all enclosed space.
(c) 
Effect of permit. The issuance of a permit shall in no case be construed as waiving any provision of this chapter.
(d) 
Duration of permit.
[1] 
A zoning and building permit shall become void six months from the date of issuance unless substantial actual construction has been made by that date on the project described therein.
[2] 
Construction must be completed within two years of the date of issuance of the permit, except that construction valued at in excess of $500,000 shall be completed three years after the date of issuance of the permit. The permit shall be void if construction is not completed in this time period.
[3] 
Failure of a developer to meet the construction time requirements specified above shall void the zoning and building permit. In such instances, the Building Inspector shall not issue a new permit unless the developer has secured a variance from this section from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
B. 
Approval by other departments. No permit issued under this chapter shall be effective unless or until corresponding requirements of the Building Code, sanitary and health regulations, fire regulations and any other local, state or federal regulations shall have been complied with insofar as they apply. Such compliance shall be the responsibility of the developer. The Building Inspector may refuse to issue the permit in cases where approval by a City department has been refused.
C. 
Certificate of occupancy. No land or building or other structure or part thereof hereafter erected or altered in its use or structure shall be used or occupied until the Building Inspector shall have issued a certificate of occupancy stating that such land, building, structure or part thereof and the proposed occupancy or use thereof is found to be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
A. 
General provisions.
[Amended 1-30-2003 by L.L. No. 1-2003; 10-8-2008 by L.L. No. 5-2008[1]]
(1) 
Creation. A Zoning Board of Appeals is hereby re-established in accordance with General City Law § 81.
(2) 
Composition. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall consist of five regular members and two alternate members. The alternate members shall serve only in the absence of a regular member, or where a regular member is unable to vote on an appeal due to conflict of interest considerations.
(3) 
Appointment. The Mayor shall appoint the regular and alternate members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, subject to confirmation by the affirmative vote of three members of the Common Council. The Mayor shall attempt to appoint at least one regular member or alternate member from each ward, but in no event shall more than two regular members be appointed from the same ward. The Mayor shall appoint a chairperson of the Zoning Board of Appeals from among the regular members. No member of the Common Council or the Planning Board of the City of Plattsburgh shall be eligible for appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals. A Board member may be removed from office by vote of the Common Council if he (she) fails to attend five or more Board meetings out of 12 consecutive, regular or special meetings of the Board.
(4) 
Term. The terms of regular and alternate members shall expire on December 31st in the year when the term for which they were appointed expires. A member whose term expires may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. A person who is appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve until the expiration of the term of the person who vacated the position. The term of a regular member shall be five years, however, if two or more terms expire in the same year appointments to one or more of the regular positions shall be made for less than five years so that one position becomes vacant every five years. One alternate member shall be appointed to a two-year term; the other alternate member shall be appointed to a three-year term.
(5) 
Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law included transitional provisions stating that a regular member position shall not be filled until the whole number of the current Zoning Board of Appeals is reduced to five members. Until such time as the whole Board is composed of five members, a majority of the whole number of incumbent members shall constitute a quorum and is required to take any action.
B. 
General procedures.
(1) 
Meetings. Meetings of the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be held at least once a month, unless there are no appeals to be heard, and at such other times as the Board may determine, or at the call of the Chairman. All meetings of such Board shall be open to the public.
(2) 
Oaths. The Chairman or, in his absence, the Acting Chairman may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses.
(3) 
Minutes. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall adopt its own rules of procedure and shall keep minutes of its proceedings in accordance with § 360-56 of this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(4) 
Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the whole Board. Voting shall be by voice vote or ballot.
[Amended 10-8-2008 by L.L. No. 5-2008]
C. 
Fees. Application fees shall be established by resolution of the Common Council.
D. 
Powers. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall have the following powers:
(1) 
Administrative review. The Board of Appeals may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision, interpretation or determination appealed from and shall make such order, requirement, decision, interpretation or determination as in its opinion ought to have been made in the matter by the Building Inspector or the administrative officer charged with the enforcement of such ordinance or local law and to that end shall have all the powers of the Building Inspector and the administrative officer from whose order, requirement, decision, interpretation or determination the appeal is taken.
(2) 
Special use permits. To hear and decide applications for special permits as specified in this chapter and to authorize the issuance of special permits as specifically provided herein.
(3) 
Variances.
(a) 
Use variances. The Board of Appeals, on appeal from the decision or determination of the Building Inspector or administrative official charged with the enforcement of such ordinance or local law, shall have the power to grant use variances, as defined herein.
[1] 
No such use variance shall be granted by a Board of Appeals without a showing by the applicant that applicable zoning regulations and restrictions have caused unnecessary hardship. In order to prove such unnecessary hardship the applicant shall demonstrate to the Board of Appeals that for each and every permitted use under the zoning regulations for the particular district where the property is located:
[a] 
The applicant cannot realize a reasonable return, provided that lack of return is substantial as demonstrated by competent financial evidence;
[b] 
The alleged hardship relating to the property in question is unique, and does not apply to a substantial portion of the district or neighborhood;
[c] 
The requested use variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood; and
[d] 
The alleged hardship has not been self-created.
[2] 
The Board of Appeals, in the granting of use variances, shall grant the minimum variance that it shall deem necessary and adequate to address the unnecessary hardship proven by the applicant, and at the same time preserve and protect the character of the neighborhood and the health, safety and welfare of the community.
(b) 
Area variances. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall have the power, upon an appeal from a decision or determination of the Building Inspector or administrative official charged with the enforcement of such ordinance or local law, to grant area variances as defined herein.
[1] 
In making its determination, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall take into consideration the benefit to the applicant if the variance is granted, as weighed against the detriment to the health, safety and welfare of the neighborhood or community by such grant. In making such determination, the Board shall also consider:
[a] 
Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood or a detriment to nearby properties will be created by the granting of the area variance;
[b] 
Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method feasible for the applicant to pursue, other than an area variance;
[c] 
Whether the requested area variance is substantial;
[d] 
Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district; and
[e] 
Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created, which consideration shall be relevant to the decision of the Board of Appeals, but shall not necessarily preclude the granting of the area variance.
[2] 
The Board of Appeals, in the granting of use and area variances, shall grant the minimum variance that it shall deem necessary and adequate and at the same time preserve and protect the character of the neighborhood and the health, safety and welfare of the community.
(c) 
Definition of terms. As used in this subsection:
AREA OF VARIANCE
The authorization by the Zoning Board of Appeals for the use of land, building, structure or premises and signs in a manner which is not allowed by the dimensional or physical requirements of the applicable zoning regulations.
USE VARIANCE
The authorization by the Zoning Board of Appeals for the use of land, building, structure or premises for a purpose which is otherwise not allowed and is prohibited by the applicable zoning regulations.
(d) 
Imposition of conditions. The Board of Appeals shall, in the granting of special use permits, use variances and area variances, have the authority to impose such reasonable conditions and restrictions as are directly related to and incidental to the proposed use of the property. Such conditions shall be consistent with the spirit and intent of the zoning ordinance or local law, and shall be imposed for the purpose of minimizing any adverse impact such variance may have on the neighborhood or community.
A. 
Tolling of period of approval heretofore or hereafter granted to an application for development the developer is barred or prevented, directly or indirectly, from proceeding with the development otherwise permitted under such approval by a legal action instituted by any state agency, political subdivision or other party to protect the public health and welfare or by a directive or order issued by any state agency, political subdivision or court of competent jurisdiction to protect the public health or welfare and the developer is otherwise ready, willing and able to proceed with said development, the running of the period of approval under this article or under any ordinance repealed by this article, as the case may be, shall be suspended for the period of time said legal action is pending or such directive or order is in effect.
B. 
Conditional approval. In the event that a developer submits an application for development proposing a development that is barred or prevented, directly or indirectly, by a legal action instituted by any state agency, political subdivision or other party to protect the public health and welfare or by a directive or order issued by any state agency, political subdivision or court of competent jurisdiction to protect the public health and welfare, the municipal agency shall process such application for development in accordance with this chapter, and if such application for development complies with this chapter, the municipal agency shall approve such application, conditioned on removal of such legal barrier to development.
C. 
In the event that development proposed by an application for development requires an approval by a governmental agency other than the municipal agency, the municipal agency shall, in appropriate instances, condition its approval upon the subsequent approval of such governmental agency, provided that the City shall make a decision on any application for development within the time period provided in this chapter or within an extension of such period as has been agreed to by the applicant, unless the municipal agency is prevented or relieved from so acting by the operation of law.
D. 
Vote of absentee members. When any hearing before the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals, as the case may be, shall carry over two or more meetings, a member of the municipal agency conducting said hearing absent for one or more of the meetings shall be eligible to vote on the matter upon which the hearing was conducted, notwithstanding his absence from one or more of the meetings; provided, however, that said member has available to him a transcript, recording or minutes of the meeting from which he was absent and certifies to the Board that he has read such transcript or minutes or listened to such recording prior to his voting or participating on any decision on the matter.
The following provisions apply to applications for administrative reviews, variances, special use permits, site plan approvals, planned unit development and historic site approval made to the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Planning Board:
A. 
Meetings, minutes, records. Meetings of such Boards shall be open to the public to the extent provided in Article 7 of the Public Officers Law. Such Boards shall keep minutes of their proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon every question, or if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall also keep records of their examinations and other official actions.
B. 
Filing requirements. Every rule, regulation, every amendment or repeal thereof, and every order, requirement, decision or determination of the Boards shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk and the Building Inspector within five business days and shall be a public record.
C. 
Assistance to the Boards. Such Boards shall have the authority to call upon any department, agency or employee of the City for such assistance as shall be deemed necessary and as shall be authorized by the legislative body. Such department, agency or employee may be reimbursed for any expenses incurred as a result of such assistance.
D. 
Voting. The concurring vote of a majority of the whole board shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision or determination of any such administrative official, or to grant a use variance, area variance, special use permit, site plan approval, and any other permit or approval under this chapter.
[Amended 10-8-2008 by L.L. No. 5-2008]
E. 
Appeals. Appeals from any order, requirement, decision, interpretation, or determination made by the Building Inspector or administrative official charged with the enforcement of any ordinance or local law adopted pursuant to this chapter may be taken by any person aggrieved, or by an officer, department, board or bureau of the City.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
F. 
Filing of administrative decision. Each order, requirement, decision, interpretation or determination of the Building Inspector or administrative official charged with the enforcement of this chapter shall be filed within five business days from the day it is rendered, and shall be a public record.
G. 
Time limits on appeal. An appeal shall be taken within 60 days after the filing of any order, requirement, decision, interpretation or determination of the Building Inspector or other administrative official charged with interpreting or enforcing this chapter, by filing with such Building Inspector and with the Board of Appeals a notice of appeal, specifying the grounds thereof and the relief sought. The Building Inspector shall forthwith transmit to the Board of Appeals all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.
H. 
At least 10 days before a hearing, the authorized board shall mail notices thereof to the applicant and to the County Planning Board or agency and regional planning council, as required by § 239-m of the General Municipal Law, which notice shall be accompanied by a full statement of such proposed action as defined in Subdivision 3 of § 239-m of the General Municipal Law, and to neighboring municipalities as required by § 239-nn of the General Municipal Law.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
I. 
Compliance with State Environmental Quality Review Act. Such Boards shall comply with the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act under Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and its implementing regulations.
J. 
Rehearing. A motion to hold a rehearing to review any order, decision or determination of a Board not previously reheard may be made by any member of the Board. A unanimous vote of all members of the Board then present is required for such rehearing to occur. Such rehearing is subject to the same notice provisions as an original hearing. Upon such rehearing the Board may reverse, modify or annul its original order, decision or determination upon the unanimous vote of all members then present, provided the Board finds that the rights vested in persons acting in good faith in reliance upon the reheard order, decision or determination will not be prejudiced thereby.
K. 
Resubmissions. Where an application is denied by vote of the Board, the same, or substantially the same, application may not be filed until one year after the date of such denial. In cases where the appeal or application is withdrawn by the applicant after public notice of hearing, but before a decision by the Board, the same, or substantially the same, application may not be filed until 90 days after the date of withdrawal.
L. 
An interested party, as defined herein, may make an apply for administrative reviews, permits or approvals under this chapter provided, however, that any person applying for an interpretation, decision, permit or approval to improve a property must be the owner(s) of the property, or have the owner's(owners') written permission.
M. 
Applications are not considered filed until deemed complete by the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall promptly notify applicants if the application is deemed incomplete.
N. 
Stays. An appeal shall stay all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from, unless the Building Inspector or person charged with the enforcement of such ordinance or local law, from whom the appeal is taken, certifies to the Board of Appeals, or the Planning Board as the case may be, after the notice of appeal shall have been filed with the administrative official, that by reason of facts stated in the certificate a stay would, in his or her opinion, cause imminent peril to life or property, in which case proceedings shall not be stayed otherwise than by a restraining order which may be granted by the Board of Appeals, or Planning Board as the case may be, or by a court of record on application, on notice to the Building Inspector or person from whom the appeal is taken and on due cause shown.
O. 
Public notice. Public notice shall be given of applications for variances and special use permits by the publication in the official paper of the City of Plattsburgh of a notice of such hearing, beginning not less than five nor more than 10 calendar days before such hearing. The cost of sending or publishing any notices relating to such appeal or application, or a reasonable fee relating thereto, shall be borne by the appealing party and shall be paid to the Board prior to the hearing of such appeal.
P. 
Notice to affected property owners. Notice of an application for a variance or special use permit shall be given by first class mail at least five calendar days prior to the date of hearing to all persons, firms or corporations listed as owner of record on the City tax record within the affected area of the location of the property upon which the use is proposed to be established. For purposes of this chapter, the "affected area" of an application for a variance shall be as follows:
(1) 
Use variance. A use variance shall include all applications for variances, except those defined in area variances below. In such cases, notice shall be given to all persons, firms or corporations listed as owner of record on the City tax records within 500 feet of the applicant for variance property.
(2) 
Area variance. An area variance shall include all applications for variance from yard and setback requirements and dimensional calculations for signage. In such cases, notice shall be given to all persons, firms or corporations listed on the City tax records as owners of adjoining property.
(3) 
Special use permit. Notice of an application for a special permit shall be given to all persons, firms or corporations listed as owner of record on the City tax record within 500 feet of the location of the property upon which the use is proposed to be established.
(4) 
Site plan in industrial zone. Notice of an application for a permit requiring site plan review in an industrial zone shall be given to all persons, firms or corporations listed as owners in the City tax records and who own property located within 500 feet of the site reviewed.
Q. 
Representation at hearing. Upon the hearing, any party may appear in person, or by agent or attorney.
R. 
Time of hearing. The Boards shall conduct a public hearing within 62 days from the day an application is received on any matter referred to them under this section.
S. 
Time of decision. The Boards shall decide upon the application within 62 days after the hearing. The time within which the Boards must render its decision may be extended by mutual consent of the applicant and the Board.
T. 
Filing and serving decisions. The decision of the Board(s) on the application after the holding of the public hearing shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk within five business days after such decision is rendered, and a copy thereof mailed by first class mail to the applicant. (See § 27-b of the General City Law.) The Board of Appeals shall notify the Common Council and the Planning Board of each special use permit and each variance granted under the provisions of this chapter. The Planning Board shall notify the Zoning Appeals Board of all site plan approvals.
U. 
Permit time provisions. If the special use permit, variance, site plan, planned unit development or historic site approval is granted, a building and zoning permit may be issued by the Building Inspector; however, such zoning approval shall become void six months from the date of building permit issuance unless substantial actual construction has commenced.
A. 
Any person or persons jointly or severally aggrieved by any decision of the Board of Appeals or any officer, department, board or bureau of the City may apply to the Supreme Court for relief by a proceeding under Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules of the State of New York, and, provided such proceeding is commenced within 30 calendar days of filing the decision in the office of the Building Inspector.
B. 
Costs shall not be allowed against the Boards unless it shall appear to the court that it acted with gross negligence or in bad faith or with malice in making the decision appealed from.
In case any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, converted or maintained or any building, structure or land is used in violation of this chapter, the proper local authorities of the City, in addition to other remedies, may institute any appropriate actions or proceedings to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance or use; to restrain, correct or abate such violation; to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or land; or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business or use in or about such premises.
A. 
For a violation of any section of this chapter, except those sections for which a separate fine is herein provided, the owner of a building or lot, or the lessee or tenant of the entire building or lot, or the lessee or tenant of a part of the building or lot where a violation exists or has been committed, shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 for conviction of a first offense or violation; for a conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $250 nor more than $500; and, upon conviction of a third or subsequent offense, all committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $500 nor more than $750. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation or offense.
B. 
For a violation of § 360-26J of this chapter, the registered owner or the operator of a vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $15 for conviction of a first offense; for a conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed within a period of one year, punishable by a fine not less than $35 nor more than $75; and upon conviction of a third or subsequent offense, all committed with a period of one year, punishable by a fine not less than $75 nor more than $150. Each violation that continues for more than 72 hours shall constitute a separate additional violation.
C. 
For a violation of § 360-53A(1) of this chapter, the person making the improvements shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine equal to twice the amount of the permit application fee.
D. 
The enforcing officer may serve a written notice of violation specifying a date by which the violation shall cease, and, if the violation does not cease with the time specified, the enforcing officer may institute such action as may be necessary to terminate the violation. Such notice shall be served personally, or by affixing such notice in a conspicuous place on the premises and mailing a copy by first class mail to the owner, lessee or tenant, or by mailing a copy of such notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner, lessee or tenant.
E. 
The enforcing officer may prosecute a violation of this chapter by issuing an appearance ticket pursuant to the provisions of Article 150 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
F. 
For a violation of § 360-26J, the enforcing officer may serve an appearance ticket in the manner authorized for issuing an appearance ticket for a traffic infraction relating to parking.
G. 
The provisions of this chapter may be enforced by any other court action or proceeding deemed appropriate by the Corporation Counsel.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The Common Council may refer any request for amendment, supplement, change or repeal of the regulations, restrictions and boundaries established by this chapter to the Planning Board for report. The Common Council may amend, supplement, change or repeal regulations, restrictions and boundaries established by this chapter, as provided by General City Law § 83.
[Added 12-14-2017 by L.L. No. 8-2017]
A. 
Reimbursement of professional review fees.
(1) 
In addition to the provisions provided under the terms of Chapter 300, Subdivision of Land ("Subdivision Regulations"), and this chapter of the City of Plattsburgh Code ("Zoning Code"), the Common Council, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, in the review of any application presented to it, may refer such application, or part of an application, to such planner, engineer, environmental expert, attorney or other professional as such Council or Board shall deem reasonably necessary to enable it to review such application as required by law.
(2) 
Fees charged by such professionals shall be in accord with fees usually charged for such services in the Clinton County region or pursuant to an existing contractual agreement between the City and such professional. The Board or Council shall limit such fees as are reasonable in amount and necessarily incurred by the City in connection with a review of an application. For purposes of this section, a fee is reasonable in amount if it bears a reasonable relationship to the expense of the development or the average charge by such an expert to the City or others for services performed in connection with the review of a project similar to that involved in the land use application. All proper charges shall be paid by the City upon submission of a City voucher and in compliance with the City's procurement policy. The applicant shall reimburse the City for the costs of such professional review services upon receipt of a copy of the voucher or, at the discretion of the reviewing Council or Board, in accordance with this chapter. The payment of such fees shall be required in addition to any and all other fees or performance bonds required by this or any other section of this chapter or any other City law or regulation.
B. 
Escrow accounts.
(1) 
In addition to other mechanisms provided under any other City law or regulation, at the time of submission of any application, or during the review process, the reviewing Council or Board may require the establishment of an escrow account from which withdrawals shall be made to reimburse the City for the cost of professional review services. The applicant shall then provide funds to the City for deposit into such account in an amount to be determined by the reviewing board based on its evaluation of the nature and complexity of the application. The applicant shall be provided with copies of any City voucher for such services as they are submitted to the City. If the applicant objects to the amount to be placed into escrow, the applicant may request that the Council or Board review the projected amount to be placed in escrow.
(2) 
Where the City Council, Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals establishes an escrow account for an application, such reviewing board shall not be required to consider that application until the deposit required under this chapter has been made.
(3) 
A building permit or certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless all professional review fees charged in connection with the applicant's project have been reimbursed to the City.
(4) 
After all pertinent charges have been paid, the City shall refund to the applicant any funds remaining on deposit.
C. 
Effective date; applicability.
(1) 
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon filing in the office of the New York State Secretary of State.
(2) 
This chapter shall apply to all applications pending at the time it becomes effective, unless the reviewing Council or Board shall determine that its application would be impracticable or unjust in the particular circumstances.
[Added 12-10-2020 by L.L. No. 5-2020]
A. 
Purpose and intent; authority. It is the intent of this section to specifically provide for the exemption of City projects and activities from the City's Zoning Code. It is adopted pursuant to New York Municipal Home Rule Law.
B. 
City exemption. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any action, including but not limited to site plan review, subdivision approval, planned unit development review, special use permit application, use variance or area variance application, which is proposed or undertaken by the City of Plattsburgh, or on behalf of the City with the City's written authorization, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter. Notwithstanding this exemption, the Common Council may seek nonbinding advisory review from the City Planning Board and/or Zoning Board of Appeals for any such proposed City action. This exemption specifically does not apply to the provisions of the State Environmental Review Act (SEQRA) or other state or federal requirements, but is limited only to requirements of the City of Plattsburgh.