Planning board to assume Board of Adjustment duties under proposed text amendment; staff and members expect limited additional workload

The Planning Board reviewed and recommended approval of text amendment TA25-07, which would redesignate duties that currently sit with the Board of Adjustment to the Planning Board and update the zoning and subdivision ordinance language accordingly. Staff said the change implements a Town Board directive to transfer responsibilities and will require numerous editorial updates (changing references to the Board of Adjustment to Planning Board across the ordinance).

Planning staff explained the practical effect will be that occasional quasi‑judicial matters—variances, buffer‑disturbance applications and the like—will come to the Planning Board instead of a separate volunteer Board of Adjustment. Staff and board members said such appeals and variances have been rare historically (roughly once a year, staff estimated) and that training and procedural guidance would be provided when necessary.

The board recommended approval of the text amendment so the ordinance language matches the new assignment of duties. Members asked about training and the additional procedural responsibilities; staff said the Planning Board would receive new training on quasi‑judicial procedures as needed, and that the change does not automatically increase meeting frequency.