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Vienna planning board advances zoning-law updates, weighs short-term rental limits
Summary
Chair Orrin MacMurray reported progress on proposed Zoning Law changes covering road frontages, billboards, battery energy storage and commercial size limits; the board enlisted Tug Hill Commission assistance and discussed possible occupancy limits for short‑term rentals.
Vienna — The Town of Vienna Planning Board on Oct. 16, 2025 discussed ongoing updates to local zoning laws and agreed to continue work with the Tug Hill Commission to finalize proposed changes. Chair Orrin MacMurray told members he had met with the Town Board to review four draft topics — road frontages, billboards, battery energy storage systems and commercial building size limits — and said council members did not request significant changes.
MacMurray and board member Bill Shaughnessy reported that Tug Hill Commission staff, including Matt Johnson, will help prepare markups and suggest design parameters for the updated code language. MacMurray said the board is considering a special planning-board meeting to continue detailed review and will hold an informational meeting with campground owners about proposed setback changes.
The board also discussed short-term rental rules. MacMurray said Tug Hill recommended a maximum occupancy of 20 people; the board noted alternatives including limits tied to sleeping rooms (for example, two or three occupants per sleeping room) or using occupancy calculations from New York State building code. No formal changes were adopted; the board signaled interest in further public outreach and technical review before drafting final ordinance language.
Town Council Liaison Darrin Smith briefed the board on the 2026 budget matter relevant to the Planning Board and said he is promoting an increase in the board members' annual stipend. Codes/Zoning Officer Reay Walker requested clarifying language for Section 2015 to specify that permit applications are the responsibility of the codes office, with applications drop‑off handled by the Town Clerk as an administrative convenience.
What’s next: the board plans further meetings with Tug Hill staff, an informational session with campground owners, and additional drafting sessions with the Town Board before bringing any ordinance changes to public hearing.
