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Town of Jerusalem updates steep‑slopes rules; board notes drone use to detect violations
Summary
The Town of Jerusalem proposed revisions to Chapter 137 (Steep Slopes) to strengthen erosion controls and enforcement, including fines; Yates County Planning Board members said the revisions modernize the code and noted the town uses drone imagery to identify at least one suspected violation.
The Yates County Planning Board reviewed referral 2026‑22 from the Town of Jerusalem seeking to amend Chapter 137 (Steep Slopes) to add clearer standards, enforcement tools and fines for violations. Chair Sarah Purdy said the revisions "provide a clearer and more up‑to‑date version" of the steep‑slopes code, aim to preserve the community by addressing erosion, and that the town uses a drone to identify steep‑slope violations, having already located at least one such violation.
Committee member David Adam moved that, under GML 239, the referral has no significant countywide impact; Chandra Gilman seconded and the motion carried with 11 in favor and Chair Purdy recorded as abstaining. The board’s action is a procedural GML 239 finding and does not adopt the town’s local law; the Town of Jerusalem will proceed with its local process and any necessary SEQRA review.
The transcript includes the town’s stated enforcement goals and the drone usage comment; the board did not request additional study or place conditions in the county finding as recorded.
