BY PAUL MITCHELL

North Country This Week

CANTON – More than three years of work on a town zoning overhaul will be featured at a public hearing on Tuesday, June 14.

“Close to three and a half years ago, the Town of Canton Code and Zoning committee and staff worked closely with Planner Monica Ryan from River Street Planning and Development to update the Town Zoning Code. This project was postponed due to Covid and town staffing changes. We were guided by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan,” stated Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley.  

The public hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Canton Municipal Building Courtroom.

The town’s previous zoning code was adopted in 1997.

Ashley applauded the teamwork involved in the lengthy and arduous process. 

“Sincere appreciation is extended to Council Member Jim Smith, former board member Bob Washo, and Council Member Bob Santamoor, Town Attorney Eric Gustafson, former Planning Board Chairpersons Mike Morgan and Deb Backus, Zoning Board Chairperson Matt Scafidi-McGuire, Code Enforcement Officer Mike McQuade, former Code Enforcement Officer Miranda Corbine and Economic Developer Leigh Rodriguez,” Ashley noted “Approximately 25 meetings have been held to assure due diligence to bring the zoning code up to date. Town Planning and Zoning Board members also took part in the process.” 

“We appreciate the County Planning Department collaboration along with the Town Clerk's office support. Two public meetings were held to allow for transparency and public input. The 163 page law is comprehensive and well thought out.  I am proud to be part of such forward thinking governance teams, both past and present, working in the best interests of the people,” she added.

Tables of various requirements have replaced lists to make it easier to determine the regulations for each zoning district. Also, districts have been changed to better fit the comprehensive plan and the changes in living and doing business in Canton.

Districts include:

Open Space–Recreation: This district aims to recognize the area designated by the state Department of Environmental Conservation as a Wildlife Management Area and other conserved natural areas, open spaces, community parks and recreation amenities.

Rural: The purpose of this district is to support agriculture, rural and open land areas and activities and to provide for compatible growth that maintains rural character.

Residential-Agricultural: The purpose of this district is to protect and enhance compatible agriculture and residential uses while providing for orderly residential growth and development in the town.

Hamlet: The purpose of this district is to support the hamlet communities of Pyrites and Morley, where a mix of residences, small businesses and community and cultural uses exist in harmony on traditionally smaller-scale lots.

Mixed-Use: The purpose of this district is to promote a mix of compatible residential, commercial and community service uses along larger transportation corridors and in proximity to the Village of Canton.

Commercial: The purpose of this district is to delineate areas appropriate for general commercial uses along the town’s most prominent transportation corridors.

A map showing the locations of the district can be found at wdt.me/w2EVQz.