Headlines for December 14, 2022

Caroline Releases New Zoning Draft

The town of Caroline has released a draft of its hotly debated zoning law. The town has some laws governing site plan review and subdivision but currently has no overall zoning. If adopted the law would designate various districts including agricultural and commercial zones, and eight hamlets. Certain uses would be limited in the zones and the law would require building permits for new construction. Zoning commission members heard concerns from zoning opponents at two recent forums. But according to the Ithaca Voice, some of the concerns raised were not based on provisions found in the proposed law. These included fears that zoning would make it harder to pass parcels on to owners’ children, and that it would segregate the community along racial and economic lines. While zoning has been documented to play a part in discrimination against people of color and the poor, Chair of Caroline’s planning board Bill Pudulka defended the commission’s work and said they had paid special attention to avoid rules that could be used to discriminate. Subdivision in ag districts and minimum lot size remains an important sticking point for advocates on both sides of the debate. Right now the rule calls for an average minimum lot size of three acres for a single-family dwelling.

No Charges for Prank Threat to Watkins Schools

After a months-long investigation a shooting threat called into Watkins Glen schools in June has been deemed a prank. According to WETM, the Schuyler County DA’s office and the FBI tracked down the caller, a teen living in Virginia. Despite the significant public resources used in responding to the threat, no charges will be pressed against the prank caller. First responders to the incident included the Schuyler Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Watkins Glen Police, Watkins Glen Fire Company, Hammondsport Police, and a SWAT team.