by Andrew Getty
Fifty years ago the citizens of the Town of Webb adopted their first zoning ordinance. That’s a long time ago. Even the Adirondack Park Agency is only forty-two years old; Webb has had land use regulations longer than the Park Agency.
Reflecting back over those years, has it been worthwhile?
Did the adoption of the zoning ordinance achieve its goal?
Does the general population understand what zoning is?
Do they care?
Did zoning protect our town as the original writers intend?
Why do some towns have zoning and others do not?
These are all good questions.
To try and answer some of these questions you probably had to have been around for the years leading up to December 15, 1965.
For sure, there was a lot of controversy. The process took years to put together.
In the printing of the first revised zoning ordinance of November 6, 1969, there were nine reasons identified for the need of this law;
1. To lessen congestion in the streets;
2. To secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers;
3. To promote health and the general welfare;
4. To provide adequate light and air;
5. To prevent the overcrowding of land;
6. To avoid undue concentration of population;
7. To facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements;
8. To conserve the value of buildings;
9. To encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the town.
In looking around the town today you will see different neighborhoods, both along the shorelines and off water. Areas with small lots, large lots, old homes, new homes, mobile homes, camp grounds, old resorts converted or sold off as single family lots.
Each area has its own history or series of events that has made it what they are today.
This writer has family roots that go back well before 1900, mostly in the Big Moose area.
There was no road from Big Moose Lake into Eagle Bay; maybe an old logging road, or by horse back.
You arrived in Big Moose Station by rail, then horse and wagon to Big Moose Lake… then by boat to where you were going.
The same was true for much of the town… all 480 square miles. The train would bring you to McKeever, Thendara, Old Forge, Eagle Bay, Big Moose, Stillwater & Beaver River Station.
After that it was up to you, your guide or a boat shuttle to get you to your final destination.
As cars and trucks became more popular, roads were established, access to the different parts of the town became easier; and much desired.
Resorts flourished, more cabin & cottage accommodations were built, and restaurants, shops and services all catered to the summer resident and visitor.
As summer second-homes became more popular the resorts started struggling. And in due time some were being divided and sold off as individual homes with very small lots.
As there was no minimum lot size, as zoning would have required, densely populated areas led to sewer problems, storm water issues, overcrowding, traffic and noise.
In the fifties and sixties there were plumes of raw seweage floating in the Fulton Chain.
It was clear, something had to change.
It is pretty easy to tell older neighborhoods that were established before zoning. Eagle Bay Park is a great example.
Fortunately, the soils at Eagle Bay Park are predominately sand, so septic systems and drainage is generally not overly problematic with the small lots.
Even with the sandy conditions, replacing old failed systems today can be challenging.
However, other areas of the town had much more difficult soils and land conditions.
The Code Office will be hosting a Fifty-year Zoning Ordinance anniversary party, time and date to be announced. Hopefully you can share your stories, concerns or appreciation as to the success of having zoning and land use regulations over the years.