[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520138,"mediaKeyId","5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c","parentId",5334904,"title","Clinton public hearing draws residents’ concerns as board moves to introduce conference‑center moratorium","audioSeconds",5892,"startMs",88000,"endMs",5980000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c&start=88&end=5980","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c/thumbnail_88000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520138/Clinton/Oneida-County/New-York/Clinton-public-hearing-draws-residents-concerns-as-board-moves-to-introduce-conferencecenter-moratorium","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520138-2b3d5b89511c7061f576524299bbbba8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136756&Signature=eNaDyCJDxH0fZVrAZtYGm00apLrjt6DZhEri2W18XPkEDxARhoaqg~JAMoR4iBThvVElz-Ryuj5Q03hl9QCPFnc9LOg2XvsUEfo26h~-kc6KpkjGJjw0UbHl08UwlS-Q6xTW0y7hQzakewRxL~zZI8seXi5QUFWJj5Q8bLnG2J0krsT9zhy00LUisAKYtcp5GWKaz4XRQg~qwR4n49xc5BdOuh0-D1fk256MKvp4mY-fabbkhWeifJMesQVjtdhNGNZAsitARXkpMlxKonu3U~BmungeJOKmmJPDXEq2bX0izj62ELYs5UFCv8vmxpPbU3oeA~2g~956DMx-t-eyQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clinton, NY","date","2025-07-09T00:11:53Z","article","Town of Clinton officials heard more than an hour of public comment July 10 on proposed revisions to the town’s zoning code, with many residents urging officials to preserve the town’s 2012 comprehensive plan, clarify redlined edits to the draft code and limit or pause approvals for conference centers.

At the meeting, the town board voted to introduce a local moratorium on conference centers, hotels and motels and set a public hearing on the moratorium for Aug. 12, 2025. Supervisor Witten said the moratorium follows New York State limits that allow six months with a single six‑month extension.

Why it matters: Residents and board members said the zoning rewrite, which began a decade ago and relates to a 12‑year planning process, contains inconsistencies and language gaps that make it difficult to tell what would change if the draft is enacted. Several speakers said vague or missing definitions — especially for “conference center,” “event area,” and “clear cutting” — risk unintended commercial development in low‑density conservation and agricultural districts.

Public comments and concerns

Vanessa, who identified herself as a long‑time resident of Schoolhouse Road, told the board she “love[s] the rural nature and quality of this town” and urged the board to “stick with our comprehensive plan” rather than adopt changes that could alter the town’s character. Cynthia Cook, president of the Clinton Historical Society, and other commenters echoed calls for careful review and for a clear redline comparison to show what language was added or removed.

Several speakers requested specific edits or procedural safeguards: Jeff Newman, identified in the meeting as “Jeff Newman, Sony administrator,” recommended a brief public history of the process for people unfamiliar with the decade‑long revision; Amy Jelenco and Nick Sacedozze urged strong, narrow definitions so that a hotel cannot be repurposed as a conference center by label alone; and Dan Burke warned that unclear guardrails could invite litigation against the planning board.

What residents focused on

- Conference centers: Many commenters said the 2021‑era conference‑center language had been expanded and that the current draft appears to add further material without clearly showing prior changes. Speakers repeatedly asked for a clean redline comparing the draft to the existing law so residents can see exact edits.

- Definitions and examples: Residents asked for stricter definitions for conference centers, inns and hotels so use‑permissions tied to different zoning districts cannot be circumvented by rebranding. Nick Sacedozze summarized the concern: if a new facility operates like a hotel but calls itself a “conference center,” the town needs objective tests to distinguish them.

- Clear cutting: Commenters noted inconsistent thresholds. The prior code language cited removal of 30% or more of trees greater than 4 inches in diameter within a half‑acre during a 10‑year cycle; the draft contains an 80% figure in places, and speakers said the definition should match the sections where it is enforced (wetland permits and the ridgeline overlay).

- Process and redlines: Multiple speakers asked for a single authoritative redline. One resident said she “threw up [her] hands” when she could not find which definition changes were newly introduced; a board member acknowledged the redline was assembled from materials the planner and prior board members left and said she had done “the best I could with what I was given.”

Board response and next steps

Supervisor Witten and other board members acknowledged imperfections in the draft but said the changes had been reviewed by a committee, the board and an attorney. Several board members said they support forming a new comprehensive‑plan committee after the zoning matter is concluded so the town can update the plan and then revise zoning again to reflect it.

The board introduced a local moratorium resolution to pause new conference center, hotel and motel applications received after the moratorium effective date. The resolution preserves the town’s ability to apply existing law to applications already in process; Supervisor Witten explained that backdating the moratorium would sharply reduce the time the town could use the statutory six‑month moratorium (with a possible six‑month extension).

Notable technical clarifications from the meeting

- The town’s current comprehensive plan dates to 2012; the zoning rewrite that is now in public hearing has been underway for roughly a decade and many participants said it began in earnest after 2012 and accelerated after 2018.

- Commenters identified an October 17, 2022 working draft that the planning staff is using as the basis for many redline comparisons; speakers asked that missing definitions (for example, “event” and “event area”) be re‑inserted if previously approved.

- The current conference‑center law carries a 25‑acre minimum in earlier code discussions; speakers said that acreage minimum and density calculations are relevant to how many guests planning boards may permit under site‑specific reviews.

Quotes

\"I love the rural nature and quality of this town,\" said Vanessa, a Schoolhouse Road resident. \"I'm here to encourage you to stick with our comprehensive plan and not make changes that are really gonna change the quality of life here.\"

\"We need a strict definition that says what actually qualifies as a conference center,\" said Nick Sacedozze of Browns Pond Road.

\"The redline isn't completely accurate,\" a board member said. \"I've done the best I could with what I was given.\"

What happens next

The board scheduled a public hearing on the moratorium for Aug. 12, 2025; the moratorium is limited under state law to an initial six months with one six‑month extension. The board also signaled interest in reconvening a comprehensive‑plan committee to produce a new plan and then align the zoning code to it.

Ending

The public hearing portion of the meeting closed after multiple speakers and organized public comment; the board transitioned to regular business, where it approved a separate set of resolutions, including the moratorium introduction and other routine items. The zoning revision remains in public review and the record will be open for further written comments and suggested redline edits.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-7-8 Regular Town Board Meeting and Public Hearing, Town of Clinton, NY","oneSentenceSummary","Town of Clinton officials heard residents press for protection of the town’s rural character and clearer draft language during a July 10 public hearing on a long‑running zoning rewrite; the board introduced a moratorium on conference centers, hotels and motels and set a hearing for Aug. 12, 2025.","taxTitle","Clinton, Oneida County, New York","taxId",54267,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520124,"Votes at a glance: Clinton town board actions July 10, 2025",2689,3331000,6020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c&start=3331&end=6020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c/thumbnail_3331000.jpg","/articles/6520124/Clinton/Oneida-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Clinton-town-board-actions-July-10-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520124-4ced7ba4e601b78b709dd2f3cb5dd7cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136756&Signature=BZ87xjY1UvhM4QNWF4L3Ughp-kluYN7L11P~5Gouc9F71epAIyDzKvBmfyzOv2yD-q3IOkEWVHkE~bXrNyfxDvlOW~EYXApaF38HPOgz7dAWcmx8BRCZPa-CHJPN-rQvAM529dlL3NSYvZgqPyLgW~4kZiwPN3Ed4CyNhELla6SyjbI0L-W-9sHJpS45MSrKVZ5o-BTy2LAl0J5HTK0Acsj74i5qYwgCVl4vZZWvLGLoxUZ-c8zWyHPrFvP-6R1YJPXIhJ56x7OWMODA090cjOYYW0iIbuDg-aCZzUZjbUw514izFTvU21~EE3sUIPbrUrk7g5hKQn1aJRT7OXvdkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Clinton town board recorded the following formal actions at its July 10, 2025 meeting. Where available, votes were recorded as voice votes (all in favor) during the meeting's roll call.

Votes and resolutions (summary)

- Approve minutes (06/10/2025 public hearing): Motion seconded and carried.
- Approve minutes (06/10/2025 regular meeting): Motion seconded and carried.
- Approve support letter for Clinton Historical Society grant application to New York State OPRHP (estimated exterior repair circa $400,000): Resolution approved; town supervisor authorized to sign/support the application.
- Authorize building inspector/municipal code enforcement officer to secure the dangerous structure at 9 Long Pond Road and proceed under Chapter 116 (notice and remediation process); town supervisor authorized to effectuate notices and steps: Resolution approved.
- Introduce local law (2025) establishing a moratorium on conference centers, hotels and motels; public hearing scheduled for Aug. 12, 2025 at 6:25 p.m.: Resolution introduced and adopted.
- Approve reimbursement agreement between the highway superintendent (Todd Martin) and the town; supervisor authorized to execute agreement: Resolution approved.
- Authorize highway superintendent to attend NYS Association of Towns annual conference (Sept. 23–26) at cost not to exceed $1,300: Approved.
- Authorize planning/zoning members to attend NYSAOT Fall Planning and Zoning School (registration up to $400 total): Approved.
- Approve warrants: General Fund and Highway Fund warrant vouchers for July: Approved.

Notes and context

- The moratorium was introduced in the context of ongoing zoning revision work and is timed to preserve the statutory six‑month initial moratorium window (with a possible six‑month extension) under New York Town Law; board members said backdating would sharply reduce usable time.

- Several other routine municipal administrative items (contract amendments, personnel negotiations updates, and highway scheduling) were discussed and approved by the board; those votes were recorded as part of the meeting’s consent actions.

Provenance: each listed item corresponds to motions and roll‑call/voice votes recorded in the meeting transcript between 06:30 p.m. and adjournment on July 10, 2025.","The town board approved minutes, a grant support letter, a dangerous‑structure enforcement resolution, introduced a conference‑center moratorium with an Aug. 12 public hearing, and passed several administrative resolutions and training approvals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520128,"Town board backs Clinton Historical Society’s exterior restoration grant application",2318,3392000,5710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c&start=3392&end=5710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c/thumbnail_3392000.jpg","/articles/6520128/Clinton/Oneida-County/New-York/Town-board-backs-Clinton-Historical-Societys-exterior-restoration-grant-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520128-b43a84381aa468aa2b389c0fdc9c4520/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136756&Signature=OgBbOFyWKgrEvFGNnH8He5bn427-rbFb2dkfYbSrmqybs3OoO8deWnLuJfdNJ8jpEosGMUovu4F75uhzbRkDeXYPg5UjYqNrz19Uk~iiNGx0Cud1Jq~6LXZNMvkqOZE3frb95MXlIbwApA5dpS4W4Xbq5GgOE55qZaJeIurFuXlFhvomlPcR-hKSA9z-YpF-fuaNW08SKej5p9TcQB~dyu48H8ECoORhkrJB9j7rRmqkaFiDy6Z2wxiWFurVr~S93iZrFwu-fnHh0waUJ81Qw8kPH7xsZqr~3JafUUPN8ZHxSrDAPeIA1CrARecLamJBh3JXg2Ws5E1~8ibdS2ImVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Clinton town board on July 10 approved a resolution supporting a grant application by the Clinton Historical Society to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for exterior repairs to the Creek Meeting House.

Cynthia Cook, the society’s president, told the board the exterior masonry needs extensive repointing and the project could cost on the order of several hundred thousand dollars. The application would be a matching grant; the society had not finalized the match amount at the time of the meeting.

Supervisor Witten moved and the board approved a resolution authorizing the town supervisor to write a support letter for the historic society’s application. Cook said the society will supply a finalized budget to the town once contractors and estimates are complete.

Ending

The board’s endorsement is one step in the historical society’s effort to secure state funding to preserve the exterior fabric of a building the society said dates to the 19th century and which the society hopes to protect for future use.","The town board authorized the supervisor to send a letter of support for a matching grant application to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to repair the exterior of the Creek Meeting House, with preliminary cost estimates in the several‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar range.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520133,"Town board authorizes steps to secure or remove deteriorated building at 9 Long Pond Road",2265,3515000,5780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c&start=3515&end=5780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334904-ca3539ac747e2c101d3cfc832f7b197c/thumbnail_3515000.jpg","/articles/6520133/Clinton/Oneida-County/New-York/Town-board-authorizes-steps-to-secure-or-remove-deteriorated-building-at-9-Long-Pond-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520133-7120533071323e05b3eb0fd5c6009c81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136756&Signature=hXUqhH-V-oj5jtucsxfCTJM6ZLS~PoBlljWlhB4DeHr6dyCC0Hkfs8XLv~LbMmPu8EBQXVqNEf91NxMWmwP2nNg8zOAMPkfUbJtnSSPp0YPoZzRF5D2b5Y1C~zB9~Rp5ncaDYL1tLazBrgAYCCW7tz~IciMGeaSekxkbqlgerqe68TFqz6NYJW5UfeUwh8SZMgJg4JsIfQPOUjHo5IdXsobaJcaSkeG7Z~3IEyIOe-42AThh9EK1cSd7ZHLqECV8B692wJZ87X9z3LrtAGljXmK5wRyXi9IdQc1ipZ5QyEmUTma02aZIcIf-iyqEvjhHAYlMcFMpCPGJOsE2oAGKSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Clinton town board on July 10 approved a resolution authorizing the building inspector and town supervisor to take steps to protect public health and safety at a worsening structure on 9 Long Pond Road, including posting signs, erecting barriers and beginning the code process that can lead to repair, demolition or liening the property.

Why it matters: The building — described by residents as a mid‑19th century rooming house tied to early mill history in Schultzville — partially collapsed and has been in deteriorated condition. Residents urged the board to seek preservation options; the board said it must proceed under the town’s dangerous‑structure code while following notice and remediation steps.

Board action and process

By motion, the board authorized the municipal code enforcement officer to secure the site and to serve notice on the owner and begin the Chapter 116 process. Supervisor Witten said the action starts a legal process that includes a public hearing for the property owner to respond and time for the owner to correct hazards before the town acts. If an owner remains unresponsive, the code allows the town to pursue further remedies, including levying costs as taxes at the end of a multi‑step process.

Resident appeals and historic value

Cynthia Cook, president of the Clinton Historical Society, told the board the building is listed in the town’s historic resources survey and dates to about 1850, associated with an early mill. She asked the board to consider alternatives to demolition and explore whether a public‑private partnership or other funding could preserve the building. Several residents urged the town not to rush demolition and to examine restoration options.

Supervisor Witten said the town will notify the owner immediately and that the process allows the owner an opportunity to act; he suggested that any effort to preserve the building should be pursued in coordination with the owner and noted that engineering evaluations and costs would be required.

Ending

The resolution passed with the board directing officials to begin the Chapter 116 procedures to make the structure safe or remove it, while remaining open to preservation proposals from the owner or outside partners.","The Town of Clinton board authorized the building inspector to take measures to secure and, if necessary, remove a deteriorated structure at 9 Long Pond Road after the inspector’s report cited safety risks; the board directed notices and procedures under chapter 116 of the town code.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clinton public hearing draws residents’ concerns as board moves to introduce conference‑center moratorium

Votes at a glance: Clinton town board actions July 10, 2025

Town board backs Clinton Historical Society’s exterior restoration grant application

Town board authorizes steps to secure or remove deteriorated building at 9 Long Pond Road