APA Shoreline Restrictions 5 comments
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) recently revoked a 35-year old law allowing owners of shoreline homes and cabins built before 1971to expand those structures.
The new rules state that most new additions to pre-1971 structures now require a variance from the APA if they fall within the shoreline setbacks, placing restrictions on the size and location of new additions.
The APA has agreed to allow minor expansion, under certain circumstances, without a variance. “Minor expansion” has been defined as an expansion no larger than 250 feet, built towards the rear of the structure away from the shoreline, without raising the roof more than two feet, and without increasing the occupancy of the structure.
As a result of this change several counties have decided to challenge the APA.
Some feel this is an unlawful extension of the APA’s power essentially creating laws at will without approval from the State Legislature. Some fear that a decline in home and camp development will negatively affect local construction and lumber businesses.
Others see the new rule as a way to control development on lakeshores in order to protect important water sources and to prohibit home and camp owners from demolishing modest structures and replacing them with much larger ones.
Is the APA taking the right steps to protect the resources of the Adirondack Park or are they placing too many restrictions on property owners?
I think that the APA has done the right thing. In other parts of the country — especially along coasts or the shoreline of lakes and scenic rivers — small traditional cottages, cabins, or bungalos have suddenly become McMansions. This should not happen in the Adirondacks!
Lakes are part of what makes the Adirondacks special. As the previous commenter noted, throughout the Northeast old fashioned rustic cabins and smaller homes are being torn down by purchasers and replaced by big, showy structures that seem to be designed mainly to advertize wealth. I support the controls.
I grew up camping on Lake Eaton and I love the Ad’s. I live near the smokey Mnts now and they are just destroying the mountains down here with all the house building on the mnts. Their are no lakes here that are natural so fortunately we don’t have to worry. Why can’t people just leave some parts of nature alone. The Ads are a very beautiful place, just leave the place alone. Are these house not enough, why make them bigger and more of an eye sore. Doesn’t anyone want serenity and quite anymore. I think all houses and people should leave the mountains. Let them go back to their natural state. It’s the last place on the east coast that is still dark at night and peaceful by day, keep it that way. Respect the land and enjoy it the way it is and save it for our kids and grand children. I wish Tennessee would take care of their land, but they don’t and it is very dirty and polluted here. Lakes and rivers are polluted and the people litter like the street is a trash can. Be happy for what you have or the Ads may be Tennessee one day. Thank you for letting me say my peace.
People live and work here in the Adirondacks, it is not that easy to just “leave” as you suggest. Families are rooted deep in these mountains, they deserve to continue that. Smarter choices can be made, yes, but leaving altogether is not a solution, and maybe not even an option for some folks.
Stop destroying the Adirondacks. Keep the Ads looking natural. Rich homes on the lakes are just selfish. Who really cares about a rich mans house in the middle of such a beautiful place. No man made structure will ever be as beautiful as the Adirondack land scape.