Q. 1, Short EAF (Part 1) Legislative Actions
Short Environmental Assessment Form Workbook
Does the proposed action only involve the legislative adoption of a plan, local law, ordinance, administrative rule, or regulation?
If Yes, attach a narrative description of the intent of the proposed action and the environmental resources that may be affected in the municipality and proceed to Part 2.
If no, continue to question 2.
Background Information
What are Legislative Actions?
Adoption of local laws, ordinances, regulations, administrative rules, and plans are common legislative actions taken by the State or local municipalities. All are considered discretionary actions and therefore, all require an environmental review prior to their adoption according to SEQR. Because legislative actions frequently affect large portions of, or even the entire municipality, it is difficult to answer many of the location-specific questions in Part 1 of the SEAF.
Board of Appeals approval of a use variance or some area variances is considered an administrative action and would not result in a 'yes' for this question (setbacks and lot line adjustments are Type II actions and do not require SEQR).Please note that some legislative actions are automatic Type I actions and therefore the SEAF would not be the appropriate form to use for the environmental review. In particular, adoption of a county, village, city, or town comprehensive plan, adoption of a zoning law or amendment of a zoning law that affects more than 25 acres are legislative actions, but are defined in SEQR as Type I actions so the FEAF is required. Please use the FEAF for that type of legislative action. If the project only involves a legislative action and no other components, say "yes" to this question.
Answering the Question
If Your Answer to Question 1 is "Yes"
If the answer to Question 1 is "yes", you can skip questions 2 through 20 and instead provide the information needed to complete Part 2 and 3 of the SEAF by including a brief narrative that describes the proposed legislative action. This narrative should briefly describe the intent of the proposed legislative action and the environmental features that may be affected by adoption of it. You should include this narrative as an additional sheet attached to the SEAF.
Here is one example of a narrative for a legislative action:
"The Village is adopting an amendment to its existing B-1 commercial business district. The amendment extends the existing district by adding ten new parcels of land, shown on the attached map. The purpose of this extension is to provide additional business opportunities along Main Street. The additional parcels range from ½ acre to five acres in size and all have road frontage on Main Street. These parcels are currently vacant and not developed. The parcels are a mix of grass and shrubs, and Walnut Creek runs along one side of the proposed extension. In addition to the extension of the B-1 District, the amendment also includes a new development standard that: requires a 50 foot stream setback for any parking lot or structure from the creek, requires natural vegetation to be protected within that 50 foot stream corridor, and requires the Planning Board to ensure stormwater planning protects water quality in the creek."
If Your Answer to Question 1 is "No"
Back to Part 1 Project Information || Continue to SEAF - Question 2 - (Part 1)
