for release July 22, 2015

Press Release Issued Jointly by: The Neighbors of Fairview Manor and
The Route 12E Coalition to Protect and Preserve Residential Zoning

Opposition Grows to Fairview Manors Party Venue Plans

Clayton, NY - Opposition to Fairview Manors party venue plans, including use
of the large-size party tent, has grown with the creation of a new group that
is working with the existing Neighbors of Fairview Manor.
This new group - the Route 12E Coalition to Protect and Preserve Residential
Zoning - formed within the last two weeks, consists of 60 residents in the
Route 12E residential corridor. This five-mile corridor on the north side of
12E begins with the Village of Clayton line and ends with the Town of Cape
Vincent line.
Each resident group is opposed to commercial development that would
disturb the quiet nature of the Route 12E corridor.
The two property owner groups are not opposed to a carefully restricted
distillery/tasting room operation at the site but are vigorously opposed to all
outdoor events that will disturb the quiet nature of this residential area.
Today the two groups announced that they each had formally petitioned
Jefferson County authorities to block making Fairview Manor part of an
existing Agricultural District.
The owners of Fairview Manor hope that an Agricultural Designation would
allow their commercial development in the residential corridor, including
holding large parties on a regular basis in the new large tent.
Fairview Manor is located in the residential corridor. This corridor is zoned
Marine Residential under the Clayton Zoning Laws.
The older established group, Neighbors of Fairview Manor, consist of five
property owners in the immediate vicinity of Fairview Manor.
In May, 2015, the Clayton Town Board proposed to change the zoning for
Fairview Manor from Marine Residential to Marine Residential-2.
This zoning change would have allowed the operation of a distillery, tasting
room and restaurant at Fairview Manor as well as paved the way for the
issuance of permits for large outdoor events such as weddings.
The Towns proposal was opposed by both the Clayton Planning Board and
the Jefferson County Planning Board because it was deemed to be illegal
spot zoning. Given this opposition, the Town withdrew its proposal.
When the zoning change failed, the owner of Fairview Manor submitted an
application to add their site to an existing Agricultural District in Jefferson

for release July 22, 2015

Press Release Issued Jointly by: The Neighbors of Fairview Manor and
The Route 12E Coalition to Protect and Preserve Residential Zoning
County which would allow the owner to operate a distillery and a tasting
room, plus conduct promotional events there.
The two groups have filed extensive opposition documents with the Jefferson
County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board.
Each resident group vigorously opposes the application by the owners of
Fairview Manor for adding their site to the Northern Agricultural District of
Jefferson County.
The two property owner groups argue that such addition to an Agricultural
District would be an abuse of the law whose primary intent is promoting the
preservation of farmland. The law is not meant to convert prime residential
property into agricultural land.
In addition, they contend that the primary goal of the owners of Fairview
Manor is to operate a significant commercial venue for very large parties.
Up to this point, by virtue of careful and thoughtful zoning laws, most
commercial activities in Clayton are concentrated in the Village and on the
east side of the Town of Clayton along the busy Route 12 corridor.

Contact Information:
Route 12E Coalition to Protect and Preserve Residential Zoning Mary
Mascott 315-686-6117
Neighbors of Fairview Manor Ron Cooper 315-686-2475