Toward a Regional Vision: Erie and Niagara Counties Framework for Regional Growth

1. Toward a Regional Vision: Erie and Niagara Counties Framework for Regional Growth Shared and Differing Approaches in Implementing a Two-County Plan

2. What does the Framework do? • Establishes a vision for how the region will grow and develop • Provides clear direction regarding growth and development to county decision-makers and other regional stakeholders • Informs local governments, private sector, and non-profit entities on how they can plan and make decisions in a way that reinforces the overall regional vision • Defines mechanisms to ensure that the goals, concepts, and recommendations of the Framework are implemented in an efficient and accountable manner • Helps stakeholders make decisions about growth and development on a coordinated and consistent basis

3. IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM Context & Challenges

4. Why do we need a Framework for Regional Growth? • Fractured decision-making • Inefficient development patterns resulting in: • Poor infrastructure utilization • Abandonment of traditional population centers • Loss of farmland and other important natural resources • Disconnect between housing and jobs, increasing transportation costs • Fewer people, more developed land and more miles traveled

5. Why do we need a Framework? • Fractured decision-making: • 64 independent municipal governments in the two-county region • 6 cities • 37 towns • 21 villages • Hundreds of public authorities and special districts

6. Why do we need a Framework? • Lack of a coordinated approach to matters involving growth and development • Last regional plan: 1974 • Last regional planning board: 1990s • New York State Home Rule Law

7. Why do we need a Framework? Developed Areas before 1900 Population in 1900: 508,687

8. Why do we need a Framework? Developed Areas to 1940 Population in 1940: 958,487 (+88% from 1900)

9. Why do we need a Framework? Developed Areas to 1960 Population in 1960: 1,306,957 (+36% from 1940)

10. Why do we need a Framework? Developed Areas to 2000 Population in 2000: 1,170,111 (-10% from 1960)

11. Why do we need a Framework? Developed Areas to 2000 Population in 2000: 1,170,111 (-10% from 1960) Development without growth: More infrastructure supported by fewer taxpayers cannot be fiscally sustained

12. Why do we need a Framework? • Poor infrastructure utilization: • 175,000 ac. (274 sq. mi.) of undeveloped land identified* • *Excludes public parklands, cemeteries, quarries, wetlands, floodplains, steep slopes, lands located in agricultural districts and vacant buildings.

13. Why do we need a Framework? • Poor infrastructure utilization: • 84,000 ac. (131 sq. mi.) of land identified as undeveloped (approx. 50%) located in areas served by public sewer • This is an area nearly 10x the size of the City of Niagara Falls (pop. 55,000) and 2.5x the area of the Town of Amherst (pop. 117,000) • If developed at a modest density of 3 dwelling units per acre, this area could accommodate over 250,000 homes

14. Why do we need a Framework? • Poor infrastructure utilization: • Despite large amount of undeveloped land served by public sewers, development occurs outside of sewered areas (tan) • Sewer in rural areas (purple) exacerbates outward expansion and leads to further abandonment of population centers

15. Why do we need a Framework? • Abandonment of traditional population centers: • Population change from 1980 to 2000 • Population loss in urban centers and many first ring suburbs • Population gain in second ring suburbs and rural areas

16. Why do we need a Framework? • Loss of farmland and other important natural resources: • Developing areas (tan) are encroaching on agricultural districts (purple) • Between 1987 and 1997, the region lost more than 42,000 acres of farmland, a decrease in acreage of nearly 13.5%

17. Why do we need a Framework? • Loss of farmland and other important natural resources: • Environment features composite map • Riparian corridors • Wetland zones • Rolling terrain • Forest cover • Steep slopes • Prime agricultural soils

18. Why do we need a Framework? • Loss of farmland and other important natural resources: • Developed areas (white) and developing areas (tan) overlaid on environmental features (blue)

19. Why do we need a Framework? • Disconnect between housing and jobs: • Households change 1980 to 2000 • Loss of households in urban centers and many first ring suburbs • Gain in households in second ring suburbs and rural areas

20. Why do we need a Framework? • Disconnect between housing and jobs: • Employment centers largely concentrated in urban areas

21. DEVISING SOLUTIONS Guiding Growth & Development

22. Guiding Growth & Development • Framework Principles • Geographic Framework • Growth Targets & Alternative Futures • Framework Policies & Strategies

23. Guiding Growth & Development • Framework Principles: • A Vital Economy • Sustainable Neighborhoods • Strong Rural Communities • Improved Access and Mobility • Efficient Systems and Services • Effective Regional Stewardship • Conserved Natural and Cultural Assets

24. Guiding Growth & Development • Geographic Framework: • Planning Policy Areas • Different policies and strategies for developed, developing, and rural areas

25. Guiding Growth & Development • Geographic Framework: • Centers & Corridors • Concentrating development within existing population centers and development corridors

26. Guiding Growth & Development • Geographic Framework: • Natural Systems • Avoiding development in sensitive environmental areas

27. Guiding Growth & Development • Geographic Framework: • Heritage Assets • Preserving our natural, recreational, scenic, and cultural resources

28. Guiding Growth & Development • Growth Targets & Alternative Futures • Trend Concept – continued disinvestment in older developed areas; extensive investment in developing and rural areas; significant investment in new infrastructure; significant loss of farmland • Strategic Investment Concept – greater investment in developed areas and areas served by existing infrastructure; moderate investment in new infrastructure; increased densities in developing and rural areas • Reinvestment Concept – significant investment in developed areas; moderate investment in developing and rural areas served by existing infrastructure; minimal investment in new infrastructure

29. Distribution of New Households by Policy Area

30. Distribution of New Households by Policy Area

31. Distribution of New Households by Policy Area

32. Density Assignments and Land Area Requirements

33. Estimated Infrastructure Costs by Concept

34. Guiding Growth & Development • Framework Policies & Strategies • Developed Area: • Policies – Spark reinvestment, attract new households and businesses, and improve the livability and economic vitality of the region’s existing communities. Support: a.) the conservation and stabilization of existing neighborhoods; b.) new compact, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development on vacant and underutilized sites; and c.) higher density, employment intensive, mixed use development in Regional Centers and Growth Corridors. • Strategies – Economic Development & Public Investment Strategies; Mobility & Accessibility Strategies; Public Systems & Service Strategies

35. Guiding Growth & Development • Framework Policies & Strategies • Developing Area: • Policies – Support a balance of conservation and quality development. Align policies and investments to encourage: a.) the conservation of agricultural and rural lands; b.) new compact, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development on vacant and underutilized sites; and c.) higher density, employment intensive, mixed-use and transit-oriented development in regional centers and growth corridors. • Strategies – Economic Development & Public Investment Strategies; Development Guidance Strategies; Mobility & Accessibility Strategies; Public Systems & Service Strategies

36. Guiding Growth & Development • Framework Policies & Strategies • Rural Area: • Policies – Encourage limited development and reinvestment in rural centers and discourage the conversion of rural and agricultural lands. Align policies and investments to: a.) strengthen rural economies; b.) conserve agricultural and rural lands; and c.) revitalize rural centers. • Strategies – Economic Development & Public Investment Strategies; Development Guidance Strategies; Mobility & Accessibility Strategies; Public Systems & Service Strategies

37. Guiding Growth & Development • Framework Policies & Strategies • Natural & Cultural Overlay: • Policies – Encourage local, county, regional, and state investments that advance the planning, management, and conservation of waterfront lands, river and stream corridors, regional greenways, and significant natural and cultural sites and resources. • Strategies – Regional in scope and application

38. Guiding Growth & Development • Framework Policies & Strategies • Regional Stewardship Policies: • Policies – Support effective local and regional decision-making through the integration of data systems, development of region-wide assessment and reporting systems, and expanding public knowledge of planning and development issues. Align public investments in facilities, services and amenities to support regional planning, conservation and economic development initiatives. • Strategies – Regional in scope and application

39. DEVISING SOLUTIONS Powers & Authorities

40. Powers & Authorities • Counties do not have authority to directly regulate land use, but State law grants other powers and authorities that can influence growth and development patterns: • Creation of county planning boards or regional planning councils • Preparation and adoption of a county comprehensive plan • Ability to make zoning recommendations to local municipalities • Provision of technical planning services to local municipalities • Ability to enter into agreement with local municipalities to provide ministerial functions related to land use planning and regulation

41. Powers & Authorities • County powers and authorities that can influence growth and development patterns: • Adoption of official maps to provide for orderly growth and development including adequate transportation, utility, and flood protection systems, etc. • Review of certain land use matters prior to action by local municipalities • Establishment of county water and sewer districts • Oversight by county health departments over subdivision development • Establishment of county soil and water conservation districts • Participation in affordable housing development

42. Powers & Authorities • County powers and authorities that can influence growth and development patterns: • Creation of environmental management councils • Adoption of wetlands and coastal erosion regulations enforceable in municipalities that fail to adopt their own regulations • Authority to enter into intermunicipal agreements • Establishment of industrial development agencies • Ability to adopt a county charter

43. IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Taking Action

44. Taking Action • First Steps • Ongoing Integration & Advocacy • Early Actions: Years 1 to 5 • Longer Term Actions: Years 5 to 10

45. Taking Action • First Steps • Endorse Framework Principles & Policies • Establish Working Group for a Regional Planning Entity • Establish an Erie County Planning Board • Joint Meetings of the Planning Boards

46. Taking Action • Ongoing Integration & Advocacy • Integration of Economic Development Initiatives & Policies • Increased Advocacy for Support & Assistance

47. Taking Action • Early Actions: Years 1 to 5 • Initiate First Phase of a Planning Assistance Program • Develop Capital Project Review Policies & Procedures • Establish System for Tracking Development Activity • Develop SEQR Type I Action Lists • Assess Impacts of Rural Subdivisions • Improve Section 239-l, -m and -n Reviews • Clarify & Strengthen Reinvestment Policies

48. Taking Action • Longer Term Actions: Years 5 to 10 • Develop Planning Area Specific Standards for County Roads • Adjust Sewer & Water District Limits Consistent with Framework • Expanded Assistance for Agricultural Conservation Efforts • Support Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase 2

49. COOPERATIVE IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS

50. Cooperative Implementation Efforts • Framework Working Group • Regional GIS mapping • Policies & Procedures Manual