This session will address the powers and duties of town, village and city planning boards and commissions. Both the administrative and regulatory roles of the planning board will be discussed, including comprehensive planning, site plan review, special use permits, subdivision review. The role of the board in making recommendations to the zoning board of appeals will be discussed. The importance of board procedures, referral to the county planning agency, and making findings will be discussed. (CEO, CLE, and AICP credit)

The presentation will discuss the Manufactured Housing Advancement Act 0f 2005 which requires the certification of manufacturers, retailers, installers and mechanics of manufactured homes.  The presentation will also discuss the requirements of dispute resolution and very basic requirements for installation.  (Code Officials will receive three hours of in-service credit)

For the past two years, G/FLRPC has been assessing local laws and assisting with revision of local laws in several Finger Lakes municipalities.  The result of that project is a guidebook, to be presented at this session, which is designed for local government officials, elected leaders, municipal staff, and municipal boards such as Planning Boards and ZBAs.  The guidebook will assist them in recognizing the role that municipalities can play in the protection of water resources, and guide them in implementing new or revised local laws or practices to achieve that protection. 

The zoning and planning process doesn't have to be an adversarial process.  Many applicants have little, if any, experience working within the municipal planning and zoning process.  Come hear how your community can help applicants provide you with the information you need to make good decisions. 

In cities, suburbs, and rural communities, Upstate New York's population is aging. How can plans, policies, and programs respond better to this population, and their desire to “age in place”-- in their current homes, neighborhoods, and communities?
This session will examine land use, community design, housing, and transportation barriers to “aging in place,” and suggest solutions to overcoming these barriers. 

Sharing the cost of a planning project with a neighboring community or communities that share common problems or goals can ensure a high quality planning project that is useful for all of those involved, at a lower cost to taxpayers.  Intermunicipal planning projects bring together different stakeholders with unique perspectives, leading to more comprehensive solutions and often a unifying vision.  This program will provide an overview of the basic tools and processes needed for a successful intermunicipal planning project.  

Rows of two and three story buildings characterize many of New York State's older and historic Main Streets. While many of the storefronts of these 19th and early 20th century buildings are occupied, the upper floors, once home to downtown merchants, are often empty,  This workshop will present design, building code and financing strategies that can help return empty and neglected spaces to productive use and thus enhance a community's revitalization strategies.
 

The presentation includes discussion of wind power construction projects in NY and shows the impacts to farmland when the appropriate mitigation is not used.  It also includes proper farmland mitigation techniques used during wind power construction.

This course will address the powers and duties of zoning board of appeals and its interrelationships with enforcement officials, the municipal planning board, and county planning agencies. Instructors will provide information on the statutory requirements relating to the issuance of use and area variances and the handling of zoning interpretations. Board procedures will also be discussed, as will the importance of making good findings. (CEO, CLE, and AICP credit)

Eminent domain is one of the powers of government and has been used to acquire land for highways, airports, parks, or to revitalize an area of the community. In June 2005, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding the use of the government's power of eminent domain.  Reaction to the case, Kelo vs. City of New London, has been widespread and passionate.  As with other "hot topics" in planning, G/FLRPC seeks to provide a better understanding of the issues involved.  To that end, G/FLRPC and the local section of the American Planning Association are sponsoring this panel discussion.  Each panelist will give a short presentation, followed by questions and moderated discussion among the audience members and the panelists.