Regional Development Analysis
Methodology
The collection of land-use control data for the Regional Development Analysis Report started in the spring of 2000 and included two surveys, two follow-up postcards, and follow-up telephone calls. One hundred and eighty nine municipalities in the Genesee/Finger Lakes Region were asked to fill out a survey containing questions about existing local laws and practices (Comprehensive Plan, Zoning, Subdivision Ordinance, Drainage Plan, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Vegetation Retention Law, Site Plan Review, and other plans and ordinances) and existing local boards (Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeal, Conservation Board, and other boards). The municipalities were also asked to provide copies of the existing local laws. Because of this, only those local laws and the information that was provided are included in this Regional Development Analysis Report.
The available data was entered into municipal tables and county matrices that can be viewed in the chapter on Municipal Land Use Control in the Region.
The municipal tables list permitted and special use provisions and bulk restrictions for each individual municipality within the region. The data only covers interior lots and the predominant zoning district uses, but does not include exceptions. Non-predominant district uses may be subject to dimensional requirements of other zoning districts.
The county matrices put local land-use control into a larger context by comparing existing land-use control documents and practices and existing land-use control boards with other municipalities within one specific county. The data entered into the nine county matrices is subdivided into eight categories. The categories are Land-Use Documents and Boards, Zoning/ Development Rights & Restrictions, Agricultural Practices, Environmental Conservation, Erosion & Sedimentation Control, Drainage & Stormwater Management, Water/ Sewage, and Recreation. There is also a general key attached to every matrix.
When a particular land-use document has been made local law, the years of adoption and last amendment are shown in parenthesis. A year that appears in black indicates that the land-use document was adopted between 1992 and 2001 or that an amendment was made within the same period. Blue indicates adoption or amendments between 1982 and 1991, and red adoption or amendments before 1982. All the cells that contain data are colored either black or gray. A black cell indicates that a particular issue (e.g. site plan review) is mandated by local law; a gray cell indicates that a particular issue (e.g. open space easements) is encouraged by local law or may be required by the municipal legislative body. A white cell indicates that a particular issue is not addressed by local law. There are, however, exceptions. Comprehensive Plans adopted before 1982 are mentioned, but the goals and policies are not entered into the matrices. Plans that are twenty years or older need to be updated to reflect new developments and trends. Subdivision plat requirements are also not listed, only required improvements and standards. Plats include very basic information and data such as location of streets, large trees, sewer, water supply, and drainage ways. They are required by law and basically part of every Subdivision Ordinance.
A separate region-wide table synthesizes the nine county matrices by adding up the entries in terms of total numbers and percentage. All entries are counted equally regardless of whether a local law or practice is actually adopted or simply encouraged.
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Last Modified: May 02, 2007