Regional Development Analysis
Municipal Land-Use Control in the Region
Almost all of the 189 municipalities in the Genesee/Finger Lakes Region have adopted some kind of land-use control and established boards. As the table shows, 52% of the 189 municipalities have adopted written Comprehensive Plans, 93% have passed Zoning Ordinances, and 59% have Subdivision Ordinances in place. However, land-use control laws vary in terms of the date they were adopted or amended.
In addition, of those municipalities that have passed a Comprehensive Plan, only a few have taken steps to implement its goals and policies through Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances or other local laws. Local laws regarding land use should reflect the goals and policies proposed in a Comprehensive Plan by including specific provisions and practices that will help to accomplish municipal land-use goals.
By looking at the data it becomes apparent that the more often municipalities have updated or revised their Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance, the more likely do Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances include regulations and practices to achieve the goals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. Good examples of this correlation are the land-use control documents in the Town of Ogden in Monroe County and the Town of Farmington in Ontario County.
With respect to the other land-use control documents, 13% of the municipalities have Flood Damage Prevention Plans in place. Other local laws, such as Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plans, Stormwater Management Plans, and Environmental Quality Review Laws, have been adopted by less than 10% of the municipalities.
Throughout the region, 90% of the 189 municipalities have Planning Boards, 84% Zoning Boards of Appeal, 16% Conservation Boards, and 23% have other land-use related boards.
In terms of the three most widespread Zoning/ Development Practices, 68% of the municipalities have passed signage provisions, 65% have site plan review, and 60% have mobile home park provisions. The three least adopted practices are Transfer/ Purchase of Development Rights (7%), Incentive Zoning (11%), and Mixed-Use Development (22%).
Agricultural Practices are listed as follows: Farmland Protection (30%), Agricultural Districts (24%), and Right-to-Farm Laws (4%).
In terms of Environmental Conservation, the three most popular practices are Vegetation Retention/ Enhancement (44%), applying SEQR regulations (44%), and Preservation of Natural Habitat/ Unique Natural Features (40%). The three least adopted practices are Open Space Easements (12%), Development Restrictions in Environmentally Sensible Areas (14%), and Preservation of Wetlands (26%).
The four Erosion & Sedimentation Control Practices are ranked as follows: Restrictions on Grading, Filling & Excavation (57%), Mitigation During/ After Construction (34%), Mining Restrictions (21%), and Steep Slope Restrictions (18%).
Among the three Drainage & Stormwater Management Practices, 63% of the municipalities have adopted Development Restrictions in Flood-Prone Areas, 58% have Mitigation Measures, and 52% address FEMA provisions.
In terms of Water/Sewage Practices, 34% of the land-use control documents address Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation provisions, 28% show a Preference for Connection to Existing Systems, and 7% of the municipalities are located in water/ sewer districts.
In the category of Recreational Practices, 52% of the municipalities have adopted Creation of Parks and Recreational Space and 9% intend to improve Public Access to Lakes.
To view county matrices, municipal tables, and the region-wide table please click on the county links and the region link:
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Last Modified: May 02, 2007