1. Welcome! New York land use boards play a vital role in our local communities. Planning and Zoning laws are adopted by New York cities and towns and administered by municipalities in many different ways. PLANNING and ZONING OVERVIEW Organization of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment

2. Fire Human Services Town Clerk School System Assessing Public Works Building Planning Zoning Police Library Recreation Cemetery Admin. Sample Local Government Services Chart Planning and Zoning are part of the circle of services provided to taxpayers in local communities.

3. Planning & Zoning Basics WHAT IS PLANNING AND ZONING?

4. Planning “Land use planning means the scientific, aesthetic, and orderly disposition of land resources, facilities and services with a view to securing the physical, economic and social efficiency, health and well-being of urban and rural communities.” Wikipedia

5. Zoning “A major part of local planning is zoning, the division of areas into districts. Zones cover most potential uses, such as residential, commercial, light industry, heavy industry, open space, or transportation infrastructure.” Sci-Tech Encyclopedia

6. Land Use Support Land use issues are administered on behalf of a city or town in several different ways. Administrative Assistants are often hired to coordinate land use departments

7. Land Use Board Matrix Municipalities may have many different land use boards and committees River Study Historic District Commission Planning Board Heritage Commission Conservation Commission Economic Development Commission Zoning Board SUPPORT

8. Land Use Board Members The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment are comprised of the following members: Regular members Alternate members

9. The zoning board of adjustment shall consist of five (5) regular members. They shall either be elected or appointed and each member shall be a resident of the municipality. (See the Zoning Board of Adjustment Basics module for more information.) Zoning Board

10. The Planning & Zoning Hearing Typically there are three stages to a land use hearing: 1. Preparation 2. The Public Hearing 3. Follow-up

11. Preparation The following is a sample of the tasks needing completion by an applicant and the land use board members before a hearing: The applicant Research/Develop plan/proposal Meet with town staff Complete formal application Pay fees

12. The Hearing Process During a land use hearing, the applicant, board members and support personnel all have roles. APPLICANT: Presents case to board Answers questions