Track A

Track B

Track C

8:00-9:00

Registration, Continental Breakfast, and Vendors and Exhibits

9:00-10:00

A1 Zoning Board of Appeals Overview, Natasha Phillip, esq. and Erin Thomas, NYSDOS

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. The statutory requirements relating to the issuance of use and area variances, handling of zoning interpretations, board procedures and findings will be discussed. (CEO, and CLE credit)

B1 Local Planning for Agriculture: What Can You Do? Diane Held, American Farmland Trust and Maria Rudzinski, Ontario County Division of Planning and Research, and Rochelle Stein

Agriculture offers economic, landscape, environmental, and scenic benefits to communities.  Come learn about the "tools" available to towns and counties to help support local farms and to protect farmland.  Diane Held, New York Field Representative for American Farmland Trust will be joined by local officials who have created a supportive environment for their agricultural businesses.

C1 Protecting Natural Resources through Land Use Regulations, Joe Bovenzi and Jayme Breschard, G/FLRPC

This session will explain how municipalities can use their land use regulations, specifically their Comprehensive Plans, zoning laws, subdivision laws, site plan review laws, and design standards/guidelines, to help preserve and protect sensitive natural resources such as wetlands, woodlots, and steep slopes.

10:00-11:00

C2 How to Finance Historic Rehabilitations in Your Community, Jayme Breschard, G/FLRPC, Clinton E. Brown, President, Clinton Brown Company, Joseph G. Eicheldinger, VP, Keybank Community Development Lending, Murray Gould, President, Port City Preservation LLC

Securing financing for your historic preservation project is essential—and when combining Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits with other incentive programs, such as the low-income housing credit and the New Markets Tax Credit, the project becomes even more valuable.  Learn from a development team the fundamentals of how to finance the rehabilitation of a historic property and ensure project success with an experienced financial lender, an architect who specializes in preservation projects, and a qualified construction manager.

11:00-12:00

A2 Ethics of Planning & Zoning Boards, Natasha Phillip, esq., NYSDOS

A discussion of ethics issues to be aware of when serving on a planning or zoning board and illustrative opinions, cases and examples.

B2 The Comprehensive Plan: Processes and Procedures, Joe Bovenzi, G/FLRPC

Is your municipality considering updating/revising its comprehensive plan?  Sit in on this seminar to learn about this process and how your community can develop a comprehensive plan that meets New York State mandates, effectively incorporates public comments, and provides a sound basis for future land uses and development in your municipality. 

12:00-1:00

Lunch and Vendors and Exhibits

1:00-2:00

A3 Adopting, Organizing, Maintaining and Amending Zoning, Linda King and Natasha Phillip, esq., NYSDOS, Brian Slack, G/FLRPC

An examination of the origins of zoning and the purposes for adopting regulations; the role of the municipal comprehensive plan; specific steps a municipality must take to prepare their first set of zoning regulations; procedures for the adoption and amendment of zoning laws and ordinances, including referral to the county planning board, public hearings, and filing requirements; and a brief overview of best practices in local code organization and presentation. (CLE and CEO Credit)

B3 New York State Water and Sewer Infrastructure Co-Funding Initiative, Dwight Brown, Co-Funding Coordinator, NYS EFC, Dave Miller, USDA Rural Development, Rob Brooks, Office for Small Cities, Kathleen O’Connor, NYSERDA, Kyle Wilber, NYSDOS

There are several State and federal programs that provide financing for water and sewer projects.  The Co-Funding Initiative provides a streamlined, coordinated process for applying to government funding programs.  This presentation will provide an overview of the participating agencies' programs with representatives from each of the co-funding agencies.

Presentations

• Energy and Municipal Wastewater

• Shared Services and Intermunicipal Collaboration

C3 Introduction to the Historic Preservation Commission, Jayme Breschard, G/FLRPC and Jessica Evans, Preservation Director, Historic Ithaca

While a municipality has a variety of options in how to protect its historic resources, usually some type of local commission administers the program.  These commissions are known as Historic Preservation Commissions, Architectural Review Boards, Landmarks Advisory Committees, Historic District Advisory Boards—sometimes even the Planning Commission. No matter the legalities of local regulation, having a good sense of procedure, comprehensive design guidelines, and communication with the public and other municipal departments is standard for any local preservation commission.  Planning board members and municipal planning and zoning officials are also encouraged to attend this session.

2:00-3:00

B4 Financing for a Sustainable Future: Funding for Water and Sewer Projects and New Programs for New York's Revolving Funds, Kathleen O’Connor, NYSERDA and Dwight Brown, NYS EFC

The first part of the presentation will focus on the funding programs that are available through the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation.  Emphasis will be on the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. The second part of the presentation will provide information about the new SRF Guarantee Program for financing water and wastewater projects for up to 30 years regardless of project score.  It will also discuss the EFC/NYSERDA Joint Energy Efficiency Pilot Program for wastewater projects and the 2008 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey.

3:00-4:00

A4 Planning Board Overview, Natasha Phillip, esq. and John-David Wood, NYSDOS

This session will address the powers and duties of town, village and city planning boards and commissions. 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, the importance of board procedures,  referral to the county planning agency, and making findings. (CEO, and CLE credit)

B5 Municipal Implications of Watershed Planning and Implementation, Stephanie Wojtowicz and Andrew Labruzzo, NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources

Watershed planning is an important tool for municipalities to address land use and water quality.  The Department of State Division of Coastal Resources and the Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water have developed a new multi-media package including a video, guidebook and web pages, entitled Watershed Plans: Restoring and Protecting Water Quality.  This guidance was designed to assist communities with the preparation and implementation of watershed management plans-- from developing partnerships to identifying management strategies.  Presenters will review the watershed planning process and provide examples of watershed planning from throughout the State.

C4 Designing New Centers, Cathy Hamlin, NYSDOS

How to create lively and attractive new centers of higher density, mixed use, and pedestrian oriented development.

4:00-5:00

C5 Land Use Tools for Walkable Communities, Erin Thomas, NYSDOS

Increasing the availability and attractiveness of pedestrian facilities can help revitalize downtowns, provide an alternative means of transportation, and encourage a healthier lifestyle. This session provides an overview of several common municipal land use tools (zoning, site plan review, subdivision regulations, and special use permit). The program then explores how these tools can be tailored to improve pedestrian conditions by the requirement of sidewalks, pathways and other pedestrian facilities, as well as through the encouragement of better site design.

Track A

Track B

Track C

8:00-9:00

Registration, Continental Breakfast, and Vendors and Exhibits

9:00-10:00

A1 Zoning Board of Appeals Overview, NYSDOS

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. The statutory requirements relating to the issuance of use and area variances, handling of zoning interpretations, board procedures and findings will be discussed. (CEO, and CLE credit)
 

B1 Local Planning for Agriculture: What Can You Do? Diane Held, American Farmland Trust

Agriculture offers economic, landscape, environmental, and scenic benefits to communities.  Come learn about the "tools" available to towns and counties to help support local farms and to protect farmland.  Diane Held, New York Field Representative for American Farmland Trust will be joined by local officials who have created a supportive environment for their agricultural businesses

C1 Protecting Natural Resources through Land Use Regulations, Joe Bovenzi and Jayme Breschard, G/FLRPC

This seminar will explain how municipalities can use their land use regulations, specifically their Comprehensive Plans, zoning laws, subdivision laws, site plan review laws, and design standards/guidelines, to help preserve and protect sensitive natural resources such as wetlands, woodlots, and steep slopes.

10:00-11:00

C2 How to Finance Historic Rehabilitations in Your Community, Jayme Breschard, G/FLRPC, Clinton E. Brown, President, Clinton Brown Company, Joseph G. Eicheldinger, VP, Keybank Community Development Lending, Murray Gould, President, Port City Preservation LLC

Securing financing for your historic preservation project is essential—and when combining Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits with other incentive programs, such as the low-income housing credit and the New Markets Tax Credit, the project becomes even more valuable.  Learn from a development team the fundamentals of how to finance the rehabilitation of a historic property and ensure project success with an experienced financial lender, an architect who specializes in preservation projects, and a qualified construction manager.

11:00-12:00

A2 Ethics of Planning & Zoning Boards, NYSDOS and NY Planning Federation

A discussion of ethics issues to be aware of when serving on a planning or zoning board and illustrative opinions, cases and examples.

B2 The Comprehensive Plan: Processes and Procedures, Joe Bovenzi, G/FLRPC

Is your municipality considering updating/revising its comprehensive plan?  Sit in on this seminar to learn about this process and how your community can develop a comprehensive plan that meets New York State mandates, effectively incorporates public comments, and provides a sound basis for future land uses and development in your municipality. 

12:00-1:00

Lunch and Vendors and Exhibits

1:00-2:00

A3 Adopting, Organizing, Maintaining and Amending Zoning, NYSDOS, Brian Slack, G/FLRPC
 

An examination of the origins of zoning and the purposes for adopting regulations; the role of the municipal comprehensive plan; specific steps a municipality must take to prepare their first set of zoning regulations; procedures for the adoption and amendment of zoning laws and ordinances, including referral to the county planning board, public hearings, and filing requirements; and a brief overview of best practices in local code organization and presentation. (CLE and CEO Credit)

B3 New York State Water and Sewer Infrastructure Co-Funding Initiative, Dwight Brown, Co-Funding Coordinator, NYS EFC, Dave Miller, USDA Rural Development, Rob Brooks, Office for Small Cities, Kathleen O’Connor, NYSERDA, Kyle Wilber, NYSDOS, Anne Hohenstein, Oil Spill Fund

There are several State and federal programs that provide financing for water and sewer projects.  The Co-Funding Initiative provides a streamlined, coordinated process for applying to government funding programs.  This presentation will provide an overview of the participating agencies' programs with representatives from each of the co-funding agencies.

C3 Introduction to the Historic Preservation Commission, Jayme Breschard, G/FLRPC and Jessica Evans, Preservation Director, Historic Ithaca

While a municipality has a variety of options in how to protect its historic resources, usually some type of local commission administers the program.  These commissions are known as Historic Preservation Commissions, Architectural Review Boards, Landmarks Advisory Committees, Historic District Advisory Boards—sometimes even the Planning Commission. No matter the legalities of local regulation, having a good sense of procedure, comprehensive design guidelines, and communication with the public and other municipal departments is standard for any local preservation commission.  Planning board members and municipal planning and zoning officials are also encouraged to attend this session.

2:00-3:00

B4 Financing for a Sustainable Future: Funding for Water and Sewer Projects and New Programs for New York's Revolving Funds, NYS EFC

The first part of the presentation will focus on the funding programs that are available through the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation.  Emphasis will be on the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. The second part of the presentation will provide information about the new SRF Guarantee Program for financing water and wastewater projects for up to 30 years regardless of project score.  It will also discuss the EFC/NYSERDA Joint Energy Efficiency Pilot Program for wastewater projects and the 2008 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey.

3:00-4:00

A4 Planning Board Overview, NYSDOS

This session will address the powers and duties of town, village and city planning boards and commissions. 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, the importance of board procedures,  referral to the county planning agency, and making findings. (CEO, and CLE credit)

B5 Municipal Implications of Watershed Planning and Implementation, Stephanie Wojtowicz and Andrew Labruzzo, NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources

Watershed planning is an important tool for municipalities to address land use and water quality.  The Department of State Division of Coastal Resources and the Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water have developed a new multi-media package including a video, guidebook and web pages, entitled Watershed Plans: Restoring and Protecting Water Quality.  This guidance was designed to assist communities with the preparation and implementation of watershed management plans-- from developing partnerships to identifying management strategies.  Presenters will review the watershed planning process and provide examples of watershed planning from throughout the State.

C4 Designing New Centers, NYSDOS                               

How to create lively and attractive new centers of higher density, mixed use, and pedestrian oriented development.

4:00-5:00

C5 Land Use Tools for Walkable Communities, NYSDOS

Increasing the availability and attractiveness of pedestrian facilities can help revitalize downtowns, provide an alternative means of transportation, and encourage a healthier lifestyle. This session provides an overview of several common municipal land use tools (zoning, site plan review, subdivision regulations, and special use permit). The program then explores how these tools can be tailored to improve pedestrian conditions by the requirement of sidewalks, pathways and other pedestrian facilities, as well as through the encouragement of better site design.