Finger Lakes Land Use Project
Indicators
The first phase of the FLLU project includes research and analysis of three indicators related to land use and natural resource protection. These are:
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Public Sewer and Water Provision in the Region
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Protected Lands in the Region
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Village/Small City Center Analysis
1. Public Sewer and Water Provision in the Region
Regional stakeholders indicated that having this information would be very useful. Public sewer and water infrastructure drive development, but in many instances, the provision of this infrastructure is unconnected with local development control. Development review and controls occur mostly at the local level, due to home rule, but water and sewer infrastructure development very often occurs with quasi-independent, higher level authorities. Mapping, describing, and explaining this infrastructure on a regional scale is the first step in making a better connection to land use regulations.
2. Protected Lands in the Region
Municipal representatives suggested that it would be very helpful to see a comparison of the municipalities across the region showing how much land is protected from development and what form that protection takes. This is termed the “spectrum of protection” and varies from relatively loose regulations such as land in agricultural districts to very strongly protected lands, such as state park land with many categories and gradations in between.
Showing the pattern (or non-pattern) and amounts of the various types of land protection can help municipalities compare their situation to other municipalities in the region and may highlight the benefits and/or shortcomings of the current approach to open space preservation.
3. Village/Small City Center Analysis
The vitality of the villages and small cities of the Finger Lakes are important from a tourism, and therefore, an economic development standpoint. The experience of the Finger Lakes Region is not limited to lakes, woods, hills, vineyards, orchards, farmlands, and scenic views. The human built environment of communities, especially their centers (“Main Streets”) is also crucial. This indicator will analyze the connection between the largely developed and largely undeveloped portions of the region.
50
West Main Street, Suite 8107
Rochester, New York 14614
tel:
585.454.0190
fax: 585.454.0191
Last Modified: March 14, 2008