Genesee-Finger Lakes
Regional Historic Waterfront Planning Program
The Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Historic Waterfront Planning Program is supported by the New York State Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund for the development of a local law, best management practices, and/or general planning services on behalf of twowaterfront communities in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region based on cultural resource survey and documentation. The waterfront—where water meets land—clearly has many natural and cultural layers. Wildlife and human communities usually end up competing along waterfront areas. Legitimate concerns about the natural environment put historic resources in danger. Local governments, however, have the option to use their home rule authority to develop special regulations that recognize an environmental setting, intrinsic to all its resources, and thereby do what is most appropriate for the community’s use of its land.
One community, the Town of Richmond in the Finger Lakes, was selected based on application requirements for general planning assistance. The Town of Williamson in Wayne County will represent the Lake Ontario community. These two waterfront environments are indicative of the cultural and natural characteristics recognized throughout our region—whether an ocean-like waterbody such as Lake Ontario or smaller lakefronts such as those along the Finger Lakes, the riparian setting of the Genesee River, and the canalfront of the State Canal System. Overall, this project will result in a “ready-to-use” planning program for all communities in the region based on whichever selected historic waterfront community and environment best represents them.
Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council provided a short application at a December 3, 2010 workshop to assist in the community selection process. Eligible waterfront communities were contacted by invitation. The data to be collected via the application will consist of various land use information such as the delineation of waterfront boundaries, zoning and comprehensive plans, community history, resource inventories, etc. Following community selection, cultural resource survey and documentation will occur based on national and state survey standards. After assessing land use and cultural resource information, recommendations for best management practices will then be provided via report format. These best management practices can include development of a local law; economic development strategies; redevelopment strategies; reuse of abandoned buildings and sites; development of design guidelines and standards; tourism promotion and development strategies; public access strategies; open space, habitat, and farmland protection; waterfront heritage education and programs; and/or natural resource and scenic enhancement. In addition to a final report, recommendations will also be made available by a public presentation.
Contact Senior Planner Jayme Breschard at (585) 454-0190 x 12 or jbreschard@gflrpc.org with any questions about this project.
Information for Municipalities
50
West Main Street, Suite 8107
Rochester, New York 14614
tel:
585.454.0190
fax: 585.454.0191
Last Modified: April 09, 2012