Archive

Implementing Complete Streets in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region Guidebook is a guide for preparing and implementing a complete street policy in the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes region. This guidebook provides information on the history of Complete Streets, what makes a complete street, as well as context sensitivity, the experience of one case study community in implementing a complete streets policy and lessons learned. The goal of this study is to provide a “roadmap” for communities to follow and learn from when implementing a complete streets policy.

This guidebook focuses on the implementation of complete streets.  It creates a baseline of complete streets in the Genesee-Finger Lakes region by describing the existing state of complete streets in the region, including where there are existing policies, and mapping bike lanes across the region as one element of complete streets.  It shares the experience of helping the Village of Perry in Wyoming County create a complete streets policies.  This guidebook shares the process of developing and implementing complete streets policies, lessons learned from that process, and best practices to support and assist other municipalities considering implementing their own complete streets policies.  It provides two model policies as well as a look at the existing complete streets policies in the G-FL region.

The Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Fleet Electrification Feasibility Study is a strategy for advancing fleet electrification in the nine-county region. This study provides information on the economic, operational, and environmental benefits of fleet electrification; identifies challenges and opportunities; and offers insights on how fleet managers can begin the electrification process.  

The goal of this study is to provide a “roadmap” for fleet managers and other regional stakeholders to follow when beginning the fleet electrification process. This study seeks to demystify the fleet electrification process by relating best practices, discussing why fleet managers are undertaking this process, explaining how technical and policy challenges were overcome, and identifying potential funding opportunities to offset the costs of fleet electrification.  

Making the transition to electric vehicles will not only ensure New York can achieve the goals of the Climate Act but will also ensure that we reduce emissions, improve air quality, and see reduced operational costs. To see the full circle of benefits that electric vehicles and other alternative fuel sources can provide federal, state, and local policies will need to be updated and future-proofed. Municipalities, developers, community planners, architects, and engineers will all need to develop design standards that accommodate EVs and other alternative fuel transportation. 

Fleet Electrification Feasibility Study Document

These reports provide information on the issuance of new building permits to identify areas of growth within the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region (G-FL Region) that might require transportation planning and service modifications.  The G-FL Region is compromised of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties.  The report analyzes the number of permits issued, total square footage, and total value for new buildings for each municipality within the region as well as the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA).  The MPA covers Monroe County and the municipalities adjacent to Monroe County in Livingston, Ontario, and Wayne Counties, as well as the Town and City of Canandaigua.  The analysis looks at the following categories and respective subcategories: “residential” (single-family, 2 family, 3 or 4 family, 5 or more family, mobile homes/trailers); “industrial;” “commercial” (offices/banks, retail/service, service stations, hotels/motels); “community service” (hospitals/health facilities, schools/churches, public works/safety, utilities); and “not elsewhere classified,” as well as other additional categories.

These documents have been posted in Adobe Acrobat format.  If you do not have an Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer you can download one fromhttp://www.adobe.com.  If you can not view this document with an Adobe Acrobat Reader please contact G/FLRPC at info@gflrpc.org.  To request data from these reports in Excel worksheets, please contact G/FLRPC at eroyce@gflrpc.org.

Please reference the G/FLRPC Archive 2018 for historical reports.

Regional Land Use Monitoring Report - 2020

Through funds provided by the Environmental Protection Fund under the authority of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act and by agreement with New York Sea Grant, G/FLRPC has been awarded funding from the New York’s Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program for the project, Advancing Resiliency through Housing Assistance in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region.  

According to the 100 Resilient Cities report, Strengthening the National Flood Insurance Program, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is vitally important to the prosperity and resilience of many communities—not only because it helps manage flood risks, but because it provides insurance payments needed by individuals and businesses to recover from catastrophic flooding.  The continued viability and solvency of the NFIP, however, is threatened by a number of challenges: the most severe being that the program is $24.6 billion in debt to the U.S. Treasury and taxpayers because of subsidized insurance rates and the recent increases in the severity and intensity of flood events starting in 2005, where claims exceeded insurance payments into the program.  These deficiencies pose numerous challenges: outdated floodplain maps; socio-economic threats to communities that have a significant number of lower-income homeowners and businesses located in flood hazard areas; and rate increases that will affect owners of older buildings who previously received insurance subsidies. For lower-income homeowners and those on a fixed income, rising rates could price people out of their homes. Rising rates may also force landlords to raise rents, intensifying housing affordability. While buying out disaster-prone properties and converting them to green or community space is an option, sometimes funding streams are slow—or there’s simply not enough funding.  Buyouts can also be emotionally painful, as residents have to willingly walk away from their homes, schools, jobs, and community.

This research and assessment project is a proactive step in addressing the future of communities in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region with numerous structures that were built before the adoption of the community’s flood maps.  Advancing Resiliency through Housing Assistance in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region will increase awareness to municipalities, community development corporations, and other housing organizations to consider the implementation of flood protection measures into their programs.  
Advancing Resiliency through Housing Assistance in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region

The Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program is the only opportunity offered to tribal, state, and local governments to review and comment on the U.S. Census Bureau’s residential address list for their jurisdiction prior to the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau relies on a complete and accurate address list to reach every living quarters and associated population for inclusion in the census.  For more information on the The 2020 Census Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation please see https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/luca.html and 
​https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/partnerships/luca/2020CensusLUCA_Flyer.pdf

By participating in LUCA it helps ensure an accurate decennial census count in communities across New York State.  Decennial census counts help the federal government distribute more than $400 billion in funds annually for infrastructure, programs, and services.  The decennial census helps communities plan for future needs and deal with population based programs.  The decennial population counts affect state and federal congressional representation and redistricting.  This process has resulted in increased numbers and accuracy in delivery of the Census short form, thereby increasing participation rates and accurate counts for past decennial Censuses.  It is also important to consider that we live with decennial Census numbers for ten years.

In January 2017 counties and municipalities received advance notification of LUCA that was mailed to the highest elected official (HEO) or Tribal Chairperson (TC) of all eligible governments and other LUCA contacts.  In July 2017 each municipal and county high elected official received the LUCA registration packet.

Similar to the LUCA program in advance of the 2010 Census, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC) has received funding from the Genesee Transportation Council’s Unified Planning Work Program to do LUCA for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region which includes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties.

Similar to the LUCA program in advance of the 2010 Census and in anticipation of the upcoming the U.S. Census Bureau‘s LUCA program we worked with county, municipal, and other partners to assist us in working with the LUCA related efforts we are undertaking.  LUCA is the only mechanism for updating the file that controls the delivery of the 2020 Census form that is most responsible for an accurate count. We collected local address databases from each county, municipality, and other companies and organizations as this forms the foundation for our individual local County-wide databases.  It is these local address databases that are being used to compare to the US Census Bureau’s Census 2020 Master Address File (MAF) which was released in March of 2018.

Every decade the Census Bureau develops a complete list of addresses using the Postal Service and other sources. While every effort is made to have a complete file, many residential addresses are still missed or are entered incorrectly.  Only with local assistance can Census 2020 Master Address File be improved.

G/FLRPC will coordinate the LUCA process for all municipalities and counties in the region that elect to participate, at no cost to the municipalities, and provide a corrected county MAF to the Census Bureau.  

We ask you to be a partner in our efforts and provide a contact within your local government so that we may interface with on this project. We have created a short contact form to allow you to provide a contact for us to continue with in this effort.
 
Overview and update of 2020 Local Update of Census Addresses webinar on Jul 18, 2017 2:00 PM - an overview and an update on the Region's progress with the 2020 Local Update of Census Addresses Program. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.



​LUCA 2020 Overview Presentation

For information and questions please contact Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, 50 West Main Street, Suite 8107, Rochester, NY 14614, (585) 454-0190 X 20, info@gflrpc.org

These reports provide information on the issuance of new building permits to identify areas of growth within the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region (G-FL Region) that might require transportation planning and service modifications.  The G-FL Region is compromised of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties.  The report analyzes the number of permits issued, total square footage, and total value for new buildings for each municipality within the region as well as the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA).  The MPA covers Monroe County and the municipalities adjacent to Monroe County in Livingston, Ontario, and Wayne Counties, as well as the Town and City of Canandaigua.  The analysis looks at the following categories and respective subcategories: “residential” (single-family, 2 family, 3 or 4 family, 5 or more family, mobile homes/trailers); “industrial;” “commercial” (offices/banks, retail/service, service stations, hotels/motels); “community service” (hospitals/health facilities, schools/churches, public works/safety, utilities); and “not elsewhere classified,” as well as other additional categories.

These documents have been posted in Adobe Acrobat format.  If you do not have an Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer you can download one fromhttp://www.adobe.com.  If you can not view this document with an Adobe Acrobat Reader please contact G/FLRPC at info@gflrpc.org.  To request data from these reports in Excel worksheets, please contact G/FLRPC at eroyce@gflrpc.org.

Please reference the G/FLRPC Archive 2018 for historical reports.

Regional Land Use Monitoring Report - 2019

The Great Lake Commission’s Great Lakes Green Infrastructure Champions Pilot Program will bring together green infrastructure leaders and help them share their knowledge. The program will create a peer-to-peer mentoring network of “green infrastructure champions” and “emerging champions” that will help heal the fractured water cycle in mid-sized municipalities across the binational Great Lakes region. The program will also examine green infrastructure policy barriers and opportunities and share the findings with its membership and key regional stakeholders.

G/FLRPC will be mentoring the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and the City of Ashland, WI. 

The Friends of Grand Rapids Parks would like to increase the urban canopy as a result of infestation from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which has affected over 1,500 ash trees in the City of Grand Rapids.  The goals of the organization are to increase the urban canopy and directly align with neighborhoods of color; revitalize park spaces; and activate its citizen volunteers to plant trees. The organization doesn’t have a goal for the number of trees to plant—each year they try and impact the tree canopy goal of 40%.  To date, the organization has planted over 4,000 trees.  The Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is interested in various business models on what to do with ash trees after EAB and learning about other success stories and lessons learned.

The City of Ashland is a small city with 5-miles of Lake Superior shoreline and an aging infrastructure that is over-sized for its current population (8,216 at the 2010 Census).  Infrastructure was constructed in the early 1900s when the population was peaking at 18,000.  High lake-levels of the spring and summer 2017 has impacted the City, including shutting down a 4-lane highway for 36-hours.  Heavy rain events have flooded the storm system, with cross-connections being identified as a challenge.  Residents do not have the interest in creating a stormwater utility.  The City of Ashland would like to learn how similarly-sized communities with aging infrastructure are implementing green infrastructure projects.

Communities from the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region may be incorporated into conversations when fitting to learn and share about the values of green infrastructure in order to foster discussion and mutual growth.

As a watershed develops, more impervious cover is created.  Roads, buildings, parking, sidewalks, and driveways all increase runoff from rain events and snow melt.  Stormwater runoff contains pollutants such as nutrients, pathogens, sediment, toxic contaminants, and oil and grease.  Water quality problems generated by these pollutants have resulted with waterbodies such as lakes and streams having impaired or stressed uses.  Green infrastructure uses vegetation and soil to manage rainwater where it falls instead of using pipes to dispose of it in New York State waters.

In concert with other ongoing water resource outreach activities, G/FLRPC seeks to provide technical and planning assistance to municipalities to support the implementation of green infrastructure practices, focusing on municipalities, subwatersheds, and planning at the neighborhood level within interested municipalities.  The tasks will be based on available resources, community acceptance and involvement, the current natural and built environment, and the mix of services provided

General tasks include project outreach, development of municipal tasks, assessment, recommendations based on assessment, and education and outreach.

If your municipality is interested in receiving a code and ordinance review in order to cultivate green infrastructure and foster sustainable stormwater management, contact G/FLRPC at info@gflrpc.org or 585-454-0190.

Additional Resources

• Green Infrastructure Resource Guide
• Green Infrastructure Planning Design Guidelines
• Green Infrastructure for Historic Districts
• Center for Watershed Protection Code and Ordinance Worksheet
• Stormwater Training Videos (exit this site) including the following:
  • Stormwater System, Outfall, and Sewershed Mapping for MS4's
  • Municipal Review of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
  • Part I:  Basic Stormwater Planning and Permit Concepts
  • Part II:  Better Site Design and Green Infrastructure Approaches to Stormwater Management
  • Part III:  Project Review Using the New Runoff Reduction Stormwater Design Process

G/FLRPC's Green Infrastructure Resource Guide is envisioned to be a comprehensive compendium of resources for municipal officials and employees, land use professionals, consultants, planning and zoning board members, and all others who would like to learn more about green stormwater infrastructure.  New entries and links to existing entries may be added over time and as they become available.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, green infrastructure—at the largest scale—is the preservation and restoration of natural landscape features (such as forests, floodplains and wetlands).  Green infrastructure practices, on a smaller scale, include rain gardens, porous pavements, green roofs, infiltration planters, trees and tree boxes, and rainwater harvesting for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing and landscape irrigation.  Altogether, green infrastructure is a set of management approaches and technologies that utilize, enhance, and/or mimic the natural hydrologic processes of infiltration, evapotranspiration, and water reuse.  (See:  http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=298.)
This resource guide contains the following sections that are geared on the majority towards New York State users:

1. Online Resources:  This section provides a list of federal, New York State, regional, and local agencies' and organizations' websites that provide basic information about green stormwater infrastructure such as the general policies and benefits.
2. Publications:  This section provides a list of documents and other written media by federal, New York State, regional, and local agencies and organizations about technical information such as fact sheets and design guidance.
3. Green Infrastructure Practices:  This section provides green infrastructure planning practices such as the preservation of natural features of the site and reduction of proposed impervious cover and green infrastructure techniques such as vegetated swales and rain gardens.  This outline is based on Chapter 5 of the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual.  Some of these sections are being developed.  New entries and links to existing entries may be added over time and as they become available.
4. Funding Opportunities:  This section provides a brief summary of sources of funding and funding tools for the implementation of green infrastructure practices.
5. Trainings and Workshops: This section provides a brief summary of certification and training programs for the implementation of green infrastructure practices.

*Some sections are being developed.  New entries and links to existing entries may be added over time and as they become available.

Hazard Mitigation Planning is an important aspect of a successful mitigation program. Hazard mitigation planning is a collaborative process whereby hazards affecting the community are identified, vulnerability to the hazards are assessed, and consensus reached on how to minimize or eliminate the effects of these hazards. In recognition of the importance of planning, States, Counties and municipalities with an approved All Hazard Mitigation Plan in effect at the time of disaster declaration may receive additional HMGP funding.

• Genesee County All Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Livingston County All Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Ontario County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan 
• Wayne County All Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Wayne County All Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 
• Wyoming County All Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
• Genesee and Wyoming Counties Joint Flood Mitigation Plan

Through funds provided by the Environmental Protection Fund under the authority of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act and by agreement with New York Sea Grant, G/FLRPC has been awarded funding from the New York’s Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program for the Post-Flood Recovery Building Workshop for the Village of Sodus Point.

This community-based stewardship and education activity will document lessons-learned from the high water levels of the spring and summer of 2017 on Lake Ontario for the Village of Sodus Point in Wayne County.  The record-high water levels are an indication that extreme weather can become a stressor for communities.  As the means and extremes of climate hazards are observed, municipalities are beginning to consider the reduction of future risk into their planning and development goals to ensure that people, property, and infrastructure are not placed or rebuilt in harm’s way. 

Research has long shown that, in the absence of some larger vision for the future, residents of communities recovering from a hazard event such as severe flooding and erosion have an operative idea of their rebuilt community—almost invariably it resembles the community they already knew.  Effective visioning may help expand the window of opportunity to marshal support for change after an event.  Opportunities to properly plan for and mitigate both natural and man-made hazards, rather than to quickly rebuild back to “normal,” should be explored. 

After a hazard event, opportunities to create greater resilience are only limited by the imagination of the community.  Speed of recovery is not always effective in building a more resilient community. Taking the time to do proper deliberate planning is more important.  The post-event window of opportunity lasts for a relatively short period of time.  However, not all recovery solutions have to be million-dollar solutions.   Higher codes and standards, prearranged agreements, and local and intermunicipal collaboration are important tools that can be used for recovery planning and preparedness.  Participation of the “whole community” involving all stakeholder groups is also essential to long-term recovery. 

The first step of the post-hazard planning discourse is visioning. By working through a public engagement process that produces a common vision for the future, accompanied by goals, and with buy-in among the various stakeholders and subgroups within the community, the Village of Sodus Point can better address the key priorities for promoting community resiliency and ecosystem integrity.  

G/FLRPC and New York Sea Grant will coordinate a full-day workshop engagement where invited stakeholders can react to the 2017 flood and erosion event; identify past, current, and future challenges and strengths based on three (3) community components (e.g., infrastructural, environmental, and economic/tourism); and develop and prioritize actions to improve the community’s resilience to future high water levels on Lake Ontario. A Summary of Findings report with an implementation agenda (e.g., timelines for each action, possible funding sources, and estimated costs) will be developed and later presented at a general public meeting.

The impacts of flooding and shoreline erosion along Lake Ontario may prompt municipalities to better integrate coastal resiliency efforts into local planning and management, such as restoring natural environmental functions through land acquisition and developing policies for reconstruction to a higher building standard.  Preparing a public engagement process for the Village of Sodus Point in response to the historically high water levels and severe erosion in Lake Ontario can serve as a model for other communities interested in developing a Great Lakes coastal restoration and resilience strategy with an implementation agenda to assist in identifying funding sources for increased implementation.

Post-Flood Recovery Building Workshop for the Village of Sodus Point Final Summary Report

At its Annual Conference, the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association recognized 16 winners at its 2019 Professional Awards Program.  The honorees include professional planners, an elected official, best planning practices, plan implementation, and comprehensive planning.  Post-Flood Recovery Building Workshop for the Village of Sodus Point, organized by the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council and New York Sea Grant, was awarded for Public Outreach.  Please see the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association Press Release.

Project Team Meeting – August 20, 2018

• Agenda
• Stakeholder Analysis Worksheets
• PowerPoint presentation 

Community Engagement Workshop - October 30, 2018

 

Through funds provided by the Environmental Protection Fund under the authority of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act and by agreement with New York Sea Grant, G/FLRPC has been awarded funding from the New York’s Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program for the Model Intermunicipal Floodplain Overlay District Local Law project. 

The purpose of the Model Intermunicipal Floodplain Overlay District Local Law project is to create a ready-to-use local law that promotes the No Adverse Impact approach to floodplain management by encouraging neighboring municipalities to coordinate during the planning and development review process in order to prevent increases in flood damage to other properties.  This model local law will incorporate intermunicipal project review, such as those commonly found useful in the General Municipal Law §239 Referral Process that promotes the coordination of land use decision-making and enhances consideration of potential intermunicipal and county-wide impacts, to foster a program that is effective in reducing and preventing flood problems.  The overlay district aims to create more socially and environmentally responsible development beyond the floodplain; managing development in the watershed where floodwaters originate while still allowing the local government to have significant control over the approval process.

A Steering Committee will be formed to advise the drafting of this model local law. G/FLRPC will research and gather information, serve as the facilitator for the Steering Committee, and draft the model local law.

The Model Intermunicipal Floodplain Overlay District Local Law project is based on recommendations from the Flood Smart Action Plan.  Recommendation 3 of the Flood Smart Action Plan is to “Adopt intermunicipal floodplain protection overlay district (POD) to require additional and intermunicipal review of site plans for building permits.”  The intent of this project is to create a customizable template for an intermunicipal overlay district focusing on development in the floodplain for use by any interested municipality in New York State.

Model Ordinances

• ​Model Floodplain Protection Overlay District Intermunicipal Agreement
• First Prize Center Redevelopment Overlay Zoning District
• Flood Damage Protection and Fish Habitat Protection Model Ordinance
• Local Land Use Response to Sea Level Rise
• Town of Ulysses Design Standards
• County of Jefferson Floodplain Management Ordinance
• County of Knox Stormwater Management Ordinance

First Steering Committee Meeting – Wednesday, July 19, 2017

• PowerPoint presentation
• Meeting agenda and minutes
• Example outline of local law

Steering Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes - September 21, 2017
​Steering Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes - November 1, 2017
Steering Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes - December 18, 2017
Steering Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes – February 26, 2018
Steering Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes - April 4, 2018
Steering Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes - June 11, 2018

Final Model Intermunicipal Floodplain Overlay District Local Law
Floodplain Development Permit Application
Site Development Plan Review Checklist for Floodprone Areas

These reports provide information on the issuance of new building permits to identify areas of growth within the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region (G-FL Region) that might require transportation planning and service modifications.  The G-FL Region is compromised of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties.  The report analyzes the number of permits issued, total square footage, and total value for new buildings for each municipality within the region as well as the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA).  The MPA covers Monroe County and the municipalities adjacent to Monroe County in Livingston, Ontario, and Wayne Counties, as well as the Town and City of Canandaigua.  The analysis looks at the following categories and respective subcategories: “residential” (single-family, 2 family, 3 or 4 family, 5 or more family, mobile homes/trailers); “industrial;” “commercial” (offices/banks, retail/service, service stations, hotels/motels); “community service” (hospitals/health facilities, schools/churches, public works/safety, utilities); and “not elsewhere classified,” as well as other additional categories.

These documents have been posted in Adobe Acrobat format.  If you do not have an Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer you can download one fromhttp://www.adobe.com.  If you can not view this document with an Adobe Acrobat Reader please contact G/FLRPC at info@gflrpc.org.  To request data from these reports in Excel worksheets, please contact G/FLRPC at eroyce@gflrpc.org.

• 2019 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2018 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2017 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2016 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2015 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2014 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2013 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2012 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2011 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2010 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2009 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2008 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2007 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2006 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2005 Land Use Monitoring Report
• 2004 Land Use Monitoring Report

G/FLRPC was awarded funding through New York’s Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program for the CRS Demonstration Project.  New York Sea Grant is working in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).  Funding is made possible by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and Article 14 of Environmental Conservation Law.

The CRS Demonstration Project worked with four communities spread across two counties along the Lake Ontario shoreline to provide outreach and education about the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) program and identify obstacles to achieving CRS status.  The four communities are the Towns of Ontario and Huron and Village of Sodus Point in Wayne County and the Town of Parma in Monroe County. 

CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes communities for enforcing floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.  There are many benefits to enhanced floodplain management such as improved public safety, property loss reduction, open space and natural resource protection, and better post-disaster recovery.  A discount of up to 45% off flood insurance premiums is also available to policyholders in participating communities. 

A “CRS Quick Check” was used for capturing each community’s current floodplain management activities. The Quick Check estimates credit for a community. G/FLRPC served as the facilitator to gather information, recognize planning gaps, and facilitate dialogue. Municipal staff worked collaboratively across departments to identify such information as the community’s floodplain/Special Flood Hazard Area, FEMA Elevation Certificates, building/zoning, drainage maintenance, and emergency response.  This process summarized each community’s current level of floodplain management, proposed improvements or potential new flood protection activities, and documented obstacles to applying to the CRS.  A cost-benefit analysis tool that shows current and potential dollar savings in flood insurance premium reductions for various CRS classes is provided.  Potential solutions to encourage municipal participation and advancement in the CRS program was brainstormed, such as intermunicipal agreements, shared services, nonprofit assistance, and/or regional planning. 

The final report is resource for other communities in New York’s Great Lakes Basin to encourage flood mitigation actions, community-based stewardship and education activities, and coastal resiliency.

***

Kick-off Meeting:  Sodus Point Village Hall, May 25, 2016
Kick-off Meeting:  Parma Town Hall, June 22, 2016

Draft CRS Demonstration Project: A Flood Risk Management Tool for the Towns of Parma, Ontario, and Huron and the Village of Sodus Point
Town/Village Board presentations:
Monday, April 17, 7pm
Town of Parma Planning Board, with invitation to Town Board
Parma Town Hall
 
Wednesday, April 19, 6pm
Joint presentation to Town/Village Boards of Ontario, Sodus Point, and Huron
Sodus Point Village Hall

Resources

• “CRS Quick Check” Tool - http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/31255
•  CRS Coordinator’s Manual - https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/8768

The Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC) prepared an initial Overall Economic Development Program (OEDP) in 1978.  The initial OEDP served as the basis for an economic development planning program in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region and subsequently, official designation of the Region as an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Economic Development District (EDD) in 1979.  The original OEDP provided a description of the Economic Development District organization, background information on the area's geography, population, labor force, resources, and economic activities as well as an analysis of development potentials and constraints.  The document also set forth goals and objectives for the EDD, a development strategy to achieve these goals, and a District work program designed to promote and assist in the implementation of the development strategy.

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is the successor to the OEDP and is intended to further the effective Federal/local efforts initiated under the previous program.  The preparation of the CEDS is an ongoing process and serves as a planning document for the economic development of the District.  Aside from profiling the Region and the EDD, it outlines the strategic economic development needs of the District which then serves as a funding mechanism for federal economic development grants.  Additionally, the G/FLRPC uses the CEDS as a guide to its annual work program.  The report provides an overview of the District’s social and economic trends using recent data from state and federal sources, details current projects and those that will be undertaken by the nine counties and the City of Rochester, discusses environmental considerations, and outlines the goals, objectives, strategies and work program of the G/FLRPC to further strengthen the District’s economy.

• 2021-2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is in process.  Please email Rich Sutherland at rsutherland@gflrpc.org with any questions.
• 2016-2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2014-2015 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2013-2014 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2012-2013 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2011-2012 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2010-2011 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2009-2010 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2008-2009 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2007-2008 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2006-2007 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2005-2006Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2004-2005 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2003-2004 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2002-2003 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
• 2001-2002 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy   
• 2000-2001Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Regional Engagement was an initiative to advance economic development, community development, and planning within the nine-county Finger Lakes Region, which includes the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates, termed the Regional Engagement project.

The project profiles existing conditions, builds on existing plans and strategies and identifies opportunities to advance economic development and community development projects through local, state, and federal programs including opportunities available from New York State Department of State.
The project includes an identification of priorities, projects, and action items within each of the nine-counties of the Region; an assessment and profile of existing conditions; opportunities for economic development; and a prioritization of future revitalization efforts. Recommendations for projects and action items focus on the areas of: brownfields; redevelopment and revitalization efforts; housing; tourism; environmental considerations; natural resources; land use; and infrastructure.

The profile of existing conditions component of the project includes socio-economic, demographic and employment indicators; current community features and conditions; economic and land use development trends; and an inventory of New York State Department of State programs engaged within the Region.    
In addition to utilizing existing plans and studies, G/FLRPC engaged in a number of meetings, discussions, and forums in order to successfully identify the priority areas and projects for advancement within each county. These forums were held on both the sub-regional level, with three counties present at one time, as well as at the county level. Discussion at the sub-regional and county level included breakout sessions to identify the goals of each county, areas of need, and specific projects that address the goals and needs of each county.

The Regional Engagement project can help to advance projects from existing regional plans and strategies, including the Genesee-Finger Lakes Economic Development District Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy; Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan; and the Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability plan; align priority projects with funding sources; and addresses gaps and areas in need of New York State Department of State programs such as brownfield redevelopment planning, shared services, waterfront planning, and local government training.

For more information see the Regional Engagement project overview or contact G/FLRPC at info@gflrpc.org or 585-454-0190.

Related Material:

Final Sections of Revitalization Opportunity Reports

• Cover, Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Introduction, and Methodology
• Region Revitalization Opportunity Report
• Revitalization Opportunities Reports
  • ​Genesee County
  • Livingston County
  • Monroe County
  • Ontario County
  • Orleans County
  • Seneca County
  • Wayne County
  • Wyoming County
  • Yates County
• Appendices

Revitalization Strategy Report

​
Meetings

Regional Engagement Sub-Regional Forum (Seneca County, Wayne County, Yates County),  November 5, 2014

Sub-regional Forum follow up webinars

• Seneca County Webinar Presentation
• Wayne County Webinar Presentation
• ​Yates County Webinar Presentation
• ​Livingston County Webinar Presentation
• Monroe County Webinar Presentation
• Ontario County Webinar Presentation
• ​Genesee County Webinar Presentation
• Orleans County Webinar Presentation
• Wyoming County Webinar Presentation
• ​Webinar Questionnaire

Regional Engagement Sub-Regional Forums  (Genesee County, Orleans County, Wyoming County) October 21, 2015

• Agenda
• Sub-Regional  Forum Presentation
• Genesee County Handout
• Genesee County Notes
• Orleans County Handout
• Orleans County Notes
• Wyoming County Handout
• Wyoming County Notes

(Monroe County, Ontario County, Livingston County Livingston and Ontario County - March 11, 2015 Livingston and Ontario March 11, 2015

• Agenda
• Sub-Regional Forum Presentation
• Livingston County Handout
• Livingston County Plan Profiles
• Livingston County Notes
• Ontario County Handout
• Ontario County Plan Profiles
• Ontario County Notes

Monroe County - March 12, 2015

• Agenda
• Sub-Regional Forum Presentation
• Monroe County Handout
• Monroe County Plan Profiles
• Monroe County Notes

(Seneca County, Wayne County, Yates County)

• Agenda
• Sub-Regional Forum Presentation
• Seneca County Handout
• Seneca County Plan Profiles
• Seneca County Notes
• Wayne County Handout
• Wayne County Plan Profiles
• Wayne County Notes
• Yates County Handout
• Yates County Plan Profiles
• Yates County Notes
• Regional Engagement Stakeholder Input Form

County Forums

• Seneca - February 24, 2015
• Wayne - February 23, 2015
• Yates - May 28, 2015
• Genesee - March 1, 2016
• Orleans - March 1, 2016
• Wyoming - March 8, 2016
• Livingston - March 8, 2016
• Ontario - March 7, 2016
• Monroe - March 14, 2016

This page was prepared by Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council for the New York State Department of State with state funds provided through the BOA Program

Town of Greece, Town of Parma and Village of Hilton

• Flood Smart Action Plan
• Appendix A: Existing Conditions
• Appendix B: Assess the Problem
• Appendix C: The Flood Smart Approach
• Appendix D: Action Items

Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not soak into the ground. As the runoff flows over paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants.  Urban stormwater runoff is a significant contributing factor in water quality impairment.  Green infrastructure maintains or restores stormwater’s natural flow pattern by allowing the water to slowly saturate into the ground and be used by plants.  Other benefits of green infrastructure include enhanced groundwater recharge, reduced sewer overflow events, and the creation of wildlife habitat and recreational space.
 
These practices, however, sometimes conflict with other community goals such as economic development, transportation systems, and public health and safety.  Green Infrastructure Planning Design Guidelines is a user-friendly document that provides the review tools necessary for planning boards in Monroe County when addressing stormwater management during the site planning and design process.  Using many graphics and an easy to read format, the document addresses the barriers to green infrastructure for stormwater management, such as existing local codes, maintenance, and enforcement.  Not only does this document assist planning boards with site planning and green infrastructure objectives, but it helps educate municipal staff, the development community, and the general public.

The Executive Committee of the Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County served as the project advisory committee.  Funds for Green Infrastructure Planning Design Guidelines have been provided by the Finger Lakes - Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance, administered through the Monroe County Water Quality Coordinating Committee.

Transportation and Food Systems in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region identified and interviewed a diverse sampling of stakeholders involved with local/regional food production, processing, storage/warehousing, distribution, large consumption, food hubs, and post-consumption (food waste to energy) in the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region.  This comprehensive inventory was meant to inform future efforts and build links between local food producers and consumers. 

Regional and county organizations assisted in identifying representative stakeholders.  Stakeholders were then asked to participate in an interview that consisted of identifying and commenting on barriers and limitations to the local/regional food system, assessment, and transportation system such as zoning and land use, property ownership/operation, distribution systems, storage, data availability, movement through the system, product usage, and long-distance transportation of agricultural products (barriers to local markets for locally produced and processed foods).   Standardized interview questions were developed with assistance from the G/FLRPC Planning Coordination Committee (PCC) and others.                    

​The goal of this project was identification of the framework, sectors and stakeholders in the local/regional food system, their similarities and differences, and movement through the system.  Development of a standardized approach to issue identification and a better understanding of the system, including assessment processes, geography, data, points in the system, transportation, needs, limitations and gaps using a stakeholder engagement and planning process were some other accomplishments.
 
Transportation and Food Systems in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region and Appendices

For more information, please contact Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council at info@gflrpc.org or by calling 585-454-0190.

1. Upper Floor Reuse, A Guidebook for Revitalizing Downtown Buildingsand Appendices
2. Regional Rights of Way Study
3. Regional Viewshed Inventory and Analysisand Appendices

1. Black Creek Watershed Management Plan
   1. Executive Summary
   2. Watershed Characterization
   3. Regulatory and Programmatic Environment Report
   4. Subwatershed Report
   5. Identification and Description of Management Practices, Approaches, and Strategies for Watershed Protection and Restoration & Implementation
2. Honeoye Lake Watershed Local Law Project
3. Oatka Creek Watershed Management Plan
   1. ​Executive Summary
   2. Watershed Characterization
   3. Regulatory and Programmatic Environment Report
   4. Subwatershed Report
   5. Identification and Description of Management Practices, Approaches, and Strategies for Watershed Protection and Restoration & Implementation
4. Planning for Transportation and Climate Change: Model Ordinances, Incentive, and Other Resources
5. Regional Atlas
6. Seneca Lake Watershed Management Plan

1. Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Plan
2. Green Infrastructure for Historic Districts
3. Historic Waterfront Planning Guide
4. Inventory and Mapping of Regional Land Use Regulations
5. Regional Population Forecasts
6. Historic Preservation Guidebook for the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program - Phase One
   1. Community Specific Design Guidelines for Albion Main Street Alliance
   2. Community Specific Design Guidelines for Lockport Main Street, Inc.
   3. Community Specific Design Guidelines for Lyons Main Street Program

• Gates-Chili School District Demographic Study and Enrollment Projections
• Perry Brownfield Opportunity Area Pre-Nomination Study

• Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Program
• Genesee-Finger Lakes Impervious Surface Scan
• Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Inventory of Culturally Significant Areas
• Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Evaluation and Implementation Plan

• Finger Lakes Open Lands Conservation Project
• Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Blueway Trails Analysis

• Downtown Revitalization Plan: Village of Macedon
• Downtown Revitalization Plan: Village of Medina
• Historic Transportation Gateway Inventory and Assessment
• Keuka Lake Watershed Land Use Planning Guide
• Recommendations for the Town of Ovid: Findings from the Ovid Strategic Visioning Sessions

• Marcus Whitman School District Enrollment Projections
• Keuka Lake Local Law Assessment and Analysis
• Optimizing Transportation Infrastructure Through Effective Land Use
• Preparing Village Main Streets for Planning: Guidebook
• Town of Torrey Comprehensive Plan
• Village of Pike Dissolution Study

• Canandaigua Lake Watershed Land Use Law Project
• Honeoeye Lake Watershed Management Plan
• Village of Newark: Preparing Village Mainstreets for Planning
• Village of Scottsville: Preparing Village Mainstreets for Planning

• Protecting Water Resources Through Local Controls and Practices: An Assessment Manual for New York Municipalities
• Controlling Sediment in the Black & Oatka Creek Watersheds:
  • Municipal Law Review and Analysis
  • Water Resource Issue Identification and Prioritzation
  • Revising Local Laws
• Gap Analysis of Local and State Stormwater Management Requirements
  • Seneca County
  • Wyoming County
  • Yates County

• Arcade: A Strategic Plan for Downtown
• Black & Oatka Creek Watersheds Identification and Analysis of the Riparian Corridor
• Local Laws to Protect Finger Lakes Water Quality: Assessment of Ordinances and Practices
• Route 332 Corridor Intermunicipal Development Analysis: Phase 1 and Phase 2
• Town of Italy Comprehensive Plan

1. Village of Dresden Comprehensive Plan
2. Canandaigua School District Enrollment Projections
3. Churchville-Chili School District Enrollment Projections
4. Genesee-Finger Lakes Region Road Deicing & Storage Inventory
5. Genesee River Basin Action Strategy
6. Livingston County Profile
7. Regional Development Analysis (Build-Out)
8. Wheatland-Chili School District Enrollment Projections

1. Canal Corridor Economic & Market Analysis(2003)
2. Main Street Transportation Tools (2003)
   1. Report: Village of Spencerport, Monroe County
   2. Report: Village of Warsaw, Wyoming County

1. Genesee and Wyoming Counties Joint Flood Mitigation Plan(2002)
2. Village of Macedon Dissolution Study(2002)

1. Cayuga Lake Watershed Wetland Management(2001)
2. Livonia Gateway Park Development Projections & Fiscal Impact Analysis(2001)
3. Regional Tourism Signage Study(2001)

1. Access Management: A New Response(2000)
2. Socio-Economic Conditions in Seneca County(2000)
3. Socio-Economic Conditions in Geneva, NY and Surrounding Areas(2000)
4. Workforce Analysis of the Optics and Imaging Cluster in the Finger Lakes(2000)

1. Tourism in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region(1999)
2. Transportation Aspects of Workforce Development(1999)
3. Village and Town Of Arcade Flood Mitigation Action Plan(1999)