Technical Assistance - "Planning Assistance"

The Planning Department provides on-going community technical assistance, including the provision of assistance to municipalities on drafting or updating comprehensive plans. Assistance varies from the full spectrum of planning services to minor assistance such as mapping and/or community surveys. Recent assistance to municipalities includes the following:

Town of Lisle - initial Comprehensive Plan (completed and adopted)

Town of Conklin - Comprehensive Plan update (completed and adopted)

Town of Dickinson - Comprehensive Plan update (completed, adoption pending)

Town of Triangle - initial Comprehensive Plan (completed and adopted)

Town of Chenango - Comprehensive Plan update (underway)

Town of Windsor - Comprehensive Plan update (underway)

Town of Fenton - Comprehensive Plan update (underway)

Town of Binghamton - Comprehensive Plan Update (to begin shortly)

The department is also working in partnership with the county's Office for Aging, Delaware County's Planning Department and Office for Aging, the Town of Sanford, the Village of Deposit and the Town of Deposit (Delaware County) on a community service needs assessment.

Land Use Reviews (239)
The Department's legal obligation to conduct reviews and render advisory opinions on land-use proposals covered under NYS General Municipal Law 239 (l) and (m).
239 Review Submission Formmore information

Planning and Zoning Seminars
Host training sessions in land use and zoning issues for local appointed and elected officials. Recent topics included: open meetings law and FOIL, adopting zoning for the first time, understanding SEQR, and a mock site plan review exercise.
more information/p>

Grant Assistance
The department provides assistance to other county departments, municipalities and various community organizations in grant writing and grant administration for projects such as infrastructure improvements, housing activities, and economic and community development projects. Recent successes include a $200,000 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency for the Brownfield Assessment Program. The Planning Department was instrumental in securing $315,000 for the creation of a Computer and Video Forensic Lab that is operated by the Broome County Security Division. Other recent grant writing successes include:

In addition, the department has a number of grant applications that are under review. These include a $155,000 NYS Brownfield Opportunity Area request, a $9,450 Urban and Community Forestry grant for trees, a $27,560 application for county park improvements, and a $214,560 grant request to enhance the trail system at Otsiningo Park.

Environmental Reviews
Provide state environmental review assistance (SEQR) to other departments in the county in conjunction with the EMC. Also conduct federal environmental reviews linked to specific projects or grants.
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Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Review, evaluate, and rate county departmental requests for projects to be included in the CIP. The ratings are then given to the Budget and Research Department for inclusion in the Capital Improvement Program.

Demographic and Related Data & Research
Provide demographic data products such as census figures, as well as other data including business and construction figures, to the Industrial Development Agency (IDA), the public and the private sector. The department can also research more specific areas or topics.
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Agricultural District Reviews
Mandated under Article 25AA of the NYS Agriculture and Markets Law. The intent of the law is to preserve, protect and encourage the development and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products within designated districts in each county. Broome County has three such districts. Reviews are conducted to measure the effectiveness of the District with respect to its compliance with the intent of the law and to modify its boundaries as necessary.
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