Planning
William M. Murray, Deputy Commissioner
Edward A. Rath County Office Building
95 Franklin Street, 10th Floor
Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone: (716) 858-8390
The Division of Planning supports constituent municipalities by coordinating local planning and land use inventory. This page briefly describes various programs that the Division undertakes, and highlights several large projects that will be accomplished in 2007. Among the programs that the Division is involved in are the following:
- The Division has statutory responsibility for reviewing and advising on zoning cases which come before the Department under NYS General Municipal Law. In 2006, the Division acted on more than 1000 referrals from municipalities.
- The agricultural industry is one of the largest components of the County's economy. The Planning Division has undertaken several studies that are related to protecting the viability of agriculture, and is involved in the creation and recertification of the Agricultural Districts found throughout the rural areas of the County. In 2007 the Planning Division will coordinate the recertification of the Alden, Alden-Lancaster, Marilla, Sardinia, and Amherst Districts.
2007 Programs - Division Of Planning
- Design of the Sherwood Trail in the Town of Tonawanda will continue in 2007. This two-mile pedestrian/bicycle path will connect the existing Two Mile Creek trail in the Town of Tonawanda with the Niagara Riverwalk. Construction is expected in Summer, 2008.
- A Framework for Regional Growth and Development was completed in 2006 by Erie County in cooperation with Niagara County. It is the first bi-county Comprehensive plan since 1974. Hellmuth Obata and Kassabaum, Inc. is the lead consultant on the project. A NYS Quality Communities grant was received in early 2007 which allows further refinement of the policies contained in the Framework report. It will also permit conversion of the Framework maps into Geographic Information System format.
- The Erie Canalway Trail will be constructed in Summer, 2007 and extend 3 miles from the Town of Tonawanda/City of Tonawanda Municipal boundary to Old Niagara Falls Boulevard in the Town of Amherst.
- Tow Path Park - Phase 2 improvements will be designed in 2007. This 5 acre County Park located at the foot of Hertel Avenue will be enhanced through access, landscaping, and signage improvements.
- A portion of the Lakeshore Trail in the Town of Evans extending from Wendt Beach County Park to Bennet Beach Park will be constructed in the Fall, 2007.
- A variety of local government training sessions for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals members will be provided in the Winter and Fall of 2007. The first will be held on March 1 and cover County Zoning Referrals as well as Zoning Board of Appeals functions and duties.
