The Planning section of Greene County Planning and Economic Development performs vital work in the areas of planning, transportation and housing. The section also supports the work of the department’s economic development and community development sections and provides staff services to various county-level boards, including the Greene County Planning Board and Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board. In recent years, in cooperation with the department’s economic and community development sections, we completed a Comprehensive Economic Development Plan that creates a clear roadmap for fostering balanced economic growth in Greene County for the next 10 to 20 years. We also have spearheaded a Hudson River Corridor Study to create a shared regional vision for our seven historic river towns and villages.
Plans, Studies and Documents Resource Links County Planning Board
Back to top The Greene County Planning Board meets on the third Wednesday of every month. The board provides local governments with advisory reviews of zoning and comprehensive plan amendments, special use permits, variances, and site plans within 500 feet of specified county or municipal boundaries, county or state-owned lands, roadways, stream channels, and farm operations within New York State-certified Agricultural Districts.
The County Planning Board was established in March of 1968 by the Greene County Board of Supervisors, under the provisions of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York. The membership of the Board, originally composed of 14 members, one from each of the towns in Greene County, was increased by resolution No. 160-85 adopted May 15, 1985 to 19 members to include representation from each of the five villages, as well as the 14 towns in Greene County. General Municipal law provides that the County Planning Board may, among other things, collect/distribute planning information, perform planning work, and provide services to municipalities. The Board completed much planning work in the 1970’s and 1980’s with funding from the Federal 701 Comprehensive Planning Assistance program and the NYS Office of Planning Coordination along with staff assistance from the Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development. The Board continues to perform planning work and provide assistance to municipalities via the staff of the Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development. Other functions are described below.
The County Planning Board provides local governments with advisory reviews of zoning and comprehensive plan amendments, special use permits, variances, and site plans within 500 feet of specified county or municipal boundaries, county or state-owned lands, roadways, stream channels, and farm operations within New York State certified Agricultural Districts. The Board receives referrals from municipalities and following review may approve, approve with modifications or recommend disapproval. In the case of disapproval, municipalities wishing to override the Board’s objection need a majority plus one vote, and must indicate their reason for acting contrary to the Board’s recommendation.
The County Planning Board sponsors training seminars for local officials. Topics have included the Role of Planning Boards, Zoning Administration, Subdivision Review, Sign Control and Zoning Enforcement and Comprehensive Planning. The County Planning Board also has hosted speakers on key countywide issues including such topics as superstores, the Hudson River Greenway, Local Waterfront Revitalization programs (LWRP), New York City Watershed, Recycling, Scenic Areas of Statewide Significance, and Economic Development.
The County Planning Board participates in the review of agricultural districts along with the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board. It provides recommendations to the Greene County Legislature regarding the addition or deletion of properties. Agricultural district designation provides farmers with protection from local laws restricting farming, gives some protection from eminent domain proceedings, and provides certain tax advantages. Sewer and water taxes, for example are not levied on the farm portions of lands within the agricultural districts.
The County Planning Board is comprised of a representative from every Town and Village in Greene County. While not a requirement, members are encouraged to also be a member of their respective town or village planning board. Members are appointed by the Greene County Legislature, usually upon recommendation by the town or village board involved.
The County Planning Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM. Special meetings are scheduled as needed on an occasional basis. Meetings generally last about two hours.
The County Planning Board is staffed by the Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development, which prepares minutes and other materials for the Board. The Department also provides recommendations on planning and zoning referrals and arranges for speakers on various planning related topics.
Back to top Erik Allan, Chair, Town of Ashland Anthony Paluch, Town of Athens Peter Alberti, Village of Athens Elizabeth Hansen, Town of Cairo Eva Atwood, Town of Catskill Mitchell Smith, Village of Catskill Vacant, Town of Coxsackie Vacant, Village of Coxsackie George Carroll Town of Durham Arnie Cavallaro, Town of Greenville Vacant – Town of Halcott David Galin, Town of Hunter Harold Goldberg, Village of Hunter Cynthia LaPierree, Town of Jewett Jennifer Cawein, Town of Lexington John Cashin, Town of New Baltimore Jim Dymond, Vice-Chair, Town of Prattsville Lee McGunnigle, Village of Tannersville Thomas Poelker, Town of Windham
Ellen Rettus Planning Achievement Awards
Back to top New York State Agriculture and Markets Law empowers counties to create Agricultural and Farmland Protection Boards with a broad-based membership to bring together farmers and government officials, bring broader community goals to oversight of agricultural districts, bring appreciation of agriculture’s needs back to the broader community, and build bridges and bring together diverse perspectives. Agricultural and Farmland Protection Boards may recommend creation and renewal of agricultural districts, comment on “notices of intent” to undertake development projects in agricultural districts, and guide, assess and approve Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plans. The Department of Economic Development Tourism & Planning manages all aspects of district creation, review and recertification, working closely with the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board and the County Legislature. For more information on Greene County’s Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board please contact the Department of Economic Development Tourism & Planning.
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