APRIL 24, 2007

COUNTY LEGISLATURE UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTS FRAMEWORK FOR REGIONAL GROWTH AS DEVELOPMENT PLANNING DOCUMENT

The Erie County Legislature unanimously adopted the Framework for Regional Growth as the primary Erie County document to address the planning of development in Western New York at its April 19 session.

The Erie County Legislature, County Executive and elected officials from Niagara County have been working together to develop a regional growth plan since 2002. Both counties have experienced scattered development resulting in residential and commercial development activity occurring in farmland, which resulted in a 28 percent decrease in the percentage of land used for farming.

"This scattered development has led to a disinvestment in urban areas, older suburban areas and town and village centers. Erie and Niagara Counties have suffered stagnant or shrinking population levels and shifting of population outside of traditional city and town centers," County Legislature Majority Leader Maria R. Whyte (D-Buffalo) said. "These development patterns have added costs to all residents and led to significantly higher operating costs for towns and villages in Erie and Niagara Counties with no corresponding increase in services."

The bi-county steering committee made up of 16 members believes that one way to normalize the development patterns in Erie and Niagara Counties is to develop regional growth and development plans. The committee devised the Framework for Regional Growth, which will serve as an important tool in guiding County officials, local governments, private developers and citizens when making development decisions in the region.

"This document the County Legislature has adopted is in no way intended to stop development, but to coordinate development between communities and municipalities to best utilize all of our resources," Legislator Whyte said. "The Framework report will help serve to inform local governments, private developers and the public regarding the policies of physical development of the two counties."

The Framework for Regional Growth has received the endorsement of the Local Initiative Support Corporation, the League of Women Voters, Campaign for a Livable WNY and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

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