Black Brook approves Comprehensive Plan

AU SABLE FORKS | On Aug. 10, the Town of Black Brook officially adopted its new Comprehensive Plan. Made possible through grant funding previously awarded through the New York State Department of State Smart Growth Community Planning Program, this multi-page document, last updated in 1978, not only highlights the town's past and current state but also lists a variety of goals and key projects for the future, based on feedback from the public following several public workshops, hearings, surveys, and online comments. The Laberge Group of Albany worked together with the Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) — made up of Town Supervisor Jon Douglass, Town Clerk Dennis Bushey, Town Councilman William Rhino, and residents Jennifer Ketchell and Ralph Schissler — to create the final document that lists several interconnected themes, including housing choices, town character, natural systems/sustainability, economic vitality, government operations, and roads, connections, and trails. Some goals mentioned include creating a range of housing choices that fit the needs of residents, exploring regional connections to state trail systems, implementing a vision of a walkable community along the Au Sable River, supporting uses that are natural stewards of Black Brook's unique environmental setting, creating new opportunities for unique low-impact businesses that add value to the town, improving the town's self-sustainability, and coordinate with Fern Lake and Silver Lake associations. Several key projects were also identified, including creating a linear park with reserved rights-of-way along scenic areas, improving the sewer treatment facility, participating in the New York Forward funding planning process, creating a marketing strategy for the town, further enhancing the River Park, and updating the town's zoning code. "Adopting the Comprehensive Plan was an important accomplishment, but it was really the beginning of the next phase of planning for Black Brook. Now we need to look at our zoning regulations and determine whether they support the vision our residents helped develop," said Douglass. "We want to encourage responsible opportunities for housing, businesses, and recreation while protecting the character and natural resources that make Black Brook special. Most importantly, we want this to be a thoughtful, community-driven process, and we're pursuing grant funding so we can get the professional assistance necessary without placing the full cost on our local taxpayers." Building on this work, the town recently submitted another grant application through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to upgrade its zoning code, which has not undergone a comprehensive update since 2004. "Our application specifically recognizes that the town does not have the staff capacity or financial resources to undertake a comprehensive zoning update of this scale without outside assistance; grant funding is essential to moving this work forward without placing the full financial burden on our local taxpayers," Douglass stated. "We will continue to actively pursue grant opportunities that allow us to plan responsibly, strengthen our community, encourage future investment, and make the most of our local tax dollars." To view the full Comprehensive Plan, visit laberge.tuyu.io/publicDownload/glcavbmulxu2oktv. For more information or updates, visit blackbrookny.gov.

Signup for our newsletter

Black Brook approves Comprehensive Plan

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS