Establishes the New York state growth interagency task force

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the New York state growth interagency task force

Purpose

To establish the NYS Smart Growth Interagency Task Force to distribute smart growth planning grants to municipalities.

Summary of provisions

This bill creates the Smart Growth Interagency Task Force made up of the Commissioners of the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Agriculture and Markets, Transportation, Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Economic Development; the Secretary of State; President of the Environment Facilities Corporation; Chairs of the Urban Development Corporation and Housing Finance Agency; Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal; President of the Energy Research and Development Authority; Speaker of the Assembly and Temporary President of the Senate. The Task Force will be co-chaired by the Secretary of State and Urban Development Corporation.

The Task Force shall distribute smart growth planning grants to municipalities. Grants shall be available for Community vision planning, agriculture retention and farmland preservation planning, and transit oriented design planning.

Grant applications shall be reviewed based on the applicant's partnerships with other organizations, effect use of grant funds, opportunity to leverage other funding sources, commitment to smart growth principles, and ability to carry out the resulting plan.

Justification

Our State has been a leader in protecting the environment along with increasing economic activity. Unfortunately, local governments actions with planning and zoning, and funding of State infrastructure have created land use and settlement that expands expensive infrastructure with new roadways, water supplies, sewer treatment facilities, utilities and other public facilities with a great cost to the taxpayer and the ratepayer. These actions have resulted in the underutilization and economical suffering of traditional main street, downtown areas and established suburbs.

To reverse these trends, there needs to be a focus on sound planned growth by local governments. Such a collaborative community based effort, called smart growth, creates a viable plan reflecting the economic, social and environmental needs of the municipality and the region. Areas with previous development and existing infrastructure will receive the support and encourage from local governments for new development.

Intelligent land use planning requires coordination and consistency among all levels of government. In order to promote regional goals, it is time for the state and local governments to work together to achieve efficient and effective infrastructure investment, consistency and fairness in land use decisions. This bill offers funding for smart growth planning to achieve an improved economy, a healthier environment and more livable State for all New Yorkers.

Legislative history

2008: S.7524

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after April 1, 2009.