A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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OCTOBER 2014 One Region Forward &ŝŶĂů ƌĂŌ WůĂŶ

more than a plan

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Support for this effort was provided by a $2 million grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an interagency collaboration also involving the federal Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency. This document will help the region coordinate how it invests federal, state and local dollars and will give Buffalo Niagara priority status for funding opportunities today and into the future. One Region Forward Steering Committee $ FURVV VHFWLRQDO SDUWQHUVKLS RI SXEOLF SULYDWH DQG QRQSURĂšW RUJDQL]DWLRQV providing project oversight throughout the 3-year planning and engagement process. Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC), Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), Erie County, Niagara County, City of Buffalo, City of Niagara Falls, Association of Erie County Governments, Niagara County Supervisors Association, University at Buffalo Regional Institute and Urban Design Project (UBRI/UDP), Daemen College Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement (CSCCE), VOICE Buffalo, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Buffalo (LISC), Western New York Environmental Alliance (WNYEA), Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, The John R. Oishei Foundation, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC), Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc. (Belmont), Buffalo Niagara Partnership (BNP), Empire State Development, New York State Department of State, Division of Smart Growth, and Niagara Falls Housing Authority.

Project leadership providing program administration, management, and governance oversight. Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council Project leadership providing program administration, management, and governance oversight.

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Fiscal administrator ensuring project meets the ĂšVFDO DQG DGPLQLVWUDWLYH requirements of the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning program.

School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo Regional Sustainability Team conducting the research, planning, community engagement, writing and technical analysis for One Region Forward.

Buffalo Niagara Partnership Overseeing private sector engagement programming to bring business stakeholders into the planning process.

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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What You’ll Find Inside 7KLV GRFXPHQW UHSUHVHQWV WKH ÚQDO GUDIW SODQ IRU 2QH 5HJLRQ )RUZDUG 6WDUWHG in 2012, this plan weaves together close to three years of research, community engagement, partnership building and planning. :LWKLQ WKH SDJHV RI WKLV SODQ \RX ZLOO ÚQG WKH PDMRU UHVHDUFK ÚQGLQJV RI ZKDW WKH GDWD WHOOV XV DERXW ZKHUH WKH UHJLRQ LV WRGD\ DQG H[SUHVVLRQV RI WKRXVDQGV RI FLWL]HQ voices on the direction people in the region want to see Buffalo Niagara go. Proposed strategies and actions, built by a team of 100+ subject matter experts, are detailed and provide the basic framework for moving the region toward a more sustainable, prosperous and opportunity-rich future. Finally, the plan sets out a path to measure and guide implementation.

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WHERE WE ARE MATTERS Putting the region in context

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WHERE WE’RE GOING ALREADY HAS TRACTION

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BUILDING ON THE HISTORY OF PLANNING & BUILDING THE FUTURE OF PLANNING

A preface

The planning framework for One Region Forward

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20

WHAT DO WE SAY WE VALUE?

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WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING?

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WHERE CAN WE GO FROM HERE?

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Value statements culled from 160+ local plans

Snapshot of trends over the past 40 years

Thinking about preservation and change

28 WHAT COULD OUR REGION LOOK LIKE? Mapping the region with the Buffalo Niagara community

30 HOW SHOULD WE MOVE FORWARD? Major takeaways from community engagement

32 WHERE SHOULD WE GO FROM HERE? Exploring alternative scenarios

34 HOW DO OUR CHOICES PLAY OUT?

Measuring the likely impacts of development scenarios

51 WHAT COULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY? Recommended strategies and actions

98 HOW CAN WE MOVE OUR VALUES FORWARD? Moving the Network forward into implementation

106 HOW WILL WE KNOW WE’RE MAKING PROGRESS? Indicators to measure over time

110 APPENDIX

Data sources and other details

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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Locatted in Western New York, the Buffalo Niagara a region—Erie and Niagara co ounties—constitutes 64 cities, towns and villages. The regiion is bounded on the south by Cha aut u auqu qua qu a,, Cattarau ugus and Allle ega g ny countiess, and on n the e easst by Orlea ans, Gen nesee and Wyom ming co cou untie es.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

7KH %XIIDOR 1LDJDUD UHJLRQ LV GHĂšQHG E\ LWV unique geographic location. It lays at the FRQĂşXHQFH RI WZR *UHDW /DNHV OLQNHG E\ one of the wonders of the natural world, the Niagara River and Falls. It occupies a strategic position on the US-Canadian border and on the southern edge of a binational region of nearly 9 million people. Its geographic proximity to the Midwest and Northeast make it 500 miles from 41 percent of the US population.

7KH UHJLRQ LV DOVR GHÚQHG E\ LWV natural and human-made assets, its landscape and climate, its cultural heritage, and its people. International renowned Niagara Falls is undoubtedly the region’s PRVW UHFRJQL]DEOH DVVHW EXW %XIIDOR 1LDJDUD LV DEXQGDQW LQ NH\ UHVRXUFHV VXFK DV incomparable art and architecture, a rich history as a center of manufacturing, prime agricultural land, and natural assets ideal for active and passive outdoor recreation. Great colleges and universities provide a foundation for a growing knowledge economy. The growth potential of key industry sectors such as advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, and professional services has begun to VWDELOL]H WKH HFRQRP\ 2WKHU OLYDELOLW\ LQGLFDWRUV VXFK DV XQLTXH QHLJKERUKRRGV DQG affordability make the region an attractive place to run a business, start a career or raise a family. :RYHQ WKURXJKRXW WKH SODQQLQJ IUDPHZRUN DUH WZR FULWLFDO LVVXHV WKDW GHÚQH ZKHUH we’ve been and where we want to go – our relationship to our fresh water resources and our desire to grow our economy in a way that is more equitable and locally rooted. One Region Forward is not an economic development plan. Buffalo Niagara already

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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has one in the “Strategy for Prosperityâ€? created by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. Nor is it a plan to restore and protect our local waterways, as this is being addressed through local planning and over $200 million in clean-up efforts led by Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. But the plan for moving One Region Forward was developed with our economic sustainability and dependence on fresh water squarely in mind and it is intended to dovetail with the work already being done. In other words, these issues – water and equity - are not addressed head-on throughout this plan; but rather they are embedded GHHSO\ LQ HDFK RI WKH ĂšYH IRFXV DUHDV RI 2QH 5HJLRQ )RUZDUGĂ›GHVLJQHG WR DOZD\V either directly or indirectly have a positive impact on these two issues. Water has shaped our past and will shape our future $OPRVW RI 1RUWK $PHULFDĂ?V IUHVK VXUIDFH ZDWHU ĂşRZV SDVW RXU UHJLRQĂ?V IURQW GRRU Buffalo and Niagara Falls were settled because of the access to and abundance of fresh water. The Niagara River, its eleven major tributaries, and the Erie Canal have shaped the development and growth of our region for almost two centuries. Strategies to protect our waterways such as implementing green stormwater management, protecting and rebuilding wetlands, reducing agricultural and nutrient run-off LQWR ZDWHUZD\V DQG SULRULWL]LQJ XQLYHUVDO DFFHVV WR DQG DORQJ DOO ZDWHUZD\V DUH FULWLFDO WR HDFK RI RXU ĂšYH IRFXV DUHDV ,QYHVWLQJ LQ VWUDWHJLHV SROLFLHV DQG UHJXODWLRQV WKDW LGHQWLI\ DQG SULRULWL]H PHDVXUDEOH LPSURYHPHQWV LQ ZDWHU quality, access, and ecosystem health will create opportunities to transform the image of our region from that of a “rust belt cityâ€? to one rooted in its blue economy, HQDEOLQJ DQG FDWDO\]LQJ UHYLWDOL]DWLRQ WKURXJK WKH UHVWRUDWLRQ RI WKH KHDOWK DQG integrity of our freshwater systems. In an ever changing world, water will only grow in importance to Buffalo Niagara, and strategies that protect and leverage our water resources are critical to moving One Region Forward. Shared prosperity and opportunity for all Our society is riven by increasing inequality – in opportunity and conditions – and thus, so too is our region. Of all the aforementioned great things our region has to offer, many in our region lack access to decent affordable housing, have limited options for getting around, inhabit environments that are unsafe RU XQKHDOWK\ ĂšQG LW KDUG WR ĂšQG DQG SXUFKDVH IUHVK KHDOWK\ IRRG DQG lack access to quality health care, education and employment. This is not just a burden on them. The degradation and disuse of this precious human capital is a burden on everyone, not just because of the cost of maintaining an increasingly threadbare “social safety netâ€? but also because of the contribution to our commonwealth that they do not make. As we consider the future of our region, we must keep in mind that a more equitable society is in the self-interest of all and our decision PDNLQJ PXVW UHĂşHFW RXU DVSLUDWLRQV IRU D PRUH HTXLWDEOH DQG RSSRUWXQLW\ ĂšOOHG UHJLRQ An economy that is forward looking and creates wealth locally Working to build community wealth is another promise we make to each other. Whether we are producing goods and services for sale, building the places where ZH ZLOO PDNH D OLIH RU UDLVLQJ WKH QH[W JHQHUDWLRQ RI FLWL]HQV ZH RZH LW WR HDFK RWKHU to ensure that the fruits of our labor stay here. Growing local and buying local are fundamental values for our work. Creating jobs that stay here and growing wealth that stays here are also fundamental commitments that are woven throughout this plan.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

ĹśÄžÇ Ć?ĆšĹ˝ĆŒÇ‡ ĨŽĆŒ ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ EĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚ Buffalo Niagara is writing a new story about itself – a story about how an old “rust beltâ€? region is retooling itself in the 21st century to meet the real challenge of how to live more sustainably in an era of economic change, demographic upheaval and environmental uncertainty. It is a story of old places but new people, fresh ideas, and new ways for working together to use our land PRUH ZLVHO\ JHW DURXQG PRUH HIĂšFLHQWO\ FUHDWH great places to live, ensure a healthy food supply, and meet the challenges of climate change and a transforming energy economy. We are all too familiar with the old story of Buffalo Niagara – how the Erie Canal and later the railroads turned a fur-trading outpost into a great commercial center; how iron and coal and hydro-electricity turned the region into an industrial giant; and, sadly, how the postindustrial era shuttered the plants, laid off the workers, sent people away, and left places to decay. We are also familiar with the story of how soldiers returning from the wars got in WKHLU FDUV DQG PRYHG WKHLU IDPLOLHV WR WKH VXEXUEV RQ IHGHUDOO\ ĂšQDQFHG KLJKZD\V to homes with federally guaranteed mortgages. We know how Tonawanda and Cheektowaga and the Town of Niagara, later Amherst, Hamburg, Pendleton and other communities grew as the populations of Buffalo and Niagara Falls dwindled. And we know how in the post-industrial era starting in the early 1970s the population of the entire region – not just the cities – began to shrink and shrink. These stories are true, more or less. There is even some truth to the oft-repeated litany about mistakes we have made as a community – highways that blocked waterfronts, historic buildings demolished, public facilities mis-located. But maybe – just maybe – these stories aren’t so relevant anymore to what we as a regional community need to do next. History can be a teacher. But it can also blind XV WR WKH SRVVLELOLWLHV RI WKH IXWXUH 7KLV SODQ UHĂşHFWV WKH UHVROYH RI WKRXVDQGV ZKR contributed to its creation to learn from the past, but to lean forward into the future.

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Demographic transformation. It is undeniable that Buffalo Niagara as a region has lost population continuously over the past 40 years or more. We reached our peak population of more than 1.3 million at the census RI %\ WKDW ÚJXUH KDG dropped to 1,135,509i. But it is worth noting that half of the total decline occurred during the 1970s and three quarters of the decline before 1990 – almost a quarter century agoii. Indeed, recent population estimates suggest that Buffalo Niagara actually grew slightly since the 2010 censusiii.

Our population has declined, but three quarters of the loss occurred before 1990 – almost a quarter century ago. Recent estimates suggest we have grown since 2010.

Like the national population overall and most regions in the country, our population is older, partly because people are living longer, partly because people are having fewer children. But recent evidence suggests that Buffalo Niagara’s growth in the 20 to 34 year age group actually exceeds the national averageiv. We also see an LQúX[ RI LPPLJUDQWV IURP DURXQG WKH world with new energy to contribute to the region’s revival. It’s partial, preliminary evidence that things might be changing, and that our population decline is by now an old, old story. Maybe it’s time to make some room in our imaginations for a new one.

Population Change, 1970-2010 W Z Ed ' , E' /E WKWh> d/KE z E^h^ dZ d

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50-100% 25-50% 0-25%

' /E

0-25% 25-50% 50-100% >100%

Source: US Census, 1970 and 2010; Logan, Xu & Stults, 2012, Longitudinal Tract Database.

Economic change.

Percent of Population by Age, 1970, 2010 and 2040 PERCENT OF TOTAL POPULATION

45%

1970

40%

2010

2040

1970 2010ÍžWZK: d Íż 2040

35%

(PROJECTED)

30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

0-19

20-39

40-59

60+

AGE COHORT Source: U.S. Census, 1970 and 2010; Cornell WrograĹľ Ĩor ƉƉlied DeĹľograƉhics, ÍžEeÇ YorĹŹ WoƉulaĆ&#x;on WroĹŠecĆ&#x;on Data bLJ CountLJ, 2010Ͳ20Ď°0Í&#x;, 2011.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

It is also undeniable that Buffalo Niagara has been through wrenching economic contraction and change. The manufacturing economy that GRPLQDWHG WKH UHJLRQ WKURXJK WKH ĂšUVW three quarters of the 20th century has been transformed. In 1970, one of every three jobs in Buffalo Niagara was in manufacturing. Today it is only one in ten. Meanwhile, the share of jobs LQ KHDOWK FDUH HGXFDWLRQ ĂšQDQFH DQG professional services has more than doubledv. The factory jobs have largely gone away, and our regional economy is more like the nation as a whole and more balanced than ever before. The prospects for the future are better than in a very long time. Buffalo Niagara enjoys an unprecedented consensus among business, political and community leaders about how to pursue our regional prosperity. We have a new way of working together in the Western New York Regional Economic

'HYHORSPHQW &RXQFLO $QG ZH KDYH D FOHDU VWUDWHJ\ WKDW HPSKDVL]HV RXU VWUHQJWKV in health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing and tourism and focuses investments in workforce development, entrepreneurship, and “smart growth.â€? Stories in the paper about companies picking up and leaving have been replaced with stories about companies starting up, adding jobs, and investing in facilities. The word-of-mouth Employment by Sector about young people pulling up stakes and moving HOVHZKHUH WR ĂšQG RSSRUWXQLW\ DUH PRUH WKDQ EducaĆ&#x;on InformaĆ&#x;on balanced by stories about native Buffalonians 1% coming home to make their futures. There ConstrucĆ&#x;on & Mining 4% 3% Trade, TransportaĆ&#x;on remains very large pockets of entrenched and Other Services 4% 19% & UĆ&#x;liĆ&#x;es concentrated poverty in our community. But Finance and Insurance 5% there is more opportunity now that might be shared.

6%

AdministraĆ&#x;ve & Waste Services

The industrial legacy.

16%

8%

Government

Professional, Real Estate & Business Services

10% Manufacturing

14% 10%

Health Care & Social Assistance

Leisure & Hospitality Source: EeÇ YorĹŹ State DeƉartĹľent oĨ Labor, YuarterlLJ Census oĨ žƉloLJžent and Wages, 2012.

-REV LQ KHDOWK FDUH HGXFDWLRQ ĂľQDQFH DQG professional services has more than doubled. The factory jobs have largely gone away, but our regional economy is more like the nation as a whole and more balanced than ever before.

Our industrial past has left us with a legacy of damaged land, discarded buildings, and poisoned water. Buffalo Niagara has an extraordinary concentration of the wasted industrial assets NQRZQ DV Ă&#x;EURZQĂšHOGV Ă %XW ZH KDYH DOVR EHHQ working steadily to reclaim these assets, cleaning XS RXU ODQG DQG ZDWHUZD\V DQG ĂšQGLQJ QHZ uses for old buildings. Two high-tech companies from California are preparing to move into a new building on the former site of the Republic Steel plant in South Buffalo. The pending redevelopment of the third Trico Building on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus doesn’t seem so unusual after the reuse of two others like it or the emergence of Larkinville.

The remains of the industrial era look more like opportunities than ever before. We understand more clearly, too, just how central our water resources will be to the future of our community and economy. We are cleaning up our waterways, safeguarding our watersheds and addressing the problems of storm water management. Even more, we are learning how important water and environment can be to the future of a “blue/green economy.â€? We still mourn the loss of the region’s architectural treasures – Frank Lloyd Wright’s Larkin Administration Building, the old Erie County Savings Bank, the Buffalo Public Library and the Niagara Falls Museum. But the fact is that we have saved more of our great architecture than we have lost – Sullivan’s Guaranty Building, Wright’s Martin House complex, Richardson’s magisterial Buffalo State Hospital, the old &XVWRPV +RXVH DQG WKH 8QLWHG 2IĂšFH %XLOGLQJ LQ 1LDJDUD )DOOV Ăš FRQWULEXWLQJ QRW only to our quality of life but our strength as a visitor destination. With the important continuation of state preservation tax credits on top of federal tax credits more VXFFHVVHV OLNH WKH UHVWRUDWLRQ RI WKH +RWHO /DID\HWWH DUH LQ WKH RIĂšQJ The challenge of sprawl. The challenge of sprawl remains to be met. Throughout the 20th century and especially since the widespread adoption of the automobile after 1920, Buffalo Niagara grew outward. Until 1970 our sprawl was pushed by growth. After 1970 we suffered from sprawl without growth. During four decades of population decline the

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XUEDQL]HG DUHD LQ %XIIDOR 1LDJDUD JUHZ E\ VTXDUH PLOHVvi. We now drive more than twice as much as we did in 1970vii. We are much less likely to take transit, ride a bike or walk. And the cost to taxpayers of providing public infrastructure and public services continues to rise. The basic problem is that our dependence on the automobile led us to create an urban pattern that can only be served well by the automobile. Low density housing, shops DQG RIĂšFHV LQ VHDV RI SDUNLQJ GLVFRQWLQXRXV VWUHHW V\VWHPV URDGV DQG KLJKZD\V hostile to pedestrians, all mean it is harder and harder to get around by walking, bicycle, bus or light rail. With all that, we have seen transit ridership grow modestly since 2004viii and the emergence of a vibrant bicycle culture is visible on the street.

Old industrial facilities DQG IRUPHU RIĂľFH EXLOGLQJV are being transformed into apartments and condos. City housing prices are rising. Young do-it-yourselfers are renovating old homes in neighborhoods we thought were lost.

Change in Population and Urbanized Land Area, 1970-2010 Population decreased by

-16%

Environmentalists argue we need to wean ourselves from fossil-fueled vehicles to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Public health experts say this sprawl leads to obesity and other dangerous health outcomes. Economic development specialists suggest we need WR ZRUN WRZDUG JUHDWHU Ă&#x;VSDWLDO HIĂšFLHQF\Ă LI ZH DUH WR IXOO\ UHJDLQ RXU SURVSHULW\ Community activists would point out that an urban region where it is so hard to get around without a car disadvantages everyone, but especially the poor, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The process of sprawl without growth has also left us with a housing market that is badly distorted. During the period of “sprawl without growthâ€? we built far more housing than we had new households. The result was massive housing vacancy, abandonment and demolition in our central cities, a continuous extension of suburban development out into farm country, and more recently a weakening of KRXVLQJ YDOXHV LQ RXU ĂšUVW ULQJ VXEXUEV (YHQ KHUH WKHUH LV KRSH RQ WKH KRUL]RQ 6RPH RI WKH PRVW FUHDWLYH ZRUN LQ KRXVLQJ development is taking place in our central cities. Old industrial facilities and former RIĂšFH EXLOGLQJV DUH EHLQJ WUDQVIRUPHG LQWR DSDUWPHQWV DQG FRQGRV &LW\ KRXVLQJ prices are rising. Young do-it-yourselfers are renovating old homes in neighborhoods we thought were lost. Home-building on the periphery of the region continues, but there is also development at the center. Sprawl – with or without growth – has put pressure on another crucial element of regional sustainability. Farms have gone out of business and farmland has been converted to residential uses at an alarming rate. In the long run, our regional food security will be determined by how much of our own food we are able to grow right here. That won’t be possible if we continue to grow houses where crops once grew.

Urbanized land increased by

78%

160 SQ. MILES

At the very least, the issue of sprawl is on the public agenda now. The Erie Niagara Regional Framework for Growth put it there in 2006. The Regional Economic Development Council has highlighted the economic as well as environmental imperative to promote “smart growth.� One Region Forward has worked hard to advance the conversation. Awareness has grown. All we need is the resolve to act.

What it will take to succeed as a region in the 21st century will not be what it took to succeed in the 19th or 20th century. Of course, of natural land it will take jobs, great neighborhoods and housing choices, public Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970 and 2010. investments in transportation infrastructure and urban services, JRRG VFKRROV DQG SDUNV DQG PRUH MXVW OLNH LW GLG LQ WKH ĂšUVW WZR FHQWXULHV RI RXU history. But our challenges today are different.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

The idea of sustainability. Sustainability is an indispensable concept for the 21st century. It draws our attention to the interconnections among our economy, our community and our environment. To achieve the “good lifeâ€? we need a productive economy. But our economic health is rooted in the health of our environment. And we need both to create real social justice. The “bottom lineâ€? is far less abstract. The economic costs of environmental degradation and climate disruption can be enormous. The costs of mitigating global climate change will be minor when compared with the cost of repairing the damage IURP H[WUHPH VWRUPV ĂşRRGV DQG KHDW ZDYHV RU WKH FRVW RI VWRUP SURRĂšQJ RXU communities. The rewards for making a creative transition to a post-carbon economy will likely be substantial. We will be a great and successful region if we can repair and reuse the great urban fabric that Ellicott, Olmsted and our awesome waterfronts have given us. Likewise, we will succeed if we can better manage the armature of streets and utilities on which a wealth of housing rests. Success will also require that we continue to make great neighborhoods that give our residents choices about where and how to live. We will succeed if we can continue to work together to build an economy in an HQYLURQPHQW RI FRQWLQXRXV WHFKQRORJLFDO DQG RUJDQL]DWLRQDO FKDQJH :H ZLOO VXFFHHG if we can transform our pattern of urban development to use land more wisely, conserve energy, and leave room to grow the food we will need in a more tumultuous world. We will succeed if we can take seriously the concept of sustainability in an age of JOREDO FOLPDWH FKDQJH :H ZLOO VXFFHHG LI ZH FDQ ĂšQG D ZD\ WR PHHW RXU RZQ QHHGV without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. That PHDQV LQ SDUW SODQQLQJ IRU DQG PDNLQJ WKH GLIĂšFXOW WUDQVLWLRQ WR D SRVW FDUERQ energy economy. It also means preparing for the impacts of climate change that are already determined by past emissions of greenhouse gases. The work ahead. We have an extraordinary amount of work to do. But we are better prepared to do it than at any other time anyone now alive can still remember. There is a new energy in the people of our region. There is a new attitude. We see it in the willingness of community leaders of all types to work together to meet the future. We saw it in the HDJHUQHVV ZLWK ZKLFK FLWL]HQV HQJDJHG WKH ZRUN RI PDNLQJ WKLV SODQ :H VHH LW LQ WKH momentum of work already under way. And now we see it in a plan that outlines a path to travel and describes a way to move “One Region Forward.â€? Or perhaps a plan that suggests a way to tell a new story about Buffalo Niagara.

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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more than a plan

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WZ &

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

WĹ?ŽŜÄžÄžĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? ĹśÄžÇ Ç Ä‚Ç‡Ć? ŽĨ ƉůĂŜŜĹ?ĹśĹ? ĂŜĚ Ç Ĺ˝ĆŒĹŹĹ?ĹśĹ? ƚŽĹ?ÄžĆšĹšÄžĆŒ 7KLV LV QRW D QHZ HQWHUSULVH 7KRXVDQGV RI FLWL]HQV

LQ %XIIDOR 1LDJDUD LQ D YDULHW\ RI RUJDQL]DWLRQV – governments, companies, advocacy groups, neighborhood associations and more – have been working on these issues for years. This plan is simply to bring those efforts into sharper focus and make better, faster progress on all that needs to be done. This plan does not replace any other plans. Indeed, it builds on them. And our careful review and analysis of more than 160 plans by local and regional governments, special purpose agencies, advocacy groups and others, revealed how closely aligned are the values and goals of people throughout our region. Yet, while we build on the history of planning, we believe One Region Forward represents a new way to plan for Buffalo Niagara. This plan was designed to serve as a decision-making tool. It does not tell anyone what to think or what to do, but rather how to think about serious issues facing our communities and the region as a whole. ,W UHFRJQL]HV WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI EXLOGLQJ RII WKH FROODERUDWLRQV WKDW VHW WKH VWDJH IRU One Region Forward, most notably the Erie and Niagara County led 2006 Framework for Regional Growth. And even more recent, it works to support and leverage the regional planning documents and funding programs of the NYS-led Regional Economic Development Council (REDC). ,Q IDFW ZH DOUHDG\ KDYH VRPH YHU\ VHULRXV UHVRXUFHV IRU DFWLRQ ĂšQDQFLDO RUJDQL]DWLRQDO DQG RWKHUZLVH 5('& LV IRFXVLQJ VWDWH LQYHVWPHQWV WRZDUG VXSSRUWLQJ existing communities, Main Streets, downtowns, and former industrial sites. The “Buffalo Billionâ€? has established a $30 million fund targeted at transit-oriented development and walkable neighborhood centers. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Cleaner, Greener Communities program offers VLJQLĂšFDQW IXQGLQJ IRU SURMHFWV WKDW VXSSRUW UHJLRQDO VXVWDLQDELOLW\ $QG WKH *UHDWHU Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council is aligning its allocation of state and federal transportation funding along with the tenets of One Region Forward. But perhaps even more important than the resources aligning for implementation is the incredible partnerships and capacity we have built through this planning process. More than ever before, we are working together towards a common vision for Buffalo Niagara. The time is now to keep moving forward.

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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dŚĞ Data

700+

Completed in 2006, the Framework for Regional Growth is the cornerstone for One Region Forward.

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Working together to guide and shape the plan

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64

Tens of thousands ŽĨ ĐŝƟnjĞŶƐ have guided local plans in our region over many years

Our sĂůƵĞƐ

Community Values Drive Everything

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Values and investments align

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Taken together, this work is coordinated with One Region Forward and ŐŝǀĞƐ ĐůĞĂƌ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŽŶŐŽŝŶŐ ǁŽƌŬ͘ Our īŽƌƚƐ

A Strategy for Strengthening Prosperity and WNY’s Safety Net dŚĞ ƵīĂůŽ ŝůůŝŽŶ

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16

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

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ƵīĂůŽ ĂŶĚ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ ŽƵŶƚLJ ƌŽǁŶĮĞůĚ Opportunity Areas

ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĨƵƚƵƌĞ ŽĨ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ NEW DATA DEVELOPMENT ƚĞƐƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĚĂƚĂ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͕ ĞůĞĐƚĞĚ ŽĸĐŝĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ

100+

trained through the CiƟnjen Planning School

27

workshops to “map our Ĩuture͟

50+

ƉresentaƟons to local organinjaƟons

5,000+ CITIZENS

DATA MEASUREMENT performance metrics to gauge progress in the future

Tabling at

30+ CoŵŵunitLJ

ǀents, Fairs & FesƟǀals

Engaged in a mutltude of ways to share their vision and add their voice to the ĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƟŽŶ

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Text It Forward surǀeLJs

900+ responses

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Developed to get us closer to realizing our values

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ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ŝƚLJ KƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ

͘​͘​͘ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ĞdžƉƌĞƐƐĞĚ͕ ƐŚĂƌƉĞŶĞĚ ĂŶĚ ƌĞĮŶĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂŶLJ͘

͘​͘​͘ƐŚĂƉĞ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĨŽƌŵ ƚŚĞ ŝĚĞĂƐ ĂŶĚ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĞƐ͘

>ŽĐĂů 'Žǀ͛ƚ͘ KĸĐŝĂůƐ

͘​͘​͘ǁŝůů ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ŐƵŝĚĞ ŚŽǁ ǁĞ ŵŽǀĞ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ͘

THE E dtKZ< will advance a

coordinated strategic approach for the future based on research and community informed decision-making

ƵīĂůŽ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ ϮϬϰϬ DĞƚƌŽƉŽůŝƚĂŶ dƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ WůĂŶ

We make investment decisions ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ƚŚĂƚ ĂůŝŐŶ ŽƵƌ ǀĂůƵĞƐ and ĂƌĞ ďĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ ŽďũĞĐƟǀĞ ĚĂƚĂ

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

17

more than a plan

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DĂŶLJ have been a part of the ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ

sĂůƵĞƐ ŽĨ ŵĂŶLJ ĚƌŝǀĞ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ

A trulLJ ciƟnjenͲdriǀen process, opportuniƟes for our diǀerse ciƟnjenrLJ to shape Kne Zegion Forward was proǀided at our “CommunitLJ Congress͟ sessions. Outreach was designed to engage the broadest possible arraLJ of perspecƟǀes.

Shaping the vision, mapping our values, and providing feedback on concepts in development

Community Congressess Local Governm ment Counccil

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A Seat for ǀerLJone at the Table

Mayors, supervisors, council members and legislators from our 64 ĐŝƟĞƐ͕ ǀŝůůĂŐĞƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŽǁŶƐ

Private Sector C Council Working W Teams

Steerin ng ŽŵŵŝƩ ƩĞĞ ŝƟnjĞŶ WůĂŶŶĞƌƐ

100+

Subũect maƩer experts and stakeholders

dƌĂŶƐůĂƟŶŐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ǀĂůƵĞƐ ŝŶƚŽ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĐƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐ ŵĞƚƌŝĐƐ ĨŽƌ ĞǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ

26

KrganinjaƟons from across Niagara and rie represented on the Steering CommiƩee

WƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ŽŶŐŽŝŶŐ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ guidance to ensure the work has broad-based support and ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƟŽŶ

ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĐŝƟnjĞŶ capacity for grassroots ŝŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚĂƟŽŶ

18

WĞƌƐƉĞĐƟǀĞƐ ĨƌŽŵ business leaders and employers convened ďLJ ƚŚĞ ƵīĂůŽ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ Partnership

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

DĂŶLJ voices from many parts of our region

(YHU\ VXFFHVVIXO SODQ LV D UHöHFWLRQ RI the values the community shares. Buffalo Niagara has been talking about where we want to go as a region for many years. One Region Forward has continued that dialogue, starting with the values embedded in over 160 plans and decades of planning in our region. It’s a great place to start.

Our sĂůƵĞƐ

OUR s >h ^ CONNECT US

DanLJ ǀoices from manLJ parts of our region expressed ǀalues about͙ OUR ECONOMY OUR /E&Z ^dZh dhZ OUR dZ E^WKZd d/KE ^z^d D OUR ,KD ^ E E /', KZ,KK ^ OUR & ZD> E OUR 'Z E E Z'z OUR E dhZ > Z ^KhZ ^ OUR , Z/d ' OUR W Z<^ E Z Z d/KE OUR E dK K>> KZ d E /DW> D Ed

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

19

more than a plan

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A Good Place to Start: 10 Broad Values We Share Build a more compeĆ&#x;Ć&#x;Ç€e, creaĆ&#x;Ç€e, prosperous, broadlLJ shared, locallLJ rooted, and sustainable 21st centurLJ regional ÄžÄ?ŽŜŽžÇ‡. Manage Ĺ?ŜĨĆŒÄ‚Ć?ĆšĆŒĆľÄ?ĆšĆľĆŒÄž strategicallLJ, inÇ€esĆ&#x;ng in exisĆ&#x;ng areas and maintaining, remoÇ€ing, or extending urban sLJstems to lower costs, improÇ€e eĸciencLJ and enhance Ć‹ualitLJ of place.

Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

OUR s >h ^ CONNECT US

What do ϭϲϏн ƉůĂŜĆ? ƚĞůů ĆľĆ? Ä‚Ä?ŽƾĆš ŽƾĆŒ ǀĂůƾĞĆ?Í? From communities across Erie and Niagara, our values DU DUH UHĂşHFWHG LQ RXU SODQV ((more mo than 160 of them), with th thousands hous ous of voices at the table.

Buffalo Niagara’s recent planning Bu ufffallo N Ni i ZRUN SURYLGHV D KHDG VWDUW IRU GHÚQLQJ where we want to go as a region. More than 160 plans for Buffalo Niagara and the many parts of the UHJLRQ ZHUH H[DPLQHG Û FRXQWLHV FLWLHV DQG WRZQV districts and neighborhoods.

xpand ĆšĆŒÄ‚ĹśĆ?Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ opĆ&#x;ons to improÇ€e Ä‚Ä?Ä?ÄžĆ?Ć? to ĹŠobs, serÇ€ices, and recreaĆ&#x;on; meet the needs of students, elderlLJ, persons with disabiliĆ&#x;es, and the transit dependent; moÇ€e goods to market; and promote energLJ ÄžĸÄ?Ĺ?ĞŜÄ?LJ and Ć?Ä‚ĨĞƚLJ. Zepair, renew, redesign and preserÇ€e our ĹšŽƾĆ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? stock and to proÇ€ide healthLJ, aÄŤordable, and eĸcient Ä?ŚŽĹ?Ä?ÄžĆ? to a changing populaĆ&#x;on in ŜĞĹ?Ĺ?ĹšÄ?Ĺ˝ĆŒĹšŽŽÄšĆ? that are great places, safe, accessible, wellͲserÇ€ed and disĆ&#x;ncĆ&#x;Ç€e. Protect ĨÄ‚ĆŒžůĂŜĚ and forests, support farmers, promote sustainable farming, encourage urban agriculture, connect farms to local markets, foster Ç€alueͲadded processing, culĆ&#x;Ç€ate agriͲtourism, and ensure access to ŚĞĂůƚŚLJ, aÄŤordable, locallLJͲsourced ĨŽŽÄš. Use less energLJ, promote Ĺ?ĆŒÄžÄžĹś ÄžĹśÄžĆŒĹ?LJ through direct incenĆ&#x;Ç€es, technologLJ deÇ€elopment and pricing policLJ, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while we prepare to cope with the impacts of climate change. Zestore and protect our water, air, soil, wildlife habitat and other ĹśÄ‚ĆšĆľĆŒÄ‚ĹŻ ĆŒÄžĆ?ŽƾĆŒÄ?ÄžĆ? to promote a healthLJ ecologLJ, economLJ and communitLJ.

A careful content analysis of these plans reveals a shared concern for a range of pressing issues. This is not the last word about our regional vision and values, but it is a familiar place to start the next conversation.

Protect and deÇ€elop cultural, ĹšÄžĆŒĹ?ƚĂĹ?Äž, and architectural resources to preserÇ€e communitLJ idenĆ&#x;tLJ, enrich dailLJ life, create great places, aĆŠract Ç€isitors, and build our economLJ.

ŽŜÄ?ÄžĆŒĹśÄžÄš Ä?Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹśĆ?Í• Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJ ĹŻÄžÄ‚ÄšÄžĆŒĆ?Í• ĆŒÄžĆ‰ĆŒÄžĆ?ĞŜƚĂĆ&#x;ǀĞĆ? ĨĆŒŽž ŽƾĆŒ Ä?ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć? Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJ͕ ĂŜĚ ŽƾĆŒ ĆŒÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÍ›Ć? ĞůĞÄ?ƚĞĚ ŽĸÄ?Ĺ?Ä‚ĹŻĆ? Ç ÄžĆŒÄž Ä‚ÄŤĹ˝ĆŒÄšÄžÄš Ä‚Ĺś Ĺ˝Ć‰Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšƾŜĹ?ƚLJ ƚŽ Ç ÄžĹ?Ĺ?Ĺš Ĺ?Ĺś ŽŜ ƚŚĞ Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ć&#x;Ä‚ĹŻ ĆŒÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜ ÄšĆľĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? Ä‚ Ć?ÄžĆŒĹ?ÄžĆ? ŽĨ žĞĞĆ&#x;ĹśĹ?Ć? Ĺ?Ĺś ůĂƚĞ ĎŽĎŹĎ­ĎŽÍŹÄžÄ‚ĆŒĹŻÇ‡ ĎŽĎŹĎ­ĎŻÍ˜

Foster Ä?ŽůůÄ‚Ä?Ĺ˝ĆŒÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ, coordinaĆ&#x;on, and strong implementaĆ&#x;on, share informaĆ&#x;on widelLJ, educate broadlLJ, and plan with a ÄšĹ?Ç€ÄžĆŒĆ?Äž and engaged public including notͲforͲproÄŽt and communitLJͲbased organiÇŒaĆ&#x;ons, public bodies, and Ä?Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹśĆ? in general.

20

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Maintain, improÇ€e, expand and connect our Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĹŹĆ?, trails and greenwaLJs, Ç Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒĨĆŒŽŜĆšĆ?, recreaĆ&#x;on areas, and open spaces for a wide range of users, to protect the enÇ€ironment, aĆŠract Ç€isitors, and grow the economLJ.

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We have less people, but use more land.

-16%

C,AN' IN POPULATION AND D V LOP D LAND, 1970Ͳ2010

78%

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1970

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8 miles

2010

67%

vs.

18 miles

We build new homes and roads, empty our cities, lose farmland, increase our infrastructure costs and tax burden.

204%

ACZ S OF FAZMLAND 1969 VS 2007

394,152 291,992

160

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What’s changed over the past 40 years? Development across our region has continued to spread outward even as our population has shrunk. We’ve lost nearly 214,000 people over the past forty years, yet we have expanded our development footprint by 166 square miles. This outward development pressure has contributed to the loss of 160 square miles of agricultural land since 1970, as farms give way to residential subdivisions, commercial SOD]DV DQG EXVLQHVV SDUNV This dispersed development pattern has also affected the way we get around. On average, we drive more than twice as many miles a day as we did in 1970. People live further from their jobs, and errands that were once accomplished on foot, now require us to drive. Over 525 miles of new roads have been built in just the past WZHQW\ \HDUV WR VHUYH WKHVH IDU úXQJ GHYHORSPHQWV costing us an estimated $26 million each year in maintenance costs. Low density development also makes public transportation a less viable option. Consequently, the number of individuals commuting WR ZRUN E\ FDU KDV LQFUHDVHG VLJQLÚFDQWO\ VLQFH while the share of commuters relying on public transportation has decreased by more than half. The region’s oldest urban neighborhoods and housing VWRFN ZHUH VRPH RI WKH ÚUVW FDXVDOLWLHV RI VSUDZO 6LQFH 1970, we built over 150,000 new housing units, far outstripping the formation of new households. This imbalance has contributed to the emptying out of our central cities, with the number of vacant homes tripling over the same period.

See Data Sources and Notes.

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

21

more than a plan

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Our sĂůƵĞƐ

/Ĩ ŽƵƌ ĂĐƟŽŶƐ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ŵĂƚĐŚ ŽƵƌ ǀĂůƵĞƐ, what can we do about it? We can think about the land, open space and natural areas we should protect and maintain.

,Žǁ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ ŝƐ ŝƚ ƚŽ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ ĨĂƌŵƐ ĂŶĚ ĨĂƌŵůĂŶĚ ĂŶĚ ƉƌĞƐĞƌǀĞ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ůĂŶĚ ĂŶĚ ǁĂƚĞƌǁĂLJƐ͍

We can think about preserving the character of communities.

,Žǁ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ ŝƐ ŝƚ ƚŽ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŚĂƌĂĐƚĞƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉůĂĐĞƐ ǁĞ ůŝŬĞ ďĞƐƚ͍

22

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

We can think about What kind of places make sense to create in our region? Diīerent choices will haǀe diīerent impacts on how much land we use. what type of places we create. /&& Z Ed W> ^ &KZ /&& Z Ed WhZWK^ ^

Urban Center

Village Center

TradiƟonal Neighborhood

Suburban Strip

OĸceͬIndustrial

Single FamilLJ ZesidenƟal

xurban ZesidenƟal

dŚŝŶŬ ŽĨ͗ Downtown areas of big or mediumͲ sinjed ciƟes

dŚŝŶŬ ŽĨ͗ Smaller commerce centers LJou might see in bustling ǀillage Main St. areas, small citLJ downtowns or mixedͲuse neighborhoods

dŚŝŶŬ ŽĨ͗ Neighborhoods with mostlLJ residenƟal streets, homes near each other, and within walking distance to a commercial street with acƟǀiƟes, parks and serǀices

dŚŝŶŬ ŽĨ͗ Strip malls with retail and other establishments concentrated in areas with large parking lots in front

dŚŝŶŬ ŽĨ͗ LowͲrise oĸce complexes with limited serǀices on site and large parking lots surrounding buildings

dŚŝŶŬ ŽĨ͗ Newer neighborhoods made up of ũust homes that haǀe aƩached garages and driǀewaLJs, large LJards, and a sense of priǀacLJ

dŚŝŶŬ ŽĨ͗ VerLJ large homes far apart from each other, tLJpicallLJ in Ƌuiet rural areas and far from serǀices, parks or acƟǀiƟes

Consumes MORE land

What’s in it for the region?

Consumes LESS land

Concentrates Employment MORE

Houses MORE people

dŚĞ ƉůĂĐĞƐ ǁĞ ŵĂŬĞ ĂŶĚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚ ŝŶ ĂƌĞ ƌĞŇĞĐƟŽŶƐ ŽĨ ǁŚĂƚ ǁĞ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

Houses Concentrates H LESS Employment people LESS

We can think about how we connect our people and places.

,Žǁ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ ŝƐ ŝƚ ƚŽ ŝŶǀĞƐƚ ŝŶ ƚƌĂŶƐŝƚ͕ ďƵŝůĚ ƚƌĂŝůƐ ĂŶĚ ďŝŬĞǁĂLJƐ ĂŶĚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚ ŝŶ ƌŽĂĚƐ ĂŶĚ ŚŝŐŚǁĂLJƐ͍

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

23

more than a plan

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Our sĂůƵĞƐ

We can think about how and where we make those changes.

^ŚŽƵůĚ we Z s/d >/ W> ^͍ Should we bring new ũobs and people to places that are not as bustling as theLJ once were?

Would you revitalize our city downtowns, declining urban neighborhoods or village Main Street areas?

^ŚŽƵůĚ we Z Ͳ/D '/E W> ^͍ Should we transform the character of deǀeloped places as something diīerent than theLJ are todaLJ? Would you want to see suburban strip areas transformed to become more walkable and transit-friendly?

^ŚŽƵůĚ we CREATE NEW? Should we focus deǀelopment on land that is currentlLJ undeǀeloped or ǀacant?

Would you create a new, mixed-use town center on the rural periphery?

24

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

:RXOG \RX HQFRXUDJH LQŦOO KRXVLQJ LQ neighborhoods suffering from vacancy and abandonment?

Would you want to see suburban strip GHYHORSPHQWV UHWURŦWWHG WR FUHDWH D more human-scaled environment?

Would you want to see a new residential subdivision built on farmland?

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

25

more than a plan

D WW/E' d, Z '/KE t/d, d, h&& >K E/ ' Z KDDhE/dz

Our sĂůƾĞĆ? Mapping Workshops held all over the region JDYH FLWL]HQV D FKDQFH WR imagine what our region should look like. Using a series RI PDUNHUV DQG Ă&#x;SODFH W\SHĂ FKLSV FLWL]HQV worked in small groups to discuss shared values and map the form and location of their ideal scenario for future regional growth and transportation connections.

The Workshops 4 Months Ç ÄžĆŒÄž ŚĞůĚ Ĺ?ĹśÍ˜Í˜Í˜ 27 Workshops 770 Participants

church basements Í˜Í˜Í˜Ç Ĺ?ĆšĹšÍ˜Í˜Í˜ board rooms bar rooms historic Main Street theaters swankLJ downtown loĹŒ apartments suburban liÇ€ing rooms rural town halls school cafeterias

high school students college students immigrant groups priÇ€ate deÇ€elopers public housing residents block clubs nonproÄŽt organiÇŒaĆ&#x;ons local oĸcials and planning board members

ÎŽ ĚĞƚĂĹ?ůĞĚ ĹŻĹ?Ć?Ćš ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĎŽĎł Ç Ĺ˝ĆŒĹŹĆ?ŚŽƉĆ? Ä?Ä‚Ĺś Ä?Äž ĨŽƾŜÄš Ĺ?Ĺś ƉƉĞŜĚĹ?dž Í— ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJ ĹśĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?ĞžĞŜƚ

26

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Our sĂůƵĞƐ

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

27

more than a plan

D WW/E' d, Z '/KE t/d, d, h&& >K E/ ' Z KDDhE/dz

5

Text It Forward surǀeLJs

900+ responses

Tabling at

30+

CommunitLJ ǀents, Fairs & FesƟǀals

50+

presentaƟons to local organinjaƟons

THE WORK OF THE E dtKZ<

What Should We Keep?

Our sĂůƵĞƐ Over 18 months of asking members of our community where we want to go as a region

28

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

What Should We Change?

How and Where Should We Make Change?

We Share Common Priorities 3XEOLF SDUWLFLSDWLRQ KDV EHHQ FULWLFDO LQ GHĂšQLQJ common priorities and framing a vision for our region. Whether it was making participation easier through Text It Forward, a text messagebased campaign, more accessible through online tools like PhotoVoice, providing a deeper level of HQJDJHPHQW ZLWK WKH &LWL]HQ 3ODQQLQJ 6FKRRO or getting people to think about principles for a coordinated, regional approach to land use through hands-on mapping workshops, taken together, these engagement efforts have created D WUXO\ FLWL]HQ GULYHQ YLVLRQ IRU RXU UHJLRQ While there were many different visions for our region expressed throughout the public participation process, some distinct common priorities developed across the different tools DQG SODWIRUPV DYDLODEOH IRU FLWL]HQ IHHGEDFN

Turning 115 maps into Alternative Scenarios for Our Future Three alternative scenarios were created directly IURP FLWL]HQ LQSXW DW WKH 0DSSLQJ :RUNVKRSV ZKHUH participants from across the region worked together to map out a future vision for Buffalo Niagara.

40 4 0 44 44 MAPS 30+

MAPS

^Ć‰ĆŒÄ‚Ç ĹŻĹ?ĹśĹ? ZÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜ ^ĹľÄ‚ĆŒĆšÄžĆŒ ŽĨ sĹ?ĹŻĹŻÄ‚Ĺ?ÄžĆ?

31 3 1

MAPS

(DFK FLWL]HQ FUHDWHG map was unique, but many showed similar tendencies and were used to form these three alternative scenarios.

Ä‚Ä?ĹŹ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ Ĺ?ƚLJ

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

29

more than a plan

D :KZ d < t z^ &ZKD KDDhE/dz E' ' D Ed

What Ď­Ď­Ďą DĂƉĆ? and DŽŜƚŚĆ? ŽĨ ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJ &ĞĞĚÄ?Ä‚Ä?ĹŹ dĞůů hĆ? Ä?ŽƾĆš KĆľĆŒ sĂůƾĞĆ? Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

At least

Citizens suggested we should place...

94%

maps

used “protecting farmland� as a guiding principle for future development.

OF N W JOBS

and

87%

OF N W ,OM S ...in already

Nearly

developed areas of our region.

tÄž ŜĞĞĚ ƚŽ Ä?Äž ŽčÄžĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ?

more housing type choices ÄžĆ?ƉĞÄ?Ĺ?ĂůůLJ Ĺ?Ĺś ŽƾĆŒ ĆľĆŒÄ?Ä‚Ĺś Ä?ÄžĹśĆšÄžĆŒĆ?͘Í&#x;

Ͳ &ĞĞĚÄ?Ä‚Ä?ĹŹ ĨĆŒŽž WĆŒĹ?ǀĂƚĞ ^ÄžÄ?ĆšĹ˝ĆŒ ŽƾŜÄ?Ĺ?ĹŻ žĞžÄ?ÄžĆŒ

SULRULWL]HG SUHVHUYLQJ UHYLWDOL]LQJ DQG UHSXUSRVLQJ urban neighborhoods.

Participants placed

91% 9%

of new homes in mixed-use neighborhoods

but only

30

in places that would have single-family homes only

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

1/3

of all maps

ZÄ‚Ĺ?ĹŻĆ?ͲĆšŽͲĆšĆŒÄ‚Ĺ?ĹŻĆ?Í• Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆ&#x;Ä?ƾůÄ‚ĆŒĹŻÇ‡ ĨŽĆŒ

Ä?ŽŜŜÄžÄ?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? ĆŒĆľĆŒÄ‚ĹŻ areas with other parts of our region, is a strategy we need to Ć‰ĆľĆŒĆ?ĆľÄžÍ˜Í&#x;

Ͳ &ĞĞĚÄ?Ä‚Ä?ĹŹ ĨĆŒŽž WĆŒĹ?ǀĂƚĞ ^ÄžÄ?ĆšĹ˝ĆŒ ŽƾŜÄ?Ĺ?ĹŻ žĞžÄ?ÄžĆŒ

out of 115 maps said that “increasing the ways we can “get around without a car� was a guiding principle.

Our sĂůƵĞƐ

We Share Common Priorities

At the mapping workshops and at community events throughout the region, we asked people to express their vision for the type of region we should be building for future generations. Thousands of voices have shaped ùYH FRPPRQ SULRULWLHV WKDW DUH LPSRUWDQW WR D VKDUHG approach to land use.

'ƌŽǁ ǁŚĞƌĞ ǁĞ͛ǀĞ ĂůƌĞĂĚLJ grown DŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƉƐ ĞdžƉƌĞƐƐĞĚ Ă ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ĚĞƐŝƌĞ ƚŽ ƉƌĞƐĞƌǀĞ͕ ƌĞǀŝƚĂůŝnjĞ ĂŶĚ ƌĞͲƉƵƌƉŽƐĞ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ƉůĂĐĞƐ ƌĂƚŚĞƌ ƚŚĂŶ ĐƌĞĂƟŶŐ ĞŶƟƌĞůLJ ŶĞǁ ƉůĂĐĞƐ͘ DĂŶLJ ƐƉĞĐŝĮĐĂůůLJ ǁƌŽƚĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ͞ůŝŵŝƟŶŐ ƐƉƌĂǁů͕͟ ͞ƌĞďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ͕͟ ĂŶĚ ͞ĨŽĐƵƐŝŶŐ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ͘͟

out of

ƵŝůĚ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ ǁĂůŬĂďůĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐ

HPSKDVL]HG WKH QHHG WR FRQWURO VSUDZO

On average, participants added

miles of transit lines per map

More infrastructure=

/Ŷ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů͕ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚƐ ƉƌŝŽƌŝƟnjĞĚ ĐŽŵƉĂĐƚ͕ ŵŝdžĞĚͲƵƐĞ ĂŶĚ ǁĂůŬĂďůĞ ŶĞŝŐŚďŽƌŚŽŽĚƐ ŽǀĞƌ ŵŽƌĞ ƐƉƌĞĂĚ ŽƵƚ͕ ŚŽŵŽŐĞŶĞŽƵƐ ƉůĂĐĞƐ͘

ĞƩĞƌ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƚ ŽƵƌ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ ďLJ ĚŝǀĞƌƐŝĨLJŝŶŐ ŽƵƌ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ŽƉƟŽŶƐ

We can’t ĂīŽƌĚ ŶĞǁ taxes

for new roads and ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ͘͟ Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞ ^ĐĞŶĂƌŝŽ KƉĞŶ ,ŽƵƐĞ ŝŶ >ŽĐŬƉŽƌƚ

more maintenance= ŵŽƌĞ ƚĂdžĞƐ ƚŽ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ͘͟ Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞ ^ĐĞŶĂƌŝŽ KŶůŝŶĞ ^ƵƌǀĞLJ

On average, participants added

ƚŽ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĞ ŽŶ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ &ĂůůƐ ƚŽƵƌŝƐŵ͘͟

DĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ ĮƐĐĂůůLJ ƐŽƵŶĚ ůŽĐĂů governments

Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚ Ăƚ Ă DĂƉƉŝŶŐ tŽƌŬƐŚŽƉ ŝŶ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ &ĂůůƐ

miles of recreational/ bike trails per map

WƌŽƚĞĐƚ ĨĂƌŵ ůĂŶĚ͕ ƉĂƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ĂƌĞĂƐ &ĂƌŵůĂŶĚ͕ ŽƉĞŶ ƐƉĂĐĞ͕ ƉĂƌŬƐ͕ ǁĂƚĞƌĨƌŽŶƚ͕ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ĂƌĞĂƐ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞŵĞƐ ǁŽǀĞŶ ŝŶƚŽ ĂůŵŽƐƚ ĞǀĞƌLJ ŵĂƉ͘

hƐĞ ƌĂŝůƐ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂŶƐŝƚ

On average, participants added

DĂŬŝŶŐ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶƐ ǁĂƐ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƉƌĞĚŽŵŝŶĂŶƚ ƚŚĞŵĞƐ ĞdžƉƌĞƐƐĞĚ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ϭϭϱ ŵĂƉƐ͘ WĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚƐ ĚƌĞǁ ĂŶĚ ǁƌŽƚĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ŶĞǁ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶƐ Žƌ ŝŵƉƌŽǀŝŶŐ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ŽŶĞƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƐƉĞĐŝĮĐ ƐƵŐŐĞƐƟŽŶƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ůŝŶŬŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƟĞƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŝƌƉŽƌƚ ƚŽ ĚŽǁŶƚŽǁŶ͕ ƵīĂůŽ ƚŽ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ &ĂůůƐ͕ ƵƌďĂŶ ĐĞŶƚĞƌƐ ƚŽ ŽŶĞ ĂŶŽƚŚĞƌ͕ ĂŶĚ ĚŽŝŶŐ ŝƚ ͞ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ĐĂƌƐ͘͟

Take advantage of

ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ͘

/Ŷ ĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƟŽŶƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͕ ĞůĞĐƚĞĚ ůĞĂĚĞƌƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ĐŝƟnjĞŶƐ Ăƚ ůĂƌŐĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ŝƐƐƵĞ ŽĨ ƌĞĚƵĐŝŶŐ ŽƵƌ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͛Ɛ ƚĂdž ďƵƌĚĞŶ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŝŵƉƌŽǀŝŶŐ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ƉƵďůŝĐ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ǁĂƐ ƉĂƌĂŵŽƵŶƚ͘ ĐůŽƐĞ ƌĞĂĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ŵĂŶLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƉƐ ĂůƐŽ ƌĞǀĞĂůĞĚ ƚŚŝƐ ŝŶƚĞŶƚ͕ ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵĞŶƚƐ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ǁƌŽƚĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ǁŚĞƌĞ ĂŶĚ ŚŽǁ ƚŚĞLJ ŝŵĂŐŝŶĞĚ ŶĞǁ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ͘

Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞ ^ĐĞŶĂƌŝŽ KƉĞŶ ,ŽƵƐĞ ŝŶ >ŽĐŬƉŽƌƚ

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

31

more than a plan

yW>KZ/E' >d ZE d/s ^ E Z/K^

Our sĂůƵĞƐ

Whatt iff w wee stay on our path? ccurrent urrent p ath?

Over the past 40 years, our region has continued to spread out, even as we lost population. 1970

2010

2050

ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ Ɛ hƐƵĂů t, d , WW E^ /E d,/^ ^ E Z/K͍ The trends of the past continue. New jobs and homes would continue to grow on rural land ZKLOH KRPHV LQ ùUVW ULQJ VXEXUEV as well as central cities would be abandoned. This sprawling development would be harder to serve by public transit. See Data Sources and Notes.

32

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

3 Alternative Scenarios developed from FLWL]HQV FUHDWHG PDSV ͘​͘​͘Žƌ ŝĨ ǁĞ ŝŵĂŐŝŶĞ ŽƵƌ ĨƵƚƵƌĞ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚůLJ͍ These Thes Th esee sc scen scenarios enar a io ioss ar aren’t ren e ’tt m mea meant ea ant nt to ob be either-or choices. oic ices. es.

^ƉƌĂǁůŝŶŐ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ t, d , WW E^ /E d,/^ ^ E Z/K͍ Our region would see some outward growth of new jobs and homes, however, these would take on a much denser, mixeduse form. Abandonment would still be an issue for central cities and older suburbs. Less farmland and open space would be lost to development.

ZĞŐŝŽŶ ŽĨ sŝůůĂŐĞƐ t, d , WW E^ /E d,/^ ^ E Z/K͍ Our region would see new jobs and homes concentrated in our city, town, and village centers. Neighborhoods would be more walkable, and improved transit would connect these places better. A great deal of farmland and open space would be protected for agriculture and “environmental services.”

ĂĐŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŝƚLJ t, d , WW E^ /E d,/^ ^ E Z/K͍ Our region would see nearly all new jobs and homes concentrated in our core cities. Transit would serve this denser development much better. More existing homes would be rehabbed than abandoned and our former industrial sites would be reused as employment centers.

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

33

more than a plan

D ^hZ/E' d, >/< >z /DW d^ K& s >KWD Ed ^ E Z/K^

ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ Ɛ hƐƵĂů

What if we staLJ on our current path?

^ƉƌĂǁůŝŶŐ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ ZĞŐŝŽŶ ŽĨ sŝůůĂŐĞƐ ĂĐŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŝƚLJ

ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ Ɛ hƐƵĂů Will we ŐƌŽǁ ǁŚĞƌĞ ǁĞ͛ǀĞ ĂůƌĞĂĚLJ ŐƌŽǁŶ͍ Where does new development go?

All new development would be... on undeveloped, ŐƌĞĞŶĮĞůĚ ůĂŶĚ

0%

20%

ϰ0%

60%

80%

% 100%

on land we’ve already developed

Will we ďƵŝůĚ ǁĂůŬĂďůĞ͕ ůŝǀĂďůĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐ ĂŶĚ preserve those that are vibrant and working? What would new development look like?

All new development would be... be single-use and spread out in form

0% 0

20%

ϰ0%

60%

80%

0% 100%

ůů ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚƐ ŝŶ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ͘​͘​͘ automobile oriented

20%

ϰ0%

What would we open protect from up all our development?? farmland and

60%

80%

% 100%

Should we...

0%

20%

ϰ0%

60%

preserve and enhance ALL the farmland and open space in % our region 100%

80%

Will our ůŽĐĂů ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚƐ ďĞ ŵŽƌĞ ĮƐĐĂůůLJ ƐŽƵŶĚ͍ Should we grow our tax base by…

How well would we live building within our outward, means? ĐƌĞĂƟŶŐ ŶĞǁ infrastructure costs that outweigh new revenue

34

We would ĚƌŝǀĞ ĞǀĞŶ ŵŽƌĞ than we do now. The sprawl of homes and ũobs would make building and maintaining infrastructure more costlLJ and proǀiding transit serǀice more diĸcult.

transit oriented

0%

Will we ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ ĨĂƌŵůĂŶĚ͕ ƉĂƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ĂƌĞĂƐ͍

open space for future development

Oǀer 7ϱй of new ũobs and homes would be added in lowͲdensitLJ, singleͲuse deǀelopments where ŵŽƐƚ ĚĂŝůLJ ŶĞĞĚƐ ĐĂŶ ŽŶůLJ ďLJ ĂĐĐĞƐƐĞĚ ďLJ ĂƵƚŽŵŽďŝůĞ.

walkable and mixed use in form

Will we ďĞƩĞƌ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƚ ŽƵƌ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ ďLJ ĚŝǀĞƌƐŝĨLJŝŶŐ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ŽƉƟŽŶƐ͍ How should transit connect to development? t?

About half of new deǀelopment would fall within urbanized areas, ĂĚĚŝŶŐ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ while ŶĞŐůĞĐƟŶŐ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ ŝŶ ƵƌďĂŶ areas.

-50%Ͳϰ0%

Ͳ30%

Ͳ20%

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Ͳ10%

0%

+10%

+20%

+30%

+ϰ0%

+50%

building where we already have infrastructure so that new revenue exceeds new costs

OneͲthird of our current undeǀeloped, natural areas would remain as farmland and ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŝŶ ƌƵƌĂů ĂƌĞĂƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ƌĞƉůĂĐĞĚ ďLJ ůĂƌŐĞ ŚŽŵĞƐ on large lots.

,ousing and ũobs would grow reǀenue on undeǀeloped lands, but these addiƟons to the tax base ǁŽƵůĚ ŶŽƚ ďĞ ĞŶŽƵŐŚ ƚŽ ĐŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ĐŽƐƚƐ of extending serǀices to these sites.

What if we imagine our future diīerentlLJ?

^ƉƌĂǁůŝŶŐ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ

ZĞŐŝŽŶ ŽĨ sŝůůĂŐĞƐ

ĂĐŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŝƚLJ

About 7ϱ% of deǀelopment would go in urbanized areas. Most deǀelopment would be compact, ůŝŵŝƟŶŐ ŶĞǁ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ, adding a fair share of ũobs to “brownĮeld͟ areas, and ĐƵƌďŝŶŐ ĂďĂŶĚŽŶŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƐŽŵĞ neighborhoods.

NearlLJ 90% of ŶĞǁ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ǁŽƵůĚ ŐŽ ŝŶ ƵƌďĂŶŝnjĞĚ areas. ConcentraƟng growth in the region’s treasured ǀillages and urban centers would ƐŝŐŶŝĮĐĂŶƚůLJ ůŝŵŝƚ ĂďĂŶĚŽŶŵĞŶƚ and deǀelopment on “greenĮeld͟ sites.

Oǀer 90% of ŶĞǁ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ areas, mostlLJ in ciƟes and older suburbs, completelLJ rĞǀŝƚĂůŝnjŝŶŐ ŵĂŶLJ ĂďĂŶĚŽŶĞĚ ŶĞŝŐŚďŽƌŚŽŽĚƐ and ĂĚĚŝŶŐ Ă ƐƵƌŐĞ ŽĨ ũŽďƐ to “brownĮelds͟.

DŽƐƚ deǀelopment would be built with walkabilitLJ in mind, but manLJ new homes and ũobs ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ĚŝƐĐŽŶŶĞĐƚĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐ that are alreadLJ liǀelLJ and walkable.

Focused deǀelopment would place new homes bLJ established communiƟes with entertainment and serǀices nearbLJ, making ͞ǁĂůŬĂďŝůŝƚLJ͟ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ ŶŽƌŵ in places throughout the region.

New homes and ũobs would grow closelLJ together in ciƟes and older suburbs, making these places eǀen ŵŽƌĞ ǀŝďƌĂŶƚ ĂŶĚ ǁĂůŬĂďůĞ ƚŚĂŶ ƚŚĞLJ ĂƌĞ ƚŽĚĂLJ.

EĞǁ suburban deǀelopment ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ŵŽƌĞ ƉĞĚĞƐƚƌŝĂŶͲĨƌŝĞŶĚůLJ, but since access to ũobs would mostlLJ be bLJ priǀate automobile alone, we ǁŽƵůĚ ĚƌŝǀĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ĂƐ ŵƵĐŚ ĂƐ ǁĞ ĚŽ ƚŽĚĂLJ.

,ŝŐŚ ĨƌĞƋƵĞŶĐLJ ƚƌĂŶƐŝƚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ would become feasible in outlLJing ǀillage centers leading to a “hub and spoke͟ ƚƌĂŶƐŝƚ ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ƚŚĂƚ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƐƐŝďůĞ ƚŽ ŚĂůĨ ŽĨ ŶĞǁ homes and ũobs.

Though new transit stops would be limited, since 60% of new growth would focus around the exisƟng transit network, this scenario would proǀide ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƚƌĂŶƐŝƚ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ďŝŐŐĞƐƚ ĚƌŽƉ ŝŶ ĂƵƚŽŵŽďŝůĞ ƚƌĂǀĞů.

“Smart growth͟ deǀelopment in the suburbs ǁŽƵůĚ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ĚĞĂů ŽĨ ƵŶĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ůĂŶĚ eǀen as it proǀided suburban housing choices on “greenĮeld͟ sites.

Focusing deǀelopment in ǀillages and urban centers would ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ ϴϰй of the region’s prime farmland, natural areas and open space.

ConcentraƟng deǀelopment in central ciƟes and older suburbs would ƉƌĞƐĞƌǀĞ ƚŚĞ ůŝŽŶ͛Ɛ ƐŚĂƌĞ ŽĨ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ŽƉĞŶ ƐƉĂĐĞƐ, with 90% less farmland being deǀeloped compared to the “Business as Usual͟ scenario.

Though deǀelopment would applLJ “smart growth͟ principles, ŶĞǁ ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ƐƟůů ŶŽƚ ĐŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ĐŽƐƚƐ ŽĨ ĞdžƚĞŶĚŝŶŐ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ to new deǀelopments, though it would come close.

InǀesƟng in exisƟng communiƟes in ǀillages and urban centers would keep municipal Įnances “in the black͟ as ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ĞdžĐĞĞĚ ĐŽƐƚƐ ďLJ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ϮϬй.

Focusing new deǀelopment on the reǀitalizaƟon of central ciƟes and older suburbs would generate the best return on inǀestment of all the scenarios, with ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞƐ ŽƵƚƐƚƌŝƉƉŝŶŐ ĐŽƐƚƐ ďLJ ŶĞĂƌůLJ ϱϬй.

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more than a plan

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Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć? Ć? hĆ?ƾĂů

To grow where we’ve already grown means to focus future development around s >KW > E areas that are already developed. E t ,KD ^ This common priority would focus revitalization of older communities E KE ,KD ^ E t :K ^ while protecting natural open spaces and curbing infrastructure costs. In the Business as Usual Scenario, new homes, jobs, roads, utilities, parks and schools would be built on the suburban periphery. By continuing to focus development outward, our old urban and suburban neighborhoods would suffer from increased vacancy, abandonment, and neglect. Former industrial sites in these areas would sit idle, further compounding environmental and economic issues faced by residents and municipal leaders. ,Q WKH WKUHH FLWL]HQ FUHDWHG VFHQDULRV D PDMRULW\ of homes and jobs would be located in already developed areas. This would preserve open space and farmland while also avoiding the cost of building new infrastructure. By reinvesting in our existing communities - including housing rehabilitation – we would see fewer homes abandoned, avoid the high cost of demolition, preserve our tax base, and conserve embedded energy. Former industrial sites ZRXOG VHH VLJQLÚFDQW UHLQYHVWPHQW DQG EHFRPH new employment hubs well served by existing infrastructure and our public transportation system. Without the need for as many new impervious surfaces, such as roads, parking lots, and buildings, maintenance costs for municipalities would be much lower while the amount of polluted runoff making its way into our region’s watershed would be limited.

Percent of New Homes in Developed Area

64%

Percent of New Jobs in Developed Area 60,668

Homes Left Abandoned

New Jobs Brought Back to Former Industrial Sites New Paved Surfaces (Acres) See Data Sources and Notes.

36

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

37%

1,551

15,785

ĂĐŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŝƚLJ

ZĞŐŝŽŶ ŽĨ sŝůůĂŐĞƐ

^ƉƌĂǁůŝŶŐ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ

66%

79%

86%

88%

92%

96%

40,776

38,783

17,087

15,996

21,700

8,482

6,578

3,356

15,778

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more than a plan

D ^hZ/E' d, >/< >z /DW d^ K& s >KWD Ed ^ E Z/K^

Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

Walkable places are naturally created when homes and jobs are in close proximity to each other.

EÄžÇ ,ŽžÄžĆ?

EÄžÇ :Ĺ˝Ä?Ć?

ManLJ A Few

ManLJ A Few

EÄžÇ tÄ‚ĹŻĹŹÄ‚Ä?ĹŻÄž WĹŻÄ‚Ä?ÄžĆ? A lot more Walkable Somewhat more Walkable

Building walkable, livable communities means that places would get more compact with a variety of amenities located close to homes. Developing denser places limits outward growth, conserves land, curbs infrastructure costs, and makes it easier to get around without a car. ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć? Ć? hĆ?ƾĂů

In the Business as Usual Scenario, a majority of homes would be built in low-density, single-use developments that separate out employment and shopping centers. Limited bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, such as bike lanes and sidewalks would require the use of a car for most daily activities and also limit the effectiveness of transit service. ,Q WKH WKUHH FLWL]HQ FUHDWHG VFHQDULRV D majority of new homes would be built in walkable communities, using “smart growthâ€? principles to create more walkable suburbs in the Sprawling Smarter Scenario, or focusing LQĂšOO KRXVLQJ LQ RXU FHQWHU FLWLHV ROGHU suburbs, and village centers in the Region of Villages and Back to the City Scenarios. A mix of uses, higher densities, and transit oriented development would all contribute to a better pedestrian experience, making it easier and safer to walk to work, school, shopping, and recreation, while also conserving land and encouraging a healthier lifestyle.

Percent of New Homes in Walkable Communities

23%

100

Walkability Score (0-100)

22 0

See Data Sources and Notes.

38

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

ZĞŐŝŽŶ ŽĨ sŝůůĂŐĞƐ

^ƉƌĂǁůŝŶŐ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ

ĂĐŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŝƚLJ

69%

81%

77 67

82%

74

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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more than a plan

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Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

Access to Transit Frequent Access Some Access No Access

EÄžÇ ,ŽžÄž ĞŜĆ?Ĺ?ƚLJ ,eight of bar Ń Number of new homes

To connect our region means development would be focused around the existing transit network while stops would be made more often and in more places across the region. This approach reduces our impact on the environment, reduces our reliance on cars, and concentrates development in existing communities. The continued sprawl of homes and jobs in the Business as Usual Scenario would require us to build over 1,500 miles of additional roads over the next forty years. This would greatly increase the maintenance cost incurred by municipalities as well as the tax burden placed on residents. By living further from our jobs and other daily services, the amount we drive each day would continue to rise. Few jobs and even fewer homes would be built in close proximity to transit, furthering our reliance on cars to get around. ,Q WKH WKUHH FLWL]HQ FUHDWHG VFHQDULRV D ODUJHU percentage of new jobs and homes would be served by transit. We would be able to depend less on cars for our daily trips, conserve more energy, and emit less carbon into the environment. In the Region of Villages and Back to the City Scenarios, a majority of new job and housing growth would be in areas already well-served by transit. With more choices to get around we could save valuable time in our daily commutes, save household PRQH\ FRQVHUYH HQHUJ\ DQG UHGXFH WKH VL]H of our carbon footprint.

A Few New ,omes

ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć? Ć? hĆ?ƾĂů

Transit Proximity to New Homes

Transit Proximity to New Jobs

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

1%

4%

Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Per Capita Lane Miles of New Road

See Data Sources and Notes.

40

ManLJ New ,omes

22.7

1,553 miles

VerƟcal bars represent the number of new homes ho built and colors show accessibilitLJ to transit. ϱ0 ǀerƟcal feet с 1 new home. Access to transit deĮned as areas within oneͲhalf one mile along a roadwaLJ of a bus or metro stop. FreƋuent access is shown in areas with access to stops made at least once o eǀerLJ ĮŌeen minutes during peak weekdaLJ hours. Yuarter sƋuare mile cells with fewer than ϱ homes added are excluded ex from the displaLJ.

ZĞŐŝŽŶ ŽĨ sŝůůĂŐĞƐ

ĂĐŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŝƚLJ

^ƉƌĂǁůŝŶŐ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ

50%

45% 20%

72%

63% 39%

18.1

729 miles

17.7

496 miles

16.8

261 miles

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more than a plan

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Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

To protect farms, parks and natural areas means that development would be avoided on woodlands, wetlands, farmland and other open space. This approach would instead concentrate GHYHORSPHQW ZLWKLQ XUEDQL]HG DUHDV WR protect the environment, strengthen our local food system, and conserve energy. In the Business as Usual Scenario, outward development pressures would consume nearly 60,000 acres of current and potential prime farmland over the next forty years. New homes in outlying areas would also consume natural habitats, like woodlands, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive areas. Large homes that require a long commute to work mean that the average household would use even more energy than is used at present. ,Q WKH WKUHH FLWL]HQ FUHDWHG VFHQDULRV D majority of new jobs and homes would be located in areas that are already developed, lowering the pressure on outlying rural land and drastically decreasing the amount of farmland and environmentally sensitive areas lost to development. Protecting open space, prime farmland and environmentallyVHQVLWLYH ODQGV KDV PXOWLSOH EHQHĂšWV including preserving scenic values, making our food system more secure and selfVXIĂšFLHQW PDNLQJ IUHVK KHDOWK\ ORFDO IRRG more readily available, and maintaining the “environmental servicesâ€? and habitat that wetlands, stream corridors, woodlands and other open spaces provide. 42

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć? Ć? hĆ?ƾĂů

ĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ Ä?LJ ώϏϹϏ &ůŽŽÄšĆ‰ĹŻÄ‚Ĺ?ĹśĆ? Θ ^ĆšĆŒÄžÄ‚Ĺľ ƾčÄžĆŒĆ? tĞƚůĂŜĚĆ? &Ĺ˝ĆŒÄžĆ?ƚůĂŜĚĆ? WĆŒĹ?žĞ &Ä‚ĆŒžůĂŜĚ

Percent of Open Space Conserved from Development

33%

58,093

Current and Potential Prime Farmland Lost to Development (Acres) 71,411

Acres of Development on Environmentally-Sensitive Areas

Energy Savings Per Household (Compared to Existing Conditions) See Data Sources and Notes.

-2.4%

ĂĐŬ ƚŽ ĂĐŬ Ă ĐŬ ƚŽ Ž ƚŚĞ ŝƚLJ ƚLJ

ZĞŐŝŽŶ ŽĨ sŝůůĂŐĞƐ

^ƉƌĂǁůŝŶŐ ^^Ɖ ƉƌĂ ƌĂǁů ǁůŝŶ ŝŶŐ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ ^ŵĂƌƚĞ ^ŵ ƚĞƌƌ

79%

12,548

84%

84%

4,591

5,311

11,755

+1.2%

4,108

+2.7%

3,992

+3.3%

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Total Property Value per Acre 0

Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

$1 - $50,000 $50,000 - $100,000 $100,000 - $200,000 $200,000 - $500,000 $500,000 - $1,000,000 $1,000,000 - $2,000,000 $2,000,000 - $3,000,000 $3,000,000 - $4,000,000 $4,000,000 - $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - $10,000,000 > $10,000,000

To have ĂľVFDOO\ VRXQG ORFDO JRYHUQPHQWV HQWV means that any new development would eventually be able to pay for associated infrastructure costs through h newly generated tax revenue. By focusing development in areas that are e already well served by infrastructure, governments can limit their costs and focus investments in other critical areas. as. In the Business as Usual Scenario, the continued outward growth of homes and jobs would require huge investments in new infrastructure. Because lots are larger and homes are farther apart, infrastructure like roads, sewers and water would have further to go and cost more. While there would be an increase in new tax revenue generated, the cost to build and maintain the new infrastructure would be far greater, meaning municipalities would saddle future generations with large, unfunded liabilities. ,Q WZR RI WKH WKUHH FLWL]HQ FUHDWHG VFHQDULRV tax revenues from new development would be greater than the cost of infrastructure. By investing in our central cities as well as town and village centers, costs are kept down, while tax revenue is generally higher. Even though the Back to the City Scenario generates the least amount of new tax revenue due to some urban areas having a lower assessed values, cost of infrastructure is drastically lower, meaning that surplus funds can be invested in other public amenities. There is also a greater chance that remediated industrial sites would be put back on the tax roll. 44

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć? Ć? hĆ?ƾĂů

Total Tax Revenue of New Development

Total Cost to Build and Maintain Infrastructure of New Development

Cosat to Revenue Ratio

$11.9 Billion

$18.8 Billion 1

1

1

1

-36.9% See Data Sources and Notes.

ZĞŐŝŽŶ ŽĨ sŝůůĂŐĞƐ

ĂĐŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŝƚLJ

^ƉƌĂǁůŝŶŐ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ

$11.0 Billion

$12.2 Billion

$10.3 Billion

$11.9 Billion

$10.0 Billion

$7.0 Billion

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

-7.7%

+22.5%

+48.3%

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more than a plan

46

D ^hZ/E' d, >/< >z /DW d^ K& s >KWD Ed ^ E Z/K^

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

on our current path?

Can we imagine a future where new development continues to sprawl out like it has in our past?

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47

more than a plan

48

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

ĂůŝŐŶĞĚ ĐůŽƐĞƌ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƵƌ ǀĂůƵĞƐ͍

Can we imagine a future where our built environment truly matches what we say we value?

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

49

more than a plan

Z KDD E ^dZ d '/ ^ E d/KE^

dƌĂŶƐůĂƟŶŐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ǀĂůƵĞƐ into strategies and ĂĐƟŽŶƐ and progress metrics for ĞǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ

100+ 100 0+

Subũect maƩe Su maƩer er experts and a stakeholders stakeh holders

THE E dtKZ< Our sĂůƵĞƐ

THE WORKING Θ Θ d D D D Z^ Θ KEdZ/ hdKZ^^ Our sĂůƵĞƐ

Values from thousands across the region

Working Teams focused on deĮning performance metrics, establishing goals for the future and deǀeloping strategies aimed at reaching those goals.

Strategies ǁĞƌĞ ǀĞƩĞĚ ďĂĐŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĞLJ ƌĞŇĞĐƚĞĚ what the values

50

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Create Great WůĂĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ Ă

Thriving

Economy ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ĸĐŝĞŶƚ

Provide

Housing

Connect Our WůĂĐĞƐ ďLJ Expanding and Diversifying Our

Choices

in Neighborhoods that are Great ƚŽ >ŝǀĞ WůĂĐĞƐ ƚŽ >ŝǀĞ

Land Use dƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ KƉƟŽŶƐ

5Ideas Big

What can we ĚŽ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚůLJ ƚŽ ƌĞĂůŝnjĞ ŽƵƌ ǀĂůƵĞƐ in the future?

ĂŶĚ ĚŽnjĞŶƐ ŽĨ ƉŽƚĞŶƟĂů ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĐƟŽŶƐ

to get us there

Conserve Our

Energy

Strengthen Our

Systems Food ĨŽƌ Ă ,ĞĂůƚŚŝĞƌ WŽƉƵůĂƟŽŶ and Economy

WƌŽŵŽƚĞ ZĞŶĞǁĂďůĞƐ and Prepare for the Impacts of

ůŝŵĂƚĞ Change

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more than a plan

Z KDD E ^dZ d '/ ^ E d/KE^

ƌĞĂƚĞ 'ƌĞĂƚ WůĂĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ Ă dŚƌŝǀŝŶŐ Create ĐŽŶŽŵLJ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ĸĐŝĞŶƚ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ

'ƌĞĂƚ WůĂĐĞƐ

and a Thriving Economy ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ĸĐŝĞŶƚ

Land Use

52

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

How we use our land and how that impacts the quality of housing and neighborhoods, the HIĂšFLHQF\ RI WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ HQHUJ\ FRQVXPSWLRQ and even our food system are at the heart of sustainability for Buffalo Niagara.

Since 1970 the population of Buffalo Niagara has declined steadily even as the area of land that is built-up has grown rapidly. Even before we had “sprawl without growthâ€? we sprawled. From 1940 to 1970 land consumption far outstripped population increase. Then we sprawled some more as population shrank. Today, the conversion of rural land into subdivisions continues. The result has been more driving, more energy consumed, longer commutes, housing abandonment in our central cities, slumping housing values in our ĂšUVW ULQJ VXEXUEV JUHDWHU LQYHVWPHQWV in public infrastructure, higher taxes, pressure to transform farmland into subdivisions, loss of other natural resources, and a mismatch between land use and public transit that makes it harder for low income residents especially to get to work, school, shopping, or health care. How we use our land and how it impacts the quality of housing and QHLJKERUKRRGV WKH HIĂšFLHQF\ RI transportation, energy consumption, and even our food system are at the heart of sustainability for Buffalo Niagara. Why did we sprawl? Federal policies WR VXEVLGL]H PRUWJDJHV RQ VXEXUEDQ homes and to pay for roads and highways to get us there played a role. The widespread adoption of the automobile – once a status symbol, now a necessity for most – also played a role. Now it seems like the costs might be JUHDWHU WKDQ WKH EHQHĂšWV

The bad news is that land use patterns change slowly. The good news is that they do change. All we have to do is look at how different our city and region looked forty years ago to imagine how much different it might look forty years into the future. We have an opportunity to start working now for the kind of region we want tomorrow.

KEE d/KE^ dK Kd, Z /^^h ^ There are also profound effects of our land use pattern on how we get around. We are driving more, commuting longer, and using more gasoline. Those who can’t afford a car are limited in employment, shopping, access to vital services like health care, and more. Even as destinations have become more spread out, public transit service has become more limited. Many suburban environments are unfriendly or dangerous to pedestrians. We are walking less and getting more obese. We discuss these impacts in greater depth in the section on Transportation and Mobility.

What Does the Data dĞůů hĆ? About What We Are Doing? We are consuming much more land per person. We are rapidly depleting vital natural resources. We are further polluting our waterways. We are building a housing surplus, creating vacancy and abandonment. We are building more infrastructure with fewer people to pay to maintain it.

Similarly, there are connections between land use and all the other major elements of the plan. Land use patterns LQĂşXHQFH WKH TXDOLW\ RI QHLJKERUKRRGV our ability to grow food in our region, how we manage both production and consumption of energy, and how we might mitigate the impacts of climate FKDQJH 7KHVH VSHFLĂšF LPSDFWV DUH discussed in the remainder of the plan.

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Z KDD E ^dZ d '/ ^ E d/KE^

What the Community Said dŚĞLJ sĂůƾĞ

What the Data dĞůůĆ? hĆ? From 1970 to 2010 while population fell by 213,000 SHRSOH WKH DUHD RI XUEDQL]HG ODQG LQFUHDVHG E\ square miles.

..... What 115 Maps Tell Us ..... 1970

Nearly

1/3

of all maps

SULRULWL]HG SUHVHUYLQJ UHYLWDOL]LQJ DQG UHSXUSRVLQJ urban neighborhoods. On average, participants added

1990

2010

1,349,211 1,189,288

WŽƉƾůÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ

1,135,509

Source: US Census, 1970, 1990, 2010.

hĆŒÄ?Ä‚ĹśĹ?njĞĚ >ĂŜĚ

out of HPSKDVL]HG WKH QHHG WR FRQWURO VSUDZO

..... What Else We Heard .....

Protect farmers ĂŜĚ ŽƾĆŒ ĨÄ‚ĆŒžůĂŜĚ

ĂŜĚ ĆŒÄžÄ?ĹŻÄ‚Ĺ?Ĺľ Ç ĹšÄžĆŒÄž ƉŽĆ?Ć?Ĺ?Ä?ĹŻÄžÍ˜Í&#x; Ͳ Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹś Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆ&#x;Ä?Ĺ?ƉĂŜƚ Ä‚Ćš Ä‚ DĂƉƉĹ?ĹśĹ? tĹ˝ĆŒĹŹĆ?ŚŽƉ Ĺ?Ĺś Ä‚Ć?Ćš ĆľĆŒĹ˝ĆŒÄ‚

Prevent Ć?ĆľÄ?ĆľĆŒÄ?Ä‚Ĺś Ć?Ć‰ĆŒÄ‚Ç ĹŻ

Source: UBZI AnalLJsis, 201Ď°. Based on housing densitLJ found from historical parcel data ÍžNYS Dept. Of TaxaĆ&#x;on and Finance, Zeal PropertLJ SerÇ€ices, 2010Íż and a deriÇ€aĆ&#x;on of deÇ€eloped land from satellite imagerLJ ÍžUS 'eological SurÇ€eLJ, 1992 NaĆ&#x;onal Land CoÇ€er Dataset, 1997; US'S, 2011 NLCD, 201Ď°; and US'S and NASA, 197Ďą 'lobal Land SurÇ€eLJͿi.

We consume 30% more developed land per person than 20 years ago. > E Ks Z ' W Z W/d 1992

2011

ĨĆŒŽž ĞĂĆ&#x;ĹśĹ? ƾƉ žŽĆŒÄž Ĺ?ĆŒÄžÄžĹś Ć?ƉĂÄ?Ğ͘Í&#x; Ͳ Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹś Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆ&#x;Ä?Ĺ?ƉĂŜƚ Ä‚Ćš Ä‚ DĂƉƉĹ?ĹśĹ? tĹ˝ĆŒĹŹĆ?ŚŽƉ Ĺ?Ĺś EĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚ &Ä‚ĹŻĹŻĆ?

We build homes on land we could protect. ,KD ^ h/>d ^/E ϭϾϳϏ KE /DWKZd Ed E dhZ > Z ^

25,754 on Prime Farmland

11,616 on Forests & Wetlands

5,301 sq ft per person

6,880 sq ft per person

2,290 on Floodplains

ZĹ?Ç€ÄžĆŒĆ? ĂŜĚ Ä?ĂŜĂůĆ? are an important part of our green Ĺ?ŜĨĆŒÄ‚Ć?ĆšĆŒĆľÄ?ĆšĆľĆŒÄžÍ˜Í&#x;

Ͳ Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹś Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆ&#x;Ä?Ĺ?ƉĂŜƚ Ä‚Ćš Ä‚ DĂƉƉĹ?ĹśĹ? tĹ˝ĆŒĹŹĆ?ŚŽƉ ŚĞůĚ Ä‚Ćš ^ĆšÄ‚ĆŒĆ‰Ĺ˝Ĺ?Ŝƚ ,Ĺ?Ĺ?Ĺš ^Ä?ĹšŽŽů 54

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Source: UBZI AnalLJsis using US 'eological SurÇ€eLJ, NaĆ&#x;onal Land CoÇ€er Data, 1992 and 2011.ii

Source: UBZI AnalLJsis using data from New York State Oĸce of Zeal PropertLJ SerÇ€ices Íž2010Íż, US'S Íž2012Íż and F MA Íž2012Íż.iii

tŚĂƚ tĞ ŽƵůĚ Ž ŝīĞƌĞŶƚůLJ

We are building a housing surplus. , E' /E EhD Z K& ,Kh^ ,K> ^ E E t ,KD ^ h/>d͕ ϭϵϳϬ dK ϮϬϭϬ

55,465

184,956

We have 55,000 more households today than in 1970…

…but we’ve built more than 150,000 new homes.

Source: U.S. Census, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010; American CommunitLJ SurǀeLJ, 2012 1ͲLJear sƟmates.

Sprawling development patterns have forced us to build more infrastructure…

ZK ^ h/>d ^/E ϭϵϵϬ

In just the past twenty years,

525 miles

of new roads have been built...

...costing us

$26 million

ZŽĂĚƐ Ƶŝůƚ Since 1990

per year to maintain.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ;1990; 2010Ϳ. TI' ZͬLine ShapeĮle, New York, Zoads. Source: UBZI analLJsis using data from the U.S. Census Bureau ;1990 and 2010Ϳ, and the NYS Oĸce of the State Comptroller ;2011Ϳ.iǀ.

We’ve cleaned up 631 legacy sites over the past WKLUW\ ùYH years. & Z > E ^d d Z D / d/KE ^/d ^͕ 1978-2013

Source: NYS Dept of nǀironmental ConserǀaƟon, 201ϰ; US nǀironmental ProtecƟon AgencLJ, 2011.

We’re protecting some land and open spaces. Over

37,000 acres of land and open space are protected in Erie and Niagara Counties, equating to

STRATEGIES & ACTIONS

Develop a land use pattern that supports what our region values.

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Manage the cost of public services.

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Redesign revenueraising structures to promote land use goals.

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Establish mechanisms to manage EURZQùHOGV and declining neighborhoods.

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Promote a more compact pattern of development.

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Protect and restore natural places and farmland.

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Protect and restore water quality and quantity.

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4%

of our land area

Source: rie CountLJ Department of nǀironment & Planning ;2012Ϳ; NiͲ agara CountLJ Department of conomic Deǀelopment ;2012Ϳ; NYS Oĸce of CLJber SecuritLJ ;2010Ϳ; WNY Land ConserǀancLJ ;2013Ϳ.ǀ.

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

55

more than a plan

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tŚĂƚ tÄž ŽƾůÄš Ĺ˝ Ĺ?ÄŤÄžĆŒÄžĹśĆšĹŻÇ‡ Develop a land use pattern that supports what our region values. 'HYHORS D ODQG XVH SDWWHUQ WKDW ZLOO SURGXFH WKH Ă&#x;VSDWLDO HIĂšFLHQF\Ă needed to support our continuing economic development; manage the long-term costs of roads, utilities, and other public infrastructure like schools, libraries, parks and recreational facilities; help us create a region in which jobs, education, health care, and shopping are readily accessible to all; provide the framework to create great neighborhoods with housing choices; and allow us to protect farmland, forests, and natural lands for WKH EHQHĂšW RI SRVWHULW\ 7KH ĂšUVW VWHS LQ DFKLHYLQJ WKH SDWWHUQ LV WR VNHWFK RXW ZKHUH ZH ZDQW WR go, to “paint the target,â€? and agree to work together to make it happen. In precedent plans, discussions in our steering committee, the work of our VXEMHFW PDWWHU H[SHUWV DQG WKH GHOLEHUDWLRQV RI KXQGUHGV RI FLWL]HQV LQ D SDUWLFLSDWRU\ VFHQDULR PDSSLQJ H[HUFLVH ZH KDYH LGHQWLĂšHG VRPH NH\ land use approaches that supports what the region values.

What if every municipality’s ]RQLQJ FRGH embraced walkability, transit connectivity, DQG HIÚFLHQW XVH of scarce land resources?

Momentum ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś

ŽŜÄ?ÄžĹśĆšĆŒÄ‚ĆšÄž žŽĆ?Ćš ĚĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ Ç Ĺ?ƚŚĹ?Ĺś ƚŚĞ ĞdžĹ?Ć?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? ĆľĆŒÄ?Ä‚ĹśĹ?njĞĚ Ä‚ĆŒÄžÄ‚Í˜ Although alreadLJ “deÇ€eloped,Í&#x; there is a signiÄŽcant amount of undeÇ€eloped, underͲdeÇ€eloped, or Ç€acant land within the urbanized area where new housing, oĸces, shops, and other faciliĆ&#x;es could be located. What doesn’t make sense, especiallLJ for municipal ÄŽnances, is to conĆ&#x;nue the pracĆ&#x;ce of abandoning land, buildings and supporĆ&#x;ng infrastructure near the center of the region and replacing it with the same on the peripherLJ. We need to grow ÄŽrst where we haÇ€e alreadLJ grown. Those decisions remain a maĆŠer of municipal home rule, but we can encourage towns and Ç€illages to adopt smart growth principles to produce a beĆŠer and more eĸcient paĆŠern of deÇ€elopment.

&Ĺ˝Ä?ĆľĆ? ĚĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ Ĺ?Ĺś ĞdžĹ?Ć?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? ĆľĆŒÄ?Ä‚Ĺś Ä?ÄžĹśĆšÄžĆŒĆ? ĂŜĚ Ç€Ĺ?ĹŻĹŻÄ‚Ĺ?ÄžĆ?͘ stablished downtowns like BuÄŤalo, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Tonawanda, North Tonawanda and Lackawanna can accommodate signiÄŽcant addiĆ&#x;onal growth in ĹŠobs and housing through the deÇ€elopment of Ç€acant sites and parking lots and redeÇ€elopment of exisĆ&#x;ng sites to higher and beĆŠer uses. So can Ç€illage centers across the region Í´ although in those cases we need to take care to preserÇ€e what people see as great about those places and respect local home rule prerogaĆ&#x;Ç€es.

ZĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉ Ä?ĆŒĹ˝Ç ĹśÄŽÄžĹŻÄšĆ? ĨŽĆŒ ĹŠĹ˝Ä? Ä?ĆŒÄžÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ͘ The end of the era of heaǀLJ industrLJ in BuÄŤalo Niagara leĹŒ thousands of acres of land and millions of sĆ‹uare feet of buildings unused and, in manLJ cases, damaged bLJ polluĆ&#x;on. With the help of federal and state programs and strong local planning and implementaĆ&#x;on, manLJ of these sites are being cleaned up and readied for redeÇ€elopment. CiĆ&#x;zens see these sites as ideal for ĹŠob creaĆ&#x;on, especiallLJ for growth in adÇ€anced manufacturing, expansion in transportaĆ&#x;on and logisĆ&#x;cs, and growth in back oĸce operaĆ&#x;ons. CiĆ&#x;zens at scenario mapping exercises concentrated oĸce industrial deÇ€elopment in former industrial areas in Lackawanna, South BuÄŤalo, the Tonawandas, Niagara Falls and Lockport.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

The Ĺ?ƚLJ ŽĨ ƾčĂůŽ͛Ć? soonͲ toͲbeͲadopted “'ĆŒÄžÄžĹś ŽĚĞÍ&#x; will replace a 60ͲLJearͲ old zoning ordinance with new rules to make it easier to build more sustainable tLJpes of deÇ€elopment Í´ energLJͲeĸcient, mixed use, walkable and in tune with the historic citLJ. The “formͲbasedÍ&#x; zoning code will be part of a new “UniÄŽed DeÇ€elopment OrdinanceÍ&#x; that will also include the citLJͲwide comprehensiÇ€e plan, Local Waterfront ZeÇ€italizaĆ&#x;on Program, BrownÄŽeld OpportunitLJ Areas, and reformed urban renewal areas.

ŽŶŶĞĐƚ ůĂŶĚ ƵƐĞ ƚŽ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ͕ ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ ƉƵďůŝĐ ƚƌĂŶƐŝƚ͘ We haǀe deǀeloped a land use and transportaƟon sLJstem that onlLJ serǀes people well when theLJ traǀel bLJ car. PromoƟng a more compact paƩern of land use, denser deǀelopment with a mix of uses, in walkable neighborhoods and districts along “complete streets͟ can bring desƟnaƟons closer together to make walking, biking, and using transit more aƩracƟǀe, eǀen as it allows those who choose to driǀe to conƟnue doing so. ApproximatelLJ six in ten adults in Buīalo Niagara are oǀerweight or obese, so more acƟǀe transportaƟon opƟons can bring added health beneĮts to our region as well. ,ow this tLJpe of deǀelopment can be accomplished will be addressed in manLJ elements of the plan discussed below and links to a series of recommendaƟons in the secƟon on transportaƟon.

WƌŽƚĞĐƚ ĨĂƌŵůĂŶĚ͕ ǁĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚƐ ĂŶĚ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ĂƌĞĂƐ͘ The sustainabilitLJ of our waLJ of life depends, ulƟmatelLJ, on the health of our enǀironment. ProtecƟng our farmland will giǀe us greater food securitLJ in the LJears to come. Safeguarding our waterwaLJs and watersheds will ensure the health of both land and water. Natural areas both within the urbanized area and in rural lands beLJond proǀide “enǀironmental serǀices͟ ʹ a technical waLJ of saLJing theLJ Įlter our water, recharge our aƋuifers, absorb storm water, proǀide shade to cool our ciƟes, proǀide habitat for animals and more. SecƟons below will detail how we protect these areas, working in partnership with stakeholders like local cooperaƟǀe extensions, soil and water conserǀaƟon districts, and enǀironmental groups like Buīalo Niagara Ziǀerkeeper and the WNY nǀironmental Alliance. Our land use concept emphasizes our intenƟon to preserǀe these lands from deǀelopment.

What if development decisions were made based on proximity to public transit?

Manage the cost of public services. One of the major features of “sprawl without growth” is the continuing extension of our public infrastructure – sewers, water and roads, but also schools, libraries, parks and more – to serve a smaller number of people. Each additional mile of infrastructure and each new square foot of building space is both a new capital cost and a new long-term maintenance obligation which falls directly on the shoulders of local taxpayers. Over time, we can reduce the costs of local government, utility service, public education and more by following our land use concept and ZRUNLQJ WR PDNH SURYLVLRQ RI D UDQJH RI SXEOLF VHUYLFHV PRUH HIùFLHQW

WƵƌƐƵĞ ƐŚĂƌĞĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĂŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ƉƵďůŝĐͲƉƌŝǀĂƚĞ ƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶƐŽůŝĚĂƟŽŶ͘ Create partnerships for proǀision of water, sewer, police, Įre, parks, highwaLJ maintenance and other serǀices to manage capital inǀestments, manage operaƟng costs and improǀe serǀice ƋualitLJ. The possibiliƟes reƋuire careful studLJ to make sure theLJ will achieǀe the stated goals and determine which approaches are likelLJ to work best for which kinds of serǀices. DecisionͲmakers reƋuire reliable eǀidenceͲbased policLJ adǀice before approǀing such structural changes. Partners in the region should consider sponsoring a comprehensiǀe studLJ of the opportuniƟes.

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ The UniǀersitLJ at Buīalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences building at Main and ,igh Streets will be the largest transit oriented deǀelopment proũect in the region to date, connecƟng directlLJ to the Allen Medical Campus Metro Zail staƟon to giǀe emploLJees, paƟents and ǀisitors an aƩracƟǀe alternaƟǀe to driǀing their car to the Buīalo Niagara Medical Campus. ncouraging traǀelers to shiŌ traǀel modes will saǀe energLJ, carbon emissions and space for parking.

ĚĚƌĞƐƐ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ŶĞĞĚƐ ƌĞŐŝŽŶĂůůLJ͘ nrollments are declining in manLJ public and parochial schools. Some school faciliƟes are new or recentlLJ renoǀated. Others are aging and some are emptLJ. Meanwhile, there are great dispariƟes in educaƟonal outcomes from one communitLJ to the next. At the same Ɵme, percepƟons of school ƋualitLJ haǀe a big impact on where people choose to liǀe. We need a regional strategLJ not onlLJ to control the cost of educaƟon but to ensure access to a high ƋualitLJ educaƟon for all. 'oǀernment, educaƟonal, and ciǀic leaders should begin discussing a waLJ forward.

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more than a plan

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Redesign revenue-raising structures to promote land use goals. Tax policy is part of the system that has promoted our sprawling and LQHIĂšFLHQW SDWWHUQ RI ODQG XVH RYHU UHFHQW GHFDGHV 7KH VWUXFWXUH RI ORFDO property taxation, for example, prompts municipal leaders to pursue new development to generate new revenues only to see that development create more demand for service in response. We need a revenue structure that promotes our land use goals, fosters real economic development, and produces adequate revenue for operation of local governments and public education.

ZĞǀĹ?ÄžÇ ĹŻĹ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ ĆŒÄžÇ€ÄžŜƾÄžͲĆŒÄ‚Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ć?ĆšĆŒĆľÄ?ĆšĆľĆŒÄžĆ?͘ The need to generate local reÇ€enue to fund Ç€ital public serÇ€ices is oĹŒen at odds with the goal of promoĆ&#x;ng a more eĸcient paĆŠern of deÇ€elopment. A new studLJ of the BuÄŤalo Niagara Zegion bLJ Joe Minicozzi at Urban3 demonstrates how “smart growthÍ&#x; proĹŠects contribute much more to the tax base of municipaliĆ&#x;es where theLJ are located than conÇ€enĆ&#x;onal sprawl deÇ€elopment. Further inÇ€esĆ&#x;gaĆ&#x;on should guide deÇ€elopment of reÇ€ised reÇ€enueͲraising mechanisms to promote more eĸcient forms of deÇ€elopment and discourage sprawl.

What if each and every rural town had the capacity and resources to preserve their agricultural lands and open spaces?

ŽŜĆ?Ĺ?ÄšÄžĆŒ ƚĂdž Ĺ?ĹśÄ?ĆŒÄžĹľÄžĹśĆš ĎŜĂŜÄ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ?͘ New inÇ€estments generate new tax reÇ€enues. Tax increment ÄŽnancing through PIFs ÍžPILOT paLJment Increment FinancingÍż oÄŤers a waLJ to capture these growing reÇ€enues. The PIF dedicates paLJments from proĹŠects that Ć‹ualifLJ for PILOT’s ÍžpaLJment in lieu of taxesÍż, beLJond what the municipalitLJ was alreadLJ earning in taxes, to help ÄŽnance site preparaĆ&#x;on and infrastructure deÇ€elopment for transit oriented deÇ€elopment, urban inÄŽll, and “smart growthÍ&#x; proĹŠects.

ĹŻĹ?Ĺ?Ĺś ÄžÄ?ŽŜŽžĹ?Ä? ĚĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ Ĺ?ĹśÄ?ĞŜĆ&#x;ǀĞĆ? Ç Ĺ?ƚŚ ÍžĆ?ĹľÄ‚ĆŒĆš Ĺ?ĆŒĹ˝Ç ĆšĹšÍ&#x; ƉŽůĹ?Ä?Ĺ?ÄžĆ?͘ conomic deÇ€elopment enĆ&#x;Ć&#x;es in the region tLJpicallLJ proÇ€ide incenĆ&#x;Ç€es for ĹŠob growth through proÇ€ision of local tax abatements. As the Zegional conomic DeÇ€elopment Council has done, agencies should adopt decisionͲmaking criteria to make sure such incenĆ&#x;Ç€es go to support proĹŠects consistent with “smart growthÍ&#x; policies in terms of locaĆ&#x;on, design, connecĆ&#x;on to transportaĆ&#x;on networks, inÇ€estments in green energLJ and energLJ eĸciencLJ, and focus on new rather than locallLJ relocated ĹŠobs.

(VWDEOLVK PHFKDQLVPV WR PDQDJH EURZQĂšHOGV DQG declining neighborhoods. 'HLQGXVWULDOL]DWLRQ SRSXODWLRQ GHFOLQH DQG FKXUQ LQ UHJLRQDO KRXVLQJ markets have left a legacy of damaged industrial land and buildings and vacant and abandoned homes and lots. We need to improve our ability to bring these kinds of properties back to useful and taxable purposes.

^ĆšĆŒÄžĹśĹ?ƚŚĞŜ ƚŚĞ ůĂŜĚ Ä?Ä‚Ŝŏ͘ rie CountLJ took a big step forward recentlLJ in the creaĆ&#x;on of the BuÄŤalo rie Niagara Land ImproÇ€ement CorporaĆ&#x;on Í´ a land bank Í´ with hopes to include Niagara CountLJ soon. The land bank will haÇ€e the authoritLJ to acĆ‹uire, hold, maintain, redeÇ€elop, and reͲmarket abandoned homes and land. A Ψ2 million allocaĆ&#x;on from the State of New York last LJear will make it possible to get the land bank up and running.

58

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Momentum ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś PriÇ€ate donors to the Western New York Land ConserÇ€ancLJ are inÇ€esĆ&#x;ng in the permanent protecĆ&#x;on of scenic and enÇ€ironmentallLJ sensiĆ&#x;Ç€e lands around the region. The DĹ?ĹŻĹŻ ^ĆšĆŒÄžÄžĆš KÇ€ÄžĆŒůŽŽŏ in ast Aurora was preserÇ€ed from deÇ€elopment in perpetuitLJ in 2013. The ^ƚĞůůĂ EĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚ WĆŒÄžĆ?ÄžĆŒÇ€Äž in Lewiston will saÇ€e for future generaĆ&#x;ons 29 acres and a quarter mile of shoreline along the Niagara ZiÇ€er. A Ψ2.2Ďą million capital campaign is underwaLJ.

ZĞĚŽƵďůĞ ďƌŽǁŶĮĞůĚƐ ĞīŽƌƚƐ͘ Meanwhile, the CitLJ of Buīalo and Niagara CountLJ haǀe both been aggressiǀe in the use of the BrownĮelds OpportunitLJ Area, BrownĮeld CleanͲup, and nǀironmental ZestoraƟon programs to plan for the cleanͲup and reuse of old industrial sites. Niagara CountLJ, in parƟcular, has deǀeloped a bestͲinͲcategorLJ program. ,oweǀer, enabling legislaƟon is set to expire. Zegional leaders should reͲemphasize these programs and adǀocate to extend them.

ŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŽŵŽƚĞ ͞ƐŚŽǀĞů ƌĞĂĚLJ ƐŝƚĞƐ͘͟ State, countLJ and local goǀernments should collaborate to expand assessments, deǀelop a regional inǀentorLJ, and proǀide markeƟng strategies for ǀacant, underͲuƟlized and brownĮeld properƟes within the framework of a regionͲwide land use concept and consistent with “smart growth͟ principles. This should include encouragement to municipaliƟes to preserǀe and properlLJ zone largerͲscale sites with potenƟal for research and deǀelopment, technologLJ, manufacturing or distribuƟon acƟǀiƟes.

džƉĂŶĚ ƵƐĞ ŽĨ ŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐ ƉƌĞƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ ƚĂdž ĐƌĞĚŝƚƐ͘ AdapƟǀe reͲuse and preserǀaƟon of historic buildings, including old industrial faciliƟes, among others, can be an important part of smart redeǀelopment. xpand promoƟon and training for use of Federal and State historic preserǀaƟon tax credits and related programs.

What if thousands of acres of old industrial lands were cleaned up and made ready for redevelopment?

ƌĞĂƚĞ Ă ƌĞŐŝŽŶĂů ͞DĂŝŶ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ͟ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ͘ The NaƟonal Main Street Center has proǀided an extraordinarilLJ successful model for strengthening the commercial centers of small towns and ǀillages. A partner organizaƟon for rie and Niagara CounƟes that all municipaliƟes could access could help implement ciƟzen ǀisions for redeǀelopment of ǀillages in the region to be like theLJ are now onlLJ beƩer. This could become a program of an exisƟng organizaƟon, build on an exisƟng program like the one in Lockport, or a new regional not for proĮt could be created.

Promote a more compact pattern of development. As noted throughout the plan, our current pattern of dispersed development carries costs in energy consumption, land use, transportation demand and otherwise that we need to contain. A more compact pattern of development can help us make land use and WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ PRUH HIùFLHQW DQG SURWHFW QDWXUDO DQG DJULFXOWXUDO ODQGV

WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ĐĂƉĂĐŝƚLJ ĨŽƌ ŵƵŶŝĐŝƉĂůŝƟĞƐ ƚŽ ƌĞǀŝƐĞ njŽŶŝŶŐ ĐŽĚĞƐ͘ AuthoritLJ for land use controls remains with ciƟes, ǀillages and towns. All municipaliƟes should be encouraged to update their zoning codes to promote mixed uses, allow more intensiǀe deǀelopment in hubs and corridors, and protect ǀaluable natural and agricultural lands from deǀelopment. With Ɵght budgets and limited or no planning staī aǀailable in manLJ municipaliƟes, One Zegion Forward recognizes the need for technical assistance and capacitLJ support to assist ciƟes, towns and ǀillages accomplish this important task.

WƌŽŵŽƚĞ ĨŽƌŵͲďĂƐĞĚ ĐŽĚĞƐ͘ An increasinglLJ popular approach to deǀelopment regulaƟon focuses on the control of the built form as much as land use. The CitLJ of Buīalo has pioneered the adopƟon of formͲbased code in Western New York ʹ a new ordinance that will promote the redeǀelopment of the citLJ as walkable, mixed use and dense while retaining the preǀailing character of its great neighborhoods. Best pracƟces in the One Zegion Forward “toolͲkit͟ ʹ including those from Buīalo ʹ should encourage other municipaliƟes to deǀelop and adopt their own formͲbased codes.

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ BrownĮeld reclamaƟon and redeǀelopment eīorts are quicklLJ becoming some of the region’s greatest smart growth success stories. We hear a lot about SolarCitLJ building the largest solar manufacturing facilitLJ in the Western ,emisphere on the remediated Zepublic Steel site known as ZiǀerBend. But there are dozens of other success stories across the region, including the the Niagara CountLJ BrownĮelds Program which has secured millions in grant funding for cleanup eīorts, completed 12ϱ enǀironmental site assessments, and created a local deǀelopment corporaƟon to manage and implement a reǀolǀing loan fund.

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more than a plan

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>ŽĐĂƚĞ ŶĞǁ ƉƵďůŝĐ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĐĂůůLJ͘ Schools, uniǀersitLJ faciliƟes, goǀernment buildings, cultural ǀenues, sports faciliƟes and entertainment centers can giǀe densitLJ and ǀitalitLJ to urban places ʹ or theLJ can generate autoͲ oriented transportaƟon demand on suburban sites. ncourage the sponsors of such faciliƟes to choose locaƟons that are wellͲserǀed bLJ bus, rail, bicLJcle and walking. Make sure theLJ are also connected with restaurants, shops and housing that can beneĮt and be beneĮted bLJ proximitLJ to these faciliƟes.

Protect and restore natural places and farmland. Because streams and stream corridors, woodlands, wetlands, and farmland – in crops or fallow – encompass a wide range of environments DQG SURYLGH D YDULH\ RI EHQHùWV DQ DUUD\ RI VWUDWHJLHV DUH DOVR QHHGHG WR protect them.

ŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ƚŚĞ ŝŶǀĞŶƚŽƌLJ ŽĨ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ƉůĂĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĨĂƌŵůĂŶĚ͘

What if every local land use decision considered the impacts it would have on our waterways?

Making informed decisions about how to protect these resources requires complete and accurate informaƟon on what theLJ are. A number of diīerent agencies and notͲforͲproĮt organizaƟons haǀe undertaken some part of this task ʹ or are working on it now. Partners working in land conserǀaƟon and stewardship should conǀene a working group to create a single complete data base, assembling and coordinaƟng the pieces that are alreadLJ complete and Įlling in with addiƟonal surǀeLJ work where gaps exist.

YƵĂŶƟĨLJ ƚŚĞ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ŝŵƉĂĐƚ ŽĨ ƉĂƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƉĞŶ ƐƉĂĐĞƐ͘ It is someƟmes imagined that parks and open spaces are ameniƟes without a discernible dollar ǀalue. But these lands support ũobͲcreaƟon, enhance propertLJ ǀalues, or proǀide enǀironmental serǀices that would be expensiǀe to proǀide otherwise. Build on the work of the Buīalo Olmsted Parks ConserǀancLJ and the Buīalo Niagara Ziǀerkeeper to document the argument for inǀestments in parks, trails, and preserǀed open spaces.

hƉĚĂƚĞ Žƌ ĐƌĞĂƚĞ ůŽĐĂů ƉƌŽƚĞĐƟŽŶ ƉůĂŶƐ͘ ManLJ towns alreadLJ haǀe open space or farmland protecƟon plans. These can bring the broader policies to ground in each ũurisdicƟon. Where these exist theLJ maLJ need to be updated. Where theLJ are missing, localiƟes should work to create them, in part to idenƟfLJ lands for purchase.

WƌĞƐĞƌǀĞ ůĂŶĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ ĞĂƐĞŵĞŶƚ͘ There are two common and secure waLJs to protect land from deǀelopment, conserǀaƟon easements and the outright purchase of land. A range of programs that do this alreadLJ exist, and land trusts are supporƟng these eīorts, but more needs to be done. BLJ passing open space bonds, municipaliƟes like Clarence haǀe used their own funds and a combinaƟon of these methods to protect natural and farm land. The Federal Natural Zesources ConserǀaƟon Serǀice has an Agricultural ConserǀaƟon asement Program to support the purchase of deǀelopment rights. New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets reiniƟated its farmland protecƟon grant program in 201ϰ. And the Niagara Ziǀer 'reenwaLJ paLJs to protect open space. But we need adǀocacLJ to make permanent the federal tax incenƟǀe to donate conserǀaƟon easements, to expand the farmland protecƟon program in New York State and to raise reǀenue to purchase ǀaluable lands for permanent preserǀaƟon.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ ,ow and where we deǀelop has farͲreaching impacts on our riǀers, streams and the two Great Lakes framing our region’s geographLJ. Buīalo Niagara Ziǀerkeeper has been working to bring issues of watershed restoraƟon and land use to the forefront through their ǀarious educaƟonal and cleanup programming. Their EŝĂŐĂƌĂ ZŝǀĞƌ ,ĂďŝƚĂƚ ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ ^ƚƌĂƚĞŐLJ outlines the best opportuniƟes to protect and restore our natural liǀing infrastructure in the Niagara Ziǀer Watershed.

Protect and restore water quality and quantity. :DWHU ĂşRZV RYHU DQG WKURXJK WKH ODQG 7KXV KRZ ZH XVH ODQG GHVLJQ buildings and create infrastructure can have a big impact on the quality and quantity of water. We need to understand better what policies and practices degrade our waters and which protect them. But there are some things we can do right away to improve the situation.

ZĞžĞĚLJ Ä?ŽžÄ?Ĺ?ŜĞĚ Ć?ÄžÇ ÄžĆŒ Ĺ˝Ç€ÄžĆŒĹ‡Ĺ˝Ç Ć?͘ In municipaliĆ&#x;es like BuÄŤalo, one sLJstem handles both sanitarLJ sewage and storm water. When heaǀLJ rains fall the capacitLJ of the water treatment plant is exceeded and a combinaĆ&#x;on of sewage and runoÄŤ is discharged directlLJ into regional waterwaLJs. Some combinaĆ&#x;on of “graLJ infrastructureÍ&#x; and “green infrastructureÍ&#x; can make such eÇ€ents less frequent or seÇ€ere while working toward meeĆ&#x;ng Federal mandates to resolÇ€e the problem.

ÄšÄšĆŒÄžĆ?Ć? ĨÄžÄšÄžĆŒÄ‚ĹŻ Ä‚ĆŒÄžÄ‚Ć? ŽĨ Ä?ŽŜÄ?ÄžĆŒĹśÍ˜ Polluted waters and underwater sediments are another part of BuÄŤalo Niagara’s legacLJ of industrialism. The InternaĆ&#x;onal Joint Commission has idenĆ&#x;ÄŽed both the BuÄŤalo and Niagara ZiÇ€ers as Great Lakes Areas of Concern ÍžAOCÍż. Through the federal Zemedial AcĆ&#x;on Plans ÍžZAPÍż program, signiÄŽcant progress has been made in resolÇ€ing beneÄŽcial use impairments in support of deͲlisĆ&#x;ng the ZiÇ€ers. SupporĆ&#x;ng implementaĆ&#x;on of the BuÄŤalo and Niagara ZiÇ€er Zemedial AcĆ&#x;on Plans will be important for the region.

WĆŒŽžŽĆšÄž Ĺ?ĆŒÄžÄžĹś Ĺ?ŜĨĆŒÄ‚Ć?ĆšĆŒĆľÄ?ĆšĆľĆŒÄž ĚĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ ĂŜĚ Ĺ?ĆŒÄžÄžĹś ĚĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ Ć‰ĆŒÄ‚Ä?Ć&#x;Ä?ÄžĆ?͘ In the long run one of the most eÄŤecĆ&#x;Ç€e waLJs to address the Combined Sewer OÇ€erŇow ÍžCSOÍż issue as well as water qualitLJ and quanĆ&#x;tLJ issues is to retain storm water on site. Zain barrels, rain gardens, bioswales, graLJwater recLJcling, detenĆ&#x;on areas, wetland preserÇ€aĆ&#x;on and related tacĆ&#x;cs can reduce storm water demands on waste water treatment plants, conserÇ€ing energLJ and promoĆ&#x;ng groundwater recharge. New storm water regulaĆ&#x;ons make much of this mandatorLJ for new deÇ€elopment.

WĹŻÄ‚Ĺś Ç Ĺ?ƚŚ ƚŚĞ Ç Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒĆ?ŚĞĚ Ĺ?Ĺś ĹľĹ?ŜĚ ĂŜĚ ĆŒÄžÇ€Ĺ?ÄžÇ ĹŻÄ‚ĹśÄš ĆľĆ?Äž Ć‰ĆŒÄ‚Ä?Ć&#x;Ä?ÄžĆ? ĨŽĆŒ Ç Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒ Ĺ?žƉĂÄ?ĆšĆ?͘ Our watersheds transcend municipal, countLJ and eÇ€en state and naĆ&#x;onal boundaries. What happens in Lancaster and Cheektowaga, for example, determines, in part, the qualitLJ and quanĆ&#x;tLJ of water in the ScaĹŠaquada Creek as it Ňows into the Niagara ZiÇ€er in BuÄŤalo. The BuÄŤalo ZiÇ€er watershed encompasses lands in manLJ towns and two counĆ&#x;es Í´ rie and WLJoming. The Niagara ZiÇ€er watershed also includes a signiÄŽcant area of land. As a guiding principle for all of our planning, we must keep in mind that land uses in natural areas, not poliĆ&#x;cal ĹŠurisdicĆ&#x;ons, aÄŤect the qualitLJ and quanĆ&#x;tLJ of our waters.

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ŽŶŶĞĐƚ KƵƌ WůĂĐĞƐ ďLJ Expanding and Diversifying Our

dƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ KƉƟŽŶƐ

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Transportation is the thing that connects anything in our city and region with everything else. It is how we get to work, school, shopping, health care, recreational opportunities and more and it is how we get home again. To put it another way, transportation is the thing that opens up nearly every opportunity we enjoy, the thing that makes most of our choices real.

For most people in our city and region today, that means driving a car. The current average annual cost of owning and operating an automobile ranges from $8,000 a yeari on up depending on the value of the car and the amount of driving one does. But there are other costs as well – in time spent driving, the costs to government to maintain roads and highways, the carbon emitted into the atmosphere from burning gasoline, loss of life and limb for accidents involving motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, the health impacts of air pollution and more.

unfriendly to people on bicycles or on foot. Distances that are easy for PRWRULVWV WR WUDYHO DUH GLIĂšFXOW RU impossible for those using other modes.

For those who cannot drive – young people, seniors, persons with disabilities, for those who choose not to drive, and those who simply can’t afford a car – the costs are far higher in terms of lost or limited access to job opportunities, education, recreation, health care, shopping and the simple loss of independence.

In addition to quality public WUDQSRUWDWLRQ HIĂšFLHQW IUHLJKW transport is vital to our region. Our regional competitiveness in the global marketplace depends on the roads, rails, airplanes, ships, and warehouses that allow local companies to get their products to market.

The crux of the problem is that our longterm dependence on the automobile has promoted a land use and development pattern that can reasonably be served only by the automobile itself. Streets and roads designed for the car are

The dominance of the automobile has been especially devastating for public transit. As our car-dependent region spread out, the transit system could not afford to follow. Longer suburban bus routes cost more to operate and drew fewer riders. Transit entered a vicious downward spiral of fewer riders, less revenue and cuts in service, which led to still fewer riders, less revenue and additional cuts.

What Does the Data dĞůů hĆ? About What We Are Doing? We have more cars on the roads and travel more miles, contributing more to pollution. We spend more time commuting. Our transit service in a sprawling region is often inconvenient and timeconsuming. Few of us live near transit service. Our transit ridership is up recently, but way down over the long term. For many of us, public transit is a necessity, not a choice.

There is also a $1.4 billion industry in transportation and logistics that Buffalo Niagara is well-positioned to share. Logistics is an industry that helps our local companies reach their market. But it is an industry in itself that can provide jobs, income and wealth.

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What the Community Said dŚĞLJ sĂůƵĞ

What the Data dĞůůƐ hƐ We drive more than twice as much as we did in 1970.

..... What 115 Maps Tell Us.....

/>z s ,/ > D/> ^ dZ s > W Z W/d ͕ ϭϵϳϬ E ϮϬϭϬ

1970

8 miles

On average, participants added

miles of recreational/ bike trails per map

106

18 miles

Source: Greater Buīalo Niagara Zegional TransportaƟon Council, 2011.

out of 115 maps

said that “increasing the ways we can “get around without a car” was a guiding principle.

92%

of all maps listed the need to increase and extend public transit as a guiding principle.

We commute to work by car more and take transit less. KDDhd/E' DK ^͕ ϭϵϳϬ E ϮϬϭϬ

hƐĞ ƌĂŝůƐ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂŶƐŝƚ

ƚŽ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĞ ŽŶ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ &ĂůůƐ ƚŽƵƌŝƐŵ͘͟

In 1970,

1 out of 10 workers commuted via

82% 67%

public transportation

1970

Today, y less than

1 out of 25

2010

workers commute via public transportation

..... What Else We Heard .....

12%

Drive Alone

10%

8%

Car Pooling

4%

Increase peak hour service

ĨƌĞƋƵĞŶĐŝĞƐ ƚŽ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ 10 minutes for core ďƵƐ ƌŽƵƚĞƐ͘͟ Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ dĞdžƚ /ƚ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƐƵƌǀĞLJ

ZĂŝůƐͲƚŽͲƚƌĂŝůƐ͕ ƉĂƌƟĐƵůĂƌůLJ ĨŽƌ

ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ ƌƵƌĂů areas with other parts

of our region, are a strategy we need to ƉƵƌƐƵĞ͘͟ Ͳ &ĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ Ă ŵĞŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ WƌŝǀĂƚĞ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ ŽƵŶĐŝů Final Draft Plan, October 2014

7%

3%

Public Walking TransportaƟon

Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚ Ăƚ Ă DĂƉƉŝŶŐ tŽƌŬƐŚŽƉ ŝŶ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ &ĂůůƐ

64

2010

2% 1%

2% 2%

All Other Means*

Worked at Home

Source: US Census Bureau, 1970; American CommunitLJ SurǀeLJ, 1ͲLJear sƟmates, 2010.

How we commute in our region g is a UHúHFWLRQ RI KRZ PXFK ZH HDUQ D / E EEh > /E KD z D E^ K& dZ E^WKZd d/KE dK tKZ<͕ ϮϬϬϲͲϮϬϭϬ ƵīĂůŽ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ tŽƌŬĞƌƐ h^ tŽƌŬĞƌƐ All Workers Drive Alone Public TransportaƟon $0

$5K

$10K

$15K

$20K

SOUZC : US Census Bureau, American CommunitLJ SurǀeLJ, 2006Ͳ2010 ϱͲLJear sƟmates

$25K

$30K

$35K

Across the US, workers who use public transit earn almost as much as workers who drive alone, but in Buffalo Niagara, workers who use public transit earn only half as much as those who drive alone.

Public bus routes are extensive, but stops are often infrequent. h^ &Z Yh E z /E h&& >K E/ ' Z

For tens of thousands of people who do not have a car, travel is often inconvenient and timeconsuming. Workers who take public transit are eight times more likely than those who drive alone to spend two hours or more in their daily commute. < 15 min 15 - 30 min 30 - 45 min > 45 min

tŚĂƚ tĞ ŽƵůĚ Ž ŝīĞƌĞŶƚůLJ Develop a regional “hub and corridor” transportation system.

p 66

Create innovative ùQDQFLQJ mechanisms.

p 68

Create a Buffalo Niagara International Trade Gateway.

p 68

Notes: Bus frequencLJ is calculated as the aǀerage Ɵme between all NFTA bus route stops ;2013Ϳ during peak hours ;6Ͳ9am and 3Ͳ6pm on weekdaLJsͿ for each street segment with bus serǀice.

Public transportation is not an option for many in the region. PEOPLE

Buffalo Niagara’s 26% ofpopulation lives

1/2 mile

within easy access to public transportation

JOBS

Niagara’s 31% ofjobsBuffalo are located

1/2 mile ii.

Source: UBZI AnalLJsis using data from US Census, 2010, and NFTA, 2012.

within easy access of public transportation

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more than a plan

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tŚĂƚ tÄž ŽƾůÄš Ĺ˝ Ĺ?ÄŤÄžĆŒÄžĹśĆšĹŻÇ‡

Develop a regional “hub and corridorâ€? transportation system. Although decades of “sprawl without growthâ€? have created a land use SDWWHUQ IRU ZKLFK LW LV LQFUHDVLQJO\ GLIĂšFXOW WR SURYLGH FRQYHQLHQW DQG HQHUJ\ HIĂšFLHQW WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ VHUYLFH WKH KLVWRULF SDWWHUQ of development in our region still offers an opportunity to match transportation – and transit – to land use. The region grew up along the major arteries emanating from Buffalo and Niagara Falls and in outlying villages connected to them, creating a system of hubs and corridors (e.g. Broadway as a corridor with hubs at Fillmore Avenue, and the villages of Depew, Lancaster and Alden). If we concentrate development of jobs, housing and infrastructure in these hubs and corridors we can create a SDWWHUQ WKDW LV PRUH HIĂšFLHQW DQG FDQ EH EHWWHU VHUYHG E\ WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ

,Ĺ?Ĺ?Ĺš ƋƾĂůĹ?ƚLJ ĆšĆŒÄ‚ĹśĆ?Ĺ?ĆšÍ˜ The past decade has seen steadLJ growth in transit ridership aĹŒer decades of declining ridership, falling reÇ€enues, and serÇ€ice cuts. liminaĆ&#x;on of federal operaĆ&#x;ng subsidies and constraints on state support haÇ€e compounded the loss of farebox reÇ€enues. PreÇ€ious serÇ€ice cuts conĆ&#x;nue to limit ridership growth and the reÇ€enues that would come with it. All of this has occurred during decades of sprawl without growth and rising automobile use. Zecent growth in ridership, howeÇ€er, combined with deÇ€elopments in the Metro Zail corridor, oÄŤer a raLJ of hope that the situaĆ&#x;on can be signiÄŽcantlLJ improÇ€ed. A program of targeted serÇ€ice improÇ€ements, partnerships with maĹŠor insĆ&#x;tuĆ&#x;onal desĆ&#x;naĆ&#x;ons Íže.g. the BuÄŤalo Niagara Medical CampusÍż, and wellͲdesigned incenĆ&#x;Ç€es and promoĆ&#x;ons could shiĹŒ the momentum in faÇ€or of transit. None of this, howeÇ€er, can happen without addiĆ&#x;onal funding. The region should make transit funding and sLJstem improÇ€ement a top prioritLJ for adÇ€ocacLJ and acĆ&#x;on. AddiĆ&#x;onallLJ, concentrated deÇ€elopment paĆŠerns that promote walking and maLJ eÄŤecĆ&#x;Ç€elLJ be serÇ€ed bLJ transit can reduce transportaĆ&#x;on costs for users as well as the costs of public serÇ€ices and infrastructure. This in turn can increase the return on inÇ€estment as the result of land deÇ€elopment used at its best and highest Ç€alue resulĆ&#x;ng in an increase in sales and propertLJ tax receipts.

dĆŒÄ‚ĹśĆ?Ĺ?Ćš KĆŒĹ?ĞŜƚĞĚ ĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ ÍždK ÍżÍ˜ Transit Oriented DeÇ€elopment, in which new homes and apartments, oĸces and shops are built in close proximitLJ to high qualitLJ transit serÇ€ice Í´ especiallLJ rail transit Í´ has proÇ€en in manLJ cases around the naĆ&#x;on to be a good waLJ to improÇ€e land use, neighborhood qualitLJ, and transportaĆ&#x;on access. The UniÇ€ersitLJ at BuÄŤalo’s forthcoming School of Medicine building atop the AllenͲMedical Campus Metro Zail staĆ&#x;on is a good example of TOD. The NFTA, BuÄŤalo Urban DeÇ€elopment CorporaĆ&#x;on and priÇ€ate deÇ€elopers should work together on other pilot proĹŠects along the light rail line. Pilot proĹŠects and other TOD planning eÄŤorts should include waLJs in which aÄŤordable housing maLJ be incorporated in these deÇ€elopment eÄŤorts to proÇ€ide people of all ages and incomes with improÇ€ed access to transportaĆ&#x;on, ĹŠobs and housing choices.

:Ĺ˝Ĺ?Ŝƚ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ Ä‚Ć? Ä‚ ǀĂůƾĞ Ä?Ä‚Ć‰ĆšĆľĆŒÄž Ć?ĆšĆŒÄ‚ĆšÄžĹ?LJ͘ The concept of ĹŠoint deÇ€elopment opens the possibilitLJ of coordinaĆ&#x;ng inÇ€estments in transit infrastructure with inÇ€estments in new buildings to reinforce the relaĆ&#x;onship between transportaĆ&#x;on and land use. Aligning public and priÇ€ate inÇ€estments helps ensure that both will enĹŠoLJ a suitable return.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

What if public transit was extended where there is demand?

Momentum ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś The Niagara FronĆ&#x;er TransportaĆ&#x;on AuthoritLJ has planning under waLJ with an analLJsis of alternaĆ&#x;Ç€es for transportaĆ&#x;on improÇ€ements in the “BuÄŤaloͲAmherst Corridor.Í&#x; Because of growth in the BuÄŤalo Niagara Medical Campus and in Amherst the area has been idenĆ&#x;ÄŽed as most likelLJ to draw ridership needed to support high qualitLJ transit improÇ€ements. That might include an extension of Metro Zail, new Bus Zapid Transit, enhanced bus serÇ€ice, or other inÇ€estments. The corridor also has high potenĆ&#x;al for promoĆ&#x;ng dense mixed use deÇ€elopment that will further promote access to transit and growing ridership.

ŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ƐƚƌĞĞƚƐ͘

If we want to promote alternaƟǀe modes of traǀel ʹ walking, cLJcling, transit, etc. ʹ we need to proǀide the enǀironment and infrastructure to make it safe, comfortable, and interesƟng for those traǀelers. A comprehensiǀe concept has been deǀeloped to accomplish this ʹ commonlLJ called “complete streets͟ ʹ which proǀides for ample sidewalks, street trees, onͲstreet parking, bike lanes and other aspects of street infrastructure design to make pedaling, walking or waiƟng for a bus more aƩracƟǀe.

ŽƌƌŝĚŽƌ ŵĂŬĞŽǀĞƌƐ͘

Part of the diĸcultLJ in promoƟng alternaƟǀe modes of traǀel can be seen in the character of manLJ suburban “main drags,͟ where mulƟͲlane roadwaLJs without sidewalks serǀe retail establishments with big set backs and big parking lots. These enǀironments make walking, waiƟng for a bus, or riding a bicLJcle not onlLJ unpleasant but oŌen downright dangerous. Deǀelopers in manLJ places, howeǀer, haǀe shown how such enǀironments can be transformed, step bLJ step, bLJ bringing acƟǀiƟes to the building line, tucking parking in back, creaƟng pleasant sidewalk paths, and throwing in a bit of complete streets to boot. Work to remake the Village of Williamsǀille is headed in this direcƟon. A pilot proũect on Transit Zoad, Niagara Falls Bouleǀard or Mc<inleLJ ParkwaLJ could show the public what might be possible in the transformaƟon of our least pedestrian friendlLJ enǀironments.

ŝĐLJĐůĞ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĐĞŶƟǀĞƐ͘

A crucial element in promoƟng traǀel bLJ bicLJcle ʹ not ũust for recreaƟon, but for geƫng from here to there ʹ is to proǀide the appropriate infrastructure to make it safe and conǀenient ʹ on the waLJ to and at the desƟnaƟon. Zegional and municipal oĸcials should work with bicLJcle adǀocacLJ groups to promote deǀelopment of bike lanes on streets and “sharrows͟ where paǀement widths are inadequate for bike lanes. The partnership between the CitLJ of Buīalo and GO Bike Buīalo to create a bicLJcle master plan for Buīalo is a great example and maLJ serǀe as a resource for other communiƟes in the region in how to become more bike friendlLJ. Maũor emploLJers should also be encouraged to oīer Įnancial incenƟǀes to promote biking and other nonͲmotorized commute opƟons to work, such as a parking cash out program. A signiĮcant number of emploLJers proǀide free or reduced price parking for their emploLJees as a fringe beneĮt. Under a parking cash out requirement, emploLJers are allowed to conƟnue this pracƟce on the condiƟon that theLJ oīer the cash ǀalue of the parking subsidLJ to anLJ emploLJee who does not driǀe to work.

/ŶŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ͘ PerformanceͲbased pricing is a parking management sLJstem that is responsiǀe to ŇuctuaƟons in demand and compaƟble with exisƟng parking technologies ;primarilLJ parking paLJ staƟonsͿ. Performance prices for curb and other parking locaƟons can LJield ample public reǀenue as demonstrated bLJ performance based programs implemented in SeaƩle, WA, Pasadena, CA, Washington, DC and others. In turn, manLJ communiƟes and districts haǀe dedicated these funds to help paLJ to clean and maintain sidewalks, plant trees, improǀe lighƟng and proǀide other public improǀements. The implementaƟon of performanceͲbased parking pilot programs in strategic locaƟons in the Buīalo Niagara region could help address needed infrastructure improǀements and ongoing maintenance of public faciliƟes.

What if we made it easier to drive less?

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ Buīalo CarShare proǀides a great opƟon for people who can’t aīord or don’t want to own a car. Members paLJ a low annual fee and reasonable hourlLJ and dailLJ rates to use ǀehicles staƟoned conǀenientlLJ around Buīalo neighborhoods. CarShare helps reduce energLJ consumpƟon bLJ promoƟng less driǀing. It helps household economics where automobile ownership is not in the budget. And it proǀides a locallLJͲowned alternaƟǀe to naƟonal corporate carͲshare companies. CarShare has ϱ00 members 1ϱ cars ʹ and a pickͲup truck ʹ with plans to grow to 30.

ƐƚĂďůŝƐŚ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĂƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶƐ͘ The Buīalo Niagara Medical Campus Inc. has been a local pioneer in bringing together mulƟple organizaƟons to promote alternaƟǀe transportaƟon opƟons collaboraƟǀelLJ. This includes managing parking opƟons, installing alternaƟǀe fuel ǀehicle infrastructure, making accommodaƟons for bicLJcle commuters, and promoƟng the use of public transit for emploLJees and ǀisitors to partner organizaƟon workplaces. This approach could be scaled up for an eǀen larger district, such as an enƟre downtown, or the enƟre region.

ŵďƌĂĐĞ ĞŵĞƌŐŝŶŐ ƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐŝĞƐ͘ We can’t know exactlLJ how new technologies maLJ change our world, but emerging technologies such as ǀehicle automaƟon and semiͲautomaƟon, solar freewaLJs and parking lots, smart transportaƟon cards and others maLJ help us get the most out of our exisƟng infrastructure, improǀing safetLJ and reducing emissions in the region. IncorporaƟng these technologies will be necessarLJ for a robust regional hub and corridor sLJstem. One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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&UHDWH LQQRYDWLYH ĂšQDQFLQJ PHFKDQLVPV The stark reality is that the improvements we seek in transportation are largely not possible without new sources of revenue. The Federal Highway 7UXVW )XQG IHG E\ D Ăš[HG FHQW SHU JDOORQ JDVROLQH WD[ SURGXFHV OHVV UHYHQXH LQ LQĂşDWLRQ DGMXVWHG GROODUV WRGD\ WKDQ WZHQW\ RU WKLUW\ years ago and is on the verge of bankruptcy. Support for public transit continues to be inadequate, with NFTA farebox revenues combined for metro bus, rail and paratransit service less than 30 percent of operating costs.iii

ĚǀŽÄ?ĂƚĞ ĨŽĆŒ ĹšĹ?Ĺ?ĹšÇ Ä‚Ç‡ ĆšĆŒĆľĆ?Ćš ĨƾŜÄš ĆŒÄžĨŽĆŒĹľÍ˜

Leaders in business, goÇ€ernment, health care, higher educaĆ&#x;on and other sectors should work together to adÇ€ocate for reform in the Federal ÄŽnancing sLJstem for transportaĆ&#x;on. As Ç€ehicle miles traÇ€eled declines and fuel economLJ improÇ€es the perͲgallon Ížnot a percentageÍż tax on gasoline generates less and less reÇ€enue. At the same Ć&#x;me manLJ infrastructure needs go unmet and construcĆ&#x;on costs soar. Zeform of the highwaLJ trust fund needs to ensure signiÄŽcant increases in reÇ€enue for transportaĆ&#x;on and to carÇ€e out a larger proporĆ&#x;on of reÇ€enue raised for transit, cLJcling, and redesign of transportaĆ&#x;on corridors.

What if more employers offered alternatives to driving?

ĚǀŽÄ?ĂƚĞ ĨŽĆŒ Ĺ?ĹśÄ?ĆŒÄžÄ‚Ć?ĞĚ Ć?ƚĂƚĞ Ĺ?ŜǀĞĆ?ĆšĹľÄžĹśĆšÍ˜

Momentum ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś

New York State proÇ€ides capital funding for transportaĆ&#x;on proĹŠects and operaĆ&#x;ng assistance for transit, as well as matching funds for a range of federal transportaĆ&#x;on programs. UnfortunatelLJ, these sources of funding are proÇ€ing inadequate in the long run to meet regional needs. While we’re waiĆ&#x;ng for Congress to act on the Federal ,ighwaLJ Trust Fund, the regional planning network also needs to press state leaders for greater funding for transportaĆ&#x;on proĹŠects.

The BuÄŤalo Niagara Medical Campus has made a strong commitment to proÇ€iding alternaĆ&#x;Ç€e waLJs to commute to the growing downtown hub. Its TransportaĆ&#x;on Demand Management programs include bicLJcle sharing, secure bicLJcle storage, and charging staĆ&#x;ons for electric cars. Their parking lot also features “greenÍ&#x; elements such as solar and windͲpowered lighĆ&#x;ng and onͲsite stormͲwater management.

According to a recent report bLJ the American Petroleum InsĆ&#x;tute, New York States collects Ď°9.86 centsÍŹgallon in gasoline taxes. This rate does not include the addiĆ&#x;onal 18.Ď° cent federal excise tax.iÇ€ The original purpose of this fund was to assure reliable, predictable inÇ€estment in the future of the State’s transportaĆ&#x;on infrastructure to keep our roads and bridges in good repair. ,oweÇ€er, three quarters of the dollars from New York’s motor fuel tax are now being used to paLJ for borrowing and operaĆ&#x;ng costs of state agencies, leaÇ€ing onlLJ 22% for capital construcĆ&#x;on to improÇ€e our infrastructure in State Fiscal Year ÍžSFYÍż 2012Ͳ2013.Ç€

ĞǀĞůŽƉ ŽƉĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ? ĨŽĆŒ ĆŒÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ ĎŜĂŜÄ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ?͘ We need the federal and state goÇ€ernments as acĆ&#x;Ç€e partners. UlĆ&#x;matelLJ, howeÇ€er, if we hope to build a modern transportaĆ&#x;on sLJstem to support our 21st centurLJ economic growth, we maLJ haÇ€e to raise some of the moneLJ to do so in our own backLJard. Despite presumed public anĆ&#x;pathLJ to taxes, a referendum on speciÄŽed tax and fee increases for clearlLJͲtargeted and wellͲexplained proĹŠects supported bLJ communitLJ leadership could pass. There are manLJ opĆ&#x;ons for such ÄŽnancing such as San Diego’s TransNet program. CurrentlLJ, there are oÇ€er ten diÄŤerent transportaĆ&#x;on ÄŽnancing related ballots in counĆ&#x;es around the countrLJ to be Ç€oted upon in the NoÇ€ember 201Ď° elecĆ&#x;on.Ç€i But, the ÄŽrst step in BuÄŤalo Niagara is to put reÇ€enue raising for transportaĆ&#x;on on the public agenda. Success would mean, not onlLJ being able to ÄŽnance proĹŠects that are consistent with regional goals and plans, but bring eĸciencies in proĹŠect deliÇ€erLJ not possible under Federal rules and procedures.

Create a Buffalo Niagara International Trade Gateway. The Buffalo Niagara region is well positioned for Cargo-Oriented 'HYHORSPHQW &2' &2' PD\ EH GHĂšQHG DV WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI places that are both multi-modal nodes of freight transportation and

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centers of employment in logistics and manufacturing. The region has powerful assets to help it take a more prominent role in the global trade, transportation, logistics and supply chain industry. These assets include a strong advanced manufacturing base, proximity to the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region of Toronto, providing access to the 4th fastest growing market in North America, strong physical infrastructure in road, rail, air and short sea shipping capabilities and unmatched “soft infrastructureâ€? of import/export expertise, including customs brokers, WKLUG SDUW\ ORJLVWLFV OHJDO DQG ĂšQDQFLDO VSHFLDOLVWV DQG RWKHUV /RJLVWLFV is a $1.4 trillion industry annually in the US and Buffalo Niagara is wellpositioned to claim more than its share. Just as important, the resurgence of manufacturing in our region will get a major boost from close connections to improved logistics services. Production of goods and their delivery to market are more time sensitive than ever before. To grasp this opportunity, Buffalo Niagara should create an integrated center for transhipment, storage, collection and distribution of goods, regionallycentered around a convergence point of rail lines, truck routes, water shipping routes and air transport modes and facilities. Some elements of the work include:

ĚǀĂŜÄ?Äž ƚŚĞ /ĹśĆšÄžĆŒĹśÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ dĆŒÄ‚ÄšÄž 'Ä‚ĆšÄžÇ Ä‚Ç‡ KĆŒĹ?Ä‚ĹśĹ?njĂĆ&#x;ŽŜ͘ In June 201Ď°, InternaĆ&#x;onal Trade GatewaLJ OrganizaĆ&#x;on, Inc. ÍžITGOÍż was oĸciallLJ created to implement the ITGO Strategic Plan. Immediate next steps including securing resources to support the hiring of an execuĆ&#x;Ç€e director and a markeĆ&#x;ng campaign which experience from other regions suggests are necessarLJ elements required to deÇ€elop and implement the gatewaLJ iniĆ&#x;aĆ&#x;Ç€e. Other earlLJ ITGO steps are also focused on expanding relaĆ&#x;onships with the WNY Zegional conomic DeÇ€elopment Council, inclusion of logisĆ&#x;cs into ongoing regional planning eÄŤorts, building communicaĆ&#x;ons and goÇ€ernment relaĆ&#x;ons capaciĆ&#x;es and forging a connecĆ&#x;on with the Port AuthoritLJ of New York and New JerseLJ to gain status as a designated inland port.

ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš ƚŚĞ ƉŚLJĆ?Ĺ?Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ Ĺ?ŜĨĆŒÄ‚Ć?ĆšĆŒĆľÄ?ĆšĆľĆŒÄž ĨŽĆŒ ĆšĆŒÄ‚ÄšÄžÍ˜ While the two Class 1 rail lines and other exisĆ&#x;ng transportaĆ&#x;on infrastructure in the region is robust, certain strategic capital proĹŠects need to be undertaken to strengthen the network. These include improÇ€ements to plaza renoÇ€aĆ&#x;ons at both the Peace Bridge and LewistonͲ Yueenston Bridge, taking adÇ€antage of excess capacitLJ at the Niagara Falls InternaĆ&#x;onal Airport, and replacement of the PortageÇ€ille, NY railwaLJ bridge Í´ a Ç€erLJ weak link in rail connecĆ&#x;ons between port faciliĆ&#x;es in New YorkÍŹNew JerseLJ and BuÄŤalo Niagara which is entering the ÄŽnal stages of the enÇ€ironmental reÇ€iew process.

What if all our village centers were more pedestrian friendly?

Momentum ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś The Village of WilliamsÇ€ille is working to transform its Main Street business district with strategic improÇ€ements to the streetscape infrastructure Í´ new street tree planĆ&#x;ngs in “structural soilÍ&#x; that makes trees healthier, new pedestrian scale street lighĆ&#x;ng, sidewalk rain gardens to capture and ÄŽlter stormwater, sidewalk bumpͲ outs that making crossing safer Í´ and host of other inÇ€estments in making the Ç€illage safer and more aĆŠracĆ&#x;Ç€e.

ĚǀĂŜÄ?Äž ŏĞLJ ƉŽůĹ?Ä?LJ Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ć&#x;Ä‚Ć&#x;ǀĞĆ?͘ Border crossing procedures, the workforce “pipelineÍ&#x; for logisĆ&#x;cs specialists, and oÇ€erall federal funding for transportaĆ&#x;on infrastructure are all keLJ issues for conĆ&#x;nued deÇ€elopment of the BuÄŤalo Niagara InternaĆ&#x;onal Trade GatewaLJ and require Ć&#x;melLJ acĆ&#x;on on policLJ. A pilot proĹŠect is underwaLJ bLJ the US Department of ,omeland SecuritLJ and the Canadian MinistrLJ of Defense on procedures for preͲclearance for trucks and to facilitate legiĆ&#x;mate border crossings in general. Broader applicaĆ&#x;on of new procedures is needed. CoordinaĆ&#x;on with WNY Z DC and the regional workforce deÇ€elopment sLJstem is needed to beef up training programs for logisĆ&#x;cs professionals.

ZÄžĆ?ÄžÄ‚ĆŒÄ?Ĺš ŏĞLJ Ĺ?Ć?Ć?ƾĞĆ? Ĺ?Ĺś ĹŻĹ˝Ĺ?Ĺ?Ć?Ć&#x;Ä?Ć?͘ AdÇ€ancing the deÇ€elopment of the BuÄŤalo Niagara InternaĆ&#x;onal Trade GatewaLJ will require beĆŠer answers to keLJ quesĆ&#x;ons about the regional logisĆ&#x;cs sLJstem. This will require research and analLJsis on current rail usage and boĆŠlenecks, the potenĆ&#x;al for increased waterͲborne transport on the Great Lakes, assets and needs for warehouse space and sites, supplLJ and demand for personnel in keLJ specializaĆ&#x;ons, and outreach to internaĆ&#x;onal shippers to beĆŠer understand the market and its needs.

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Provide

Housing Choices

in Neighborhoods that are

'ƌĞĂƚ WůĂĐĞƐ to Live

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Creating and maintaining quality housing and great neighborhoods are central to the task of making a better Buffalo Niagara.

Our homes are essential to our identities as individuals and vital to the lives of our families. Our homes and QHLJKERUKRRGV LQúXHQFH RXU KHDOWK DQG shape our opportunities. They frame our access to school, work, shopping, recreation and more. For some, a home is their biggest investment; for others it is their largest monthly expenditure. Housing and neighborhoods are also crucial to our work toward a more sustainable regional way of life. Our KRPHV LQúXHQFH KRZ PXFK HQHUJ\ we use for heating, cooling, and, increasingly, for appliances from stove and refrigerator to air conditioner and dishwasher to computer and big screen television. Our neighborhoods – where they are and how they are connected – have a lot to do with how much energy we use for transportation and how we use the land in our region. The good news is that Buffalo Niagara, in general, has strong housing resources and a variety of great neighborhoods. The rest of the story is that much of the housing in our central cities – Buffalo, Lackawanna and Niagara Falls – has become vacant, dilapidated, and in many cases has been demolished. The

value of much of our housing in our ùUVW ULQJ VXEXUEV KDV VWDJQDWHG EHFDXVH of shifts in demand and the aging of the stock. Many suburban homes are slow to sell and some are also vacant.

What Does the Data dĞůů hƐ About What We Are Doing?

Meanwhile, much housing has been built on the periphery of the region, often disconnected from the framework of neighborhoods, and generating new energy demand in the form of long commutes and larger interior spaces to heat and cool. Put together, sprawl without growth has meant we are abandoning city houses to build rural houses and the new infrastructure that goes along with them.

We build bigger homes but have smaller households.

The future will be a challenge. Housing demand is shifting dramatically – as our current population continues to age, younger generations seek new forms of housing, more people choose to live alone, and families with children decline as a proportion of all households. At the same time, housing supply – and the neighborhoods that support housing – GRHVQÝW DOZD\V ùW WKH GHPDQG

Communities in our region are plagued by vacant homes.

Our new housing units don’t accommodate a changing population. Renters in our region are more likely to be burdened by housing costs. Our housing supply continues to far outpace demand.

Vacancy rates are particularly SUREOHPDWLF LQ õUVW ULQJ suburbs. Our aging population and sprawling neighborhoods don’t mix.

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What the Community Said dŚĞLJ sĂůƵĞ ..... What 115 Maps Tell Us.....

What the Data dĞůůƐ hƐ Homes are bigger but households are smaller.

Participants placed

91% 9%

of new homes in mixed-use neighborhoods

but only

in places that would have single-family homes only

1970

1,755 SQ FT

s Z ' ^/ K& ,KD ^

3.2

s Z ' ^/ K& ,Kh^ ,K>

people per household

We keep building bigger homes… even though fewer people live in them.

2010

2,301 SQ FT

2.3

people per household

SOUZC : NYS Department of TaxaƟon and Finance, Oĸce of Zeal PropertLJ Tax Serǀices, 2010.

maps OLVWHG Ü5HYLWDOL]LQJ 8UEDQ Neighborhoods as a guiding principle.

We are building the same types of homes, but households are changing… h/> /E' W ZD/d^ ϮϬϬϮͲϮϬϭϬ͕ ^/E'> & D/>z ,KD ^ t/d, ,/> Z E ϮϬϭϮ

building permits issued from 2000 to 75% of2010 were for single-family homes

..... What Else We Heard .....

WĞŽƉůĞ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ

ĐůŽƐĞƌ ƚŽ ǁŚĞƌĞ ƚŚĞLJ ůŝǀĞ͘͟ Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚ Ăƚ Ă DĂƉƉŝŶŐ tŽƌŬƐŚŽƉ ŚĞůĚ ŝŶ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ &ĂůůƐ

We do have great ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ ǁŝƚŚ ŐƌĞĂƚ ďŽŶĞƐ͕ and we have great neighborhoods but ǁĞ ĂůƐŽ ŚĂǀĞ ƐŽŵĞ ƚŚĂƚ ŚĂǀĞ ĐŽŵĞ ďĂĐŬ ;Ğ͘Ő͘ tĞƐƚ sŝůůĂŐĞ͕ 'ƌĂŶƚ ^ƚƌĞĞƚͿ͘ tĞ ŚĂǀĞ ƐŽŵĞ other neighborhoods that can ďĞ ŐƌĞĂƚ ĂŐĂŝŶ͘͟ Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ŽŶŐƌĞƐƐ ηϭ

SOUZC : US Census Bureau, 1970, 2010.

28% of households are families with children Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits SurǀeLJ, 2012; American CommunitLJ SurǀeLJ, 2012 1ͲLJear esƟmates.

,KD ^ h/>d s^ E t ,Kh^ ,K> ^

From 1970 to 2010, we built three homes for every new household…

56,066 Homes Built

1970s

27,220 New Households

1980s

1990s

2000s

5,001

55,202 Source: U.S. Census, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010; American CommunitLJ SurǀeLJ, 2012 1ͲLJear sƟmates.

Housing is affordable for homeowners in Buffalo Niagara, but often not for renters. WZKWKZd/KE K& ,Kh^ ,K> ^ ^W E /E' > ^^ d, E ϯϬй K& d, /Z /E KD KE ,Kh^/E' K^d^ FOR

more housing type choices ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƵƌďĂŶ ĐĞŶƚĞƌƐ͘͟

Ͳ &ĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ WƌŝǀĂƚĞ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŵĞŵďĞƌ

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FOR

SALE

tĞ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ŽīĞƌŝŶŐ

RENT

For RENTERS

For HOMEOWNERS ŇŽͬEŝĂŐĂƌĂ Ez^ h^

77%

65% 69%

Source: American CommunitLJ SurǀeLJ, 2010 1ͲLJr esƟmates.i

50%

49% 50%

Half of those who rent in the Buffalo Niagara region are burdened by housing costs deemed unaffordable.

We build new homes while abandoning others.

tŚĂƚ tÄž ŽƾůÄš Ĺ˝ Ĺ?ÄŤÄžĆŒÄžĹśĆšĹŻÇ‡

,KD ^ h/>d &d Z ϭϾϳϏ E E KE ,KD ^ /E ώϏϭϏ

Today, while urban areas still have the highest vacancy UDWHV ĂšUVW ULQJ suburbs and some outlying areas are experiencing signs of decline. The number of abandoned homes in RXU ĂľUVW ULQJ VXEXUEV nearly tripled from 1990 to 2010.ii

Homes we’ve built since 1970 Homes we’ve abandoned

Provide data and analytical resources for informed decision-making for housing and neighborhoods

p 74

Anticipate, accommodate and embrace demographic shifts

p 74

Pursue neighborhoodVSHFLĂšF asset-based strategies for redevelopment

p 75

Improve the housing support delivery system

p 76

Source: NYS Department of TaxaĆ&#x;on and Finance, Oĸce of Zeal PropertLJ Tax SerÇ€ices Íž2010Íż, US Census Íž2010Íż, rie CountLJ Dept. of nÇ€. & Planning Íž2012Íż and Niagara CountLJ Dept. of conomic DeÇ€elopment Íž2012Íż. iii

Vacant dwellings more than tripled in forty years. 1970

15,214 Over 30,000 more homes sit vacant today than in 1970 with more spreading outside our cities than ever before.

2010

45,475

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970, 2010.

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tŚĂƚ tÄž ŽƾůÄš Ĺ˝ Ĺ?ÄŤÄžĆŒÄžĹśĆšĹŻÇ‡

Provide data and analytical resources for informed decision-making for housing and neighborhoods. $ VWUDWHJLF DSSURDFK WR SUHVHUYLQJ DQG PRGHUQL]LQJ RXU KRXVLQJ VWRFN and neighborhood environments will require a clear picture of where we are and where we are headed.

ĞǀĞůŽƉ Ä‚ ZÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ WĆŒĹ?Ĺ˝ĆŒĹ?ƚLJ /ŜĨŽĆŒĹľÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ ^LJĆ?ĆšÄžĹľÍ˜ Accurate, current data is essenĆ&#x;al to good decision making. This resource should include open source data on housing, land, neighborhoods and municipaliĆ&#x;es to support ongoing planning and policLJͲmaking around housing and neighborhoods. The need is for a sLJstem that will be conĆ&#x;nuallLJ refreshed rather than proÇ€ide a single pointͲinͲĆ&#x;me analLJsis; encompass a breadth and depth of data from neighborhood leÇ€el indicators on assets and needs to parcel leÇ€el data; and proÇ€ide data for use bLJ the public in general, although some categories of data might be priÇ€ate and passwordͲprotected. <eLJ quesĆ&#x;ons include what local organizaĆ&#x;on or insĆ&#x;tuĆ&#x;on might host such a sLJstem and how it would be sustained ÄŽnanciallLJ oÇ€er Ć&#x;me. FinallLJ, a Zegional PropertLJ InformaĆ&#x;on SLJstem might be part of a larger data and analLJsis capacitLJ to serÇ€e the oÇ€erall planning and implementaĆ&#x;on eÄŤort behind One Zegion Forward.

ŽŜĚƾÄ?Ćš Ä‚ Ä?ĆľĆŒĆŒÄžĹśĆš ĂŜĂůLJĆ?Ĺ?Ć? ŽĨ ĹšŽƾĆ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ć?ƾƉƉůLJ ĂŜĚ ÄšÄžĹľÄ‚ĹśÄšÍ˜ A current market studLJ is an essenĆ&#x;al starĆ&#x;ng point for discussion of planning and deÇ€elopment strategies for neighborhoods. No comprehensiÇ€e assessment of housing and neighborhoods has been conducted in recent memorLJ. But one would proÇ€ide the basis for the informed decisionͲ making we seek. It should address market and neighborhood dLJnamics on both a broad regional and hLJperͲlocal basis. This might be a ÄŽrst use of the deÇ€eloping Zegional PropertLJ InformaĆ&#x;on SLJstem and a step toward implemenĆ&#x;ng other recommendaĆ&#x;ons in this plan.

Anticipate, accommodate and embrace demographic shifts in housing development and QHLJKERUKRRG UHYLWDOL]DWLRQ $V QRWHG DERYH WKH LPSDFWV RI DQ DJLQJ SRSXODWLRQ DQ LQĂşX[ RI Ăœ1HZ Americans’ through immigration, and changing lifestyle preferences by younger generations all promise to put a strain on existing housing resources and provide incentives for new designs, forms of tenure and neighborhood environments. We need to deploy information, promote proto-type projects, and provide tangible supports for development of new housing types and forms of tenure in mixed use neighborhoods.

ĞǀĞůŽƉ Ä‚ ĹšŽƾĆ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? ĆšŽŽůÄ?Ĺ˝Ç†Í˜ MunicipaliĆ&#x;es, deÇ€elopers, nonͲproÄŽts and residents need models and precedents for designing and producing sustainable housing tLJpes and neighborhoods. This would include an onͲ line repositorLJ of best pracĆ&#x;ces and case studLJ informaĆ&#x;on about a range of housing tLJpes Ížtownhouses, loĹŒs, “grannLJ Ňats,Í&#x; etc.Íż and forms of tenure ÍžcoͲops, condos, coͲhousing, etc.Íż. In addiĆ&#x;on, informaĆ&#x;on should also be supported bLJ inͲperson technical assistance.

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What if more neighborhoods had the RUJDQL]LQJ capacity of PUSH? DŽžÄžĹśĆšƾž ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś For nearlLJ a decade, PUS, BuÄŤalo ÍžPeople United for Sustainable ,ousingÍż has been combining communitLJ parĆ&#x;cipaĆ&#x;on, housing renoÇ€aĆ&#x;on and green energLJ to push neighborhood regeneraĆ&#x;on on BuÄŤalo’s West Side. PUS, pioneered the “NetͲ ero nergLJ ,ouse,Í&#x; runs a stateͲ funded weatherizaĆ&#x;on program, and recentlLJ announced a Ď°6 unit rehab and inÄŽll housing proĹŠect to proÇ€ide aÄŤordable, energLJͲ eĸcient housing to lowͲincome BuÄŤalo residents in its 2ϹͲblock “Green DeÇ€elopment one.Í&#x;

ĞƉůŽLJ ĹšŽƾĆ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? žŽÄšÄžĹŻĆ?͘ New housing models to meet the changing needs and preferences of residents require local proof of concept. It has to work here. Partners inÇ€olÇ€ed with One Zegion Forward should organize a coaliĆ&#x;on of local goÇ€ernments, notͲforͲproÄŽt communitLJ deÇ€elopment companies, deÇ€elopers and others to pioneer a range of new housing tLJpes and forms of tenure to meet the increasinglLJ diÇ€erse needs of the regional housing market. This would include housing tailored to the needs or preferences of senior ciĆ&#x;zens, persons with disabiliĆ&#x;es, arĆ&#x;sts, immigrants, students, LJoung professionals, emptLJͲnesters, and others. Zequirements include a lead agencLJ for adÇ€ocacLJ and educaĆ&#x;on, a market analLJsis for housing tLJpes not currentlLJ in producĆ&#x;on, technical assistance to help communiĆ&#x;es implement new housing tLJpes, and new funding mechanisms for deÇ€elopment tLJpes not supported bLJ conÇ€enĆ&#x;onal lending products.

ZĞůĹ?ĞǀĞ ĆŒÄžĹ?ƾůÄ‚ĆšĹ˝ĆŒÇ‡ ĆŒĹ˝Ä‚ÄšÄ?ĹŻĹ˝Ä?ĹŹĆ? ƚŽ ĹšŽƾĆ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ĺ?ŜŜŽÇ€Ä‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ͘ In manLJ cases zoning codes or other housing regulaĆ&#x;ons maLJ need to be amended to allow some new tLJpes of housing or forms of tenure. This is parĆ&#x;cularlLJ true of suburban communiĆ&#x;es that grew up around a model of singleͲfamilLJ households with children Í´ a demographic segment that has decreased dramaĆ&#x;callLJ in recent decades. To lead the eÄŤort, partners inÇ€olÇ€ed with One Zegion Forward could adÇ€ance technical assistance for zoning and planning regulaĆ&#x;on reform to work with the coaliĆ&#x;on of municipaliĆ&#x;es, CDCs, and deÇ€elopers engaged in this eÄŤort.

What if more people lived in our downtowns?

DŽžÄžĹśĆšƾž ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś

3XUVXH QHLJKERUKRRG VSHFLĂšF DVVHW EDVHG VWUDWHJLHV for redevelopment. Public and private resources for housing and neighborhood redevelopment need to be strategically targeted where new investments can build on strong neighborhoods nearby, leverage existing assets, engage active residents and help neighborhood-scale housing markets work again. Municipal leadership and collaboration with community EDVHG RUJDQL]DWLRQV DQG UHVLGHQWV LV NH\ WR VHW VWUDWHJ\ FRQGXFW participatory planning, and align capital investments with neighborhood plans.

žƉŚĂĆ?Ĺ?njĞ Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJ Ä?Ä‚Ć?ĞĚ ƉůĂŜŜĹ?ĹśĹ?͘ Planning with residents and stakeholders can maximize parĆ&#x;cipaĆ&#x;on, leÇ€erage diÄŤuse resources and focus on qualitLJ of life improÇ€ements. Working closelLJ with residents and stakeholders is essenĆ&#x;al because so much of the knowledge, energLJ and moneLJ that is needed to regenerate neighborhoods exists at that local scale. Success will depend as much on inÇ€estments bLJ home owners and small scale entrepreneurs as it does on municipal goÇ€ernment, deÇ€elopers, or banks. The acĆ&#x;Ç€e engagement of all is needed to produce plans that work for speciÄŽc neighborhoods and haÇ€e the acĆ&#x;Ç€e support of those who stand to beneÄŽt. But neighborhood planning can be resource intensiÇ€e. A strong commitment from local goÇ€ernment, philanthropLJ and business will be needed to proÇ€ide the support structure for local planning that lasts.

TwentLJͲĎÇ€e LJears ago housing in Downtown BuÄŤalo was sĆ&#x;ll ĹŠust a hope. But the publicaĆ&#x;on of “A New Neighborhood in Downtown BuÄŤaloÍ&#x; documented the opportunitLJ. CiĆ&#x;zens at the Downtown Summit in 199Ď° prioriĆ&#x;zed it. And earlLJ proĹŠects like the Ansonia Center and Theater Place began to proÇ€e the market. Since then, the idea of Downtown as a great place to liÇ€e has conĆ&#x;nued to gather steam as the supplLJ and Ç€alue of housing has grown. Since 2006, more than 1,000 new housing units haÇ€e come on line, with an addiĆ&#x;onal 3Ďą0 units in progress. Meanwhile, we are seeing downtown liÇ€ing catch on in Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda and other urban centers.

&Ĺ˝Ä?ĆľĆ? ĂŜĚ Ä?ŽŽĆŒÄšĹ?ŜĂƚĞ ƉƾÄ?ĹŻĹ?Ä? Ĺ?ŜǀĞĆ?ƚžĞŜƚĆ? Ĺ?Ĺś ŜĞĹ?Ĺ?ĹšÄ?Ĺ˝ĆŒĹšŽŽÄšĆ? Ç Ĺ?ƚŚ Ć?ĆšĆŒÄ‚ĆšÄžĹ?Ĺ?Ä? Ä‚Ć?Ć?ĞƚĆ?͘ It’s crucial to coordinate public policLJ and capital inÇ€estment prioriĆ&#x;es with local plans. Ç€en mundane capital proĹŠects like street paÇ€ing, curbs, sidewalks and street lighĆ&#x;ng can buoLJ resident eÄŤorts at regeneraĆ&#x;on. Larger inÇ€estments in parks, transit, schools, communitLJ centers, business districts and the like can haÇ€e an eÇ€en greater impact Í´ but onlLJ if all of these are coordinated with local planning iniĆ&#x;aĆ&#x;Ç€es. ParĆ&#x;cipatorLJ budgeĆ&#x;ng and crowdͲsourced proĹŠect ÄŽnancing can support these strategic inÇ€estments. But alignment of local, countLJ, state and federal inÇ€estments with local plans is the keLJ. Also important is treaĆ&#x;ng neighborhoods holisĆ&#x;callLJ where “complete streets,Í&#x; local serÇ€ices and neighborhood retail are part of the mixed use enÇ€ironment that supports diÇ€erse, accessible, qualitLJ housing. For some communiĆ&#x;es, this means repairing or restoring exisĆ&#x;ng fabric. For other communiĆ&#x;es, this maLJ mean retroÄŽĆŤng or repurposing dated and underuĆ&#x;lized commercial stock, or creaĆ&#x;ng town centers where none currentlLJ exist.

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more than a plan

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>ĞǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƚŚĞ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ŽĨ ŶĞǁ ĚĞŵŽŐƌĂƉŚŝĐ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ͘ Urban neighborhoods haǀe long been idenƟĮed with speciĮc ethnic groups, industrial specializaƟons or cultural tendencies. Neighborhood planning should embrace the potenƟal for immigrant communiƟes, arƟsts, or other groups to lead regeneraƟon eīorts and use unique ethnic, cultural or occupaƟonal idenƟƟes to leǀerage inǀestment and customer traĸc. Changes alreadLJ underwaLJ throughout the region can be leǀeraged to enhance these opportuniƟes. These approaches can help create stronger neighborhoods if the iniƟaƟǀes are authenƟc, are supported bLJ neighborhood input, and backed bLJ reliable market informaƟon.

ĞƐŝŐŶ ĂůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞ ůŽŶŐͲƚĞƌŵ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĞƐ͘ Design alternaƟǀe longͲterm strategies for areas where disinǀestment has leŌ few of the assets, anchors and actors that are needed to power successful neighborhood reǀitalizaƟon. For such neighborhoods the Ɵme for conǀenƟonal neighborhood redeǀelopment maLJ be decades awaLJ. Where housing stock and commercial fabric haǀe mostlLJ been eroded and anchor insƟtuƟons haǀe departed, scarce public resources in conǀenƟonal approaches cannot be expected to oǀercome immense priǀate disinǀestment. Both interim and longͲterm strategies are needed to support the redeǀelopment process and proǀide opƟons for those who call those neighborhoods home. Far from the “benign neglect͟ of decades past, howeǀer, these neighborhoods need acƟǀe management of communitLJ change, driǀen bLJ local residents and a Įrm understanding of the exisƟng market potenƟal.

What if we had robust tools to address vacancy and abandonment?

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ

Improve the housing support delivery system. 7KH QHWZRUN RI FRPPXQLW\ EDVHG RUJDQL]DWLRQV SURYLGLQJ VHUYLFHV IRU KRXVLQJ DQG QHLJKERUKRRG UHYLWDOL]DWLRQ QHHGV WR DFKLHYH VLJQLùFDQWO\ greater productivity while retaining its responsiveness to local conditions and contexts. Partners involved with One Region Forward should identify a trusted institutional funder and trusted convener to lead a patient and broad-based collaborative effort to reform the system.

ZĞĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ƐĐŽƉĞ ĂŶĚ ƐĐĂůĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͘ It should be possible to increase regionͲwide capacitLJ and share experƟse across the sLJstem while remaining responsiǀe to local consƟtuencies. Small neighborhoodͲbased organizaƟons can serǀe as a conduit for high qualitLJ regional serǀices for their communiƟes eǀen as theLJ proǀide local knowledge and input on communitLJ needs to a highͲcapacitLJ support organizaƟon or network. This model would allow for opportuniƟes to enhance serǀices to tradiƟonallLJ underserǀed communiƟes in ciƟes, suburbs and rural areas alike. But redesigning longͲterm arrangements will not be easLJ. It will require skilled facilitaƟon supported with paƟent resources and encouraged bLJ stateͲ and federalͲleǀel funders of housing serǀices to bring such a process to a successful conclusion.

ĞƩĞƌ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ ƌĞŶƚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ŚŽŵĞ ďƵLJĞƌƐ͘ Deǀelop beƩer opportuniƟes, supports and protecƟons for renters and home buLJers, parƟcularlLJ from tradiƟonallLJ ǀulnerable groups. Persons of color, those of lowͲincome, seniors, immigrants, limitedͲ nglish proĮciencLJ speakers and nonͲtradiƟonal families are among the groups that tLJpicallLJ haǀe been marginalized bLJ the conǀenƟonal housing and Įnance industries. The current housing support sLJstem aƩempts to break down barriers to qualitLJ housing for these ʹ and all ʹ demographic groups, but housing discriminaƟon, public opposiƟon and indiǀidual and insƟtuƟonal discriminaƟon present tremendous challenges. Increased resources, focus and opƟons need to be directed toward proǀiding qualitLJ aīordable housing near transit as a precursor and support for broader opportunitLJ for these populaƟons.

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The Buīalo rie Niagara Land Improǀement CorporaƟon ʹ Buīalo Niagara’s new land bank ʹ is now up and running. quipped with new powers from the New York State Legislature, the agencLJ will be able to acquire distressed properƟes, prepare for redeǀelopment, and put it in the hands of responsible new owners. The new land bank is an essenƟal element in addressing 77,000 distressed properƟes in rie CountLJ alone and promoƟng neighborhood redeǀelopment and inĮll proũects in both counƟes.

ƵůƟǀĂƚĞ Ă ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ŝŵĂŐĞ ŽĨ ŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ ĂŝĚ ƚŽ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƟŽŶ͘ A sƟgma oŌen aƩaches to programs designed to proǀide assistance to households struggling to get or keep aīordable housing. In some cases, the sƟgma is perceiǀed bLJ residents of neighborhoods where oĸcials seek to locate aīordable housing resources. In other cases, those who need and qualifLJ for such assistance see the sƟgma in accepƟng help. ,ousing proǀiders should launch a broadͲbased eīort to rebrand aīordable housing and educate the public on its beneĮts. This should include an extensiǀe outreach eīort to idenƟfLJ barriers to parƟcipaƟon and to inǀolǀe ciǀic leaders and oĸcials in a markeƟng and adǀocacLJ program.

/ŵƉƌŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ ĐŽĚĞ ĞŶĨŽƌĐĞŵĞŶƚ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͘ Link it to educaƟon and support programs. MunicipaliƟes and housing proǀiders should work together to deǀelop new policies and tools to address slumlords and ǀacant properƟes more eīecƟǀelLJ. The code enforcement sLJstem should also be linked to educaƟon and support programs. BeƩer use of informaƟon technologLJ and focused prosecuƟon through a dedicated housing court are both possibiliƟes. But homeowners in ǀiolaƟon of housing codes and in need of assistance should be able to get help through the enforcement sLJstem. Therefore, work to integrate Įnancial and technical assistance programs for homeowners with the code enforcement mechanism.

What if we created more traditional neighborhoods?

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ One of the emerging approaches to ĮghƟng sprawl is known as TND or tradiƟonal neighborhood deǀelopment. The Gardens at Oxbow in Lewiston, NY is a noteworthLJ local example of the concept. TND features compact homes with front porches that face the street and closeͲbLJ connecƟons to neighborhood ameniƟes like shopping, restaurants, parks and transportaƟon. TheLJ’re designed not onlLJ to be more walkable but more sociable as well.

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Strengthen Our

Food Systems ĨŽƌ Ă ,ĞĂůƚŚŝĞƌ WŽƉƵůĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ Economy

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Food is a self-evidently central element in making a sustainable way of life – in our region, not to mention the nation and the entire planet. Food is basic to human health. But how we grow, process and distribute food also has profound implications for land use, transportation, energy and environmental quality.

For Buffalo Niagara the challenges come at several levels. Many of our FLWL]HQV ODFN HDV\ DFFHVV WR IUHVK healthy, affordable food because of where they live, a lack of transportation, or lack of money. Our population in general suffers from high rates of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease because of poor diet rooted in our culture but also in our food system. Most troubling, perhaps, is that our food supply is facing a period of severe instability because of climate change. While agriculture is an important part of our regional economy, very little of the food we eat comes from Western New York. Instead, our food comes WKURXJK D IDU ĂşXQJ QHWZRUN DFURVV the nation and the world. We should expect the cost of food to increase and its availability to decline as the

energy costs of transportation grow and droughts, severe weather and other aspects of climate change disrupt crops in other places. One response must be to grow more food locally. Sprawl is a problem from a transportation, infrastructure, land use, DQG SXEOLF ĂšQDQFH SHUVSHFWLYH EXW LW KDV also been an important contributor to the decline of agriculture in our region. Some farms have gone out of business EHFDXVH RI WKH GLIĂšFXOW HFRQRPLFV RI farming in our region. However, many have disappeared because it was simply more lucrative to “growâ€? houses than to grow crops on rural land.

What Does the Data dĞůů hĆ? About What We Are Doing? We consume large quantities of food grown outside our region. We have vanishing or underutilized prime agricultural land. Farmers across our region are quickly approaching retirement. The majority of our farmland is producing animal feed. Our residents aren’t eating a healthy diet. Our poor diets have real impacts on our health. Local farms don’t produce the food we need for a healthy lifestyle. Many residents are suffering from food insecurity. For many, healthy foods are inaccessible. The cost of farming is high, relative to revenue generated.

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What the Community Said dŚĞLJ sĂůƵĞ What 115 Maps Tell Us Participants protected an average of

106,000 acres

of farmland per map. (about 42% of all current farmland in the region) At least

maps

used “protecting farmland” as a guiding principle for future development.

What the Data dĞůůƐ hƐ

We continue to lose cropland every year. Since 1992, our two counties have seen nearly 21 square miles of cropland go out of production – an area roughly double WKH VL]H RI 1RUWK Tonawanda.

Cropland lost since 1992

..... What Else We Heard .....

Preserve and expand ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ ĨĂƌŵŝŶŐ

ŝŶ ƵƌďĂŶ͕ ƌƵƌĂů ĂŶĚ ƐƵďƵƌďĂŶ ĂƌĞĂƐ͘ WƌŽĚƵĐĞ ŵŽƌĞ ůŽĐĂů ĨŽŽĚ ŝŶ Ăůů ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐ͘͟ Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ DĂƉƉŝŶŐ tŽƌŬƐŚŽƉƐ

hƐĞ ĨĂƌŵůĂŶĚ as an economic ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ƚŽŽů such as the

ĨŽŽĚ ƌĞůĂƚĞĚ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĞƐ ĂƚĂǀŝĂ ŚĂƐ ĂƩƌĂĐƚĞĚ͘͟ Ͳ &ĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ WƌŝǀĂƚĞ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŵĞŵďĞƌ

Source: USDAͲNaƟonal Agricultural Serǀice, Census of Agriculture, 199ϰ, 2009. Map Source: U.S. Geological SurǀeLJ. ;1997Ϳ. 1992 New York Land Coǀer Dataset; U.S.D.A., NaƟonal Agricultural StaƟsƟcs Serǀice, Zesearch and DeǀelͲ opment Diǀision, GeospaƟal InformaƟon Branch, SpaƟal AnalLJsis Zesearch SecƟon. ;2012Ϳ. Cropland Data LaLJer.i

We are losing farms at an alarming rate.

33 Farms out of business every year.

Support urban ĂŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĞ — not

community gardens — as part of food ƉƌŽĚƵĐƟŽŶ͘ tĞ ŚĂǀĞ ƚŚĞ ůĂŶĚ ƚŽ ĚŽ ŝƚ͘ tĞ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƉŽůŝĐŝĞƐ͘ Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ŽŶŐƌĞƐƐ ηϭ ŝŶ ƌŝĞ ŽƵŶƚLJ

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1,254 Farms lost since 1969 1969

2007

3,334

2,080

Source: USDAͲNaƟonal ^ Ĩ ŝ Agricultural ůƚ h^ Serǀice, E Ɵ ůCensus ŝ ůƚof Agriculture, ů ^ƚ Ɵ Ɵ ů ^1976, ŝ 2009. ;ϮϬϬϵ ϭϵϳϲͿ

1,254 operating farms out of business since 1969, including 789 in Niagara County alone.

Much of the land in Buffalo Niagara that could be used for farming today is not. 315 square miles of Buffalo Niagara is FODVVLĂšHG DV Ă&#x;3ULPH Farmlandâ€? but only 25% is used for agriculture Source: CalculaĆ&#x;on bLJ UB Zegional InsĆ&#x;tute. Data Sources: US Department of Agriculture ÍžUSDAÍż, Natural Zesource ConserÇ€aĆ&#x;on SerÇ€ice Íž2013Íż; USDA, NaĆ&#x;onal Agricultural StaĆ&#x;sĆ&#x;cal SurÇ€eLJ, Zesearch and DeÇ€elopment DiÇ€ision, GeospaĆ&#x;al InformaĆ&#x;on Branch, SpaĆ&#x;al AnalLJsis Zesearch SecĆ&#x;on. Íž2011Íż, rie CountLJ DepartͲ ment of nÇ€ironment and Planning Íž2012Íż and Niagara CountLJ Department of conomic DeÇ€elopment Íž2011Íż.ii

We don’t grow enough healthy food for ourselves. Today, the region only grows

38%of the fruits and vegetables we’d need to eat in order to follow USDA healthy-eating guidelines.

Source: CalculaĆ&#x;ons bLJ the Food SLJstems Planning and ,ealthLJ CommuniĆ&#x;es Lab. Data Sources: United States Department of Agriculture: NaĆ&#x;onal Agricultural StaĆ&#x;sĆ&#x;cs SerÇ€ice and conomic Zesearch SerÇ€ice; Department of Commerce: United States Census.

Our poor diets have real impacts on our health. Of Adults in Buffalo Niagara... ...less than 3 out of 10 FRQVXPH ĂšYH VHUYLQJV of fruits and vegetables a day ...about 6 out of 10 are overweight or obese ...and 1 out of 10 live with diabetes. Source: rie CountLJ Department of ,ealth, 2010Ͳ2013 CommunitLJ ,ealth Assessment, 2009; Niagara CountLJ Department of ,ealth, 2010Ͳ2013 CommunitLJ ,ealth Assessment, 2009.

The food industry is an important part of our economy. About out of every

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tŚĂƚ tÄž ŽƾůÄš Ĺ˝ Ĺ?ÄŤÄžĆŒÄžĹśĆšĹŻÇ‡ Make the region’s food system a Buffalo Niagara policy priority.

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Improve access to healthy food for disadvantaged residents.

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Promote urban farming and community gardens.

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p 84 Ensure a reliable supply of labor for food production and processing.

Strengthen regional farm to table links.

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Preserve agricultural land.

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Promote sustainable agricultural methods.

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Promote a culture of healthier eating.

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in the region is food-related

SOUZC : U.S. Bureau of Labor StaĆ&#x;sĆ&#x;cs, YuarͲ terlLJ Census of mploLJment and Wages, 2010.iii

Source: CalculaĆ&#x;ons bLJ the Food SLJstems Planning and ,ealthLJ CommuniĆ&#x;es Lab. Data Sources: Zeference USA, 2012; US Census, ACS 2011 ϹͲLJear esĆ&#x;mates; Bureau of Labor StaĆ&#x;sĆ&#x;cs Consumer xpenditure SurÇ€eLJ, 2011.

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tŚĂƚ tĞ ŽƵůĚ Ž ŝīĞƌĞŶƚůLJ

Make the region’s food system a Buffalo Niagara policy priority. It should go without saying that food is one of the building blocks of regional sustainability. But in an era of looming climate change disruptions and a challenging energy economy, it makes sense for each region to take stock of its own capacity to produce and process food and for residents to get access to healthful foods.

What if more local farmers were able to sell directly to consumers?

ƌĞĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ ĨŽƌ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĂĚǀĂŶĐŝŶŐ ĨŽŽĚ ƉŽůŝĐLJ͘ The rie CountLJ Food PolicLJ Council was recentlLJ created. We should establish a Niagara CountLJ counterpart with broadͲbased parƟcipaƟon, whose earlLJ agenda would include an update to the Niagara CountLJ Farmland ProtecƟon Plan to increase farmer buLJͲin and promote a shared ǀision with other plans in the region.

ƐƚĂďůŝƐŚ Ă ƌĞŐŝŽŶĂů ĨŽŽĚ ƉŽůŝĐLJ ďŽĂƌĚ ƚŽ ĐŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚĞ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ĨŽŽĚ ŝŶ tEz͘ Conǀene a board with members of food policLJ councils and other local food adǀocates. Deǀelop an online food sLJstem database resource for the BuīaloͲNiagara region that would serǀe to: ;1Ϳ idenƟfLJ organizaƟons and foundaƟons that can help get healthLJ food to households in need; ;2Ϳ use feedback from food banks, block clubs and other groups to inform farmers about the foods that are culturallLJͲappropriate in our region; ;3Ϳ link local growers to local retailers to get local foods into local markets; and, ;ϰͿ create a resource wherebLJ consumers can shop from a local Farm Stand, CSA or Farmers’ Market.

ŵƉŚĂƐŝnjĞ ĨŽŽĚ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐŽůŝĚĂƚĞĚ &ƵŶĚŝŶŐ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ͘ PrioriƟze proũects that seek to improǀe food ũusƟce, food access, agricultural ǀiabilitLJ, and a sustainable food sLJstem when theLJ applLJ to the Zegional conomic Deǀelopment Council bLJ adũusƟng scoring criteria to emphasize the role of the food sLJstem in enhancing economic deǀelopment.

Increase awareness about food system issues across the ďŽĂƌĚ͘ ducate local and state elected representaƟǀes on challenges and opportuniƟes in food producƟon and food access. Bring together food serǀice and sustainabilitLJ directors of local uniǀersiƟes, school districts, correcƟonal and health care faciliƟes. Deǀelop a collaboraƟǀe network of colleges, uniǀersiƟes and their students to support, strengthen and spur innoǀaƟon in the local agriculture and food distribuƟon industries. Undertake a regional educaƟon campaign at exisƟng eǀents to increase public recogniƟon of the beneĮts and opportuniƟes in local agriculture and to improǀe residents’ knowledge about local farmers. Launch a consumer educaƟon campaign that enlists exisƟng media networks including broadcast teleǀision, radio, 211, and public serǀice announcements to promote the beneĮts of local, healthLJ food to the local public.

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Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ Buīalo Niagara has seen a profusion of farmers markets in recent LJears with more than two dozen in rie and Niagara counƟes operaƟng at least one daLJ a week. Farmers markets make the idea of buLJing local food a pracƟcal realitLJ for thousands of households and theLJ proǀide area farmers with a maũor outlet for their produce. From the longͲrunning ClintonͲBaileLJ market to the popular lmwood Bidwell farmers market to operaƟons in ,amburg, North Tonawanda, Niagara Falls and elsewhere, homegrown produce is more and more widelLJ aǀailable.

Improve access to healthy food for disadvantaged residents. Help those who lack income, transportation, or proximity to stores. A range of both urban and rural neighborhoods suffer from a lack of accessible outlets for fresh and healthy food so that residents who are isolated, lack transportation or have very low incomes may not be able to get such food. A range of strategies might be employed.

What if farmers had better access to local markets?

ĞǀĞůŽƉ ĂŶĚ ŝŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚ Ă ,ĞĂůƚŚLJ ŽƌŶĞƌ ^ƚŽƌĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͘ Start a pilot program with Įǀe corner stores in areas underserǀed for healthLJ food. Proǀide technical assistance to help store owners market fresh fruits and ǀegetables, and later proǀide capital assistance for equipment and store improǀements. Or proǀide subsidies to food stores locaƟng within lowͲǀehicle ownership or lowͲhealthLJ food access areas and selling fresh food, and to ones alreadLJ located in those areas that begin to sell fresh food in place of other foods.

ŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞ ƚŚĞ ƵƐĞ ŽĨ ŵŽďŝůĞ ĨŽŽĚ ƚƌƵĐŬƐ͘ Mobile entrepreneurs can be a good ǀehicle for deliǀering healthLJ, locallLJͲproduced foods to neighborhoods and local schools lacking healthLJ food opƟons nearbLJ. Zeduce licensing requirements or ǀarLJ rates based on serǀing healthLJ foods.

/ŵƉƌŽǀĞ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ͘ Zeǀiew and modifLJ transit rouƟng and schedules to improǀe access to food proǀiders, especiallLJ in areas where ǀehicle ownership is low. Or proǀide free rides home from healthLJͲfood retailers to customers liǀing in neighborhoods with lowͲǀehicle ownership. Proǀide free rides to customers who spend more than a baseline amount of moneLJ at the store. Fund ǀouchers for free transit or taxi rides to and from healthLJ food stores.

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ Our region has seen a Ňowering of communitLJ supported agriculture ;CSAͿ ʹ or farm share ʹ programs. TLJpicallLJ, CSA subscribers paLJ a Ňat fee at the beginning of the LJear and receiǀe a box of produce weeklLJ throughout the growing season. The contents of the share ǀarLJ depending on the Ɵme of season as well as the range of products produced. ,oweǀer, eǀerLJ share brings fresh, aīordable local food to local tables. There are now more than a dozen CSAs close enough for residents of Buīalo Niagara to take adǀantage.

^ƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĂŶĚ ĞŶŚĂŶĐĞ ƉƵďůŝĐ ĨŽŽĚ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ͘ Promote, create new, and increase parƟcipaƟon in exisƟng “doubleͲup bucks͟ programs used to increase ǀalue of public assistance dollars at fresh market retail opƟons like farmers’ markets, and for purchases of locallLJͲgrown products at anLJ retail desƟnaƟon including conǀenience stores. Work with public oĸcials to educate and facilitate enrollment in public assistance programs at public insƟtuƟons ;libraries, schools, collegesͿ and food retail desƟnaƟons, from corner stores to supermarkets.

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Promote urban farming and community gardens. While it is important to differentiate urban farming from community gardening, both practices can help improve access to healthy food for residents, improve city economies, and strengthen neighborhoods. A range of supports should be provided for these activities.

WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ƐĞĐƵƌŝƚLJ ŽĨ ƚĞŶƵƌĞ ƚŽ ĨĂƌŵĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ŐĂƌĚĞŶĞƌƐ͘ Urban farmers and communitLJ gardeners both inǀest signiĮcant Ɵme, energLJ and resources in building soil and creaƟng garden infrastructure. The threat of displacement proǀides a strong disincenƟǀe to such inǀestments. Therefore, insƟtute longͲterm leases for communitLJ gardens on publiclLJͲowned lands in Buīalo and Niagara Falls.

&ĂĐŝůŝƚĂƚĞ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ƚŽ ůĂŶĚ ĨŽƌ ƵƌďĂŶ ĂŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĞ͘ Deǀelop a database of ǀacant urban parcels and their soil qualitLJ. Work with the CiƟes of Buīalo and Niagara Falls to idenƟfLJ and test the soil on the CiƟes’ ǀacant parcels. PrioriƟze parcels for remediaƟon and inform the public which parcels are most suitable for agricultural use.

Ensure a reliable supply of labor for food production and processing. One of the most challenging issues for area farmers is how to ensure that they have workers to tend, harvest, package, and process their crops and produce.

ĞǀĞůŽƉ ƚŚĞ ĨŽŽĚ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ ǁŽƌŬĨŽƌĐĞ͘ Promote workforce deǀelopment in all food sLJstems sectors and create fairͲwage food ũobs. Deǀelop training programs that are built around food processing, preserǀaƟon, distribuƟon and preparaƟon to limit food waste and reduce hunger locallLJ. stablish a business incubator for food processing which leǀerages a network of food kitchens, culinarLJ schools and other actors interested in business deǀelopment.

ĚĚƌĞƐƐ ĨĂƌŵ ǁŽƌŬĞƌ ŝŵŵŝŐƌĂƟŽŶ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͘ Create pathwaLJs to legal residence for immigrant agricultural workers. In the meanƟme, adǀocate to modifLJ the constraints of the ,Ͳ2A ǀisa program. nable immigrant farm workers to work at mulƟple farms in the same LJear and to return to the same sponsor farm for mulƟple LJears.

WƌŽŵŽƚĞ ĨĂŝƌ ǁĂŐĞƐ ĨŽƌ ĨĂƌŵ ǁŽƌŬĞƌƐ͘ AnalLJze the impact of a federal farmͲworker fair wage act on American compeƟƟǀeness in the global agricultural market. UlƟmatelLJ, create a federal farm worker fair wage law applicable to all states.

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What if all school cafeterias had salad bars?

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ The Youth AdǀisorLJ Council for the ,ealthLJ <ids ,ealthLJ CommuniƟes partnership in Buīalo has made improǀing school meals in Buīalo Public Schools their top agenda item for 201ϱ. SpeciĮcallLJ, the group brought a campaign to the Board of ducaƟon calling for eǀerLJ school in the district to oīer a salad bar. Moǀing forward, the group hopes cafeterias will oīer a ǀarietLJ of fresh and local food opƟons that are made from nonͲgeneƟcallLJ modiĮed ingredients, and prepared on the spot for lunch.

Strengthen regional farm to table links. Buying locally-produced goods will make our food healthier, less energyintensive and more secure. But sustaining farms in our region will require that farmers have better access to local markets. A range of strategies are available to make this happen including:

WƌŝŽƌŝƟnjĞ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ^ƚĂƚĞ ŐŽŽĚƐ ŝŶ ^ƚĂƚĞ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐŝŶŐ͘ Zeǀise State purchasing policLJ and regulaƟon to require State agencies to purchase foods produced in New York State and, more speciĮcallLJ, from within the regional food shed of the purchasing agencLJ, when compeƟng products are within a sƟpulated price diīerenƟal.

DĂŬĞ ^ Ɛ ŵŽƌĞ ĂīŽƌĚĂďůĞ ĂŶĚ ĂĐĐĞƐƐŝďůĞ͘ Create and fund a reǀolǀing loan fund to help lowͲincome people obtain shares in CommunitLJ Supported Agriculture arrangements. ncourage ǀolunteer support where members could buLJ shares through sweat equitLJ. stablish refrigeraƟon and freezer shares at CSA dropͲoī sites.

What if local governments created or updated farmland protection plans?

ƌĞĂƚĞ Ă ďƌĂŶĚ ĨŽƌ ƐƉĞĐŝĂůƚLJ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ ĨƌŽŵ ĞĂĐŚ ŽƵŶƚLJ͘ Brand and market Niagara CountLJ fruit as a CountLJ specialtLJ. Determine a brand for rie CountLJ agricultural specialƟes and use this to promote our products in the broader marketplace.

WƌŽŵŽƚĞ ůŝŶŬƐ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ůŽĐĂů ĨĂƌŵĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĞƚŚŶŝĐ ĨŽŽĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚƐ͘ Deǀelop partnerships between refugee and immigrant organizaƟons and farm groups to ensure farms to grow food that meets the needs of BuīaloͲNiagara’s diǀerse cultures.

ƌĞĂƚĞ Ă ƌĞŐŝŽŶĂů ͞ĨŽŽĚ ŚƵď͘͟ A food hub is both a facilitLJ and an organizaƟon that can help farmers share resources and aggregate products for more eĸcient sale to the market. Support the “ZeadLJ to Grow Food ,ub Planning Proũect͟ bLJ proǀiding input on challenges and opportuniƟes in the food sLJstem. More generallLJ, support the deǀelopment of programs and policies that increase the marketabilitLJ of locallLJͲgrown food, including food hubs and farmer cooperaƟǀes.

DŽŵĞŶƚƵŵ ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ rie CountLJ updated its Agriculture and Farmland ProtecƟon Plan in 2012 and the Niagara CommuniƟes Comprehensiǀe Plan 2030 ;produced in 2009Ϳ includes a follow up to the 1999 Niagara CountLJ Agricultural and Farmland ProtecƟon Plan. Both documents underscore the importance of agriculture to both regional economLJ and communitLJ health. Both outline strategies for preserǀing farmland, strengthening farm economies, and improǀing the connecƟons between local farms and local tables.

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Preserve agricultural land. Some of the region’s best farmland is vulnerable to conversion to new housing. Some of the best farmland has already been lost. Sustaining local agriculture in Buffalo Niagara will require preserving land for crops and livestock. Some of the means for achieving this goal will come to ground in the urban areas of the region. These are addressed in the section on Land Use and Development. But other direct means of preserving farmland need to be implemented.

/ĚĞŜĆ&#x;ĨLJ ĨÄ‚ĆŒĹľÄ‚Ä?ĹŻÄž Ć?Ĺ˝Ĺ?ĹŻĆ?͘ IdenĆ&#x;fLJ parcels not currentlLJ used for farming that could be made readLJ for agriculture. Determine parcel owners’ interest in haÇ€ing the land farmed and ÄŽnd farmers looking to rent land. Connect interested parcel owners with farmers interested in farming more land. IdenĆ&#x;fLJ farmable soils currentlLJ used for farming.

What if we cleaned our waters so that our local ĂšVK ZHUH safer to eat?

WĆŒĹ˝ĆšÄžÄ?Ćš ǀĂůƾĂÄ?ĹŻÄž ĨÄ‚ĆŒžůĂŜĚ ĆšĹšĆŒŽƾĹ?Ĺš Ć‰ĆľĆŒÄ?ŚĂĆ?Äž ĂŜĚ ĆšĆŒÄ‚ĹśĆ?ĨÄžĆŒ ŽĨ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ ĆŒĹ?Ĺ?ŚƚĆ? Ć‰ĆŒĹ˝Ĺ?ĆŒÄ‚ĹľĆ?͘ Finance Transfer of DeÇ€elopment Zights with reÇ€olÇ€ing fund accounts used to paLJ farmers for deÇ€elopment rights on their land. The municipaliĆ&#x;es’ or counĆ&#x;es’ funds are later repaid bLJ deÇ€elopers buLJing the deÇ€elopment rights from the municipalitLJ or countLJ. DeÇ€elopers use those rights to gain approÇ€al for deÇ€elopment in other locaĆ&#x;ons.

KÄŤÄžĆŒ ĹŻĹ˝Ç Í˛Ä?Ĺ˝Ć?Ćš ĆŒÄžĆ&#x;ĆŒÄžĹľÄžĹśĆš ƉůĂŜŜĹ?ĹśĹ? Ć?ÄžĆŒÇ€Ĺ?Ä?ÄžĆ? ƚŽ ĨÄ‚ĆŒĹľÄžĆŒĆ?͘ Our abilitLJ to keep farmland in agricultural producĆ&#x;on depends in large part on our abilitLJ to meet the needs of farmers who are reĆ&#x;ring and haÇ€e expected to reĆ&#x;re on the proceeds from the sale of farmland.

Promote sustainable agricultural methods. )DUPLQJ FDQ KDYH VLJQLĂšFDQW LPSDFWV RQ WKH HQYLURQPHQW LQ ERWK WKH food produced and in the by-products of production. More sustainable agricultural methods can help farmers use less water, energy, pesticides, protect streams and watersheds from farm pollution, and prepare for the impacts of climate change on farming.

hĆ?Äž ĹŻÄžĆ?Ć? Ç Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒÍ˜ Although our region is blessed bLJ plenĆ&#x;ful water, there is sĆ&#x;ll a cost to treat and transport it. And there are limits to the supplLJ. It remains important to conserÇ€e the resource. Start bLJ installing water meters on unmetered water deliÇ€erLJ sLJstems. Then build the capacitLJ of farms to harÇ€est and use rainwater on site.

WĆŒĹ˝ĆšÄžÄ?Ćš Ć?ĆšĆŒÄžÄ‚ĹľĆ? ĂŜĚ Ç Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒĆ?ŚĞĚĆ?͘ ducate farmers about the enÇ€ironmental importance of stream buÄŤers between agricultural land and waterwaLJs. Tie the educaĆ&#x;on program to incenĆ&#x;Ç€es for creaĆ&#x;ng stream buÄŤers. State or priÇ€ate funding agencies would reward farmers for creaĆ&#x;ng stream buÄŤers.

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Momentum ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś Clean water and healthLJ ecosLJstems grow ÄŽsh, which is a potenĆ&#x;al local sustainable food source for BuÄŤalo Niagara. ,oweÇ€er, historical contaminaĆ&#x;on, storm water runͲ oÄŤ, polluĆ&#x;on, among other things seÇ€erelLJ limit our abilitLJ to eat healthLJ ÄŽsh from our own Great Lake and riÇ€ers. BuÄŤalo Niagara ZiÇ€erkeeper’s eÄŤorts to improÇ€e water qualitLJ are aiming to clean up our waters and restore our ÄŽshing potenĆ&#x;al through the Ψ70 million dollar cleanͲup of legacLJ polluĆ&#x;on in the BuÄŤalo ZiÇ€er.

&ĂĐŝůŝƚĂƚĞ 'ŽŽĚ ŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĂů WƌĂĐƟĐĞƐ͘ Support ;GAPͿ cerƟĮcaƟon for local farmers through grants and funding mechanisms, especiallLJ for smallͲscale farms. ncourage farmers to minimize the use of pesƟcides.

WƌĞƉĂƌĞ ĨŽƌ ĐůŝŵĂƚĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ͘ Proǀide farmers with informaƟon on the eīects of climate change on crop producƟon to encourage them to grow products that will thriǀe in a changing climate. ducate farmers about implemenƟng longͲterm plans on their farms to diǀersifLJ producƟon.

Promote a culture of healthier eating. American eating habits have led to an epidemic of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Promoting healthier eating habits can help individuals live better lives and reduce the social costs of health care related to these diseases.

What if there was a structure for advancing food policy? Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ

dƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵ ƚŚĞ ĨŽŽĚ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ <ͲϭϮ ƐĐŚŽŽůƐ͘ Launch a nutriƟon educaƟon program for local public schools that uses the classroom and the cafeteria to increase students’ understanding of healthLJ and local food through local food purchasing and farmer demonstraƟons. Zeward school districts ĮnanciallLJ for each locallLJͲ sourced meal theLJ serǀe to students. Local funding agencies can promote procurement of the regionallLJͲgrown foods bLJ paLJing school districts a fracƟon of the cost of each locallLJͲsourced meal serǀed.

/ŶĐƌĞĂƐĞ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶƐƵŵƉƟŽŶ ŽĨ ĨƌƵŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ ǀĞŐĞƚĂďůĞƐ͘ One of the most important waLJs to promote good health is to ensure that indiǀiduals meet the benchmark of Įǀe serǀings of fresh fruits and ǀegetables on a dailLJ basis. The combinaƟon of educaƟonal programs and food access measures described throughout this plan can help achieǀe that goal.

ŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞ ďƌĞĂƐƚͲĨĞĞĚŝŶŐ͘ Infant breastͲfeeding is one of the strongest predictors of adult health. Therefore, promote breastͲfeeding for the LJoungest members of the region’s populaƟon. ModifLJ building codes to mandate priǀate areas speciĮcallLJ designated for breastͲfeeding mothers to feed their babies or pump breast milk.

If towns and ciƟes are going to take food into account as part of the ongoing operaƟon of goǀernment, elected oĸcials need good informaƟon and adǀice about how public policLJ can shape the food sLJstem for the beƩer. The Food PolicLJ Council of Buīalo and rie CountLJ was created in 2013 to fulĮll exactlLJ that need. It exists as a subͲenƟtLJ of the rie CountLJ Board of ,ealth and will proǀide consultaƟon on waLJs to improǀe access to healthLJ, locallLJ grown food and build regional farm economies. ParƟcipants hope to establish a partner organizaƟon for Niagara CountLJ soon.

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Conserve Energy,

promote

ZĞŶĞǁĂďůĞƐ and Prepare for the Impacts of ůŝŵĂƚĞ Change

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Global climate change will be the dominant local issue of the 21st century.

We already know that changes in the earth’s atmosphere are caused in large part by the burning of fossil fuels. We know that the resulting warming in air and water will lead to shifts in weather patterns, increases in extreme storms, PRUH IUHTXHQW úRRGV DQG GURXJKWV This will also lead to disruptions to our food system, stresses on ecosystems, rising sea levels, migrations of people, LQFUHDVLQJ OLNHOLKRRG RI FRQúLFW RYHU resources, damage to oceans and more. There is great practical urgency to mitigate the extent of climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. We can do this by making EXLOGLQJV DQG YHKLFOHV PRUH HIÚFLHQW by driving less -- which depends both on available alternatives and land use patterns; and expanding the use of renewable energy sources. We also need to prepare for transitions likely to result from climate change already assured by dramatic increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 200 years. Climate change is a global problem. Globally, average annual surface temperatures have risen by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900 – and the pace of this heating has increased over recent decades.i Climate scientists agree that carbon dioxide and other GHGs (Green

House Gases) already emitted into the atmosphere are enough to cause an increase in mean global temperatures of 2C – about 3.6F – by the middle of the century – enough to cause a chain of damaging disruptions in global ecological systems.ii But the planet isn’t just getting warmer. Weather is less predictable. Storms are stronger and more frequent. Patterns of rainfall are shifting, leaving some areas in drought, others newly prone to úRRGLQJ $V JOREDO SRSXODWLRQ LQFUHDVHV carbon emissions continue and climate FKDQJH LQWHQVLÚHV WKH LPSDFW DURXQG the globe will only be greater. In the U.S., we contribute to these changes more than most others across the globe. Energy consumption per capita in the U.S. is nearly four times the global average. So even though we KDYH OHVV WKDQ ÚYH SHUFHQW RI WKH ZRUOG�V population, we release roughly 20 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted throughout the worldiii. And the global rate of GHG emissions is still rising at a pace that exceeds the rate on which the most pessimistic forecasts of global temperature increase and sea level rise are based.

What Does the Data dĞůů hĆ? About What We Are Doing? Our environment is changing. The region has increasing temperatures and rainfall. We are seeing more extreme weather events. More homes are being WKUHDWHQHG E\ ĂśRRGLQJ The region is consuming fossil fuels at high rates. Our consumption habits are slow to change. We are producing more clean energy here. We see increased demand for fresh water and potential pressure on the Great Lakes.

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What the Community Said dŚĞLJ sĂůƵĞ What 115 Maps Tell Us

100people

What the Data dĞůůƐ hƐ The region is projected to get warmer and wetter. WZK: d /E Z ^ /E EEh > s Z ' d DW Z dhZ ^ ; 'Z ^ & Z E, /dͿ d DW Z dhZ ^ ; 'Z ^ & Z E, /dͿ

WZK: d /E Z ^ /E EEh > s Z ' WZK: d /E Z ^ /E EEh > s Z ' Z /E& >> ;/E , ^ͬz ZͿ

Over

said the best way to make Buffalo Niagara more sustainable would be to limit our consumption of fossil fuels

..... What Else We Heard ..... When asked what they would like to see changed in their community...

͞ƌĞŶĞǁĂďůĞ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ͟ ͞ĞdžƉĂŶĚ ƌĞĐLJĐůŝŶŐ ŝŶ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů ďLJ ĞůŝŵŝŶĂƟŶŐ ĚŝƐƉŽƐĂďůĞ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ͟

Minimum Maximum

7.9

8.7 Minimum Maximum

4.6

4.2 2.9

3.2 1.6

2030

2050

4.5 3.0

2080

2.2

2030

3.5

2.1

2050

2080

Source: NaƟonal Center for Atmospheric Zesearch, CommunitLJ Climate SLJstem Model, 2012. Notes: Based on the IPCC’s ϰth Assessment A2 Scenario which assumes: high populaƟon growth, medium economic growth, high energLJ use, low resource aǀailabilitLJ, mediumͲhigh land use changes slow pace of adopƟng technological changes to reduce emissions.

By the end of the century, we could experience...

36 days over 90°

100°+ 90°

14 days over 100°

Over

$6.6 billion

of residential property in Buffalo Niagara lies within öRRGSODLQV.

͞ďĂŶ ŚLJĚƌĂƵůŝĐ ĨƌĂĐŬŝŶŐ͟

ůŝŵĂƚĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ number one issue

ĨĂĐŝŶŐ ŽƵƌ ƉůĂŶĞƚ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ h^͘ tĞ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ĚŽ Ăůů ǁĞ ĐĂŶ EKt͘ ůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ĐůĞĂŶ Feed /Ŷ dĂƌŝīƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ƐƚĂƌƚ͘͟ Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ

Source: Frumhoī, et al. 2007. “ConfronƟng climate change in the US Northeast.͟ Union of Concerned ScienƟsts.

Source: AnalLJsis is based on GIS oǀerlaLJ of NYS Oĸce of Zeal PropertLJ SLJstem ;ZPSͿ parcel center points ;2010Ϳ with F MA Y3 Digital Floodplains ;1996Ϳ.

We g generate renewable energy, but most of it isn’t consumed here.

ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ŽŶŐƌĞƐƐ

Electricity we generate

Focus on energy ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ — ŶŽƚ ũƵƐƚ ĞĸĐŝĞŶĐLJ͘

Ͳ ŝƟnjĞŶ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ŽŶŐƌĞƐƐ

66%

comes from renewables

Source: U.S. nergLJ InformaƟon AdministraƟon, Department of nerͲ gLJ, 2012; The New York Independent SLJstem Operator, 2013.

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Electricity we use

40%

comes from renewables

tŚĂƚ tĞ ŽƵůĚ Ž ŝīĞƌĞŶƚůLJ What we use our energy for... E Z'z KE^hDWd/KE z h^ ' ͕ ϮϬϭϬ

Commercial ResidenƟal

21%

33%

7% Nearly three-quarters of the energy we consume is used to power our homes and cars.

Industrial

39% TransportaƟon

Source: cologLJ and nǀironment, Inc. Cleaner, Greener CommuniƟes Western New York Zegional Tier II Greenhouse Gas InǀenͲ torLJ, 2012. CalculaƟons are for the ĮǀeͲcountLJ area of Western New York which includes AlleganLJ, CaƩaraugus and Chautauqua counƟes. For a complete list of data sources used for calculaƟons, refer to CGC WNY Zegional Tier II G,G InǀentorLJ.

We are responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions in our region.

80%

come from our homes, transportation and businesses

Greenhouse Gas Emissions z ^KhZ

Source: cologLJ and nǀironment, Inc. Cleaner, Greener CommuniƟes WestͲ ern New York Zegional Tier II Greenhouse Gas InǀentorLJ, 2012. CalculaƟons are for the ĮǀeͲcountLJ area of Western New York which includes AlleganLJ, CaƩaraugus and Chautauqua counƟes. For a complete list of data sources used for calculaƟons, refer to CGC WNY Zegional Tier II G,G InǀentorLJ.

,KD ^ 25%

dZ E^WKZd d/KE h^/E ^^ ^ 38% 17%

Our environment can be used to help us manage climate change. Urban trees in Buffalo Niagara absorb over

245,000 metric tons of CO2

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p 92

Promote renewables locally

p 93

Make renewable energy growth an economic development priority

p 94

As a region, we need to focus on renewable sources of energy

p 95

We need to plan now to prepare the region for climate change impacts and anticipate adaptive responses

p 96

...which is equivalent to taking 40,788 passenger vehicles off the road

Source: cologLJ and nǀironment, Inc. Cleaner, Greener CommuniƟes Western New York Zegional Tier II Greenhouse Gas InǀentorLJ, 2012; carbonfootͲ print360.com, “Greenhouse Gas quiǀalencies Calculator͟, 2013.

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tŚĂƚ tĞ ŽƵůĚ Ž ŝīĞƌĞŶƚůLJ

:RUN IRU JUHDWHU HQHUJ\ HIùFLHQF\ DQG conservation in our buildings and transportation system. The biggest impact we can make now and in the near term is to work IRU JUHDWHU HQHUJ\ HIùFLHQF\ DQG FRQVHUYDWLRQ LQ RXU EXLOGLQJV DQG WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ V\VWHPV XQGHUVWDQGLQJ WKDW HIùFLHQF\ DQG FRQVHUYDWLRQ are not the same thing; one uses technology to reduce the energy demand of our current behavior while the other requires that people behave differently to use less energy). Some of the things we can do to make this happen include:

DĂŬĞ ŚŽŵĞƐ ŵŽƌĞ ĞĸĐŝĞŶƚ͘ Mount a broadͲbased program to proǀide energLJ audits for homes regionͲwide as the basis to install energLJ eĸcient technologLJ ;lighƟng controls, heaƟng and air condiƟoningͿ and weatherize more than ϰ00,000 homes. We can saǀe moneLJ and aǀoid signiĮcant carbon emissions if we do. PUS, Buīalo is pioneering such a program with capital improǀements Įnanced directlLJ bLJ immediate saǀings bLJ the consumer.

'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͕ ůĞĂĚ ƚŚĞ ǁĂLJ͘ ncourage local goǀernments, maũor insƟtuƟons, and companies to lead the waLJ bLJ conducƟng organizaƟonal climate acƟon plans that will help our largest energLJ users manage down fossil fuel use through performance contracƟng, adopƟon of renewable technologies, and transportaƟon demand management programs. The UniǀersitLJ at Buīalo is implemenƟng the climate acƟon plan theLJ adopted three LJears ago with dramaƟc results.

ĞǀĞůŽƉ ĂůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ͘ Work with hospitals, uniǀersiƟes, companies, business improǀement districts, parking garage operators and others to expand the electric ǀehicle recharging infrastructure throughout the region. Compressed natural gas ǀehicles emit lower leǀels G,Gs than gasoline engines but sƟll contribute to atmospheric carbon leǀels. ConƟnued diǀersiĮcaƟon of our energLJ sources and adopƟon of energLJ alternaƟǀes is necessarLJ to reduce G,Gs.

hƉĚĂƚĞ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĐŽĚĞƐ ĨŽƌ ĞĸĐŝĞŶĐLJ͘ Zegional leaders should help lead a coaliƟon to adǀocate for improǀements in the New York State building code to enforce contemporarLJ energLJ eĸciencLJ standards, encourage the use of renewable energLJ in new and retroĮƩed buildings, and incorporate passiǀe solar design in all buildings.

/ŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĞĸĐŝĞŶƚ ůŝŐŚƟŶŐ͘ In addiƟon to alternaƟǀe fuels, more eĸcient light sources should be considered including traĸc signal lights, street lights and lights in faciliƟes such as parking garages. Zeplacing older lessͲeĸcient highͲintensitLJ discharge ;,IDͿ or metal halide technologies with more eĸcient opƟons, such as lightͲemiƫng diode ;L DͿ and inducƟon lamps, represents a real opportunitLJ for reducing costs and energLJ use. MunicipaliƟes including Buīalo haǀe alreadLJ taken steps to replace incandescent traĸc signal bulbs with Light miƫng Diodes ;L DsͿ on traĸc signals citLJwide.iǀ In addiƟon to L D traĸc signals, municipaliƟes should also consider L D street lighƟng programs.

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What if we adopted innovative approaches to solar energy?

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ PhotoͲǀoltaic solar energLJ technologLJ is someƟmes deploLJed at scale in uƟlitarian “farms͟ with a rackͲandͲstack architecture. When the New York Power AuthoritLJ oīered the UniǀersitLJ at Buīalo 7ϱ0 kilowaƩs of solar capacitLJ, leaders knew that wouldn’t be appropriate for their campus. TheLJ engaged Walter ,ood, a naƟonallLJͲcelebrated landscape architect and arƟst, to design a solar energLJ facilitLJ that is also landscape art. “The Solar Strand͟ is demonstraƟng how renewable energLJ infrastructure can become a part of our daLJ to daLJ enǀironment.

dƌĂĸĐ ƐŝŐŶĂů ƌĞƟŵŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽƉƟŵŝnjĂƟŽŶ͘ Signal opƟmizaƟon is one of the most cost eīecƟǀe measures that can signiĮcantlLJ help with traĸc Ňow on arterial roads and minimize points of congesƟon. Within the CitLJ of Buīalo four traĸc corridors haǀe undergone signal reƟming and opƟmizaƟon ;Delaware, Jeīerson and ,ertel Aǀenues and Seneca StreetͿ and four more corridors are underwaLJ or nearing implementaƟon for reƟming and opƟmizaƟon ;Niagara, Clinton and Main Streets and lmwood AǀenueͿ. ZeƟming and OpƟmizaƟon is also slated to take place on Niagara Falls Blǀd. and Sheridan Driǀe. AddiƟonal corridors and areas of opportunitLJ for signal reƟming should be pursued to lessen emissions that negaƟǀelLJ impact our air qualitLJ.

'ƌĞĞŶ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ Θ ƐƚŽƌŵǁĂƚĞƌ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ͘ īecƟǀe stormwater and streamͬriǀer management can reduce the risk of Ňooding for transportaƟon infrastructure. Stream and riǀer management can reduce condiƟons that exacerbate Ňooding impacts on transportaƟon.

What if all homes were more energy HIùFLHQW"

In turn, green infrastructure can be incorporated into exisƟng and new transportaƟon infrastructure in terms of both design and materials used to lessen the amount of impermeable surfaces that create run oī that add to some of our Combined Sewer OǀerŇow ;CSOͿ issues in the region.

ŶĚ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ďŽĂƌĚ͘​͘​͘

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ

Other energLJ saǀing strategies are incorporated in secƟons of this plan dealing with land use ;promote compact deǀelopmentͿ, transportaƟon ;reduce ǀehicle miles traǀeledͿ, housing and neighborhoods ;reuse exisƟng building stockͿ, and food access and ũusƟce ;promote locallLJͲ sourced produce and reduce energLJ inputs to farmingͿ.

Promote renewables locally. Promoting the spread of renewable energy production requires a challenging mixture of local initiatives with actions not immediately under the control of actors in Buffalo Niagara. Together, however, these actions – policy changes, market innovations, and capital investments – can create the system that will quicken our transition to renewable sources of energy.

ƌĞĂƚĞ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ ĨŽƌ ƌĞŶĞǁĂďůĞƐ͘ Deǀelop power infrastructure to promote the proliferaƟon of distributed renewable energLJ producƟon, upgrading energLJ and storage capacitLJ, improǀing the operaƟons of the New York State Independent SLJstem Operators A, and promote the deǀelopment of microͲgrids to facilitate renewable generaƟon at the local scale.

The New York State nergLJ Zesearch and Deǀelopment AuthoritLJ ;NYS ZDAͿ is partnering with 18 communitLJͲbased notͲforͲ proĮts across the state, including PUS, Buīalo, to install home weatherizaƟon and energLJ eĸciencLJ upgrades. The goals are twoͲfold: to help households reduce their monthlLJ energLJ bills and to create liǀing wage emploLJment in the green ũobs sector. Zecommended improǀements are Įnanced with the energLJ saǀings reŇected on the consumer’s energLJ bill. Meanwhile, installaƟon contractors hire dozens of new workers.

džƚĞŶĚ ƌĞŶĞǁĂďůĞ ƉŽƌƞŽůŝŽ ƐƚĂŶĚĂƌĚ͘ ncourage New York State Public Serǀice Commission to extend the coǀerage of the state’s Zenewable Porƞolio Standard and conƟnue to increase the proporƟon of total energLJ that uƟliƟes are required to produce as renewables, that customers are allowed to produce as renewables, and that certain state enƟƟes are required to consume as renewables. This will conƟnue to build both demand and supplLJ for green energLJ.

ƌĞĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĨŽƌ ĚŝƐƚƌŝďƵƚĞĚ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƟŽŶ͘ Support creaƟon of pricing mechanisms for sale of power from distributed renewable generators to grid operators ;oŌen known as a FeedͲin TariīͿ, net metering to facilitate the same, and programs to Įnance conserǀaƟon and renewable energLJ inǀestments such as on bill Įnancing and PropertLJ Assessed Clean nergLJ ;PAC Ϳ in which repaLJment obligaƟon aƩaches to the propertLJ, not the original borrower.

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DĹ˝ĆŒÄž Ć?ƚĂƚĞ ĨƾŜĚĞĚ Ć?ŽůÄ‚ĆŒ ĂŜĚ Ç Ĺ?ĹśÄšÍ˜ State iniĆ&#x;aĆ&#x;Ç€es haÇ€e gone a long waLJ toward ĹŠumpͲstarĆ&#x;ng markets in renewable energLJ but more can be done. xpand programs bLJ New York State nergLJ Zesearch and DeÇ€elopment AuthoritLJ to fund solar energLJ proĹŠects and create similar programs to fund wind power proĹŠects.

^ĆšĆŒÄžÄ‚žůĹ?ŜĞ Ć‰ÄžĆŒĹľĹ?ĆŤĹśĹ? ĨŽĆŒ ĆŒÄžĹśÄžÇ Ä‚Ä?ĹŻÄžĆ?͘ ZaĆ&#x;onalize the process for permiĆŤng for wind, solar, and other renewable installaĆ&#x;ons supported bLJ strong educaĆ&#x;onal programs about the beneÄŽts of such inÇ€estments for household economics, business success, and communitLJ resilience.

WĆľÄ?ĹŻĹ?Ä? Ä?ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄšĹ?ĹśĹ?Ć?Í• ůĞĂĚ ƚŚĞ Ç Ä‚Ç‡Í˜ ConÇ€ert public buildings to renewable energLJ sources to increase demand and saÇ€e public dollars, keeping in mind that while prices for fossil fuels are likelLJ to Ňuctuate, costs for renewable infrastructure will predictablLJ decline oÇ€er Ć&#x;me and the “fuelsÍ&#x; in quesĆ&#x;on are free. Consider a target date of 202Ďą for total conÇ€ersion.

What if all new buildings were sustainably designed?

džƉĂŜĚ Ä?ŽůůÄ‚Ä?Ĺ˝ĆŒÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä?ÄžĆšÇ ÄžÄžĹś EzW ĂŜĚ KĹśĆšÄ‚ĆŒĹ?Ĺ˝ WĹ˝Ç ÄžĆŒÍ˜ The future of the Niagara region as the “energLJ hubÍ&#x; of the Great Lakes will depend in large part on the abilitLJ of the New York Power AuthoritLJ and Ontario Power to trade electricitLJ Í´ much of it wind power from the Midwest and Ontario Í´ to manage and balance the Ňow of power. New York and Ontario are both currentlLJ working on inÇ€estments in transmission capacitLJ. NYPA and Ontario Power should collaborate to ensure these inÇ€estments work together.

Make renewable energy growth an economic development priority. The development of renewable energy – part of what is known as the “blue/greenâ€? economy – can help create local community jobs, income and wealth – in the installation of renewable technology, the PDQDJHPHQW RI HQHUJ\ DQG FDUERQ HPLVVLRQV DW WKH RUJDQL]DWLRQDO VFDOH DQG HYHQ IRU WKH UHVHDUFK DQG GHYHORSPHQW RI QHZ HIĂšFLHQF\ DQG renewable production technologies.

^ĆľĆ‰Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆš ZÄžĆ?ÄžÄ‚ĆŒÄ?Ĺš ĂŜĚ ÄžÇ€ÄžĹŻĹ˝Ć‰ĹľÄžĹśĆšÍ˜ ngage area uniÇ€ersiĆ&#x;es to tap research and deÇ€elopment resources on renewable energLJ producĆ&#x;on, distribuĆ&#x;on, storage, and conserÇ€aĆ&#x;on toward creaĆ&#x;on of a “greenÍ&#x; energLJ industrial sector centered in BuÄŤalo Niagara.

'ĆŒĹ˝Ç Ä‚Ĺś ÄžĹśÄžĆŒĹ?LJ žĂŜƾĨÄ‚Ä?ĆšĆľĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? Ć?ÄžÄ?ĆšĹ˝ĆŒÍ˜ Promote the deÇ€elopment of renewable energLJ manufacturing for renewables through an expansion of the industrial supplLJ chain of materials and products made in BuÄŤalo Niagara.

dĆŒÄ‚Ĺ?Ĺś Ç Ĺ˝ĆŒĹŹÄžĆŒĆ? ĨŽĆŒ Ä?ůĞĂŜ ÄžĹśÄžĆŒĹ?LJ ĹŠĹ˝Ä?Ć?͘ Work with companies, unions, and educaĆ&#x;onal insĆ&#x;tuĆ&#x;ons to establish a training and placement pipeline for the manufacture, installaĆ&#x;on, maintenance of renewable energLJ and eĸciencLJ technologLJ.

dĞĂÄ?Ĺš Ä?Ä‚ĆŒÄ?ŽŜ Ä‚Ä?Ä?ŽƾŜĆ&#x;ĹśĹ?͘ xpand educaĆ&#x;on and training for carbon accounĆ&#x;ng such as the green building cerĆ&#x;ÄŽcates oÄŤered through the UB ducaĆ&#x;onal OpportunitLJ Center, as well as programs to educate professionals in the applicaĆ&#x;on of L D standards.

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Momentum ƚŽ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄš KĹś Leadership in nergLJ and nÇ€ironmental Design ÍžL DÍż building standards are increasinglLJ the rule in architecture in BuÄŤalo Niagara, especiallLJ in public sector buildings. The ducaĆ&#x;onal OpportunitLJ Center, UB School of Medicine, UB’s DaÇ€is ,all, and the new US Federal Courthouse among manLJ others haÇ€e earned or are applLJing for L D cerĆ&#x;ÄŽcaĆ&#x;on. In the priÇ€ate sector, The Planing Mill, Bethune LoĹŒs, and the lmwood Village Condominiums are incorporaĆ&#x;ng L D’s comprehensiÇ€e sustainabilitLJ principles in their designs.

dĂƌŐĞƚ ƉƵďůŝĐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚƐ͘ Proǀide preferenƟal scoring for inǀestments in renewable energLJ infrastructure in the New York State Consolidated Funding ApplicaƟon process through the Zegional conomic Deǀelopment Council and through industrial deǀelopment agencies in the region.

'ƌŽǁ ĐŽͲŽƉ ƉŽǁĞƌ͘ Deǀelop distribuƟǀe energLJ sLJstems in which a large number of ownerͬproducers contribute electric power to the grid; coordinate with the creaƟon of energLJ cooperaƟǀes which serǀe memberͲowners. Both schemes help create local wealth as theLJ serǀe communiƟes.

As a region, we need to focus on renewable sources of energy.

What if we expanded wind power projects?

Even as efforts to exploit reserves of oil, gas, coal and tar sands continue, demand is outstripping the supply of fossil fuel energy, raising prices across the board. Worse yet are the costs of actually burning these fuels. We need to move to renewable energy sources for all of our needs and sooner rather than later. Local leaders need to join the global debate.

Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ

ĚǀŽĐĂƚĞ ĨŽƌ Ă ŐƌĞĞŶ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĨƵƚƵƌĞ͘ ManLJ of the crucial decisions about our next energLJ economLJ will be made at state, federal or internaƟonal leǀels. But Buīalo Niagara can speak to its interests for a green energLJ future. The naƟonal policLJ debate about whether to tax carbon emissions or regulate them needs to be resolǀed to aǀoid the “do nothing͟ opƟon. Meanwhile, adopƟon of hLJdraulic fracturing methods in natural gas extracƟon is being fought on a state bLJ state basis. Zegional leaders should conƟnue to adǀocate for a concerted transiƟon to safe and green energLJ sources.

We need to plan now to prepare the region for climate change impacts and anticipate adaptive responses. Even if we reduced carbon emissions suddenly and dramatically, our FOLPDWH ZRXOG FRQWLQXH WR FKDQJH EHIRUH LW VWDELOL]HG DJDLQ :H QHHG WR develop the ability to withstand shocks to regional systems and learn how to bounce back after they hit.

With the construcƟon of the Steel Winds proũect on the former Bethlehem Steel propertLJ in Lackawanna seǀeral LJears ago, electricitLJ generated bLJ wind power has become a ǀisible part of regional energLJ soluƟons. The ensemble of tall turbines generates 3ϱ megawaƩs of power and ũoins “wind farms͟ in WLJoming, Chautauqua, CaƩaraugus and AlleganLJ CountLJ as faciliƟes generaƟng nearlLJ three percent of all upstate electricitLJ needs. Local opposiƟon to the turbines persists in some places, but wind power is becoming an increasinglLJ important ʹ and green ʹ source of our energLJ.

ĞƐŝŐŶ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŶĂŐĞ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ ƚŽ ŵĞĞƚ ŶĞǁ ƚŚƌĞĂƚƐ͘ A range of new threats mean that standard designs for public infrastructure maLJ no longer be adequate to withstand the eīects of climate change. Local oĸcials should work together to anƟcipate changing enǀironmental and operaƟonal condiƟons and update design standards, including paǀement requirements and maintenance protocols accordinglLJ. Climate changeͲ induced design factors include temperature change, precipitaƟon and water leǀels, wind loads, and storm surges and waǀe heights which haǀe both shortͲterm and longͲterm implicaƟons. These factors maLJ require the retroĮt of exisƟng faciliƟes as well as the redesign of new, replacement, or renoǀated capital items.ǀ

ĞǀĞůŽƉ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ƌŝƐŬ ĂƐƐĞƐƐŵĞŶƚƐ͘ CounƟes and municipaliƟes should deǀelop communitLJ risk assessments to guide planning and inǀestment in climateͲrelated preǀenƟǀe measures. This should include the indenƟĮcaƟon of ǀulnerable faciliƟes and sLJstems, an assessment of likelLJ consequences due to proũected eǀents, and preparatorLJ measures that can be taken. One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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/ŵƉƌŽǀĞ ƉƌĞƉĂƌĂƟŽŶƐ͘ Local and regional oĸcials should reǀiew, expand and maintain disaster and emergencLJ preparedness plans and programs, anƟcipaƟng an increase in the number of eǀents ʹ blizzards, Ňooding, heat emergencies, high winds, water shortages, and disrupƟons in power and data ʹ that maLJ be caused bLJ aspects of climate change. Agencies should also assess where emergencLJ response capacitLJ needs to be enhanced ͲͲ and act on those assessments in adǀance of emergent eǀents. LocaliƟes that understand the likelLJ consequences and prepare for them will be more “resilient͟ in the long run.

ŽŶ͛ƚ ƉƵƚ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ŚĂƌŵ͛Ɛ ǁĂLJ͘ Zeǀiew and reǀise land use policies ;e.g. Ňood insurance, zoning, riparian buīersͿ to address foreseeable climate impacts. A range of acƟons can serǀe to miƟgate the worst damage from climateͲrelated eǀents. Zeducing the incenƟǀe to build in ŇoodͲprone areas proǀided bLJ the NaƟonal Flood Insurance Program would be one step, although not within our control regionallLJ. oning to limit building in Ňood plains and regulaƟon to protect stream corridors from deǀelopment would also help.

hƉĚĂƚĞ ŇŽŽĚ ŵĂƉƐ͘ Update and use the ϱ00ͲLJear Ňood plane maps for site planning reǀiew. As extreme weather eǀents become more common the noƟons of 100Ͳ and ϱ00ͲLJear Ňoods become less useful. Just as a lightͲLJear is a measure of Ɵme, not distance, a ϱ00ͲLJear Ňood is a measure of extent of Ňooding not frequencLJ. UlƟmatelLJ ʹ an ounce of preǀenƟon being worth a pound of cure ʹ the point is simplLJ to discourage or prohibit building in areas that are likelLJ to Ňood. This will require accurate informaƟon and acƟng on it appropriatelLJ.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

What if our communities became more resilient to larger more frequent storm events? Momentum ƚŽ ƵŝůĚ KŶ In addiƟon to proǀiding water qualitLJ beneĮts, protecƟng and expanding naturalized areas along our lakes, riǀers, creeks, and streams will protect our homes, roadwaLJs, and businesses from Ňooding and storm surges caused bLJ climate change. AcƟǀe Ziǀer Areas and Coastal Shorezones are much more than the ŇoodwaLJ or beach, theLJ include Ňoodplains, wetlands, dunes, marshes, and for riǀers, naturallLJ occurring meander belts, all of which slow and store Ňoodwaters and waǀe surges, buīering uplands from extreme storm eǀents. The West Seneca Oxbow, a former meander from Buīalo Creek, is an example of this natural infrastructure. Through a donaƟon bLJ the Jacobs FamilLJ, the Town of West Seneca has preserǀed the Oxbow and restored its funcƟon and ecologLJ, proǀiding Ňood resiliencLJ to this area in perpetuitLJ.

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/žƉůĞžĞŜƚĂĆ&#x;ŽŜ ŽĨ ƚŚĹ?Ć? ƉůĂŜ Ç Ĺ?ĹŻĹŻ ŜŽĆš ĨÄ‚ĹŻĹŻ ŽŜ ƚŚĞ Ć?ĹšŽƾůÄšÄžĆŒĆ? ŽĨ ŽŜÄž Ĺ˝ĆŒĹ?Ä‚ĹśĹ?njĂĆ&#x;ŽŜ Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ä?Ĺ˝ÄšÇ‡Í˜ DĂŜLJ Ä‚Ä?ĆšĹ˝ĆŒĆ?Í• ĆŒÄ‚ĹśĹ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? ĨĆŒŽž ŜŽŜĆ‰ĆŒŽĎĆšĆ?Í• ĹŻĹ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ Ĺ?Ĺ˝Ç€ÄžĆŒŜžÄžĹśĆšĆ?Í• Ä?Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹśĆ?Í• Ä?ŽƾŜƚLJ ĂŜĚ ĆŒÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ ĞŜĆ&#x;Ć&#x;ÄžĆ?Í• ƚŚĞ Ä?ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć? Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJ͕ ĂŜĚ Ä‚Ä?ĂĚĞžĹ?Ä? Ĺ?ĹśĆ?Ć&#x;ƚƾĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ? can and must play a part in moving One Region Forward. We know implementation is already in motion. The question is, can we better support and coordinate efforts that point toward key regional values to advance those initiatives and measure progress of implementation?

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The networked approach to implementation seeks to do just that, by aligning and coordinating local planning, targeting how we make public and private investments across the region, promoting collaborative partnerships, informing and engaging citizens and decision-makers DQG ÚQGLQJ ZD\V WR build capacity and technical support to assist efforts at the local level. $QG ÚQDOO\ ZH NQRZ implementation must be results-driven. The One Region Forward performance base has been developed to gauge if our collective efforts are successful in creating the prosperous and sustainable 21st century region we want. A critical piece of implementation involves a FRPPLWPHQW WR PHDVXUH WKHVH PHWULFV RYHU WLPH DQG UHFRJQL]H ORFDO DFWLRQV project and policy changes that move the region forward. $ FROODERUDWLYH RUJDQL]DWLRQ ZLOO EH HVWDEOLVKHG WR guide this process and measuring our region’s collective progress toward implementation. Called the One Region Forward Network Committee, this group will be an off-shoot of the steering committee that guided the planning phase and will develop a charter WR PDNH FOHDU LWV PLVVLRQ DQG HQVXUH WKDW SDUWQHU RUJDQL]DWLRQV ZLOO DFWLYHO\ contribute over the long haul.

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One Region Forward EĞƚǁŽƌŬ ŽŵŵŝƩĞĞ Building on the partnerships that launched One Region Forward, the network committee will meet regularly to steer LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ DFURVV ùYH NH\ FURVV FXWWLQJ LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ strategies derived from our planning process. The committee will leverage its collective expertise, resources and dedication to the values of One Region Forward to assist with the following:

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ŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƟŶŐ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ WŽůŝĐŝĞƐ ǁŝƚŚ ZĞŐŝŽŶĂů sĂůƵĞƐ The One Region Forward planning process is a result of the unprecedented coordination occurring in planning and policy-setting regarding issues of regional VLJQLùFDQFH ,PSOHPHQWDWLRQ UHTXLUHV D FRQWLQXDWLRQ DQG VKDUSHQLQJ RI FRRUGLQDWLRQ to produce the results we need for a sustainable and prosperous region.

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'ƌĞĂƚĞƌ ƵīĂůŽ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ ZĞŐŝŽŶĂů dƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ŽƵŶĐŝů͛Ɛ ;' EZd Ϳ >ŽŶŐ ZĂŶŐĞ dƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ WůĂŶ will strongly integrate the regional values and ƉƌŝŽƌŝƟĞƐ ĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ KŶĞ ZĞŐŝŽŶ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ planning responds to regional goals for how we develop our land and our ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͘ ƵīĂůŽ 'ƌĞĞŶ ŽĚĞ has created a land use plan and zoning code strongly built on sustainability and aligning with the values of One Region Forward.

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Final Draft Plan, October 2014

ŽƵůĚ Ăůů ůŽĐĂů ŵƵŶŝĐŝƉĂůŝƟĞƐ ƵƐĞ ƚŚĞ ƌĞŐŝŽŶĂů ǀĂůƵĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŝŽƌŝƟĞƐ ĂƐ Ă ƌĞĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ŐƵŝĚĞ ǁŚĞŶ ƵƉĚĂƟŶŐ ĐŽŵƉƌĞŚĞŶƐŝǀĞ ƉůĂŶƐ ĂŶĚ njŽŶŝŶŐ ĐŽĚĞƐ͍ ŽƵůĚ ŽƵƌ ĐŽƵŶƟĞƐ use One Region Forward as the basis for reviewing 239-m ĂŶĚ ϮϯϵͲů ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ͍ Could we imagine every ůŽĐĂů ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ njŽŶŝŶŐ ďŽĂƌĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƟŶŐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ KŶĞ ZĞŐŝŽŶ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ ŝƟnjĞŶ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ^ĐŚŽŽů͍ tŚĂƚ ŝĨ Ăůů ϲϰ ůŽĐĂů ŵƵŶŝĐŝƉĂůŝƟĞƐ adopted a complete streets ordinance to ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƌŽĂĚ ĐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ĂƌĞ ĚĞƐŝŐŶĞĚ ĨŽƌ Ăůů ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ŵŽĚĞƐ͍

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Making Smart Investments On an annual basis, public and private investments total well over a billion dollars. One Region Forward has and will continue to facilitate opportunities to align investments so that they are strategic and aim toward our values and the collective SHUIRUPDQFH ZH ZDQW DV D UHJLRQ (DFK RI WKH ùYH ELJ LGHDV RI WKLV SODQ LQFOXGH some recommended strategies to get this done. Ultimately, though, this can be accomplished by a variety of partners leveraging a diverse portfolio offunding sources.

Alignment with state funding: dŚĞ tEz ZĞŐŝŽŶĂů ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŝƐ ƌĞĚĞĮŶŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ǁĂLJ ƐƚĂƚĞ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚƐ ĂƌĞ ŵĂĚĞ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͘ ŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚĞĚ ƐƚƌŽŶŐůLJ ǁŝƚŚ KŶĞ ZĞŐŝŽŶ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ͕ tEzZ ͛Ɛ ͞^ŵĂƌƚ 'ƌŽǁƚŚ͟ decision-making process mirrors the One Region Forward value base. Alignment with federal funding: Through its Preferred Sustainability Status ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͕ ƚŚĞ h͘^͘ ĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ,ŽƵƐŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ hƌďĂŶ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ŽīĞƌƐ ďŽŶƵƐ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĨŽƌ ĐŽŵƉĞƟƟǀĞ ŐƌĂŶƚ ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂůŝŐŶ ǁŝƚŚ KŶĞ ZĞŐŝŽŶ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ͘ KƚŚĞƌ ĨĞĚĞƌĂů ĚĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ĂƌĞ ƉĂLJŝŶŐ ĐůŽƐĞ ĂƩĞŶƟŽŶ ƚŽ ƌĞŐŝŽŶĂů ƉůĂŶƐ developed through this process, showing the value of what One Region Forward can mean as we think about how federal dollars support investment locally. hƟůŝnjŝŶŐ KŶĞ ZĞŐŝŽŶ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ďĂƐĞ ŝŶ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ͗ KƵƌ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͛Ɛ ŵĞƚƌŽƉŽůŝƚĂŶ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ͕ ƚŚĞ ' EZd ĐŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚĞƐ ŚŽǁ ĨĞĚĞƌĂů ĚŽůůĂƌƐ ĨŽƌ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ŐĞƚ ƉƌŝŽƌŝƟnjĞĚ͘ ' EZd ŝƐ ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚ ƚŽ ůĞǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƚŚĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ďĂƐĞ ŽĨ KŶĞ ZĞŐŝŽŶ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ƉƌŝŽƌŝƟnjĞ projects that best support what our region values. Can we imagine local industrial agencies ƵƐŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵŽŶ ƉƌŝŽƌŝƟĞƐ ŽĨ KŶĞ ZĞŐŝŽŶ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ ĂƐ Ă ďĂƐŝƐ ĨŽƌ ŚŽǁ ƚŚĞLJ ĨŽĐƵƐ ŝŶĐĞŶƟǀĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚƐ͍ Could ŽƵƌ ŵƵŶŝĐŝƉĂůŝƟĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽƵŶƟĞƐ ůŽŽŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƌĞŐŝŽŶĂů ǀĂůƵĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŝŽƌŝƟĞƐ ǁŚĞŶ ƚŚŝŶŬŝŶŐ ĂďŽƵƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂů ďƵĚŐĞƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ďůŽĐŬ ŐƌĂŶƚ funding? Could our business community make transit infrastructure and walkability key ĨĞĂƚƵƌĞƐ ŝŶ ƐŝƚĞ ƐĞůĞĐƟŽŶ͕ ĞdžƉĂŶƐŝŽŶ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚ ĚĞĐŝƐŝŽŶƐ͍ tŚĂƚ ŝĨ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ͕ ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ĂŐĞŶĐŝĞƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŶŽŶƉƌŽĮƚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ worked together to make weatherizing homes and buildings easy and cheap?

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One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

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Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

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Collaboration and coordination are critical ingredients to moving One Region Forward. Networked implementation will require continued partnerships that bring WRJHWKHU RUJDQL]DWLRQV JRYHUQPHQWV EXVLQHVVHV DJHQFLHV DQG RWKHU JURXSV WR focus on issues that cannot be done alone. Collaborative partnerships are critical to implementing the vision of One Region Forward and can be formal and informal, large and small. They can take the shape of public-private partnerships for funding infrastructure, social service agencies meeting regularly to coordinate service delivery, housing agencies working in alignment to cover the needs of residents, etc.

ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄšĹ?ĹśĹ? ZĞƾĆ?Äž WůĂŜ͗ dĹšĹ?Ć? ƉůĂŜ ĂŜĚ Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ć&#x;Ä‚Ć&#x;ǀĞ Ç Ä‚Ć? Ć?Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĹŹÄžÄš Ä?LJ Ä‚ ĹŠĹ˝Ĺ?Ŝƚ ĆŒÄžÄ?Ĺ˝Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä?ÄžĆšÇ ÄžÄžĹś ƚŚĞ Ĺ?ƚLJ ŽĨ ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ ĂŜĚ ƚŚĞ ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ EĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚ WÄ‚ĆŒĆšĹśÄžĆŒĆ?ĹšĹ?Ɖ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ƉƾÄ?ĹŻĹ?Ä? ĂŜĚ Ć‰ĆŒĹ?ǀĂƚĞ Ć?ÄžÄ?ĆšĹ˝ĆŒĆ? ĞĂÄ?Ĺš Ä?ÄžÄ‚ĆŒ ĆŒÄžĆ?ƉŽŜĆ?Ĺ?Ä?Ĺ?ĹŻĹ?ƚLJ ĨŽĆŒ ƚŚĞ ƾůĆ&#x;žĂƚĞ ĆŒÄžÇ€Ĺ?ƚĂůĹ?njĂĆ&#x;ŽŜ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ Ä?Ĺ?ƚLJ͛Ć? ĆľĆŒÄ?Ä‚Ĺś Ä?Ĺ˝ĆŒÄžÍ˜ /Ćš Ä?ŽŜĆ?Ĺ?Ć?ĆšĆ? ŽĨ Ä‚ ƉƾÄ?ĹŻĹ?Ä?ͲĆ‰ĆŒĹ?ǀĂƚĞ Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆšĹśÄžĆŒĆ?ĹšĹ?Ɖ ƚŚĂƚ ƉŽŽůĆ? ĆŒÄžĆ?ŽƾĆŒÄ?ÄžĆ? ĂŜĚ Ä?ĂƉĂÄ?Ĺ?ƚLJ ƚŽ ĆŒÄžÇ€Ĺ?ƚĂůĹ?njĞ ƚŚĞ ÄšĹ˝Ç ĹśĆšĹ˝Ç Ĺś ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ ĆŒÄžÄ‚ĹŻ ÄžĆ?ƚĂƚĞ market.Leveraging both public and private dollars, the project has created a downtown revolving loan fund to support projects that would not otherwise break ground, and allocated more than $6 million in public and private dollars to improving streetscapes and public spaces throughout downtown. &ŽŽÄš WŽůĹ?Ä?LJ ŽƾŜÄ?Ĺ?ĹŻ ŽĨ ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ Θ ĆŒĹ?Äž ŽƾŜƚLJ͗ Ć?ƚĂÄ?ĹŻĹ?Ć?ŚĞĚ ƚŽ ŽčÄžĆŒ Ĺ?ĆľĹ?ĚĂŜÄ?Äž ƚŽ ĹŻĹ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ Ĺ?Ĺ˝Ç€ÄžĆŒŜžÄžĹśĆšĆ? ŽŜ ĨŽŽÄš ƉŽůĹ?Ä?LJ Ĺ?Ć?Ć?ƾĞĆ?Í• ƚŚĹ?Ć? Ĺ?ĆŒŽƾƉ Ĺ?Ć? ŚĞůƉĹ?ĹśĹ? ƚŽ ĆŒÄžÄšÄžÄŽĹśÄž the landscape of how food is thought about by local and county governments ĂŜĚ Ĺ˝ĆšĹšÄžĆŒ Ĺ?ĹśĆ?Ć&#x;ƚƾĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ?͘ ĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? ƚŽĹ?ÄžĆšĹšÄžĆŒ ĨÄ‚ĆŒĹľÄžĆŒĆ?Í• Ä‚Ä?ĂĚĞžĹ?Ä? ÄžÇ†Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆšĆ?Í• ŚĞĂůƚŚ Ć‰ĆŒŽĨÄžĆ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻĆ?Í• ĂŜĚ ƉĂĆ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜĂƚĞ Ä?Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹśĆ?Í• ƚŚĹ?Ć? Ĺ?ĆŒŽƾƉ Ĺ?Ć? ƉŽŽůĹ?ĹśĹ? ƚŽĹ?ÄžĆšĹšÄžĆŒ ÄšĹ?Ć?Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚ĆšÄž ÄžÇ†Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆ&#x;Ć?Äž ƚŽ ÄŽĹŻĹŻ Ä‚ ƉŽůĹ?Ä?LJ ĹŹĹśĹ˝Ç ĹŻÄžÄšĹ?Äž Ä?Ä‚Ć?Äž Ć?ĞĞŜ Ĺ?Ĺś žĂŜLJ ŽĨ ŽƾĆŒ ĹŻĹ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ Ĺ?Ĺ˝Ç€ÄžĆŒŜžÄžĹśĆšĆ?͘

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Ä‚Ĺś Ç Äž Ĺ?žĂĹ?Ĺ?ŜĞ

KƉĞŜ ƾčĂůŽ͗ ^ĆľĆ‰Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšÄžÄš Ä?LJ ƚŚĞ KƉĞŜ WĹŻÄ‚Ä?ÄžĆ? /ĹśĹ?Ć&#x;Ä‚Ć&#x;ǀĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ KƉĞŜ ^Ĺ˝Ä?Ĺ?ĞƚLJ &ŽƾŜĚĂĆ&#x;ŽŜÍ• KƉĞŜ ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ Ĺ?Ć? Ä‚ Ä?Ĺ?Ç€Ĺ?Ä? Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ć&#x;Ä‚Ć&#x;ǀĞ ƚŽ Ä‚Ä?Ć&#x;ǀĂƚĞ ůŽŜĹ?ͲĆšÄžĆŒĹľ Ĺ?ĹľĆ‰ĆŒĹ˝Ç€ÄžĹľÄžĹśĆšĆ? Ĺ?Ĺś ĹŠĆľĆ?Ć&#x;Ä?Äž ĂŜĚ ĞƋƾĹ?ƚLJ ĆšĹšĆŒŽƾĹ?ĹšŽƾĆš ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ ĂŜĚ ƚŚĞ ĆŒÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜ͘ /Ćš Ĺ?Ć? Ä‚Ĺś ƾŜĆ‰ĆŒÄžÄ?ĞĚĞŜƚĞĚ Ä?ŽůůÄ‚Ä?Ĺ˝ĆŒÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä‚žŽŜĹ? Ä‚ ÄšĹ?Ç€ÄžĆŒĆ?Äž Ĺ?ĆŒŽƾƉ ŽĨ Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆšĹśÄžĆŒĆ? ƚŚĂƚ Ĺ?ĹśÄ?ůƾĚĞĆ? ŽĂůĹ?Ć&#x;ŽŜ ĨŽĆŒ Ä?ŽŜŽžĹ?Ä? :ĆľĆ?Ć&#x;Ä?Ğ͕ WÄ‚ĆŒĆšĹśÄžĆŒĆ?ĹšĹ?Ɖ ĨŽĆŒ ƚŚĞ WĆľÄ?ĹŻĹ?Ä? 'ŽŽÄšÍ• Wh^, ƾčĂůŽ͕ sK/ Ͳ ƾčĂůŽ͕ and many others.

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Local Governments County Governments Business Community EŽŜĆ‰ĆŒŽĎĆšĆ? School Districts

102

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Ä‚Ĺś Ç Äž Ĺ?žĂĹ?Ĺ?ŜĞ ĹŻĹ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?Ć&#x;ÄžĆ? ĂŜĚ Ć?Ä?ĹšŽŽů ÄšĹ?Ć?ĆšĆŒĹ?Ä?ĆšĆ? working with ƚŚĞ Ä?ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć? Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJ ƚŽ ĎŜĚ Ç Ä‚Ç‡Ć? ƚŽ Ä‚ÄšÄšĆŒÄžĆ?Ć? ĞĚƾÄ?Ä‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ ĂŜĚ Ç Ĺ˝ĆŒŏĨŽĆŒÄ?Äž development needs regionally? What if all local governments žĞƚ ĆŒÄžĹ?ƾůÄ‚ĆŒĹŻÇ‡ ƚŽ ÄšĹ?Ć?Ä?ĆľĆ?Ć? Ĺ˝Ć‰Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšƾŜĹ?Ć&#x;ÄžĆ? ĨŽĆŒ Ć?ĹšÄ‚ĆŒÄžÄš service agreements to reducing costs and increase service delivery? tŚĂƚ Ĺ?Ĩ ĞdžĹ?Ć?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆšĹśÄžĆŒĆ?ĹšĹ?ƉĆ? like the Land Bank and Food Policy Council in Erie ŽƾŜƚLJ Ç ÄžĆŒÄž ĞdžƉĂŜĚĞĚ ƚŽ Ĺ?ĹśÄ?ůƾĚĞ ĆŒÄžĆ‰ĆŒÄžĆ?ĞŜƚĂĆ&#x;ŽŜ ĨĆŒŽž EĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚ ŽƾŜƚLJÍ? What if public private partnerships Ä?ÄžÄ?ĂžĞ Ä‚ Ä?ŽžžŽŜƉůĂÄ?Äž Ć‰ĆŒÄ‚Ä?Ć&#x;Ä?Äž ƚŽ Ć?ŽůǀĞ Ĺ?ŜĨĆŒÄ‚Ć?ĆšĆŒĆľÄ?ĆšĆľĆŒÄž ŜĞĞĚĆ? ƚŚĂƚ Ĺ?žƉĂÄ?Ćš ŽƾĆŒ ÄžÄ?ŽŜŽžÇ‡ ĂŜĚ ƋƾĂůĹ?ƚLJ ŽĨ ƉůĂÄ?ÄžÍ?

Community Learning and AcĆ&#x;on

Our sĂůƾĞĆ?

HOW THE E dtKZ< /^ >Z z DKs/E' Ć?ŽžÄž ĞdžĂžƉůĞĆ?

Ä‚Ĺś Ç Äž Ĺ?žĂĹ?Ĺ?ŜĞ

ĂƉĂÄ?Ĺ?ƚLJ ^ĆľĆ‰Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆš ĨŽĆŒ /žƉůĞžĞŜƚĂĆ&#x;ŽŜ Across our two counties, local communities have a range of expertise and capacity to plan and implement. Smaller municipalities may lack a single planner on their staff, while larger communities have entire departments devoted to planning and development decisions. Part of implementing One Region Forward will be a continuous focus on creating training opportunities and direct technical support to ORFDO FRPPXQLWLHV DV WKH\ JUDSSOH ZLWK XSGDWLQJ WKHLU SODQQLQJ DQG ]RQLQJ HYDOXDWH development proposals, and seek to implement sustainable practices and policies locally.

dŚĞ Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆ&#x;Ä?Ĺ?Ć‰Ä‚ĆšĹ˝ĆŒÇ‡ Ć?Ä?ÄžĹśÄ‚ĆŒĹ?Ĺ˝ ƉůĂŜŜĹ?ĹśĹ? Ć‰ĆŒĹ˝Ä?ÄžĆ?Ć? ĆľĆ?ĞĚ ƚŽ Ć?ĹšÄ‚ĆŒĆ‰ÄžĹś Ä?ŽžžŽŜ ĆŒÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ ůĂŜĚ ĆľĆ?Äž ǀĂůƾĞĆ? ĂŜĚ Ä‚Ć?Ć?ÄžĆ?Ć? ƚŚĞ ÍžĨƾůů Ä?Ĺ˝Ć?ĆšÍ&#x; ŽĨ Ç€Ä‚ĆŒĹ?ŽƾĆ? ĨŽĆŒĹľĆ? ŽĨ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉžĞŜƚ Ĺ?Ć? Ä?ÄžĹ?ĹśĹ? Ć?Ä?ĂůĞĚ ÄšĹ˝Ç Ĺś ƚŽ Ć?ĹľÄ‚ĹŻĹŻÄžĆŒ Ĺ?ĞŽĹ?ĆŒÄ‚Ć‰ĹšĹ?ÄžĆ?͘ dÄžÄ?ŚŜĹ?Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ Ć?ƚĂč ĨĆŒŽž h ZÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ /ĹśĆ?Ć&#x;ƚƾƚĞ and ' EZd ŚĂǀĞ Ä?ĞĞŜ ƚĞĆ?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? ƚŚĹ?Ć? ůĞǀĞů ŽĨ Ä‚Ć?Ć?Ĺ?Ć?ƚĂŜÄ?Äž Ç Ĺ?ƚŚ ĆšÇ Ĺ˝ Ć?žĂůů Ć?Ä?Ä‚ĹŻÄž ƉůĂŜŜĹ?ĹśĹ? Ć‰ĆŒĹ˝Ä?ÄžĆ?Ć?ÄžĆ? Ĺ?Ĺś ƚŚĞ ĆŒÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÍ— sĹ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜ EĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚Í• Ä‚ ƉƾÄ?ĹŻĹ?Ä?ͲĆ‰ĆŒĹ?ǀĂƚĞ Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆšĹśÄžĆŒĆ?ĹšĹ?Ɖ focused on ĆŒÄžĹ?ŜǀĞŜĆ&#x;ĹśĹ? EĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚ ^ĆšĆŒÄžÄžĆš Ĺ?Ĺś ƾčÄ‚ĹŻĹ˝ Ä‚Ć? Ä‚ žŽĆŒÄž Ç Ä‚ĹŻĹŹÄ‚Ä?ůĞ͕ žƾůĆ&#x;Ͳ modal and vibrant corridor and a second project that evaluates the impacts on the surrounding neighborhood from ĹśÄžÇ /ĹśĆšÄžĆŒžŽÄšÄ‚ĹŻ dĆŒÄ‚ĹśĆ?Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ ÄžĹśĆšÄžĆŒ Ĺ?Ĺś EĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?Ä‚ĆŒÄ‚ &Ä‚ĹŻĹŻĆ? Ä?ŽƾƉůĞĚ Ç Ĺ?ƚŚ ƚŚĞ ĆŒÄžžŽÇ€Ä‚ĹŻ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŜŽĆŒĆšĹšÄžĆŒĹś Ć?ÄžÄ?Ć&#x;ŽŜ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ZĹ˝Ä?ÄžĆŒĆš DĹ˝Ć?ÄžĆ? WÄ‚ĆŒĹŹÇ Ä‚Ç‡ from Main Street to Findley Drive.

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County Governments hĹśĹ?Ç€ÄžĆŒĆ?Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÄžĆ? Θ ZÄžĆ?ÄžÄ‚ĆŒÄ?Ĺš ÄžĹśĆšÄžĆŒĆ? >Ĺ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ &ŽƾŜĚĂĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ? ZÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ dĆŒÄ‚ĹśĆ?Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ĺ?ĞŜÄ?Ĺ?ÄžĆ?

Ä‚Ĺś Ç Äž Ä?ĆŒÄžÄ‚ĆšÄž Ä‚Ĺś ŽŜůĹ?ŜĞ Ć‰ĹŻÄ‚ĆžĹ˝ĆŒĹľ ƚŚĂƚ Ä?ŽůůÄžÄ?ĆšĆ? ĚĂƚĂ Ä‚Ä?ĆŒĹ˝Ć?Ć? ƚŚĞ ĆšÇ Ĺ˝ Ä?ŽƾŜĆ&#x;ÄžĆ? ĂŜĚ žĂŏĞĆ? Ĺ?Ćš ĂǀĂĹ?ĹŻÄ‚Ä?ĹŻÄž ĨŽĆŒ ĹŻĹ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ žƾŜĹ?Ä?Ĺ?ƉĂůĹ?Ć&#x;ÄžĆ? ƚŽ ĆľĆ?Äž Ĺ?Ĺś ƚŚĞĹ?ĆŒ ĚĞÄ?Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜͲžÄ‚ĹŹĹ?ĹśĹ? Ć‰ĆŒĹ˝Ä?ÄžĆ?Ć?Í? Ä‚Ĺś KŜĞ ZÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜ &Ĺ˝ĆŒÇ Ä‚ĆŒÄš develop a team and a series of programs devoted to Ä‚Ć?Ć?Ĺ?Ć?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? ĹŻĹ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ žƾŜĹ?Ä?Ĺ?ƉĂůĹ?Ć&#x;ÄžĆ? Ä‚Ć? ƚŚĞLJ ƾƉĚĂƚĞ ƚŚĞĹ?ĆŒ Ä?ŽžĆ‰ĆŒÄžĹšÄžĹśĆ?Ĺ?ǀĞ ƉůĂŜĆ?Í• ÇŒŽŜĹ?ĹśĹ? codes, and other major development decisions? Can we imagine county planning departments focusing their support to local Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?Ć&#x;ÄžĆ? Ĺ?Ĺś Ä‚ Ç Ä‚Ç‡ ƚŚĂƚ Ć‰ĆŒŽžŽĆšÄžĆ? KŜĞ ZÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŽŜ &Ĺ˝ĆŒÇ Ä‚ĆŒÄšÍ?

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

103

more than a plan

DKs/E' d, E dtKZ< &KZt Z /EdK /DW> D Ed d/KE

Community Learning and AcƟon

Our sĂůƵĞƐ

HOW THE E dtKZ< /^ >Z z DKs/E' ƐŽŵĞ ĞdžĂŵƉůĞƐ

ƌŽĂĚͲďĂƐĞĚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ >ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĐƟŽŶ $Q LQIRUPHG DQG NQRZOHGJHDEOH FLWL]HQU\ FDQ EH D SRZHUIXO IRUFH LQ PDNLQJ VXUH our planning and investments are supporting the type of region we want. One Region Forward has developed a wide base of resources, tools, and information that can be XVHG E\ FLWL]HQV DQG ZLOO VHHN WR FRQWLQXH WR FUHDWH SURJUDPV IRU FRPPXQLW\ OHDUQLQJ ZKHUH GHFLVLRQ PDNHUV DQG FLWL]HQV DW ODUJH DUH HPSRZHUHG ZLWK LQIRUPDWLRQ VNLOOV and data to actively engage how we shape our region.

ŝƟnjĞŶ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ^ĐŚŽŽů͗ >ĂƵŶĐŚĞĚ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϰ͕ ƚŚĞ ŝƟnjĞŶ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ^ĐŚŽŽů ͞ƚĞĂĐŚĞƐ͟ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ KŶĞ ZĞŐŝŽŶ &ŽƌǁĂƌĚ ŝŶŝƟĂƟǀĞ ĂŶĚ ǁŚĂƚ ŝŵƉůĞŵĞŶƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ region’s values for sustainability can look like at the grassroots, communityůĞǀĞů͘ dŚĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝƚƐ ĂĐĐŽŵƉĂŶLJŝŶŐ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ůĞĂƌŶŝŶŐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ͞ ŚĂŵƉŝŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ŚĂŶŐĞ͟ ǁŚĞƌĞ ĐŝƟnjĞŶ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚƐ ĐƵůƟǀĂƚĞ ƉůĂŶƐ ĨŽƌ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͕ ǁŝůů ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ĂŶĚ ďĞ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ ďLJ Ă ŐƌĂĚƵĂƚĞ ůĞǀĞů ĐŽƵƌƐĞ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ Ăƚ ƵīĂůŽ ^ĐŚŽŽů ŽĨ ƌĐŚŝƚĞĐƚƵƌĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ͘ Economics of Sustainability Series: ƵīĂůŽ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ WĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ ŚĂƐ ďƌŽƵŐŚƚ in speakers from across the country to talk about how sustainable approaches ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ŵĂŬĞ ƐĞŶƐĞ ĨŽƌ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƌ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͛Ɛ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ŽĨ ůŝĨĞ͘ dŚĞ WĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ ǁŝůů ůŽŽŬ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ŚŽƐƚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŽīĞƌ ŝŶƐŝŐŚƚƐ ŽŶ ďĞƐƚ ƉƌĂĐƟĐĞƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ĂĐƟǀĂƚĞĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉƐ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ƚŚĞ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ and the public sector.

ĂŶ ǁĞ ŝŵĂŐŝŶĞ

ŶƚƌĞƉƌĞEh ŽŵƉĞƟƟŽŶ͗ /ƐƐƵĞƐ ŽĨ ƉŽǀĞƌƚLJ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĞƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ĂƌĞ ĨĞůƚ ŝŶ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͘​͘ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ŶƚƌĞƉƌĞEh ƐŽĐŝĂů ĞŶƚĞƌƉƌŝƐĞ ĐŽŵƉĞƟƟŽŶ ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐĞƐ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ƉůĂŶ ƐŽůƵƟŽŶƐ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ LJĞĂƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͕ ĨŽŽĚ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ͕ ŶƵƚƌŝƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŚƵŶŐĞƌ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƚŚĞ ĨŽĐƵƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ program.

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hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƟĞƐ Θ ZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ĞŶƚĞƌƐ School Districts EŽŶƉƌŽĮƚƐ

104

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

ĂŶ ǁĞ ŝŵĂŐŝŶĞ ŵŽƌĞ ůŽĐĂů ƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƟĞƐ designing service learning and research programming around sustainability and the tenets of One Region Forward? Can we imagine our K-12 schools ŽīĞƌŝŶŐ ĐƵƌƌŝĐƵůƵŵ ĐŽŵƉŽŶĞŶƚƐ ŽŶ sustainable development and civic empowerment? ĂŶ ǁĞ ŝŵĂŐŝŶĞ ĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƟŽŶƐ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĐŝƟnjĞŶ ůĞĂĚĞƌƐŚŝƉ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ůŝŬĞ >ĞĂĚĞƌƐŚŝƉ ƵīĂůŽ͕ >ĞĂĚĞƌƐŚŝƉ EŝĂŐĂƌĂ͕ KƉĞŶ ƵīĂůŽ͕ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌƐ ƚŽ ĞdžƉĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĂĐŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝƟnjĞŶ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ^ĐŚŽŽů ĐƵƌƌŝĐƵůƵŵ͍

Community Learning and AcĆ&#x;on

^ƉŽƚůĹ?Ĺ?Śƚ͗ dŚĞ Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹś WĹŻÄ‚ŜŜĹ?ĹśĹ? ^Ä?ĹšŽŽů

Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹśĆ? ÄšĆŒĹ?ǀĞ Ä?ŚĂŜĹ?Äž ŽŜ ƚŚĞ Ĺ?ĆŒŽƾŜÄš ĚĞžŽŜĆ?ĆšĆŒÄ‚Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? Ć?ĆľĆ?ƚĂĹ?ŜĂÄ?Ĺ?ĹŻĹ?ƚLJ Ĺ?Ĺś Ä‚Ä?Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä‚Ćš ƚŚĞ Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJ ůĞǀĞů The Program 7KH SURJUDP SURYLGHV FLWL]HQV RI (ULH DQG 1LDJDUD counties with tools to increase the sustainability of their communities and ultimately, the Buffalo Niagara region at large. All participants attend issue-based lectures, have access to online WRRO NLWV UHFHLYH D &HUWLĂšFDWH RI &RPSOHWLRQ and attend a Sustainability Idea Summit that celebrates the work of all program participants.

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7KH &LWL]HQ 3ODQQLQJ 6FKRRO DOVR RIIHUV DQ DGGLWLRQDO level of training called Champions for Change. &KDPSLRQV IRU &KDQJH DUH &LWL]HQ 3ODQQHUV WKDW want to take their engagement one step further , DW/KE^ by creating a micro-plan for a sustainability &KZ , E' project in their community, attending technical assistance hours to create this plan, and presenting it at a Sustainability Idea Summit.

In 2014

195

ĆŒÄžĹ?Ĺ?Ć?ĆšÄžĆŒ Ä‚Ć? Ĺ?Ć&#x;ÇŒÄžĹś WĹŻÄ‚ŜŜÄžĆŒĆ? ƚŽ Ĺ?Ğƚ Ć‰ĆŒÄ‚Ä?Ć&#x;Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ ĆšŽŽůĆ? ĂŜĚ ĹŹĹśĹ˝Ç ĹŻÄžÄšĹ?Äž Ĺ?Ĺś ƉůĂŜŜĹ?ĹśĹ? ĨŽĆŒ Ć?ĆľĆ?ƚĂĹ?ŜĂÄ?ĹŻÄž Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?Ć&#x;ÄžĆ?

17

become Champions for Change Ç ĹšĹ˝ ĆŒÄžÄ?ÄžĹ?ǀĞĚ ĂĚĚĹ?Ć&#x;ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ ŚĂŜĚĆ?ͲŽŜ ĆšĆŒÄ‚Ĺ?ĹśĹ?ĹśĹ? ĂŜĚ ƚĞÄ?ŚŜĹ?Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ Ä‚Ć?Ć?Ĺ?Ć?ƚĂŜÄ?Äž ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ Ä‚ Ä?ŽžžƾŜĹ?ƚLJͲÄ?Ä‚Ć?ĞĚ Ć‰ĆŒŽŊÄžÄ?Ćš

tĹ˝ĆŒĹŹĆ?ŚŽƉĆ? ĂŜĚ dÄžÄ?ŚŜĹ?Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ Ć?Ć?Ĺ?Ć?ƚĂŜÄ?Äž Champions receive addiĆ&#x;onal training from staÄŤ at UB School of Architecture & Planning to create a plan for change.

>ÄžÄ‚ĆŒĹśĹ?ĹśĹ? ^ÄžĆ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜĆ? CiĆ&#x;zens learn from the ĹśÄžĆšÇ Ĺ˝ĆŒĹŹ, experts working in the private, public and nonproÄŽt sectors. Panel discussions focus on twoͲway learning. CiĆ&#x;zens Planners and Champions meet others who are acĆ&#x;ve in their communiĆ&#x;es. Toolkits oÄŤer addiĆ&#x;onal resources, funding opportuniĆ&#x;es, and related planning eÄŤorts.

Loca Lo Loc cal Govern ca nments Co oun u ty t Governments m THE Business Coommunity E dtKZ< EŽŜĆ‰ĆŒŽĎĆšĆ? hĹśĹ?Ç€ÄžĆŒĆ? ĆŒĆ?Ĺ?Ć&#x;Äž Ć?Ĺ? ÄžĆ? Θ ZÄžĆ?ÄžÄ‚ĆŒÄ?Ĺš ÄžĹśĆšÄžĆŒĆ? >Ĺ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ &ŽƾŜĚĂĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ?

DŽǀĹ?ĹśĹ? KĆľĆŒ sĂůƾĞĆ? &Ĺ˝ĆŒÇ Ä‚ĆŒÄš The community, as an integral part of the network, is directly involved in implementing change. New projects are ripe for implementation building a baseline for scaling up for greater impacts across our region. New data is created out of the program to measure our future progress. Learning from this program will guide future collaboration and participation.

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

105

more than a plan

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One Region Forward was built on a base of solid research to understand our situation, starting with a baseline of our regional context, and asking the big questions: Where are we? Where do we want to go? We can understand our situation better and make decisions about the future PRUH FRQùGHQWO\ LI ZH ORRN DW REMHFWLYH GDWD WKDW VSDQV DFURVV RXU ZKROH UHJLRQ and extends over time. Looking toward implementation, we will continue to ask questions of the data to help us understand if we are making progress. The numbers aren’t the only way we will measure progress, but they offer an objective way for us to continue the conversation about the future we seek to create for Buffalo Niagara.

Measuring our progress ĐĂŶ ƚĞůů ƵƐ ŝĨ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ͘​͘​͘ ...building less new infrastructure... Our sĂůƵĞƐ

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...conserving more natural open space... ...driving less... ͘​͘​͘ĐƌĞĂƟŶŐ a healthier environment... ...saving more taxpayer money... ...and more as we pursue strategies ĂŶĚ ĂĐƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͘

106

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

ƐĞƌŝĞƐ ŽĨ ŝŶĚŝĐĂƚŽƌƐ ĚĞƌŝǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐ͘ Ɛ Ă ŐƌŽƵƉ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ŵĞƚƌŝĐƐ ĂƌĞ ŝŶƚĞŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ŐĂƵŐĞ ŝĨ ƚŚĞ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ ŝƐ ĐŽůůĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŵŽǀŝŶŐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶ ŽƵƚůŝŶĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉůĂŶ͘ YƵĞƐƟŽŶƐ tĞ ĂŶ ƐŬ KƵƌƐĞůǀĞƐ

tŚĂƚ tĞ͛ůů DĞĂƐƵƌĞ

Are we concentrating new development where we already have infrastructure?

% of Development within Urbanized Areas serviced by a sewer district

Are we focusing job growth around our main streets, downtowns, and former industrial areas?

% of ũobs in downtowns, BrownĮeld Opportunity Areas, or near Main streets

Are we protecting and conserving natural, open spaces?

Open Spaces Conserved from Development

Are we increasing public access to our waterfronts?

Linear Miles of Shoreline with Public Access

Are we reducing the miles we travel in cars each day?

Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled per Capita

Are more workers commuting via alternative modes of transportation?

% of Workers CommuƟng via AlternaƟve Modes of TransportaƟon

Are we building new homes and job centers where transit can easily connect them?

Are we becoming more bikefriendly?

% of homes within areas accessible to transit stops

% of ũobs within areas accessible to transit stops

Linear Miles of Dedicated Bike Paths, Shared Bike Lanes and MulƟͲuseͬZecreaƟonal Trails

Where We Are Today

Why It’s Important

68%

The more concentrated we grow, the less our infrastructure costs us and the more open space we can enjoy

26%

Placing more of our jobs in strategic areas maximizes revenues and limits new costs

693

Protecting more open space enhances vital “environmental services”

83.5

The more accessible our shores, the more opportunity for all to enjoy clean waterways

of all developed land

of all regional jobs

square miles

miles of shoreline

17.9

daily vehicle miles traveled per person

18%

of the region’s workers

26%

of the region’s homes

32%

of the region’sjobs

153 miles

By driving less, we save time, money and help protect the environment Travel without cars, makes our communities and our environment healthier

The more access we have to transit, the less we have to depend on cars to travel, so energy is conserved and our communities become more walkable

More bike lanes makes our region better connected and our communities healthier

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

107

more than a plan

/E / dKZ^ dK D ^hZ Ks Z d/D

YƵĞƐƟŽŶƐ tĞ ĂŶ ƐŬ KƵƌƐĞůǀĞƐ

Are we reducing the number of vacant homes and businesses in our region?

108

tŚĂƚ tĞ͛ůů DĞĂƐƵƌĞ η of residenƟal addresses determined “undeliverable͟ by US Postal Service

vacant residences

# of commercial addresses determined “undeliverable͟ by US Postal Service

vacant businesses

Is the new housing we build walkable to services and amenities?

% of New ,omes built within walking distance to a “Main Street,͟ downtown or transit corridor

Are we less burdened by the costs of living?

The percentage of income the average household spends on housing and transportaƟon costs

Are we increasing access to healthy food for those most in need?

# of households without a vehicle and beyond walking distance to a supermarket

Are we preserving our farmland?

Land dedicated to farming

Are we growing our agricultural economy?

Total annual earnings for ũobs in food producƟon and manufacturing

Are we conserving energy in our buildings?

Square Footage of L DͲCerƟĮed proũects

Are we increasing the generation of renewable energy?

% of LocallyͲGenerated nergy from Zenewable Sources

Are we planning for climate change?

Climate Smart CommuniƟes ;MunicipaliƟes and CounƟes with a Climate AcƟon PlanͿ

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Where We Are Today

23,924 5,796

5%

since 2000

53%

of income for median-income families, on average

Why It’s Important

Reducing the number of vacant structures preserves our tax base, conserves embedded energy and strengthens our communities

Building more homes in walkable places makes neighborhoods healthier and amenities more accessible

The less we have to spend on basic living expenses, the more opportunity we have

55,954

The less people without access to healthful food, the healthier our communities become

397.1

The more farmland we keep, the more resilient our food system grows

$292.3

More productive food production and processing helps create healthier communities

3.942

Making buildings more HIŦFLHQW ORZHUV FDUERQ emissions and limits energy costs

households

square miles

million

million square feet

84.7%

of all locallygenerated energy

9

communities

The more energy from renewables, the less harmful emissions we produce The more we prepare for climate change, the more we’ll be able to thrive through its impacts

YƵĞƐƟŽŶƐ tĞ ĂŶ ƐŬ KƵƌƐĞůǀĞƐ

tŚĂƚ tĞ͛ůů DĞĂƐƵƌĞ

Are we building in a way that best prepares for climate change?

% of new development on environmentallyͲ sensiƟve area

Are we reducing concentrated poverty?

% of the region’s populaƟon living in neighborhoods with concentrated poverty

Is our regional economy becoming more competitive?

# of Įrms in the region

$UH ZH NHHSLQJ WKH ùQDQFHV of local governments in balance?

Combined costͲtoͲ revenue raƟon for all local governments

Where We Are Today

43.6%

of all developed land

23.8%

of the region’s residents

28,128 ùUPV

Total revenues are

-0.3%

below total costs for all local governments

Why It’s Important The less development on environmentallysensitive areas, the better we can sustain an erratic climate The fewer of us living in impoverished neighborhoods, the more opportunity there’ll be for all More businesses established in our region means more opportunity and a stronger tax base If revenues exceed costs, we will be able to keep taxes down and spend public dollars on other needs

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

109

more than a plan

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Appendix A Data Sources and Notes Regional Context

i

U.S. Census Bureau, 1970, 2010.

Ibid. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2012. iv US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-year estimates, 2006 and 2012. v U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2010; US Census Bureau, 1970, 1980, 1990 & 2000. vi U.S. Census Bureau, 1970, 2010. ii

iii

Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council, 2011. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, 1992-2012 Annual Ridership Data, 2013.

vii

viii

110

What Have We Been Doing?

Change in Population and Developed Land, 1970-2010: US Census Bureau, 1970, 2010. Commuting Modes, 1970 vs. 2010: US Census Bureau, 1970; US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimate, 2010. Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled per Capita, 1970 vs. 2010: Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council, 2011. Percent Change in New Homes and Vacant Housing Units, 1970-2010: US Census Bureau, 1970, 2010. Acres of Farmland, 1969 vs. 2007: USDA-National Agricultural Statistical Service, US Census of Agriculture, 1976, 2009. New Roads Built, 1990-2010: University at Buffalo Regional Institute, Independent analysis using U.S. Census Bureau TIGER\Line Roads Data, 1990 and 2010. Cost estimate from NYS 2IĂšFH RI WKH 6WDWH &RPSWUROOHU /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW 6QDSVKRW /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW Spending on Highways. Accessed January, 2013 from www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/pubs/ research/snapshot/highwayspending.pdf NOTES: Spatial roads data for the years 1990 and 2010 was retrieved from the U.S. Census Bureau in geographic information systems (GIS) format for the Buffalo-Niagara region. $OO OLQH VHJPHQWV IURP WKH URDGV ĂšOH WKDW IHOO RXWVLGH IHHW RI URDGV ZHUH selected. These road segments were compared with the 1990 roads layer, on a segment by segment basis, ensuring that all previously existing roads were excluded from the estimate of new roads. The aggregate length of roads constructed since 1990 within the two-county region was then calculated using ArcGIS software. Local Government Debt-to-Revenue Ratio 1<6 2IĂšFH RI WKH 6WDWH &RPSWUROOHU /RFDO Government Municipal Finance Data, Level One, FY 2011. Accessed February 2013 at http:// ZZZ RVF VWDWH Q\ XV ORFDOJRY GDWDQVWDW ĂšQGDWD LQGH[BFKRLFH KWP

Where Should We Go From Here?

How the Business as Usual scenario was constructed: The spatial projection of new homes assumes that over the next forty years each municipality will absorb the same proportion of the regional increase in new housing units that it did from 1990 to 2010, based off of trends from US Census data. The exact placement of new housing units within each municipality is based on the conditions that have been associated with new home construction from 1990 to 2010, such as more open green space, newer homes, lower vacancy rates, higher home values and lower property tax rates, as revealed through a spatial regression analysis that found these conditions to be correlated to an increase in the number of homes within census tracts from 1990 to 2010. New homes were placed according to land use data (from Erie County Department of Environment & Planning, 2012 and the Niagara County Department of Economic Development, 2011) and FXUUHQW ]RQLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ REWDLQHG IURP FRXQWLHV DQG PXQLFLSDOLWLHV ZKLFK ZDV XVHG WR PDNH DQ DVVXPSWLRQ RQ WKH W\SH RI KRPH EXLOW DW HDFK SDUFHO XVLQJ DOORZDEOH ORW VL]HV RI PXQLFLSDO ]RQLQJ UHJXODWLRQV The number of abandoned homes in the region was found by subtracting the 150,000 new homes projected to be built by 2050 from the number of total households projected to live

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

LQ WKH UHJLRQ LQ WR ĂšQG WKH QXPEHU RI KRXVHKROGV WKDW ZRXOG RFFXS\ KRPHV that already exist (424,320). The remainder of the 473,720 housing units that are currently occupied (44,399) would be vacant. 7% of units were assumed to be vacant to allow for functional turnover rate in the local residential market, meaning 41,219 would be abandoned. The spatial projection of abandoned homes assumes that over the next forty years each municipality will absorb the same proportion of the regional increase in abandoned units that it did from 1990 to 2010, based on trends from US Census data. The exact placement of abandoned units within each municipality is based off of the conditions that have been associated with intensifying abandonment in the past, such as lower home values, older housing, the number of non-white residents, and high vacancy rates, as found through a spatial regression analysis that revealed a correlation between these factors and an LQFUHDVH LQ WKH QXPEHU RI DEDQGRQHG XQLWV FODVVLĂšHG DV YDFDQW QRW IRU UHQW RU VDOH DW WKH census tract level from 1990 to 2010. The number of new jobs within each type of municipality pivots off of the build-out of residential units. A ratio of jobs per housing unit is found using 2010 block-level Census data for each municipality type. The projection assumes that these ratios will be preserved in 2050. The number of new housing units within each type of municipality given by the residential build-out is multiplied by the current ratio of jobs to housing units within each municipality type to estimate the number of new jobs to be located in each type of municipality in 2050. Jobs are then distributed amongst the three major industry sectors (industriDO RIĂšFH DQG UHWDLO WR SUHVHUYH WKH FXUUHQW VHFWRU FRPSRVLWLRQ RI MREV ZLWKLQ HDFK W\SH RI PXQLFLSDOLW\ HJ LI RI WKH MREV ZLWKLQ ĂšUVW ULQJ VXEXUEV LQ ZHUH UHWDLO MREV RI WKH QHZ MREV SURMHFWHG WR EH ZLWKLQ ĂšUVW ULQJ VXEXUEV LQ ZLOO DOVR EH UHWDLO 7KH QXPEHU RI MREV SHU QHZ FRPPHUFLDO EXLOGLQJ ZLWKLQ HDFK JHQHUDOL]HG EXLOGLQJ W\SH is found for the three broad industry sectors and multiplied by the projected number of jobs in each sector for each type of municipality to derive an estimate of the number of buildings holding jobs for each industry sector within each type of municipality. Projected ORFDWLRQV RI QHZ FRPPHUFLDO EXLOGLQJV IROORZ ]RQLQJ UHJXODWLRQV 7KH SODFHPHQW RI QHZ commercial buildings within currently vacant lots favors parcels with lower property values, located near major commercial corridors, within existing sewer districts, in areas with a higher concentration of new homes, and in areas with a lower vacancy rates.

How Do Our Choices Play Out?

Percent of New Homes in Developed Area: This is the percentage of new homes, or jobs located within currently developed areas (USGS, 2011 National Land Cover Dataset, 2014). The number was calculated by multiplying the area of new development within developed areas by the housing density of the type of development built. This was divided by the total housing growth in each scenario to give a percentage. Percent of New Jobs in Developed Area: Ibid. Homes Left Abandoned: These estimates show the number of currently abandoned homes, along with homes projected to be abandoned under the “Business as usualâ€? scenario that remain abandoned, or in other words, are not rebuilt, rehabilitated or re-occupied, under each scenario. Homes projected to be left abandoned in the “Business as usualâ€? scenario were rebuilt or redeveloped in each alternative scenario based on the placement of new housing per scenario which was determined by participant feedback in the scenario mapping workshops. New Jobs Brought Back to Former Industrial Sites 7KH QXPEHU RI MREV DGGHG WR %URZQĂšHOG Opportunity Areas [BOA’s] (registered under the New York State, Department of State’s %2$ 3URJUDP ZDV IRXQG EDVHG RQ WKH DUHD RI QHZ GHYHORSPHQW ZLWKLQ WKHVH ]RQHV DQG WKH job density of the development types built within BOA’s under each scenario. New paved surfaces: The area of new paved (or impervious) surfaces, including roads, sidewalks, and parking lots, was found by multiplying the land area of undeveloped “greenĂšHOGĂ ODQG GHYHORSHG XQGHU HDFK VFHQDULR E\ DQ HVWLPDWH RI SHUFHQWDJH LPSHUYLRXV FRYHU IRU HDFK W\SH RI GHYHORSPHQW EXLOW RQ Ă&#x;JUHHQĂšHOGVĂ LQ HDFK VFHQDULR Percent of new homes in walkable communities: This is the percent of new homes built in mixed-use forms of development where homes are in close proximity to jobs and amenities as opposed to neighborhoods with mostly just homes. For the “Business as usualâ€? scenario, WKH W\SH RI KRPH EXLOW DVVXPHV WKH DOORZDEOH ORW VL]H JLYHQ E\ PXQLFLSDO ]RQLQJ UHJXODWLRQV of each developed parcel. For the alternative scenarios, the type of home built at each location was based on the type of development constructed in each scenario and the general types of homes within that form of development. The number of homes built in walkable communities was divided by the total number of new homes constructed to give a percentage.

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Walkability: This shows a region-wide index of the “walkabilityâ€? of new development on a 0 to 100 scale, with 100 representing the most “walkableâ€? score possible. The calculation uses LQWHUVHFWLRQ GHQVLW\ DQG WKH DYHUDJH GLVWDQFH RI KRPHV WR DPHQLWLHV VXFK DV UHWDLO RIĂšFHV schools, parks, as proxies for walkability. Transit Proximity to New Homes: The number of new homes, or jobs added within ½ mile along a road of metro stops and bus stops where the wait between stops during peak weekday hours averages less than 15 minutes (NFTA, 2012). Using ArcGIS’ Network Analyst, areas experiencing new development that lie within ½ mile buffers along roads that connect to frequent transit stops were constructed for each scenario. The number of homes with transit access was calculated by multiplying the area of development within these buffers by the average density of each type of development. A number of existing, infrequent bus stops were converted into frequent bus stops under each alternative scenario based on the average extent of new transit connections made across the Scenario Planning Workshops’ FLWL]HQ FUHDWHG PDSV JURXSHG XQGHU HDFK VFHQDULR Transit Proximity to New Jobs: Ibid. Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Per Capita: The total distance traveled by all vehicles across the region in one day divided by the total regional population. Number was found using the Envision Tomorrow Household 7D model which accounts for future changes in land use, transit service and road network. It estimates VMT using a set of land use and dePRJUDSKLF YDULDEOHV LQFOXGLQJ DYHUDJH KRXVHKROG VL]H HPSOR\HHV SHU KRXVHKROG LQFRPH jobs accessible by transit and intersection density, that research has shown can be used to help predict the distance and number of trips taken by automobiles within a given area. Lane Miles of New Road: The length of new roads constructed, in miles, multiplied by the number of lanes in new roads (for example, one mile of a new road that has two lanes would equal two new lane miles). The number of lane miles under each scenario was calculated based on the area of currently undeveloped, open land experiencing new development under each scenario and an estimate of the number of lane miles per unit area within the type of development built on undeveloped land. An estimate of lane miles per acre within each development type was found by manually calculating the number of road lane miles within existing local examples of development types using ArcGIS software. Percent of Open Space Conserved from Development: Found by adding up the area of new development under each scenario within vacant parcels (Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, 2012, and Niagara County Department of Economic Development, 2011) that fall outside of the developed land area (USGS, 2011 National Land Cover Dataset, 2014) and dividing this value by the total area of existing vacant parcels in undeveloped areas. Current and Potential Prime Farmland Lost to Development: The total area of new development under each scenario that takes place on top of either current farmland (US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, “Common Land Unit and Farm Service Areas for Erie and Niagara County, NY, Restricted Useâ€?, 2012) or on soils FODVVLĂšHG DV Ă&#x;SULPH IDUPODQGĂ RU Ă&#x;SULPH IDUPODQG LI GUDLQHGĂ 86 'HSDUWPHQW RI $JULculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, “Soil Survey Geographic Database for Erie and Niagara County, NYâ€?, 2011). Acres of Development on Environmentally-Sensitive Areas: An estimate of the number of acres of new development on lands with an intrinsically-high ecological value, such as ZHWODQGV ĂşRRGSODLQV ULSDULDQ DUHDV DQG IRUHVWODQG &DOFXODWHG E\ WRWDOLQJ WKH DUHD RI ODQG developed under each scenario that falls inside of wetlands (USGS, 2011 National Land &RYHU 'DWDVHW ĂşRRGSODLQV \HDU ĂşRRGSODLQV GHOLQHDWHG E\ )HGHUDO (PHUJHQF\ Management Agency, Digital Q3 Flood Zone Data, 1996), within 100 feet of streams (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, National Hydrography Dataset, 2012) , or forests (USGS, 2011 National Land Cover Dataset, 2014). Energy Savings per Household (Compared to Existing Conditions): This is based on the types of homes built in each scenario and general characteristics of housing, such as square footage, and proximity to services and transit, that have knowable impacts on energy consumption. Assumptions were based on regional averages for residential energy use per household from the US Energy Information Administration’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey. These were applied to building types, and then aggregated to development types before being summated at the regional level for each scenario. The total residential energy usage was divided by the number of households and compared to the model output of existing conditions to give the overall percent change in energy use per household. Local government cost to revenue ratio: Calculated using the Envision Tomorrow software’s Fiscal Impact Tool extension which bases its methods on the Federal Reserve Fiscal Impact Tool. It is a regional analysis that aggregates all incorporated jurisdictions and provides a

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VWDQGDUGL]HG PHWKRG IRU FRQGXFWLQJ SODQQLQJ EDVHG ÚVFDO DVVHVVPHQWV 7KH ),7 HVWLPDWHV RI ORFDO UHYHQXHV DQG FRVW FRPH IURP WKH &HQVXV RI *RYHUQPHQW ÚQDQFH GDWD 2WKHU local inputs include the county population, annual taxable sales, property and sales tax rates (weighted average), property assessment ratios (weighted average), the new population and employment added to the region by 2050 from the scenario assumptions, and the monetary value of new development by land use type (from ET+). Future revenue of local governments: Regional weighted averages for property tax, sales tax, income tax and non-tax revenue (sewerage, utilities, intergovernmental funds, etc‌.) were applied to the new population, employment and building values added in each scenario. Future sales tax revenue is projected by multiplying an estimate of the total payroll (given by Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2012) of regional employees by an estimate of the percent of consumer dollars spent that are subject to sales tax (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2010). Property tax revenue was calculated by multiplying an estimate of the market value of the property constructed (using regional average construction costs per square foot from rsmeans.com and assessed land value from parcel data) in each scenario by the property tax rate (using regional ZHLJKWHG DYHUDJHV IRXQG IURP 1<6 2IÚFH RI WKH &RPSWUROOHU GDWD RQ 3URSHUW\ 7D[ /HYLHV (2012)) by a regionally-averaged assessment ratio (74% for residential properties, and 54% for commercial properties). Income tax revenue was projected by multiplying the average annual wage of new employment by the number of employees by a weighted average of income tax rate. Non-tax revenue was projected by multiplying the current non-tax revenue per capita by the projected regional population in 2050. All projections assume a constant rate of increase in employment and sales tax revenue from the present until the year 2050. Future expenditures of local governments: These include both one-time expenditures on new infrastructure as well as on-going expenditures on infrastructure maintenance and government operations. Capital outlay costs for new infrastructure were calculated using assumptions of construction costs for new roadway ($1,700,000 per lane mile, Arkansas DOT), sewerage ($162 per lineal foot, Department of Public Works, Ipswich, MD and costhelper.com) utilities ($600,000 per mile, Western Massachusetts Electric Company), and water lines ($208 per lineal foot, homewyse.com). Operations and maintenance costs track WKH FRVWV RI HGXFDWLRQ KRVSLWDOV URDGV SROLFH ÚUH SDUNV VHZHUDJH VROLG ZDVWH DQG XWLOLties (US Census Bureau, Census of Local Governments, 2010). To estimate increases in the future costs of operations and maintenance, the current operation and maintenance costs per capita were multiplied by the percent change in average annual capital outlay. The level RI VHUYLFH LV Ú[HG DQG DVVXPHV D FRQVWDQW UDWH RI LQFUHDVH LQ SRSXODWLRQ DQG RSHUDWLRQV DQG maintenance costs until the year 2050.

Big Ideas: Create Great Places and a Thriving Economy through (IĂšFLHQW /DQG 8VH

“Urbanized Landâ€? Map Notes: 1970: A raw satellite image of the region from 1975 (obtained from the USGS/NASA Global Land Survey program) was used to estimate the extent of developed land. “Ground-truthâ€? points known to have been developed in 1975 were used as training samples to inform a 0D[LPXP /LNHOLKRRG &ODVVLĂšFDWLRQ RI WKH LPDJH GHULYHG WKURXJK DQ ,PDJH &ODVVLĂšFDWLRQ function of ArcGIS Desktop Software (Release 10, Earth Systems Research Institute). This method was found to classify developed areas with 84% accuracy. The estimate of developed land extent was merged with an approximation of the US Census’ designation of XUEDQL]HG ODQG ZKLFK GHĂšQHV XUEDQL]HG DUHDV DV SODFHV ZLWK SRSXODWLRQ GHQVLWLHV RI people per square mile. Using the Kernel Density function of ArcGIS Software, areas with more 370 residential parcels built before 1970 (as given by NYS Real Property Tax Data) per square mile were found and extracted as an approximation of areas with population denVLWLHV DERYH SHRSOH SHU VTXDUH PLOH EDVHG RQ WKH DYHUDJH KRXVHKROG VL]H LQ RU 2.7 persons per household, which was used for consistency with the accompanying maps). These two layers were combined and scrubbed to produce the visual shown. 1990 $UHDV FODVVLĂšHG DV GHYHORSHG LQFOXGLQJ GHYHORSHG RSHQ VSDFH E\ 86*6Ă? 1/&' (published in 2000) were merged with an approximation of the US Census’ designation RI XUEDQL]HG ODQG GHĂšQHG DV DUHDV ZLWK PRUH WKDQ SHRSOH SHU VTXDUH PLOH 8VLQJ the Kernel Density function of ArcGIS Software, areas with more 370 residential parcels built before 1990 (as given by NYS Real Property Tax Data) per square mile were found and extracted as an approximation of areas with population densities above 1,000 people per VTXDUH PLOH EDVHG RQ WKH DYHUDJH KRXVHKROG VL]H LQ RU SHUVRQV SHU KRXVHKROG which was used for consistency with the accompanying maps). These two layers were combined and scrubbed to produce the visual shown. 2010: This visual was produced through the same methods as the 1990 graphic using the i

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USGS’ 2012 NLCD (published in 2014) and the density of all residential parcels built before 2010 (as given by NYS Real Property Tax Data). ii. 86*6 1DWLRQDO /DQG &RYHU 'DWD FODVVLĂšHV DOO DUHDV RI WKH FRQWHUPLQRXV 86 LQWR GLVWLQFW categories of land cover. Versions of this data set for 1992 (published 2000) and 2011 SXEOLVKHG ZHUH DQDO\]HG LQ *,6 WR VXPPDWH WKH WRWDO ODQG DUHD FODVVLĂšHG DV GHYHOoped within Buffalo Niagara. This area was divided by the population estimates of the two counties taken by the US Census Bureau during July of each year. Residential structures built after 1970 were selected by attribute information in the Real Property Data. GIS was used to count the number of these parcels that intersected: (1) areas FODVVLĂšHG DV Ă&#x;3ULPH )DUPODQGĂ RU Ă&#x;3ULPH )DUPODQG LI 'UDLQHGĂ E\ 86*6 6685*2 GDWD \HDU ĂşRRG SODLQV GHOLQHDWHG E\ )(0$ DQG DUHDV FODVVLĂšHG DV EHLQJ IRUHVWV RU wetlands in 1992 by the USGS’ NLCD (2000). iii.

Spatial roads data for the years 1990 and 2010 was retrieved from the U.S. Census Bureau in geographic information systems (GIS) format for the Buffalo-Niagara region. All line VHJPHQWV IURP WKH URDGV ĂšOH WKDW IHOO RXWVLGH IHHW RI URDGV ZHUH VHOHFWHG These road segments, representing roads likely to have been constructed since 1990, were compared with the 1990 roads layer, on a segment by segment basis, ensuring that all previously existing roads were excluded from the estimate of new roads. The aggregate length of roads constructed since 1990 within the two-county region was then calculated using ArcGIS software. iv.

GIS analysis was used to sum the acreage of all public land protected by local, state or federal government, and land under conservation easements given by the National Conservation Easements Database and the WNY Land Conservancy. v.

Big Ideas: Connect Our Places by Expanding and Diversifying Our Transportation Options

American Automobile Association Newsroom, “Your Driving Costs: How much are you really paying to drive?â€?, 2013. Accessed October, 2014 at http://newsroom.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/YourDrivingCosts2013.PDF Estimated total annual cost of owning a small sedan is given as $7,962, and includes costs for fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, IHHV GHSUHFLDWLRQ DQG ĂšQDQFLQJ i.

ii. The Network Analyst extension of ArcGIS Software was used to delineate areas within one half mile of a NFTA Bus or Metro stops along a road. The percentage of the region’s residents and employment within these areas was estimated using spatial data on population 86 &HQVXV %XUHDX 7,*(5?/LQH 6KDSHÚOHV DQG MREV 86 &HQVXV %XUHDX /RFDWLRQ Employment Dynamics, 2011) both given at the census block-level. The population density and employment density were calculated for each census block. The percentage of each block that fell within one-half mile of NFTA stops was multiplied by the calculated density to estimate the number of people and jobs within access to transit.

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, 2013-2014 Annual Performance Report, Evaluating Key Performance Indicators. Accessed October, 2014 at http://metro.nfta.com/ pdfs/2014AnnualReport.pdf iv. American Petroleum Institute, State Gasoline and Tax Report, 2014. Accessed October, 2014 at http://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas-overview/industry-economics/fuel-taxes v. 1HZ <RUN 6WDWH 2IÚFH RI WKH &RPSWUROOHU 7KH 'HGLFDWHG +LJKZD\ DQG %ULGJH 7UXVW )XQG A Shrinking Investment in New York’s Future, Accessed February 2014 at http://www.osc. state.ny.us/reports/trans/dhbtf020413.pdf iii.

vi. Center for Transportation Excellence, “Transportation Ballot Measures�, 2014. Accessed October, 2014 at http://www.cfte.org/elections

Big Ideas: Provide Housing Choices in Neighborhoods that are Great Places to Live

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The proportion of homeowners with affordable housing costs excludes households whose KRXVLQJ FRVWV DV D SHUFHQWDJH RI LQFRPH ZHUH Ă&#x;QRW FRPSXWHGĂ RU OLVWHG DV KDYLQJ Ă&#x;]HUR RU negative incomeâ€? by the US Census Bureau. Additionally, those rental households listed as having “No Cash Rentâ€? (these are housing units likely owned by family or friends of the occupants who provide their tenants with housing free of charge) were counted as affordable housing units on the basis that, if one is not required to pay rent, their housing is affordable regardless of income. i.

7KH QXPEHU RI Ă&#x;RWKHUĂ YDFDQW XQLWV LQ ĂšUVW ULQJ VXEXUEV LQFUHDVHG IURP LQ WR 2,812 in 2010. Calculation totals the number of vacant units not listed as for rent or sale and intended for year-round occupancy within the towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, HamEXUJ 2UFKDUG 3DUN /HZLVWRQ /RFNSRUW 1LDJDUD 7RQDZDQGD :HVW 6HQHFD DQG :KHDWĂšHOG (not including villages and cities within these towns) using census tract-level data. ii.

“Homes Built After 1970 and Abandoned Homesâ€? Map Notes Homes built after 1970 were found using the “property class codeâ€? and “year builtâ€? attribute information of the real property tax parcel data from the NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance (2010). The approximate location of current abandoned homes shown on the map is based on the number of KRXVLQJ XQLWV FODVVLĂšHG DV Ă&#x;RWKHU YDFDQWĂ L H QRW IRU UHQW RU VDOH EXW LQWHQGHG IRU \HDU round occupancy) given by the US Census (2010) at the census-tract level. The abandoned homes shown within each census tract on the map is equal to the number given by the US Census (2010) for the corresponding census tract. Using real property tax parcel data from the NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance (2010) and census data at the block group level, individual residential parcels were scored for their likelihood of being abandoned based on the conditions that have been correlated with intensifying abandoned in the past (such as lower home values, older housing, and high vacancy rates) which were determined by an exploratory spatial regression analysis at the census tract level that found which variables correlated most strongly with increases in the number of “other vacantâ€? units from 1990 to 2010. Parcels most likely to be abandoned within each census tract based on these scores are shown.

iii.

Big Ideas: Strengthen Our Food Systems for a Healthier Population and Economy

Big Ideas: Conserve Our Energy and Natural Resources to Prepare for Changes to Our Economy and Climate

$UHDV FODVVLĂšHG DV Ă&#x;3DVWXUH +D\Ă RU Ă&#x;5RZ &URSVĂ LQ WKH 1DWLRQDO /DQG &RYHU 'DWDVHW that fell outside of areas labeled as cropland in the 2012 Cropland Data Layer, parcels classiĂšHG DV DJULFXOWXUDO IRU WD[ SXUSRVHV (ULH &RXQW\ 'HSW RI (QYLURQPHQW DQG 3ODQQLQJ Niagara County Dept. of Economic Development, 2011), and additional areas registered under the USDA Farm Service Agency program (USDA, NRCS, 2012), were extracted using ArcGIS Software to produce the display. i.

ii. *,6 DQDO\VLV FDOFXODWHG WKH DUHD RI VRLOV FODVVLĂšHG DV Ă&#x;3ULPH )DUPODQGĂ ZLWKLQ %XIIDOR Niagara by the USDA, NRCS SSURGO Data, and the percentage of this land that fell within SDUFHOV FODVVLĂšHG DV DJULFXOWXUDO IRU WD[ SXUSRVHV >3URSHUW\ &RGHV DQG @ DQG additional areas registered under the USDA Farm Service Agency. iii. Jobs in food production include the following employment sectors: “Crop Productionâ€?, “Animal Production and Aquacultureâ€?, “Support Services for Animal Productionâ€?, “Agricultural Implement Manufacturingâ€?, “Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalersâ€?, “Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalersâ€?. Jobs in food processing include the following employment sectors: “Food Manufacturingâ€?, “Beverage Manufacturingâ€?. Jobs in food retail include the following employment sectors: “Food and Beverage Storesâ€?, “Food Services and Drinking Placesâ€?, “Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalersâ€?, “Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalersâ€?, “Gasoline Stations with Convenience Storesâ€?, “Community Food Servicesâ€?, “Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalersâ€?, and “Food (Health) Supplement Storesâ€?.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Climate Data Center, 2013. Accessed April, 2014 at www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html. ii. Collins, M., R. Knutti, J. Arblaster, J.-L. Dufresne, T. Fichefet, P. Friedlingstein, X. Gao, W.J. Gutowski, T. Johns, G. Krinner, M. Shongwe, C. Tebaldi, A.J. Weaver and M. Wehner, 2013: Long-term Climate Change: Projections, Commitments and Irreversibility. In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. i.

U.S. Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy, International Energy Statistics, Total Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Consumption of Energy (Million Metric Tons), 2013. Notes: The average percent of world emissions originating from the US between 2000 and 2011 was calculated as 20.8%.

iii.

iv. &LW\ RI %XIIDR Ă&#x;7UDIĂšF 6LJQDO 6\QFKURQL]DWLRQ 3URMHFW 7LPHOLQHĂ $FFHVVHG 2FWREHU DW KWWSV ZZZ FL EXIIDOR Q\ XV +RPH &LW\B'HSDUWPHQWV 3XEOLFB:RUNVB3DUNVB 6WUHHWV 7UDIĂšF6LJQDO7LPHOLQH v. Meyer, Michael D., 2008. “Design standards for US transportation infrastructure: the implications of climate change.â€? Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.

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How Will We Know if We’re Making Progress?

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Percent of Development within Urbanized Areas serviced by a sewer district: 68% represents WKH WRWDO SURSRUWLRQ RI WKH UHJLRQDO ODQG DUHD RI DOO GHYHORSHG SDUFHOV QRW FODVVLĂšHG DV YDFDQW DJULFXOWXUDO RU HQYLURQPHQWDOO\ SURWHFWHG ODQG WKDW IDOOV ZLWKLQ XUEDQL]HG DUHDV 86 Census, 2010) that are also serviced by sewer districts (obtained from a variety of county and municipal sources). Moving forward, this indicator will measure the percentage of all QHZO\ GHYHORSHG DUHD IRXQG E\ RYHUOD\LQJ SDUFHOV FODVVLĂšHG DV YDFDQW LQ WKH SUHYLRXV \HDU with those that change to a form of development in the following year) that falls within the FXUUHQW XUEDQL]HG VHZHUHG DUHD 3HUFHQW RI MREV LQ GRZQWRZQV %URQZĹŚHOG 2SSRUWXQLW\ $UHDV RU QHDU 0DLQ VWUHHWV Using ArcGIS Software, census block-level employment data (US Census Bureau, Location Employment Dynamics, 2011) was clipped to the shapes of downtowns, BOAs (NYS Dept. of 6WDWH DQG ZLWKLQ TXDUWHU PLOH EXIIHU RI Ă&#x;0DLQ 6WUHHWVĂ GHĂšQHG E\ ORFDO VWDNHKROGHUV 7KH number of jobs within these areas was estimated by multiplying job density per block by the area of the clipped blocks. This was divided by the total number of jobs in the region. Open Spaces Conserved from Development 8VLQJ $UF*,6 VRIWZDUH DOO SDUFHOV FODVVLĂšHG as vacant, agricultural or protected in parcel data were merged with other conserved and protected lands (Conservation Easements and WNY Land Conservancy properties). Moving forward, this area will be recalculated and compared with the 2014 benchmark. Linear Miles of Shoreline with Public Access: All publicly-owned parcels were selected by property class from county parcel data. Public parcels which intersect any major water body were extracted. The length of public shorelines, as well as the total length of major shorelines, was calculated using GIS software. Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled per Capita: The total regional vehicle miles traveled given by GBNRTC data was divided by the total regional population as given by US Census, ACS, 5-year estimates. Percent of Workers Commuting via Alternative Modes of Transportation: U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 1-year estimates. Find from ACS’ “Means of transportation to workâ€? (T128) for the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan region. Percent of homes and jobs within areas accessible to transit stops: The Network Analyst extension of ArcGIS Software was used to delineate areas within one half mile of a NFTA Bus or Metro stops along a road. The percentage of the region’s residents and employment within these areas was estimated using spatial data on population (US Census Bureau, TIGER\ /LQH 6KDSHĂšOHV DQG MREV 86 &HQVXV %XUHDX /RFDWLRQ (PSOR\PHQW '\QDPLFV both given at the census block-level. The population density (people per acre) and employment density (jobs per acre) was calculated for each census block. The percentage of each census block that fell within one half mile of NFTA stops was multiplied by the calculated density to estimate the number of people and jobs within access to transit. Linear Miles of ĞĚĹ?Ä?ĂƚĞĚ Ĺ?ĹŹÄž WĂƚŚĆ?Í• ^ĹšÄ‚ĆŒÄžÄš Ĺ?ĹŹÄž >ĂŜĞĆ? ĂŜĚ DƾůĆ&#x;ͲƾĆ?Ğ͏ZÄžÄ?ĆŒÄžÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ dĆŒÄ‚Ĺ?ĹŻĆ?: Greater Buffalo Niagara Transportation Council, 2014. All dedicated bike lanes, shared bike SDWKV DQG PXOWL XVH UHFUHDWLRQDO WUDLOV ZHUH GLJLWL]HG DQG WKH OHQJWK LQ PLOHV ZDV FDOFXlated using ArcGIS software. Number of residential and commercial addresses determined “undeliverableâ€? by US Postal Service: Data from http://www.huduser.org/portal/usps/login.php for the fourth quarter of 2013 was downloaded. Census tracts within Buffalo Niagara were extracted and the total QXPEHU RI EXVLQHVV DGGUHVVHV DQG UHVLGHQWLDO DGGUHVVHV ZLWKLQ FODVVLĂšHG DV YDFDQW ZHUH totaled. Percent of Homes built within walking distance to a “Main Street,â€? downtown or commercial corridor: Percentage of new homes (found using the year built attribute of county parcel GDWD EXLOW ZLWKLQ D TXDUWHU PLOH RI WRZQ DQG YLOODJH Ă&#x;PDLQ VWUHHWVĂ GHĂšQHG WKURXJK VWDNHholder input), downtowns, and transit access areas (within half mile along a roadway of frequent metro rail and bus stops). Percentage of income the average household spends on housing and transportation costs: HUD Locational Affordability Portal (ACS 5-yr estimates; LODES Census Block Data from OnTheMap; National Transit Database; Consumer Expenditure Survey. Using the Location Affordability Portal provided by HUD (at http://www.locationaffordability.info/lai.aspx), the percentage of income spent by the median-income family on housing and transportation was found. Number of Households without a vehicle and beyond walking distance to a supermarket: Reference USA; US Census, ACS 5-year estimates. Supermarkets and grocery stores were extracted from RefUSA by NAICS code. Vehicle availability by block group using ACS data was mapped. The total number of people living in households without a vehicle in block groups that do not lie within 0.4 miles of a supermarket was estimated using ArcGIS Network Analyst. Land dedicated to farming: Parcel data and USDA-National Agricultural Statistical Service.

8VLQJ $UF*,6 VRIWZDUH WKH DUHD RI ODQG LQ IDUPV LQFOXGLQJ DOO ODQG SDUFHOV FODVVLĂšHG DV agricultural for tax purposes and additional areas registered under the USDA Farm Service Agency program was calculated. Annual earnings for jobs in food production and manufacturing: New York State, Department of Labor, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2013 (p). Using annual QCEW records for the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan region (at http://labor.ny.gov/stats/ lsqcew.shtm), the “Total Wagesâ€? was summed for the following sectors: “Crop Productionâ€?, “Animal Production and Aquacultureâ€? and “Food Productionâ€?. 6TXDUH )RRWDJH RI /((' &HUWLĹŚHG SURMHFWV: U.S. Green Building Council, Green Building Information Gateway. According to report for the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan region from http://www.gbig.org Percentage of Locally-Generated Energy from Renewable Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy. (2012). Reporting programs (Form 923) for all electricity generators. Data was retrieved for all commercial energy providers in Erie and Niagara counties. All energy production (kWh) of renewable sources (wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric) was totaled, and divided by total energy generation for all facilities in Buffalo Niagara. Climate Smart Communities (Municipalities and Counties with a Climate Action Plan): NYS DEC (2014) List of Climate Smart Communities: New York State’s Climate Partners. Accessed October, 2014 from http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/56876.html Percent of new development on environmentally-sensitive area: Calculated by totaling the area of developed land (parcels that are not vacant, agricultural or protected) that falls LQVLGH RI ZHWODQGV 86*6 1DWLRQDO /DQG &RYHU 'DWDVHW ĂşRRGSODLQV \HDU ĂşRRGSODLQV GHOLQHDWHG E\ )HGHUDO (PHUJHQF\ 0DQDJHPHQW $JHQF\ 'LJLWDO 4 )ORRG =RQH Data, 1996), within 100 feet of streams (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, National Hydrography Dataset, 2012) , or forests (USGS, 2011 National Land Cover Dataset, 2014). Moving forward, this metric will show the percent area of all new development on environmentally-sensitive land. Percent of the region’s population living in neighborhoods with concentrated poverty: ACS 5-year estimates, 2007-2012, Social Explorer Tables, US Census Bureau. The total population residing in census tracts where over 20% of the population lives under the federal poverty level. 1XPEHU RI ĹŚUPV LQ WKH UHJLRQ: NYS Department of Labor, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2013 (p). This indicator shows the total number of business establishments in WKH UHJLRQ )RU ĂšUPV RSHUDWLQJ DW PRUH WKDQ RQH ORFDWLRQ HDFK LQGLYLGXDO HVWDEOLVKPHQW was counted, unless the payrolls are jointly maintained. Combined cost-to-revenue ration for all local governments 1<6 2IĂšFH RI WKH 6WDWH &RPStroller, 2012. Local Government Municipal Finance Data, Level One, FY 2011. Accessed )HEUXDU\ DW KWWS ZZZ RVF VWDWH Q\ XV ORFDOJRY GDWDQVWDW ĂšQGDWD LQGH[BFKRLFH htm. Total expenditures (including debt payments and other uses) for all local and county governments divided by total revenues (including state and federal aid) for all local and county governments. Use negative values to indicate when costs exceed revenues.

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d ^KhZ ^ E Kd, Z d />^

Appendix B Acronyms

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AOC

Area of Concern

BNMC

Buīalo Niagara Medical Campus

EW

Buīalo Niagara Partnership

BOA

BrownĮeld Opportunity Areas

CDC

Community Development CorporaƟons

' EZd

Greater Buīalo Niagara Zegional TransportaƟon Council

','

Greenhouse gases

,h

US Department of ,ousing and Urban Development

>/^

Local IniƟaƟves Support CorporaƟon

NFTA

Niagara FronƟer TransportaƟon Authority

EzW

New York Power Authority

Ez^ Kd

New York State Departent of TransportaƟon

Wh^, Ͳ ƵīĂůŽ

People United for Sustainable ,ousing Ͳ Buīalo

Z W

Zemedial AcƟon Plan

ZW^

Zegional Plan for Sustainable Development

TDR

Transfer of Development Zights

h Z/ͬ h W

University at Buīalo Zegional InsƟtute and Urban Design Proũect

WNY REDC

Western New York Zegional conomic Development Council

WNYEA

Western New York nvironmental Alliance

Appendix C 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ dĞƌŵƐ ϭϬϬ LJĞĂƌ ŇŽŽĚ

The magnitude of a Ňood which has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year. The term can be misleading. It describes the probability of such a Ňood, not its actual frequency. A 100 year Ňood can happen two years in a row. hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ

ϱϬϬ LJĞĂƌ ŇŽŽĚ

The magnitude of a Ňood that has a 0.2 percent chance of occuring in any given year. The term is potenƟally misleading in the same way as the 100 year Ňood. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĨĞŵĂ͘ŐŽǀͬŇŽŽĚƉůĂŝŶͲŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚͬŇŽŽĚͲnjŽŶĞƐηϬ

ďĂŶĚŽŶĞĚ ,ŽƵƐŝŶŐ

A building that has no idenƟĮable owner. This could be due to the owner not being able to maintain or pay for the building and deciding to walk away, or due to the owner dying with no known inheritors. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬĐŚŝĐĂŐŽďƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ͘ŽƌŐͬĨĂƋ͘ŚƚŵůηĚŝīĞƌĞŶĐĞͲďĞƚǁĞĞŶͲĂďĂŶĚŽŶĞĚͲĂŶĚͲǀĂĐĂŶƚ

ĚĂƉƟǀĞ ZĞͲƵƐĞ

ΗConverƟng obsolete or historic buildings from their original or most recent use to a new use. For example, an old manufacturing site could be converted into apartments or retail space.Η ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

ŐƌŝͲƚŽƵƌŝƐŵ

Agricultural tourism is a commercial enterprise at a working farm, ranch or agricultural plant conducted for the enũoyment or educaƟon of visitors, and that generates supplemental income for the owner. Agritourism can include farm stands or shops, UͲpick, farm stays, tours, onͲfarm classes, fairs, fesƟvals, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, winery weddings, orchard dinners, youth camps, barn dances, hunƟng or Įshing, guest ranches, and more. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬƐĨƉ͘ƵĐĚĂǀŝƐ͘ĞĚƵͬĂŐƌŝƚŽƵƌŝƐŵͬ

ŶĐŚŽƌ /ŶƐƟƚƵƟŽŶ

InsƟtuƟons such as hospitals, universiƟes and other organizaƟons that have longͲterm commitments to place and are oŌen central parƟcipants in community and economic development. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ŝĐŝĐ͘ŽƌŐͬĞĞͺƵƉůŽĂĚƐͬƉƵďůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐͬ/ / ͺZ ^ Z ,ͺĂŶĐŚŽƌͺŝŶƐƟƚƵƟŽŶƐͺƌϮ͘ƉĚĨ

ŝŽƐǁĂůĞƐ

LowͲlying landscape features designed to collect water and retain it in place while it seeps into the ground as a means to Įlter out polluƟon and silt, minimize Ňooding, and protect criƟcal infrastructure. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬďƵŝůĚŐƌĞĞŶ͘ƵŇ͘ĞĚƵͬ&ĂĐƚͺƐŚĞĞƚͺ ŝŽƐǁĂůĞƐͺsĞŐĞƚĂƚĞĚͺ^ǁĂůĞƐ͘ƉĚĨ

ůƵĞͬŐƌĞĞŶ ĞĐŽŶŽŵLJ ΗAn important part of the response to global climate change that refers to redesigning our economy to use less energy, produce less waste, protect natural resources, especially water, and produce products that also help us produce green energy or reduce consumpƟon of energy.Η ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬƵƉůŽĂĚƐ͘ŽŶĞƌĞŐŝŽŶĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ͘ŽƌŐͬĐŽŶƚĞŶƚͬƵƉůŽĂĚƐͬϮϬϭϰͬϬϱͬ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶϮdŽŽů<ŝƚͺĮŶĂů͘ƉĚĨ

ƌŽǁŶĮĞůĚ

ΗAn area with abandoned, idle, or underͲused industrial and commercial faciliƟes where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse is complicated by real or perceived environmental contaminaƟon.Η ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

ĂƌďŽŶ

Shorthand for carbon dioxide ;CO2Ϳ, which is the primary greenhouse gas and is emiƩed through human acƟviƟes, mainly by the combusƟon of fossil fuels for energy. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞƉĂ͘ŐŽǀͬĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞͬŐŚŐĞŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐͬŐĂƐĞƐͬĐŽϮ͘Śƚŵů

ĂƌďŽŶ ĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ

Methods and processes by which organizaƟons account for and report on their greenhouse gas emissions. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ǀĞƌĐŽŐůŽďĂů͘ĐŽŵͬƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďŝůŝƚLJͲƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐͬĐĂƌďŽŶͲĂĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐͲĂŶĚͲƌĞƉŽƌƟŶŐ

ĂƌďŽŶ &ŽŽƚƉƌŝŶƚ

The total amount of greenhouse gases that are emiƩed into the atmosphere each year by a person, family, building, organizaƟon, or company. A person’s carbon footprint includes greenhouse gas emissions from fuel that an individual burns directly, such as by heaƟng a home or riding in a car. It also includes greenhouse gases that come from producing the goods or services that the individual uses, including emissions from power plants that make electricity, factories that make products, and landĮlls where trash gets sent. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞƉĂ͘ŐŽǀͬĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞͬŐůŽƐƐĂƌLJ͘Śƚŵů

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ůŝŵĂƚĞ ŚĂŶŐĞ

d ^KhZ ^ E Kd, Z d />^

ΗZefers to any signiĮcant change in the measures of climate lasƟng for an extended period of Ɵme. In other words, climate change includes maũor changes in temperature, precipitaƟon, or wind paƩerns, among other eīects, that occur over several decades or longer. Current concern about climate change focuses on changes caused in large part by emission of greenhouse gases leading to an overall warming and instability of the climate." h͘^͘ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů WƌŽƚĞĐƟŽŶ ŐĞŶĐLJ͘ ;ϮϬϭϰ͕ DĂƌĐŚ ϭϴͿ͘ ůŝŵĂƚĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ͗ ĂƐŝĐ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͘ ZĞƚƌŝĞǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞƉĂ͘ŐŽǀͬĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞͬďĂƐŝĐƐͬ

ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ 'ĂƌĚĞŶ

"Places where neighbors and residents can gather to culƟvate plants, vegetables, and fruits and, depending on local laws, keep bees and raise chickens or other livestock and poultry." ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ZŝƐŬ ƐƐĞƐƐŵĞŶƚƐ

A parƟcipatory process for assessing hazards, vulnerabiliƟes, risks and ability to cope toward preparing coping strategies and Įnally a risk reducƟon opƟons implementaƟon plan by the local community. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬƌϰĚ͘ĚĮĚ͘ŐŽǀ͘ƵŬͬKƵƚƉƵƚͬϭϵϭϭϱϭͬ

ŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ^ƚƌĞĞƚƐ

Streets that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abiliƟes. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work. They allow buses to run on Ɵme and make it safe for people to walk to and from train staƟons. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ƐŵĂƌƚŐƌŽǁƚŚĂŵĞƌŝĐĂ͘ŽƌŐͬĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞͲƐƚƌĞĞƚƐͬĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞͲƐƚƌĞĞƚƐͲĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂůƐͬĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞͲƐƚƌĞĞƚƐͲĨĂƋ

ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ ĂƐĞŵĞŶƚ

A means to conserve natural lands whereby a property owner may cede development rights to a land conservancy or government while conƟnuing to own and use the property. Typically, the easement is perpetuity and runs with the property, not the owner. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬůĂŶĚƚƌƵƐƚ͘ŽƌŐͬWƌŽƚĞĐƟŶŐ>ĂŶĚͬ ĂƐĞŵĞŶƚ/ŶĨŽ͘Śƚŵ

ĞͲsĞŚŝĐůĞ

lectric car

ŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐ

The release of a substance ;usually a gas when referring to the subũect of climate changeͿ into the atmosphere. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞƉĂ͘ŐŽǀͬĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞͬŐůŽƐƐĂƌLJ͘Śƚŵů

&ŝƌƐƚ ZŝŶŐ ^ƵďƵƌď

A term used to describe suburban communiƟes that share a border with a central city. Local examples include Kenmore, Cheektowaga, and West Seneca.

&ůŽŽĚƉůĂŝŶƐ

"The relaƟvely level land area on either side of the banks of a stream regularly subũect to Ňooding. That part of the Ňoodplain subũect to a one percent chance of Ňooding in any given year is designated as an “area of special Ňood hazard͟ by the Federal Insurance AdministraƟon." ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

&ŽŽĚ ^ĞĐƵƌŝƚLJ

The ability of people to have access to suĸcient, safe, nutriƟous food to maintain a healthy and acƟve life ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ǁŚŽ͘ŝŶƚͬƚƌĂĚĞͬŐůŽƐƐĂƌLJͬƐƚŽƌLJϬϮϴͬĞŶͬ

&ŽŽĚ ^LJƐƚĞŵ

Zefers to the interlinked network of processes, actors, resources, policies, and regulatory tools required to produce, process, distribute, access, consume, and dispose of foodͶand its connecƟon to other urban systems ;such as land, housing, transportaƟon, parks and recreaƟon, etc.Ϳ ,ŽĚŐƐŽŶ͕ <ŝŵďĞƌůĞLJ͘ ;ϮϬϭϯͿ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ &ŽŽĚ ĐĐĞƐƐ ĂŶĚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJͲ ĂƐĞĚ &ŽŽĚ ^LJƐƚĞŵƐ͗ EĂƟŽŶĂů ^ĐĂŶ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ >ŽĐĂů ŽŵƉƌĞŚĞŶƐŝǀĞ ĂŶĚ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďŝůŝƚLJ WůĂŶƐ͘ džĞĐƵƟǀĞ ^ƵŵŵĂƌLJ ŵĞƌŝĐĂŶ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ͘ ZĞƚƌŝĞǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ͘ŽƌŐͬƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚͬĨŽŽĚĂĐĐĞƐƐͬƉĚĨͬĨŽŽĚĂĐĐĞƐƐƌĞƉŽƌƚ͘ƉĚĨ

&Žƌŵ ďĂƐĞĚ ĐŽĚĞƐ

"A method of regulaƟng development to achieve a speciĮc urban form by controlling physical form primarily, with a lesser focus on land use. FormͲbased codes address the relaƟonship between building facades and the public realm, the form and mass of buildings in relaƟon to one another, and the scale and types of streets and blocks." ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

&ŽƐƐŝů &ƵĞůƐ

"CarbonͲrich deposits in the earth, such as petroleum ;oilͿ, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals and used for fuel." ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

'ƌĂLJ /ŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ

"The system of constructed “hard͟ infrastructure elements. They include the tradiƟonal infrastructure components that improve safety, health, and quality of life. They facilitate economic acƟvity and connect us to other communiƟes. xamples include roads, and storm and sanitary sewers. " ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĐŝƚLJŽĩŽŶĚƵƌĂŶƚ͘ĐŽŵͬǁĞďƌĞƐͬ&ŝůĞͬ ŽŵƉƌĞŚĞŶƐŝǀĞйϮϬWůĂŶͬ ŽŶĚƵƌĂŶƚͲ&zϭϯйϮϬ WйϮϬ'ƌĂŶƚйϮϬ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶйϮϬ^ƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĐйϮϬWůĂŶ͘ƉĚĨ

120

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

'ƌĂLJǁĂƚĞƌ

The relaƟvely clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines, and other kitchen appliances that can oŌen be used for irrigaƟon or treated on site, saving water, energy or both. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ŽdžĨŽƌĚĚŝĐƟŽŶĂƌŝĞƐ͘ĐŽŵͬƵƐͬĚĞĮŶŝƟŽŶͬĂŵĞƌŝĐĂŶͺĞŶŐůŝƐŚͬŐƌĂLJͲǁĂƚĞƌ

'ƌĞĞŶ ŽĚĞ

An historic update of Buīalo’s development framework that will target investments, facilitate ũob creaƟon, restore the environment, and improve quality of life for residents. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬƵƉůŽĂĚƐ͘ŽŶĞƌĞŐŝŽŶĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ͘ŽƌŐͬĐŽŶƚĞŶƚͬƵƉůŽĂĚƐͬϮϬϭϰͬϬϱͬ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶϯdŽŽů<ŝƚͺ&/E >ͺϱͺϱϲϭ͘ƉĚĨ

'ƌĞĞŶ /ŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ

A stormwater management tool that takes advantage of the natural processes of soils and plants in order to slow down and clean stormwater and keep it from overwhelming the CityΖs sewer system. xamples include Zain Gardens, permeable paving, and green roofs. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬƐĨǁĂƚĞƌ͘ŽƌŐͬŝŶĚĞdž͘ĂƐƉdž͍ƉĂŐĞсϲϲϳ

'ƌĞĞŶŚŽƵƐĞ 'ĂƐĞƐ

"Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. These include carbon dioxide ;CO2Ϳ, Methane ;C,ϰͿ, Nitrous oxide ;N2OͿ, and Fluorinated gases. ,uman acƟvity contributes to the producƟon of these gases. The gases in turn make the planet warmer and ""thicken the arthΖs blanket." h͘^͘ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů WƌŽƚĞĐƟŽŶ ŐĞŶĐLJ͘ ;ϮϬϭϯ͕ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϬϵͿ͘ KǀĞƌǀŝĞǁ ŽĨ ŐƌĞĞŶŚŽƵƐĞ ŐĂƐĞƐ͘ ZĞƚƌŝĞǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞƉĂ͘ŐŽǀͬĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞͬŐŚŐĞŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐͬŐĂƐĞƐ͘Śƚŵů

HŽŵĞ ZƵůĞ

The legal authority given by states to ciƟes, municipaliƟes, andͬor counƟes to pass laws and govern themselves as they see Įt ͲͲ especially in regard to this plan for land use regulaƟon ͲͲ so long as they obey the state and federal consƟtuƟons. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ŶĂƩůĞďŽƌŽ͘ĐŽŵͬƐŝƚĞƐͬŶĂƩůĞďŽƌŽŵĂͬĮůĞƐͬĮůĞͬĮůĞͬnjŽŶŝŶŐͺƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐͺϬϭϬϭ͘ƉĚĨ

,LJĚƌĂƵůŝĐ &ƌĂĐƚƵƌŝŶŐ

A process in which fractures in rocks below the earthΖs surface are opened and widened by inũecƟng chemicals and liquids at high pressure: used especially to extract natural gas or oil. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬĚŝĐƟŽŶĂƌLJ͘ƌĞĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ͘ĐŽŵͬďƌŽǁƐĞͬŚLJĚƌĂƵůŝĐнĨƌĂĐƚƵƌŝŶŐ

/ŶĮůů

New development in exisƟng urban areas, typically homes or other buildings constructed on vacant lots where other structures were previously demolished. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ŶĂƩůĞďŽƌŽ͘ĐŽŵͬƐŝƚĞƐͬŶĂƩůĞďŽƌŽŵĂͬĮůĞƐͬĮůĞͬĮůĞͬnjŽŶŝŶŐͺƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐͺϬϭϬϭ͘ƉĚĨ

>ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬ

An enƟty, typically an agency of local government, established to purchase, hold, prepare and resell land and abandoned property in support of neighborhood redevelopment eīorts. ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐ Ξ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

> ^ƚĂŶĚĂƌĚƐ

L D ;Leadership in nergy and nvironmental DesignͿ is an internaƟonally recognized green building cerƟĮcaƟon system, providing thirdͲparty veriĮcaƟon that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that maƩer most: energy savings, water eĸciency, CO2 emissions reducƟon, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensiƟvity to their impacts. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ďƵ͘ĞĚƵͬƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďŝůŝƚLJͬǁŚĂƚͲǁĞƌĞͲĚŽŝŶŐͬŐƌĞĞŶͲďƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐͬůĞĞĚͬ

DĞƚƌŽƉŽůŝƚĂŶ ƌĞĂ

"The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisƟng of a densely populated urban core and its lessͲ populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing." ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬƉƵďƐ͘ƵƐŐƐ͘ŐŽǀͬĐŝƌĐͬϭϯϳϯͬƉĚĨͬ ŝƌĐƵůĂƌϭϯϳϯ͘ƉĚĨ

DŝĐƌŽͲŐƌŝĚƐ

A localized grouping of electricity sources and loads that normally operates connected to the tradiƟonal centralized grid ;macrogridͿ, but can disconnect and funcƟon autonomously as an electrical island. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬďƵŝůĚŝŶŐͲŵŝĐƌŽŐƌŝĚ͘ůďů͘ŐŽǀͬĂďŽƵƚͲŵŝĐƌŽŐƌŝĚƐ

DŝdžĞĚͲƵƐĞ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ

Development that blends residenƟal, retail, commercial oĸce, insƟtuƟonal, cultural and where appropriate, industrial uses. It is a commonly used approach to creaƟng urban districts that are both busy round the clock ;because diīerent uses are acƟve at diīerent Ɵmes of dayͿ and eĸcient ;because they connect uses people need on a daily basis and reduce the need for transportaƟonͿ. ŵĞƌŝĐĂŶ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ͘ ;ϮϬϭϯͿ͘ DŝdžĞĚ ƵƐĞ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ͘ ZĞƚƌŝĞǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ͘ŽƌŐͬŶĂƟŽŶĂůĐĞŶƚĞƌƐͬŚĞĂůƚŚͬŵŝdžĞĚƵƐĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ͘Śƚŵ

MMBtu

One million BriƟsh thermal units ;BtuͿ. One Btu is the heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞŝĂ͘ŐŽǀͬƚŽŽůƐͬĨĂƋƐͬĨĂƋ͘ĐĨŵ͍ŝĚсϰϱΘƚсϴ

EĂƚƵƌĂů 'ĂƐ

Underground deposits of gases consisƟng of ϱ0 to 90 percent methane ;C,ϰͿ and small amounts of heavier gaseous hydrocarbon compounds such as propane ;C3,8Ϳ and butane ;Cϰ,10Ϳ. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞƉĂ͘ŐŽǀͬĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞͬŐůŽƐƐĂƌLJ͘Śƚŵů

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KnjŽŶĞ

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"The protecƟve layer of the earth’s atmosphere, about 1ϱ miles above the ground that absorbs some of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, thereby reducing the amount of potenƟally harmful radiaƟon that reaches the earth’s surface." ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

ZĂŝŶ ĂƌƌĞů

"A system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoī and diverted to storm drains and streams." ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞƉĂ͘ŐŽǀͬƌĞŐŝŽŶϬϯͬƉϮͬǁŚĂƚͲŝƐͲƌĂŝŶďĂƌƌĞů͘ƉĚĨ

ZĂŝŶ ŐĂƌĚĞŶƐ

A planted depression or a hole that allows rainwater runoī from impervious urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas the opportunity to be absorbed. This reduces rain runoī by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground ;as opposed to Ňowing into storm drains and surface waters which causes erosion, water polluƟon, Ňooding, and diminished groundwaterͿ. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞůͲĐĞƌƌŝƚŽ͘ŽƌŐͬŝŶĚĞdž͘ĂƐƉdž͍E/ сϳϳϮ

ZĞŶĞǁĂďůĞ ĂŶĚͬŽƌ 'ƌĞĞŶ ŶĞƌŐLJ

nergy generated from solar, wind, geothermal and hyrdoͲelectric sources that are eīecƟvely unlimited and produce no greenhouse gases ;as compared with energy from coal, oil, gas and uranium whose supply is Įnite and produce greenhouse gases or other dangerous wastesͿ. ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

ZŝƉĂƌŝĂŶ ƵīĞƌƐ

Vegetated land areas next to rivers and streams that protect water resources from nonpoint source polluƟon and provide bank stabilizaƟon and aquaƟc and wildlife habitat. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ƐŽŝů͘ŶĐƐƵ͘ĞĚƵͬƉƵďůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐͬ DWƐͬďƵīĞƌƐ͘Śƚŵů

ƐŚĂƌĞĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĂŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚƐ

Shared services agreements, also known as interͲmunicipal cooperaƟon and consolidaƟon, are when governments from diīerent municipaliƟes consolidate overlapping layers of government into a single service in order to gain economies of scale, lower costs and eliminate ineĸciencies. Agreements are intended to assist local governments deal with Įscal stress, declining or staƟc tax bases, stagnant levels of state aid, and escalaƟng healthcare and employee beneĮt costs all while facing demands for conƟnued services and pressures on the local property tax base. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ŽƐĐ͘ƐƚĂƚĞ͘ŶLJ͘ƵƐͬůŽĐĂůŐŽǀͬƉƵďƐͬƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚͬĐŽŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶϭ͘ƉĚĨ

^ŚĂƌƌŽǁ

Is shorthand "shared lane bicycle marking." This pavement marking includes a bicycle symbol and two white chevrons and is used to remind motorists that bicyclists are permiƩed to use the full lane. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬƩŵ͘ŽƐƵ͘ĞĚƵͬďŝŬĞͲƐŚĂƌƌŽǁƐ

^ŵĂƌƚ 'ƌŽǁƚŚ

A placedͲbased approach to planning and design for communiƟes which encourages mixed use of land, transportaƟon and housing, compact development, and strengthening exisƟng qualiƟes of communiƟes which improve the quality of life. ͞ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů WƌŽƚĞĐƟŽŶ ŐĞŶĐLJ͘ ;ϮϬϭϯͿ ďŽƵƚ ^ŵĂƌƚ 'ƌŽǁƚŚ͘ ZĞƚƌŝĞǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĞƉĂ͘ŐŽǀͬƐŵĂƌƚŐƌŽǁƚŚͬĂďŽƵƚͺƐŐ͘Śƚŵ͟

^ƉƌĂǁů

"A common term used to described the dispersed paƩern of development associated with lowͲdensity housing, highwayͲoriented commercial development, and growth away from urban centers into rural areas. In some cases, suburban sprawl is accompanied by disinvestment or decline in urban centers." ͞ ŽƌŶĞůů hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ^ŽĐŝŽůŽŐLJ͘ ;ϮϬϭϬͿ͘ dŚĞ ĚĞĮŶŝƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƐƉƌĂǁů͘ ZĞƚƌŝĞǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬĐĂƌĚŝ͘ĐŽƌŶĞůů͘ĞĚƵͬĐĂůƐͬĚĞǀƐŽĐͬŽƵƚƌĞĂĐŚͬĐĂƌĚŝͬƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐͬůĂŶĚͲƵƐĞͬ ƐƉƌĂǁůͬĚĞĮŶŝƟŽŶͺƐƉƌĂǁů͘ĐĨŵ͟

dĂdž /ŶĐƌĞŵĞŶƚ &ŝŶĂŶĐŝŶŐ

A public Įnancing method that captures all or part of the future increase in property tax revenue expected from new development to help pay for the development itself, its infrastructure or other communityͲ improvement proũects. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĐŽ͘ǁĞďĞƌ͘Ƶƚ͘ƵƐͬĐŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶͬƌĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚͺĂŐĞŶĐLJ͘ƉŚƉ

dƌĂŶƐŝƚ KƌŝĞŶƚĞĚ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ

Forms of development that concentrate housing and ũobs in close proximity to transit service ͲͲ most notably rail transit staƟons ͲͲ both to provide service to residents and employees and to build transit ridership. TOD typically includes a mix of higher density housing, oĸce and retail in a walkable neighborhood environment. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĐƚŽĚ͘ŽƌŐͬĨĂƋƐ͘ƉŚƉ

hƌďĂŶ &ĂƌŵŝŶŐ

The pracƟce of producing food in a city or heavily populated town or municipality as a commercial enterprise ͲͲ as disƟnguished from community gardening. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ŐƌĞĞŶƐŐƌŽǁ͘ŽƌŐͬƵƌďĂŶͲĨĂƌŵͬǁŚĂƚͲŝƐͲƵƌďĂŶͲĨĂƌŵŝŶŐͬ

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hƌďĂŶŝnjĞĚ ĂƌĞĂ

According to the 2010 Decennial census the term urbanized areas or UAs refer to urban areas that contain ϱ0,000 or more people. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ŐƉŽ͘ŐŽǀͬĨĚƐLJƐͬƉŬŐͬ&ZͲϮϬϭϭͲϬϴͲϮϰͬƉĚĨͬϮϬϭϭͲϮϭϲϰϳ͘ƉĚĨ

sĂĐĂŶƚ ,ŽƵƐŝŶŐ

An empty building that is not in use, but the owner is known. In most cases the building is foreclosed or owned by a bank. ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬĐŚŝĐĂŐŽďƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ͘ŽƌŐͬĨĂƋ͘ŚƚŵůηĚŝīĞƌĞŶĐĞͲďĞƚǁĞĞŶͲĂďĂŶĚŽŶĞĚͲĂŶĚͲǀĂĐĂŶƚ

tĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚƐ

"The total area above a given point on a watercourse that contributes water to its Ňow; the enƟre region drained by a waterway or watercourse that drains into a reservoir, lake, or sea" ͞hE Z^d E /E' d, ^/ ^ KĨ > E h^ E W> EE/E'͗ 'ůŽƐƐĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂŶĚ hƐĞ ĂŶĚ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ dĞƌŵƐΞ ϮϬϭϬ ďLJ dŚĞ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞ ĨŽƌ >ŽĐĂů 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͟

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Appendix D WůĂŶ >ŝďƌĂƌLJ Regional Plans Regional - The WNY Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan (2011) Regional - Niagara Region Transportation Strategy Update (2011) 5HJLRQDO 5HYHDOLQJ 1LDJDUD $ &LWL]HQ 9LVLRQ IRU +HULWDJH DQG &XOWXUDO 7RXULVP LQ WKH %L 1DWLRQDO 1LDJDUD 5HJLRQ (2002) Regional - Rethinking the Niagara Frontier: A Report on the Continuing Bi-National Forum (2001) Regional - The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan (2009) Regional - The International Watersheds Initiative: Implementing a New Paradigm for Trans-boundary Basins (2009) Regional - Impact of Urban Areas on Great Lakes Water Quality (2009) Regional - The 14th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality (2009) Regional - The NYS Park System: An Economic Asset to the Empire State (2009) Regional - The 2009 New York State Rail Plan (2009) Regional - Strategic Plan for State Forest Management (SPSFM)/Generic Environmental Impact Statement (2011) Regional - Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan (2011) Regional - Transportation Improvement Program 2011-2015 and Long Range Transportation Plan (2010) Regional - Buffalo Niagara: Where Industry Creates Energy (2009) Regional - The WNY Environmental Alliance - Our Shared Agenda for Action (2009) Regional - 2008 Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan (2008) Regional - The Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway (2007) 5HJLRQDO 5HYLVLRQLQJ %URZQùHOGV $ 5HJLRQDO 6WUDWHJLF $SSURDFK

Regional - The Niagara River Greenway Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (2007) Regional - The Framework for Regional Growth (2006) Regional - Building UB: The Comprehensive Physical Plan (2006) Regional - The Buffalo Niagara Cultural Tourism Initiative (2005)

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Erie County Plans Erie County - The Community Development Block Grant Final 2012 Action Plan (2012) Erie County - The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (2011) Erie County - The Comprehensive Three Year Local Plan 2005-2008 (2005) Erie County - The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (2012) Erie County - The Erie County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan (2012) Erie County - The Erie County Parks System Master Plan (2003) Erie County - Erie County’s Road to a Bright Future (2009) Erie County - The Consolidated Plan for the Amherst, Cheektowaga, and Tonawanda (2010) Erie County - The Draft Regional Comprehensive Plan and Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the Towns of Aurora, Elma, Holland, Wales and the Village of East Aurora (2002) Erie County - Sowing the Seeds for Southtowns Agribusiness (March 2009) Erie County - Tourism Toolkit for the Southtowns (October 2007) Alden (Town) - The Town of Alden Comprehensive Plan (2009) Alden (Town) - The Town of Alden Water District Number 5 Plan (2009) Alden (Village) - The Village of Alden Comprehensive Plan (2000) Amherst (Town) - The Town of Amherst (2012-2017) Capital Improvement Program (2011) Amherst (Town) - The Town of Amherst Bicentennial Comprehensive Plan (2007) Amherst (Town) - The Town of Amherst Recreation & Parks Master Plan (2004) Amherst (Town) - The Master Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for Amherst State Park (2003) Angola (Village) - The Village of Angola Comprehensive Plan (2003) Aurora (Town) - The Aurora Open Space Plan (2010) Boston (Town) - The Town of Boston Comprehensive Plan: A Vision for the Year 2020 (2002) Brant (Town) - The Town of Brant and Village of Farnham Master Plan (2003) Buffalo (City) - Queen City in the 21st Century: Comprehensive Plan (2006) Buffalo (City) - Queen City Waterfront (2007) Buffalo (City) - Queen City Hub: A Strategic Regional Action Plan for Downtown Buffalo. (2003) Buffalo (City) - Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Master Plan Update (2010) Buffalo (City) - The Black Rock Canal Park Feasibility Analysis (2010) Buffalo (City) - The Buffalo Building Reuse Project Report (2012) Buffalo (City) - The Buffalo Green Code Draft Land Use Plan (2012) Buffalo (City) - The Buffalo Harbor Bridge Final Scoping Report (2010) Buffalo (City) - The Buffalo Harbor Bridge Placemaking Report (2011) Buffalo (City) - The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Perry Choice Neighborhood Planning Initiative (2011) Buffalo (City) - Buffalo Olmsted Park System: Plan for the 21st Century (2008) Buffalo (City) - The Buffalo Promise Neighborhood Needs Assessment Study (2011) Buffalo (City) - The Buffalo River Restoration Feasibility Study (2011) Buffalo (City) - Updated Addendum to Stage 2 Remedial Action Plan Report Buffalo River AOC (2011) %XIIDOR &LW\ 3URSRVHG 5HPHGLDO $FWLRQ 3ODQÛ%XIIDOR /DNHVLGH &RPPHUFH 3DUN 3DUFHO 6LWH

Buffalo (City) - Queen City Gardens Plan (2009) %XIIDOR &LW\ 6RXWK %XIIDOR %URZQÚHOG 2SSRUWXQLW\ $UHDÛ1RPLQDWLRQ 'RFXPHQW

Buffalo (City) - “Building a Neighborhood of Choice: A Neighborhood Plan for the Riverside Planning Communityâ€? (2007) Buffalo (City) - Celebrating Buffalo’s Cultural Diversity: A Vision for the Michigan Street Heritage Corridor (2011) %XIIDOR &LW\ *UHHQ ,QIUDVWUXFWXUH 6ROXWLRQV WR %XIIDORĂ?V 6HZHU 2YHUĂşRZ &KDOOHQJH 'UDIW )HDVLELOLW\ 6WXG\

Buffalo (City) - Groundwork Buffalo – Feasibility Study (2009) Buffalo (City) - “Preserving Our Heritage and Planning Our Future� (2007) Buffalo (City) - The Larkin District Plan (2006) Buffalo (City) - The Lower West Side: Strategies for Neighborhood and Community Development (1994) %XIIDOR &LW\ 7KH /RZHU :HVW 6LGH 1HLJKERUKRRG 6WDELOL]DWLRQ 'HPRQVWUDWLRQ 3URMHFW +RXVLQJ 'HVLJQ 5HYLHZ *XLGHlines (2002)

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more than a plan

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Cheektowaga (Town) - The Town of Cheektowaga Comprehensive Plan and Generic Environmental Impact Statement (2010) Clarence (Town) - The Town of Clarence Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan (2012) Clarence (Town) - The Town of Clarence Master Plan 2015 (2001) Clarence (Town) - Town of Clarence Parks & Recreation Master Plan (2005) Clarence (Town) - The Supplemental Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Clarence Hollow Pollution Abatement Project (2007) Colden (Town) - The Town of Colden Master Plan 2002 (1992) Concord (Town) - The Town of Concord and Village of Springville Joint Comprehensive Plan (1999) 'HSHZ 9LOODJH 7KH 3URSRVHG 5HPHGLDO $FWLRQ 3ODQ IRU 'HSHZ 9LOODJH /DQGĂšOO

East Aurora (Village) - The Village of East Aurora Community Forestry Management Plan () Eden (Town) - The Town of Eden 2015 Comprehensive Plan (2000) Evans (Town) - The Town of Evans Comprehensive Plan (1999) (YDQV 7RZQ 7KH 7RZQ RI (YDQV /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Evans (Town) - The Town of Evans Stormwater Management Program Plan (2007) (YDQV 7RZQ 7KH /DNH (ULH %HDFK 1HLJKERUKRRG 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 6WUDWHJ\

*UDQG ,VODQG 7RZQ 7KH 7RZQ RI *UDQG ,VODQG /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Hamburg (Town) - The Town of Hamburg 2007 Comprehensive Plan Update (2007) Hamburg (Town) - The Town of Hamburg Five Year Consolidated Plan (2010) +DPEXUJ 7RZQ 7KH 7RZQ RI +DPEXUJ /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Hamburg (Village) - The Village of Hamburg Comprehensive Plan Update (2010) Hamburg (Village) - The Village of Hamburg Strategic Plan (2002) Holland (Town) - The Town of Holland Town Park Master Plan (1994) Kenmore (Village) - The Comprehensive Plan for the Village of Kenmore Business District (2003) Lackawanna (City) - The City of Lackawanna Comprehensive Plan 2020 (2001) Lackawanna (City) - RESTORE III - Lackawanna Redevelopment Plan (2010) /DFNDZDQQD &LW\ &LW\ RI /DFNDZDQQD /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Lancaster (Town) - The Town of Lancaster Stormwater Management Plan (2010) Lancaster (Town) - The Town of Lancaster, Village of Lancaster, and Village of Depew Comprehensive Plan (2000) Marilla (Town) - The Town of Marilla Comprehensive Plan (1998) Newstead (Town) - The Town of Newstead and Village of Akron Combined Comprehensive Plan (2001) North Collins (Town) - The Town of North Collins Comprehensive Plan (1996) Orchard Park (Town) - The Town of Orchard Park Comprehensive Plan (2007) Orchard Park (Town) - Orchard Park Economic Development Committee Strategic Plan (2008) Orchard Park (Town) - Town and Village of Orchard Park, New York Land Use Study: The Orchard Park Plan (2002) Sardinia (Town) - The Town of Sardinia Comprehensive Plan (2003) Tonawanda (City) - City of Tonawanda Comprehensive Plan and Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (2002) Tonawanda (Town) - The Town of Tonawanda Old Town Neighborhood Plan (2009) 7RQDZDQGD 7RZQ 7RQDZDQGD %URZQĂšHOG 2SSRUWXQLW\ $UHD 3URJUDP 3UH 1RPLQDWLRQ 6WXG\

7RQDZDQGD 7RZQ 7KH 7RQDZDQGD :DWHUIURQW 5H]RQLQJ 6WXG\ DQG /DQG 8VH 3ODQ

Tonawanda (Town) - The Town of Tonawanda Comprehensive Plan (2005) 7RQDZDQGD 7RZQ 7KH 7RZQ RI 7RQDZDQGD /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Tonawanda (Town) - The Town of Tonawanda Sheridan Parkside Village Courts Development Plan (2003) Tonawanda (Town) - The Town of Tonawanda’s Proposed Third Program Year Action Plan (2012) West Seneca (Town) - The Town of West Seneca Comprehensive Plan (2005) Williamsville (Village) - Village of Williamsville Community Plan and Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (2008) Williamsville (Village) - Village of Williamsville Water Mill Final Re-use Report (2009)

126

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Niagara County Plans Niagara County - Niagara Communities Comprehensive Plan 2030 (2009) Niagara County - The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Niagara County (2010) Niagara County - 2012 Niagara County Economic Development Address (2012) Niagara County - The Niagara County Agricultural & Farmland Protection Plan (1999) Niagara County - Niagara Falls International Airport Bi-National Air Cargo Gateway Study (2006) Niagara County - The Niagara National Heritage Area Study Act (2005) Niagara County - Transit North Historic Canalway Corridor Plan (2008) 1LDJDUD &RXQW\ 7KH 1LDJDUD &RXQW\ %XVLQHVV 'HYHORSPHQW &RPPHUFLDO 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 6WXG\

Niagara County - The Niagara County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (2007) Niagara County - The Niagara County Stormwater Management Program Plan (2010) Niagara County - The Eighteenmile Creek Restoration Project Plan (Phase II Restoration) (2011) Barker (Village) - The Village of Barker Capital Improvement Plan (2011) Cambria (Town) - Town of Cambria Comprehensive Plan (1997) Hartland (Town) - The Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Hartland (1998) Lewiston (Town) - Town of Lewiston Comprehensive Plan Update (2011) Lewiston (Town) - Town of Lewiston Comprehensive Plan and Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (2000) Lewiston (Village) - The Village of Lewiston Master Plan (2004) /HZLVWRQ 9LOODJH 7KH 9LOODJH RI /HZLVWRQ /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Lockport (City) - The City of Lockport Comprehensive Plan (1998) /RFNSRUW &LW\ 7KH &LW\ RI /RFNSRUW %URZQĂšHOG 2SSRUWXQLW\ $UHD 'UDIW 3UH 1RPLQDWLRQ 6WXG\

Lockport (City) - Proposed Remedial Action Plan for Eighteenmile Creek Corridor Site (2010) Lockport (Town) - The Canalside Wine Emporium Project (2009) Lockport (Town) - The Town of Lockport Southwest Sector Plan (1992) Lockport (Town) - The Town of Lockport Design Guidelines for Commercial Site Plans (2009) 0LGGOHSRUW 9LOODJH 7KH 9LOODJH RI 0LGGOHSRUW /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Newfane (Town) - Town of Newfane 2015 Master Plan (1998) 1HZIDQH 7RZQ 7KH 7RZQ RI 1HZIDQH /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Niagara Falls (City) - The Comprehensive Plan for City of Niagara Falls (2009) 1LDJDUD )DOOV &LW\ 7KH %XIIDOR $YHQXH +HULWDJH 'LVWULFW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 6WUDWHJ\

Niagara Falls (City) - The Highland Community Area BOA Nomination Document (2011) Niagara Falls (City) - Proposed Remedial Action Plan for Frontier Chemical – Royal Avenue (2011) 1LDJDUD )DOOV &LW\ 7KH %XIIDOR $YHQXH ,QGXVWULDO &RUULGRU 3URSRVHG %URZQÚHOG 2SSRUWXQLW\ $UHD

Niagara Falls (City) - The Highland Avenue BOA Community Participation Plan (2009) Niagara Falls (City) - The City of Niagara Falls USA Niagara River Greenway Vision and Project Proposals (2006) Niagara Falls (City) - Achieving Niagara Falls’ Future: An Assessment of Niagara Falls’ Waterfront Planning (2002) Niagara Falls (Town) - Town of Niagara Comprehensive Plan (1972) North Tonawanda (City) - The City of North Tonawanda Comprehensive Plan (2008) 1RUWK 7RQDZDQGD &LW\ 7KH /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP IRU 1RUWK 7RQDZDQGD

Pendleton (Town) - The Town of Pendleton Comprehensive Plan for 2025 (2008) Porter (Town) - The Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Porter (2004) Porter (Town) - The Management Action Plan for the Former Lake Ontario Ordnance Works (2009) Royalton (Town) - The Town of Royalton Comprehensive Plan (2007) Somerset (Town) - The Town of Somerset Comprehensive Plan (2003) 6RPHUVHW 7RZQ 7KH 7RZQ RI 6RPHUVHW /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

:KHDWĂšHOG 7RZQ 7KH 7RZQ RI :KHDWĂšHOG &RPSUHKHQVLYH 3ODQ

:KHDWĂšHOG 7RZQ 7KH 7RZQ RI :KHDWĂšHOG /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Wilson (Town) - Town and Village of Wilson Comprehensive Plan (1966) <RXQJVWRZQ 9LOODJH 7KH 9LOODJH RI <RXQJVWRZQ /RFDO :DWHUIURQW 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ 3URJUDP

Youngstown (Village) - The Village of Youngstown Master Plan (1972)

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

127

more than a plan

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Appendix E Community Engagement Empowering and engaging the people of Buffalo Niagara has been a critical part of the process to map a roadmap for driving positive, sustainable change in our region and its diverse communities. Through community presentations, tabling at local events, meetings large and small, and all sorts of other in-person engagement activities, we talked WR RYHU FLWL]HQV WKURXJK WKLV SURFHVV %HORZ LV D OLVW RI DOO HQJDJHPHQW DFWLYLWLHV through the process.

October,2014 October 14, 2014 October 4, 2014

September 2014 September 27, 2014

&LWL]HQ 3ODQQLQJ 6FKRRO ,'($ 6800,7 %XIIDOR 1< Buffalo Civic App Symposium: “Opportunities in Open Data�

September 16, 2014

UB Sustainable Living Fair, Amherst, NY

September 13, 2014

Music is Art Festival, Buffalo, NY

September 6, 2014

&LWL]HQ 3ODQQLQJ 6FKRRO ,'($ :25.6+23 %XIIDOR 1<

August 2014 August 17, 2014

Hardline with Dave Debo, WBEN Radio, Airwaves of Buffalo Niagara

July 24, 2014

Vision Niagara, Buffalo, NY

July 23, 2014

NYS Council on Food Policy Annual Summer Meeting, Buffalo, NY

July 22, 2014

Community Congress Open House #2, Buffalo, NY

July 21, 2014

Community Congress Open House #1, Lockport, NY

June 2014 June 29, 2014

South Buffalo Farmer’s Market, Buffalo, NY

June 28, 2014

City of Night, Buffalo, NY

June 28, 2014

Taste of Diversity, Buffalo, NY

June 21, 2014

Party for the Planet, Buffalo, NY

June 7, 2014

Elmwood- Bidwell Farmer’s Market, Buffalo, NY

June 3, 2014

How To Measure Development - One Region Forward : Economics of Sustainability Series, Buffalo, NY

May 2014 May 22, 2014

Joint Meeting of Erie County Association of Governments and Niagara County Supervisors Association, Niagara Falls, NY

May 20, 2014

Orchard Park Economic Development Committee, Orchard Park, NY

May 17, 2014

&LWL]HQ 3ODQQLQJ 6FKRRO 6HVVLRQ %XIIDOR 1<

May 3, 2014

&LWL]HQ 3ODQQLQJ 6FKRRO 6HVVLRQ %XIIDOR 1<

April 2014 April 12, 2014 March 2014 March 25, 2014

128

C-SAAHN ‘IMAGINE’ Lecture Series

&LWL]HQ 3ODQQLQJ 6FKRRO 6HVVLRQ %XIIDOR 1< Tools and Technology for Scenarios and Plans, Buffalo, NY

March 20, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by Self Advocacy Association of NYS WNY Region, Buffalo, NY

March 20, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by Southtowns Planning and Development Group and the Southtowns Coalition, Eden, NY

March 19, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by WNY Environmental Alliance, Buffalo, NY

March 19, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by UB Educational Opportunity Center, Buffalo, NY

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

March 17, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by Niagara County Planning Board, Sanborn, NY

March 13, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by Parkside Community Association, Buffalo, NY

March 11, 2014

Buffalo Rotary Club

March 11, 2014

Amherst Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business Leaders Coffee Connections

March 10, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by United Way of Buffalo, Buffalo NY

March 10, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by Lockport Main Street Association, Lockport, NY

March 7, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by Tapestry Charter School, Buffalo, NY

March 7, 2014

Western New York Service Collaborative Presentation, Buffalo, NY

March 6, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by hosted by the Hamlin Park Taxpayers Association, Buffalo, NY

March 3, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by University at Buffalo’s Undergraduate Academies, Amherst, NY

February 2014 February 27, 2014

6FHQDULR 3ODQQLQJ :RUNVKRS RQ WKH 5RDG KRVWHG E\ <RXQJ 1RQSURĂšW 3URIHVVLRQDOĂ?V Network of Greater Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

February 26, 2014

People and Possibilities- Niagara Falls Public Access Television, Niagara Falls, NY

February 26, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by Buffalo State College’s Geography Department, Buffalo, NY

February 25, 2014

Building Economic Resilience to Disasters in the Buffalo Niagara Region, Niagara Falls, NY

February 13, 2014

Fillmore Corridor Neighborhood Coalition, Buffalo, NY

February 11, 2014

Local Government Council and Private Sector Council Joint Event, Buffalo, NY

February 8, 2014

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road hosted by Clarence IDA, Clarence, NY

January 2014 January 27, 2014

University at Buffalo Sustainability Academy, Amherst, NY

January 22, 2014

Smart Growth in Village Centers Forum, Williamsville, NY

January 22, 2014

<RXQJ 1RQSURĂšW 3URIHVVLRQDO 1HWZRUN RI *UHDWHU %XIIDOR %XIIDOR 1<

January 21, 2013

Scenario Planning Workshops hosted by Junior League of Buffalo, Six locations across the region (3 in Buffalo, 2 in Clarence, 1 in Orchard Park)

January 15, 2014

Lockport Community Service Provider Coalition , Lockport, NY

January 8, 2014

GBNRTC Planning and Coordinating Committee, Buffalo, NY

December 2013 December 19, 2013

WNY Chapter of New York State Commercial Association of Realtors, Amherst, NY

December 16, 2013

Scenario Planning Workshop on the Road #1 hosted by Chris Miller, Buffalo, NY

December 12, 2013

A Curbside Chat with Chuck Marohn, Buffalo, NY

November 2013 November 16, 2013

Nov 2013 Community Congress: Scenario Planning Workshop #5, Lewiston, NY

November 15, 2013

Nov 2013 Community Congress: Scenario Planning Workshop #4, Lockport, NY

November 14, 2013

Nov 2013 Community Congress: Scenario Planning Workshop #3, East Aurora, NY

November 13, 2013

Nov 2013 Community Congress: Scenario Planning Workshop #2, Buffalo, NY

November 12, 2013

Nov 2013 Community Congress: Scenario Planning Workshop #1, Amherst, NY

November 6, 2013

League of Women Voters of Buffalo Niagara - Government Committee, Buffalo, NY

October 2013 October 30, 2013

Blasdell Farmer’s Market, Blasdell, NY

October 24, 2013

Buffalo Food Policy Summit - Policymakers Summit, Buffalo, NY

October 23, 2013

2nd Buffalo Food Policy Summit, Buffalo, NY

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

129

more than a plan

d ^KhZ ^ E Kd, Z d />^

October 12, 2013

Kenmore Farmer’s Market, Kenmore, NY

October 4, 2013

2013 Conference on the Environment: A Bi-National Sustainability Summit, Buffalo, NY

September 2013 September 28, 2013 September 26, 2013

Buffalo Board of Block Clubs, Buffalo, NY

September 26, 2013

Buffalo Niagara 360 Kickoff Celebration, Buffalo, NY

September 19, 2013

Erie County Village Mayors Association, Depew, NY

September 18, 2013

UB Sustainable Living Fair, Amherst, NY

September 14, 2013

Lockport Community Market, Lockport, NY

September 7, 2013

Elmwood-Bidwell Farmer’s Market, Buffalo, NY

August 2013 August 24, 2013

Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts, Buffalo, NY

August 21, 2013

Buffalo Promise Neighborhood Community Fun Day, Buffalo, NY

August 17, 2013

2nd Annual City of Night, Silo City, Buffalo, NY

August 14, 2013

Matt Urban Hope Center-Mobile Safety Net Team Outreach

August 10, 2013

47th Annual Lewiston Art Festival, Lewiston, NY

August 7, 2013

Open Buffalo Presents Young Invincibles, Buffalo, NY

July 2013 July 18, 2013

Leadership Niagara, Amherst, NY

July 15, 2013

WBNY 91.3 FM Environmental Show, Buffalo, NY

July 8, 2013

WNY Higher Education Network in Sustainability, Amherst, NY

June 2013 June 29, 2013

Taste of Diversity, Buffalo, NY

June 27, 2013

Resources for Proactive Preservation and Redevelopment, Buffalo, NY

June 22, 2013

Buffalo Zoo Party for the Planet, Buffalo, NY

June 20, 2013

Association of Erie County Governments, Brant, NY

June 20, 2013

The Foundry Community Meeting, Buffalo, NY

June 19, 2013

Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities Meeting, Buffalo, NY

June 15, 2013

Juneteenth Festival, Buffalo, NY

June 14, 2013

Amherst Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee, Williamsville, NY

June 13, 2013

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies Conference, Buffalo, NY

June 1, 2013

Springville Dairy/Ag Festival, Springville, NY

May 2013 May 30, 2013

Alden Community Meeting, Alden, NY

May 23, 2013

:KHDWĂšHOG 7RZQ %RDUG DQG 3ODQQLQJ %RDUG :KHDWĂšHOG 1<

May 18, 2013

Designing to Live Sustainably: Imagine Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

May 10, 2013

University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning Commencement Luncheon, Buffalo, NY

April 2013 April 28, 2013

Relay for Renewables - A Renewable Energy Fair, Appelton, NY

April 24, 2013

Royalton Town Board and Zoning Board, Royalton, NY

April 22, 2013

Strand in the Place Where You Live - University at Buffalo Earth Day event, Amherst, NY

April 19, 2013

Niagara Business Associates, Buffalo, NY

April 16, 2013

Hilbert College, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Class, Hamburg, NY

March 2013 March 25, 2013 March 15, 2013

130

9th Annual Western New York Environmental Summit, Buffalo, NY

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Urban Land Institute - Sustainable Infrastructure, Spotlight on Leadership, Buffalo, NY 9LOODJH &HQWHU DQG 8UEDQ &RUH 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ %XIIDOR 1<

March 14, 2013

February 2013 February 26, 2013

WNY Green Infrastructure Forum, Buffalo, NY WNY Grantmakers, Amherst, NY

February 12, 2013

Erie County Village and Town Clerks, Buffalo, NY

February 2, 2013

Community Congress meeting #2, Niagara Falls, NY

January 2013 January 29, 2013

Community Congress meeting #1, Buffalo, NY

January 29, 2013

Niagara Erie Regional Coalition, Buffalo, NY

January 25, 2013

Hamburg Development Corporation, Hamburg, NY

January 24, 2013

Air and Waste Management Association, Buffalo, NY

November 2012 November 20, 2012

Erie County Environmental Management Committee, West Seneca, NY

November 14, 2012

One Region Forward Private Sector Council, Buffalo, NY

November 13, 2012

One Region Forward Local Government Council, Buffalo, NY

November 10, 2012

Western New York Environmental Alliance Annual Congress, Buffalo, NY

October 2012 October 18, 2012

Niagara County Supervisors Association, Lockport, NY

October 16, 2012

Western New York Regional Economic Development Council Smart Growth Working Group, Buffalo, NY

October 11, 2012

International Council of Shopping Centers Buffalo Meeting, Buffalo, NY

September 2012 September 29, 2012

Daemen College Environmental Summit , Buffalo, NY

September 26, 2012

Preservation Plus Conference, Buffalo, NY

September 26, 2012

1DWLRQDO %URZQĂšHOGV :RUNVKRS %XIIDOR 1<

September 20, 2012

Upstate New York American Planning Association Conference, Cortland, NY

July 2012 July 11 2012

Joint Meeting of the Village of East Aurora Planning Commission and Town of Aurora Planning Board, East Aurora, NY

May 2012 May 16, 2012

Western New York Environmental Alliance Urban Regeneration Group, Buffalo, NY

April 2012 April 27, 2012

Western New York Regional Economic Development Council Smart Growth Working Group, Buffalo, NY

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

131

more than a plan

d ^KhZ ^ E Kd, Z d />^

Appendix F >Ĺ?Ć?Ćš ŽĨ KĆŒĹ?Ä‚ĹśĹ?njĂĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ? 7KURXJKRXW WKH 2QH 5HJLRQ )RUZDUG SODQQLQJ SURFHVV D EURDG EDVH RI RUJDQL]DWLRQV ZHUH HQJDJHG WR KHOS JXLGH WKH SODQ $W &RPPXQLW\ &RQJUHVV VHVVLRQV RXU OHFWXUH VHULHV &LWL]HQ Planning School, Local Government and Private Sector council meetings, working team PHHWLQJV DQG PRUH RYHU RUJDQL]DWLRQV KHOSHG VKDSH 2QH 5HJLRQ )RUZDUG :H PDGH DQ DWWHPSW WR FDWDORJ DOO WKH RUJDQL]DWLRQV WKDW KHOSHG VKDSH WKH SURFHVV

Academic Institutions or Foundation American Chemical Society**

M&T Charitable Foundation

Trocaire College

Baird Foundation

Mandala School

University at Buffalo

Brock University

Niagara County Community College

University at Buffalo Academies

Buffalo Public Schools

Niagara Falls City School District

Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University

Niagara Falls High School

University at Buffalo Coalition for Leading Ethically in Academic Research University at Buffalo IDeA Center

City Honors School

Niagara Frontier Center- College Achievement Requires Engaged Students

City Vision College

Niagara University

University at Buffalo Liberty Partnerships

College Achievement Requires Engaged Students (CARES)

Oakmoss Education Open Buffalo

8QLYHUVLW\ DW %XIIDOR 2IĂšFH RI Sustainability **

Orleans Niagara Boces

University at Buffalo Regional Institute * **

Paleontological Research Institution

University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo** Cornell University Daemen College Daemen College Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement (CSCCE)* Daemen Society Work Alliance Ecosystem Restoration Through Interdisciplinary Exchange (ERIE) Global Concept Charter School Lasalle Middle School Local Initiatives Support Corporation Buffalo (LISC)* ** Lockport School District

Partners for a Livable Western New York

University at Buffalo Law School

ReNU Niagara**

University at Buffalo School of Management

Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State

University at Buffalo Society of Feminists

6WXGHQW 6RFLDO :RUN 2UJDQL]DWLRQ RI Buffalo State College

University at Buffalo’s Department of History

SUNY Buffalo State

University at Buffalo’s Teacher Education Institute

SUNY Buffalo State, Volunteer and Service-Learning Center

University District Community Development Association**

Tapestry Charter School

Western New York Prosperity Scholars

The Baird Foundation

Williamsville School Board

The John R. Oishei Foundation-Mobile Safety Net * **

* Steering Committee Member ; ** Working Team Member

132

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

%XVLQHVV DQG 3ULYDWH 6HFWRU 2UJDQL]DWLRQV Corporation*

Adler Services

&DQWRU )LW]JHUDOG

Advanced Business Connection

Carmina Wood Morris, P.C.

Akron Chamber of Commerce

&DVFDGHV 5HFRYHU\ %XIIDOR 2IĂšFH

Akron Sports, Inc.

&D]HQRYLD 5HFRYHU\ 6\VWHPV ,QF

All Communications Network

CBRE Buffalo Commercial Real State

Alternative Press

Century 21 Real Estate

American Egg Board

Charles Gordon Architecture

Anspach Meeks Ellenberger LLP**

Chuck Banas Consulting

Applied Sciences Group, Inc.

Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation

Architectural Resources Arden Hill Life Care Center

Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC)

Ardent Commercial Real Estate Advisors

Citigroup

Arista Development & Real Estate

City Craft Ventures

Art’s Cafe

CL How Farm

Automatic Data Processing

Clarence Chamber of Commerce

AXA Advisors

Community Bank N.A.

Barker Business and Professionals Association

Community Beer Works**

International Imaging Materials, Inc. (IIMAK)

Concept Construction Corporation

J. Fiorie & Company

Barone Architecture and Consulting, PLLC

Conestoga Rovers & Associates

Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP**

Barone Building Company

James & Associates

Benchmark & Turnkey Companies

&XVKPDQ :DNHĂšHOG 3\UDPLG %URNHUDJH Company

Benderson Development

David Homes

Bergmann Associates

DEL Resource

BHNT Architects, PC

Depew/Cheektowaga Taxpayers Association Inc.

Bison Contracting & Builders Supply Black Capital Network Black Chamber of Commerce

Design Synergies Architecture P.C.** Eastern Hospitality Advisors HFRBORJLF 678',2 DUFKLWHFWXUH engineering, PLLC

Blue Sky Design Supply

Ecology & Environment, Inc.

Bohler Engineering

Ellicott Development Company

Buffalo Clean Energy

Evans Bank

Buffalo Geothermal Heating and Cooling**

Fairmount Properties

Buffalo Motor Works

First Niagara Bank

Buffalo Niagara 360

Flight of Five Winery

Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

Flynn Battaglia Architects

Buffalo Niagara Partnership Development Advisory Committee*

Foit-Albert Associates

Buffalo Tours Buffalo-Niagara Association of Realtors Building Controls & Services, Inc. C&S Companies Calamar Enterprises Caliber Commercial Brokerage, LLC Cannon Design

Hamlin Park Taxpayers Association Harris Beach PLLC Hart Corporation Hart Lyman Companies, LLC Hastings + Cohn Real Estate HDS Industrial Design & Drafting, Inc. Healthminds*** Home Buyers Marketing II** Horn Companies, LLC Hylan Asset Management Ingram Micro Innovative Realty Services, Inc. International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)

James A. Rumsey Architect -D]] *DV

Black Dog Strategy & Brand

Buffalo Rising

Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.

Fully Forward G.S.M. Construction Corp. GAR Associates

Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect, PC Kavinoky Cook, LLP** Kean Wind Turbines, Inc. Key Bank** KHEOPS Architecture, Engineering and Survey, DPC Kideney Architects Kreher’s Farm Fresh Eggs LaBella Associates, D. P.C. Larkin Center of Commerce Larkin Development Group LEED Concepts - LEED AP Sustainability Consulting Life Work Transitions Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP LiRo Engineers, Inc. Lockport Main Street Association

General Motors - Tonawanda Engine

Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub, LLP

Gin-Sue Enterprises, LLC

M&T Bank

Goudy Real Estate Group Grasser & Associates, LLC

Main Street Business & Professional Association (Niagara Falls)

Grayline

Manguso Development Company, LLC

Greater Lockport Development

0DQ]HOOD 0DUNHWLQJ *URXS * Steering Committee Member ; ** Working Team Member

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

133

more than a plan

d ^KhZ ^ E Kd, Z d />^

Marie’s Sewing Center

Preservation Studios

The Buffalo News

0DULQH 6HUYLFHV 'LYHUVLĂšHG //&

Ran Webber Design Studio

The DiMarco Group, LLC

McCollum Orchards

Realty USA

McCullagh Coffee

Residence Inn

The Economic Development Corporation for Erie County (ECIDA)

McGuire Group

Rich Products

The Howard Group

Merchants Insurance Group

Rite Aid

The Knoer Group, PLLC

Merrill Lynch - Bank of America Corporation

Royal Bank of Canada

The OSC Group

Royal Realty Development

The Pike Company

Militello Realty

5XSS %DDVH 3IDO]JUDI &XQQLQJKDP Coppola LLC

The Rose Hill Group of WNY, Ltd.

Modern Corporation MPS Architecture

Rycon Construction, Inc.

Tonawanda News

National Fuel Gas Distribution

Sanborn Farm Museum

TriMain Center

National Grid

Sandis Family Restaurant

Turner Construction

National Power Source

Sarah G. Carney LLC

Turnkey Environmental Restoration, LLC

NBT Solutions LLC**

Saratoga Associates

TVGA Consultants

New York Business Development Corporation

Savarino Companies

U.S. Energy Partners

Schneider Development

Uniland Development Company**

Niagara County Historical Society

Schuste Software

United Parcel Service

1LDJDUD *D]HWWH

Seneca One Realty, Buffalo Place

UNYSE Environmental Consultants

Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Urban Land Institute of WNY

Singer Farms**

Urban3

Skeo Solutions

Watts Architecture and Engineering, P.C.

SolEpoxy

Wendel Companies**

Sunshine Xchange

Willdan Energy Solutions

Supermarket Management, Inc.**

Windsor Village

6XSSO\ &KDLQ 2SWLPL]HUV

Windsor Village boutique shopping, entertainment and accommodations development

Niagara Wind & Solar** NorthMarq Capital Northtown, Inc. Nussbaumer & Clarke, Inc.** O’Brien & Gere Old Time Roots 2] &HQWUDO RI 1HZ <RUN //& Paint of WNY Parkitects, Inc. Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. Phillips Lytle, LLP

TM Montante Development**

Sutton Real Estate Company, LLC T.Y. Lin International Group

WWS Planning

Tapecon, Inc.

Zamkro Development

Ten Thousand Villages The Black Chamber of Commerce of WNY

&RPPXQLW\ 2UJDQL]DWLRQV FXOWXUDO DGYRFDF\ RU RWKHU QRQSURĂšWV

&RPPXQLW\ 2UJDQL]DWLRQ ,QF

American Association of University Women ( AAUW )

AmeriCorps VISTA

21st Century Park on the Outer Harbor AARP**

American Cancer Society

Arden/Newburgh Block Club

Adirondack Mountain Club

American Farmland Trust**

Artfarms

Akron Newstead Rotary

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Arts Services Initiative of Western New York**

Allentown Association

American Planning Association - Western New York Upstate Chapter

Alliance for the Great Lakes**

Aurorans for Climate and Energy Sense (ACES)

American Red Cross

Alliance of Riverside Block Clubs

Bailey/Brinkman Block Club

AmeriCorps Builds Lives through Education (ABLE)

Baker Homes Tenant Council, Inc.

Albright-Knox Art Gallery

Alpha Kappa Chi

Anne Frank Project

* Steering Committee Member ; ** Working Team Member

134

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Be Active

Child & Family Services

Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc.* **

&LWL]HQ $FWLRQ 2UJDQL]DWLRQ

Fruit Belt-McCarley Gardens Housing Task Force

City of Night Coordination Committee

Garden Walk Buffalo

Bennett Village Block Club

Clean Air Coalition

Girl Scouts of WNY

Binational Alliance

Climate Reality Leadership Corps

Gloria J. Parks Community Center

Bi-national Niagara Greenway Marathon Event

Coalition for Economic Justice**

Go Bike Buffalo**

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

Grace Episcopal Church

Coalition on West Valley Nuclear Wastes

Grace Guest House, Inc.

&ROGHQ &LWL]HQV IRU D &RPPXQLW\ 7UDLO

Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance (GBCA)

Brinton Street Block Club

Columbus Park Association

Broadway Fillmore Alive

Community Concepts

Greater Buffalo Sports & Entertainment Complex

Brush Up Buffalo

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier**

Bryant, Oakland Summer Street Association

Connelly Street Block Club

Buffalo Arts Studio

Courtland Avenue Block Club

Buffalo CarShare**

Creekwoods Association

Buffalo Citybration

Days Park Block Club

Buffalo ExPat Network Buffalo First

Delaware Park South Neighborhood Association

Buffalo Harbor Sailing Club

Designing to live sustainably (d2la)

Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center

'RULH 0LOOHU 5LúH DQG 3LVWRO &OXE

Buffalo Institute of Urban Ecology, Inc.

East Aurora Co-Op

Buffalo Neighborhood Alliance

East Lovejoy Coalition of Neighbors

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper* **

Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG)

Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME)**

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy**

ELIM Christian Fellowship

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Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO)

Elmwood Village Association

IBEW Local 41

Buffalo Place Inc.

Emerging Leaders in the Arts Buffalo (ELAB)

IBEW Local 97

Bissell Avenue Block Club #2 Board of Governors for the Network of Religious Communities

Buffalo Quaker Meeting Buffalo ReformED Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC)** Buffalo Urban League of Young Professionals

GrowWNY Guild Care Habitat for Humanity Hamburg Chamber of Commerce (town and village) Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc.** Hearts and Hands: Faith in Action** Hertel-North Buffalo Business Association Hooray for Decay Composting

Imagine: Hamburg

Emmanuel United Methodist Church

International Institute of Buffalo Refugee Resettlement Agency

Erie County Coalition for Restorative Justice

Isaiah 61 Project, Inc.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

,W 7DNHV $ 9LOODJH $FWLRQ 2UJDQL]DWLRQ

Family & Children’s Service of Niagara

Jericho Road Ministries

Family Promise of WNY

Buffalo Wind Action Group

Fannie Mae Upstate New York Community Business Center

Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture, and Culture Canopy of Neighbors Carnegie Art Center Castle Place Block Club Catholic Charities Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Catholic Charities of Buffalo Catholic Charities Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, +LVWRU\ DQG 1DWXUH &B6$$+1

Green Team Committee Delaware Tower Greenprint Niagara

Continental 1

Buffalo Urban League, Inc. Buffalo’s Neighborhood Postcard Project

Green Buffalo Runner

Journey’s End Refugee Services Judges Raw Black Club

Field & Fork Network**

Junior League of Buffalo

Fillmore Corridor Neighborhood Coalition (FCNC)

Keep Western New York Beautiful (KWNYB)

Fillmore-Leroy Area Residents, Inc. (FLARE)

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

Food & Water Watch and WNY Drilling Defense

Lakewood Ave Block Club

Food for All**

League of Women Voters

Freedom, Rights, Education & Empowerment (FREE)

Learning Sustainability Campaign

Friends of Mike’s Pond

Lexington Co-op

Friends of Night People

Linwood Preservation District and Friends Neighborhood Association

Friends Of Times Beach Nature Preserve

Leadership Niagara

Leroy Avenue Block Club

* Steering Committee Member ; ** Working Team Member

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

135

more than a plan

d ^KhZ ^ E Kd, Z d />^

Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara, Inc.

Riverside/Black Rock Good Neighbors Planning Alliance

Veterans Voices of WNY

Livingston Homeowners Association Manhart Street Block Club

Roosevelt Block Club

VOICE Buffalo* **

Martha Avenue Block Club

Ruhland Avenue Block Club

Volunteer Lawyers Project

Martin Luther King Jr Community Development Corporation

Rusty Nickel Coop

Wade Avenue Block Club

Seneca-Babcock Community Association

Weinberg Campus

Massachusetts Avenue Project**

Shea’s Performing Arts Center

Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo**

Memorial Park Block Club

Sierra Club

West Side Community Services

Memorial Park Neighborhood

Silo City

West Side Neighborhood Housing Services

Merrimac Street Block Club

Small Town Civics

Western New York Area Labor Federation**

Merry-Wood Block Club Association

Soka Gakkai International USA

Western New York Drilling Defense

Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Inc.

SOLE of Buffalo

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

South Fillmore Block Club

Western New York Environmental Alliance (WNYEA)* **

Vision Niagara

National Garden Festival

Southtowns Community Enhancement Coalition

1D]DUHQH 0HVVLDQLF 3DUW\

Springville Center for the Arts

Western New York Environmental Alliance Parks and Recreation Working Group

Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.**

Springville/Concord Elder Network

Western New York Food Bank

Niagara Community Forum

St. Johns Outreach Center

Western New York Land Conservancy**

Niagara Falls Block Club Council

St. Mark Open Door

Western New York Peace Center

Niagara Falls Rotary Club

Street Synergy

Western New York STEM Hub

Niagara Greenspace Consortium

Strengthening Families Program

Nickel City Housing Co-Op

Sugar City

Westminster Economic Development Initiative

Nickel City Housing Cooperative

Sustainable Earth Solutions

1RUWK %XIIDOR &RPPXQLW\ 2UJDQL]DWLRQ (NorthBuffalo.org)

The Belle Center

North Lincoln Parkway Block Club

The Learning Sustainability Campaign

Parkdale Community Garden

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The Neighbors Block Club

Parkside Community Association

Youth Mentoring Services Niagara County

The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center

Partnership for the Public Good

YWCA of Niagara County

The Niagara Ministerial Council

Peace of the City

The Nickel City Housing Cooperative

People Inc.

The Service Collaborative of Western New York

People United for Sustainable Housing Buffalo (PUSH Buffalo)** Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York Potomac “400� Block Club Preservation Buffalo Niagara Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Tifft Nature Preserve Toastmasters International Trinidad Neighborhood Association 8 &RPPXQLW\ +HDOWK 2UJDQL]DWLRQ ,QF """

Queen City Rail Trails

United Way of Buffalo and Erie County

Rediscover Riverside

University Community Farmers Market

Reed St & 11 Streets Block Club Watch Com???

University Heights Baptist Church

Richardson Center Corporation Ride for Roswell

Young Men’s Christian Association

Theatre of Youth

U.S. Green Building Council New York Upstate Chapter

Re-tree WNY

Wind Action Group

The Good Neighborhood

Prospect Hill Neighborhood Alliance

Region 9 Re-leaf Planning Committee

Williamsville Lehigh Valley Depot

University Heights Collaborative Upstate New York Transplant Services Urban League Urban Roots

* Steering Committee Member ; ** Working Team Member

136

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Government (local, state, county or federal) Akron (village)

Buffalo Sewer Authority**

Erie County*

Akron Fire Company

Buffalo State Collage

Akron Planning Board (village)

Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA)

Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (ECCPASA)

Akron Zoning Board of Appeals

Cambria (town)

Alden (town)

Cattaraugus County

Alden (village)

&D]HQRYLD &RPPXQLW\ 5HVRXUFH &HQWHU

Alden Chamber of Commerce

Cheektowaga (town)**

Alden Economic Development Committee

Cheektowaga Planning Board

AmeriCorps

Cheektowaga Town Committee

Amherst (town)

Cheektowaga Zoning Board of Appeals

Amherst Chamber of Commerce

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Amherst Committee on Disabilities Amherst Democratic Committee

&LW\ RI %XIIDOR 'LYLVLRQ RI &LWL]HQ Services

Amherst Energy Advisory Committee

Clarence (town)

Amherst Industrial Development Agency

Clarence Democrats

Amherst Planning Board

Clarence Industrial Development Agency

Amherst Planning Department

Clarence Planning Board

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Clarence Zoning Board of Appeals

Amherst Youth Board

Clean Air Coalition of WNY**

Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals

Clean Cities of WNY

$VVHPEO\PDQ 'HQQLV *DEU\V]DNĂ?V 2IĂšFH

CNG for Upstate NY

Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab

$VVHPEO\PDQ -RKQ &HUHWWRĂ?V 2IĂšFH

Colden (town)

Good Neighbors Planning Alliance

Association of Erie County Governments*

Colden Planning Board (town)

Gordon Strategic Planning

Aurora (town)

Coldwell Banker Commercial

Grand Island (town)

Aurora Planning & Conservation Board

Community Health Center of Buffalo (CHCB)

Grand Island Conservation Commission

Aurora Zoning Board of Appeals B Team Buffalo Barker (village) Brant (town)**

Erie County Department of Environment and Planning** Erie County Division of Sewerage Management Erie County Environmental Education Institute Erie County Industrial Development Agency Erie County Legislature District 2 Erie County Legislature District 6 (ULH &RXQW\ 2IĂšFH RI (FRQRPLF Development Erie County Water Authority** Evans (town) Evans Planning Board Evans Planning Department Food Policy Council of Buffalo and Erie County**

Grand Island Town Council

Concord (town)

Grand Island Zoning Board of Appeals

Concord Planning Board

Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo**

&RQJUHVVPDQ %ULDQ +LJJLQVĂ?V 2IĂšFH

Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC)**

Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County**

Buffalo (City)* **

East Aurora (village)

%XIIDOR &LW\ 2IĂšFH RI 6WUDWHJLF 3ODQQLQJ

Hamburg (town)

Buffalo (City) Planning Board

East Aurora Historic Preservation Commissions

Hamburg (village)

Buffalo (City) Preservation Board

East Aurora Pedestrian Bicycle Board

Buffalo Audubon Society

East Aurora Planning Commission**

Buffalo Central Terminal Restoration Corporation

East Aurora Zoning Board of Appeals

Hamburg Preservation Commission (village)

Buffalo Employment & Training Center

East Buffalo Neighbor Planning Association-Broadway Fillmore Alive

Hamburg Zoning Board of Appeals (town)

Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority**

Eden (town)*

Buffalo Museum of Science

Eden City Council

+LJKODQG &RPPXQLW\ 5HYLWDOL]DWLRQ Committee, Inc.

Buffalo Niagara Builders Association

Eden Planning Board

Holland (town)

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC)* **

Elbridge (town)

Holland Zoning Board of Appeals

Elma (town)

Buffalo Niagara Partnership (BNP)* **

Homeless Alliance of Western New York**

Empire State Development Corporation*

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Buffalo Promise Neighborhood

Groundwork Buffalo

Hamburg Planning Board (town) Hamburg Planning Commission***(village)

Hartland (town)

* Steering Committee Member ; ** Working Team Member

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

137

more than a plan

d ^KhZ ^ E Kd, Z d />^

Hyde Park Business & Professional Assoc. Kaleida Health

New York State Homes and Community Renewal

North Tonawanda Community Development (city)**

Kenmore Planning Board (village)

New York State Senate

NYS Agricultural Society

Kenmore Village Improvement Society (KVIS)

New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group

NYS Documentary Heritage Program (DHP)

Kenmore Zoning Board (village)

Newstead (town)

Orchard Park (town)

Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce

Newstead Town Board

Orchard Park (village)

Kleinhans Community Association

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Lackawanna (City)

Niagara County*

Orchard Park Economic Development Committee

Lackawanna (city)

Niagara County Department of Economic Development**

Orchard Park Planning Board (town)

Niagara County Department of Social Services*

Public Policy and Education Fund of New York

Niagara County Emergency Services 2IùFH

5HYLWDOL]H 6SULQJYLOOH

Lewiston (village) Lewiston Council on the Arts

Niagara County Employment and Training

Sardinia Zoning Board of Appeals

Lewiston Historic Preservation and Planning Commission (village)

Niagara County Industrial Development Agency

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Lockport (city)

Niagara County Legislature

Seneca Commission for Economic Development

Lockport (town)

Niagara County Planning Board

Serve New York VISTA

Lockport (town) Economic Development

Niagara County Sewer District**

Lockport Care Net

Niagara County Social Services

Southtowns Rural Transit Corporation Inc.**

Lockport Community Development (city)

Niagara County Supervisors Association*

Springville (village)

Lockport Industrial Development Agency (town)

Niagara County Veteran Services

Springville Area Chamber of Commerce**

Niagara Falls (City)*

Lockport Police Department (city and town)

1LDJDUD )DOOV &LW\ 2IùFH RI 3ODQQLQJ

6SULQJYLOOH *ULIùWK ,QVWLWXWH 6FKRRO District

Niagara Falls City Council

6WDWH 6HQDWRU *HRUJH 0D]LDU]ÝV 2IùFH

Niagara Falls City Government

6WDWH 6HQDWRU 3DWULFN *DOOLYDQÝV 2IùFH

Niagara Falls Housing Authority*

The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo

Niagara Falls Memorial Health Home Director

Tonawanda (town)

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC)

Tonawanda Environment Commission (town)

Mental Health Association of Niagara County

Niagara Falls Planning Board

Tonawanda Planning Board (town)

Niagara Falls Planning Board (city)

Natural Resources Defense Council

Niagara Falls, NY Chamber of Commerce

Tonawanda Zoning Board of Appeals (town)

Neighborhood Heal Center (St. Mary’s Hospital)

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)* **

United States House of Representatives

New York Power Authority**

Niagara Military Affairs Council (NIMAC)

Visit Buffalo Niagara

New York State Association of Commercial Realtors - WNY Chapter

1LDJDUD 2UJDQL]LQJ $OOLDQFH IRU +RSH (NOAH)

Watch Wilson Grow

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Niagara Orleans Central Labor Council

West Seneca Environmental Commission (town)

Lancaster Area Chamber-Commerce Learning Disabilities Association of WNY Lehigh Valley Depot Committee

Lockport Public Library Lovejoy Council District Marilla (town) Marilla Zoning Board of Appeals (town) 0D\RUÝV &LWL]HQÝV 3DUWLFLSDWLRQ $FDGHP\ Medina Canal Task Force

New York State Department of State, Division of Smart Growth* New York State Department of the State New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)* New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)**

Royalton (town)**

Tonawanda Economic Development (town)

USA Niagara Development Corporation**

West Seneca (town)

Niagara Region State Parks Commissioner 1LDJDUD 5LYHU *UHHQZD\ &LWL]HQÝV Advisory Committee

Pendleton Zoning Board of Appeals (town)

West Seneca Planning Board (town)

Niagara Science Museum

West Seneca Zoning Board of Appeals (town)

Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation

Western New York Emerald Ash Borer Task Force

North Castle (town)

Western New York Restorative Justice

North Tonawanda (city) * Steering Committee Member ; ** Working Team Member

138

Final Draft Plan, October 2014

Western New York Sustainable Energy Association Trust** :KHDWùHOG WRZQ

:KHDWùHOG $JULFXOWXUH )RFXV *URXS (town) :KHDWùHOG (FRQRPLF 'HYHORSPHQW Committee (town) :KHDWùHOG )LUH $GYLVRU\ %RDUG WRZQ

:KHDWùHOG *UHHQVSDFH )RFXV *URXS (town) :KHDWùHOG 3ODQQLQJ %RDUG WRZQ

:KHDWùHOG 5HFUHDWLRQ 'HSDUWPHQW WRZQ

Williamsville (village)** Wilson (village) Wilson Planning Board (village)

* Steering Committee Member ; ** Working Team Member

One Region Forward : A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara

139

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