SYRACUSE-ONONDAGA COUNTY PLANNING AGENCY

2009 ANNUAL REPORT

SYRACUSE PLANNING COMMISSION Dr. Ruben P. Cowart, DDS, Chairperson

ONONDAGA COUNTY PLANNING BOARD Helen L. Stevens, Chairperson

SYRACUSE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Linda DeFichy, Chairperson

ONONDAGA COUNTY PLANNING FEDERATION David Tessier, President

Don M. Jordan, Jr., Director of Planning

22

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SYRACUSE-ONONDAGA COUNTY PLANNING AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT PERSONNEL 3 2009 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 4

INTRODUCTION 5

SYRACUSE-ONONDAGA COUNTY PLANNING AGENCY 5 MAJOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 5 SOCPA STAFF 6

2009 PROGRAMS 7

PLANNING SERVICES 7

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) 22

911 ADDRESS ADMINISTRATION 30 CITY OF SYRACUSE ZONING ADMINISTRATION 33 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2010 39

33

DIRECTOR

Don Jordan

PLANNING

Megan Costa Program Manager

ADDRESSING

John Adams Program Manager

ZONING

Heather Lamendola Zoning Administrator

GIS

Edward Hart Program Manager

Tracey Waldron Administrative

Assistant

Ilana Kanfer Planner II

Lisa Welch Planner I

Jeffrey Harrop Planner I

Duane Coughenour Planner I

William Kehoe Research Technician I

Kenneth Balamut Planner II

Owen Kerney Planner I

Melissa Sanfilippo Planner I

Mark Cramer Research Aide

Kathleen Pontius Clerk II

Mary Valerio Administrative Aide

SOCPA PERSONNEL (AS OF DECEMBER 2009)

44

SOCPA BOARD

ONONDAGA COUNTY PLANNING

BOARD

SYRACUSE PLANNING

COMMISSION

Helen L. Stevens Chairperson

(vacancy)

Douglas Morris Vice Chairperson

Brian T. Donnelly

Robert E. Antonacci

Robert L. Jokl, Jr.

Daniel Cupoli

Dr. Ruben P. Cowart Chairperson

Kathleen Murphy Vice Chairperson

Steven Kulick

Robert Rohde

George Matthews

SYRACUSE ZONING BOARD

OF APPEALS

Linda DeFichy Chairperson

Stewart Koenig Vice Chairperson

John Blasi

Nicholas Petragnani

Carl Thomas

Carolyn Evans-Dean

Michael Stanton

2009 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (AS OF DECEMBER 2009)

55

INTRODUCTION

SYRACUSE-ONONDAGA COUNTY PLANNING AGENCY The Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency (SOCPA) is a joint County-City planning agency formed in 1968 through amendments to the Onondaga County and City of Syracuse Charters. The agency’s mission is to provide and promote effective planning throughout the County to ensure a high quality built environment, cost effective infrastructure, stewardship of natural resources, and economic growth, within government’s fiscal ability. Our goal is a sustainable, attractive, and well-maintained metropolitan area that can attract and support economic growth and offer residents a high quality of life. MAJOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES SOCPA commits significant resources in support of the Agency’s core planning function through its four operating divisions: Planning Services, Geographic Information Systems, 911 Address Administration, and staffing the City of Syracuse Office of Zoning Administration through the County-City partnership. The Planning Services Division undertakes a wide variety of local and regional planning projects, most importantly in the preparation and promotion of a comprehensive plan for Onondaga County. The existing County plan, the 2010 Development Guide and Framework For Growth will soon be replaced with a new County plan, tentatively titled the Onondaga County Sustainable Development Plan. This plan will be based on the principles of sustainable land development and fiscal responsibility, and will include guidance set forth in the Onondaga County Settlement Plan. The Settlement Plan was commissioned by SOCPA to provide a toolkit of strategies to promote traditional methods of urban design to address typical urban design problems from rural hamlets to downtown centers. Planning staff also participates with a variety of local partners to promote effective planning throughout the County. Staff works collaboratively with County operating departments and the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council on infrastructure planning, provides technical assistance and intermunicipal planning services to the City of Syracuse and towns and villages, staffs the Onondaga County Planning Board and Onondaga County Planning Federation, and sits on a number of local councils and committees in an effort to facilitate coordinated land use planning throughout the region. The Geographic Information System (GIS) division maintains an array of geographic files and geo-referenced databases for planning and mapping purposes. GIS mapping and database technology has proven an invaluable resource in municipal planning activities and many other government functions. GIS staff work on many special projects to meet the unique needs of many county departments, ranging from Water Environment Protection, Transportation, and Economic Development, to the District Attorney, Social Services, and Health. GIS data and maps are made available to the public on a web page maintained by SOCPA and linked to the County and City of Syracuse web sites. The GIS division also manages, distributes, and supports the county’s digital aerial photography program (Pictometry).

66

The 911 Address Administration program is responsible for approving all street names and assigning address numbers in most towns in Onondaga County. This program ensures a high quality address system for the 911 Emergency Communications Department. Address Administration staff has been directly responsible for all geographic file development and enhancement for the 911 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The robust mapping component of the new CAD system represents a major increase in functionality and new information available to dispatchers. The Office of Zoning Administration administers the City of Syracuse Zoning Ordinance and serves the City Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Common Council on all zoning matters. The Zoning office is located in City Hall Commons. SOCPA STAFF The Planning Agency was well served by a talented and dedicated staff in 2009. The success of the agency in practicing and promoting effective land use planning depends on the technical skills and ability of staff to build good working relationships within County and City government, and with planning officials in every town and village. Every staff member excels on both counts. After substantial turnover in 2008 due to retirements, SOCPA did not experience any staff changes in 2009. With this continuity and new staff that filled vacancies in 2008 making significant contributions, SOCPA continued to provide a remarkable number of services to County departments, the City of Syracuse, and towns and villages. Staff did an exceptional job staying focused during a very difficult budget process in 2009 and is committed to providing high quality services in 2010 and beyond.

77

2009 PROGRAMS PLANNING SERVICES SOCPA’s Planning Services division carries out a wide variety of services that relate to our basic mission as a planning agency. The Division undertakes planning projects, studies and data collection, and coordinates and participates with other planning, community and economic development organizations. Coordination and participation with County departments and communitywide planning organizations is a vital component of the Agency’s planning program. Planning Services include land use and comprehensive planning, including the development of the County’s comprehensive land use plan, intermunicipal coordination of development through the Onondaga County Planning Board (OCPB), and provision of training and planning information for municipal planners and the public through the Onondaga County Planning Federation (OCPF). Staff also participates in several venues supporting sustainability, including the Federation’s educational activities, the County’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committees, the Environmental Health Council, and the Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT). Farmland protection planning is also a central program, including administering the Agricultural Districts and Purchase of Development Rights programs, sitting on the County Legislature’s Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board, and overseeing the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan for Onondaga County. Planning Services staff participates very actively on study and advisory committees as a member agency of the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC), responsible for multi-agency transportation planning and funding coordination for Onondaga County. Planning staff works collectively with the GIS and 911 Address Administration divisions of SOCPA to collect, analyze and distribute land use data for Onondaga County, including US Census data as a NYS Data Center Affiliate. Staff conducted research on special topic planning projects on behalf of Onondaga County and provided technical assistance to County departments, the City of Syracuse and towns and villages. MAJOR PROGRAMS & PROJECTS Onondaga County Sustainable Development Plan – In 1998, the

County Legislature adopted the 2010 Development Guide and Framework for Growth in Onondaga County, which have served as the County’s comprehensive land use plan for the last decade. SOCPA staff has commenced in earnest a major update of the County’s land use plan. The new plan will promote responsible planning and sustainable growth countywide by guiding County policies, promoting the integration of planning into County department decision making, directing County Planning Board recommendations, as well as promoting efficient land use planning by all municipalities in Onondaga County.

88

Planning staff spent considerable time in 2009 researching data, framing the discussion and taking the discussion to various stakeholders to gather information and perspectives on the significant issues related to our development patterns. The new plan will focus on the importance of good land use planning as a critical component of sustainability, with a focus on the following themes:

o Understanding the significant relationship between land development decisions and various environmental, economic, and social conditions that we face as a region;

o Understanding the true costs and impacts of our

decisions on development, as governments, businesses and as citizens;

o Creating regional goals that are based on an

understanding of these relationships and costs; o Defining the necessary components of a

sustainable future; o Identifying new opportunities and new ways to

overcome obstacles in achieving these regional goals through county policy and practice, through community education, and intermunicipal coordination

Along with creating the desired framework of a new County Plan, staff also focused their 2009 efforts on finding opportunities to supplement the Planning division’s limited staff resources available to undertake this major planning effort. SOCPA was successful in mobilizing technical assistance from the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council to assist in conducting a public survey and executing a GIS based scenario modeling exercise. Staff has also been working to access grant funding for consultant assistance. In an effort to enhance the important and ongoing public outreach involved in such a planning effort, SOCPA has also applied for funds directly, as well as in partnership with the Environmental Finance Center, to the US Environmental Protection Agency to enhance our planning education outreach efforts.

The completed plan will ultimately be a critical component of the County’s Climate Action Plan, concurrently under development through the County’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee. The Planning Services Division looks forward to 2010 being a very pivotal year in the development of the new County Sustainable Development Plan.

Interdepartmental Coordination – Interaction and coordination between SOCPA’s Planning

Services division and other County departments as well as municipalities and other governmental agencies has markedly increased over the past year. There has been new dialogue between the

99

Planning Agency and County departments who are caretakers of our infrastructure, and a recognition that the County needs to seriously consider the sustainability of its capital investments and those of our municipalities. Planning staff and representatives from the Departments of Environmental Health, Transportation and Water Environment Protection met regularly to review potential development projects. For particularly complex or large projects, municipal officials and other stakeholders were invited to participate in the review. In 2009, five of these large, coordinated reviews took place, which resulted in increased dialogue between stakeholders and awareness of the impacts of isolated decision making.

Sustainability - Central to SOCPA’s planning function is promoting environmental sustainability within Onondaga County. As such, SOCPA staff has been an active participant in several local initiatives relating to the principles of sustainability with various project partners. In 2009, staff participated actively in the newly created Onondaga County Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee (ESAC), including its subcommittees, and ultimately on the ESAC’s Policy and Planning Committee. Presentations on the County’s planning efforts were made to the full ESAC. Staff has also been working closely with the Office of the Environment on the development of a Climate Action Plan and associated sustainability strategies for Onondaga County. The new County Sustainable Development Plan will comprise a significant element of the County’s strategy and will extend the County’s efforts beyond our own facilities and employees to focus on the entire region and its citizenry. SOCPA has also been working with a committee headed by the County’s Energy Sustainability Coordinator, in regard to federal stimulus spending for energy efficiency. Through this funding, SOCPA will be working with committee members to develop a web site centered on promoting and publicizing the county’s sustainability initiatives as well as provide information on energy saving resources available to citizens and business. SOCPA has been an active participant in the Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT), which is a partnership between Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, the American Institute of Architects, Syracuse University, the SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, and Upstate Medical University. Working within this partnership, staff hopes to foster education on sustainability and engage our community in conversations on sustainable design. A return visit by national AIA consultants occurred in June of 2009, which resulted in a renewed project focus and commitment toward the goals set forth in the original SDAT report to the community. Also in 2009, staff participated in an Onondaga Citizen’s League study that is investigating what ‘green’ means. The study has focused on the ultimate importance of sustainable urban development as a key to achieving ‘green’, whatever ones chosen definition may be.

Onondaga County Planning Board (OCPB) -The County Planning Board operates under NYS General Municipal Law §239 l, m & n to advise local boards on the potential inter-municipal or countywide impact of local land use decisions. The Board met every three weeks in 2009 to review an average of 32 municipal referrals at each meeting. In all, Board members attended 18

1100

Onondaga County Planning Board Zoning and Subdivision Case Referrals: 1990-2009

0100200300400500600700800

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

No.

of C

ases

Zoning Subdivision

meetings in 2009 and devoted over 600 hours of volunteer service reviewing 571 municipal land use referrals, including 472 proposed zoning actions and 99 subdivisions.

The Board also used the 2010 Development Guide to direct its recommendations on municipal land use referrals and to review the proposed Onondaga County Capital Improvement Program 2010 to 2015. New York State law requires that municipalities report any final action taken on all cases referred to the OCPB. In an effort to increase municipal participation, County planning staff increased time and effort spent to facilitate this important reporting process. In 2008 and 2009, staff prepared a simple reporting form for municipalities, began attaching this form to each County response, and created a follow-up procedure for non-responses. Additional materials and information on the OCPB process were also posted online to foster increased access and transparency. These efforts have resulted in an increase in reporting by referring municipalities, and thus, improved tracking of the ultimate outcomes of OCPB cases. Planning staff has been continually seeking ways to increase the utility of the Board and its recommendations. Planning staff to the OCPB staff have increased use of a ‘coordinated review process’ to convene stakeholders to jointly review more complex development proposals, with excellent results. Staff has also increased participation by other County and State representatives in the review of cases.

In 2010, the Board will continue to implement the County’s land use policies through review of municipal zoning and subdivision referrals and review of the County’s Capital Improvement Program. The Board will also participate in the update of the County’s land use plan.

Onondaga County Planning Federation (OCPF) – The OCPF is a not-for profit organization

with a focus on educating its members and promoting community and inter-municipal planning within Onondaga County. Across our County, over 500 elected and appointed individuals serve on planning, zoning and town/village boards making daily decisions on planning matters affecting our region. Well-trained planning and zoning boards help ensure that informed local land use decisions are being made, which leads to more livable and attractive communities for residents.

In 2009, with significant support of SOCPA Planning staff, the Federation’s first permanent Board of Directors was elected, new logos were created, and the program committee was adjourned to

1111

help guide the planning of training conferences. In recent years, the Planning Federation has seen a tremendous increase in participation with a focus on its utility for local planning education.

In January 2009, the OCPF held a daylong conference for an audience of local planning and zoning officials, code enforcement officers, attorneys and citizens interested in planning topics. Planning staff spent considerable effort preparing an agenda that provided attendees with presentations and discussions on sustainability, smart growth and local best practices, featuring Paul Beyer, Director of Smart Growth for New York State as the 2009 keynote speaker. With State training mandates for county and municipal planning and zoning board members and improvements in the program, interest and demand for training through the Federation conference has increased participation dramatically in the past few years, providing annual training to over 260 municipal board members throughout Central New York in 2009. The OCPF’s 2010 Annual Training Symposium, is currently in the planning stages, and will be held March 4, 2010 at the Oncenter Complex. A number of County employees have expressed new interest in attending the annual conference.

Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan – The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 mandates that all local governments have pre-disaster mitigation plans in place, including all towns, villages, cities and counties. Having an adopted plan in place qualifies the County to access federal pre-disaster mitigation project funding sources. In 2007, on behalf of Onondaga County, SOCPA applied for and received funding for preparation of a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Onondaga County. The plan is a multi-jurisdictional plan, which involves the creation of one, countywide plan that will include and satisfy the requirements of federal law for any participating local government within Onondaga County’s borders.

Planning Services staff have executed agreements with the New York State Office of Emergency Management, developed a Request for Proposals and hired a consultant to assist in preparing the Mitigation Plan. SOCPA staff also conducted a public outreach effort to all municipalities in Onondaga County to introduce the plan and formalize their participation in the multi-jurisdictional effort. In 2009, staff led county and municipal representatives and the project consultant in the plan’s creation, and oversaw the public participation components of the plan, including Planning and Steering Committee oversight and stakeholder outreach. The plan identified critical facilities and hazards of concern to our community, and assessed potential damage to facilities from these hazards. From this, a set of potential initiatives aimed at preventative measures to reduce risk for damage and loss of life and property were developed and prioritized.

1122

The plan components were largely completed in 2009 and the plan is currently being finalized for submission to the New York State Emergency Management Office and Federal Emergency Management Agency for official review and approval. Once approved, the plan will be presented to the County Legislature and participating municipal boards for adoption.

Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council – SOCPA is the host agency for the Syracuse

Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC), a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) required under federal transportation law as a prerequisite to the allocation of federal funds for highways and transit in Onondaga County. The SMTC is 100% funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

SMTC is charged with implementation of planning requirements of the SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users) federal transportation program, and annual adoption of the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), which allocates Federal funds for highway construction, maintenance and transit capital investments within the Syracuse Urbanized Area.

The Chair of the Onondaga County Planning Board sits on the SMTC Policy Committee, and the Director of the Planning Agency is an ex-officio member of the SMTC Executive Committee and a member of the SMTC Planning Committee.

The SOCPA Planning Services division provides technical assistance to SMTC, including data

collection and analysis and active participation in Study Advisory Committees. In 2009, SOCPA staff was involved in the following SMTC studies:

Clay/Cicero Route 31 Corridor Study University Hill Park & Ride Feasibility Stud I-81 Public Participation & Modeling Projects Downer Street Corridor Study SMTC Long Range Transportation Plan Update Clay Three Rivers Access Study SOCPA Development Guide Assistance Carrier Site Access Study Onondaga County sponsored two new projects that were added to SMTC’s work program in 2009 and are expected to run through 2010 – a SOCPA Development Guide Assistance project and a corridor study for Route 11 in Cicero. In 2009, several studies focused on the critical relationships between transportation and land use decision making. For example, the Route 31 Study, which was commissioned to evaluate future opportunities to reduce congestion and maximize investments along the corridor, found that altering land development patterns to focus on ‘smart growth’ principles is not only cheaper, but also more effective in reducing traffic volumes and congestion along major corridors than would building new interstate ramp. A study of the Downer Street Corridor similarly found that good site design, coordinated infrastructure planning and providing for alternative means of travel were keys to preserving the quality and operation of the corridor, as opposed to lane widening or access restrictions. Reducing traffic congestion through proper land use panning rather than infrastructure expansion is a notion that may be a paradigm shift for many local and regional decision makers.

1133

Work also began in earnest on planning for the future of the I-81 corridor in Onondaga County, a project that will undoubtedly shape our urban form and commuting patterns for generations to

come. A critical component of both the SMTC efforts and the corridor study being conducted by the New York State Department of Transportation will be identifying the future distribution of land uses, job centers and population, in order to effectively plan for long-term investments. SOCPA, through its county plan update and participation in the three studies, will play a critical role in compiling these future year projections. Work began in late 2009 on the Development Guide project, which represents a significant collaborative effort between partner organizations. The outcomes of this project will directly feed into both Onondaga County’s Sustainable Development Plan and SMTC’s Long Range Transportation Plan, creating an important synergy

between land use and transportation planning at the regional level. Work under this project will include a county resident survey and land use scenario modeling in an effort to reach community consensus on land development goals and investment priorities. Staff will also continue to work with the SMTC and other member agencies on additional significant regional transportation planning projects throughout the upcoming year, including regionally significant projects such as CENTRO’s Transit Initiative Study, the City of Syracuse’s Transportation Demand Management Study for downtown Syracuse and a land use and access study for Clay’s Three Rivers area.

Farmland Protection – Presently, over 30 percent of the land in Onondaga County is farmland

that contains prime soils, natural habitats, and contributes significantly to the county's economy. However, these lands are increasingly threatened by continued urban expansion. As such, SOCPA actively engages in farmland protection through membership and staff support to the Onondaga County Legislature’s Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) and through local administration of the New York State Agricultural Districts program. Onondaga County annually pursues funding for farmland protection through the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Implementation Grant Program (FPIG). This State program provides funding for the purchase of development rights on highly productive and viable agricultural lands that serve as buffers to important environmental resources and are under development pressure. The Board worked through a 'pre-application' process in 2009 that reviewed eleven Onondaga County farms interested in the program. SOCPA staff provided significant support during the pre-application review process in anticipation of subsequent final submittal to New York State. Ultimately, however, New York State did not announce a 2009 round of funding for this program due to budgetary constraints. The state did however announce awards in 2009 for the 2007 round of funding. Two farms in Onondaga County, the Hourigan Farms of Elbridge in the towns of Elbridge, Van Buren and Skaneateles and the Burgett Farm in Tully, were awarded funding and were two of the highest rated applications in the state.

1144

In addition to initial contract administration for the Hourigan and Burgett Farm projects, work progressed in 2009 on several previously awarded farm projects. The Masters Memory Lane Farm located in the town of Marcellus, finalized agreements with the State and completed the easement acquisition process in September 2009. And the Blumer Eagle Point Farms, with over 850 acres in Elbridge, is now engaged in the easement process, with local contract management being provided by SOCPA staff. SOCPA, with contracted assistance from the Cornell Cooperative Extension, also administered the New York State Agricultural Districts Program on behalf of Onondaga County in 2009. An annual ‘inclusionary process’ required by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets was completed, adding eligible properties to any of the four Agricultural Districts in Onondaga County. In addition, staff began the required renewal of Agricultural District #1 which must be completed in 2010. Due to budgetary constraints, SOCPA’s annual contract with Cornell Cooperative Extension for agricultural districts program assistance has been eliminated in 2010. Planning Services staff will coordinate all activities under the inclusionary and district renewal processes, both to be completed by summer of 2010. Planning staff will also likely provide more support to the Farmland Protection Board in 2010, due to the elimination of agricultural staff positions at CCE. SOCPA also participated actively with other organizations involved in farmland protection, including assistance with a March 2009 conference on farmland protection held in Central New York by the American Farmland Trust, as well as working with the Finger Lakes Land Trust and Skaneateles Lake Watershed assessment projects.

City of Syracuse Initiatives – The Planning Services Division regularly participates in planning efforts being progressed by and on behalf of the City of Syracuse. With the City’s Community Development Department, staff served on a committee in 2009 tasked with overseeing the creation of the City’s new Land Use Plan. Planning Services staff also works with the Office of Zoning Administration on requested projects. In 2009, Planning and Zoning staff worked collaboratively on two zoning studies as guidance to the City Planning Commission on pending cases, developed a scope of services for potential refinements to the Lakefront Area form-based zoning districts and assisted with review of RFP materials created by the Lakefront Development Corporation, and met with City staff on procedural matters relative to the City’s Three Mile Limit Review and Project Site Review processes.

Projects & Committees –Planning Services continues to participate on several county and

community-based project committees. SOCPA has been a longtime member of the County’s Environmental Health Council, and engaged the Council on a number of planning initiatives in 2009. Staff also sits on the Onondaga County Community Development Steering Committee and the County’s Disaster Preparedness Committee.

1155

In 2009, staff worked with several municipalities on various planning activities. Planners were engaged with the City of Syracuse land use plan efforts, an East Syracuse visioning project, farmland protection in the town of Spafford, a grant application for protection of the Otisco Lake watershed, rural zoning issues in the town of Elbridge, brownfield planning in the hamlet of Jamesville, and infrastructure planning in the town of Clay. Staff also participated on a Connective Corridor Signage & Wayfinding committee, the Onondaga Citizen League’s study on the future of the Interstate 81 viaduct, and FOCUS Greater Syracuse.

SOCPA Web Site –SOCPA staff recently completed a major update to its departmental web page, which can be accessed through the County’s web site, www.ongov.net. In 2009, staff continued to make improvements to the new site, providing increased access to planning documents and project

updates, a gallery of downloadable maps from the GIS division, Planning Board schedules and forms, Planning Federation conference information, information on agricultural protection programs, local demographic data, and a wealth of links to useful resources. Staff also transferred the SOCPA web site to the County’s new web design in 2009. Significant additional enhancements are planned for 2010.

New York State Data Center – SOCPA, in its designation as a New York State Data Center

affiliate, distributes and provides technical assistance with US Census data. In 2009, staff handled several requests for help acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting Census data for government, community-based and non-profit organizations, media, and citizens.

Staff attended one of two State Data Center meetings that provided training and updates on the

latest census releases and programs, particularly the upcoming 2010 Census effort and the new and more complex American Community Survey, which is replacing the more detailed decennial Census Long Form data and will be fully implemented in 2011. Mailing of 2010 Census forms to all residents will begin in March 2010.

Community Development Environmental Reviews - In 2009, SOCPA prepared environmental

reviews for 24 projects on behalf on Onondaga County's Community Development Department. All projects receiving HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding are required

to include an Environmental Review to satisfy the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) requirements. Increasing experience by Planning Services staff in performing these reviews has helped to streamline the process since taking on this role in 2005. SOCPA will continue to provide this service in 2010.

1166

LAND DEVELOPMENT DATA - 2009 The Planning Services, GIS and Address Administration divisions within the Planning Agency collect and compile a variety of demographic and spatial data within Onondaga County on an ongoing basis to assist in carrying out our planning function and to assist municipalities and County departments with their data needs. The following is a brief compilation of newly available data in 2009 on land development patterns and demographic changes in Onondaga County. Census Data Releases: American Community Survey - The US Census Bureau, through the new American Community

Survey (ACS), has begun releasing annual population data for Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, and for towns with populations over 20,000. The ACS will replace the long form questionnaire of previous decennial censuses. The entire ACS data set will be fully available in 2011, and will be updated annually. The most current ACS indicates a population drop of 5,358 in Onondaga County since the 2000 Census.

US Census American Community Survey 2009 Data Release

Census

2000 Population

2006-2008 3-Year ACS

Population Estimates

Syracuse Metropolitan Area 732,117 * Includes Cayuga Co.

724,276 * Does not include Cayuga Co.

.

Syracuse Urbanized Area 392,808 391,781 (+/- 2,769)

Onondaga County 458,336 452,978

Syracuse City 146,435 137,701 (+/- 2,962)

Camillus town 23,152 23,096 (+/- 868) Cicero town 27,982 30,280 (+/- 1,011) Clay town 58,805 59,786 (+/- 1,570) De Witt town 24,942 24,168 (+/- 1,145) Elbridge town 6,091 n/a Fabius town 1,974 n/a Geddes town 17,740 n/a LaFayette town 4,833 n/a Lysander town 19,285 20,122 (+/- 988) Manlius town 31,872 31,622 (+/- 942) Marcellus town 6,319 n/a Onondaga town 21,063 20,660 (+/- 888) Otisco town 2,561 n/a Pompey town 6,159 n/a Salina town 33,290 33,057 (+/- 1,185) Skaneateles town 7,323 n/a Spafford town 1,661 n/a Tully town 2,709 n/a Van Buren town 12,667 n/a Sources: US Census 2000 SF-1, US Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, US Census American Community Survey (The ACS will replace the long form historically used in the decennial census) Notes: ACS Data is currently available for municipalities with 20,000+ residents only. *Census 2000 Syracuse MSA includes Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, and Cayuga Counties. The ACS Syracuse MSA includes Onondaga, Oswego, and Madison Counties only.

1177

Population Change in Onondaga County Census 2000 vs. 2008 Population Estimates

Syracuse City- 9,238

Villages - 1,566

Towns+ 3,535

-10,000

-7,500

-5,000

-2,500

0

2,500

5,000

Pop

ulat

ion

Cha

nge

US Census Population Estimates Program - Census population estimates by town for 2008 were released in July 2009. The estimates indicate a loss of population in Onondaga County by 4,326. The largest population losses occurred in the City of Syracuse (down 8,227) and in Villages, which together lost 1,400 residents.

Population Change in Onondaga County By Town Census 2000 v. 2008 Population Estimates

-

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

Cam

illus

tow

n

Cic

ero

tow

n

Clay

tow

nD

e W

itt to

wn

Elb

ridge

tow

n

Fabi

us to

wn

Ged

des

tow

nLa

Faye

tte to

wn

Lysa

nder

tow

nM

anliu

s to

wn

Mar

cellu

s to

wn

Ono

ndag

a to

wn

Otis

co to

wn

Pom

pey

tow

n

Sal

ina

tow

nS

kane

atel

es to

wn

Spa

fford

tow

n

Tully

town

Van

Bur

en to

wn

Census 20002008 Estimates

1188

1199

Building Permit Activity (compiled by SOCPA with data submitted by municipalities): In 2009, 748 residential units were authorized by building permits in Onondaga County, including

440 single-family units and 308 multi-family units. While total building permit activity is down by approximately one-third since the early 2000’s,

activity continues in the developing suburbs of Clay, Cicero, Camillus, Lysander and Onondaga. Also of note, the City of Syracuse had 40 permits issued for new single-family units and 208 multi-family units, all of which are likely located on redevelopment sites.

Housing Authorized By Building Permits 2009

Total Permits

Issued Single-Family

Units Multi Family

Units Onondaga County 748 464 308

Syracuse City 248 40 208

Camillus town 45 45 0 Cicero town 68 68 0 Clay town 175 98 77 De Witt town 7 7 0 Elbridge town 6 6 0 Fabius town (* did not report) Geddes town 8 7 1 LaFayette town 4 4 0 Lysander town 81 59 22 Manlius town 22 22 0 Marcellus town 10 10 0 Onondaga town 48 48 0 Otisco town 3 3 0 Pompey town (* did not report) Salina town 0 0 0 Skaneateles town 8 8 0 Spafford town 4 4 0 Tully town 1 1 0 Van Buren town 34 34 0 Source: SOCPA compiled with data supplied by municipalities. Town data includes villages. Data current as of 1/29/09.

Onondaga County Total Building Permits Issued By Year

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Per

mits

Issu

ed

Single Family Permits Multi-Family Permits

2200

Subdivision Activity: Between 2000 and 2009, there were 809 subdivisions, including 7,541 newly created lots, covering

11,094 acres, indicating an average density of 1.47 acres per lot. As with the building permit data, subdivision activity is generally down over the past five years.

In 2009, there was a significant decrease in new lots, though acres subdivided rose and permits rose. This may be attributed to a slowdown in new housing projects and a continued trend of subdividing a few small housing lots from large rural parcels, which causes total acres subdivided to skew higher than usual.

The following map shows the geographic distribution of subdivision activity. The map includes

major residential subdivisions of 5 or more lots, as well as points indicating prior major subdivisions in the past decade. The map also shows Onondaga County’s sanitary district boundary.

Onondaga County Land Development Permit Activity By Year

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Lots Created Acres Subdivided Buiding Permits Issued

2211

2222

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) A Geographic Information System (GIS) integrates computer hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, maintaining, analyzing, and mapping multiple layers of geographically referenced information. Any data (such as address, ownership, assessment, physical features, census data, land use, client data, etc.) that can be tied to a geographic location can be manipulated for analytical, modeling, or display purposes. A GIS is often thought of as simply a mapping tool, however, a GIS also provides very powerful data analysis tools that support and improve decision-making and problem solving. SOCPA’s GIS division is responsible for building and maintaining the County’s GIS. We create, acquire, and maintain a wide array of spatial datasets, maps, and applications that support government functions. The GIS has become an essential tool that is used by most County departments to maximize effectiveness and efficiency and improve decision-making. The GIS division also provides extensive spatial data support to the City of Syracuse and towns and villages in the County. GIS staff also manages, distributes, and supports the County’s digital aerial photography program (Pictometry). MAJOR PROGRAMS & PROJECTS GIS Services, Coordination, and Outreach - As the coordinating body for the County’s GIS

program, SOCPA assists many County departments in the creation of GIS products and in their development of in-house GIS capability. The number of departments serviced remained high in 2009 as many departments took advantage of the data analysis and mapping capability of the GIS program. Services provided in 2009 include:

Planning Continued to create and update maps for the Onondaga County

Sustainable Development Plan Produced a County-wide map of FEMA floodplain changes in

Onondaga County

County Executive Prepared maps and air photos upon request

Legislature Prepared maps and air photos upon request Created a topographic map of the Town of Spafford

Management and Budget Updated the Capital Improvement Plan map to reflect 2010

projects Prepared maps and data upon request

Economic Development Prepared Empire Zone and regionally significant project maps Created generic site maps and photos upon request Prepared a map of all Economic Development Projects in Onondaga County for 2008-2009

2233

Community Development Prepared a map of Lead Reduction Areas in Onondaga County Updated maps identifying Neighborhood Stabilization Program eligible areas Prepared maps of the 2009 Community Development Block Grant eligible areas and projects Office of the Environment Began database and map creation for the County Mowing Reduction

Strategy

Farmland Protection Updated maps of farms designated for Purchase of Development Rights Created maps and databases to prepare for the 8 year renewal of

Agricultural District 1 Updated the agricultural districts with 2009 inclusionary additions

Board of Elections Provided numerous map prints upon request Completed updating all individual Town Election District maps

Transportation Provided data, air photos, and technical support Created mailing labels for public notification purposes for proposed projects

Water Environment Protection Advised staff about the development of a comprehensive GIS database

for sewer outfalls Provided Green Infrastructure mapping and data support Created maps of the Harbor Brook Drainage Basin and Creekwalk areas

for federal stimulus grant funds Provided data, Pictometry photos and technical support Prepared a map of county-owned properties in the City of Syracuse

Law Enforcement/Public Safety Provided data, Pictometry photos, and technical support for the Syracuse

Crime Analysis Center Prepared a number of incident location maps and photos for the District Attorney’s Office Prepared a detailed map of Engine District #10 for the Syracuse Fire Department 911 Created a gridded map of the new Motorola E911 radio system for signal strength verification Provided data and technical advice Continued to build the Special Address (SPAD) database

Emergency Management Prepared a detailed map of fire districts in the Town of Cicero Provided GIS data and technical advice for the Fire View project Prepared a map of Alliance Bank Stadium

2244

Law Prepared maps and air photos upon request Parks Provided updated annotated air photos of all County Parks Prepared maps showing proposed additions to Beaver Lake Nature

Center and the Spafford Forest Updated the Jordan Level Trail map Health Produced maps and data for the Lead Unit upon request Continued to provide maps, data, and technical support Environmental Health Continued to provide maps, air photos, and technical support upon

request Provided mailing data for properties near Water Chestnut treatment locations

Corrections Provided air photos of the Jamesville Correctional Facility Aging and Youth Prepared maps for the “United We Ride” grant application

Social Services Produced maps upon request

Onondaga Community College Mapped the distribution of students and alumni in the County and

created maps for each Legislative District Mapped the statewide distribution of alumni In 2008, SOCPA undertook an initiative to consolidate GIS software licenses and manage software maintenance for other departments within the County. Shared licensing saves thousands of dollars annually in maintenance costs and ensures all GIS users are using current and compatible software. In 2009, the Department of Transportation joined SOCPA and the departments of Emergency Communications (911), Health, Environmental Health, and Water Environment Protection in this license sharing cooperative. In 2009, GIS staff furthered this initiative by working with the Department of Information Technology to migrate the GIS software license manager from a stand-alone computer housed at SOCPA to a secure IT server. This will ensure that all departments taking part in the GIS licensing consolidation have continuous access to the software. GIS staff continued to provide spatial data, mapping, and technical support for many City of Syracuse Departments in 2009. In addition, SOCPA has continued to extend GIS services to towns and villages on a revenue basis and has acted as a technical advisor to municipalities developing their own GIS capabilities. Municipal services provided in 2009 include:

2255

City of Syracuse Continued to share spatial data with city departments and produce maps and air photos upon

request Provided mapping and aerial photography support for the Police

Department Produced maps and air photos for the MDA, Downtown Committee,

and University Hill Corporation upon request Prepared a map of the Greater University Hill Area for the American

Planning Association’s story on Great Places in America Provided copies of FEMA flood plain maps for Home Headquarters Created a map of Environmental Constraints in the City of Syracuse for

the Department of Community Development Prepared maps of zone changes and continued to maintain the digital

Zoning map and GIS database for the Zoning Office

Municipalities Provided maps and GIS analysis for the Town of Van Buren Fire

Protection Study Produced a detailed base map for the Town of Elbridge Created a map of Significant Ecological Areas for the Town of

Skaneateles Provided historic air photos of the Martisco area to the Town of

Camillus Updated the Town of LaFayette Zoning map and database Created a zoning map for the Town of Spafford Created a map of agricultural districts for the Town of Lysander

GIS staff continued to promote spatial data sharing with educational institutions. In 2009, staff exchanged data with Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety, SUNY ESF’s Mapping Sciences Lab, and various school districts in the County. In addition to educational institutions, GIS data was also exchanged with other public agencies, including the Syracuse-Metropolitan

Example of the City of Syracuse Zoning Map. The City of Syacuse Zoning database.

2266

Transportation Council, Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program.

Syracuse-Onondaga County GIS on the Web - In 2004, the GIS division worked jointly with the

City of Syracuse Bureau of Information Systems and a consultant to develop a GIS website that enables county employees, municipalities, businesses, and the public to access Onondaga County's GIS data. The project was funded through a Technology Venture Capital grant obtained by the GIS division and a State Archives grant secured by the city. The site was formally introduced to the public in January of 2005.

Since its inception, the web site has experienced very heavy usage, as over 480,000 visitors, from more than 80 countries, have hit the site more than 26 million times, spending more than 53,000 hours viewing spatial data of Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse.

Example of data available on the Syracuse-Onondaga County GIS on the Web site.

2277

The GIS site continues to be integrated with the County Office of Real Property Tax Services’ Image Mate Online application and the County’s digital aerial photography (Pictometry). Users can look up a property on our GIS site and click a button to view more detailed assessment data on the property through the Image Mate Online site. Users can also find the property through the Image Mate Online site and click a button to access our GIS site to view the property and overlay a wide variety of spatial data. In the past, users would have had to conduct a search on both sites to find information on a particular property. Users can also view Pictometry imagery of the property they selected by clicking a button on the Image Mate Online site.

In 2010, GIS staff will continue to update the 27 layers of spatial data that are available through the GIS website.

Month Visitors Hits January 7,946 525,913 February 7,775 569,503

March 6,381 431,574 April 10,594 645,036 May 8,429 527,465 June 6,842 480,957 July 7,104 496,584

August 7,568 524,432 September 7,399 530,545

October 7,335 544,589 November 7,591 483,211 December 6,795 519,580 TOTAL 91,759 6,279,389

Countries where GIS website visitors come from.

2009 GIS Web Site Usage

Integration of the Syracuse-Onondaga County GIS on the Web site with the Finance Department’s Image Mate Online and Pictometry.

2288

Digital Aerial Photography -- The GIS division has taken a lead role in managing the County’s Pictometry aerial photography program. Pictometry provides the county with high-resolution color digital aerial photography that is useful to virtually every department. This program began in 2000 and the first library of photos was delivered in late 2002. Seventeen county departments and over 110 county employees, the City of Syracuse, all 19 towns, 6 villages, 1 school district, 1 fire department, the Syracuse Housing Authority, OCWA, and SMTC are now using Pictometry. SOCPA worked with the 911 department to fund a re-fly of the county in 2005 and 2006.

In 2009, GIS staff continued to provide technical support for Pictometry users countywide and produced prints of photos for departments upon request. In 2010, staff will work with County departments and other organizations to pursue funding opportunities for a Pictometry re-fly in 2010 or beyond.

The GIS division has also coordinated with the New York State Digital Orthoimagery Program regarding the State’s capture of aerial photography of Onondaga County. In conjunction with the United States Geological Survey, the State acquired digital orthophotography of Onondaga County in the spring of 2009. When this imagery becomes available in 2010, it will serve as the base layer for the County’s GIS.

Digital Parcel Data - In a joint project with the Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA), the

County tax maps have been converted into seamless digital files for each town. These parcel files are being used as a base for GIS data and a mechanism for spatially analyzing property assessment

Example of Pictometry’s oblique aerial photography and Electronic Field Study software.

2299

data. The County and OCWA, contingent upon entering into an agreement to share any data derived from the parcel files, make the digital files available to municipalities. SOCPA acts as the point of contact and distributor of these files, helps to coordinate data creation, and acts as a data repository for data created using the parcel base. In 2009, GIS staff continued to coordinate the parcel update subscription program that has helped simplify the process of municipalities receiving data updates. SOCPA also continued to act as the point of contact for parcel data sales to commercial entities. GIS staff will continue to support the distribution of parcel data in 2010.

Enterprise GIS Initiative – In 2009, SOCPA GIS staff began to develop a strategy for an

enterprise GIS deployment in Onondaga County. An enterprise GIS is a geographic information system that is integrated through an entire organization so that a large number of users can manage, share, and use spatial data to address a variety of needs. The enterprise GIS will allow all users to see and access the most current spatial data as it is updated by various departments throughout the County. It will also enable the GIS to more seamlessly integrate with other County applications. As such, an enterprise GIS will promote greater geographic communication and reduce data redundancy among departments. The enterprise GIS initiative in Onondaga County is a partnership between SOCPA, the Syracuse Crime Analysis Center, and Onondaga County’s Department of Information Technology.

Over the course of 2010, SOCPA GIS staff will continue to develop and implement a documented enterprise GIS strategic plan. An early phase of implementation will include the creation of a Microsoft SQL spatial database that can be accessed by a variety of users throughout the county. This will require GIS staff to continue to work closely with GIS users in the County to identify specific spatial datasets to be included in the database.

3300

911 ADDRESS ADMINISTRATION The 911 Address Administration division conducts three program elements that support the geographic needs of the County’s 911 system: telephone data base quality control, address administration, and development and enhancement of digital geographic resources. Each program element involves ongoing maintenance tasks, as well as developmental action to meet the changing needs of the emergency communications system. Address Administration staff also maintains SOCPA’s Land Development Monitoring System which tracks building permits, building lots, and subdivisions in the County. MAJOR PROGRAMS & PROJECTS Telephone Database Quality Control – Quality control activities are designed to increase the

accuracy of the telephone location information that is supplied by the telephone companies to the County 911 system. Two main programs are utilized for quality control: problem reports issued by 911 dispatch operations and ongoing technical consultation with the many telephone companies providing service in the county.

In 2009, staff resolved 195 problem reports filed by 911 operations and another 134 problems arising from the public directly. Staff also worked to maximize coordination with 911 operations through the development and implementation of an information system that tracks 911 problem reports.

Ongoing technical consultation is intended to help local telephone companies with address and other geography issues. In 2009, staff made over 500 edits to the telephone database. Staff also continued to support the telephone Master Street Address Guide (MSAG). This resource, which is used to validate locations of telephone customers in the database, needs continual updating and revising. In 2009, 17 additions and 124 modifications were made to the MSAG.

Address Administration – Address administration involves the creation

of new addresses and the improvement of existing addresses that don’t work properly in the 911 dispatch system. SOCPA has agreements to provide address services for 27 municipalities in the County and provides services for the other municipalities upon request. During the development process, we assign addresses for new lots, houses, apartments, and non-residential sites. In 2009, we made 2,330 new address assignments. Staff also corrected over 300 addresses to minimize the potential for confusion and delays in the response to 911 emergency calls. The Planning Agency also continued efforts to improve the quality of address and sub-address information at complicated sites like apartments and multi-occupant commercial locations. The sub-address information is important in improving the accuracy of computer aided dispatching.

Address Administration staff also review proposed street names under Local Law 5-1972. In 2009, staff reviewed 60 proposed street names and issued 197 letters of compliance for filed maps.

Digital Geographic Resources – In 2009, Address Administration staff continued maintenance on

the three major geographic databases used in emergency service communication in Onondaga

Municipalities (in green) that SOCPA has agreements with to provide address services.

3311

County: the telephone system’s MSAG, the Criminal History and Incident Reporting System (CHAIRS) street file, and the spatial data used by the 911 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. All three geo files have to be kept current and compatible as applications evolve.

In 2009, Address Administration staff continued to provide critical mapping and spatial data support for the implementation of 911’s new CAD system. The spatial component of the new system, which includes mapping and aerial photography (NYS Digital Orthoimagery and Pictometry), provides the call taker with a great deal of information that can be critical in emergency response and can lead to improved response times and a safer community. Address Administration and GIS staff continued developing a Special Address (SPAD) database that places a point on every addressable structure (commercial, government, residential, etc.) in the County. The SPAD database greatly enhances the accuracy of the mapping component of the CAD system by allowing the map to zoom to the exact building that the 911 call is coming from. Viewing a map and air photo of the location that the call is coming from provides dispatchers with a wealth of information that they can pass along to emergency responders. The address database now contains over 93,000 points, with commercial SPADs countywide and residential SPADs covering 14 towns and most of the eastern half of the City of Syracuse. Coverage extensions to Cicero, Van Buren, and the western half of Syracuse are anticipated in 2010.

Example of the street centerline file used in the mapping component of the new 911 CAD system.

Example of the Special Address (SPAD) point file used in the 911 CAD system.

Commercial, public facility, etc. SPAD coverage as of December 2009.

Residential SPAD coverage as of December 2009.

3322

The upload of spatial data to the CAD system is a complicated and detailed process but was successfully executed in November of 2009. Address Administration and 911 staff worked with the CAD vendor to improve this process. Semi-annual transfers are planned for 2010 and beyond. The Agency also participated in discussions regarding the proposed MERLIN replacement of CHAIRS. This new project presents an opportunity to improve the geographic component of the police records management system. We anticipate further discussions in 2010.

Land Development Monitoring System – SOCPA’s land development monitoring system

continued progress in 2009. This system is designed to keep track of new addresses and also support the Agency’s building permit reporting. The system now includes 9,165 detailed records on subdivisions, building lots, and building permits and covers all development in the County since 2000. We have also begun to include demolition data in the system. In 2010, staff will continue to build the Development Monitoring system and use it to keep the new SPAD building file current.

3333

CITY OF SYRACUSE ZONING ADMINISTRATION The City of Syracuse Zoning Ordinance administers the land use regulations that apply to all properties within the City of Syracuse. Inquiries and applications regarding City zoning and subdivision matters are processed at the City of Syracuse Office of Zoning Administration, which is staffed by SOCPA employees. The zoning staff works in conjunction with numerous City departments, particularly the Division of Code Enforcement and the Office of the Corporation Counsel in an effort to bring about coordinated and efficient administration of City land use rules and regulations. MAJOR PROGRAMS & PROJECTS Staff Services to City Boards - The Office of Zoning Administration provides staff to the

Syracuse City Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. About three-fifths of the staff’s time is invested in direct support of these two boards.

The City Planning Commission (CPC) was originally created in 1914 and reorganized in 1968 by Local Law No. 7 of the Syracuse Common Council. The CPC reviews applications for special permits, changes of occupancy, zone changes, street actions and ordinance amendments prior to Common Council action. The Commission also hears requests for planned developments, subdivisions and site and project plan reviews. In 2009, zoning staff assisted the CPC with reviewing the following caseload:

Syracuse Planning Commission: Cases By Type 1999-2009

6672

65 61 6556

7160

77

9095

49 51

7160

102

7064 60

45

72

51

4 2 6 3 5 5 2 1 2 1 3

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

No.

of C

ases

Zoning Actions Subdivisions & Three-Mile Reviews Street Actions

Syracuse Planning Commission: Action on Cases by Type 2009

Action Cases Approved Denied Pending Closed/Withdrawn Resubdivisions 26 20 0 5 1 Three-Mile Limit 25 20 0 5 0

Appeals from Zoning

Administrator 0 0 0 0 0

Project Site Reviews 11 8 0 3 0

Site Plan Reviews (including tower/

antennae reviews) 5 5 0 0 0

3344

Special Permits 51 42 2 6 1 Historic

Preservation 10 10 0 0 0

Street Abandonments 3 3 0 0 0

Zone Changes, Text

Amendments, Project Plan

Reviews, Actions to Council

18 18 0 0 1

Total 149 126 2 19 3

The Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) was created by the Common Council in 1958. It has two principal functions: granting variances and exceptions from the terms of the Zoning Rules and Regulations in accordance with provisions of State Law, and to make interpretations with regard to the meaning of the Zoning Regulations. In 2009, zoning staff helped the BZA process the following number of cases:

Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals: Cases By Type 1999-2009

24 25

10

18

28

812

7 712

16

27 27 28 26

38

23 25 24 25

55

36

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Use Variances Area Variances

Syracuse Zoning Board of Appeals: Action on Cases By Type 2009 Action Cases Approved Denied Pending Closed

Area Variances 36 31 4 0 1 Use Variances 16 12 2 2 0

Interpretations 0 0 0 0 0

Total 52 43 6 2 1 Modification

Of Prior Cases 4 4 0 0 0

Time Extensions 0 0 0 0 0 Re-Application

Requests 0 0 0 0 0

3355

Administrative Reviews - The Zoning Administrator, through specific provisions of the Zoning Rules and Regulations, has the authority to review requests for sign permits, lot alterations, waivers of building and yard restrictions, fence restriction waivers, project site plans, and Certificates of Suitability. Zoning Administrator caseload for 2009 is summarized below:

Syracuse Zoning Administration: Cases By Type 1999-2009

13 11 10 15 1321 16

85

46 4862

4336 35

6048

56

33

216

3124

72

4228 22

29

6553

4230

40 3647

33 27 28 2939

73

28 31

200

151

0

50

100

150

200

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Lot Coverage and Alterations Fences and Encroachments Signs Certificates of Suitability

* Above chart includes project site reviews in the first category: Lot Coverage, etc.

Syracuse Zoning Administration: Action on Cases by Type 2009

Action Cases Approved Denied Pending Appealed

Certificates of Suitability 151 72 10 69 0

Sign Cases 36 21 6 8 1 (Withdrawn) 0

Screening Device Waivers /

Encroachments (final action by Common Council)

24 11 6 2 5 (Withdrawn) 0

Administrative Waivers 11 11 0 0 0

Lot Alterations 6 5 0 1 0

Project Site Reviews 56 39 1 3 2 (Withdrawn)

11 *(Commission

Review)

Total 284** 162 23 83 13

**Total does not include the 186 Certificates of Use processed.

Certificates of Suitability are approvals of plans for properties within a Special Neighborhood District established near Syracuse University. These cases involve review of floor and site plans for absentee-owned residential properties, and are intended to act as benchmarks by which compliance can be measured. In October of 2007, zoning amendments were adopted by the City to address parking and open spaces for properties in the district coming into absentee ownership for the first time. These amendments were coupled with limitations put on parking surfaces for single-family

3366

and two-family properties throughout the city. In 2009, the Office of Zoning Administration processed 151 Certificates of Suitability, with 40 of those reviewed by the Planning Commission. Since September of 2003, the Office of Zoning Administration has been reviewing cases under the Project Site Review process. Under this review, buildings and additions are examined for consistency with adopted land use plans or, in the absence of such plans, compatibility with the context of surrounding existing development. The Zoning Administrator administers the first level of review. A second level of review by the CPC can occur where further decisions are required for projects not entirely consistent or compatible with the applicable standards. Of the 56 cases considered in 2009, 11 were forwarded to the CPC for review. In 2009, Zoning Administration staff, along with SOCPA Planning staff and the City departments of Economic Development, Engineering, and Corporation Council, examined ways to streamline the Project Site Review process. This collaboration resulted in a number of suggestions that were presented to the Mayor and improvements to the process have started to be implemented.

Coordination with City Departments – Coordination between City departments is critical to the

operations of the Zoning Office and the departments they work with. In 2009, Zoning staff participated in the following inter-departmental reviews and initiatives:

Pre-Development Review Board – Zoning staff continued to participate in the City’s Pre-

Development Review process, which provides developers an opportunity to meet with a wide variety of City departments to get feedback on preliminary project plans. The Zoning Office also worked very closely with the Office of Economic Development and the Department of Community Development in 2009, coordinating economic and neighborhood projects through the CPC and the BZA. This coordination has helped facilitate timely reviews in order to meet funding deadlines for not-for-profit agencies, and has helped educate developers in understanding review processes and policies.

“Zone Checks” - In conjunction with the City's Division of Code Enforcement, Zoning staff

completed over 500 zone check determination forms which detail the zoning status and history of specific properties.

Encroachments, Licenses, and Certificates - The Zoning Office continued to process

requests for encroachments into City street rights-of-way and respond to referrals from City departments dealing with licenses, Certificates of Occupancy, Certificates of Compliance, and Certificate of Use.

The Certificate of Use program assures responsible operation of all commercial establishments - restaurants, grocery stores, etc. - selling or serving food and drink. Due to the mandatory requirement for filing for these Certificates, the various departments involved (Finance, Codes, Police, and Zoning) continued to see a number of new applications. For each involved business, on-site inspections are required and a thorough review of compliance with the applicable regulations such as zoning and building codes is necessary. Staff processed 186 Certificates of Use in 2009.

SEQRA - Assistance was given on zoning actions in environmental status determinations as

required by the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, and in authorization and

3377

notification for public hearings. Staff also provided assistance to the Office of Corporation Counsel in matters of zoning litigation and development of non-zoning regulatory ordinances affecting land use activities.

Extra-Territorial Review – The Zoning Office continued to review subdivisions proposed for

properties in adjacent towns, under the state Three-Mile Limit law. Staff presented these cases to the City Planning Commission and the City Engineer for their review and approval.

Comprehensive Planning - The Zoning Office continued to collaborate on the City's

Comprehensive Plan. The Office also participated in planning efforts involving city consultants, including the City’s Land Use Plan, in which the Zoning Administrator played an integral role.

Lakefront Form-Based Code – In 2002, the City of Syracuse adopted a form-based code for the

Lakefront Development District, aimed at introducing form-based code to the community and to promote redevelopment of the area into a mixed-use, walkable environment. In the six years since implementation of the new zoning code, staff has identified some limitations to the code, and some changes to the regulations may be necessary to reflect short-term growth needs and to ease in the administration of the code. Focus was given to these modifications in 2009, and will evolve as the office continues to work together with the Office of Economic Development, the New York State Canal Corporation and the Lakefront Development Corporation.

Digitized Zoning Atlas - In 2006, the Office of Zoning Administration started utilizing a digitized

version of the City Zoning Atlas, created by SOCPA’s GIS staff. In 2009, staff continued to coordinate with GIS staff to update the atlas to reflect zone changes. It is hopeful that the atlas, coupled with the latest zoning regulation text, will be on-line for readily available access to the general public in 2010.

Lean Office – In mid-2007, the Office of Zoning Administration, with guidance from Onondaga

County and a consultant, engaged in a “Lean Office” review of the zoning function. The goal of this review was to identify ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness and has meant examining the fundamental nature and mission of the zoning operation. To date, implementation of “Lean Office” principles has led to more efficient customer service, increased communication with other

Example of the City of Syracuse Zoning Map.

3388

city departments, better utilization of digital resources, streamlined office procedures, and a more user-friendly experience for the public doing business with the office. The “Lean Office” concepts and procedures will evolve over time, as Zoning staff continually review procedures in an effort to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. In 2009, the following improvements were made:

Continued to consolidate files and create a paperless storage area for certain property data. Streamlined case in-take procedures. Worked with the City IT Department to make applications fill-able on the City’s web site. Revised log-in, case file, and distribution sheets to consolidate paper and information. Improved communication with the Licensing, Economic Development, and Public Works

departments to streamline review of cases. Made efforts to organize Planned Institutional District files to improve accessibility of

information of all cases within these districts.

3399

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2010

SOCPA is creating a new County Sustainable Development Plan that calls for investment in existing communities, sustainable development patterns, smart investments in infrastructure, and protection of agricultural land and the natural environment. The update will take into account the costs and impacts of our current patterns and offer strategies for citizens and policies for government to promote more sustainable communities.

SOCPA will continue to enhance interaction and coordination between our Planning Services

division and other County departments and other regional stakeholders, in an effort to ensure sustainable investments in infrastructure and coordinated planning for urban growth and rural preservation.

SOCPA will continue its active participation in several initiatives centered on sustainability,

energy efficiency, and climate change. In addition to our agency’s Sustainable Development Plan, staff will play a role with the County’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, the creation of a Climate Action Plan for Onondaga County, the Sustainable Design Assessment Team, the Onondaga Citizen’s League “Green Study”, and annual educational forums for practitioners on sustainable development through the Onondaga County Planning Federation.

SOCPA will oversee completion of Onondaga County’s first Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard

Mitigation Plan for Onondaga County and many participating municipalities. This plan meets the requirements of the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 by preparing a comprehensive assessment of potential natural disasters, the vulnerability of existing public facilities, and ways to protect those facilities and the public from damage by natural hazards. Having a plan in place will allow Onondaga County and participating municipalities to pursue funding for preventative work on public facilities and infrastructure.

To support protection of farmland and rural areas, SOCPA staff will continue to administer the

agricultural districts program for Onondaga County, including the renewal of Agricultural District #1 and the annual process for adding properties to the district. SOCPA will continue to sit on and provide staff support for the County Legislature’s Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board and administer farmland protection grant awards.

SOCPA will continue to provide professional support to the Onondaga County Planning

Federation, a venue for continuing education on local planning topics for the over 500 community representatives sitting on planning and zoning boards across Onondaga County and Central New York. The theme of the March 2010 symposium will be transportation decision making, with a special focus on the future of Interstate 81.

SOCPA will continue its host relationship with the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation

Council (SMTC), and staff will serve on Planning, Executive and various Study Advisory Committees. Studies of particular regional interest include the I-81 Public Participation and Modeling projects, SMTC’s Long Range Transportation Plan, CENTRO’s Transit Initiative Study, and more localized studies such as Transportation Demand Management for Downtown Syracuse, the Route 11 corridor in Cicero, and the Three Rivers area in Clay.

4400

SOCPA will continue to provide staff services to the Onondaga County Planning Board as it implements county land use policies through review of municipal zoning and subdivision referrals and review of the County’s Capital Improvement Program. Staff will continue to coordinate interdepartmental review of development projects.

SOCPA will continue to improve its web page within Onondaga County’s web site, to enhance

its public presence and to make documents and map products available to local governments and the public. The new County Sustainable Development Plan will also have a significant new web presence, serving as a major venue for public dissemination of educational materials, plan documents, and project updates as the plan progresses.

A joint venture between Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse, the Syracuse-Onondaga

County GIS web page has received overwhelming and sustained public interest. In 2010, GIS staff will continue to maintain data layers on the site and look for ways to continually enhance the functionality of the site.

GIS staff will continue to distribute and support the county’s digital aerial photography

program (Pictometry), and pursue funding opportunities for an updated image database. Staff will also integrate the 2009 New York State Digital Orthoimagery into its GIS database upon anticipated arrival in the spring of 2010.

SOCPA will continue to work with IT to develop and implement an enterprise GIS strategic

plan for Onondaga County. In 2010, this initiative will involve the creation of a multi-departmental GIS database that will ensure all users throughout the county access to the most current GIS data available.

Address Administration and Planning Services staff will continue to maintain and enhance

building permit, street address, and subdivision files, and track infrastructure expansions in an integrated Land Development Information System.

SOCPA will continue to support implementation of the new 911 Computer Aided Dispatch

(CAD) system and continue maintenance of the telephone system’s Master Street Address Guide (MSAG).

SOCPA will continue to provide Zoning Administration services for the City of Syracuse.

Zoning staff will continue to serve the City Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals on all zoning matters. Staff will also constantly look for ways to implement “Lean Office” enhancements to improve efficiency and customer service and ensure a user-friendly experience for the public.

Zoning Administration and GIS staff will continue to work together to maintain the City’s

digital Zoning Map.

Zoning Administration and Planning Services staff will continue to participate in various City zoning and planning initiatives.