Much of community character is defined by the existing patterns and style of development. Without careful attention, those elements that give a community its sense of place can be threatened by inappropriate new development and redevelopment. Three different types of development trends exist within New York's waterfronts:

• Modest infill development in stable, almost fully developed waterfront areas
• Redevelopment of significantly sized deteriorated, abandoned, and underused areas in urban or previously developed waterfront areas
• New development in previously undeveloped areas

These development trends need not impair the community character or the sense of place of the individual communities. However, to ensure that change maintains or enhances community character, the impacts of new development, redevelopment, and, indeed, existing development must be managed to meet the demands of environmental improvements and quality communities.

In assessing land use and development patterns and trends in your waterfront, you will want to understand:

• What historical and development factors made your waterfront and community the way it is now
• What you value about your waterfront
• What changes are going on and could occur in the future

In many cases, your community will already have addressed these factors through comprehensive master planning for the community. If this is the case, you will need to take this information and focus on the waterfront. If your community does not have a master plan, you will need to begin by gathering land use, demographic and development data. In either case, you will need to know about:

• The history of the development of the community
• Land use patterns
• Land ownership patterns
• Zoning regulations
• Demographic trends
• Employment and business data
• Development trendsTransportation and accessibility
• Community facilities
• Utilities - power, water and sewage
• Abandoned, deteriorated or underused sites and buildings
• The location and condition of open spaces
• The location and condition of public access and recreation sites
• The location and condition of natural resources
• The location and condition of historic resources
• The location and condition of scenic resources

It is useful to map these features and to document development and land use issues through photographs.

Once you know how your waterfront developed and have understood the current land use patterns, development trends and the opportunities and constraints for development, you will need to focus on how your community will develop in the future. What role can the waterfront play in enhancing the community? Some questions you will want to ask are:

• What is the condition of the waterfront? Does this condition limit or enhance options for making the most of the waterfront? What factors led to its current condition?
• Are the development pattern and trends compatible with your vision of the waterfront? Does current zoning accomplish this vision? Is the infrastructure adequate to accomplish this vision? Are improvements needed?
• Are there development opportunities or proposals? Does zoning permit these? Does the community support new development? Is the infrastructure adequate to support development?
• Why did a site or building become abandoned, deteriorated and underused? How long has this situation existed? Are the sites contaminated? What interest has there been for acquisition and reuse? What are the primary obstacles to reuse? What opportunities can be identified?
• Is the waterfront accessible from downtown? Are there opportunities to improve connections?
• How accessible is the waterfront from public transportation? From major highways? Does the waterfront have sufficient parking spaces?

As you seek to make the most of your waterfront and enhance your community, you should work to enhance existing development and focus new growth and development to protect and improve community character. You will need to review your land use regulations, establish capital improvement programs, and provide incentives for private development that are guided by the following objectives:

• Forge links to the waterfront's rich cultural and natural legacy
• Provide a sense of continuity with the past
• Respect and incorporate cultural and built heritage
• Decrease the risk from flooding and erosion
• Create physical links with downtown centers and upland neighborhoods
• Bring new uses to abandoned and brownfield sites
• Emphasize the rehabilitation and reuse of abandoned buildings and historic structures
• Emphasize the clustering of structures and uses
• Consider relationships among buildings, open spaces, and the water
• Encourage a scale compatible with the surrounding community or landscape
• Encourage a mix of uses, but minimize conflicts with neighboring uses
• Protect vistas and views of the waterfront
• Protect important open spaces and natural areas
• Develop partnerships with the private sector and nonprofit organizations to encourage appropriate development

While your assessment of the waterfront should include the topics listed above, three critical factors require a closer look - abandoned sites and buildings, historic preservation and scenic resources.

Partners and Links

The New York State Department of State's Division of Local Government Services can provide training assistance to municipalities related to zoning procedures and other practical legal and technical advice .

New York State Empire State Development (ESD) can provide assistance if you are looking to start up a company, establish a presence, or expand already existing operations.

Empire Zones are designated areas throughout the State that offer significant incentives to encourage economic development, business investment and job creation.

The Governor's Office for Small Cities administers the Community Development Block Grant Program for the State of New York. This program provides grants to eligible cities, towns, and villages with a population under 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000 to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities and or improve community facilities and services.

The Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform (GORR) can provide assistance on developing language for zoning ordinances to site certain business uses within the municipality for the purpose of promoting economic development within the jurisdiction.

New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) can provide assistance related to promoting economic growth by planning, coordinating, and implementing strategies to improve the State's transportation network. The Environmental Analysis Bureau of DOT provides NYSDOT with leadership, liaison and expertise on environmental matters to promote safe, effective, balanced, environmentally sound transportation services.

The Environmental Facilities Corporation can provide public and private entities with assistance in complying with federal and State environmental requirements.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New York State Legislature and provides a wide variety of funding opportunities in support of their programs ranging from agricultural innovation, environmental protection, community revitalization, and alternative transportation. NYSERDA administers the New York Energy $martSM Program.

The Division of Housing and Community Renewal is responsible for the supervision, maintenance and development of affordable low and moderate income housing in New York State. DHCR has a number of capital programs with funding available for the development of affordable housing in New York State, including the Housing Trust Fund (HTF), the HOME Program, New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA), Homes for Working Families (HWF), Senior Housing Initiative (SHI), Housing Development Funds (HDF), Low Income Housing Credit Program (LIHC), and HouseNY.

The New York State Canal Corporation can provide assistance related to redevelopment of the Canal System and the communities located within its Corridor. The New York State Canal Corporation actively seeks individuals and businesses interested in playing a role in the economic revitalization of the NYS Canal System. The Canal Corporation created the Canal Revitalization Program to foster economic development in municipalities along the Canal, and provides information about a wide variety of State and federal grants and direct assistance programs for Canal development strategies.

The Adirondack Park Agency can provide assistance related to land use management within the boundary of the Park.

If you are located on the Hudson River, you may be able to seek funding from the Hudson River Valley Greenway. The Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council provides community planning grants and technical assistance through the "Greenway Communities Grant Program" and the "Greenway Compact Grant Program". These programs help eligible communities develop and achieve a vision for their future and assists in the development of the Greenway Compact, a regional planning strategy for the Hudson River Valley.

The National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program can provide new ways to help communities work together to improve their special places.

U.S. Department of Energy Smart Communities Network can provide key planning principles as well as resources for strategies, tools, and civic participation to help your community with sustainable land use planning.

The Metropolitan Capacity Building (MCB) Program is a collaborative effort of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO). MCB Program can provide information, training, and technical assistance related to local transportation systems.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can provide assistance on a range of economic development and community renewal programs.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Communities Program can provide assistance on sustainable community development.

U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment can provide assistance to communities adversely impacted by significant Defense program changes.