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Addressing the Needs of Local Government

The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) recognizes and applauds the efforts of the hundreds of local board members, officials and other citizens who have built the strong local planning programs we see in the Adirondacks today. This body of work and experience represents a testimony to the hard work of Adirondack citizens in building local planning programs which reflect long term economic development as well as conservation of the natural character of our communities.

The APA can help continue this great history and tradition of local planning through the following:

Assistance in starting a planning program - We can help put together a work schedule, citizen surveys and other elements to get you started. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part!

Agency Approval of Local Programs - There are important results and benefits of having an Agency-approved local program, including a shared regulatory scheme in which the community and the agency work from the same set of rules, with one zoning map, the town acts on the Class B regional projects instead of the Agency and typically, with only one permit required. There are eighteen communities with Agency-approved programs and more working on that option. APA staff will review with interested local officials and boards the process involved in establishing a 'two-tiered system' in your community.

Community Workshops - APA staff can conduct workshops on site review, visual assessments, project analysis and other subjects, in conjunction with the Dept of State and other partners.

Local Government Day - This has become a popular forum for communities to come together to share ideas and a vision for the future. Held in March, it is the result of collaboration by the Adirondack Park Agency, Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board, Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages, Dept. of State, Dept. of Environmental Conservation, and Empire State Development.

Local Planning Library - We have a resource base for what other communities have done, which may help you start your community's plan.

Mapping - We have the capacity to provide a base map, APA map and others for your planning program.

Regional Project "History" - We can provide a review of what development we have reviewed in your community, which may be useful in selection and development of land use planning tools.

Fast Facts

Links to information you may find helpful...

Citizen's Guide -- (pdf 370kb)
APA Act -- (pdf 294kb)
Rules and Regulations -- (pdf 590kb)
Maps & GIS at the APA
Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map and State Land Map

2010 Adirondack Park Local Government Day:

March 23 & 24, 2010

Join your colleagues for the 13th Annual Adirondack Park Local Government Day Conference! Conference Registration form and tentative agenda are now available. Please register early, Conference fees are $55.75 per person (plus tax) if registration is postmarked by March 10, 2010.

Updated information will be posted to this webpage as it becomes available.

Exhibitor Information & Registration

State Agency Exhibitor Information & Registration

Hamlets 3:

For more information on this project please see their website or view Roger Trancik's recent presentation to the Agency.

Community Spotlight:

The Community Spotlight feature beganat the March Agency meeting as a way to showcase the various municipalities in the Park. The program is an opportunity for the Agency members, as well as the public, to learn more about the many communities within the Adirondack Park.

Past Community Spotlights:

Please note that the webcasts are best viewed with a broadband connection.) 

October: Town of Arietta, Hamilton County, Supervisor Rick Wilt's presentation.

Please check to see who's next on Community Spotlight!

Adirondack Park Local Government Day Conference:

Thank you to the over 300 Representatives from Local Governments throughout the Adirondacks for attending the 2009 Conference. We look forward to seeing you all in March 2010!

Workshop on “Conservation Design”

In September of 2008, the Adirondack Park Agency welcomed Randall Arendt for a workshop on "Conservation Subdivisions". Mr. Arendt is a renowned landscape planner, site designer, author, lecturer and an advocate of “Conservation Planning”. The workshop focused on key elements of design and approval for subdivisions that incorporate “conservation principles” with a specific focus on Adirondack Park issues.

Land Use Planning Consultants

List of Land Use Planning Consultants Who Have Practiced In The Adirondacks
(pdf 57kb) revised February 2010

Annual Training for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals Members

NYS Department of State Article:
Annual Training for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals Members (pdf 39kb)

NYS Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Publication:
Promoting the Training of Municipal Planning and Zoning Officials Fact Sheet (pdf 487kb)

Sample Town/Village Resolution for Annual Training for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeal Members (MS Word 24kb)

Sample Form for Completion of Training: Planning Board and ZBA Members Certified Statement of Completion of Required Training (MS Word 29kb)

Local Government Review Board

Visit the Review Board's new website...

Land Classification Information for Municipalities

Select a County, Town or Village in the Park and view acreage statistics, maps and web links...

Grant Application and Reference Materials

The New York State Archives Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund grant application information...

Agency Contacts:

Contact the APA at 518-891-4050. Our receptionist will direct your call to the appropriate staff.

Where to Find Needed Information:

In addition to the Fast FACTS listed at the bottom of this page and our Documents section, the following links may be helpful to local governments.

NYS Quality Communities Clearinghouse - helping local government find solutions for economy and environment

Publications from the NYS Department of State Division of Local Government - many documents including the Local Government Handbook, Land Use Technical Series, Local Laws and Charters, General Local Government Information and more.

Local Government GIS Development Guides - from the NYS Archive