department of planning and zoning 2017 annual report of planning and zoning staff samuel gordon, ......

Department of Planning and Zoning 2017 Annual Report

MAIN LOGO - HORIZONTAL VERSION

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2017 Department of Planning and ZoningANNUAL REPORT

Submitted to:

Edward M. Michalenko, PhD., Supervisor

and

Town Board Members:

Joe Chiarenza, Jr.

Karen Docter

Jack Dooling

Kerry Mannion

Kerin Rigney

Sam Young

Department of Planning and Zoning Staff

Samuel Gordon, Director

James Conlon, Codes Enforcement Officer (PT)

Steve Davison, Deputy Codes Enforcement Officer

Casey Palmer, Deputy Codes Enforcement Officer

Christine Manchester, Naturalist & Sustainability Coordinator

Stephanie Guereschi, Environmental Planner

Therese Tallman, Administrative Aide

Sally Monti, Clerk (PT)

We thank the dedicated chairpersons and members of the following Boards and Commissions for all that they do to serve the residents and businesses of DeWitt

Peter Webber - Chair, Planning Board

Tom Carello - Chair, Zoning Board of Appeals

Dennis Payne - Chair, DeWitt Advisory Conservation Commission

Ann Stevens - Chair, Tree Committee

CONTENTS

01 INTRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY FIGURE 1 - DEPARTMENT REVENUES (2015-2017)

02 FIGURE 2 - 2017 SITE PLAN APPROVALS, SUBDIVISION APPROVALS, VARIANCES

03 PERMITTING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT FIGURE 3 - DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY WITHIN THE TOWN OF DEWITT 2013-2017

04 FIGURE 4 - CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES 2015-2017

05 MAP 1 - VACANT PROPERTIES (DECEMBER 2017)

06 PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY FIGURE 5 - DEPARTMENT GRANT AWARDS 2017

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12017 Annual Report

Introduction

This Annual Report of the Department of Planning and Zoning is presented to the Town Supervisor and Town Board and provides a summary of activities, revenues, and progress over the course of 2017 as well as background data for previous years (in some cases dating back to 2013).

The report is meant to paint a picture of the accomplishments of the Department over the course of the past year, as well as to provide an opportunity to share some of the future goals and planned activities for the Department as we move into 2018.

The Department experienced several changes over the course of the past two years; including changes in staff and purchase of new software. We have added one new position, Environmental Planner, staffed by Stephanie Guereschi to assist with planning and project implementation efforts. We have also hired two new Deputy Codes Enforcement Officers to assist with executing one of the Department’s core missions of protecting the health, safety, and quality of our Town’s neighborhoods and commercial areas through the enforcement of Town, State, and Federal codes, rules, and regulations; we continue to expand our duties to include staffing of additional Boards and Commissions of the Town, as well as embarking on new proactive planning initiatives.

Direct revenues for the Department climbed significantly in 2017 due to an update to the Department’s fee structure that was implemented early in 2017. The same is true for Subdivision and Zoning Board of Appeals fees (see Figure 1).

Board and Committee Activity

The Department is responsible for staffing various boards and committees including the Planning Board, Zoning Board and DeWitt Advisory Conservation Commission.

Staff works closely with the Planning Board to review project submissions and to provide detailed technical reports. The Town Planning Board reviewed 49 projects in 2017, and issued 40 approvals. This number was nearly identical to 2016. Development activity within the Town over the course of the past five years, has remained relatively constant (see Figure 3, page 3).

Figure 2, page 2 lists the projects that received site plan or subdivision approval from the Planning Board in 2017, as well as projects that were granted variances by the Zoning Board of Appeals. In total over $230 million has been invested in the Town since 2013 (these figures are based on the reported construction costs at the time that a permit application is received and are likely 20 to 30 percent below actual costs).

Development fees collected by the Department through the permitting process show a significant increase in 2017, but this is primarily due to an increase in the permitting fees for the Town. The number of permits issued by the

Figure 1–Department Revenues (2015-2017)

Year 2015 2016 2017

Direct

Building Permits $192,047 $178,164 $365,970

Planning Board $18,962 $15,011 $19,326

Miscellaneous Fees $10,343 $10,628 $3,998

subtotal: $221,352 $203,803 $389,294

Indirect

Subdivision $4,120 $3,690 $6,770

Zoning Board of Appeals $8,050 $7,250 $16,900

Grants* $295,000 $486,500

subtotal: $307,170 $10,940 $510,170

Total: $528,522 $214,743 $899,464

*see page 6 for more detail on grant awards

2 Town of DeWitt Planning and Zoning

Planning Board Approved ProjectsApplicant Name Project Type

LeMoyne: Falcone Library Renovation Building Alteration

Tarbell Road Warehouse Ammendment Building Alteration

Ulta Beauty (Marshalls Plaza) Building Alteration

5000 Brittonfield Facade Renovation Building/Site Alter.

Allen Tool Phoenix Building/Site Alter.

Brixmor Properties (Erie Canal Center) Building/Site Alter.

Cardinal Health Building/Site Alter.

Charter Communications Data Center Building/Site Alter.

Collamer Stop and Shop Building/Site Alter.

Dairy Farmers of America Building/Site Alter.

Empower Federal Credit Union (Kinne Street) Building/Site Alter.

GAT Group LLC (Butternut Drive) Building/Site Alter.

JPW Structural Paint Booth Exp. Building/Site Alter.

Keller Williams Realty Building/Site Alter.

Manlius Pebble Hill Gymnasium Building/Site Alter.

Onondaga Country Club Building/Site Alter.

Pepsi Warehouse Renovation Building/Site Alter.

PGA CNY Office Building/Site Alter.

Premier Hardwood Building/Site Alter.

Raymond Corporation Building/Site Alter.

Stone’s Stakehouse Building/Site Alter.

Trader Joe's Building/Site Alter.

UHaul International Building/Site Alter.

5000 Brittonfield Storage Bldg. New Construction

Clifford Fuel Kirville Road New Construction

Dig Safely NY New Construction

Dunkin’ Donuts (Thompson Road) New Construction

Feldmeier Equipment New Construction

Five Star Urgent Care New Construction

"Marshalls Plaza Outparcel New Construction

National Grid Collamer Substation New Construction

Two + Four Construction Offices New Construction

6743 Myers Road Site Alterations

Bank of NY Mellon (Sanders Creek) Site Alterations

Crisafulli Enterprise LLC Site Alterations

Excellus Generator Site Alterations

Glamour Nails and Spa Site Alterations

LeMoyne College Baseball Field Site Alterations

Romp and Play Doggie Daycare Site Alterations

Widewaters Signage Site Alterations

Planning Board Subdivision Approvals

Magnum Properties LLC Commercial

6980 Kinne Street Commercial/Residential

Bank of NY Mellon Commercial

Krol (Raymond Corp.) Commercial

Bailey (Bamerick Rd.) Residential

Ridley Electric Commercial

Feldmeier Equipment (Brooklawn) Commercial

Pepsi Deer Road Commercial

5000-02 Brittonfield Pkwy Commercial

Winterton Subdivision Sect. H. Residential

Zampetopoulos Commercial

Roder Residential

Benderson (Marshalls Plaza) Commercial

Zoning Board of Appeals Variances Granted

Name Variance Type Decision

Midler Court Realty, Inc. Area (Comm.) Y

Apex Signs (Five Star Urgent Care) Area (Comm.) Y

Benderson Development Compancy, LLC. Area (Comm.) Y

Brixmor Property Group (Michael's) Area (Comm.) Y

Clifford Fuel Company Area (Comm.) Y

Dig Safely New York, Inc. Area (Comm.) Y

East Syracuse Lodging, LLC Area (Comm.) Y

EmPower Federal Credit Union Area (Comm.) Y

Feldmeier Equipment Area (Comm.) Y

Five Star Urgent Care (RNS Real Properties, LLC.) Area (Comm.) Y

JPW Structural Realty, LLC Area (Comm.) Y

NuSound Music & Ritchie Sposato Area (Comm.) D

Penske Truck Leasing Co. Area (Comm.) Y

The Raymond Corporation Area (Comm.) Y

Two Plus Four Construction Area (Comm.) Y

Amy L. and Garth R. Cadiz Area (Res.) Y

Bruce & Shirley Shafiroff Area (Res.) Y

Christopher & Valerie Zimmerman Area (Res.) Y

Darren Allen Area (Res.) Y

David VanMarter & Erin C. Davis Area (Res.) Y

Edward & Mary Ellen Michalenko Area (Res.) Y

Ferid Harbas Area (Res.) Y

Figure 2–2017 Site Plan Approvals, Subdivision Approvals, Variances

32017 Annual Report

8. In March 2017, the DACC commissioned SUNY ESF graduate student Daniel Tinkelpaugh to commence work on the plan. Several collaborative draft review sessions were held during regular DACC meetings, working toward a completion goal of spring 2018. In addition to completing the plan, this year’s commission goals include the establishment of Critical Environmental Areas and the development of a Sensitive Lands Protection Code.

The new Environmental Planner position resulted in a staffing change of Ms. Guereschi being appointed liaison to the DACC in May.

Department has remained relatively stable over the past 5 years.

The Zoning Board of Appeals made 37 area variance decisions in 2017, with 62 area variances granted; 4 specific use permit decisions; 1 interpretation; and 1 area variance was dismissed. 32 total decisions were made by the ZBA in 2016; both years represent a significant increase in activity at the ZBA.

The DeWitt Advisory Conservation Commission focused on its mission to complete the Open Space Inventory as outlined in Code Chapter

Figure 3–Development Activity within the Town of DeWitt 2013-2017

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Total

Site Plan Review Projects 42 58 59 47 49 213

SPR Application Fees $16,004 $27,345 $18,963 $15,011 $19,326 $101,168

Development Permits 500 450 424 382 487 1743

Certificates of Occupancy 242 189 152 161 190 692

Development fees** $191,899.95 $265,216.45 $202,320.25 $178,164 $367,090 $980,049

Total Investment*** $52,169,626.23 $71,368,525.44 $69,556,153.13 $32,904,829.67 $56,822,238 $230,651,746

**Permit fees for all construction projects within the town

***Self reported projections are likely 20 to 30% below actual

George Joseph & Karen Gross Area (Res.) Y

Janelle Fields Area (Res.) Y

Jean & Warren Marini Area (Res.) Y

Jose Simon-Perez & Amy Shook Perez Area (Res.) Y

Joseph & Anne Marie Abt Area (Res.) Y

Joseph B. Carpenter & Richard J. Odum Area (Res.) Y

Lawrence Migon Area (Res.) Y

Leigh & Scott Skeele Area (Res.) Y

Lutvija Hasukic Area (Res.) Y

Mark Eisenbies & Penelope Pooler-Eisenbies Area (Res.) Y

Michael & Donna Konseck Area (Res.) Y

Michael J. Bridges Area (Res.) Y

Mirsad Ramic Area (Res.) Y

Molly Robinson & Travis Morgia Area (Res.) Y

Mycale Kimball Area (Res.) Y

Robert & Kay Keough Area (Res.) Y

Timothy Ball Area (Res.) Y

David Barclay Interpretation N/A

Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems (d/b/a Verizon Wireless) SUP Y

EmPower Federal Credit Union SUP Y

Midler Court Realty, Inc. SUP Y


Figure 4–Code Enforcement Activities 2015-2017

Year

2015

2016

2017

Complaints 1323 Complaints 2090 Complaints 1358

Code Violations, General 338 Code Violations, General 495 Code Violations, General 364

Inspections 1102 Inspections 1963 Inspections 1247

Development

PermitsEst. Valuation Fee

% of

Total FeeEst. Valuation Fee

% of


% of

Total Fee

Accessory Structure 38 $238,525 $3,842 2% 32 $92,667 $2,395 1% 42 $396,305 $5,493 2%

Comm/Industrial/Alteration 62 $13,573,952 $85,747 45% 57 $18,375,556 $98,302 55% 69 $31,355,574 $228,130 62%

Deck 27 $107,538 $2,310 1% 30 $122,161 $2,756 2% 36 $269,614 $4,785 1%

Demolition 9 $172,000 $1,572 1% 11 $535,674 $3,874 2% 13 $191,712 $2,395 1%

Energy Conversion System 26 $650,227 $2,556 1% 8 $207,899 $480 0% 17 $3,007,215 $1,383 0%

Fence 86 $403,627 $7,494 4% 86 $322,007 $7,073 4% 84 $380,826 $8,964 2%

Fire Protection 7 $88,830 $953 0% 3 $19,890 $299 0% 5 $27,514 $487 0%

Generators 3 $35,695 $393 0% 6 $162,885 $1,331 1% 4 $1,124,938 $7,025 2%

Grading/Filling 4 $400,500 $2,643 1% 2 $25,000 $270 0% 3 $66,000 $738 0%

Handicap Ramp 1 $800 $65 0% 0 $0 $0 0% 1 $4,000 $107 0%

Heat Producing Device 7 $58,400 $770 0% 5 $20,165 $432 0% 41 $328,118 $5,084 1%

New Comm/Industrial 4 $44,800,000 $39,878 21% 9 $15,286,813 $23,538 13% 6 $14,214,584 $41,998 11%

New Residential Dwelling 14 $4,339,500 $11,095 6% 18 $5,499,719 $13,051 7% 10 $2,238,360 $6,080 2%

Oper-Pyrotechnic Display 9 0 $540 0% 4 $0 $240 0% 4 $0 $250 0%

Other 4 $145,680 $706 0% 14 $125,600 $1,654 1% 25 $518,080 $5,436 1%

Pool/Hot Tub 25 $567,549 $4,512 2% 22 $402,931 $3,740 2% 26 $427,427 $5,077 1%

Residential Add., Repair, Conv. 42 $1,281,054 $6,947 4% 54 $1,130,196 $8,348 5% 48 $1,847,449 $13,030 4%

Sign 38 $249,221 $3,675 2% 50 $211,616 $4,316 2% 30 $181,474 $3,454 1%

Site Improvements 7 $1,428,880 $9,518 5% 8 $433,350 $3,080 2% 12 $2,948,724 $23,999 7%

Tank 3 $274,000 $1,818 1% 2 $6,200 $157 0% 0 $0 $0 0%

Telecommunications Equip 1 $10,000.00 $120 0% 0 $0 $0 0% 10 $129,000 $1,749 0%

Telecommunications Tower 7 $722,700 $4,966 3% 2 $510,000 $1,980 1% 1 $40,700 $306 0%

Totals: 424 $69,548,678 $192,119 100% 423 $43,490,328 $177,317 100% 487 $59,697,614 $365,970 100%

52017 Annual Report

Figure 4–Code Enforcement Activities 2015-2017

Year

2015

2016

2017

Complaints 1323 Complaints 2090 Complaints 1358

Code Violations, General 338 Code Violations, General 495 Code Violations, General 364

Inspections 1102 Inspections 1963 Inspections 1247

Development

PermitsEst. Valuation Fee

% of


% of


% of

Total Fee

Accessory Structure 38 $238,525 $3,842 2% 32 $92,667 $2,395 1% 42 $396,305 $5,493 2%

Comm/Industrial/Alteration 62 $13,573,952 $85,747 45% 57 $18,375,556 $98,302 55% 69 $31,355,574 $228,130 62%

Deck 27 $107,538 $2,310 1% 30 $122,161 $2,756 2% 36 $269,614 $4,785 1%

Demolition 9 $172,000 $1,572 1% 11 $535,674 $3,874 2% 13 $191,712 $2,395 1%

Energy Conversion System 26 $650,227 $2,556 1% 8 $207,899 $480 0% 17 $3,007,215 $1,383 0%

Fence 86 $403,627 $7,494 4% 86 $322,007 $7,073 4% 84 $380,826 $8,964 2%

Fire Protection 7 $88,830 $953 0% 3 $19,890 $299 0% 5 $27,514 $487 0%

Generators 3 $35,695 $393 0% 6 $162,885 $1,331 1% 4 $1,124,938 $7,025 2%

Grading/Filling 4 $400,500 $2,643 1% 2 $25,000 $270 0% 3 $66,000 $738 0%

Handicap Ramp 1 $800 $65 0% 0 $0 $0 0% 1 $4,000 $107 0%

Heat Producing Device 7 $58,400 $770 0% 5 $20,165 $432 0% 41 $328,118 $5,084 1%

New Comm/Industrial 4 $44,800,000 $39,878 21% 9 $15,286,813 $23,538 13% 6 $14,214,584 $41,998 11%

New Residential Dwelling 14 $4,339,500 $11,095 6% 18 $5,499,719 $13,051 7% 10 $2,238,360 $6,080 2%

Oper-Pyrotechnic Display 9 0 $540 0% 4 $0 $240 0% 4 $0 $250 0%

Other 4 $145,680 $706 0% 14 $125,600 $1,654 1% 25 $518,080 $5,436 1%

Pool/Hot Tub 25 $567,549 $4,512 2% 22 $402,931 $3,740 2% 26 $427,427 $5,077 1%

Residential Add., Repair, Conv. 42 $1,281,054 $6,947 4% 54 $1,130,196 $8,348 5% 48 $1,847,449 $13,030 4%

Sign 38 $249,221 $3,675 2% 50 $211,616 $4,316 2% 30 $181,474 $3,454 1%

Site Improvements 7 $1,428,880 $9,518 5% 8 $433,350 $3,080 2% 12 $2,948,724 $23,999 7%

Tank 3 $274,000 $1,818 1% 2 $6,200 $157 0% 0 $0 $0 0%

Telecommunications Equip 1 $10,000.00 $120 0% 0 $0 $0 0% 10 $129,000 $1,749 0%

Telecommunications Tower 7 $722,700 $4,966 3% 2 $510,000 $1,980 1% 1 $40,700 $306 0%

Totals: 424 $69,548,678 $192,119 100% 423 $43,490,328 $177,317 100% 487 $59,697,614 $365,970 100%

Permitting and Code Enforcement

The Department operated for the better part of 2017 with two full-time and one part-time Codes Enforcement Officers: James Conlon (PT), Casey Palmer (FT), and Steve Davison (FT). Mr. Conlon has been providing training to the new staff members. Mr. Davison has been working on his NYS Certification for Codes Enforcement Officers.

Figure 4, page 4 depicts the permitting activities of the Department since 2015. Commercial renovation and new construction projects accounted for nearly 70 percent of permitting fees on average over the past three years. The number of new residential projects has remained relatively stable for the past three years, the amount of available space for single-family residential new construction projects is declining. While there are a few new residential subdivisions that either have been or are currently seeking approval (i.e. Hummel Estates and Worthington Gate), it is likely that these projects will decline significantly over the next several years. At the same time, well over $1 million annually in residential additions/renovation projects indicates that the residential real-estate market in the Town of DeWitt continues to be strong.

The Department continues to monitor vacant or derelict residential properties (see Map 1, page 5) and to work with the Town Board on the efforts to assist with the disposition of those properties.

Staff are active in the Central Chapter of NYSBOC (New York State Building Officials Conference) where James Conlon is a past President and acting Historian. The Chapter

Map 1–Vacant Properties (January 2018)

meets on a quarterly basis, and offers an annual training conference that benefits code officials throughout the state. Code officials are required by NYS Department of State to be members of NYSBOC, through which they receive their annual required 24 hrs of in-service training to satisfy the New York State Department of Building Standards and Codes. Twelve hours are presented and taught by the NYS Department of Building Standards and Codes. Additionally, we received three hours in Code Enforcement & Administration, three hours in Uniform Fire Prevention & Administration and three hours in Energy Conservation Construction.

The Codes Enforcement Officers within the Department of Planning and Zoning are required to enforce the 2015 International Codes Council’s Building Codes as per New York State Law. The code includes the New York State Building, Residential, Fire, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy Conservation and Property Maintenance Codes. Along with these codes, the Codes Officers are also responsible for administering standards for the National Fire Protection Association, American with Disabilities Act and the American National Standards Institute.

Along with the above codes, New York State has issued supplements in March 2016 and July 2017; meaning New York State has changed current 2015 code sections that are only applicable and unique in New York State. These code supplements affect local and state wide plan review process and code compliance measures.

We have always exceeded the twenty-four hour minimum to stay up to date on the current codes, construction methods and products.


We also enforce the Town of DeWitt Town and Zoning Codes, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Laws on Floodplain Regulations and the New York State Laws on Wetland Regulations.

Looking ahead to 2018

Since 2008 the Department has utilized BAS (Business Automation Services, Inc.) Code Enforcement and Compliance Tracking System to assist with the day to day management of Code Enforcement and Permitting activities. In the Fall of 2017 we entered into an agreement with Municity Software to purchase its Municity 5 software platform. This platform is cloud based, incorporates a GIS mapping system, and provides us with the potential to accept online applications and collect credit card payments. This new system will be up and running before the end of the first quarter of 2018; staff has already begun to be trained in the use of the new platform.

Codes Enforcement staff will continue to receive training in 2018, with the goal that Steve Davidson receives his Codes Enforcement Officer Certification through the State of New York.

The Department submitted a grant request to NYSERDA in August of 2017 through the Clean Energy Communities Program for the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations and two new electric vehicles to be utilized primarily for departmental codes enforcement activities.

Lastly, the Department is working on several Town Code Updates including updates to the Town Telecommunications Code and the Energy Conversion Systems Code.

Planning and Sustainability

The Department is responsible for coordinating Planning and Sustainability Initiatives, and has been proactively seeking grant opportunities to assist with the above mentioned activities; as well as managing the grants the mselves. Figure 5–Department Grant Awards 2017 depicts the grant activities of the Department during 2017. In total, the Department was successful in obtaining nearly $500,000 in grant assistance, with a net of just over $150,000. In addition, Department staff are managing 34 grants supporting multiple projects totaling $3.3 million.

Over the course of the past two years the Department has continued to focus on proactive planning and sustainability initiatives:

+ Comprehensive Plan Update 2017 Department staff worked with the Comprehensive Planning Committee to develop an updates for the Town’s Comprehensive Plan which had been adopted in 2002. The Comprehensive Plan Update was adopted in April of 2017 by the Town Board and included a revised implementation plan and updated land-use plan for the Town.

+ Urban Village Overlay Districts Department staff has been working with a subcommittee of the Town Planning Board to develop a proposed new zoning overlay district that would enable mixed-use development within designated zones in the Town. The Planning Board referred

Figure 5–Department Grant Awards 2017

Match Total ProjectAmountName Amount Cash In-kind

NYSCA- Elevating Erie Towpath Road Corridor Design

$75,000 $0 $42,500 $117,500

NYS Department of State LWRP - Towpath Road Corridor Design

$229,000 $78,949 $150,051 $458,000

NYSDEC-Tree Maintenance Grant $24,350 $5,250 $1,000 $30,600

NYSDEC-WQIP Round 14 (Host) $86,250 $28,750 $0 $115,000

Onondaga County CDBG-Klim Center Rehabilitation

$35,600 $8,900 $0 $44,500

OCSWCD-Butternut Creek Stream Mitigation $21,300 $0 $14,200 $35,500

OCSWCD-Widewaters $15,000 $0 $0 $15,000

Total $486,500 $121,849 $207,751 $816,100

72017 Annual Report

proposed legislation to the Town Board at the July 13, 2017 meeting.

+ Jamesville Hamlet Master Plan The Town received a planning technical assistance grant from the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board to work with the Hamlet of Jamesville to develop a Hamlet master plan. A committee of 7 members with 3 alternates was formed in May of 2015 and met regularly through 2017. Several community meetings were held and a final DRAFT plan was provided to the Town in October of 2017. The Department will be working with the residents of the Hamlet of Jamesville to present a final Plan to Town Board in 2018.

+ Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) The Department was awarded a $124,000 grant from NYS Department of State through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program in 2015. The Department hired Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, & Environmental Services, D.P.C. (EDR) as a consultant to assist with the development of a local waterfront revitalization plan focused on the Butternut Creek corridor and the Old Erie Canal historical alignment through the Town. This is a multi-year effort and will be completed in 2018. The final step will be the acceptance of the Final plan by the New York State Department of State; as well as the passage of a local resolution by the Town Board to implement the plan.

- Erie Boulevard/Erie Canalway Trail Feasibility Analysis Through funding from the LWRP, the Town worked with ALTA Planning + Design to conduct a feasibility analysis for the

incorporation of the Erie Canalway Trail along the historical canal corridor through the Town including Erie Boulevard East and Towpath Road. The study found that it was feasible to safely locate a separated trail in the median of the Boulevard without significant impacts to vehicular traffic. The study also provides recommendations for improvements to Towpath Road and Butternut Drive.

- Exploring Ideas Infographic In October of 2015 the Department launched the Elevating Erie Ideas Competition in cooperation with the City of Syracuse. Working with Joe Sisko, a partner with the firm LOCUS, the competition sought design ideas for the historical Erie Canal Corridor between DeWitt and

Syracuse. The competition was advertised internationally, 65 proposals were received from 16 different countries. Competition awards were announced in February of 2016, and an exhibition was presented at the Erie Canal Museum in Downtown Syracuse from May to August of 2016. In conjunction with the Exhibition, an online survey was administered working with Metroquest that gave the opportunity for the public to comment and give feedback on the ideas that were received through the competition. Over 1,200 surveys were completed, approximately 1/4 of the surveys were completed by residents of the Town of DeWitt, another quarter from the City of Syracuse, a quarter from Onondaga County, and the remainder

rendering of potential for erie boulevard east from elevating erie concept plan

existing


from other parts of New York State and beyond. The results from the survey were released in the summer of 2017 in an infographic that was printed on a large banner and is currently on display at DeWitt Town Hall.

- Coming 2018 - Erie Commons/Towpath Road Corridor Master Plan Beginning in 2018 the Department will be working with a team of consultants to develop a master plan for the redevelopment of the widewaters pond area along Towpath Road into a public park celebrating the historical importance of that body of water as a remnant of the historical Erie Canal.

+ Spanning the Gap - New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) The Department was successful through the 2016 round of the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) in receiving $75,000 in funding through NYSCA towards the development of sculptural markers that would identify and mark the beginnings of the gap in the Erie Canalway Trail in CNY. Staff has been working with City Lore, Inc. a New York City-based non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of cultural narratives in NYC and beyond. The project team is working with a team of public artist to develop design concepts for the markers that will be unveiled in February of 2018.

In addition the Department has participated in regionally focused planning projects with outside partners. The following are a sample of these projects from 2017:

elevating erie exploring ideas infographic

92017 Annual Report

+ Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council Planning Studies The Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) conducts transportation related studies as part of its annual Unified Work Program (UWP). The Director has participated on several study committees representing the Town, and has initiated additional studies through specific work program requests. Study participation includes:

- Central DeWitt Mobility Study

The Town of DeWitt requested a planning-level study through the UWP to identify opportunities to add or improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities (within the existing pavement width and/or right-of-way) along town-identified routes linking residential neighborhoods and the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park.

The study was a continuation of the work through Moving DeWitt in 2015/2016. The final work product from the Central DeWitt Mobility Study was published in July of 2017 and will be used to inform decisions about Town investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the Central area of the Town.

- Carrier Park Mobility Plan

The Town of DeWitt requested through the UWP that the SMTC study options for improving bicycle and pedestrian access in the Carrier Circle area of Northern DeWitt. The Carrier Park Mobility Plan will include recommendations for sidewalks, walking trails, bike lanes, and intersection improvements in this industrial and commercial area. Access between the new

Carrier Park Field of Dreams and the area’s large concentration of hotel rooms is one of the focal points of this study. The final report will be released in the first quarter of 2018.

- Erie Boulevard East Pedestrian Study Advisory Committee

The Director was invited to participate on the Study Advisory Committee (SAC) as a representative of the Town in conjunction with the City of Syracuse and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) who jointly requested that the SMTC conduct a study to analyze and prioritize pedestrian needs along the

Erie Boulevard East corridor, specifically concerned with pedestrian crossings from Beech Street to East Genesee Street. Study recommendations fall into six categories:

- implement pedestrian improvements at signalized intersections, prioritized by need;

- implement recommendations from the Empire State Trail (focused on the area between Beech and Bridge Streets on Erie Boulevard East);

- implement future recommendations from the NYSDOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (primarily focused on the area between Bridge and East Genesee Streets);

map of planned empire state trail route

Adirondack Park

Catskill Park

ROME

BUFFALO

ROCHESTER

UTICA

ALBANY

SYRACUSE AMSTERDAM

LAKE GEORGE

ROUSES POINT

PLATTSBURGH

POUGHKEEPSIE

NEW YORK CITY

SARATOGASPRINGS

KINGSTON

GLENS FALLS

BREWSTER

HUDSON

DE WITTCAMILLUSLITTLE FALLS

PORT BYRON

CLYDEPENDLETON

HUDSON RIVER VALLEY

CHAMPLAIN CANALWAY

ERIE CANALWAY

LEGEND

Empire State Trail On-Road Route

Empire State Trail O�-Road Route

0 10 20 30 405Miles

N


- implement recommendations from the SMTC’s Central DeWitt Mobility Plan (focused on the small portion of East Genesee Street included in the Erie Boulevard East Pedestrian Study);

- continue to seek opportunities for access management along Erie Boulevard East; and consider pedestrian needs in the municipal site planreview process.

+ Empire State Trail In January of 2017 the Governor announced the Empire State Trail initiative to complete the Erie Canalway Trail system between

Albany and Buffalo, and to connect that system to the Hudson River Greenway and the Champlain Valley Trail connecting New York City to Montreal. $200 Million was committed for the creation of the 750+ mile system by 2020. To complete the Empire Trail by 2020, approximately 350 miles of new/improved trails will be built. The Empire State Trail will be 70% off road for the full 750 miles, however, there will be segments along the way that will require on road connections. Improvements will be made to existing trails, new trails, bridges, culverts, and various other engineering feats. Department staff have been working with the NYS DOT Region 3 on the designs for the segment of the Trail that will be located in DeWitt (primarily on Erie Boulevard East and Towpath Road).

The following sustainability initiatives, projects, and events were developed and implemented during 2017:

+ Thompson Road Sidewalk In partnership with the City of Syracuse a new sidewalk has been installed along the western edge of Thompson Road connecting Springfield Road and Headson Drive. Prior to the installation of the sidewalk, students and area residents walked along the edge of the road to access bus stops and patronize businesses on Erie Boulevard. The volume of cars, buses, and delivery trucks made it particularly challenging and unsafe for these individuals. Funding and support from Onondaga County, Assemblywoman Hunter, and LeMoyne College made this project possible. LeMoyne has also taken on the responsibility of maintaining the sidewalks in the winter on behalf of the Town.

central dewitt mobility plan feasibility options

thompson road sidewalk ribbon cutting

iii

BUTT

ERN

UT C

REEK

EAST GENESEE ST

92

STEIN WAY DR

TECUMSEH RD (County) [4,678]

QUINTARD RD (County) [1,057]

JAM

ESVI

LLE

RD (C

ount

y) [4

,871

]

E GENESEE ST (State)

ORV

ILTON D

R

ROSSITER

RD

TULIPWOOD LN

RANDALL RD

THOMPSON RD

MA

PLE

DR

[3,4

58]

ORRICK RD

KINNE RD [5,194]

LYN

DO

N R

D [3

,300

]

PEC

K H

ILL

RD [9

25]

WA

RIN

G R

D

ERIE BLVD EAST

NOTTINGHAM RD

TOWPATH RD

ERIE BLVD EAST

SAYBROOK LN

Butte

rnut

Cre

ek Tr

ail

Erie Canalway Trail

DeWitt Trail

Town of M

anlius

Town of D

eWitt

A CA C

A B DB C E

B D E

E F G

E F GB

E F G

B E

E F

E F

B D

EC

C

C

C

A

A

B

E

This map is for presentation purposes only. The SMTC does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this map.

Parks/green space

Schools

Water bodies

Trails

Annual Average Daily Traffic

Existing sidewalk

Study area roadways

0.25 Miles0

Node

City of Syracuse

[#,###]

Roadway Facility Enhancement OptionsCentral DeWitt Mobility Plan

[5,480]

[13,288]

[44,874]

[52,247]

112017 Annual Report

+ Urban Forest Management Plan Implementation The Town received funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to conduct a complete street tree inventory and use the gathered data to write an urban forest management plan. The inventory records information such as tree species, size, and condition while the management plan lays the foundation for future planning efforts. The ultimate goal is to increase urban tree canopy cover as a means to enhance the environmental and economic benefits provided by urban trees to citizens of DeWitt. The plan also clearly identifies management responsibilities within the Town that in the past have been shared among several Departments. Five management goals were identified along with specific steps and timelines to complete them.

- Town Tree Planting With the help of staff and volunteers, 420 trees were planted in 2016 and 250 trees in 2017 for a total of 1215 since 2013. To date, over 1300 trees have been planted in public right of ways since 2008. The Town

provides free street trees for residential properties as a way to promote green infrastructure, help mitigate flooding, increase air quality, and provide future shade.

- Tree Maintenance and Removals Through a Request for Proposals, the Town entered into contract with Michael Grimm Services for tree removal and pruning services on Town right of ways and parks. Trees can remain in the landscape significantly longer when routinely pruned. Pruning improves form, clearance requirements (for buses and large vehicles), and breakage during storms.

In June we directed Grimm to begin efforts on mature trees along roads in DeWittshire. Some trees had been years since their last pruning and some had never been pruned. Results were better than expected, yielding overall satisfaction from the residents. We plan to continue proactively pruning trees through residential neighborhoods and eventually get the Town on a rotational schedule.

Volunteers and staff began working on smaller trees throughout the Town; removing ties and stakes, adding mulch if needed, and lightly pruning.

In addition to pruning, the Department is coordinating with our contractor as well as the Highway Superintendent and the Parks Superintendent to remove trees from public spaces that have significant decay and/or defects. Roughly 50 trees were removed this year.

- Ryder Park Tree Planting In May of 2017, the Town of DeWitt, Onondaga Earth Corps (OEC), and community members planted a total of 26 trees in Ryder Park to replace ash trees that have succumbed to the invasive emerald ash borer insect. OEC demonstrated proper planting techniques to ensure maximum survivability. Following OEC’s demonstration, volunteers continued planting for a total installation of 26 trees. This project was made possible through funding by the US Forest Service’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and assistance from Onondaga County Soil and Water District. An additional 200 trees were planted in Ryder Park on October 14, 2017 with support through Atlantic States Legal Foundation.

- Arbor Day Celebration May 2017 JD Middle School students participate annually in an Arbor Day celebration with the Town of DeWitt. Tree Committee Chair Ann Stevens has spearheaded this initiative for the past several years. This year the celebration occurred on May 19th. Together, the Town and students planted another tree on the school property.

- DeWitt Fire Station Spring 2017 The DeWitt Tree Committee and Town Naturalist adopted the trees at the DeWitt Fire Station. The agreement to assume responsibility of the trees from a private contractor was arranged after Tree Committee members observed poor maintenance practices compromising the health of the trees. Volunteers met on

national grid presents tree reimbursement check


the premises to correct improper mulch application and provide general TLC to promote maximum health and longevity.

- National Grid Reimbursement November 2017 National Grid presented a check for $1,550 to the Town of DeWitt as part of the company’s 10,000 Trees program. The program reimburses municipalities that plant small-to-medium growth trees under utility wires, which prevents utility line conflicts with trees and enhances a municipality’s aesthetic.

Since 2008, National Grid has granted $13,550 to DeWitt under the 10,000 Trees program. The most recent check was presented at the November 13th Town Board Meeting.

+ Butternut Creek Trail The final improvements to the Butternut Creek Recreation and Nature Trail—connecting Wegmans on Genesee Street to Kinne Road—are underway and are expected to be completed by summer 2018. Thanks to grants from the New York State Historic Parks and Preservation and and the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District, along with support from the New York State Department of Transportation, the Town will ultimately have access to Butternut Creek. A new fence has been installed on the highway side of the creek; the old fence will be removed soon. Additionally, a handicapped accessible fishing dock and trail will be installed.

+ Earth Day 2017: Clean-Up to Green-Up DeWitt has been actively organizing spring clean-up efforts for 36 years. Currently, this initiative is orchestrated in partnership

with Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA). This spring hundreds of volunteers hit the streets to clean up litter and debris from roadsides throughout Onondaga County. In DeWitt a staggering 5.4 tons of trash were collected off roadways and an additional 87 tires were collected. Televisions are increasingly more difficult to dispose of properly. In response to this challenge, the Town provided an affordable and convenient opportunity for residents to drop off electronic waste. The response was overwhelming, filling several containers in a matter of hours.

+ Community Bike Tours with Elevating Erie, Spanning the Gap, Tuesdays on the Towpath and Tour the Towpath In partnership with New York State Council of the Arts and City Lore, the Town of DeWitt began vibrant discussions with community stakeholders about the potential for connecting the Erie Canalway Trail’s infamous “gap” spanning Central New York from DeWitt to Camillus. The Town of DeWitt collaborated with the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum to host two Tuesdays on the Towpath bike rides this past summer. Tuesdays on the Towpath bike ride series are guided recreation rides.

- Ride 1: Elevating Erie: Spanning the Gap June 2017 The ride was all on-road focusing on the challenges faced by cyclists commuting between DeWitt and Camillus. The ride was roughly 15 miles travelling through Syracuse’s historic downtown and ended at Krabby Kirks BBQ in Camillus. Complimentary return shuttle service was provided by Erie Canal Bike Shuttle.

- Ride 2: Tuesday on the Towpath July 2017 The Town hosted a second Tuesday on the Towpath Ride in July that showcased the Butternut Creek Trail, Towpath Road, future plans for Widewaters pond, the Orville feeder canal, as well as a trip to the new trailhead at North Burdick Street in the Town of Manlius.

- 3rd Annual Tour the Towpath September 2017 Again the Town partnered with several other agencies and municipalities along the old Erie. This two-day recreational, supported, family-friendly bike ride along the world famous Erie Canal began in Rome and ended in DeWitt with an option to bike to the Inner Harbor in Syracuse (additional 10 miles). Riders received a map and guide to the many attractions, museums, restaurants, shops, and historic sites to explore in the communities. All participants ended at the World Canal Conference Kick-off Celebration at the Inner Harbor in Syracuse. Town staff provided backup support for the ride, as well as leading a portion of the ride

tour the towpath participants arrive in dewitt

132017 Annual Report

updates; three Facebook pages: Town of DeWitt Nature Programs (162 likes) and DeWitt Green Initiatives (184 likes), and Elevating Erie (349 likes); two Twitter accounts: @MovingDeWitt with 142 followers and @ElevatingErie with 90 followers; and two Instagram accounts: @MovingDeWitt (96 followers) and @ElevatingErie (132 followers).

between DeWitt and the Syracuse Inner Harbor.

+ Save the Rain This project provided the Town the ability to plant over 678 trees and distribute over 126 rain barrels throughout two small DeWitt communities plagued with seasonal flooding. Onondaga County and former County Legislator Danny Liedka provided support and facilitated the Save the Rain grants.

+ Central DeWitt Trails Map This spring we had assistance from intern Kaitlin Campbell, a fifth year undergraduate student in Landscape Architecture from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Kaitlin developed a new trails map that depicts existing and proposed trails in central DeWitt that will connect residential neighborhoods to the Erie Canal corridor within the Town. The new maps will be available soon.

+ Deer Management Various staff members noticed that deer complaints began to increase in 2014. As a result the complaints were mapped and tracked finding that many of the concerns came from communities in relatively close proximity to St. Mary’s Cemetery and other connected greenspaces. In 2016, the Town organized a Deer Task Force. Invitations were extended to residents that had expressed concern in the past regarding the issue. Several accepted and many declined but a broad array of stakeholders were assembled including animal rights advocates, hunters, farmers, parents of young children, gardeners, etc. Over a period of about 10 months, experts

presented to the group on deer population size; impacts to the environment and people; management options; benefits and costs; experiences; and challenges and opportunities. This group was disbanded in late 2016 after reaching a stalemate. Early in 2017 some of the community members from the Deer Task Force aligned and began a grassroots campaign. They sought guidance from Cornell Cooperative Extension and began going door-to-door garnering neighborhood support for their initiative. They collected over 500 residential signatures in support of a neighborhood cull, drafted a management plan, and began conversations with private land owners to host a cull. The presented all their information to the Town Board at a public meeting in October 2017. By the end of 2017, the Town signed an agreement with USDA Wildlife Services to conduct a cull, secured several sites, and obtained necessary permits from the NYS Department of Conservation. It is anticipated that New York State will reimburse the Town for expenses associated with the professional cull through a grant from Assemblywoman Hunter.

Communications

The Department maintains multiple channels of communication, in addition to providing content for the quarterly Town Brochure, including a bi-monthly e-newsletter that updates Town residents and stakeholders on Planning and Sustainability activities. The Department maintains a website for the Elevating Erie project, which features an active blog, media archive and weekly newsletter


trail continues to Rome, NY & points east

Wegmans Plaza

Shoppingtown Mall

Marshall’s Plaza

White ChapelMemorial Gardens

DeWitt Landfill (closed)

Onondaga Country Club & Golf Course

St. Mary’s Cemetery

Jamesville-DeWitt High School

DeWitt Community

Library

DeWittCemetery

Butternut Creek Golf Course

Widewaters Plaza

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parking for parks and trails

road crossing pointconnection to trails

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MAP LEGEND DESTINATIONS

Library

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Footbridge Connection

Ryder ParkRecreation and Nature Area

Butternut Creek Recreation and Nature Area

Canalway Trail

Richard’s Green Space

Old Erie Canal State Historic Park Butternut Creek Trail

Future Butternut Creek Fishing Trail

Future Connection |Erie Canalway Trail

Suggested Connection Route | Erie Canalway Trail

East Genesee Street Bike Lane

Town of DeWitt Parks

Educational

Erie Boulevard Corridor & Commerical Plazas

Open Space Corridor

Open Space Areas of Interest(golf course, cemetery, etc.)

Office Park

Future Butternut Feeder Canal Trail

Cedar Bay Park

thompson road

east genesee street

woodchuck hill road

maple drive

highbridge road

lyndon road

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cedar bay road

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butternut drive

butternut drive

kinne road

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department of planning and zoning 2017 annual report of planning and zoning staff samuel gordon, ......

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