Current Initiatives

The Department’s mission is mainly focused on zoning and physical planning which is largely accomplished through zoning enforcement, site plan review, and land use analysis. However, planning is a comprehensive field, that requires the City’s Planning Office to obtain and maintain a variety of information. Throughout a typical day, the Office of Planning & Environment may field calls for land use regulations, floodplain data, demographics, brownfields, recycling, economic development, municipal operations, or other related topics.

• Maintains the City’s comprehensive plan, including transportation, land use, housing, public service, community facilities and its other elements;
• Administers zoning, subdivision and handles amendments to these and related codes;
• Advises on disposition of City owned property, including dedication or vacation of streets, alleys and some easements;
• Assists in capital improvements and economic development;
• Engages in site planning and design for construction, sale, lease or other use agreements involving City holdings;
• Provides staff services to the City Officials, Planning Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Board of Appeals, and others;
• Provides services for code enforcement, community development and other regulatory agencies;
• Maintains maps, aerial photography, demographics and other information related to community growth and change;
• Works with schools, businesses, institutions and private individuals to ensure compliance with city development regulations and general consistency with our development goals.
• Coordinates and manages certain initiatives, grant opportunities, FEMA flood zone maps, State Environmental Quality Review, and the City’s Geographic Information Systems.

For additional information, questions or submission please contact Planning & Environmental at:  (716) 760-4470 or nfny.planning@nigarafallsny.gov