Press Releases
Konst continues to voice support for smart planning in Erie County
By Lee Chowaniec
Jun 2, 2009, 11:32

On April 16,2009 Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst (D-Lancaster, Elma) put out a press release conveying her support of a local law calling for the creation of the Erie County Planning Board, stating that it will ensure that the voice of rural communities is heard and respected.

Despite Erie County Executive Chris Collins vetoing the creation of the County Planning Board proposition, Konst believes there are enough Legislature votes to override the veto.

In that press release, Legislator Konst stated the following:

I have invested much time and research into this important policy area and believe the interests of rural communities will be better served with a Planning Board than under the current scattershot scenario.

"The Erie County Planning Board will be composed of volunteers and will serve as a clearinghouse for information that will help towns, residents and developers to make better informed decisions that impact the future vitality of our county," Legislator Konst said.

This planning initiative ensures that rural communities are properly represented and their concerns met. Legislator Konst actively sought the advice and opinions of town supervisors and others prior to signing on to this legislative proposal. She believes that the Planning Board will offer a communications, networking and collaboration platform for municipal governments, as well as anticipate issues where conflicts may arise so that they can be diffused before pitting one community against another.

"I represent a large suburban town, as well as rural communities. Lancaster may have a differing view on development than Alden, Elma or Marilla, rendering a cookie cutter policy approach impractical," Legislator Konst said. "Marilla's success regarding farmland protection and green space preservation could provide a ‘best practices' template for another rural community. The Erie County Planning Board would offer a venue for a taxpayer-focused, experience-based dialogue among communities that may share a similar vision."

Konst added that a region like Erie County, which continues to lose population, could no longer afford a disconnected approach to commercial and residential development. The Planning Board will serve an important function by keeping the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning informed and up-to-date on town and village codes and master plans. Unless there is an intergovernmental level of communication and information sharing, citizens will continue to be blind-sided by the gaping disconnect that sometimes occurs when Erie County grants approval for a project that may come up against a contrary land use policy approved by a Town Board.

"A Planning Board would offer data-supported advice by the citizen volunteers who agree to serve the larger community. It would not represent another layer of government. In fact, it will help ensure that decisions that affect the greater good of our community will have more depth, hold more promise and help create a sound strategy for both our region's rural preservation and forward economic progress," Legislator Konst concluded.

Comment

As one who has witnessed sprawl and poor planning in my town (my opinion), I can attest for the need of such oversight by a regional county planning department. At the same time, residents need more clarification on why it should not be considered another layer of government with no teeth and what the true costs would be to initiate such program. The powers to be in town and village governments where development is still possible are hesitant to give up any control and are estimating program cost at $500,000, whereas Konst places the cost estimate at a much lower number.


© Copyright 2003 by Speakupwny.com