New York State to require board training
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Beginning Jan. 1, New York State will implement training requirements for members of planning boards and zoning boards of appeal.

(See editorial on page four)

According to the publication “Planning News,” the law was passed because cities, towns and villages have primary responsibility to regulate property use through citizen planning and zoning boards. Their actions have profound impact on state and local land use patterns and individual landowners.

The new law promotes a minimum training standard of four hours for the members through the state at no or minimal fiscal impact.

While individual municipalities could have required training prior to this new action, there was no uniform standard for the planning and zoning officials.

Both boards are appointed by elected officials and make recommendations for vote actions, according to Amherst Planning Board Chair Catharine Weiss.

The Amherst Town Board appoints the seven Planning Board members to seven year terms, naming a new member each year. Weiss said. Most of the members were on other committees prior to being appointed to the Planning Board.

On the other hand, the Williamsville Village Board appoints members to the Planning Board based on expertise. For instance, one member is a lawyer, another is a horticulturist, two are business owners, two are architects and one is a surveyor, according to Trustee Brian Geary.

Once the new law comes into effect, the Village Board is looking into online courses and video presentations for the members to begin training.

“I would like to see us require a little more than the (state) minimum,” Geary said. “Planning Board does have a lot of authority, especially after the community plan comes up with the master plan.”

Most planning boards, including those in Amherst and Williamsville, are given the authority to review applications for subdividing parcels of land within the municipality, according to the pamphlet “Planning Board Basics.” State statute sets forth a comprehensive procedure that planning boards must follow during the review process.

The new training will help the members better understand the process.

Geary, who is Planning Board liaison, said when he was on the Williamsville Planning Board he was timid about speaking up on standards or making decisions prior to taking some online courses and lectures regarding procedures.

“They cover rules and laws as far as what we can and cannot do,” Geary said, noting he had landscape expertise.

Business owners who request building in the town and village present site plans

before the planning boards, which have the authority to be as specific as they want.

For example, Geary said, when Walgreens requested building a location at the corner of Main Street and South Union Road, the Williamsville Planning Board had specific requirements for the landscape, building materials, colors and other aspects of the project. It is currently under construction.

Geary said that he supports the state’s decision to implement the new requirements because the laws and building codes have changed, becoming more in-depth and complex.

“I think it’s great,” Weiss agreed. “Our board was always good about attending the courses, but now that they’ve made it mandatory, all the boards will be doing it.”

e-mail: JSchmelzer@beenews.com