New York State Association of Regional Councils Jurisdictions Map (34Kb Landscape GIF - opens in a new window)The primary function of regional planning councils is to study the needs and conditions of an entire region and to develop strategies which enhance the region's communities.
Recognition was given to the regional council concept when the federal government authorized the establishment of area-wide planning agencies. These agencies were permitted to receive federal planning funds. The federal government then required that proposals for federal funding be reviewed on a regional level to determine district-wide significance and potential conflict with master planning. This review was undertaken by the regional planning councils. The federal government later rescinded this requirement, but in the interest of regional planning, New York State continued the program.
Articles 12-B and 5-G of the New York State General Municipal Law give affiliated municipalities the legal authority to create regional or metropolitan planning boards and joint-purpose municipal corporations.
New York's regional planning councils provide comprehensive planning for the coordinated growth and development of their regions. This involves conducting regional studies to assess needs, promoting the region's economic climate, environmental health, recreational opportunities, etc., and providing technical assistance to communities within the region.
By presenting a regional perspective on issues, regional councils promote intergovernmental cooperation and serve as a liaison between the State and federal governments and municipalities.
The New York State Association of Regional Councils consists of the nine locally created regional planning boards in New York State, and represents 45 of the State's 62 counties. NYSARC was incorporated for the purpose of providing information and services on behalf of the regional agencies, quasi-governmental organizations, and not-for-profit corporations which enhance regional economic and community development in the State.
New York State Association of Regional Councils Jurisdictions Map (34Kb Landscape GIF - opens in a new window)
New York State Association of Regional Councils Brochure (1 Mb PDF - opens in a new window)
New York State Association of Regional Councils Home Page (opens in a new window)
New York State Association of Regional Councils Water Resource Planning & Management Home Page (opens in a new window)
Director: Rocco A. Ferraro, AICP
Address: One Park Place, Suite 102, Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518/453-0850 Fax: 518/453-0856 e-mail: cdrpc@cdrpc.org
Web Site: http://cdrpc.org
Counties: Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, & Schenectady
Director: David V. Bottar
Address: 126 North Salina Street, 100 Clinton Square, Suite 200, Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: 315/422-8276 Fax: 315/422-9051 e-mail: mail@cnyrpdb.org
Web Site: http://www.cnyrpdb.org/
Counties: Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, & Oswego
Director: David Zorn
Address: City Place, Suite 8107, 50 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14618
Phone: 716/454-0190 Fax: 716/454-0191 e-mail: gflrpc@gflrpc.org
Web Site: http://www.gflrpc.org/
Counties: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, & Yates
Director: John R. Kent, Jr.
Address: Boehlert Center @ Union Station, 321 Main Street, Utica, NY 13501
Phone: 315/798-5710 Fax: 315/798-5852 e-mail: planning@co.oneida.ny.us
Web Site: http://www.ocgov.net/oneidacty/gov/dept/planning/planningindex.htm
Counties: Herkimer & Oneida
Director: John F. Crews
Address: 1010 D Street, New Windsor, NY 12553
Phone: 914/567-9466 Fax: 914/567-9480 e-mail: info@hudsonvalleyrc.org
Web Site: http://www.hvregionalcouncil.org/
Counties: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, & Westchester
Director: Walter Young
Address: P.O. Box 765, Lake George Institute, 310 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845
Phone: 518/668-5773 Fax: 518/668-5774 e-mail: RPB@MAIL.ALBANY.NET
Web Site: http://www.lclgrpb.org/
Counties: Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, & Washington
Director: Michael Reese
Address: 26 West Main Street, P.O. Box 69, Mohawk, NY 13407-0069
Phone: 315/866-4671 Fax: 315/866-9862 e-mail: mikemved@twcny.rr.com
Director: Marcia D. Weber
Address: 8 Denison Parkway East, Suite 310, Corning, NY 14830
Phone: 607/962-5092 Fax: 607/962-3400 e-mail: info@stcplanning.org
Web Site: http://stcplanning.org/
Counties: Chemung, Schuyler, & Steuben
Director: Robert Augenstern
Address: 375 State Street, Binghamton, NY 13901
Phone: 607/724-1327 Fax: 607/724-1194 e-mail: pk2000@stny.rr.com
Web Site: http://www.steny.org/
Counties: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Tioga, & Tompkins
Director: Richard Zink
Address: Center for Regional Excellence, 4039 Route 219, Suite 200, Salamanca, NY 14779
Phone: 716/945-5301 Fax: 716/945-5550 e-mail: tbarnes@southerntierwest.org
Web Site: http://www.southerntierwest.org/
Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, & Chautauqua
Very few of us today live, work, and enjoy leisure time in the same neighborhood. Most of us live one place, work another, and enjoy recreational facilities in yet other places. This leads to a sharing of lifestyles, employment, and recreational/cultural opportunities, which can affect more than one local government in an area. A regional approach can be the best way to address these concerns, usually in a geographic area with interdependent social, economic, and physical environments.
Regional councils were created to provide a regional approach to those concerns crossing the lines of local governments' jurisdictions. Nationwide, there are over 670 of these regional councils, representing almost all fifty states. These councils are a vehicle for local governments to share their resources, and to make the most of funding, planning, and human resources.
Most are voluntary associations, and do not have the power to regulate or tax. They are primarily funded by local governments, as well as by state and federal funds. The councils are responsible to the representatives of the communities in their regions.
The regional view encourages an impartial, bipartisan conduit for the exchange of information. This allows for objective recommendations for the resolution of problems, including the ability to interrelate many key areas such as housing, transportation, and economic development. A joint presentation also gives local governments more influence with funding sources and legislative bodies.
Planning services provided by regional councils include transportation, housing and community development, groundwater protection, water resource management, wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, land use, and rural preservation planning. Information services provided by regional councils include the operation of regional data centers, public education and information, and maintenance of regional Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Other services provided by regional councils may include special services for low-income and aging populations, job training and employment services, economic development activities, and small business promotion.
Technical assistance to local governments may also be offered, and can include supplementation of local planning efforts, preparations of grant applications and coordination, cost effective regional purchasing, public administration, financial expertise, and information systems.
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