COMMUNITY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Department Contact:Current Office Hours: Please see the Supervisor's Page
Small Business Resources:
Land Use Documents:
Hamlet Planning:Housing Assistance Needs:
"In-Progress" Projects (Updated 10.19.2015 - ARB)
Category: Parks & Recreation
The Gateway Trail
This trail system has been in the works for the last 20 years and is finally coming to fruition through grant funding and collaboration between state and regional organizations (The Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and Champlain Area Trails). Click this link to read about it: THE GATEWAY TO WILLSBORO. (Bigwoods)Willsboro Nature Preserve The Nature Conservancy and the Town are working together to re-name and improve the preserve to make it more public friendly. New kiosks, registration booths, parking and improved trails will be installed at and around the preserve. This system will be connected to the Town's Gateway Trail system. Point Road Trail Although funding was not secured during the 2014 TAP grant cycle, we are still seeking funding to potentially bring this plan to fruition. This is a million dollar (plus) project which may require several funding sources over a period of time. This is a second-priority project for the Town, but no less important than the infrastructure component of development. To review the grant application package and project proposal that was submitted to TAP click the button below. |
Completed Projects: (Updated 10.19.2015 - ARB)
Category: Land Use
Town of Willsboro Zoning Ordinance proposal for updates was submitted, reviewed and approved by the Adirondack Park Agency. The Town of Willsboro will hold a public hearing on November 4th to discuss the document with the public. Click the button below to view the updated document.
Category: Infrastructure
Waste Water Treatment Plant
The Town of Willsboro Waste Water Treatment Plant is presently under an Order on Consent issued by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Th e Town is seeking all possible funding alternatives in order to help offset the required cost of the plant upgrade. The Town is planning on upgrading the plant to a membrane bioreactor system - the total cost of improvements is estimated to be $1,627,900.00. We have completed, and are presently completing, the following grant program applications for this project: NYS DEC Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP)$1,168,052.00
Category: Parks & Recreation
Willsboro Community Garden at Florence Hathaway Park
We are re-vamping our community garden project with great excitement for the 2016 year. Recently, we met with Mountain Lake Services to discuss their involvement and assistance in helping us plant and prep the garden for us. We are also working development partnerships with the Girl Scouts and the Willsboro Summer Youth Program for garden maintenance, harvesting, use in camp lunches, and potentially selling at the farmer's market. Click the link below for more information on the on-going effort! 
Noblewood Park & Nature Preserve
The Town has continuously worked to develop it's relationship with the Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy through which a partnership is already developed for Noblewood's nature preserve. During the 2015 winter/spring the Town sought review and approval from TNC for a new public beach. In the past problems were encountered with limited use due to the Town run day-camp. There are now two separate beaches, one specific to the day-camp and one for the general public. The Parks & Recreation Manager is continuing to develop and improve coordination with park staff, as well as the improvement of Lodge use. 
Growing Our Tourism Economy with CATs
Since the organization began developing trails, the Town of Willsboro has been in support of their efforts. The work that Champlain Area Trails has done throughout the Central Lake Champlain Region will not only encourage outdoor recreation among residents and visitors, but will promote each community's unique, and in some cases hidden, features. We look forward to continuing to develop this recreation and tourism economic collaboration. Category: Regional Planning Efforts
For the last year the Town of Willsboro has worked with the Towns of Chesterfield, Essex, and Westport and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism to develop a Destination Master Plan specifically for our region. This is of vital importance as this region presently falls under the general "Essex County Destination Master Plan" which does not focus particularly on our regions assets and needs. In addition to developing the plan and focusing on topics relating to lodging development, the Towns are planning a regional tourism event for the fall of 2016. Stay tuned for more information.
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PLANNING & ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
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Planning Board
Responsible for planning, updating and modification of Ordinance & Map To formally pass to the Town Board all proposed modifications To act as an advisory board to the Zoning Board of Appeals To pass upon any special use proposal To pass on certain types of development (usually commercial) To administer provisions to Class A & B Regional Projects Decisions of the Planning Board may not be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals, but may be challenged in court Site Plan Review procedures and Guidelines Draft Subdivision Regulations |
Zoning Board of Appeals
To serve as a Board of Appeals from any decision of the Zoning Officer To grant or deny a variance from the dimensional standards of the Ordinance To grant or deny a variance from the use requirements of the Ordinance To provide interpretations of the Ordinance & Map Decisions of the Zoning Board of Appeals may be challenged in court |