Addressing the Needs of Local Government

There are 101 communities in the Adirondack Park consisting of 92 Towns and 9 Villages located within 12 Counties (updated 2017).

The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) recognizes and applauds the efforts of the hundreds of local board members, officials and other citizens who have built the strong local planning programs we see in the Adirondacks today. This body of work and experience represents a testimony to the hard work of Adirondack citizens in building local planning programs which reflect long term economic development as well as conservation of the natural character of our communities.

Local Land Use References -

• Creating the Community You Want: Municipal Options for Land Use Control (340kb)
• Map of Towns and Villages in the Adirondack Park with Local Land Use Controls (438kb)
• Map of 18 Municipalities with Agency-approved Local Land Use Programs (880kb)
• Sample Motions From Mark Schachner's Presentation at 2014 LGD Conference (Courtesy of Mark Schachner of Miller, Mannix, Schachner & Hafner, LLC)
  • Area Variance - Approval, Denial
  • Use Variance - Approval, Denial
  • Site Plan Approval
• Hamlets 3 -  Planning for Smart Growth and Expansions of Hamlets in the Adirondack Park

Solar - The Adirondack Park Agency has resources to help your community plan for solar.

• APA Solar Resources Flyer
• NYSERDA Solar Guidebook - Tools for local governments to manage solar development

Local Planning Library - We have a resource library of what other communities have done, which may help you start your community's plan. The New York State Department of State also has a search tool for local laws available on their Local Government Services webpage.

Mapping - We have the capacity to provide a base map, APA map and others for your planning program. Think you know your Adirondack Towns & Villages? Try your hand at filling them in Blank Park Map

Regional Project "History" - We can provide a review of what development we have reviewed in your community, which may be useful in selection and development of land use planning tools.

Community Workshops - APA staff can conduct workshops on site review, visual assessments, project analysis and other subjects, in conjunction with the Deptartment of State and other partners.

Real Estate Professionals - Training Presentation

Listing of Adirondack Town & Village websites - If your Town/Village information was not included or is inaccurate, please email us @ LocalGovernment@apa.ny.gov (updated 7/10/2019)

Agency-approved Local Land Use Programs (ALLUPs)

There are important results and benefits of having an Agency-approved local program, including a shared regulatory scheme in which the community and the agency work from the same set of rules, with one zoning map, the town acts on the Class B regional projects instead of the Agency and typically, with only one permit required. There are eighteen communities with Agency-approved programs and more working on that option. APA staff will review with interested local officials and boards the process involved in establishing a 'two-tiered system' in your community.

ALLUP References/Forms:

Agency-approved Local Land Use Program Flyer

NJ Letters in Towns/Villages with an Agency-approved Local Land Use Program

Process for Amending Local Land Use Programs

Local Official's Guide to SEQR (NYS DEC Publication)

Variance Referral Cover Sheet

Links to information you may find helpful...

Citizen's Guide -- (pdf 370kb)
APA Act
Rules and Regulations
Maps & GIS at the APA
Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map and State Land Map