Municipal Planning
& Regulatory Tools:
examples from
southern Finger
Lakes counties
Proactive Approaches to Managing Impacts of
Marcellus Shale Development Conference, 2011
Darby Kiley, Planner, Tompkins County | Meghan Thoreau, Planner, STC
Photo: http://www.carbontax.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Marcellus.jpg
July 2011
Our
priorities
 Assist municipalities as they prepare for the
advancing natural gas industry
 Coordinate projects & information concerning
Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration
 Provide ongoing support for the county task
forces and municipalities
Photo: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hT_nZl636QU/TTIMXWXX-zI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/FarW7mVU4kA/s1600/priorities-sign1.jpg
July 2011
Natural Gas
Task Forces
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Community level
Many different organization styles
Help plan and prepare for gas development
Gather and share information
Work in different political climates
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Regional task forces:
http://cce.cornell.edu/EnergyClimateChange/NaturalGasDev/Pages/CommunityTa
skForces.aspx
http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas/service-directory/county-natural-gas-taskforces

In the news, What’s the ‘task’ of Marcellus Shale task force? (21 June 2011)
http://www.chronicle-express.com/news/x898078031/What-s-the-task-ofMarcellus-Shale-task-force
http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas/news/2011/02/clinton-county-natural-gas-taskforce-hosts-meet-and-greet
Photo: http://us.cdn4.123rf.com/168nwm/kentoh/kentoh0903/kentoh090300290/4558526-workers-human-resources-task-force-on-white.jpg
July 2011
Planning
TOOLS
for Energy
Development
Photo: http://www.weinsuremalpractice.com/images/Tools.jpg
July 2011
1. Preparing
your
organization
 Integrate NGTF with government
 Assign municipal staff roles and
consider new responsibilities
Photo: http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/73916.aspx
July 2011
2. Baseline
profiles
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Identify historical and current data
Track and project gas activity
Map, track, and project impacts
Resources:
http://gis.bakerhughesdirect.com/RigCounts/
http://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/GasOil/search/wells/index.cfm
http://www.fractracker.org
http://www.bradfordcountypa.org/Natural-Gas.asp?specifTab=2
http://www.otsego2000.org/documents/forwebsiteMiddlefieldLandUseAnal
ysis-Greenplan.pdf
Photo: http://shalescoop.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/permits-pa.png
July 2011
3. Planning
documents
 Identify the: CEAs, future economic development areas,
sensitive tourism destinations, underutilized commercial
industrial properties, school districts/ bus routes
 Adopt/ update comp plan
 Identify vacant/ occupied housing stock
 Identify major stakeholders (including gas industry reps.)
 Identify local government costs & services
Photo: http://www.innovensys.com/files/innovensys/imagecache/half/Quality-Planning-Documents-B&W.jpg
July 2011
Planning
resources
New York State Energy Plan
http://www.nysenergyplan.com/stateenergyplan.html
Garfield County Comprehensive Plan 2030
www.garfieldcomprehensiveplan2030.com
Zoning & the Comprehensive Plan
www.dos.state.ny.us/lg/publications/Zoning_and_the_Comprehensive_Plan.pdf
Centre Township Comprehensive Plan 2010, Phase 2
http://www.co.centre.pa.us/planning/compplan/
Centre County Inventory of Underutilized Commercial/ Industrial Properties
http://www.co.centre.pa.us/planning/ccngtf/uss_2011-03.pdf
Photo: http://www.innovensys.com/files/innovensys/imagecache/half/Quality-Planning-Documents-B&W.jpg
July 2011
Planning
resources
Site Development Plan Review Law
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lg/publications/Site_Development_Plan_Revie
w.pdf
Local Government Technical Series
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lg/publications.html
Critical Environmental Areas (CEAs)
http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6184.html
Model Critical Environmental Overlay Zone
http://stcplanning.org/usr/Program_Areas/Energy/Naturalgas_Resources/
model_CEA_Overlay_zoning.pdf
Zoning language to prohibit or allow gas extraction in specified districts
http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6184.html
http://www.cedclaw.org/?page_id=598
http://www.innovensys.com/files/innovensys/imagecache/half/Quality-Planning-Documents-B&W.jpg
July 2011
Planning
resources
Educational Resources
Cornell Cooperative Extension: natural gas development
http://cce.cornell.edu/EnergyClimateChange/NaturalGasDev/Pag
es/default.aspx
Penn State University: natural gas
http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas
Green Choices: how to benefit the climate and your community
http://www.greenchoices.cornell.edu/
Educational Webinars (related to natural gas development):
http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas/webinars
http://cce.cornell.edu/EnergyClimateChange/NaturalGasDev/Pag
es/CornellSponsoredWebinars.aspx
http://www.innovensys.com/files/innovensys/imagecache/half/Quality-Planning-Documents-B&W.jpg
July 2011
Planning
resources
Additional Educational Resources
State resources
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lg/publications.html
http://www.nysenergyplan.com/stateenergyplan.html
New York State Legislative activity
http://www.chemungcounty.com/index.asp?pageId=482
Land of the Law blog
http://lawoftheland.wordpress.com/
http://www.innovensys.com/files/innovensys/imagecache/half/Quality-Planning-Documents-B&W.jpg
July 2011
4. Municipal
regulations
 Update/ adopt:
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Erosion, sedimentation, & stormwater regulations
Floodplain protection laws
Illicit discharge laws
Wellhead protection laws
Aquifer protection ordinance
Brine/ waste disposal regulations
Road use agreement (RUA)
Viewshed regulations
Site plan review law
LEED certification, green building designs, &
renewable energy initiatives
Photo: http://www.calskatemilpitas.com/images/rules_graphic1.gif
July 2011
Municipal
regulations
 Review commercial/ industrial water & sewer rates
 Review room tax, local taxes, and definitions
 Review/ adopt regulations on short-term temporary employee
housing regulations
 Review/ adopt camping regulations
 Review mobile home court/ RV ordinance
 Consider life cycle analysis for proposed subdivisions
 Create/ partner with a housing trust for renter/ owner controls
Photo: http://www.calskatemilpitas.com/images/rules_graphic1.gif
July 2011
Municipal
resources
Update/ adopt erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater regulations
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/29072.html
Update/ adopt floodplain regulations
http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Municipal/sb_floodplain.rtf (Word download)
http://www.townofotego.com/townpermits/laws/FloodDamage.pdf
Adopt aquifer protection regulations
http://catskillpost.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/townofvirgilaquiferprotectionlaw20100408.pdf
http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Municipal/sb_aquifer.rtf (Word download)
http://town.danby.ny.us/
Adopt wellhead protection regulations
http://www.tiogacountyny.com/images/stories/PDFs/government/TING/TING_RevisedResourceBinder_5_2_11.pdf
http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Municipal/sb_groundwater.rtf (Word download)
Management your private water supply
http://stcplanning.org/usr/Program_Areas/Energy/Naturalgas_Resources/Schuyler%20Final%20Water
%20Testing%20Guidance.pdf
Adopt LEED certification and green building design regulations
http://www.greenupstateny.org/
Photo: http://www.calskatemilpitas.com/images/rules_graphic1.gif
July 2011
Municipal
resources
Adopt renewable energy initiatives
http://www.co.centre.pa.us/planning/compplan/energy%20conservation.pdf
Adopt/ update road use agreement (RUA) regulations
http://www.steubencony.org/naturalgastaskforce/SteubenCountyDPW_RUA.pdf
http://www.steubencony.org/naturalgastaskforce/PA-RUA-Laceyville%20Borough.pdf
http://www.steubencony.org/naturalgastaskforce/PA-Excess%20Maintenance%20Agreement.pdf
http://www.steubencony.org/naturalgastaskforce/PA-RUA-Lemon%20township.pdf
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20110410/NEWS01/104100357/Hydrofracking-debate-Southern-Tier-officialsstruggle-road-rules
http://www.co.centre.pa.us/planning/ccngtf/road_use_maintenance_agreement.pdf
Review room tax, taxes system, and definitions
(following three links will take a few moments to open)
http://www.co.centre.pa.us/planning/ccngtf/gas_task_forum.pdf
http://www.co.centre.pa.us/planning/ccngtf/natural_gas_escapes_taxation.pdf
http://www.co.centre.pa.us/planning/ccngtf/tax_policy_marcellus.pdf
Review/ adopt regulations on short-term temporary employee
housing regulations (see Article 4-106, 4-108 & 4-109 or our land use code for more details)
http://www.garfield-county.com/building-planning/land-use-regulations.aspx
Photo: http://www.calskatemilpitas.com/images/rules_graphic1.gif
July 2011
Municipal
resources
Review/ adopt camping regulations (see §128-62 - temporary Shelter and associated definitions,
search tip: Ctrl+f and search for camp/ camping related references for more information)
http://www.townofbethlehem.org/images/pageImages/EcoDevAndPlan/Zoning%20Law%20%20Adopted%20082405%20Amended%20082306%20Effective%20090106.pdf#search='incentive'
Adopt viewshield regulations, inventory & map
http://www.in.gov/indot/div/projects/i69planningtoolbox/_pdf/Scenic%20Viewshed%20Protection.pdf
Create/ partner with a housing trust for rent/ owner controls
http://www.mhp.net/uploads/resources/municipal_affordable_housing_trust_guidebook.pdf
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/hoopinfo.pdf
Review/ adopt site plan review law
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lg/publications/Site_Development_Plan_Review.pdf
http://www.townofbethlehem.org/images/pageImages/EcoDevAndPlan/Zoning%20Law%20%20Adopted%20082405%20Amended%20082306%20Effective%20090106.pdf#search='incentive’
(search tip: Ctrl+f and search for site plan related references for more information)
http://www.townofotego.com/townpermits/laws/SitePlanReview.pdf
Photo: http://www.calskatemilpitas.com/images/rules_graphic1.gif
July 2011
5. Zoning
codes
 Review/ adopt:
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light ordinance & noise ordinance
Industry terminology/ zoning definitions & uses
incentive overlay zoning
agricultural zoning ordinance
plan unit development (PUD) zoning
zoning districts in urban/ business center to permit dense
mixed-use
 Consider amending zoning language to prohibit or
allow gas extraction in specified districts
Photo: http://www.umass.edu/larp/images/logos/cutout%20tranparent%20leaf.png
July 2011
Zoning
resources
Adopt light ordinance & noise ordinance
http://www.tiogacountyny.com/images/stories/PDFs/government/TING/TING_RevisedResourceBinder_5_2_11.pdf
http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Municipal/sb_outdoorlights.rtf (Word download)
Industry terminology & municipal definitions
http://stcplanning.org/usr/Program_Areas/Energy/Naturalgas_Resources/DRAFT%20Garfield%20County%20Natural%20Gas%20Developme
nt%20Navigation%20Guide%20.pdf
Adopt incentive overlay zoning
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/intra_nonpub/Toolkit/guides/incntvZng.pdf
http://www.behanplanning.com/bpafiles/F_DRUM/Final/I%20-%20Incentive%20Zoning%20Ordinance.pdf
http://www.seattle.gov/planningcommission/docs/SPC_IncZon.pdf
Amend zoning district in urban business center to permit dense mixed-use
http://www.planning.org/research/smartgrowth/pdf/section41.pdf
Amend zoning language to prohibit or allow gas extraction in specified districts
(see towns of Dryden, Ithaca, & Ulysses – regulations under development)
http://www.celdf.org/issues-gas-drilling-communities
http://www.cedclaw.org/?page_id=598
http://dryden.ny.us/information/gas-drilling-info
http://www.ulysses.ny.us/proposed-local-law-6-14-2011.pdf
Photo: http://www.umass.edu/larp/images/logos/cutout%20tranparent%20leaf.png
July 2011
Different
approaches
 Tompkins County
 prohibit or limit gas extraction to specified
districts
 Chemung, Schuyler, & Steuben
Counties
 regulate the secondary effects of energy
development
Photo: http://www.sheirakahn.com/home/sheira/images/treatment_approches.gif
July 2011
Leased Land in Tompkins County
39% of the land in Tompkins County is leased,
by 6% of the adult, non-student residents of the County
Image: http://www.tcgasmap.org
July 2011
What’s in the
pipeline
 Finger Lakes Region: Tompkins County
 Established website
 Meet monthly with 4 active work groups – Report back to
COG
 Developed land use guides:
 Air quality; Steps for CEAs; High Impact Industrial Use
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Developing Road Protection Strategy (RUA and RUR)
Developed build-out maps & analysis; public presentations
Analyzing assessment & land values issues
Drafted zoning amendment in Danby – Aquifer Protection
Overlay
 Proposed zoning amendments in towns of Dryden, Ithaca,
and Ulysses
Photo: http://www.zombieplace.com/updating
July 2011
July 2011
What’s in the
pipeline
 Southern Tier Central Region: Steuben County
 Established a website
 Hold multiple monthly public meetings
 Completed memorandum reviewing the Thirty Day Limit on
Occupancy Tax or room tax
 Completed road maintenance agreement (RUA)
 Completed radioactive study, Marcellus Shale Evaluation, on drill
cuttings risk to county landfill
 Passed a housing resolution
 Amended site plan review law
 Held educational forums for town supervisors, public safety officers, &
planning boards officials
 Proposed meeting with owners of camping/ RV parks on possible
impacts by natural gas workforce
Photo: http://www.zombieplace.com/updating
July 2011
What’s in the
pipeline
 Southern Tier Central Region: Schuyler County
 Established a website
 Released informational guidance sheet, Managing your Private Water
Supply Related to Natural Gas Development in Schuyler County (July
2011)
 Hosting a task force intern for the summer 2011
 Surveying task force members & municipal officials to create a
focused, concise resource binder/ resource suite
 Proposed work with the Schuyler County EMC on providing comments
on the revised Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement
(SGEIS) for high-volume hydraulic fracturing
 Most towns have either signed on with Delta Engineers for assistance
with road assessment and RUAs or are working with other engineering
firms to accomplish similar services
Photo: http://www.zombieplace.com/updating
July 2011
What’s in the
pipeline
 Southern Tier Central Region: Chemung County
 Established a website
 Pass official recommendation advising towns to enter a road
analysis study (w/ Delta Engineering)
 Trained a deputy to enforce truck/ vehicle regulations
 Firefighters have been receiving training specific to gas well
emergencies
 Task force members attended workshops, panel discussions, &
information sessions for the past couple year
 EMC in conjunction w/ Elmira College has conducted a water quality
baseline study for methane & a few other related elements
 Met with Casella for information on the safety of the drill cuttings &
related topics
Photo: http://www.zombieplace.com/updating
July 2011
What’s in the
pipeline
 Regional efforts
 Drafting Municipal Guide for Energy Development (contains
resources for planning boards, comprehensive plans, site plan
review, subdivision, and zoning regulations – joint effort between
STC Planning and Chemung, Steuben, and Schuyler’s Planning
Departments)
 Completed a tourism study, Natural Gas Drilling in the Marcellus
Shale: potential impacts on the tourism economy of the Southern
Tier
 Participated in a regional study, Economic Implications of Marcellus
Shale Natural Gas Development – Understanding Potential Impacts
on Tourism, Agriculture and Housing
 Drafted Planning Tools for Energy Development checklist (joint
efforts between Tompkins County Planning Department & STC
Planning)
Photo: http://www.zombieplace.com/updating
July 2011
Thank
you
Darby Kiley, Planner, Tompkins County Planning Dept.
607-274-5560 | [email protected] | tompkins-co.org/planning/
Meghan Thoreau, Planner, Southern Tier Central Planning
607-962-8092 | [email protected] | stcplanning.org
Photo: http://lisamdrake.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/planning1.jpg
July 2011