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Liberty, Thompson Improving Business Zoning; More Funds Available

Monticello, NY – The towns of Liberty and Thompson will soon be launching projects under the County’s new Business-Friendly Zoning & Permitting Program. Both were awarded funding to improve their zoning and permitting processes, and the Division of Planning and Community Development has funds still available for municipalities who wish to do the same.

The Town of Liberty has been awarded $7,722 to add the Town Code to eCode360 to make it readily accessible to the public online, and to hire a consultant to review and improve the Town’s zoning practices. As a result, the Town will adopt amendments to their zoning code to make Liberty more conducive to business and economic development.

The Town of Thompson has been awarded $10,500 to complete sign design guidelines and simplify the sign permitting process. Through this, the Town will be able to reduce area variances, lower application costs and review time for business owners, and improve quality of signs throughout the Town by providing guidance during the application process. 

Both projects exemplify the intent of the program, which aims to incentivize changes to local zoning codes and development review procedures in order to increase the efficiency and lower the expense of obtaining permits for new economic development — and conversely, to remove barriers to small business development and expansion posed by cumbersome, unclear, and costly regulations and processes.  Funding is available to support the costs of attorneys, planners and other professionals, permit-tracking technology, and related expenses.

The Division of Planning urges municipalities to think both outside the box and about simple changes that they can make to reduce the burden for businesses. Actions such as simplifying permitting processes to reduce fees, time, and variances, as well as reducing or waiving fees for small-scale projects with generally low impacts, are a good place to start.

“Providing certainty in the development review process is the best means of encouraging sustainable growth while protecting the environment,” said District 9 Legislator Alan Sorensen, chair of the Legislature’s Planning Committee. “From the beginning of the application process, all parties (developers and planning board) should be clear what the requirements are and the expectations for moving forward. I think our program will help to achieve these objectives.”

“Many businesses and developers that have been through the development review process in Sullivan County communities have thoughts about how to improve it. They should contact their local supervisor or mayor with their ideas and to encourage applications,” remarked Planning Commissioner Freda Eisenberg.

Administered by the Division of Planning and Community Development, the grant guidelines and application form are available on the Division’s page at www.SullivanNY.us, under “Technical Assistance & Funding Opportunities.” Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on July 13th.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss any projects with the Division of Planning and Community Development prior to applying. Staff is available to answer questions and to assist municipalities with project development and applications. For more information, contact Shannon Cilento at Shannon.Cilento@sullivanny.us or call 845-807-0529.