Transcript My vision - Rochester Institute of Technology

Implications of hydrofracking in NYS for
land use planning
Dr. Nancy Becerra-Cordoba
Public Policy Department
Rochester Institute of Technology
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Outline
1.
How hydrofracking and land use planning
are related
2.
How land use (LU) planning works & lies
under local authority
3.
LU planning as a local tool to deter or
encourage hydrofracking
4.
Conclusions
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1. How are land use planning and
hydrofracking related?
Image source: http://dryden.ny.us/Zoning/Zoning_Analysis8-NR.pdf
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Land use planning and hydrofracking
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Hydrofracking as heavy industrial use
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Hazardous materials
Private pipelines
Waste disposal wells
Compressor stations
Land use planning
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Town’s Comprehensive plans
Land use zoning
Land use ordinances
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2. How land use planning works
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part of City Planning
urban planning: local and regional
cities’ authority control land use zoning
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1920’s – origins of this authority; to control
location and proximity of uses
The legal basis for all land use regulation is the police power of the
city to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of its residents.
(Berman v. Parker (1954).)

local authorities have final authority in land
use
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Types of zoning
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Euclidean zoning
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Performance zoning
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“building block” zoning
segregation of land uses
“points-based” system
credits apply towards established zoning goals
Incentive zoning
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“reward-based system”
encourage certain types of development
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Broad land use (LU) categories in NYS
LU at state level, as defined for tax purposes:
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Agricultural
Residential
Vacant Land
Commercial
Recreation and entertainment
Community services
Industrial
Public services
Wild, forest, conservation lands & public parks
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Land use planning – local jurisdiccion

Local authorities have final authority in land
use

Definitions, provisions, and restrictions of
LU are defined at the local level

Banning of a LU or incompatibility of LUs
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Land use planning

Local authorities have final authority in land
use

Definitions, provisions, and restrictions of
LU are defined at the local level

Banning of a LU or incompatibility of LUs
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3. LU planning as a local tool to deter or
encourage hydrofracking
Localities can deter hydrofracking:

Ban specifically hydrofracking activities
(moratoriums)

Use LU zoning and ordinances to
 Make it an incompatible land use
 Require public hearings, City
Council’s reviews & other requirements
before permit construction permits are
issued
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LU planning to promote hydrofracking
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LU zoning & ordinances that explicitly
include hydrofracking
Inclusion of LU hydrofracking provisions in
other planning documents:
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Comprehensive plans;
Energy & infrastructure sections
Economic development plans
Loophole?
Differential performance and regulatory
settings among localities
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4. Conclusions
Local LU planning and hydrofracking:
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Hydrofracking as industrial use
Local authority in LU planning
Loophole?
Differential performance and regulatory
settings among localities?
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“Local decisions for local communities.
How good is that?”
QUESTIONS?
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