Village of Dobbs Ferry Comprehensive Plan
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What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A comprehensive plan is broad in nature. It is a document created with input from the community, with the goal of improving and planning for the future of Dobbs Ferry. In some sections, the Plan may be very specific about tools and recommended solutions; in others, it may simply present an overall goal that guides the Village Board in adopting specific local laws and regulations.
A Comprehensive Plan is a document that sets forth Village land use, zoning, and other priorities over an approximately 10-year timeframe.
It tries to respond to the following questions for a community:
- Where are we now?
- Where do we want to go?
- How do we get there?
Section 7-722 of New York State Village Law provides the regulations of the Comprehensive Plan adoption process and a guiding framework for the resulting document. In essence, a Comprehensive Plan is a document that identifies the goals, objectives, and recommendations (principles, guidelines, policies, standards) to guide immediate and long-range growth, protection, enhancement, and development in a village. It is meant to be proactive instead of reactive. The Comprehensive Plan can also be used as a tool to attract investment and support future funding opportunities.
A Comprehensive Plan does NOT, however, mandate action by the Village Board or Village departments.
Why is it important?
According to §7-722(11) of New York State Village law, once a Comprehensive Plan is adopted, “all village land use regulations must be in accordance with a comprehensive plan,” and “all plans for capital projects of another governmental agency on land included in the village comprehensive plan . . . shall take such plan into consideration.” The Comprehensive Plan will be followed by updates to the Village Code to make it consistent with the Plan and to facilitate the goals of the Plan.
Has this happened before?
Yes! Dobbs Ferry last undertook a similar initiative 20 years ago, culminating in the adoption of the current “Vision Plan” in 2010. As a part of the current Comprehensive Plan process, we will review the land use and associated recommendations set forth in the Vision Plan and determine if these are obsolete, relevant, or in need of revision.
Is there a committee to oversee the process?
Yes, a Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee (the “CPSC”) was created by the Village Board. The role of the CPSC is to:
Assist in gathering community input throughout the process.
- Assist in gathering community input throughout the process.
- Review documents and information presented by Village’s Planning consultants.
- Provide feedback and ideas on the goals, objectives, and recommendations developed throughout the process.
- Contribute to the development of the community engagement process.
- Participate in meetings and workshops.
- Be an advocate for the comprehensive planning process.
The Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee includes representation from the following Dobbs Ferry boards and committees:
| Committee/Board Representation |
|---|
| Village Board of Trustees |
| Architectural Review Board/Planning Board |
| Affordable Housing Task Force |
| Conservation Advisory Board |
| Traffic Committee |
| Sustainable Dobbs |
| Parks and Recreation Committee |
| Zoning Board of Appeals |
| Downtown Committee |
| Friends of the Waterfront |
What is included in a Comprehensive Plan?
According to §7-722(3), a village comprehensive plan may include the following topics at the level of detail adapted to the special requirements of the village:
- General statements of goals, objectives, principles, policies, and standards upon which proposals for the immediate and long-range enhancement, growth and development of the Village are based.
- Consideration of regional needs and the official plans of other government units and agencies within the region.
- The existing and proposed location and intensity of land uses.
- Consideration of agricultural uses, historic and cultural resources, coastal and natural resources, and sensitive environmental areas.
- Consideration of population, demographic, and socio-economic trends and future projections.
- The location and types of transportation facilities.
- Existing and proposed general location of public and private utilities and infrastructure.
- Existing housing resources and future housing needs, including affordable housing.
- The present and future general location of educational and cultural facilities, historic sites, health facilities, and facilities for emergency services.
- Existing and proposed recreation facilities and parkland.
- The present and potential future general location of commercial and industrial facilities.
- Specific policies and strategies for improving the local economy in coordination with other plan topics.
- Proposed measures, programs, devices, and instruments to implement the goals and objectives of the various topics within the Comprehensive Plan.
- Any and all other items that are consistent with the orderly growth and development of the Village.
The Village has already structured the topic areas to be analyzed to reflect this section of New York State Village Law, and they include:
- Resiliency and Climate Change (preventing and managing effects of climate change)
- Land Use and Zoning (use of land and development regulations)
- Housing (diversity and affordability)
- Economic Development (jobs and businesses)
- Environmental Resources (steep slopes, open space, streams, wetlands, and forested areas)
- Transportation and Mobility (including all modes of transportation, such as walking and bicycling)
- Community Facilities and Parks and Recreation (recreation, government offices, and emergency services)
- Infrastructure (wireless communications, electricity, stormwater, sewer, and water)
- Historic and Scenic Resources and Community Character (historic districts and structures, viewpoints, and the overall aesthetic environment)
What is the process of a Comprehensive Plan?
You can read and download the Existing Conditions chapters that have been completed so far here: Existing Conditions
How does a Comprehensive Plan get adopted?
Ultimately, the Plan must be adopted by the Village Board of Trustees. Section 7-722(6)(b) requires that a Comprehensive Plan committee “shall hold one or more public hearings and such other meetings as it deems necessary to assure full opportunity for citizen participation in the preparation of such proposed plan or amendment.” Within ninety days of receiving the recommendation, the Village Board of Trustees shall “hold a public hearing on such proposed plan or amendment.” Adoption also requires a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) to be undertaken.
Will there be an opportunity for public input?
Yes, public input and feedback is critical to the Comprehensive Plan process. The Village has created a Public Outreach Plan that can be accessed here: Public Outreach Plan
The following components are part of the planned outreach:
Learn more about upcoming events here.
Why update the zoning as part of this process?
Part of implementing a Comprehensive Plan’s recommendations is reviewing and updating the environmental and zoning regulations to reflect the new goals and recommendations. This can be done during the same timeframe as the development of a Comprehensive Plan or after the adoption of a Plan. As part of this process, the Village will work on drafting the zoning amendments during the same timeframe, but the Village will adopt them directly after the Comprehensive Plan is adopted. The SEQR process can be undertaken simultaneously for the Comprehensive Plan and Village Code amendments.
