South Glens Falls, New York
The Village at Cooper's Cave

2007-2008 Village of South Glens Falls
Comprehensive Plan Update

The Village of South Glens Falls is currently in the process of updating the 2000 South Glens Falls Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is a tool that develops a vision for the community, identifies specific development and revitalization goals, and sets forth clear steps that can be taken to implement and achieve these goals. The Plan is used to inventory and understand changing economic conditions, to identify community attitudes toward community characteristics and needs, to identify development opportunities, and to regulate land use for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizens.

In order for the Comprehensive Plan to be an effective tool in guiding the desires of the Village residents, it must be reviewed on a regular basis. Ideas and attitudes change over time. Many of the problems that were at the forefront of the public mind in 2000 have been resolved and the new concerns of today need to be addressed. With this in mind, the Village applied for and was awarded a $24,000 Quality Communities Grant to update their comprehensive plan. After determining the best way to proceed with the planning process, the Village Board appointed the Planning Advisory Committee representing a large cross section of the community, including members of the Village Board, Planning Board, residents and business owners with a wide range of personal and professional experiences. The Village then hired the Laberge Group, a multi-disciplined Engineering, Architecture, Surveying and Planning firm to help guide the planning process.

Since September 2007, the consultants met with the Planning Advisory Committee approximately once a month to discuss key issues and develop recommendations to address the issues. The consultants conducted an inventory and analysis that includes a profile of demographic and economic conditions, natural resources, economic development and tourism resources, community facilities, existing land use and zoning. The consultants also interviewed stakeholders to provide further documentation for the inventory and analysis.

To ensure effective community outreach and participation, the Village provided many opportunities for public participation. Residents were invited to attend an Assets and Liabilities Workshop and a Visioning Workshop. , Notices of the public workshops were published in the Post Star and fliers were posted outside the Village Hall and hand delivered by volunteers. A link to an on-line public opinion survey was available to all residents and property owners between January 22, 2008 and February 4. 2008 on the home page of the Village website. A post card notifying residents of the on-line survey was mailed to all property owners and an ad regarding the survey was placed in the Post Star in order to reach other residents of the Village. A paper copy of the survey was available at the Village Clerk’s office to accommodate individuals who do not have access to the Internet.

Documentation Downloads

Results of Public Workshop # 1
     • Identifying Community Positives & Negatives

Results of Public Workshop # 2
     • Visioning

Draft Comprehensive Plan Sections
     • DCPS Document

Draft Comprehensive Plan Maps
     • Base Map      • Current Land Use Map      • Soil Map      • Zoning Map