Press release
The Draft 2025 Smart Growth Plan Report is now available for public review and comment. The plan can be found on the Genesee County Department of Planning’s Smart Growth Plan website: GeneseeNY.gov/SmartGrowth Smart Growth Plan – Genesee County, New York
Genesee County Smart Growth Plan – 2016 Review Report
As part of this triennial review, the Genesee County Department of Planning will hold a public meeting to present and gather comments on the draft revisions to the Smart Growth Plan. The meeting will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 7 PM in the large conference room of County Building 2, 3837 West Main Street Road in Batavia.
Attendance can be done in person or virtually through Zoom and may count for 1 hour of land use training credits for planning and zoning board members. To register for a meeting and obtain the Zoom link please email Felipe Oltramari at Felipe.Oltramari@geneseeny.gov. In your email, please note if you would like a training certificate.
Background on the Smart Growth Plan
On May 9, 2001 the Genesee County Legislature adopted the Smart Growth Plan. The Plan is a mitigating action of potential significant environmental impacts of the Genesee County Water Supply Project upon the viability of agriculture in Genesee County. Smart Growth Development Areas throughout the county were designated based on their access to transportation, minimal conflict with County Agricultural Districts and State regulated wetlands, feasibility of extending public water service, and the potential for extending public infrastructure to support development. The Plan requires that it be reviewed every three years by the Legislature and that recommendations for its revision be made at that time.
2025 Review Highlights
During this review, the Town of Batavia proposed changes to the Smart Growth Development Area boundaries. The meeting will focus on the modifications being recommended to the County Legislature by the County Planning Department.
Protect farmland? Who are you trying to fool? Town of Alabama will soon be covered with solar panels. Town law allows 50% of farmland to be solar panels, yet they act like they are against it. But they say zoning laws and local plans mean nothing because the state can let foreign owned solar companies do whatever they want. Smart growth? Maybe for a few. Follow the money.