Municipal Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Plan Resource Protection section can include plans targeted to specific resources including scenic and architectural resources.

Watershed and Wetlands Planning

Can include design and siting controls and prohibit development in sensitive areas.

Area-Specific Plans

Can include special policies for environmental, scenic and architectural resources in targeted locations.

Critical Environmental Area Designation

Can be designated on top of particular resources.

Local Environmental Resource Plans

Local environmental resource laws can protect wetlands, watershed, groundwater, flood plain, steep slopes, view sheds, and forested areas.

Basic Zoning

Can control densities, area, bulk, setback and use to protect resources.

Local Resource-Specific Regulations

Special Zoning Districts can include provisions targeted at protecting particular resources.

Site Plan Regulations

Subdivision and site plan review can include protection of architectural, scenic, or natural resources, including requirements for street landscaping and passive stormwater management.

Subdivision Regulations

Can require buffers, setbacks and special designs such as Low Impact Development (LID) techniques to protect resources.

Aesthetic Regulations

Development design guidelines can protect neighborhood qualities and scenic
resources.

Conservation Advisory Council and Natural Resource Inventory

Conservation Advisory Council can provide ongoing consultation on land use actions to protect resources.

SEQRA

SEQRA (NY State) can mandate avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures around any kind of resource and can be used to map critical environmental areas.

Purchase of Development Rights

Can acquire buildings and natural areas.