The New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association (NYUAPA) recently awarded the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan with the 2013 Planning Excellence Award for Best Practice.  The Awards recognize outstanding work being done by planners, planning firms, elected officials, and citizens to advance the science of art of urban and regional planning in upstate New York. The group presented the award to members of the county planning department during an awards presentation in Schenectady in September.

According to development officials, the creation of the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan resulted in a document that is comprehensive and far reaching. It also required the balancing of environmental, economic and social objectives. The plan also required significant public input and outreach to ensure that residents had an opportunity to voice their concerns and be included in the planning process.

Environmentalists and lake experts say that without quick action to address the rapidly declining lake conditions because of invasive weeds and algae, the county could likely face a potential property value crash and a devastating loss of summertime tourism.

Erlandson and Cornell plan to pay for their proposal through the use of a small portion of the $10 million in unanticipated surplus recently announced by the county executive.

It’s being described as a watershed moment for Chautauqua Lake. Yesterday representatives from a dozen municipalities formally met to sign off on the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Compact, an inter-municipal agreement among the communities that lie within the Chautauqua Lake watershed. By signing the document, the participating communities have created a new inter-municipal committee of the Chautauqua Lake Management Commission and will work toward implementing the recommendations of the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan.

Among the various goals of the committee, the panel will work toward implementing improved practices for highway and public works departments. Another of the compact’s primary purposes is to establish uniform land-use practices and policies throughout the many municipalities of the lake’s watersheds. The new committee’s first meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6.

JAMESTOWN LAWMAKERS APPROVE PURCHASE OF NEW DPW EQUIPMENT

The Jamestown Department of Public Works will soon have four new pieces of equipment in its road construction and maintenance fleet. On Monday night, the Jamestown City Council approved four resolutions that would result in the purchase of a dump truck, trackless sidewalk plow, patching truck and a pavement roller. The total cost would be $375,000, part of the $4 million bond schedule approved by the council in the spring.  City Public Works Director Jeff Lehman said the equipment will be a “shot in the arm” for the city’s aging fleet.

The council also approved two measures involving the acquisition of property on Steel Street for a proposed DPW salt barn. While both resolutions were basically a formal trading of property from one city agency to another, Councilman Steve Szwejbka voted against the measure, saying he would prefer environmental review of the project be completed before moving forward with the property transfer. However, Councilman Tony Dolce noted that the resolutions would simply help to keep the process moving forward and that another resolution would have to be approved to actually begin the project. At issue is weather any air debris from the salt barn would have an adverse impact on the Board of Public Utilities’ gas turbine, which would be located across the street from the proposed Salt barn.

In other action last night, the City Council gave its approval of a JLDC $200,000 loan to the individuals who are in the process of purchasing the Weber Knapp company. After the vote to approve the loan, city Councilman Vince DeJoy remarked that the purchase of the business by two local partners was significant to the history of Jamestown and to what the council would like to see take place more frequently in the city.

NEW LAKEWOOD BUSINESSES TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER

Two new businesses will soon be opening in the former Quality Markets Plaza in Lakewood. The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting this morning that T.J. Maxx and Michaels, along with a Pet Smart, will open sometime in early September. Much of the space in the plaza has been empty since Quality Markets was closed in April 2010. The owners of the Plaza – Widewaters Construction of Dewitt, N.Y. – have invested $3.5 million into the property to prepare it for the new tenants. Other new businesses to be located in the plaza include Olympia Sports, Five Below, Sally Beauty and Gamestop.

WNY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO HOLD PUBLIC FORUM

A public forum designed to gain input on a regional economic development plan will take place Tuesday, Sept. 13 in Jamestown. The event is being coordinated by County Executive Greg Edwards as part of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. The purpose of the forum is to receive crucial input from citizens on economic development goals that should be included in the Council’s Strategic Plan, which will help guide economic development and job growth in Western NY for the next five years.  County residents and business leaders are encouraged to attend. The forum will take place on September 13 at 6 p.m. at Jamestown Community College’s Scharmann Theatre, located at the Arts & Sciences Center on James Ave in Jamestown.

Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan
2011 Progress Report

Delived by Lyle Hajdu (Chairman, Chautauqua Lake Management Commission) and Jeff Diers (Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator)

MAYVILLE – A piece of property owned by the county has been approved for sale to the Ashville Fire District for $85,000. The action was taken last night during the monthly meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature. The panel approved the sale of the property at 2097 South Maple Avenue in North Harmony to the fire department, despite the opposition of several residents – including members of the fire department.

At issue was whether or not the fire department actually needs – or can even afford – the property.  Former Ashville Fire Department Chief Mike Gleason claims the fire commission went ahead submitting a bid before even having it approved in meeting. While the sale was approved by the legislature, the residents of the fire district will have the final say on the purchase when it goes up for a  public referendum this November.

COUNTY TO CONTINUE 7.5 PERCENT SALES TAX IN 2012

MAYVILLE – In other news from last night’s meeting, the Legislature approved a resolution to keep the county’s sales tax at 7.5 percent. The resolution received nearly unanimous support, although Lori Cornell (D-Jamestown) spoke out against the current rate, saying she opposes any tax increase, noting that if the legislature voted against the measure, the tax increase would revert to 7 percent.

However, several legislators disagreed, including Chuck Nazarro (D-Jamestown), who said that maintaining the current sales tax level is far more palatable than the alternative of raising property taxes even higher to offset the difference. Nazarro noted that 7.5 percent is still comparatively low compared to other counties in the state, and if the sales tax were to revert back to 7 percent, the county would be facing a $24 million budget gap instead of the $18 million.

Foreclosed property amendment also debated
There was also a lengthy discussion last night regarding an amendment to a current law dealing with who can purchase foreclosed property from the county. The amendment dealt with several matters, but the final version did not include a stipulation that any purchaser of foreclosed property must not have any outstanding tax payments to other properties they already own. Maria Kindberg (D-Jamestown), along with Cornell, wanted to leave that stipulation in the final version of the amendment, but didn’t receive the needed support. Legislator Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) said that because it would be difficult to track of each purchasers tax records, the county legislature would instead review each property purchase on a case-by-case basis.

Other Legislature Action
Among other items last night, the legislature approved a resolution naming Katherine Tampio as the new clerk of the legislature for the remainder of 2011. She will replace Ron Lemon, who announced he was stepping down from the post at the end of this month.

The legislature also approved a resolution on a one-year lease agreement for space to be used as a restaurant in the Chautauqua County Airport to Teal Wolcott, owner of the Backyard Bar and Grill in Kimblestand – at a cost of $600 per month.

ERIE, PA COMPANY PURCHASES PEEK’N PEAK

FINDLEY LAKE – It looks like the owner of the Erie, Pennsylvania indoor water park will be the new owner of Peek’n Peak Resort in Findley Lake. On Wednesday, Scott Enterprises – which owns the water park located off Interstate 90 along with a string of other hotels – was the high bidder at a court-ordered auction. The Post-Journal reports that the successful bid was for $11.3 million. A total of four participants took part in the bidding process during yesterday’s auction. A Bankruptcy judge in Cleveland is expected to approve the deal for the 1,150-acre ski and golf resort during a hearing later this morning.

COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO BE FEATURED ON WRFA

The Chautauqua County Humane Society is asking area residents to turn their carbon footprint into a green pawprint. The organization’s 2nd Chances Thrift Store wants all of your fabric and electronic cast-offs, especially the stuff that would normally be thrown in the garbage. The new initiative has already been launched and we’ll have complete details later today during our Community Matters program at 6 p.m. right here on WRFA.

Also tonight on community matters program, we’ll replay a portion of last night’s county legislature meeting dealing with the progress of creating a Chautauqua Lake Watershed’s Management Plan. Lyle Hajdu of Chautauqua Lake Management Commission and Jeff Diers of the the Chautauqua County Watershed Commission delivered the update.  A management plan is needed before the lake can qualify for state funding to address various issues of concern related its health.