Monticello, NY – Bethel, Highland, and Monticello will join the towns of Liberty and Thompson in launching projects under Sullivan County’s new Business-Friendly Zoning & Permitting Program. All were awarded funding to improve their zoning and permitting processes, and the Division of Planning and Community Development still has funds available for municipalities who wish to do the same.
The Town of Bethel has been awarded $5,625 to amend their code to allow the Planning Board the authority to waive specific requirements relating to accessory structures. As a result, the Town will streamline their development review practices to make them more efficient, less costly and faster.
The Town of Highland has been awarded $7,500 to complete updates to their zoning law to attract quality commercial development in the Town.
The Village of Monticello has been awarded $9,000 to address inconsistencies in their zoning code and to explore different approaches to zoning to make the Village’s commercial core more conducive to business development.
“I encourage municipalities to think both outside the box and about simple changes that they can make to reduce the burden for businesses. Actions such as simplifying permitting processes to reduce fees, time, and variances, as well as reducing or waiving fees for small-scale projects with generally low impacts, are a good place to start,” said District 9 Legislator Alan Sorensen, chair of the Legislature’s Planning Committee.
“Many businesses and developers that have been through the development review process in Sullivan County communities have thoughts about how to improve it. They should contact their local supervisor or mayor with their ideas and to encourage applications,” remarked Planning Commissioner Freda Eisenberg. “Funding is available to support the costs of attorneys, planners and other professionals, permit-tracking technology, and related expenses.”
Administered by the Division of Planning and Community Development, the grant guidelines and application form are available on the Division’s page at www.SullivanNY.us under “Technical Assistance & Funding Opportunities.” Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on September 14.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss any projects with the Division prior to applying. Staff is available to answer questions and to assist municipalities with project development and applications. For more information, contact Shannon Cilento at Shannon.Cilento@sullivanny.us or call 845-807-0529.
