Shandaken took another step toward developing a natural resources inventory, a collection of maps and information that could help guide decisions on planning, zoning, and development while helping the town meet its climate goals.
Residents met this week with local decision-makers, the project’s steering committee, and a consulting agency to learn about the inventory and outline what they want it to include. The feedback will shape a catalog that could help the town create zoning consistent with the community’s values.
“It describes what’s important in terms of the naturally occurring resources here in town,” said Julia Solomon, founder of Shadbush Consulting, the organization developing the inventory.
The inventories typically have about 20 maps that document natural, historical, cultural, and recreational resources. Different maps can show protected and private land, watersheds, native species, floodplains, forested areas, and emergency services. They’re accompanied by contextual information and narrative to enhance the data.
“It provides building blocks for comprehensive forward-looking, proactive land use planning,” Solomon said. “It also provides a sort of a repository of that authoritative natural resource information that can then be included in a comprehensive plan or a zoning ordinance.”
Local officials hope the information will help the town develop a new comprehensive plan. Shandaken plans to revamp its zoning code after adopting the comprehensive plan.
“Having the NRI to actually assist the comprehensive plan in making a lot of this stuff possible is necessary,” said Catherine Del Tufo, a member of the town’s Climate Action Committee.
The Climate Action Committee organized the information session with PH2, a volunteer coalition of Shandaken residents that assists with projects in Phoenicia, Pine Hill, and the broader Shandaken community. The group often works with Shandaken committees on community projects.
The inventory will be referenced in the new zoning code, according to Deputy Supervisor Robert Drake. Having the information compiled in one place allows for more productive decision-making about land use, he said.
Residents said they hoped it would aid decisions about development of all kinds, including housing, commercial projects, renewable energy, and recreation. They also prioritized environmental and historical conservation.
The inventory will help the town reach its climate goals by earning points in the state’s Climate Smart Communities program, a tiered program that offers grants to communities based on how aggressively they are addressing climate change, Drake said.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation said June 5 that $18 million in grant funding is available for Climate Smart Communities projects across the state. The projects can include reducing flood risk, protecting critical infrastructure, and cutting emissions from transportation and waste.
Shandaken received bronze-certified status in 2023, the first of two certifications in the program, making the town eligible for more state grants for community improvement projects.
Grants are funding renovations at Glenbrook Park and previously paid for the town’s electric vehicle charging station. Program grants are also supporting projects to revamp the comprehensive plan and zoning code, Drake said.
“If we manage to get this done, not only are our planning board, zoning board, town board, developers and residents better informed about what they’re actually living around, but we also have the potential to unlock tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of dollars of money for projects to protect other things,” Drake said.
The inventory still has a way to go before it can be adopted. After reviewing the public input, Solomon and the steering committee will develop maps and a draft report to present to the public this winter for potential adoption.
In the meantime, residents can submit photos of Shandaken on the town’s website. The photos will be used to decorate the report and help inform the steering committee about specific locations in town. According to Solomon, the form will be open for the next several months.
Kyle Bredberg is an intern and contributing reporter. You can reach him at reporting@theoverlooknews.com.
