Short Term Rental Permit Study Group (2014-2016)
The Housing section of the 2014 Comprehensive Plan addressed current trends concerning the use of community housing stock. Research found that more and more homes are purchased as investment properties and used as vacation rentals. At this point 46 % of the real estate tax bills for the Town of North Elba are sent outside the local area code. The number for the Village of Lake Placid is around 26%. An inventory of internet sites suggests there are between 700 and 800 listings for short term residential units. These are fairly evenly divided between the Town and Village.
These rentals are very important to the economy of the community and allow the area to host major events. This trend, however, also creates some challenges. In August of 2014 the Town and Village Boards asked the Community Development Board to examine the issues involved.
These rentals are very important to the economy of the community and allow the area to host major events. This trend, however, also creates some challenges. In August of 2014 the Town and Village Boards asked the Community Development Board to examine the issues involved.
The Development Commission created a study group who presented a preliminary report to a joint work session of the Village and Town Boards on October 7, 2015. The Boards expressed concerns and requested additional clarifications. The Study Group addressed those concerns and submitted a final report to the Development Commission in July of 2016. The Development Commission then approached the Town and Village Boards with the final report.
At that point the Boards directed the Development Commission to develop language that would translate the concepts of the report into language that could be included in the Land Use Code. On Monday, September 19, 2017 Lake Placid Village Board voted to move to a Public Hearing on the proposed language pending review of the Village, Town, and Review Board Counsel. This was followed by a similar vote of the North Elba Town Board on Tuesday, Oct 4, 2017.
While in the process of creating the legislative proposal for a local permit system the Community Development Commission teamed with representatives of ROOST, Essex County, and Franklin County to research methods available for administering short term rental permit regulations. They met with representatives of a number of software companies that specialize in this area. As a result of those meetings a tentative contract was created which would identify Bearcloud, Inc. as the software provider for an administration package. The online presence involved is STRhelper.com (Short Term Rental Helper).
At that point the Boards directed the Development Commission to develop language that would translate the concepts of the report into language that could be included in the Land Use Code. On Monday, September 19, 2017 Lake Placid Village Board voted to move to a Public Hearing on the proposed language pending review of the Village, Town, and Review Board Counsel. This was followed by a similar vote of the North Elba Town Board on Tuesday, Oct 4, 2017.
While in the process of creating the legislative proposal for a local permit system the Community Development Commission teamed with representatives of ROOST, Essex County, and Franklin County to research methods available for administering short term rental permit regulations. They met with representatives of a number of software companies that specialize in this area. As a result of those meetings a tentative contract was created which would identify Bearcloud, Inc. as the software provider for an administration package. The online presence involved is STRhelper.com (Short Term Rental Helper).
Efficiency Study Group (2014)
The Efficiency Study Group was created by the request of both the Town and Village Boards in September of 2014 to examine possibilities for consolidating Village and Town services. The committee used a 2006 report from the Center for Government Research as driving document. They have also conducted interviews with Town and Village employees and have created partnerships with the Council of Mayors and the New York State Department of State Office of Government Efficiency.
Village Resolution: Efficiency of Services
Village Resolution: Efficiency of Services
The preliminary report involving all aspects of government functions is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2016. In the meantime, findings of the group have led to movement for the consolidation of the Town and Village Courts.
Consolidation of the Judiciary: A Report
Points to Consider
Consolidation of the Judiciary: A Report
Points to Consider
Trail Study Group
The Community Development Commission established a partnership with the Cornell Institute of Public Affairs in 2013. The Institute requires their graduate students to successfully complete a learning service project as a Capstone experience. Dr. Laurie Miller administers the program.
In 2015 a group of three Cornell students participated in a semester long study of the trail systems in the North Elba / Lake Placid area. Devin Martin, Allison Springer and Yuexi Zheng visited the area, spoke with various stakeholders, and presented their finding at a public forum. Their report includes the first comprehensive maps of the trail systems that are administered by different community groups and suggests ways integrate those systems.
MOU - 2015 Trail Study Scope of Work
In January, 2017 the Commission continued the project with another group of students from the Cornell School of Public Affairs. The goal was to develop a consumer map of the trails easily accessible residents and visitors.
MOU - 2017 Trail Study Scope of Work
In 2015 a group of three Cornell students participated in a semester long study of the trail systems in the North Elba / Lake Placid area. Devin Martin, Allison Springer and Yuexi Zheng visited the area, spoke with various stakeholders, and presented their finding at a public forum. Their report includes the first comprehensive maps of the trail systems that are administered by different community groups and suggests ways integrate those systems.
MOU - 2015 Trail Study Scope of Work
In January, 2017 the Commission continued the project with another group of students from the Cornell School of Public Affairs. The goal was to develop a consumer map of the trails easily accessible residents and visitors.
MOU - 2017 Trail Study Scope of Work
Historic Bike Tour
Group members:
Karen Delaney- High Peaks Cyclery
Carla Eilo- Lake Placid / North Elba Historic Society
Bev Reid- Town Historian
Mavis Miller – Community Development Commissioner / liaison with Northwood School tech class
Dean Dietrich- Community Development Commissioner
Notes from Organization Meeting 11/29
Karen Delaney- High Peaks Cyclery
Carla Eilo- Lake Placid / North Elba Historic Society
Bev Reid- Town Historian
Mavis Miller – Community Development Commissioner / liaison with Northwood School tech class
Dean Dietrich- Community Development Commissioner
Notes from Organization Meeting 11/29
Preliminary Draft of Routes
Included:
Loops:
Club Loop
River Road Loop
Whiteface Inn Loop
Spurs:
Stagecoach Rock Spur
John Brown Spur
Bear Cub Spur
Mt. Whitney Spur
Loj Spur
Government Communications (2019)
One of the goals identified in the Government Structure and Function section of the 2014 Comprehensive Plan is to enhance the efficiency of government operations by increasing transparency and access to municipal information and records. The identified implementation measures to achieve this objective are to provide IT capabilities at town hall for improved forms and strategies of public communication and to redesign the meeting rooms with presentation technology.
In an effort to move forward in that area the Development Commission reached out to the Cornell Institute of Public Affairs University Consulting Project University . This occurred in December of 2019. The University subsequently agreed to sponsor a consulting project as part of their graduate student capstone program. The students involved in the project will research best communication practices as utilized by governments of comparable communities and provide a set of recommendations to the Development Commission.
The Development Commission will then work with the Town and Village Governments to implement those recommendations. The report will be presented to the public in May, 2020.
MOU Cornell/North Elba & Lake Placid Government Communications
In an effort to move forward in that area the Development Commission reached out to the Cornell Institute of Public Affairs University Consulting Project University . This occurred in December of 2019. The University subsequently agreed to sponsor a consulting project as part of their graduate student capstone program. The students involved in the project will research best communication practices as utilized by governments of comparable communities and provide a set of recommendations to the Development Commission.
The Development Commission will then work with the Town and Village Governments to implement those recommendations. The report will be presented to the public in May, 2020.
MOU Cornell/North Elba & Lake Placid Government Communications
Main Street Advisory Group (2016)
In January of 2016 the Lake Placid Village Board asked the Lake Placid / North Elba Development Commission to examine the various legislation that directly impact Main Street. The goal is to ensure that the laws and regulations in place promote the vision for a vital, pedestrian friendly Main Street established by the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission organized a group of stakeholders to accomplish this task. The first meeting was held at 8 AM on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
Meeting notes
Resources:
Meeting notes
Resources:
- Main Street Vision Statements
- Laws pertaining to Main Street
- DOT Mobility Study - Executive Summary
- Main Street Visual
- Sidewalk photos - West
- Sidewalk photos - East
- Business Directory: Fall 2016
Land Use Code Review (2020)
The Comprehensive Plan adopted in 1996 by both the Town and Village called for the consolidation of their Land Use Codes. As a result a Joint Code was adopted in 2000. The 2000 Land Use Code consolidated the two jurisdictions, added to protections for the environment and sought to maintain the character of the community in the face of rapid development.
The current version of the Land Use Code was adopted in 2011. It was designed primarily to reflect the principles of Smart Growth Development, encourage affordable housing, increase environmental protections and streamline the permit process.
The current Land Use Code has been amended a number of times since its adoption in 2011. The most recent amendment added a provision regarding short term rentals. The adoption process for that amendment included a number of public hearings and a great deal of community discussion. Those discussions generated a desire to review the 2011 Code to ensure the existing provisions are consistent with the new approach to short term rentals.
In March of 2020 the Town Board of North Elba and the Village Board of Lake Placid both directed the Community Development Commission to spearhead an initiative to review and revise the 2011 Land Use Code. That Development Commission was established when the communities adopted a common Comprehensive Plan in 2014. It was basically created to promote the implementation of the goals and objectives of that then new Comprehensive Plan.
The Development Commission, in turn, has created a Land Use Code Revision Committee. This smaller group consists of individuals with first hand knowledge the existing Land Use Code. It also includes representatives of the Town and Village Code Enforcement Office as well as the Town and Village Boards. This group will serve as the steering committee for the initiative.
Original members:
Plan, Objectives, & Process
The current version of the Land Use Code was adopted in 2011. It was designed primarily to reflect the principles of Smart Growth Development, encourage affordable housing, increase environmental protections and streamline the permit process.
The current Land Use Code has been amended a number of times since its adoption in 2011. The most recent amendment added a provision regarding short term rentals. The adoption process for that amendment included a number of public hearings and a great deal of community discussion. Those discussions generated a desire to review the 2011 Code to ensure the existing provisions are consistent with the new approach to short term rentals.
In March of 2020 the Town Board of North Elba and the Village Board of Lake Placid both directed the Community Development Commission to spearhead an initiative to review and revise the 2011 Land Use Code. That Development Commission was established when the communities adopted a common Comprehensive Plan in 2014. It was basically created to promote the implementation of the goals and objectives of that then new Comprehensive Plan.
The Development Commission, in turn, has created a Land Use Code Revision Committee. This smaller group consists of individuals with first hand knowledge the existing Land Use Code. It also includes representatives of the Town and Village Code Enforcement Office as well as the Town and Village Boards. This group will serve as the steering committee for the initiative.
Original members:
- Art Devlin-‐ Village Board Liaison
- Emily Politi-‐ Town Board Liaison
- Bill Billerman-‐ Former Review Board Chair / Technical Steering Committee for 2011 Code
- Jackie Kelly-‐ Current Review Board Member
- Mike Orticelli – Code Enforcement Office
- Darci LaFarve-‐ Code Enforcement Office
- Liz Clarke-‐ Planning Consultant
- Dan Kellerer-‐ Liaison to APA Economic Development Committee
- Tim Smith-‐ Review Board Counsel
- Dean Dietrich-‐ Community Development Commission / Steering Committee Chairperson
Plan, Objectives, & Process