Comprehensive Plan:
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A Comprehensive Plan is a long-term, strategic framework that guides the development and growth of a community. It serves as a roadmap for shaping the future of the city, addressing key areas such as land use, infrastructure, housing, transportation, economic development, environmental sustainability, and public services. This plan is designed to align the community’s vision with its goals and objectives, providing direction for city leaders, residents, and organizations in making informed decisions about how the city grows and evolves.
The City of Jamestown is currently in the process of developing an updated Comprehensive Plan, with the goal of ensuring that our community remains resilient, thriving, and forward-thinking. The last Comprehensive Plan was completed in 1998, and since then, the City has made significant strides in several planning initiatives that have shaped its current state. From the development of new parks and green spaces to revitalizing neighborhoods and improving infrastructure, Jamestown has continuously worked toward enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
However, much has changed since the original plan was created, and the city’s needs, priorities, and goals have evolved. The updated Comprehensive Plan will reflect these changes and provide a clear direction for Jamestown’s growth in the coming decades. This plan will address emerging issues such as affordable housing, sustainable development, community health, climate change, and the future of downtown revitalization.
Why is it Important?
The Comprehensive Plan is an essential tool for ensuring that the City of Jamestown’s development is aligned with the values and priorities of its residents. It allows for proactive planning rather than reactive decision-making, helping to guide investments, policies, and initiatives that will shape the city’s future. The plan helps ensure that development is balanced, sustainable, and reflective of the community’s needs.
The updated Comprehensive Plan will:
- Provide a shared vision for Jamestown’s future growth and development.
- Identify opportunities for economic, cultural, and social development.
- Encourage community engagement by gathering input from residents, businesses, and stakeholders.
- Address challenges such as housing, transportation, and infrastructure.
- Promote sustainability in land use, development, and environmental conservation.
- Ensure the responsible use of public resources and investments.
The Role of a Comprehensive Plan in Securing State & Federal Funding
In New York State, having an updated and well-crafted Comprehensive Plan is a critical factor in accessing various state and federal funding opportunities. Many grant programs and funding initiatives available to municipalities require that cities and towns have a comprehensive plan in place to demonstrate their commitment to long-term planning, sustainable development, and community engagement.
Several funding programs, particularly those administered by state agencies like the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Empire State Development (ESD), and Housing Trust Fund Corporation, prioritize applications from municipalities with a clear, strategic vision for their future. A Comprehensive Plan helps ensure that Jamestown is eligible for a wide range of funding opportunities that can support critical projects such as:
- Infrastructure improvements: Including transportation, water systems, and energy-efficient upgrades.
- Affordable housing initiatives: Funding for the development of new housing units, especially for low- and moderate-income residents.
- Environmental preservation: Funding for projects that protect natural resources, green spaces, and sustainable land use.
- Economic development: Grants for revitalizing commercial districts, attracting new businesses, or supporting workforce development.
- Disaster recovery and resiliency projects: Including mitigation efforts for climate change and rebuilding efforts after natural disasters.
A Comprehensive Plan is not just a blueprint for growth, but also a powerful tool for demonstrating that a community is prepared and organized to take on ambitious projects. It provides the data, analysis, and long-term vision necessary to show potential funders that the city is capable of responsibly managing large-scale initiatives.
For example, many state and federal agencies use the Comprehensive Plan as a reference to evaluate whether a proposed project aligns with the city’s long-term goals and priorities. Without an up-to-date plan, Jamestown may miss out on critical funding opportunities that could help support much-needed improvements across the city.
By updating the Comprehensive Plan, Jamestown will ensure that it remains competitive for funding and can continue to build a vibrant, sustainable community with the resources needed to make those goals a reality.
The Process
Developing a new Comprehensive Plan is a collaborative process that involves extensive community input and data-driven analysis. The City of Jamestown has partnered with C&S Companies, a leading planning and engineering firm, to lead this process. C&S Companies brings a wealth of experience in urban planning, community development, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the plan is both comprehensive and forward-thinking.
The City will work closely with C&S Companies to engage residents, local organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders throughout the planning process. This will include public meetings, surveys, and other opportunities for community members to provide feedback and help shape the plan. C&S Companies will use this input, alongside detailed analysis of current data and trends, to guide the development of a plan that reflects Jamestown’s shared vision for the future.
The new plan will take into account the growth and challenges of the past two decades, as well as emerging trends and innovations that could impact the city. C&S Companies will analyze various factors such as housing, transportation, infrastructure, and economic development to provide actionable recommendations that align with the City’s goals. Once finalized, the plan will serve as a strategic blueprint for decision-makers, ensuring that future developments, policies, and initiatives are in line with Jamestown’s long-term vision.
By leveraging the expertise of C&S Companies, the City is ensuring that the new Comprehensive Plan is a robust, well-informed document that will guide Jamestown toward a sustainable and prosperous future.
By updating the Comprehensive Plan, Jamestown is positioning itself to meet the demands of the future while preserving the character and values of the community. The process will provide clear, actionable steps for creating a stronger, more sustainable Jamestown that reflects the aspirations of its residents. We are excited about the opportunities this plan will bring and invite all community members to actively participate in shaping the future of our city.
C&S Companies
Jamestown Comprehensive Plan Information – jtnycompplan.org
Helpful Links:
Development/Construction Projects: Site Planning
Historic Preservation
Jamestown Studies, Plans, & Documents
Urban Design Plan Update (UDP 2.0)
Forward Inquires Regarding Proposed Development to:
Ellen Shadle
Principal Planner
Municipal Building
200 East Third Street – 4th Floor
Jamestown, New York 14701
Phone: (716) 483-7657
Fax: (716) 483-7772
Email: shadle@jamestownny.gov
