City of North Tonawanda receives funding for EPF Smart Growth

Submitted by the Office of City of North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec

Mayor Austin Tylec is thrilled to announce that the City of North Tonawanda has been awarded $135,000 through the Department of State’s Environmental Protection Fund Smart Growth program. This award will provide the city with essential resources to promote sustainable development and foster the well-being of our community by the preparation and local adoption of an updated zoning code.

An update to the zoning code will also influence the ongoing update of the city’s 2008 comprehensive plan by shaping land use policies, density guidelines, and development standards, ensuring alignment between zoning and long-term planning goals.

The EPF Smart Growth funding is part of New York state’s ongoing efforts to invest in communities that prioritize the protection of natural resources while fostering responsible growth. The program aligns perfectly with North Tonawanda’s redevelopment efforts toward our existing downtown area and former brownfield sites.

“This funding is a pivotal step forward for our community,” Tylec said. “The Department of State (DOS) Smart Growth program offers us the opportunity to revitalize neighborhoods.”

The allocated funds will support a range of strategic initiatives, including:

•Economic vitality – attract new businesses, create jobs, and enhance the local economy by providing spaces for retail, office and residential uses within close proximity to each other, making the city more attractive to developers and entrepreneurs. Specifically, this would be a critical approach for the Oliver Street business corridor.

•Efficient use of infrastructure – mixed-use development can make better use of existing infrastructure, reducing the need for costly new development and straining the city’s limited resources, and reducing sprawl.

•Social interaction and community cohesion – by bringing different land uses together, mixed-use zoning in the City of North Tonawanda can encourage social interaction and build stronger community bonds. Public spaces and parks can also serve as gathering points for residents.

This project also advances the WNY Regional Economic Development Council's strategic plan as it will advance Smart Growth principles and integrate economic development and job creation. It will enhance the community’s quality of life by preserving and enhancing both built and natural environments in North Tonawanda. By focusing on smart growth, the city will implement projects that ensure a healthy and vibrant future for generations to come.

“We are grateful for this support from the state, which will empower us to meet the growing needs of our community by updating the outdated zoning code,” Community Development Director Laura Wilson said. “This is a great achievement for North Tonawanda, and we are excited to see the positive impact these projects will have on our residents and the environment.”

The city will begin the planning phase of these initiatives in the coming months, with projects expected to roll out over the next several years.