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Our plenary session at 9 a.m.on Monday, Sept. 27 focuses on aging in place and the many issues surrounding this important topic. According to the AARP, by the year 2040 the number of Americans over the age of 65 will more than double from 40 million to 81 million. Studies have repeatedly shown that a majority of New Yorkers would like to remain within their community as they age, without having to leave behind neighbors, doctors and familiar civic features such as libraries, churches and theatres.

However, many local zoning codes make aging in place a difficult proposition by placing restrictions on housing types and affordability levels that could accommodate those interested in multi-family housing, as well as discouraging mixed-use neighborhoods and safe pedestrian access.

Tentatively titled “Is Yours an Elder-Friendly Community?” speakers in the plenary session include Will Stoner, the Associate State Director for AARP New York’s “Livable Communities” agenda, and Patricia E. Salkin, Associate Dean and Director of the Government Law Center of Albany Law School.

The New York Planning Federation’s annual conference has been consistently praised as one of the best, most diverse and most informative in the state. Between the variety of sessions and the ideal time of year for fall foliage viewing, we anticipate a large attendance this year.

If you would like to nominate someone from your municipality to receive one of the Planning Federation’s five annual awards (to be presented at a luncheon on Tuesday, September 28^th), please download this form, as well. If you have any questions or need additional information about the conference, contact Lael Locke (llocke@nypf.org) or call our toll-free number 1-800-366-NYPF

The NYPF is pleased to announce that members may now access training modules via this Web site. If you are a member of a municipal board, you can fulfill your four-hour training requirement without leaving your desk – at NO CHARGE for NYPF members.

NYPF members can register for access to the members only section by clicking here or by using the navigation choice on your left.

If you are not a member, click here to find out how to join and take advantage of the benefits of NYPF membership.

In addition to the online training modules, the NYPF is enhancing the “members only” section of this Web site to contain documents and models and other pertinent information vital to the performance and education of the membership. Please let us know what you’d like to see by contacting us at nypf@nypf.org.

New York State has some of the highest potential for wind energy development of any state in the nation. Yet many local officials feel unprepared to evaluate proposed wind energy facilities that are increasingly coming before them. The Toolkit is designed to offer information on the various aspects of wind energy development to help municipalities decide how, where and whether wind energy facilities should be sited.

The Toolkit consists of a series of short, topical papers, three of which were prepared by the New York Planning Federation for NYSERDA, including Wind Energy Development and the Comprehensive Plan, Government Agencies’ Role in the Approval Process and Wind Energy Model Ordinance Options. These three papers are especially geared to answering the kinds of questions local officials are likely to have about planning and zoning for wind energy development.

NYSERDA’s website also provides a link to NYSERDA’s wind map, illustrating the areas within the State which have the greatest potential for wind energy development. See the winter edition of Planning News for the full article.

The Bloustein Online Continuing Education for Planners program at Rutgers University provides a variety of professional development courses to those in the field of urban, regional, city and community planning.

14 AICP Continuing Professional Development credits can be received for each four-week online course. The New York Planning Federation members receive a 10% discount off the $250 course fee.

BOCEP courses are taught by professionals from the East Coast and around the country. You can learn more about the program as well as future courses at http://policy.rutgers.edu/bocep/bocep.html.

Updated Guide
NYPF has updated the popular "The Short Course: A Basic Guide for Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeals in NYS." It contains many updates that you'll want to be aware of. The guide, now in its 7th printing, has proven to be a valuable resource for local governments. To purchase this guide, visit our bookstore.

Land Use Training & Certification School
The New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal Land Use Training Program for Local Government Officials is an online training program designed to teach the basics of New York land use law. The program is made available to governmental officials, planning and zoning board members, municipal risk managers and others for noncommercial purposes. The program has nine tutorials and a glossary with links to definitions and various New York State statutes.

The program is produced by the Pace University Land Use Law Center and the New York Planning Federation. It is made available through the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal, which is owned by the 530 New York Municipalities it insures.

You can download the program free from NYMIR or the zip file (1.6 meg) from NYPF.

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New York Planning Federation
One Columbia Place
4th Floor
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: 518-512-5270 or 800-366-NYPF (6973)
Fax: 518-512-5274
e-mail: nypf@nypf.org