For More Information: www.buffalogreencode.com info@buffalogreencode.com Buffalo Gr een Code Newsletter • Issue 1 Zoning for Buffalo Zoning matters. Why? Because zoning regulates what people can build, where they can build it, and how they can build it. Zoning matters because it is the mechanism by which our visions and our plans for the future of the city will be implemented day by day and year by year. We have a vision and a plan for Buffalo, developed by the community over the past decade. But Buffalo’s zoning code hasn’t been revised in a comprehensive way since the early 1950’s. So much has changed since then: where and how we live, work, and shop; how we get around the city; and how we understand the impact our way of life makes on the environment. We believe it is time to bring the rules that govern development in the city in line with the established vision and plan for the future. That’s why Mayor Brown has initiated a process to create a “Green Code” for Buffalo. It’s called the Buffalo Green Code because the plan it will put into effect aims to grow our economy, protect our environment,preserve the natural and cultural heritage of our city, and build great neighborhoods in which all our citizens will be proud to live. There is much we must do to make our plans a reality. We must invest in infrastructure, develop our human resources, preserve the fabric of the city, and support new economic ventures. But we also need to design a new system of zoning to guide where and how investments are made, to encourage sound private investment and to make sure we rebuild our city the way the community has said it should be rebuilt. Zoning includes thousands of big and little decisions about how things already built ought to be maintained and how new things to be built should Mayor’s Letter Dear Fellow Residents, My Administration is committed to creating a new zoning code that will set the foundation for a new placed-based economic development strategy to strengthen Buffalo, now and in the future. The new zoning code will be known as the Buffalo Green Code. It will be a modern code that is environmentally responsible, creates jobs in the city, forms neighborhoods of choice and promotes long term sustainability for the benefit of our youth and future Buffalo residents. Our city has a great opportunity to revitalize, by using our enviable legacy and valuable assets. Zoning is the means by which we build our community. We can use zoning to efficiently meet our needs and desires if we all get involved. Th is is an opportunity t hat only comes along once every couple of generations a nd we have it before us now. I invite all citizens, in every sector of the city, to participate and take an active role in the development of the Buffalo Green Code. We need your help and we value your opinion. Please at tend one of the Buffalo Green Code listening meetings scheduled for November 16th, 17th and 18th, at various locations. Sincerely, Mayor Byron W. BrownP h o t o t a k e b y D a v i d T o r k e , 2 0 0 + In This Issue Mayor’s Letter Zoning for Buffalo
