About the Town’s LWRP
The NYS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) is a comprehensive plan management program that promotes the balanced preservation, enhancement, and utilization of the Town’s valuable waterfront resources. The LWRP is both a planning and regulatory program to advance the vision and best utilization of the Town’s water resources and adjacent inland access. The proposed Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) for the Town’s LWRP includes two subareas including 1) the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and 2) the Cayuga Lake shoreline. Once complete, the LWRP waterfront policies, regulations, and recommendations will serve as a guide for future development and improvements to the waterfront areas. The Seneca Falls LWRP is being prepared with funding provided by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA)
Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC)
The Seneca Falls LWRP is led by a Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) comprised of interested parties at the local, county, regional, and state levels. The WAC intends to provide diverse perspectives regarding the water and land uses within the WRA. The WAC includes the following individuals and associated organizations:
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Frank E. Schmitter | Supervisor, Town of Seneca Falls |
| Greg Zellers | Director, Seneca Falls Development Corp |
| Kristin Sandroni | Marketing Coordinator, Generations Bank; Vice-Chair, Seneca Falls Development Corp |
| Joseph Lorenzetti | Retired Physician |
| Judy Wentzel | Executive Director, Bonafiglia Foundation |
| Christopher Lytle | Representative, Ludovico Sculpture Trail |
| Jessica Lorenzetti | Teacher, Seneca Falls Central School District; Secretary, Seneca Falls Development Corp |
| Christine VanDusen | Business Owner; Seneca Falls Development Corp |
| Andrew Olden, Ph.D. | Executive Director, Seneca Falls Heritage and Tourism Center |
| Allison Stokes | Ludovico Sculpture Trail |
| Doug Avery | Treasurer, Seneca Falls Development Corp; Former Board Member, Town of Seneca Falls |
| Sheila Giovannini | President, Board of Directors, Seneca Falls Heritage and Tourism Center |
| BJ Radford | CFO, Cayuga Nation |
| Rachael Bowman | Park Manager, Cayuga Lake State Park |
| Ahna Wilson | Superintendent, Women’s Rights National Historical Park |
| Michael A. Mestan | President, Northeast College of Health Sciences |
| Joell Murny-Karsten | Government and Community Relations Manager, NYS Canal Corporation |
| Charlie Cappelino | Board Member, Cayuga Lake Watershed Network |
Public Engagement Opportunities
There will be multiple opportunities for public input during the creation of Seneca Falls’ LWRP. Engagement opportunities will include a community survey, multiple public workshops, and a public hearing during the environmental review process. We want your voice to help guide the Town’s LWRP.
Public Workshop #1
Public Workshop #1 for the LWRP took place on Monday, June 17th at the Nation Women’s Hall of Fame from 5:00-8:00 pm. The Public Workshop focused on reviewing information about the LWRP and completing a SWOT (Strengths/Opportunities/Weaknesses/Threats) analysis of the Town’s waterways. Check out the public workshop materials here.
LWRP Survey
A public survey was available in June and July 2024 for respondents to share their vision for future of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and Cayuga Lake waterfronts. Responses from the Survey will be posted soon.
Contact Us
Do you have comments or feedback about the Seneca Falls LWRP? Contact that WAC by emailing Eric Cooper eric.cooper@mrbgroup.com or call the Town at 315-568-8013, Option 2.
Documents
LWRP Sections
- Public Workshop Report of June 17, 2024
- Section I – Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
- Section II – Inventory & Analysis of Existing Conditions within the Waterfront Revitalization Area
- Section III – Coastal Policies Refined for Use with LWRPs on Inland Waterways Designated in Article 42 of the Executive Law
WAC Meeting Notes
- MEETING 1 – 9/11/2023 – LWRP WAC NOTES
- MEETING 2 – 10/30/2023 – LWRP WAC NOTES
- MEETING 3 – 11/29/2023 – LWRP WAC NOTES
- MEETING 4 – 2/19/2024 LWRP WAC NOTES
- MEETING 5 – 5/21/2024 LWRP WAC NOTES
FAQs
Q: What is an LWRP?
A: Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) is a locally prepared, comprehensive land and water use program for a community’s natural, public, developed, and working waterfront areas. The LWRP must plan for long-term land and water uses, designating local regulations and policies, as well as identified waterfront projects.
Q: What are the benefits of preparing a LWRP?
A: Once approved, the LWRP reflects the community’s consensus and provides a clear vision for the future of Seneca Falls’ waterfront areas. It establishes a long-term relationship among the local government, community-based organizations, local and regional stakeholders, and the state. The policy section of the LWRP ensures that permitting, funding, and actions by federal and state agencies must be consistent with the Town’s LWRP. Additionally, funding to advance the implementation of the LWRP is available under Title 11 of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund for projects identified and in alignment with the Town’s LWRP.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: The Town is committed to a community-driven planning process. There will be multiple opportunities for the public to get involved including sharing your experiences with the Town’s waterfront areas, shaping priorities and projects, and providing feedback on the draft LWRP.
A. There will be multiple ways for you to shape Seneca Falls LWRP including:
- Public Workshops
- A Community Survey
- Pop-Up Engagement Events
- SEQR Public Hearing
We will post information regarding public engagement opportunities on this website, and public news outlets.
Q: Where can I learn more?
A. Go to the NYS Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization website at https://dos.ny.gov/local-waterfront-revitalization-program to learn more about the program process.