Planning & Development
The mission of the Department of Planning and Community Development is to promote the long-term physical and economic growth of the Town of Evans while ensuring that any new development occurs in harmony with the goals and objectives of the Evans-Angola Comprehensive Plan.
Evans Community Vision
Capitalize on key assets – waterfront, rich history and natural resources – to redefine the community as a year-round place to experience, visit and enjoy. High quality development will be encouraged in strategic locations throughout the communities that will attract commerce, residents and visitors alike. Agriculture will continue to be supported and preserved throughout the communities.
The Department is responsible for:
- Town-wide comprehensive and master planning;
- Technical and administrative assistance to the Planning Board and Town Board;
- Site plan and environmental review of commercial development;
- Community and economic development initiatives;
- Agricultural protection and promotion of agri-businesses;
- Tourism and waterfront development programs;
- Water quality, erosion and stormwater management improvements;
- Grant research, writing and management; and
- Implementation of the Evans-Angola Comprehensive Plan.
William Smith
Director of Planning and Development
Staff
The Planning and Community Development Department office staff includes:
Alexandra Kane, Planning and Development Associate
Land Use Applications
If you are considering starting or expanding a business/organization, proposing a new development, or subdividing land in the Town of Evans, the Department is also dedicated to assisting you throughout the application and review process. Those wishing to submit an application should first contact the Department to schedule a pre-application meeting.
To help aid prospective applicants in understanding the process, the following resources are provided:
Site Plan Review
Process Description: A Site Plan Review is a review process for new commercial development to ensure that Town standards are met.
The Planning Board is responsible for reviewing and acting upon site plan review applications. Prospective applicants must meet with the Planning Department to discuss their application. Guidance on the process can be found below:
- Town Code Section 200-42 Site Plan Submittal and Review
- Town Code Section 200-21.1 Design Standards
- Site Plan Review Application and Checklist
- Site Plan Review Process Flowchart
Special Use Permit
Process Description: A permit required for certain uses that are not permitted by right in a zoning district.
- Town of Evans Code § 200-45 Special use permits
- Town of Evans Design Standards
- Special Use Permit Application and Checklist
- Special Use Permit Process Flowchart
Rezoning
Process Description: A process to change the zoning classification of a property.
The Planning Board is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations upon rezoning applications. The Town Board is responsible for reviewing the Planning Board’s recommendation and acting upon the rezone application. Guidance on the process can be found below:
Minor Subdivision
Process Description: A process for dividing land into less than 5 lots.
The Department is responsible for reviewing, recommending, and reporting on Minor Subdivisions. The Town Board is responsible for reviewing the Department’s reports and acting on them. Guidance on the process can be found below:
Major Subdivision
Process Description: A process for dividing land into 5 or more lots.
The Planning Board is responsible for reviewing, recommending, and reporting on Major Subdivisions. The Town Board is responsible for reviewing the Planning Board’s reports and acting on them. Guidance on the process can be found below:
Signs
The Planning Department is responsible for reviewing and approving all proposed sign installations in the Town. Guidance on the process can be found below:
Additional Resources, Maps and Forms
State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR)
The Town of Evans (like all NYS municipalities) must uphold SEQR, which requires all local, regional, and state government agencies to equally examine the environmental impacts along with the social and economic considerations for a certain project, or action, during their discretionary review. With each of the Land Use Applications listed above, the applicant must submit a completed and signed Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 for review by the Planning Board and/or Town Board. The Environmental Assessment Form and additional tools provided NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to assist you in completing the form can be found below:
- Overview of State Environmental Quality Review Act
- NYSDEC Environmental Assessment Mapper
- Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 1
- Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1
Evans Angola Comprehensive Plan
In 2019, the Town of Evans and the Village of Angola collaborated to create the Evans-Angola Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to serve as a proactive document, providing the community with a blueprint for the future to be used by local leaders and boards to implement policies and regulations and act upon development applications that are in the best interest of the Town.
Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Since 2014, the Town of Evans has adopted a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) to help guide waterfront development and to protect the Town’s many natural, cultural and recreational resources along the Lake Erie shoreline. Please first view the LWRP Area Map (available for download below) to determine if your project is located within the LWRP Area. If so, you will also need to complete a Waterfront Assessment Form to initiate the LWRP Consistency Review process. Both the map and form can be downloaded using the following links:
- Town Code Section 197-5 Review of actions; consistency determination; evaluation criteria
- 2014 Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
- Local Waterfront Revitalization Area Maps
- Waterfront Assessment Form – LWRP Consistency Review
Agricultural Business/Tourism Enterprises
The Town of Evans is committed to supporting agricultural enterprises within its boundaries; therefore, regulations have been established to allow and reduce barriers to the operation of small agribusinesses, while ensuring that the health, safety, and welfare of the public is not compromised. If you are looking to start a small agricultural business in Evans, please review Section__ of the Town Code and review the following form
- Town Code Section 200-8.5 Agritourism and Agribusiness Enterprises
- Planning Board Waiver for Agribusiness/Tourism
Architectural and Waterfront Design Standards
If you are proposing a new building or significant alterations to an existing building in one of the Town’s business and waterfront districts (i.e. the Neighborhood Business, General Business, or Motor Services Districts) then please carefully review the following Architectural Design Standards which help to ensure that incoming businesses are consistent with the unique character of the community, consistent with the community’s vision for the future, and do not encroach negatively upon existing uses.
Zoning and Land Use Maps
- Zoning Districts Map
- Utility-Scale Solar Overlay District Map
- Cannabis Business Overlay District Map
- Local Waterfront Revitalization Area Map
- Erie County Interactive GIS Map
- NYSDEC Environmental Assessment Mapper
Other Town of Evans Planning Documents and Studies
Business Revolving Loan Fund
The Town of Evans is committed to the success of local businesses and is willing to take an active role in helping to achieve their goals. Owners of small businesses located in the Town are eligible to apply for the Business Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) which provides low-interest loans to qualifying applicants to expand operations, improve facilities, promote job creation and retention, and remain competitive in the global marketplace. More information ca be found below:
News & Updates
- Community Survey for the Parks and Sturgeon Point Master Plans
- Press Release on Town Grants and Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town have funding assistance programs for housing rehabilitation or first time home buyers?
The Town of Evans does not administer home assistance programs directly; however, town residents are eligible under Erie County’s community development programs (rental rehabilitation, housing rehabilitation, first time home buyer, housing accessibility & mobile home repair), as Evans is an Erie County Consortium community. Southtowns Rural Preservation Company, a State-funded, non-profit community development corporation also serves residents in the Town of Evans and Village of Angola. Please visit the Community Development home page for Links to these programs and others.
What is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program?
The goal of the CDBG program is to develop programs to build stronger neighborhoods by providing decent housing, proper living areas, and economic opportunities for those with low and modest incomes. The Town of Evans has been very successful in securing grant funding under this program, particularly for improvements to the low-to-moderate income areas of town.
Where does the Department of Community Development get their funding?
The Department of Community Development is funded primarily by grants from HUD:
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- HOME
- Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
The following municipalities comprise the CDBG Consortium: Cities of Lackawanna and Tonawanda; Towns of Alden, Aurora, Boston, Brant, Clarence, Colden, Collins, Concord, Eden, Elma, Evans, Grand Island, Holland, Lancaster, Marilla, Newstead, North Collins, Orchard Park, Sardinia, Wales and West Seneca; Villages of Akron, Alden, Angola, Depew, East Aurora, Farnham, Gowanda, Lancaster, North Collins, Orchard Park and Springville. The HOME Consortium includes the above communities, as well as the Town of Hamburg and the Villages of Blasdell and Hamburg.
Where can I find information on local foreclosed properties?
Erie County usually holds a foreclosure auction twice each year. Auction and Foreclosure information can be found at http://www.erie.gov/ecrpts/auction.asp
I am thinking about starting my own business and I have many questions about what type of business organization to form, registering my business, and local permits or licenses?
Starting a business is a serious, and often costly, endeavor. Questions such as: legal structure, insurance, and federal and state tax structure, depends on the type of business venture you are considering. Fortunately, there are several agencies that offer free or low cost business assistance programs for new startups to learn the elements of business management. Please visit the Community Development home page for Links to these programs and others.
I have been told that there are grants for small business – can you tell me where I can find more information?
It is possible; however, the chances of a for-profit business receiving a grant are highly unlikely. These grants are usually for very specific purposes such as Workforce Training, Research & Development (R&D), and energy efficiency. For information on business assistance and incentives, please consult resources outlined in the Erie County Business Assistance Directory located in the Community Development document page.
What is an Industrial Development Agency and does Evans have one?
Industrial Development Agencies (IDA) are public benefit corporations originally authorized by the Industrial Development Agency Act of 1969 and governed by the provisions of Article 18-A of the General Municipal Law. The Town of Evans does not have its own IDA; however, we are served the Erie County IDA. According to the authorizing statute, the purpose of an IDA is to promote, develop, encourage and assist in acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining or equipping certain facilities, thereby advancing the job opportunities, health, general prosperity and the economic welfare of the people of New York.