Planning
The Department of Planning consists of a team of professionals dedicated to promoting orderly development that protects and improves the quality of life and physical environment of Westchester County. The department works with a wide array of citizen boards to carry out its work.
We hope you will explore our varied projects and resources. The subjects range from protecting water quality and natural habitat to advancing housing opportunities, promoting smart growth and reviewing development proposals. We also provide extensive census and research data and information on local zoning codes.
What's new at the Department of Planning?
On February 29, 2012, the County submitted to the federal housing monitor a report titled “Review and Analysis of Municipal Zoning Ordinances in Westchester County.” The report responds to the direction given in the Monitor's Report and Recommendation Regarding Dispute Resolution (Amended), issued on November 17, 2011 and includes an Appendix - “Compendium Data Tables of 43 Municipal Zoning Ordinances.”
The Department of Planning will be honored in April with an Award of Merit in the Best Practices category for the Westchester County Homeseeker Web site.
Staff presented on Westchester 2025: Plan Together - Comprehensive Plans, Resources and Results at the opening evening of the Annual WMPF Land Use Training Institute. They discussed the value of Comprehensive Plans and described the extensive online resources the Department can offer to municipalities. On the second evening, staff spoke on Flooding and Land Use Planning and offered details on seven projects that will address chronic flooding along the Bronx River and Sound Shore.
Westchester 2025
What should Westchester look like in 2025? As we face issues that are changing and evolving – from flooding to traffic to housing to climate change – we are required to rethink how we make decisions, big and small.
Westchester 2025 aims to provide a solid foundation for constructive conversation about maintaining our quality of life and how to work together on shared goals. Learn more
Housing
Housing provides funding to assist in the development of new fair and affordable housing as well as the rehabilitation of existing housing stock. We also provide affordable housing and rental assistance to homeowners and tenants who are income eligible.
The county, working in concert with each municipality, addresses its local housing needs, as well as its share of regional affordable housing deficits. Learn more
Environmental Protection
Planning provides assistance to municipalities with zoning and local development initiatives.
It also reviews referrals from local municipalities for the county Planning Board and recommends best planning practices that work to promote economic growth and protect the environment. Learn more
Watershed Protection
There are six major drainage basins in Westchester - Upper Hudson River, Croton River, Lower Hudson, Upper LI Sound, Bronx River, and Lower LI Sound.
Watershed protection is a major concern so the county oversees a variety of programs to protect county water quality. These reservoirs provide drinking water for residents of Westchester, NYC and Connecticut while others rely on wells. Learn more
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