Thomas Hulihan, Planning Director Amy Lolik, Assistant Planning Director Phone: (518) 462-4839
Fax: (518) 462-0890 City Hall, 62 Washington Street
Rensselaer, NY 12144
Reimagine Rensselaer” Begins Ideas Being Sought for City of Rensselaer Improvements REIMAGINE RENSSELAER SURVEY FLYER
Reimagine Rensselaer is funded through an $85,000 grant from the New York State Department of State Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program. Since the BOA program began in 2005, the State has distributed over $45 million across communities for planning and pre-development activities. While historically focused on brownfield sites, the program has evolved to take a more general look at opportunities for investment and revitalization of underutilized, abandoned, or vacant properties.
The City of Rensselaer has engaged LaBella Associates as consultants to guide the planning process. This will involve facilitating community engagement events throughout the year, as well as developing recommendations for investment and revitalization into the final plan. A Steering Committee of community members has been formed to provide local input on all facets of the plan and planning process. “We are excited to be starting this process with LaBella Associates and are looking forward to the input we receive from the community that will guide us in ways to make Rensselaer better,” said Thomas Hulihan, Planning Director for the City of Rensselaer.
There will be many ways and occasions for community members to participate in Reimagine Rensselaer over the year. For more background information on the funding and planning process visit www.rensselaerplanning.com. This website will be updated with plan information as it develops. Community members are encouraged to check the site for event dates, plan updates, and general information throughout the year.
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THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES AWARD OF NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS IMPROVEMENT GRANT FUNDING SECURED BY FORMER PLANNING DIRECTOR KETURA VICS.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOIRROF)
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:
On or about Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the City of Rensselaer will submit a request to the Office of Community Renewal (OCR) for the release of CDBG funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as the Neighborhood Safe Parks Improvements Project for the purpose of making recreational facility and equipment upgrades (other than buildings) to four municipal public parks, located at First Street, Tracy Street, Plum Street, and Riverfront Park in the City of Rensselaer. The total estimated project cost is $1,975,000, including $1,927,000 in FY 2022 CDBG funding awarded to the City of Rensselaer and $48,000 of member item funding provided through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the address below and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
City of Rensselaer Planning and Development Department City Hall, Second Floor 62 Washington Street Rensselaer, New York 12144 (518) 462-4839
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Rensselaer Planning and Development Department. All comments received by November 29, 2022 will be considered by the City of Rensselaer prior to submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The City of Rensselaer certifies to the Office of Community Renewal that Michael Stammel, in his official capacity as Mayor and Certifying Officer, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The Office of Community Renewal’s acceptance of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and allows the City of Rensselaer to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Office of Community Renewal will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Rensselaer’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Rensselaer; (b) the City of Rensselaer has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Office of Community Renewal; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.
Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to: Crystal Loffler, Acting President, at the NYS Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207. Potential objectors should contact the Office of Community Renewal to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Michael Stammel
Mayor and Certifying Officer
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Link to Planning Department Page
The Planning & Building Departments have several roles relating to the development and re-development of the city's land and structures through administration of the Zoning Code and Building Code. These codes are adopted and periodically amended by the City of Rensselaer Common Council to protect the health, safety, property, and welfare of the City's residents as well as comply with New York State law.
The Building Department administers the building and zoning codes through issuance of permits, conducting inspections, and issuance of violation letters and tickets.
The Planning Department administers applications to the public board and environmental review process required of most development or redevelopment in the city. Applicants for site plans, subdivision plats, special permits, certificates of appropriateness, and variances present their proposals or requests through this office for approval by the Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals, whose members are city residents appointed by the Mayor.
The Planning Department also administers the HOME Program, which provides income-based grants for home rehabilitation under the Federal Housing & Urban Development Agency (HUD).
The City of Rensselaer has established Building Permit, Certificate of Compliance (businesses), Certificate of Occupancy (rented residential), Rental Dwelling Registry, Site Plan Review, Subdivision, Stormwater Management, and Zoning requirements for all properties within its borders.
If you are looking to do work on your existing city home, plan new construction, or are relocating a business to our city, please contact our office so we can assist you with our local rules and application procedures.
The link Below is a Brochure with information about the City of Rensselaer.
Rensselaer: Hub of New York’s Tech Valley
Here are some links to relevant local laws administered by this department: