Text · page 78 of 154
Read the whole document on one page (all 154 pages, each with its own heading)
78 Town of Aurora Future Land Use The Future Land Use Map does not have regulatory authority on its own, but it serves as a planning tool to guide long-term land use decisions, support community development goals, and inform future updates to the Town’s zoning code. In New York State, Future Land Use Maps help municipalities establish a vision for growth, preservation, and redevelopment by identifying appropriate land use patterns and guiding zoning decisions. Aurora’s future land use categories were developed by starting with the Town’s existing zoning code, and then making adjustments based on the input collected from the steering committee, key community stakeholders, and community members throughout the process. Neighborhood Residential The Neighborhood Residential (NR) land use designation would permit higher-density housing similar to the Town’s existing R-3 Residential District. This future land use designation would extend higher-density housing development to areas around the edge of the Village of East Aurora, within Erie County Sewer District No. 8, and the former Christ the King Seminary Campus. Permitted uses include single-family homes, townhouses, ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, cottage courts, senior living communities, and apartments. This designation builds on the walkability and vitality of East Aurora—the Town’s economic and cultural hub—while leveraging existing sewer infrastructure to support compact development. By encouraging diverse housing types in this area, the Town can meet the needs of young families, support aging in place, improve housing affordability, and limit sprawl to protect farmland and forested land. Preferred Uses: • Single-family & manufactured homes • Townhomes • ADUs • Duplexes and triplexes • Cottage courts and apartments • Senior living communities • Home occupations • Civic, community and institutional facilities Other Considerations: • Encourage small lot development to support compact neighborhoods and affordability. • Encourage buildings to front the street at reduced setbacks with porches or stoops to create a strong neighborhood feel and enhanced walkability. • Encourage cottage court layouts (small, detached homes around a shared courtyard) to provide alternatives to traditional subdivisions. • Allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right on all lots, with flexibility in form (i.e., detached, above-garage, basement units). • Support energy-efficient and climate-resilient building practices, including provisions for EV charging, roof-mounted solar, and green infrastructure. • Permit small-scale community facilities (i.e., daycare centers and neighborhood clinics) that support local residents. • Instead of parking minimums, consider parking maximums to minimize the amount of open space that needs to be developed to accommodate the parking lot.