Master Plan
Adopted by the LDC Board of Directors, Syracuse Planning Commission and Syracuse Common Council, the Syracuse Lakefront Area Master Plan represents the collective redevelopment vision for the 800 acres on the shores of Onondaga Lake, just north of Downtown Syracuse, known as the Syracuse Lakefront. Underutilized, vacant, and unattractive properties that once covered the landscape are now being revitalized as new office complexes, housing units and tourism shops, consistent with the Lakefront vision.
The Syracuse Lakefront is divided into seven distinct development districts, each possessing unique assets and development vision. Since 1988, over $950 million in new investment has reinvigorated the Lakefront landscape. In the decade to come, we expect well over $1.2 billion more in new investment, including an expanded Carousel Center, an exciting Inner Harbor, continued redevelopment of the historic brick landmarks in Franklin Square, new urban housing and office space in Harbor East and West, and new linkages between the Lakefront Area and surrounding community assets.
The LDC has also worked with the City of Syracuse and landowners in the Lakefront Area to create major zoning changes based on the Lakefront Area Master Plan and the concepts of New Urbanism, Sustainable Development and Smart Growth.
New Zoning Guidelines:
In partnership with the Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency, the City of Syracuse has adopted significant changes to its zoning and land use regulations.
Comprised of a mix of old industrial zoning and patches of recent zoning changes favoring residential and mixed use developments, the pre-existing zoning in the area was outdated and in some cases in direct conflict with the goals and objectives of the Syracuse Lakefront Master plan. New zoning regulations will help support the vision of the Master Plan and promote economic growth, as well as offer the opportunity for more tourism-related development through a resort overlay.
Building on the concepts of New Urbanism, smart growth, and sustainable development, the Syracuse Lakefront has developed a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Code for several development districts within the Lakefront. Designed as a shift in thinking and a literal replacement to traditional zoning, the code seeks to regulate land uses based on design rather than by use. Critical elements of the new TND Code include the focused design of the public realm, a mix of supportable land uses, a density that encourages pedestrian activity and the easy use of mass transit, and built-in predictability of future development based on a regulating plan.
The framework of the TND Code was developed by the firm of the renowned New Urbanism architect, Andreas Duany, as part of the Community Settlement Plan for Onondaga County. The first of its kind, the Settlement Plan was designed to provide the planning and zoning tools for the 35 municipalities in Onondaga County to improve their residents' quality of life through a renewed emphasis on neighborhoods.
In addition to the TND, the resort overlay will allow for commercial expansion geared toward attracting visitors to the area. In order for the overlay to be put into effect, a developer would need to present a comprehensive plan for use of the land to the Planning Commission and follow an established review process.
The Lakefront Zoning Ordinances are posted online at http://www.syracuse.ny.us/Zoning_Ordinances.aspx , and begin in Part B Section IX. For information on the proposed Lakefront land use please consult the City of Syracuse Zoning office at 315-448-8640.