Community Planning & Development
Department of Planning & Community Development
175 Arsenal Street, Watertown, New York 13601
T: 315-785-3144 F: 315-785-5092 E: planning@jeffersoncountyny.gov
Community Planning & Development
The Jefferson County Planning and Community Development Department provides planning support, resources, and technical assistance to municipalities throughout the County. Many towns and villages in Jefferson County do not have a full-time planner on staff, and the County Planning office is available to help local officials navigate planning and development issues as they arise.
Planning staff regularly assist communities in updating or preparing comprehensive plans, developing or revising zoning and subdivision regulations, and addressing emerging land-use topics such as short-term rentals, battery energy storage systems, and other evolving development trends. The Department also works with municipalities on community development initiatives, including helping identify and pursue grant funding for infrastructure improvements, housing programs, downtown revitalization, and other local priorities.
Staff work closely with towns, villages, planning boards, and community partners to provide guidance, share best practices, and help communities move planning projects forward.
Resources
This page provides information and links to resources that support local planning and development efforts, including:
- Training resources for planning boards, zoning boards, and local leaders
- Grant programs and funding opportunity listings
- Maps, data, and other planning resources
These resources are intended to help local governments build capacity, strengthen planning efforts, and support thoughtful community development across Jefferson County.
General Technical Assistance
Each year, staff respond to hundreds of technical assistance and informational inquiries from the general public, local businesses, the development community, and other governmental agencies. These requests typically cover a broad range of topics, such as Census information, environmental and development requirements, economic demographics, and grant opportunities. To request technical assistance, email planning@jeffersoncountyny.gov.
Fort Drum Growth Management Assistance
The Department works with Fort Drum, Advocate Drum, and Jefferson County Economic Development staff to develop the annual Fort Drum Regional Economic Impact Report. Staff participates in the Advocate Drum Sustainability Committee and the Compatibility Committee. Staff also discusses local projects with possible impacts on Fort Drum with Fort Drum staff. In the past staff worked on the Fort Drum Region Transit Needs Assessment, housing construction database, and the Fort Drum Joint Land Use Study. Additional information is available on the Advocate Drum website at www.advocatedrum.com.
