More than 20 minutes of a recent Portland Town Board meeting featured a presentation from Senior Planner Courtney Domst regarding the county’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).

Domst discussed the benefits of an approved LWRP, which is focused on collaboration between multiple levels of government and a defined vision for the community with input from stakeholders. An approved LWRP can increase grant funding opportunities for projects pertaining to the development of the defined waterfront area.

Chautauqua County began designing an LWRP in 2015, at which point 10 communities were included in one document. New York State changed its requirements since then, now requiring individual plans for eight of the communities, with the town and village of Westfield combined into one plan, as well as the village of Silver Creek and the town of Hanover combined into one plan.

One of the focal points in the town of Portland’s plan is the potential for “needed improvements” to Lake Erie State Park through coordination with state representatives. Another key aspect of the plan could include a feasibility study in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers to address waterfront erosion.

Pictured is Lake Erie State Park, one of the areas targeted for “needed improvements” early in the planning for the countywide revitalization program.

Other areas of focus could include a lakefront viewing platform along Route 5; expanded trails and way-finding, including signage; a drainage district in the Greencrest and Van Buren communities; and further evaluation of the town’s sewer district. The town of Portland boundary, as defined in the LWRP, runs along Route 5 near the shoreline.

Each of the eight communities included in the county’s LWRP would need to adopt a Waterfront Consistency Law to ensure all local laws and regulations are applied in a way consistent with the state’s waterfront policies. New York state has 44 policies that pertain to waterfront projects that the county’s LWRP must follow.

Each community must also designate a Waterfront Coordinator to ensure consistency, oftentimes handled by municipal leaders. Portland Supervisor Rich Lewis has been involved in the county’s LWRP process on behalf of the town.

County representatives held meetings on the LWRP process in October and November of last year. Another meeting will likely be held this summer before a draft of the plan is presented to community leaders this fall.

Later in the recent Town Board meeting, Lewis noted that two solar projects in the town, located on Fay Street and Pecor Street, are “moving forward.” Both projects were purchased by Catalyze from Solar Liberty. The town is in negotiations with Catalyze regarding a Host Community Agreement.

The Town Board also adopted Local Law 1 of 2025 pertaining to an amendment in the Portland Zoning Code to address self-storage facilities. A facility used for storage of goods, materials, or personal property may be located in all non-residential districts. The storage facilities shall not store toxic, radioactive, or otherwise harmful substances that pose a risk to public health. No comments were made at a public hearing on the proposed law.

The Town Board also accepted an annual audit review of the Town Justice Court and the Town Clerk’s Office. The final report regarding American Rescue Plan Act funding was also approved. The Town of Portland exhausted all funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The next meeting of the Portland Town Board is set for Wednesday, June 11 at 6 p.m.