[Amended 1-8-1974 by L.L. No. 2-1974, effective 1-14-1974; 3-14-2023 by L.L. No. 22-2023, effective 4-4-2023]
There shall be in the Town of Hempstead a Department of Planning
and Economic Development. The executive officer of such Department
shall be the Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development, who
shall be appointed by the Town Board for the term fixed by law at
such salary as may, from time to time, be fixed by the said Town Board.
The Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development shall be appointed
on the basis of administrative experience and qualifications for the
duties of such office. There may be Deputy Commissioners to the Commissioner
of Planning and Economic Development. The Deputy Commissioners, individually,
shall have the authority to act for and in place of the Commissioner
of Planning and Economic Development in all regards. The Commissioner
shall designate, in writing, the order in which the deputies shall
act, in case of the Commissioner's absence, inability to work, or
vacancy. The Commissioner shall have the power to appoint and remove
all subordinate officers and other employees and to assign them to
their respective duties. The Commissioner shall be in the unclassified
service of the civil service. The position of Deputy Commissioner
shall, pursuant to the statutory authority contained in the Municipal
Home Rule Law and the Civil Service Law, be in the exempt class.
[Amended 1-8-1974 by L.L. No. 2-1974, effective 1-14-1974]
There shall be within the Department of Planning and Economic
Development the Planning Division and the Research Division, together
with such other and further divisions as may, from time to time, hereafter
be deemed necessary and be established by the Town Board. Each of
said Divisions shall be supervised by an administrative official,
who shall be a Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development
for such division.
The Department of Planning and Economic Development shall have
the following powers and duties, to be exercised under the general
supervision of the Commissioner by the divisions indicated:
A. Planning Division. To prepare and submit for Town Board consideration
reports and recommendations based upon analysis made of information
gathered and furnished by the Research Division, and to perform such
other planning activities with respect to any and all services, facilities,
programs and other matters which may be in any manner related to land
use, circulation and community facilities and other planning functions
as prescribed by law or otherwise beneficial to town government in
promoting environmental amenity and the economic and social well-being
of the town, its residents, taxpayers and commercial community.
B. Research Division. To conduct a continuing research program with
respect to changing conditions within the town; to review and analyze
all legislation of higher governmental authority which may affect
the purposes for which this Department is created or which may provide
financial assistance with respect to programs or projects of a type
as might be undertaken by the town or on behalf of any of its improvement
districts; to review and analyze all studies and reports of public
and quasi-public agencies involved in regional, metropolitan or bicounty
planning: to maintain up-to-date statistical tabulations with respect
to such matters as would be beneficial for general planning purposes
and to develop new and unique statistical material for planning purposes
employing data processing equipment and total information system techniques.
All costs and expenses incurred by the Department or its officers,
agents or employees on behalf of a special improvement district or
special town project shall be charged against such district or project
and paid from the funds duly appropriate for such district or project.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to delegate or transfer
any power of the Town Board contained in Sections 61 or 64 or Articles
12, 14, 15 and 16 of the Town Law of the State of New York, or any
other powers which may be lawfully exercised by said Town Board or
the Supervisor.