Project Scope and Schedule

The Open Space Plan spans three interconnected tasks designed to create actionable, data-driven planning tools.

Task 1: Open Space Inventory & Index (OSI)

  1. Update existing 2021 NRI databases, basemaps, and regional GIS layers.

  2. Identify and describe Olive’s core open space resources.

  3. Establish a formal, community-informed ranking methodology evaluating unprotected parcels across five categories (Water & Watershed, Forest & Habitat, Climate Resilience & Connectivity, Scenic & Rural Character, and Working & Community Lands).

  4. Produce a finalized Open Space Inventory.

Task 2: Open Space Plan & Implementation Strategies

  1. Synthesize community and stakeholder feedback into clear open space goals and policies.

  2. Formulate voluntary land protection strategies, funding mechanisms, and short- and long-term action matrices.

  3. Produce GIS layers, editable mapping templates, and planning toolkits for town boards, committees, and councils.

  4. Complete State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) coordination and final plan adoption.

Task 3: Inclusive Public Engagement

  1. Implement a transparent participation program utilizing pop-ups, public visioning workshops, digital surveys, and regular milestone reporting.

Tentative Project Schedule

The planning process is expected to run from April 2026 through July 2027.

TimeframePhaseKey Activities & Deliverables
Apr 2026Kickoff & ReviewProject kickoff, Advisory Committee formation, NRI database updates, and stakeholder identification.
May 2026 – Aug 2026Methodology & MappingBasemap development, draft ranking methodology, and Olive Day outreach preparation.
Sep 2026 – Nov 2026Public Engagement Round 1Olive Day pop-up, Town Visioning Workshop, Outreach, and category weighting tally.
Nov 2026 – Jan 2027Draft OSI & Plan AssemblyApplication of community weights to parcel data, Open Space Inventory maps, and initial Draft Plan drafting.
Mar 2027 – May 2027Public Engagement Round 2Public presentation of the Draft Plan and Open Space Index for community feedback and refinement.
Jun 2027 – Jul 2027Plan Adoption & SEQRPlan finalization, SEQR documentation, presentation to Town Board and CAC, and formal adoption.