In 2001, the Genesee County Legislature adopted a Smart Growth Plan to minimize the impacts of additional growth and development that would otherwise occur as a result of the extension of water service.  The county set up a process in which it worked with town governments to identify "development areas" within the county.  The County committed to providing public water to these areas from county-funded portions of the county water system.  Access to the county-funded portion of the water system by properties outside the development areas are controlled to ensure compatibility with the county's smart growth objectives.