The town and village of Cazenovia jointly received a Smart Growth Award from Madison County last week during the county’s third biennial Planning and Zoning Appreciation Banquet. The banquet, which more than 150 people attended, is held to recognize the service and dedication of community members that serve on local planning boards and board of appeals.
“These awards recognize and honor accomplishments in planning and land use that happen right here in Madison County,” stated Jamie Kowalczk, of the Madison County Planning Department, who presented the awards.
The town and village of Cazenovia were recognized for “collaborative planning efforts including a joint comprehensive plan, coordination on zoning, and combining town/village funds to create the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association (CACDA),” according to a county press release.
Accepting the awards on behalf of the town and village were Supervisor Bill Zupan and Mayor Kurt Wheeler.
“By working together we can make Cazenovia be the best it can be,” said Town Supervisor Bill Zupan. “What one municipality does affects the other, so we all might as well work together to make this the best place we can.”
Mayor Kurt Wheeler said the village was pleased to be recognized for its collaborative planning efforts with the town. “Both municipalities have worked hard to cooperate and take a proactive, holistic approach to seeking what is best for our community,” Wheeler said. “Our Joint Comprehensive Plan is the best-known example of this effort, which also includes the extensive Economic Health and Heritage Committee (VES) planning process and the Western Gateway/Historic Preservation Committee along with many other efforts such as our mutual support of CACDA and our exploration of the consolidation process.”
Other Smart Growth Award winners were the members of the Village of Hamilton Planning Board for “thoroughness and dedication to the site plan review process.”
PAC99 filmed the event and the footage will be made available on the Madison County Planning Department webpage at madisoncounty.ny.gov/planning/madison-county-planning-department.
