A central New York planning agency is moving into the public comment period as it works to create its contribution to a state-wide sustainability plan.
The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board began making a sustainability plan in June, thanks to a $1 million grant under the state's Cleaner, Greener Communities Program.
Central New York is one of the first seven (out of 10 regions) in the state to be designing plans, according to Senior Planner Samuel Gordon.
The regional sustainability plans are modeled on the state's Regional Economic Development Councils: ten regions putting forward plans that will then compete for a chunk of state aid.
Gordon says the board will have the plan done by early next year, and then it will put forward aspects of the plan to compete for $90 million in state funding for implementation.
"They may exhibit best practices in green infrastructure, alternative transportation, those sorts of things," he says. "We’re really trying to identify one or two types of projects that could really be a model for the rest of the region."
The plan will look at infrastructure and transportation, energy, waste management and climate adaptation, according to Gordon.
Those living in central New York can read more about the plan and fill out a survey at visioncny.org.
