2025 STW Fall Planning & Zoning Training

Southern Tier West Fall Planning & Zoning Training

3:30 Check-In
​
​4:00 – 6:00 PM
Planning the Power Shift:
How to Use Strategic Planning to Maximize Renewable Energy Benefits
As New York advances toward ambitious clean energy goals, rural towns are seeing a wave of interest from solar developers eager to capitalize on state incentives and flexible policy. With farmland offering ideal conditions for solar installations, projects are arriving faster than many communities are prepared for. This piece explores how towns can stay ahead of the rapidly changing green energy environment. We examine how communities throughout New York can position themselves through smart policy decisions by adopting thoughtful solar laws and comprehensive plans that support renewable energy while protecting farmland and guiding smart, community-focused development.
Nina Ballou and Andrew Reilly, Wendel Companies
(2 hrs. PZ Credit)
​
6:00 PM
BREAK

6:15 – 8:15 PM
The Value of Good Planning and How to Do It
Planning is essential for local governments because it provides a structured framework for aligning and guiding growth, managing resources and public investments, dealing with long-term goals and long-term priorities such as climate change and resiliency, and shaping the future of communities in a way that reflects shared values and priorities. Moreover, good planning promotes transparency and civic engagement by involving residents in shaping their neighborhoods, ultimately strengthening trust in local governance and improving quality of life for all. This presentation will teach attendees why planning is important to their communities and the strategies they can undergo to ensure their plans are developed effectively, efficiently, and are utilized maximally to accomplish their goals. This presentation will balance the philosophy of planning with the practical considerations to create the best plans and use them effectively.
Lance Brabant, MRB Group
​​(2 hrs. PZ Credit)