2024 Workshop
View the 2024 Workshop Program to see the Agenda, Speaker Biographies, and Session Descriptions.
Plenary Session
Capital Region Climate Action Plan
This plenary session discussed climate action planning and the progress to date of the development of the Capital Region Climate Action Plan. This session reviewed the proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, sector-specific reduction measures, the plan development process, and ways in which community stakeholders can be engaged.
Session Speakers: Congressman Paul D. Tonko, Todd Fabozzi & Jim Yienger
Sustainability Sessions
Planning for Solar
This session provided a general overview of local solar planning and regulation, as well as the experiences of two local communities with solar planning, project review, and implementation.
Session Speakers: John Scavo, Kelly Jasinski & Jennifer Manierre
Climate Adaptation and Resilience Planning
This session provided information about climate adaptation and resilience planning. Insights from the case studies in Columbia County and Lake gorge, as well as learning about resources and opportunities from the Hudson River Estuary Program.
Session Speakers: Don Meltz, Neil Bettez & Dan Barusch
Clean Energy Communities – Climate Smart Communities Panel Discussion
This session included representatives from six regional municipalities who discussed their experiences with NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program and NYSDEC’s Climate Smart Communities Program.
Session Speakers: Charels Davidson, Laura Faulk, Steve Powers, Bill Jennings, Jason West & Haley Balcanoff
Water Quality Sessions
Recent Changes in State and Federal Freshwater Wetlands Laws
This session focused on a brief history of the regulation of waters of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act, the 2023 Sackett USSCT decision, and Biden 2023 regulations, a brief history of the regulation of Freshwater Wetlands pursuant to ECL Article 24, 2022 Amendments to ECL Article 22, and practical consequences of federal and state changes for municipalities and economic development.
Session Speakers: Teressa Bakner & Anna Palmer
Securing Our Water Future with DWSP2 Resources and Support
The Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) assists local governments to create community-specific drinking water protection plans in a way that strengthens relationships, fosters collaboration, and engages stakeholders. The overall goal is to protect public drinking water sources both now and in the future. The state is offering municipalities a technical assistance provider, free of charge, to develop and initiate implementation of their drinking water source protection program. This session covered the free technical assistance and resources available, highlighted previous communities that have gone through this process, and potential next steps for interested communities.
Session Speakers: Tyler Bobko & Lauren Axford
Stormwater Considerations for Solar Development in NYS: Where are WE Headed?
New York has some of the most aggressive renewable energy goals in the nation. We discussed these initiatives and how they have shaped regulatory decision-making processes. We took a look at lessons we have learned as these facilities have emerged onto the landscape and how DEC is using this information to develop policy for environmentally-sound construction techniques.
Session Speakers: Juie Melancon & Ben Fiorese
Planning and Zoning Sessions
Hot Topics Facing Rural and Small Communities
This session discussed key planning and zoning topics facing the region’s rural and small communities. From solar development and the changing face of agricultural businesses to short term rentals and homesteading, this session explored the issues and identify potential approaches, tools and resources available to communities to address.
Session Speakers: Nan Stolzenburg & Jaclyn Hakes
Running Meetings, Proper Decision-Making, and Public Participation
There are many ways to run Planning and Zoning meetings; some decidedly more optimal than others. There are also many decision-making practices and techniques, again, some better than others. Finally, public participation can have substantial impact on successful decision-making and there are numerous ways to manage and not manage public participation. This session focused on many of these issues in our efforts to maintain and enhance respect for and integrity of the Planning and Zoning decision-making process.
Session Speaker: Mark Schachner
E-Bikes, E-Scooters, and that Weird Unicycle Thing: Planning for Micromobility
Micromobility has rapidly proliferated in cities nationwide, proving to be a popular transportation option for many users. In response to the increasing demand for walking and bicycling facilities in cities and towns across the country, many jurisdictions are exploring micromobility as an alternative mode for short trips and active transportation. This session explored the increased popularity of micromobility nationally and its use in in our region, considered some of the safety challenges associated with the increased use of micromobility devices, highlighted planning considerations and examined local regulatory options.
Session Speakers: Sandy Misiewicz & Dan Suraci
