Menands, New York- February 21, 2019

The Village of Menands has officially restarted the Comprehensive Plan process. On Thursday, February
7th , the Comprehensive Plan Committee was reconvened at the Village Offices to meet with
representatives from the Chazen Companies and to resume work that was begun in 2017 by the
University at Albany Masters in Regional Planning (MRP) Program.

The Comprehensive Plan is a document designed to guide future actions of the Village. The Plan is
generated through extensive public outreach and research, and it provides a vision for the future, with
long-range goals and objectives for all activities that affect the local government.

Since the Comprehensive Plan process began in 2017, two separate studio classes of graduate students
from the MRP program provided almost 2,000 hours of planning work. Demographic analysis, online
surveys, stakeholder interviews, and open houses were used to gain an understanding of the issues and
opportunities facing the Village and its residents. In 2018, the Village Board of Trustees authorized funds
to hire a professional planning firm to complete the Comprehensive Plan. Planners with the Chazen
Companies are reviewing the work completed by the MRP students and will work with the
Comprehensive Plan Committee to develop goals and strategies for the Village to pursue. Additional
opportunities for public involvement will be announced as they are scheduled. Residents are also
encouraged to visit villageofmenands.com/community/comprehensive-plan/ for updates on the project
and to provide comments.

Once completed, the Comprehensive Plan will be adopted by the Village Board of Trustees and will help
guide policy decisions and provide an invaluable tool for securing state grant funding to implement the
projects and programs identified in the plan. The project is anticipated to take 12 months to complete.

Contact:
Ethan Gaddy AICP
email hidden; JavaScript is required
20 Elm Street, Suite 110
Glens Falls, NY
518-824-1942