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Glens Falls holds public hearing on draft Smart Growth comprehensive plan
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Summary
A consultant presented the draft Glens Falls Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan at a public hearing, emphasizing walkability, housing choices, preservation of historic character, waterfront revitalization and 10 policy areas shaped by thousands of public comments.
Glens Falls City Council opened a public hearing on the draft Glens Falls Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan, during which a consultant from the planning team summarized the plan’s vision and recommended actions.
The presenter said the plan, developed with broad public input, assesses current conditions and lays out a shared vision for the city’s future. The consultant described 10 policy areas, including administration and government, the built environment, economic development, housing, infrastructure, parks and historic assets, and waterfront revitalization tied to a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).
Why it matters: The plan is intended to guide future development and grant seeking, shape zoning code updates and prioritize investments that support walkable neighborhoods, housing options for seniors and young families, and a multimodal transportation network. The consultant noted the city’s existing economic strengths — health care, advanced manufacturing, tourism and retail — and recommended tools such as design guidelines, code review, a business resource intake point, and targeted grant strategies for waterfront and redevelopment projects.
Council context: The mayor introduced Allison as the new director of planning and zoning and said staff will use the comprehensive plan to guide grant applications and future zoning updates. Councilmembers were invited to collect public feedback; no formal action on the plan was recorded in the public portion of the transcript.
The presentation also urged preserving Glens Falls’ historic character while encouraging sensitive infill and rehabilitation. The consultants recommended an updated housing conditions inventory and targeted housing programs to address affordability and workforce housing needs.
What’s next: The council solicited public comment and directed staff to continue outreach; no final adoption vote was recorded in the public portion of the meeting reported in the transcript.
