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Consultants outline 16‑month ‘Peekskill Plan,’ seek resident advisory committee volunteers
Summary
Interborough consultants presented a 16‑month comprehensive‑plan process for the city of Peekskill and asked the council to help recruit a 12‑member resident advisory committee; staff said applications are open through mid‑June and 50 applications had already been received.
Consultants from Interborough presented the Peekskill Plan to the Committee of the Whole on May 4, describing a 16‑month, community‑driven comprehensive plan that will guide land use, housing, transportation, resilience and economic development.
"It's a community driven effort to create a new comprehensive plan to guide the city's future growth, investment, and development," said Dan Dioka, principal at Interborough. He told the council the plan will replace the city's previous comprehensive plan (last updated in 1981) and result in an implementable land‑use framework.
Justin, the Interborough project manager, described the governance and engagement structure: a small city‑appointed steering committee (about five to six members) to provide technical guidance and coordination, a 12‑member resident advisory committee selected by a weighted lottery, and thematic working groups on housing, transportation, economic development and resilience. "We started soliciting applications just about a week ago," Justin said, noting the project team had already received about 50 applications.
Staff and consultants emphasized multiple outreach channels to reach residents who do not typically attend city meetings. The engagement plan includes printed flyers, pop‑up events, surveys, workshops, office hours (both in person and virtual), and an informational website (thepeekskillplan.com) and Instagram account that the team said already had roughly 500 followers. Consultants said office hours and trusted community ambassadors will be used to reach churches, ethnic communities and older residents.
Council members pressed the team on inclusivity and outreach beyond social media. Justin said the approach will be intentional and rely on local ambassadors and partnerships with community leaders to bring information directly to underrepresented neighborhoods. Carol Samuil, the planning director, endorsed the strategy and said staff will help coordinate contacts and in‑person outreach.
Next steps: staff and the consultant team will continue public outreach, finalize membership for the steering committee, accept resident advisory committee applications through mid‑June, and begin analysis and plan drafting in the coming months.
Article notes: quotes and attributions are drawn from consultant remarks during the Interborough presentation; the project website and the 50‑application figure were cited by the Interborough project manager.
