Planning & Participatory Engagement
PLANNING, PARTICIPATORY ENGAGEMENT
& Environmental services
Service Description
My understanding of the process and organic nature of community planning enables me to help a community understand where it is, figure out where it wants to be and take baby steps to start moving in that direction.
I provide a “one stop shop” for diverse range of services for private, non-profit, and public organizations:
Community Needs/Resources Assessment
Long Range and Strategic Planning
Economic Impact Study
Relevant Projects and Client Commentary
Town of St. Armand
Essex County, NY
Project: Town Comprehensive Plan
Role: Co-Lead with AES Northeast
Dates: 2023 - 2025
Purpose: Town of St. Armand will prepare a municipal Comprehensive Plan pursuant to NYS Town Law. Services include the design, drafting, and preparation, for Town adoption, a Town Comprehensive Land Use Plan compliant with NYS Town Law. Services also include the design, drafting, and preparation of the regulatory SEQRA compliance procedures and documents, including a draft and final Generic Environmental Impact Statement(s). As Co-Lead, provide on-call, and as needed technical planning assistance, troubleshooting, and advice.
Town and Village of Champlain
Clinton County, NY
Project: Town-Village Joint Comprehensive Plan
Role: Co-Lead with AES Northeast
Dates: 2023 - 2025
Purpose: Champlain Town and Village will prepare a municipal Comprehensive Plan pursuant to NYS Town and Village Law. Services include the design, drafting, and preparation, for municipal adoption, a Comprehensive Land Use Plan compliant with NYS Town and Village Law. Services also include the design, drafting, and preparation of the regulatory SEQRA compliance procedures and documents, including a draft and final Generic Environmental Impact Statement(s). As Co-Lead, provide on-call, and as needed technical planning assistance, troubleshooting, and advice.
AES Inc.
Plattsburgh, NY
Project: Champlain Town and Village Comprehensive Land Use Plan. (Municipal)
Role: Co-Lead Consultant
Dates: 2023
Lake Champlain Basin Program
Grand Isle, Vermont
Role: Lead Consultant
Dates: 2021
Town of Essex
essex, NY
Project: EDA-funded Marina Feasibility Study; EFC-NBRC Essex Water Capital Project-Environmental and Parks Compliance (NEPA and SEQRA, APA Variance Application); SEQRA Environmental Review/Compliance Planning Board Demolition Permit; SEQRA, LWRP, Zoning Law Updates
Role: Lead Consultant
Dates: 2016 - 2021
Purpose: The Town has retained my services four times over the past five years for various purposes, including:
1) Assisting the Planning Board comply with a complex set of regulatory matters: APA, SEQRA, Ag District, LWRP, SHPO, as they worked through their updates to the Zoning Ordinance.
2) Providing Planning Board technical support for a demolition permit application in the Historic District.
3) Assisting the Town Board and their technical engineering team with a even-more complex set of compliance requirements for a water system project involving LWCF parkland, APA variance, SEQRA compliance, etc.
4) Most recently to conduct an economic and reuse analysis, and feasibility study for the three marina properties that are for sale. The Town has also asked me to support their efforts to update their 2001 Comprehensive Plan, which is pending funding.
Links: Essex Marine Base Complex Adaptive Use Feasibility Study Phase One Final Report
“Time and time again, Ann has been a trusted consultant for all things “planning” for the Town of Essex. With her deep knowledge of our community from both personal and professional perspectives, Ann has never failed to provide the Town with solid and professionally prepared information that provide a high level of value to the governing boards who use her research and findings. We have always appreciated the relationship with have with Ann and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate with her for the betterment of our Town.”
Boquet River Association (BRASS)
Elizabethtown, NY
Project: Boquet River Watershed Management Plan - Phase 2
Role: Lead Consultant: Design and Execution of a Participatory 5-Town Engagement Process to Produce a set of Findings and Recommendations for the Management Plan.
Dates: 2016 - 2017
Land Trust Alliance
Saratoga Springs, NY
Project: Land Trust Alliance/Conservation Partnership Program Grants committee Adjunct for the 2015-2016 round of the New York State Conservation Partnership Program.
Role: Voluntary Reviewer
Dates: 2016
Boquet River Association (BRASS)
Elizabethtown, NY
Project: Boquet River Watershed Management Plan - Phase I
Role: Lead Consultant for NYS DOS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Grant. Principal Researcher and Author of Boquet River Watershed Management Plan (Phase 1). Coordinator of Citizen Science team.
Date: 2013 - 2015
Purpose: Research, Public Participation, GIS Database, Report Writing to support development of a multi-town watershed management plan.
Links: BRASS WMP Report
Adirondack Gateway Council, Inc.
City of Glens Falls, NY
Project: Adirondack Gateway Regional Sustainable Plan 2015
Role: Lead Consultant - Overall Project Management, Fiscal, Compliance, Reporting, Indicators, Troubleshooting; Lead Consultant - Regional Housing, Transportation, and Fair Housing Equity Assessment; Lead Management Consultant - HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grant FY2011-$750,000. Principal Researcher and Author - Housing, Transportation & Fair Housing Equity Assessment Technical Report.; Principal Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for Housing, Transportation & Fair Housing Equity Assessment.
Dates: 2012-2015
Purpose: Design and execution of a regional Deliberative Stakeholder Engagement Strategy. Research, report writing, grant administration, management, and program delivery. Prepare Technical Report on Housing, Transportation, and Fair Housing in Support Of FY2011 HUD Sustainable Community Grant.
Links: AGC Project Atlas
Press Release: Gov. Cuomo Announces Glens Falls to Receive $10 Million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Town of Essex Zoning Amendments 2015
Essex, NY
Role: Environmental Regulatory Compliance
Dates: 2015
Purpose: Prepared State Environmental Quality Act (SEQRA) Full Environmental Assessment Technical Documents and forms. Assisted the Town with consultative responsibilities with Adirondack Park Agency and others. Lead Consultant for Environmental Compliance for Zoning Amendments.
Adirondack North Country Association, Inc.
Saranac Lake, NY & Warren County, NY
Project: First Wilderness Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan
Role: Lead Consultant on Scenic Byway Corridor Management Planning. Design and manage project, create stakeholder engagement strategy, facilitate cutting edge visioning and stakeholder meetings. I conducted research in order to write chapters on interpretation, cultural and natural resources, transportation and safety. Wrote the plans for submission to NYSDOT.
Dates: 2012
Purpose: Design, Development, Outreach, and Report Writing for the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan. To create collaborative, multi-jurisdictional management plans for two designated scenic byway routes.Scenic Byway Planning, Central Adirondack Trail Corridor Management Plan, First Wilderness Scenic Byway.
Links: https://www.dot.ny.gov/content/engineering/Scenic-Byways/Byways-repository/FWSB-CMPDraft4-2012.pdf
North Warren Chamber of Commerce
Chestertown, NY
Role: Research and Development of Map Content
Dates: 2012
Purpose: Assist in Development of Upper Hudson River Interpretive Map
Town of Essex
Essex, NY
Role: Environmental Regulatory Compliance
Dates: 2012
Purpose: Prepare the required SEQRA documents and follow a lawful process in order to comply with the environmental review requirements for the adoption of modifications to the Town Zoning Ordinance.
Champlain Area Trails (CATS) and Champlain Area Conservation Partnership
Westport, NY
Project: Central Champlain Valley Outdoor Education Action Plan
Role: Design, Develop, Facilitate and Write Outdoor Education Action Plan. Lead consultant to design and manage project framework. Conducted research, facilitated innovative stakeholder meetings, and wrote vision and strategic plan with input from a 25+ Stakeholder Committee.
Dates: 2010-2012
Service Area: Eastern Essex County, NY
Purpose: Prepared an Outdoor Education Action Plan targeted at serving multiple age groups within the geographic areas of Willsboro, Essex, Lewis, Westport, and Elizabethtown. Development of the plan will utilize a participatory stakeholder, “bottom-up” approach facilitated by the consultant. To create a collaborative multi-jurisdiction strategic plan for the organization, coordination, and improvement of place-based outdoor recreation.
Links: http://www.champlainareatrails.com/images/index/CATS_OEP.pdf
“Thanks again for facilitating a productive meeting yesterday. What you are doing is exactly what I was looking for. Excellent ways of introducing ourselves that provides real information about everyone, makes each person know he/she is important, and facilitates discussion because of the commonalities we all share. And then the process of moving beyond general concepts to the real ideas that will be in a plan is really productive.
So, taking a step back and acknowledging what’s been done is certainly rewarding; or at least it allows us to take a deep breath and then forge ahead. On the outdoor education front, we will be organizing the leadership group in September. Thanks for all you did to make that happen.”
Town of Willsboro
Willsboro, NY
Project: Town of Willsboro Comprehensive Land Use and Action Plan
Role: Comprehensive Planning and Regulatory Compliance. Lead consultant to design and manage project, create stakeholder engagement strategy, facilitate cutting edge visioning and stakeholder meetings. Conducted scientific and economic research in order to write technical reports and final plan. Plan adopted by the local jurisdiction.
Dates: 2008 - 2012
Purpose: Design and Execute a Participatory Comprehensive Planning Program. Prepare and File Regulatory Approvals, Including SEQRA Documents. APA-Approved Local Land Use Planning Program. Develop Comprehensive Plan applying ecologically based planning process that uses a participatory framework in order to improve citizen’s confidence in decision-making and expand science literacy. Design and execute a Participatory citizen engagement process. Produce a Main Street Economic Revitalization Plan, priority projects list, funding plan etc.
Links: http://www.townofwillsboro.com/uploads/6/0/9/7/6097445/willsborocompplanv1941911fd.pdf
Village of Margaretville
Margaretville, NY
Project: Village of Margaretville Comprehensive Land Use and Action Plan
Role: Comprehensive Planning and Regulatory Compliance. Lead consultant to design and manage project, create stakeholder engagement strategy, facilitate cutting edge visioning and stakeholder meetings. Conducted scientific and economic research in order to write technical reports and final plan. Plans adopted by the local jurisdictions.
Dates: 2007 - 2009
Purpose: Design and execute a participatory comprehensive planning program for a NYC Watershed community in the Catskill Mountains. Prepare and file regulatory approvals, including SEQRA documents. Develop Comprehensive Plan applying ecologically based planning process that uses a participatory framework in order to improve citizen’s confidence in decision-making and expand science literacy. Design and execute a Participatory citizen engagement process. Produce a Main Street Economic Revitalization Plan, priority projects list, funding plan etc.
Links: http://www.chamberorganizer.com/margaretvillechamber/V_Files.php
http://chamberorganizer.com/margaretvillechamber/docs/MV%20CompPlan%2010-08%20Ch01.pdf
“Ann worked diligently (on a tight budget I might add) with a diverse group of people who had no vision at all for their community. She listens incredibly well, makes sure everyone is heard and guarantees that no one feels unimportant. ”
Town of Fayston
Fayston, VT
Role: Land Use Training
Dates: 2008
Purpose: Training Session in Implementing Town Plan & Zoning Updates
Northern Forest Center, Inc.
Concord, NH
Project:
New York and Vermont Literature Review, Index of Related Studies for the Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative
Strategic Options: New York and Vermont: Analysis and Evaluation of Strategic Options and Opportunities for Sustainable Development
Date: 2007
Links: http://www.northernforest.org/data/uploads/research%20docs/NYVT_Synthesis_2007_ARH.pdf
Northern Forest Center, Inc.
Concord, NH
Project: Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative: Agricultural Sector Analysis & Best Practices Database & Creative Economy Sector Analysis & Best Practices Database.
Role: Research & Report Writing
Contact: Joe Short, Vice President
Dates: 2006-2008
Author: Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative, Regional Economic Strategy.
Locations: New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Funding: U.S. Department of Commerce.
Links: http://www.northernforest.org/sei-documents-research.shtml
Purpose: Research and technical report preparation for the Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative:
“Strategic Options: New York and Vermont Analysis and Evaluation of Strategic Options and Opportunities for Sustainable Development” (February 2007).
“Agricultural Sector: Economic Analysis” (April, 2008)
“Creative Economy: Economic Sector Analysis” (May, 2008)
“Existing Studies Inventory Vermont and New York” (February, 2007)
“Agricultural Best Practices” (April, 2008)
“Creative Economy Best Practices” (May, 2008)
Project Description:
Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative publishes two Special Reports on Agriculture and Creative Economy of interest to rural New York. The Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative recently released two important economic reports of critical value to communities and rural areas in New York State. The Northern Forest stretches from upstate New York through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine and includes the 14 Adirondack Region counties. Both reports were authored by New York native, Ph.D. candidate and consulting community planning advisor, Ann Ruzow Holland of Willsboro, Essex County, New York.
The Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative Agricultural Sector Analysis evaluates agricultural issues, trends, opportunities and challenges across Northern Forest Region that includes upstate New York as well as Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The report makes recommendations for national and four-state agricultural policy that inform the economic strategy recently released for the Northern Forest. Farmers, Agribusiness and Ag policymakers were interviewed for the report providing substantive guidance for the future of over three million acres of agricultural lands in the region.
The Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative Creative Economy Analysis broadly defines the Creative Economy to include “those activities which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation.” The report looks at how the creative economy became a powerful driver in the region’s rural economy and the various ways the four states utilize this powerful tool. Issues, trends and opportunities are documented as well as four-state regional recommendations that can enhance local creative economy drivers. Arts Councils, Main Street Organizations and Economic Development Agencies will find the statistics, resources and best practices linked to the report useful.
Best management practice databases accompany both analyses and will be available in early 2009 on line. The Agriculture and Creative Economy reports, as well are other resources are available online at: http://www.northernforest.org/sei-documents-research.shtml
For more information contact: the Author: Ann Ruzow Holland, Community Planning Advisor, 135 Sabousin Road, Willsboro, New York 12996 email: aholland@willex.com or the Project Manager: Joe Short, Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative Northern Forest Center PO Box 210, Concord, New Hampshire 03302 jshort@northernforest.org
Bagdon Environmental Inc.
Delmar, NY
Role: Regulatory and Planning Research. Lead consultant to design and manage project framework. Conducted research, facilitated innovative stakeholder meetings, and wrote vision and strategic plan with input from a 25+ Stakeholder Committee.
Dates: 2006
Purpose: Craft an Analysis and Narrative for the SEQRA Environmental Assessment of the Cohocton Windmill Local Law
US/UK Countryside Exchange
Role: Field Visits, Research and Report Writing
Project: “The Caerlaverock Experience: The Report of the North America/United Kingdom Countryside Exchange Team”
Dates: 2004
Location: Scottish Natural Heritage, Dumfries, Scotland, UK
Purpose: Produced a report for Scottish Natural Heritage as a member of the North American/United Kingdom Countryside exchange team, "The Caerlaverock Experience."
Document Link: www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/scottish/dumfries/CaerlaverockExchange.pdf
Malone Senior Housing Project
Malone, NY
Dates: 2001
