2026-2027 Smart Growth Community Planning Program

The Department of State (Department or DOS) is soliciting applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) under the Environmental Protection Fund to support Smart Growth Community Planning Program(s) from eligible towns, villages, cities, counties, regional planning entities, and not-for-profit organizations to advance the preparation and adoption of one of the activities below. For the purpose of this solicitation, “planning” and “zoning” in this document are inclusive of child care friendly zoning initiatives. A new or updated comprehensive plan for an entire town, village, or city that integrates DOS Smart Growth Principles and Child Care Friendly Zoning Initiative as described in section V below, pursuant to Town Law §272-a, Village Law §7-722 or General City Law §28-a. (hereinafter “Comprehensive Plan Grant”) A new or updated comprehensive plan for an entire county that integrates DOS Smart Growth Principles and Child Care Friendly Zoning Initiative as described in section V below, pursuant to General Municipal Law §239-D. (hereinafter “County Comprehensive Plan Grant”) New or updated community wide zoning regulations (i.e., local law, ordinance) for a town, village, or city that would implement an existing comprehensive plan that supports DOS Smart Growth Principles and Child Care Friendly Zoning Initiative for the community (hereinafter “Comprehensive Zoning Grant”) Amendment of existing zoning regulations for part of a town, village, or city to implement an existing comprehensive plan or previously adopted area plan that integrates DOS Smart Growth Principles and Child Care Friendly Zoning Initiative (hereinafter “Zoning Amendment Grant") A new or updated area plan for part of a town, village, or city that supports DOS Smart Growth Principles and Child Care Friendly Zoning Initiative for the community, including but not be limited to transit-oriented development plans and downtown/hamlet area plans (hereinafter, “Area Plan Grant”) A new or updated area plan and subsequent zoning amendment update that supports DOS Smart Growth Principles and Child Care Friendly Zoning Initiative for part of a town, village, or city (hereinafter “Area Plan and Zoning Amendment Grant”) The comprehensive plan establishes the land use planning policy of communities in New York State and articulates the community vision and goals to guide official decision-making. State law requires that all zoning regulations (i.e., local law, ordinance) be in accordance with a comprehensive plan in towns and villages and a well-considered plan in cities; therefore, zoning and land use regulations are an important tool in implementing the goals of any such plan. Lack of a comprehensive plan, or an outdated comprehensive plan that no longer reflects the conditions and wishes of the community, can put a local government at risk of legal challenges to planning and zoning decisions. Applications are encouraged from communities without up-to-date comprehensive plans. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: See attached Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) SDVOB Goal: 6.00% Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) Total MWBE Goals: 30.00%