The American Planning Association, Western New York Section, has awarded Bemus Point's Comprehensive Plan: A Strategic Action Plan for Bemus Point, the 2012 Planning Excellence Award for Best Practice in Planning.
The award was presented to the Village of Bemus Point at the APA Western New York Section annual awards banquet in Buffalo recently. Receiving the award on behalf of the village was Bryan Dahlberg, Bemus Point mayor, and Kim Walters, chairman of the village Planning Board. Other major contributors to development of the plan included Laurie Beaton, Bryce Steffen, Bernie Auer and Kristen Wright, Bemus Point Planning Board members; and Don McCord from Small Town Planning Services of Westfield, the primary consultant for the project.
In receiving this award, the village competed against all county, city, municipal and private sector submissions from throughout the region. Development of A Strategic Action Plan for Bemus Point extended over the course of two years and consisted of input by community members and boards. It provides a prioritized list of recommended actions, in key issue areas, to be taken to realize a shared long-term vision for the Village.
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From left are Don McCord of Small Town Planning Services; Kim Walters, Bemus Point Planning Board chairwoman, and Bryan Dahlberg, Bemus Point mayor.
"We believe the plan articulates the beliefs of the community and provides a clear but flexible framework to be followed during implementation," Walters said. "The plan contains realistic goals and strategic actions that will help us retain the unique character of Bemus Point, while providing an opportunity to improve the community. We are thrilled that the Awards Committee recognized the Village's hard work on this important effort."
The American Planning Association is a professional organization representing the field of city and regional planning in the United States. The APA was formed in 1978 when two separate professional planning organizations, the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials, were merged into a single organization. The American Institute of Certified Planners is now the organization's professional branch.
The plan can be viewed at www.bemuspointny.org.