Community Planning Technical Assistance Program

The Community Planning Technical Assistance Program offers staff time and expertise of CDTC and the Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) to local governments undertaking small scale community planning initiatives. 

The 2023 call for pojects is now open!

Program Guidelines - Proposals will be accepted through September 30, 2023 (as funding allows).

Eligible Applicants

Municipalities or municipally convened groups (i.e. appointed committees, planning boards, etc.) within the designated planning area of the CDTC, the four counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga (except the Village of South Glens Falls and the Town of Moreau) are eligible to apply. 

How to Apply

If your community is interested in applying, you must contact CDRPC and CDTC to discuss your request. Send an email to techassist@CDRPC.org or call 518-458-2161 and provide your name, phone number and a time convenient for representatives to call you.

Local Match Requirement

A cash or in-kind match contribution of not less than 25% of the actual project cost is required.

Eligible Projects 

Eligible community planning assistance includes but is not limited to one or more of the following:

Comprehensive/Neighborhood Planning
  • Guidance in goal setting, plan development and procedural requirements
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Research into a planning issue
  • Identification of innovative solutions to local planning challenges
Community Design Assessment

Evaluate a subsection of a community to consider:

  • active living
  • food choices
  • transportation choices
  • public safety
  • social cohesion
  • social equity
  • environmental health
General Community Planning
  • Public input and community visioning
  • Meeting facilitation and coordination
  • Surveys and communications activities
  • Training
  • Professional advisement
Land Use Plan Implementation

Initiate recommended actions in Comprehensive Plans, Linkage Program Plans or other plans such as:

  • zoning language related to electric vehicle infrastructure, access management, groundwater or open space protection
  • vacant property data gathering
  • re-evaluating PDD requirements
Data Collection
  • Identify issues and/or opportunities for collecting data
  • Set data collection goals
  • Plan approach and identify data collection methods
  • Collect data
Data Analysis and Mapping
  • Analyze demographic, building permit, and other community development trends
  • Data research and visualization
  • GIS mapping and analysis
Recreation Trail Planning
  • Recreation plan guidance
  • Management plan guidance
  • Nonmotorized trail plan guidance
Transportation Safety and Operations Planning
  • Crash data analysis
  • Road safety assessments
  • Traffic signal operational analysis
  • Intersection analysis
  • Before and after studies of capital projects
  • Recommendation and scoping of ITS strategies
Zoning and Site Planning
  • Guidance on best practices towards the implementation of planning policies and goals
  • Zoning ordinance audits
  • Development of zoning ordinance amendments
  • Site plan review assistance
  • Planning for development of regional impact

Completed Projects