2026 Awards Program
NYPF annually offers six land use awards, each recognizing excellence and achievement in NYS planning and zoning. We are pleased to have the opportunity once again to honor those individuals who give their time and talent to their communities and the municipalities that exceed expectations.
HOW IT WORKS
Recognizing Excellence Across the New York State
The deadline to submit nominations is February 6, 2026 at 5:00 pm. The 2026 Awards Ceremony will take place at the NYPF Annual Conference at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, NY on April 20, 2026.
SUBMIT NOMINATIONSNovember 1, 2025
Nominations open
February 6, 2026
Deadline for submissions (by 5:00 PM)
March - April 2026
Review & shortlisting of nominees
April 20, 2026
NYPF Annual Conference at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown
June 2026 - May 2027
One-year showcase of winners
NYPF AWARD CATEGORIES
David Allee Award for ZBA Chair
Presented to an outstanding Zoning Board of Appeals Chair.
John O. Cross Award for Planning Board Chair
Presented to an outstanding Planning Board Chair.
Heissenbuttel Award for Planning Excellence
Presented to an individual, municipality, or agency for outstanding accomplishment in the planning field and/or for consistent support of the NYPF in its efforts to promote sound planning practice.
Levine Community Service Award
Presented to an appointed member of a municipal board or committee who has done an outstanding job for their community and/or NYPF.
NYPF Comprehensive Plan Award
Presented to a municipality or agency for an outstanding and/or innovative comprehensive plan or plan update adopted by the municipality's legislative body within past 3 years.
Pomeroy Award for Zoning Achievement
Presented to an individual, municipality, or agency for consistent high-quality work and/or an outstanding contribution to zoning development of a specific zoning law or legal agreement.
NYPF Annual Awards
2025
The mission of the New York Planning Federation is to promote sound planning, zoning and land use practice so that orderly growth and development can occur, balanced with necessary resource conservation.
Consistent with its mission, the Federation presents land use awards at its annual conference, each recognizing excellence and achievement in a particular field.
We congratulate the following winners of the 2025 NYPF Awards:
Philip Eats
Town of Rotterdam
Award Category:
David Allee Award for ZBA Chair
Thomas E. Morris, Jr.
Village of Wappinger Falls
Award Category:
John O. Cross Award for Planning Board Chair
Town of Rhinebeck
“Historical & Archeological Handbook”
City of Gloversville
Reinventing Gloversville
Award Category:
Heissenbuttel Award for Planning Excellence
Adam Decker and Nancy Shatzkin
Village of Croton-on-Hudson Housing Task Force
Lisa Hintze
Town/Village of Woodbury, Climate Smart Task Force
Award Category:
Levine Community Service Award
Steuben County Comprehensive Plan
Steuben County Planning Department
Town of Belfast Comprehensive Plan in Collaboration with the Allegany County Office of Planning
Award Category:
NYPF Comprehensive Plan Award