Highland Planning Leads First Public Workshop for Village of Homer Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan

Highland Planning is leading the Village of Homer through the development of its New York State Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan, a long-range planning effort recently featured in local news coverage following the project’s first public workshop. 

The workshop was held on June 15, 2026, at the Center for the Arts of Homer and brought residents together to discuss the future of the village. Emma Falkenstein, Associate Planner with Highland Planning, led the presentation and introduced the comprehensive planning process, New York State Smart Growth principles, and upcoming opportunities for community input. 

The Village of Homer is updating its 2010 Comprehensive Plan with funding from a New York State Department of State Smart Growth Community Planning Grant. The updated plan will serve as a roadmap for future decision-making related to land use, housing, economic development, infrastructure investment, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, public spaces, transportation, and environmental resilience. 

As Emma shared during the meeting, the strongest comprehensive plans are “written for the community by the community.” That idea guided the first workshop, where residents participated in small-group conversations around four themes: places to live, places to connect, places to thrive, and places to protect. 

Community members described Homer as a close-knit, family-friendly village with historic character, walkable neighborhoods, strong civic pride, and beloved community assets such as the Center for the Arts of Homer, the Village Green, Homer Public Library, local parks, small businesses, and community events. Participants also identified priorities for the future, including expanding housing choices, improving sidewalks and pedestrian safety, supporting downtown businesses, strengthening access to the Tioughnioga River, reusing underutilized properties, and preserving Homer’s historic identity and small-village character. 

One creative engagement activity invited residents to write a postcard from the year 2046, describing what they love most about Homer’s future. The “Greetings from Future Homer” postcard helped participants imagine the long-term impact of today’s planning decisions and reflect on what should be protected, improved, and celebrated over the next 20 years. 

The planning process will continue through additional public engagement, a community survey, stakeholder conversations, and a second public workshop anticipated in October. Feedback gathered through these activities will help shape the vision, goals, strategies, and action plan for Homer’s Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan. 

To learn more, read the local news coverage from WXHC and visit the Village of Homer Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan website for project updates, meeting materials, and opportunities to share input.