The Albion Village Planning Board took a significant step Thursday toward rewriting the rulebook for the community’s future development, discussing a contract that would update the village’s Comprehensive Plan. During the brief session, held July 10 in the Village Board Room, the board met via Zoom with representatives from G&G Municipal Consulting. The discussion centered on a proposal to pay the firm $12,000 to complete the plan over a nine-month schedule. A Comprehensive Plan serves as a blueprint for a municipality, guiding decisions on land use, housing, transportation, and economic development. For a village like Albion, which features a historic central business district and significant Erie Canal waterfront, updating the document is a key tool for directing revitalization efforts. According to the minutes, the proposed contract is notable for what it doesn’t include: state grant money. The board discussed the possibility of foregoing a grant to fund the study. By paying the $12,000 fixed cost independently, the village would bypass the bureaucratic red tape often attached to state funding. Specifically, the minutes note that avoiding a grant eliminates the need to abide by "grant limitations including: funding, timelines, and the like." Opting out of a grant allows the village to maintain a stricter nine-month timeline. Grant-funded projects often face rigid state-mandated timelines or ambiguous start dates that can drag the process out for years. However, the decision is not solely the Planning Board’s to make. The minutes reflect that the board is aware the final determination rests with the Village Board of Trustees, who control the purse strings. The Planning Board’s role is largely advisory in this phase, providing feedback on the scope and necessity of the study. Residents interested in the future of zoning and development in Albion should keep an eye on upcoming Village Board agendas, where the contract with G&G Municipal Consulting is likely to appear for a vote. In other business, the Board handled routine procedural matters. Board members accepted the minutes from their April 10, 2025 meeting with a unanimous vote. The meeting was attended by Chair Karen Conn, and members Janet Navarra, Mike Massaro, and Samuel Robinson. Village Trustee Joyce Riley and Zoning Board Chair Craig Tuohey were also present. The Planning Board adjourned at 5:39 p.m. Their next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14, at 5:00 p.m. in the Village Board Room.