ALBION — The Village Planning Board took swift action on a new subdivision proposal Tuesday evening while simultaneously ramping up efforts to update the village’s long-term blueprint for growth. During a brief session on March 25, the board handled initial procedural steps for a property at 334 Hamilton Street. The board opened a public hearing regarding the subdivision of Tax Map parcels 73.13-1-6 and 73.13-1-2.2 at 5:01 p.m. and immediately closed it at 5:02 p.m. after hearing no public comment, according to the minutes. Following the hearing, the board unanimously voted to become the lead agency for the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) act for the subdivision. This designation means the village, rather than county or state agencies, will be responsible for determining the project's potential environmental impact. The proposal will now head to the Orleans County Planning Board for review. While the developer and specific plans for the Hamilton Street lots were not detailed in the minutes, the referral to the county is a standard step in the approval process for subdivisions in New York State. Beyond the immediate subdivision business, the board discussed the need to move forward with the village’s Comprehensive Plan. Board Chair Karen Conn informed members that Mayor Eileen Javier is pushing for "significant progress" on the Comprehensive Plan within the next year. The Comprehensive Plan serves as a guide for land use, zoning, and future development in the village; updating it is a critical task for ensuring local laws reflect current community needs and goals. To ensure the document does not stall further, Mayor Javier has approved a change in the board’s schedule. The Planning Board is now authorized to meet up to two times a month, combining sessions with the Comprehensive Plan Committee. In previous years, the Comprehensive Plan process has been a slow-moving endeavor for the village. By increasing the frequency of meetings, the mayor and board aim to maintain momentum and effectively move the plan forward. The board also approved the minutes from their previous meeting on March 13. The meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m. The next scheduled regular meeting of the Albion Village Planning Board is set for Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Village Board Room.