My Priorities

One of my top priorities is to modernize Avon's local laws, particularly our zoning code. As a Legal Editor by profession, I spend my days immersed in local laws and complex state statutes, giving me a unique and in-depth understanding of what works well in other municipalities across New York State. I've seen firsthand how outdated or overly complicated codes can hinder progress and create unnecessary burdens.

My goal is to leverage this expertise to improve the Town of Avon's Code, making it more efficient, clear, and user-friendly for residents and businesses alike.

Learn more about my job as a Legal Editor.

Our current zoning law, adopted in 1992, urgently needs to be brought into the 21st century to reflect development pressures and current practices.

My goal is to leverage my expertise as a Legal Editor to improve the Town of Avon's Code, making it more efficient, clear, and user-friendly for residents and businesses alike. A significant part of this effort will involve a comprehensive overhaul of our zoning laws, with the aim of streamlining the planning and zoning process.

I propose forming a committee of residents and Town officials to review our current zoning compared to actual land uses in the Town and existing enforcement practices. This review would include analyzing frequently granted variances to determine if adjustments to the law itself are warranted. Furthermore, I will actively seek grant funding to hire a consultant who can provide expert guidance in this process.

This will ensure our regulations are not only legally sound but also approachable and easy for everyone in the community to understand and navigate. Learn more about how visual zoning can make our laws more approachable and easier to understand.

Avon has recently experienced severe flooding, exacerbating an already record-setting year for rainfall and highlighting a concerning trend of increasing extreme weather events. In the wake of this damage, and in light of past flood experiences in 2014 and 2015, there is a critical need to proactively build a more resilient neighborhoods and infrastructure in Avon.

This can be accomplished through strategic land use and development regulations, proactive hazard planning, leveraging technology and making use of available state and federal funding.

I explore these topics in detail in a series of posts.

As a member of Avon's Comprehensive Plan Committee from February 2024 to March 2025, I actively participated in creating the Town's blueprint for future growth and development. Our committee, comprised of residents with diverse expertise, met monthly to define a vision for Avon, establish goals, and set a flexible framework for future decision-making, adapting to changes in demographics, technology, and law. My priority, if elected, is to ensure the implementation of the numerous recommendations we made, which include updates to zoning and other laws, infrastructure investments, and improvements to government.

See the updated Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan.

A core priority of mine is fostering a more responsive and transparent Town government, particularly in how we communicate with residents. I envision a significant improvement in how the Town shares updates, utilizing both the Town's official website and social media to ensure information is readily accessible. My goal is to modernize our communication channels, making it easier for everyone to stay informed about what's happening in Avon.

Drawing on my fresh perspective and hands-on experience—including designing the very website you're currently using to read this message—I believe we can implement more interactive solutions. I propose the creation of user-friendly online portals where Town residents can easily communicate directly with officials, ask questions, and report issues like potholes or code violations. This will not only streamline problem-solving but also empower residents by giving them a direct and efficient way to engage with their local government.

A major takeaway from the Comprehensive Plan is the clear desire from Town residents for transportation infrastructure that prioritizes safety and embraces alternative modes beyond just driving. My campaign is committed to enhancing walkability and expanding options for active transportation throughout Avon.

This means making it a priority to expand sidewalks across the Town and to create a network of greenway trails for walking, hiking, and biking. A key project will be establishing a safe and direct pedestrian connection from the Village of Avon to East Avon along Route 5 & 20. By focusing on these initiatives, we will significantly improve safety and mobility for all residents, encouraging healthier lifestyles and reducing reliance on vehicles.

I am committed to safeguarding Avon's invaluable rural character and productive farmland. A key priority is establishing a zoning district overlay specifically designed to protect these vital assets and scenic viewsheds.

In recent years, we've faced increasing development pressure due to New York State's incentives for solar energy projects. While I recognize that many landowners, particularly farmers, view solar development as a valuable opportunity to diversify and subsidize their income, we must also consider the concerns of Town residents who feel this development threatens the rural character they cherish.

Our Town has one of the most restrictive solar laws in the region, a model adopted by other communities in Livingston County. This law currently limits solar development to 25 acres and includes stringent requirements for operation, maintenance, and decommissioning.

Building on these robust regulations, I support the creation of an agricultural heritage overlay district. This new zoning district would restrict certain types of development along key corridors in the Town and generally limit new solar development to areas where it already exists or will create the fewest externalities.

My approach is about finding a sensible balance: respecting the rights of landowners to utilize their property, addressing the needs and concerns of residents, protecting our cherished rural character, and taking a reasoned, thoughtful approach to the ongoing development pressures facing our Town.

A significant takeaway from the Comprehensive Plan was the clear desire among residents for more recreational opportunities, with a recurring theme being interest in a recreation center. I strongly support commissioning a feasibility study for such a center in Avon. This study would assess the specific types of recreation resources and opportunities residents are interested in, the potential uses and events a center could attract, and its financial viability for the Town. It would also explore the possibility of partnering with Livingston County or attracting a third party like the YMCA to help realize this vision.

Beyond new facilities, I recognize the critical need to invest in our existing parks and community spaces. Papermill Park holds a special place for me, known for its natural beauty and waterfalls. Unfortunately, it's currently in disrepair, with the bridge over the falls needing urgent attention and the entire park marred by graffiti. If elected, I will prioritize investing in Papermill Park, exploring options to repair or replace the bridge. I'd also advocate for commissioning community murals or art installations on the bridge to deter graffiti, alongside implementing improved lighting and security measures to discourage misuse and ensure everyone can safely enjoy this cherished community asset.