PLATTSBURGH — The Town of Plattsburgh’s forward thinking CHAMP Law, adopted in 2025, has received statewide recognition for its efforts in aiding housing development locally.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the New York Planning Federation for our work here in Plattsburgh,” Town Senior Planner Trevor Cole said in a press release Monday.
“It is equally an honor to work in a town that is growing thoughtfully and prioritizing people and the homes they live in as the foundation of a strong community.”
CHAMP, which stands for Creating Housing Acceleration Measures for Plattsburgh and not the Lake Champlain folklore monster, is Plattsburgh’s solution to the North Country housing crisis.
It removed outdated barriers and modernized the town’s zoning to expand housing options.
The housing development Emerson Place at 89 Kansas Ave., Plattsburgh, built by K&M Taylor Properties, served as a learning experience for the town as they created the law.
As previously reported by the Press-Republican, some of the key highlights of the CHAMP Law include:
— Permitting multi-family housing in A2 and SC zones.
— Allowing for duplexes and infill conversions along with walkable T4 and T5 zones.
— Increasing density in the MDR zones with a minimum of one unit per 5,000-square feet.
— Streamlining the site plan and permitting processes.
The law will also allow for more than 5,000 additional units to be built than what was allowed previously.
Now, in less than a year, the town has already seen the benefits of this law come to fruition. To date, the town said it has approved or is currently reviewing seven housing projects totaling 530 units of multi-and single-family housing.
At the 2026 New York Planning Federation Conference in Cooperstown last month, the Town of Plattsburgh was awarded the Pomeroy Award for the CHAMP Local Law.
“Receiving this award is a proud moment for the Town of Plattsburgh. We are especially grateful for the work the Planning and Community Development Team has done and will continue to do in support of this law,” Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Chuck Kostyk said in the release.
“The CHAMP Local Law reflects our commitment to addressing housing needs in a smart, forward-thinking way while creating opportunities for growth while preserving the character of our community. We’re encouraged to already see the positive impact this work is having.”
For more information or questions about the CHAMP Law, the award or housing projects in the Town of Plattsburgh, contact the Planning and Community Development Department at 518-562-6850 or visit townofplattsburghny.gov/departments/planning.