Kenneth Kovalchik
Slingerlands,NY
Summary
Talented Town Planner offering 20+ years extensive experience in field. Bring expertise in developing land use, revitalization and renewal plans for city and suburban environments. Strong problem solver and relationship builder.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Town Planner (Acting Stormwater Management Officer since Sept. 2023)
TOWN OF GUILDERLAND PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Guilderland, NY
07.2018 - Current
- Responsible for the overall operation of the Town's Planning Department, including budgeting, staff management, agenda preparation, responding to public inquiries and managing land use applications
- Coordinator to the Conservation Advisory Council, responsible for reviewing subdivisions and providing reports to the Planning Board
- Coordinator to the Development Planning Committee consisting of representatives from Town Departments, and provide early input on proposed development projects during the concept phase
- Currently partnered with the CRTC in completing the Town's ADA Transition Plan
- Currently assisting a professional consultant and 9-person committee in updating the Town's comprehensive plan to assist in guiding how Guilderland should grow in the next 10 to 20 years
- Manage all aspects of residential and commercial development applications for compliance with Town Zoning Laws, which include subdivisions, Planned Unit Developments and site plan applications
- Ensure all proposed land use applications are processed in compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) regulations
- Strongly advocated for implementing complete streets elements on Rapp Road and Crossgates Mall Road as part of the $200+ million in new development planned on parcels adjacent to Crossgates Mall
- Project manager in the preparation of the 2020 Guilderland Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Study, which included graduate students from UAlbany's Planning Department's graduate school
- Strong supporter of public engagement with residents and/or community groups
- One example of this was the Coffee with Town Planner event I facilitated in March 2022
- Prepare staff reports for the Planning Board and Town Board on proposed land use applications
- Attend Planning Board and Town Board meetings offering technical assistance to Board's reviewing development applications.
Senior Planner
TOWN OF BETHLEHEM PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Delmar, NY
10.2013 - 07.2018
- Managed all aspects of residential and commercial development applications for compliance with Town Zoning Laws
- Presented proposed development applications to the Planning Board and Town Board for consideration of approvals
- TAP/CMAQ Grant Applications - Prepared successful applications totaling over $3.1 million for construction of ADA compliant sidewalks and a roundabout
- Town Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee - Managed an 11 member volunteer committee promoting and advocating for bicycle and pedestrian initiatives, education and safety
- Team leader in developing a solar ordinance to address residential, commercial and utility scale solar projects
- Solar ordinance adopted as part of Town Zoning Law
- NYSERDA Clean Energy Community - Project Manager in completing the required action items to become a designated Clean Energy Community, awarded a $100,000 grant for an LED street light project
- ADA Transition Plan - Project Manager for evaluation of Town's sidewalks and curb ramps for an ADA Transition Plan to comply with ADA Title II requirements
- Delaware Avenue Complete Streets Feasibility Study - Prepared successful $60,000 grant application to the Capital District Transportation Committee (MPO) Community and Transportation Linkage Planning Program
- Town liaison to the Capital District Transportation Committee's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and ADA Working Group.
Director of NY Operations
NRG HOME SOLAR
Nanuet, NY
03.2012 - 07.2013
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NY office/territory, including budgeting, scheduling, staff management and motivation
- Interviewed and hired installation managers, solar installers and permitting staff
- Trained new solar installers and increased solar installations from 0 per month to 30+ per month in the NY territory
- Successfully processed building permits, interconnection applications and NYSERDA State incentive applications in 10 counties and in 5 utility company territories
- Developed and implemented new office procedures, which increased staff productivity on specific tasks
- Presented solar projects to Architectural Review Boards and Planning Boards for approval.
Senior Planner
CLARK COUNTY DEPT. OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Las Vegas, NV
03.2005 - 04.2011
- Conducted pre-application meetings with developers submitting land use applications and reviewed applications for compliance with the Clark County Title 30 Development Code and County Land Use Plans
- Presented development projects to Town Boards and County Planning Commission for consideration of approval
- Prepared development review reports accurately and within designated timeframes, for conformance to development codes and county plans
- Assisted as a team member in updating Winchester/Paradise Land Use Plan, Laughlin Land Use Plan, Enterprise Land Use Plan and South County Land Use Plan.
Planner I
TOWN OF AVON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT.
Avon, CO
03.2004 - 03.2005
- Reviewed development applications for compliance with Town Codes and community plans and presented staff reports to the Planning and Zoning Commission
- Conducted pre-application meetings with applicants submitting development proposals
- Conferred and coordinated with architects, building officials, surveyors, and Town Engineers on development applications.
Trails Director
HUDSON RIVER VALLEY GREENWAY
Albany, NY
03.2002 - 02.2004
- Responsible for the management and development of the state legislated Hudson River Greenway Trail
- Successfully prepared two federally funded grant applications for Greenway projects; prepared Request for Proposals (RFP's) for federally funded projects
- Project Manager on agency projects - Greenway Trail Vision Plan; Mohawk/Hudson Bike Hike Trail Study; Getting Involved: A Community Trail Handbook for Landowners, Hudson River Valley Scenic Byways Project; and the Rensselaer County Greenway Trail Connection Study
- Greenway liaison to numerous community groups throughout the Hudson River Valley.
Education
Master's Degree - Urban and Regional Planning
University at Albany
Albany, NY01.2002
Bachelor's Degree - Geography
SUNY Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY01.1994
Skills
- Transportation Planning
- Community Engagement
- Research and analysis
- Site Plan Review
- Infrastructure Planning
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- GIS Proficiency
- Zoning Regulations Knowledge
Certification
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
- NYSDEC Erosion and Sediment Control
Affiliations
- American Planning Association (APA)
- New York Upstate Chapter of the APA
Timeline
Town Planner (Acting Stormwater Management Officer since Sept. 2023)
TOWN OF GUILDERLAND PLANNING DEPARTMENT
07.2018 - Current
Senior Planner
TOWN OF BETHLEHEM PLANNING DEPARTMENT
10.2013 - 07.2018
Director of NY Operations
NRG HOME SOLAR
03.2012 - 07.2013
Senior Planner
CLARK COUNTY DEPT. OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
03.2005 - 04.2011
Planner I
TOWN OF AVON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT.
03.2004 - 03.2005
Trails Director
HUDSON RIVER VALLEY GREENWAY
03.2002 - 02.2004
Master's Degree - Urban and Regional Planning
University at Albany
Bachelor's Degree - Geography
SUNY Plattsburgh