Town Employee, Commission Receive Planning Awards In New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — The Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association recently awarded its 2025 Rising Star Award and an honorable mention to a New Canaan town employee and one of its commissions, according to town officials.

In a news release provided by the town, Communications Associate Greg Reilly said CCAPA awarded its 2025 Rising Star Award to Town Planner Sarah Carey.

Additionally, an honorable mention for CCAPA's Innovative Plan Award went to the New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission for the 2024 Plan of Conservation and Development, according to Reilly.

The Rising Star Award is bestowed to a professional planner during the first 10 years of practice who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to leadership, professional development and the advancement of the field of planning in Connecticut, Reilly said.

According to Reilly, Carey's nomination highlighted her professionalism, political savvy and perseverance as an emerging planner in the state of Connecticut.

In May, Carey passed the American Institute of Certified Planners certification exam, which is the second-to-last step in a four-year process for attaining National-Level Planning Certification. The final step is submitting proof of her work experience, which will be done in November, according to Reilly.

The town hired Carey as assistant zoning inspector in January 2022. She was promoted to assistant town planner in January 2023 and promoted to town planner in July 2023.

CCAPA's Innovative Plan Awards recognize distinguished work addressing a contemporary or challenging issue, according to CCAPA.

New Canaan's 2024 Plan of Conservation and Development, which became effective Nov. 1, 2024, resulted from a year-long public engagement-oriented planning process, Reilly said.

According to the nomination, New Canaan faces the challenge of being substantially built out while needing to address housing demands and balancing development impacts on a fragile environment. Understanding and balancing the needs and desires of current and future residents presented an additional challenge, according to Reilly.

The commission, staff and planning consultant conducted an ambitious community outreach plan that included an initial community survey, community workshop, three community dialogue theme nights, an online survey, a community photo contest and a final community workshop, Reilly said.

The POCD addresses four goals, and the final document contains 186 action items that the town can implement to address the challenges outlined, according to Reilly.

Reilly noted the nomination said "this POCD was a significant achievement for the town, marked by extensive public involvement. Rather than focusing solely on technical planning or zoning strategies, the process engaged the broader community to ensure solutions align with public priorities and to renew interest in critical planning issues."

"Congratulations to Sarah on her recent achievements and to the entire commission for its amazing work on the POCD," First Selectman Dionna Carlson said in a news release. "We are fortunate to have such an accomplished planner and commission in New Canaan."