Canandaigua city leaders are beginning to translate long-range planning into action, taking what may be their most concrete steps yet toward addressing housing, development, and broader structural challenges.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, officials approved the creation of two ad hoc committees—one focused on housing and design standards, and another on advocacy and outreach—moves that collectively signal a shift toward implementation of the city’s comprehensive plan.
The housing and design standards committee is tasked with evaluating zoning updates, potential design requirements, and redevelopment opportunities in key areas like the Routes 5 and 20 corridor and Jefferson Park neighborhood. The group is expected to deliver recommendations by the end of 2026.
The effort is rooted in a broader recognition that planning alone won’t solve emerging pressures tied to growth and development.
“We’ve done a lot of planning,” City Manager John Goodwin said during the meeting. “Now it’s about putting that into action.”
Alongside that effort, council also approved the formation of an advocacy and outreach committee aimed at improving how the city coordinates with outside entities, including state and federal agencies.
Discussion around that committee highlighted the need for a more proactive approach to securing funding and advancing local priorities — particularly for infrastructure and economic development.
Together, the two committees represent a structural shift in how the city approaches long-term issues — moving from identifying problems to building mechanisms that can deliver solutions.
While both groups are advisory in nature, their scope touches on some of the most pressing issues facing the city, including housing availability, corridor development, and the city’s role in a changing regional economy.
The timeline — recommendations due by Dec. 31, 2026 — gives the effort a defined runway, but also underscores the scale of the work ahead.
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