Politics & Government

SWRPA Director Announces August Resignation

After seven years as director of the South Western Regional Planning Agency that serves Norwalk and surrounding towns, Floyd Lapp on Wednesday announced his resignation, according to this news release from SWRPA.

 

The board of directors of the South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) announced today that executive director Floyd Lapp is resigning after seven years at the helm. Lapp will stay on at SWRPA until the end of August while the board searches for his replacement.

Lapp became SWRPA’s executive director in 2006, after a long and distinguished career in urban planning and public administration. At SWRPA his priorities have included promoting transit-oriented development, working to reduce traffic congestion on local roads via initiatives such as managed lanes and congestion pricing, and collaborating with local transit authorities to provide smoother rides and faster commutes for bus passengers.

Lapp has also worked hard and successfully to promote strong working relationships among the elected leaders and planning departments of the eight towns in the South Western Region of Connecticut, including Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.

“On behalf of the eight chief elected officials in this part of the state, I would like to recognize Floyd Lapp’s significant leadership over a challenging period for both the region and its government organizations,” said Gordon Joseloff, First Selectman of Westport and chairman of the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRPMO). “Floyd has been a trailblazer in regional planning as well as an advocate for smart public policies.”

Among many tangible achievements, SWRPA recently obtained a Regional Incentive Grant that will allow all eight towns to commission a joint aerial survey of the region. This vital planning tool replaces piecemeal survey work undertaken by individual towns in past years, and will save local taxpayers an estimated $800,000.

Under Lapp’s leadership, SWRPA also launched the Climate Resiliency Project, a new planning initiative designed to help the South Western Region handle more frequent and severe weather events associated with global climate change.

“For more than six years, Floyd Lapp has focused on preserving and improving the quality of life in southwestern Connecticut,” “said SWRPA chairman Gerald Ellis. “ In many matters of regional importance, Floyd has been able to make a stronger case for planning than any individual town or city could make on its own.”

Going forward, Lapp will be teaching planning courses at Columbia University and pursuing consulting opportunities. The board and staff of SWRPA join the eight elected leaders of the South Western Region in wishing Floyd the very best of luck with his next act.

As a regional planning agency, SWRPA is dedicated to preserving and improving the quality of life and economic vitality in lower Fairfield County, Connecticut. SWRPA focuses on inter-municipal issues of transportation, housing, community development, environment and open space and may expand its focus into other areas as are consistent with  the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes.  SWRPA provides a forum for local governments to foster communication and collaboration in addressing inter-municipal issues and needs. At the request of its constituent municipalities, SWRPA also provides technical and planning assistance.


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