2023 SVS Awards Program Has Begun! 

The 2023 SVS APA Awards Program has begun! Help us celebrate and recognize local planning superstars by submitting innovative plans and projects; distinguished APA members, agencies, and firms; and planning achievements. Submit an awards application or apply to be on the Awards Jury! 

IMPORTANT DATES 

• February 22, 2023: SVS Informational Session, 12:00-1:00PM 
• February 28, 2023: Technical Assistance Request deadline, 5:00PM
• March 10, 2023: SVS Awards Selection Jury application deadline, 5:00PM
• March 28, 2023: SVS Awards Nomination Submission deadline, 5:00PM
  NEW EXTENDED DATE
• April 7, 2023: SVS Awards Jury deliberation, 3:00-5:00PM
• April 14, 2023: SVS Award Winners notified
• May 15, 2023: State Awards application deadline
• October 2023: SVS Awards Ceremony

Attend the Informational Session 

On February 22, 2023 from 12:00 to 1:00PM,we hosted a virtual informational session on the 2023 SVS Awards Program, which included a brief presentation about the 2023 Awards Program followed by Q&A.

If you didn’t get the chance to attend, the presentation slides can be viewed by clicking here. 

To see the presentation, please watch the following video.

Technical Assistance Request 

We are thrilled to offer technical assistance to interested applicants for the 2023 SVS Awards Program. If you would like assistance with the application, please sign up here by February 28, 2023. 

Join the 2023 SVS Awards Jury

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals willing to dedicate time and give back to our profession by serving on the 5-person 2023 APA Sacramento Valley Section Awards Selection Jury. Jurors will review and evaluate some of the finest planning work in the Sacramento Valley region, confer with the rest of the jury, and determine the winners. Awards deliberation will be held from 3:00-5:00PM on Friday, April 7, 2023.

If you would like to volunteer and be considered to serve on the awards jury, please fill out this online application form here. In the form, you will be asked to provide the following: 

• Your contact information
• An approximately 250-word statement of interest

JURY APPLICATION DUE DATE: FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2023 at 5:00PM
(NOTE: THIS IS EARLIER THAN THE AWARD APPLICATION DEADLINE)

Apply for a 2023 Award

AWARD CATEGORIES

1. State-Eligible Awards. Please refer to the APA SVS Awards Program Policy Document for State-Eligible Awards Criteria and their respective criteria. The SVS Awards Jury will evaluate State-Eligible Awards using these criteria.
2. Section-Specific Awards. Please refer to the APA SVS Awards Program Policy Document for Section-Specific Awards Criteria and their respective criteria. The SVS Awards Jury will evaluate Section-Specific Awards using these criteria, with the exception of the SVS Legacy Award, which will be evaluated by the SVS Board.

You can read the full SVS Awards Program Policy Document here.

HOW TO APPLY

Please compile all of the following information and documentation prior to starting the application form. Please include Summary Description, Award Criteria responses, AND images with captions in one document file (Word Document or PDF accepted).

Section-Specific Award nominations should prepare items A through D. State-Eligible Award nominations should prepare items A through F.

1. Summary Description. (300 words or less)
   In 300 words or less, provide a summary description of the submission. In the case of an individual, provide a one-page resume. 
2. Award Criteria. (1,000 words or less)
   In 1,000 words or less, explain how the submission specifically meets each criterion. For Emerging Planner Award nominees, include a description of where the nominee has worked, their years of experience, and what projects the nominee has contributed to and in what capacity. If applicable (but not required), include a description of the nominee’s educational background.
3. Images with Captions (5-10 images)
   Please provide five to ten (5-10) images, including a brief caption for each. Leadership Award nominations need only supply two to three (2-3) images of the individual nominated. Please make sure photo files are labeled in a way that is easy to associate it with the corresponding caption.
4. Image Files
   Please provide images from #3 in a high-resolution, JPEG/PNG format (these will be used for the presentation during the Awards Ceremony).
5. Letter(s) of Support. (1-5 letters)
   Provide at least one (1) but no more than five (5) one-page letters in support of the submission, OTHER THAN the nominator and/or staff/consultant. Address letters to SVS APA Awards Selection Jury. 
6. Project or Plan.
   Provide a digital copy of the project document in PDF format or as a link to a project page. In the case of an individual, provide a resume and work sample that supports the award criteria.

Formatting Notes. Please keep the following formatting items in mind while preparing your documentation/information.

• Please include items A, B, and C in the same Document/PDF file.
• Make sure all images for D are separate image files. Multiple files can be uploaded at the same time.
• Please make sure all file names include your (nominator) last name and the award you are submitting a nomination for (Example: Smith_BestPractices.pdf). For image files, please also include a photo number in the file name (Example: Smith_BestPractices_Photo1.jpeg).

Questions? 

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Yang (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Nikki Zanchetta (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), SVS Awards Co-Coordinators

And The Winners Are...

Please join us in congratulating the following award winners from the Sacramento Valley Section!

Academic Award - Award of Excellence

• Transit Blues in the Golden State: Analyzing Recent California Ridership Trends

Planning Agency Award - Award of Excellence

• City of Sacramento Planning Division

Transportation Planning Award - Award of Excellence

• Sacramento Valley Station Area Plan

Comprehensive Plan Award (Small Jurisdiction) - Award of Merit

• Downtown Redding Specific Plan Update 

Innovation in Green Community Planning Award - Award of Merit

• City of Elk Grove Community Mobility Resilience Plan

Public Outreach Award - Award of Merit

• SacRT Forward Sacramento Regional Transit District

Transportation Planning Award - Award of Merit

• State Route 89 Recreation Corridor Management Plan

2021 Emerging Planner Award Winners

This annual award is intended to recognize emerging planners who have shown exemplary and continuous commitment and service to the Sacramento Valley Section, planning profession, and planning practice. Congratulations goes to:

• Katie Green, AICP
• Evan Wasserman
• Carrie Whitlock, AICP Candidate

2021 Local Vision Award Winners

This annual award celebrates organizations and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to creating better communities throughout the Sacramento Valley Section. Award winners all have challenged the members of their communities to think differently about the everyday decisions they make. Congratulations goes to:

• West Sacramento’s Permanent Supportive Housing Project
• Plumas County Fire Safe Council
• Tahoe Central Sierra Initiative

2021 PEN SVS Honorees

• Bob Lagomarsino, AICP
• Rick Rust, AICP

2021 Legacy Award Winner

This annual award is given to distinguished Sacramento Valley individuals who have shown exemplary commitment to the profession and practice of planning over time. The Legacy Award honoree has supported young planners, been involved in APA and worked to advance quality planning at the state, regional and local levels. Congratulations goes to:

• Julia Lave Johnston

Please help us congratulate this year's APA California Sacramento Valley Section Award Winners!

SVS Award of Merit Winners

• Butte Creek Canyon Overlay Zone
  Award of Merit in Innovation in Green Community Planning
• Town of Esparto Community Plan
  Award of Merit in Comprehensive Plan, Small Jurisdiction

SVS Award of Excellence Winners

• Camp Fire Disaster Recovery Urgency Ordinance
  Award of Excellence in Hard-Won Victories
• South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan
  Award of Excellence in Innovation in Green Community Planning
• Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan
  Award of Excellence in Comprehensive Plan, Large Jurisdiction

Emerging Planner Award

• Heidi Gen Kuong, AICP
• Kate Rose
• Yassaman Sarvian
• Jennifer Welch

SVS Local Vision Award Winners

• Butte County Fire Safe Council & Partners
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District
• Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

SVS Student Scholarship Winners

• Brianna Banks McLean
• Evangelina Chavez

PEN Honor Award Honoree for SVS

• Tim Snellings

SVS Legacy Award Recipient

• Claudia Stuart, AICP