WCA Unveils New Edition of Real Estate Policy Playbook to Shape Smart Growth & Development

WCA Unveils New Edition of Westchester’s Real Estate Policy Playbook to Shape Smart Growth and Development

An AI-powered web-based platform will drive coordinated development across the region

WHITE PLAINS, NY (October 1, 2026) – The Westchester County Association (WCA) today published its Real Estate Policy Playbook designed to help local leaders, planners, and stakeholders navigate the policies shaping responsible economic growth and development across Westchester County. Now in its fourth edition, the WCA's Playbook has been completely updated and now includes a brand-new section on critical infrastructure. This expanded real estate development guide is accompanied by a new on-line version enhanced with AI-searchability to keep pace with growing use by leaders across the region.

“Westchester’s future requires a shared, practical framework for managing growth that is accessible to every community and every stakeholder that has a role in the development process,” said Michael N. Romita, President & CEO of Westchester County Association. “This Playbook translates complex policy considerations into actionable guidance, helping leaders make decisions that can expand opportunity, support housing and infrastructure needs, and preserve the qualities that make Westchester an exceptional place to live and work.”

The Real Estate Policy Playbook is created and circulated in collaboration between leading voices across the region’s real estate community, including engineers, architects, land planners, developers, attorneys, brokers, municipal policy experts, and local officials. The latest edition includes a chapter on essential infrastructure to meet the current and future needs of Westchester County, building on previous editions focused on comprehensive planning, housing, energy efficiency and sustainability.

“This fourth edition of the Real Estate Policy Playbook is a collaborative effort that addresses a major barrier to development in our region: ensuring adequate horizontal and sub-service infrastructure to support vertical growth,” said William V. Cuddy Jr., Executive Vice President at CBRE and Chairperson of the WCA Real Estate Task Force. “By presenting practical solutions to address essential infrastructure challenges, we are promoting smart, sustainable growth that will support a stronger future for our region.”

Due to increased demand from leaders across the region's real estate community who rely on the Playbook's resources, the new edition is now available in an online version with AI-functionality. This new resource enables leaders to access Playbook guidance by asking questions in everyday language, and aims to support more efficient planning, clearer decision-making, and economically viable, sustainable development throughout the region. Users can browse the Playbook, search by keyword or meaning, and receive cited answers that link directly to source material.

The Playbook is just one element of the WCA’s efforts to promote smart growth across Westchester and beyond. This year’s edition comes on the heels of WCA’s leadership to enact generational reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) passed earlier this year, and part of the WCA’s ongoing advocacy to advance responsible development and create a stronger economy. This work is guided by the WCA’s Real Estate Committee, which convenes the region’s leading developers, planners, government representatives, and other real estate professionals.

The Policy Playbook is available at westchester.org/wca_policy_playbook.

About the Westchester County Association

The Westchester County Association is the most influential professional membership organization in Westchester and the surrounding region. We unite professional leaders to advance issues and lead initiatives that strengthen our regional economy. Our mission is to drive Westchester’s economic vitality, stimulate new business development and job creation, and provide our members with the resources and talent they need to grow. For more information about the Westchester County Association, visit www.westchester.org.