Roach Selects New Planning Commissioner

White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach has selected Elizabeth Cheteny to take over as commissioner of the City's planning department.

Cheteny has both public and private sector work experience, including more than 25 years as a senior land use planner and economist. She has directed projects involving municipal and institutional comprehensive planning, zoning, environmental review, as well as historic, scenic and open space preservation. Her appointment will go before the White Plains Common Council on Oct. 1.

“Betty Cheteny brings an extraordinary breadth of experience to the City’s Planning Department," Roach said in a statement. "Whether working with municipal governments, academic institutions, health care institutions or private sector clients, Ms. Cheteny has brought a thoughtful and informed approach to planning."

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Cheteny's annual salary will be $144,330, pending the Common Council's approval.

In her most recent position, Cheteny worked as the environmental program manager at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, where she directed the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) of a new clinical science center proposed for the campus, according to a release from the mayor's office.

She also served as a board member in the Village of East Aurora, NY, co-founded the Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway and is a board member of the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy and Western New York Land Conservancy. 

Cheteny holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"Her collaborative nature has enabled her to work successfully with community organizations and other stakeholders on a wide variety of projects," Roach added. "I believe that Ms. Cheteny will build on the strengths of our Planning Department and help White Plains continue to move forward in a dynamic, smart and progressive fashion.”