The Rye City Council expanded the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee this week, correcting an appointment mix-up involving two residents with the same name and adding two Rye High School students to bring youth perspectives to the city’s long-range planning process.
The council approved adding Justin Driscoll III, CEO of the New York Power Authority, who serves on the county’s Master Plan Steering Committee, and Justin E. Driscoll, a real estate finance professional. The latter also coaches the Rye Riptide girls lacrosse team, which captured a tournament championship in January at the SandStorm Lacrosse Festival in California.
Mayor Josh Nathan said the city inadvertently conflated the two men while assembling the committee because both share the same name, middle initial, and similar social circles.
“We’re very lucky that both of them have agreed to serve,” Nathan said. “They will bring amazing skills and insights to the committee, so we’re excited for that.”
The council also appointed Ava Perota, a rising Rye High School senior and former junior CCAC member, and Paul LaForge, a rising junior. Nathan said LaForge sparked the idea by submitting a letter explaining why high school students should serve on the committee.
“We love that he took that interest and that we’re able to get youth voices at the table,” Nathan said.
The steering committee, which now has 15 members, will hold its second meeting on Monday, July 27.
The committee will use what City Manager Brian Shea called a “hub and spoke
