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Smart Growth News |
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This is our last issue of Smart Growth News for 2007. We've enjoyed putting together information and resources about the changing nature of land use and planning on Long Island each week. It is also time for VISION to take stock in our work for 2007 and reflect on our priorities for 2008. We have achieved 70% of our program priorities. This is great in baseball, but maybe not so much in school, so we're not quite sure how to rate our progress. Regardless, we have a great deal of work to advance over the next year: major initiatives throughout LI like the Lighthouse and the Heartland Project will require design review and attention; downtown initiatives, such as ones underway in Farmingdale, Bay Shore, and Rocky Point, will also need attention; as well as advancing community visions in Gordon Heights, Coram, and Middle Island, to name a few. From a policy and programmatic perspective, transit-oriented development, clean energy and green building, and preserving existing housing stock will be at the forefront of our agenda. Continuing our events and e-newsletter, as well as the other technical support and outreach education we provide, will be a mainstay of our organization. Elsewhere in the region, Governor Spitzer has recently created the New York State Smart Growth Cabinet. VISION is also participating in Empire State Future, a group modeled after New Jersey Future, which was highly successful in changing New Jersey's state policies. Most importantly, we need to thank all of the organizations, individuals, and institutions that have transformed their work to truly advance Smart Growth initiatives across Long Island and the region. A movement is only as good as the people around it. We are blessed to have talented organizational partners and highly competent internal staff and consultants. Thank you all for what we have produced in 2007. See you in the new year. We will be back with the January Newsletter the first week of 2008. Happy New Year from Vision Long Island! |
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Washington Mutual Washington Mutual is this week's Smart Growth News sponsor. In their efforts to support affordable housing, Smart Growth projects, and smart development and planning on Long Island, Washington Mutual assisted Vision Long Island with a $7,500 grant this year.
Be a Smart Growth News or Smart Talk Visionary
For $500, you can sponsor Smart Growth News, our weekly publication. In recognition, your firm’s logo and a short description of your work will be featured in every issue. For $1,000, your organization can sponsor Smart Talk. This monthly news resource will include your firm’s logo and feature revolving articles on the organizations helping inform Long Island. Archives of Smart Talk and Smart Growth News Weekly are available on our website. For more information on this chance to be at the forefront of Long Island’s Smart Growth Movement, call Vision Long Island, 631-261-0242 or email info@visionlongisland.org. |
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Syosset Trailer Park Developer offers 1-year Extension, Buyout
According to Corey Kilgannon's article from the New York Times, it is one of the few enclaves of affordable housing on Long Island; a trailer can be purchased for under $50,000 and the monthly fee for taxes, water and sewage runs about $500. Since April, the residents have created a website, an online petition, written many letters to local newspapers and hosted fundraisers to help raise money to offset their legal costs to fight to keep the park and their homes. According to the Syosset Mobile Home Trailer Park Association, the goal is to raise enough money to cover legal costs and to purchase the park to make it a co-operative community. As of December 6th, the residents of the Syosset Mobile Home Park are considering whether or not to accept $500,000 from STP Associates, LLC that would allow them to stay in their homes for another year. According to David Winzelberg's update in Long Island Business News, the "good faith gesture" STP made is in response to the amount requested by some residents for their relocation efforts. STP also said they've agreed to let residents remain in the park at least until November 2008. Mr. Winzelberg's article also states that officials from STP have made the effort to meet with Nassau County official to aid in coordinating relocation efforts. In the December 7th edition of the Syosset-Jericho Tribune, Larry Rush, a partner at STP Associates, LLC, wrote his response to last week's letter in his "letter to the editor." Read the response to the Letter to the Editor in the Syosset-Jericho Tribune here, along with the New York Times piece here, and Long Island Business News' article here. Click here to see the petition and here to visit The Syosset Mobile Home Park Association's website. Yaphank Proposal Draws Many Responses
One such response stated that "the location is not a 'smart growth' location, and is wholly socially and environmentally unsuitable. Yaphank is not located near any services except exit 67 of the LIE, it is not a downtown. There is no present infrastructure to coordinate this massive project and no plans yet submitted are even within a reasonable range for either the adjacent communities, the environment or the host school district. Yaphank is largely an open area with farms or wooded space and intense industrial areas, but despite inappropriate industrial development along CR101, CR16 and the LIE it also forms the deep groundwater recharge areas and the watershed for the precious Carmens River. Yaphank has no walkable areas Both proposals are available for review online here and here. Click here to read an insightful article in the New York Times. Gordon Heights Holds Tree Lighting Celebration
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There seems to be some consternation on Suffolk County's proposals for a large development in Yaphank. The development is still in the very early stages of the process, as what currently exists are simply concepts and the public has not yet fully weighed in on them. However, we have received numerous unsolicited responses in recent weeks. Now, we are looking for more input as to the community's thoughts on the proposed development. Vision Long Island applauds the County Executive's Office for its comprehensive approach to affordable housing, but we have not taken a position on this project.
The Gordon Heights community held their annual tree lighting ceremony on December 15th, bringing dozens of enthusiastic people out to celebrate the holiday season. Members of the community, the Fire Department and Councilwoman Connie Kepert attended the event. The community gathered around the tree, located at the main corridor of Granny Road and Mill Road. Beginning with an opening ceremony from local elected officials, the evening included singing carols, the annual dressing of the firetrucks and parade featuring Santa himself. Bedecked with lights and other decorations, the children and Councilwoman Kepert picked the winning truck. It was an intimate gathering of community leaders, residents and businesses, in a community where even Santa knows everyone's name. The local delicatessen handed out treats and hot chocolate to keep everyone warm throughout the night. Gordon Heights Civic Association President, Tawaun Whitty said it best: " the annual tree lighting truly represents the community of Gordon Heights because it is filled with families showing their love and charity while caroling over warm, hot chocolate."|
Local Smart Growth Year-End Poll As 2007 comes to an end, VISION is holding an informal poll of Smart Growth News readers. Please let us know your favorite places are, either in the present or as envisioned, as we will be publishing the results in a future issue: 1. What is your favorite downtown revitalization project? 2. Favorite controversial land-use issue? 3. Favorite downtown restaurant? 4. Favorite local place to see live music?
6. Favorite art space? 7. Favorite park or nature area?
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In The Spirit of the Holidays...
The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless (NSCH) is one of the many not-for profit organizations on LI working to improve the lives of Long Island's homeless by acting as an advocacy and information and referral organization to help homeless individuals and families throughout Long Island. Their task can be especially arduous during the winter with inclement weather and the rising prices of heating. The increasing demand for services and food is seen throughout the region's shelters, as featured in a recent New York Times article. See how you can do your part at their website. The Neighborhood Network is dedicated to reclaiming the suburban and rural character of community life on Long Island by preserving our environmental resources; initiating efforts to employ clean energy technologies; advancing planning principles that foster stronger communities; and holding our governmental officials accountable by advancing reforms which set the highest ethical standards and keep the operation of government open to the public. To learn more or to make a donation, click here. The Group for the East End is a volunteer-directed, professionally staffed, not-for-profit environmental advocacy organization established in 1972. The Group is dedicated to protecting the environment, rural character and quality of life across the East End through public advocacy and public education and derives its support from 2,500 individuals, family members, foundations and local businesses. The Group does not rely on government funding to operate its programs, so that they can serve as an objective watchdog of local and regional governmental decisions that ultimately determine the future protection of the local environment and the quality of life of everyone who enjoys the resources of the East End. Click here to find out more and to make a donation to the organization. |
At this time of the year, it is time to think of others in need. Below, you will find information on a just few organizations that are doing their part to make Long Island a better place. Please consider giving gifts to them or other groups that deserve your support.|
Staff Pick: See 'Sweeney Todd' In Your Local Downtown Movie Theater
VISION's somewhat twisted and loveable staff recommends seeing Tim Burton's latest creation, "Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street." Directed by Burton ("Edward Scissorhands," "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") and starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, the film is adapted from Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical chronicling the rise of a singing, vengeance-driven, murderous barber (Depp) and an over-zealous pie maker (Bonham Carter). In the spirit of the story, why not visit your local barber after the film! Just make sure he's not from Fleet Street. Notable downtown movie theatres are located in Bellmore, Franklin Square, Baldwin, Port Washington, Roslyn, Huntington Village, Babylon, New Hyde Park, Manhasset, Long Beach, Malverne, Merrick, Seaford, Islip, Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Sayville, Greenport, Southampton, Easthampton, Bridgehampton, and Montauk. Heritage Community Center in MT. Sinai Welcomes Heather Forest
The Heritage Center at North Shore Heritage Park is located at 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road in Mount Sinai. Concert. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Call (631) 509-0882, visit the Heritage Center, or email msheritagerust@aol.com for more information or to purchase tickets. |
With long weekends and cold weather ahead, heading to the movie theater in your local downtowns keeps you warm, helps the local economy, and provides an entire day's fun, with or without your family and friends!
The Heritage Community Center in Heritage Park, Mount Sinai, will be holding a concert this Saturday, December 22nd, at 7pm. The show, "Tapestry of Tales: A Concert of StoryTelling for Adults," features singer-songwriter Heather Forest and will have a performance and book signing. Featured in storytelling festivals around the globe, she brings elegance, wit, and the poet’s touch to classic tales from the treasury of world folklore. There will also be mulled wine and desserts available for purchase.SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration. For more information about Vision Long Island, visit http://www.visionlongisland.org or contact us at: |