DO YOU SUPPORT THE LIGHTHOUSE?

REMINDER!

ATTEND THE ZONING HEARING

September 22nd

9am-5pm
and
6pm-9pm

Adams Playhouse, Hofstra University

A zoning hearing has been scheduled for the Lighthouse project and all supporters are needed to attend. The hearing has been scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 22nd at the Adams Playhouse, on the campus of Hofstra University. The meeting will run in two sessions. The day session will run from 9am – 5pm with a one-hour break from 1pm - 2pm. The night session is scheduled to run from 6pm – 9pm.

This next step makes all the difference. At the last meeting, those in attendance had the opportunity to voice their thoughts on the environmental impact of the project. This upcoming meeting will focus on the zoning of the entire project. Why is it important to have a multi-use development plan at the Coliseum site? What are the benefits of smart growth? Why does Long Island need this? Tell Supervisor Kate Murray and the Town Board.

You may also submit your comments to the Town in writing by emailing lighthousecomment@tohmail.org or sending a letter to Lighthouse Comment, One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550.

There needs to be as strong a crowd at this hearing as at the last, if not stronger. Though it may seem like one meeting doesn’t matter, your presence makes all the difference in this process. At the last hearing, the crowd spoke volumes. The number of people that came showed the Board that this project must get done. Hopefully, the message projected at the next meeting is: this project will get done.

Now is not the time to fade out. We have come so far and we’re getting so close to a resolution. Come to our September 22nd zoning hearing and tell the Board why we need the Lighthouse. Your attendance can make a difference.

Vision Long Island advocates for “Smart Growth” planning and development that includes: a mix of land uses; compact building design; a range of housing choices; walkable neighborhoods; attractive communities with a strong sense of place; preservation of open space; infill development; a variety of transportation choices; decisions that are predictable, fair, and cost effective; and encouraging community and stakeholder collaboration in the development process.

Towards that end Vision Long Island Board and Staff strongly supports the Lighthouse project and believe it to be a promising model of Smart Growth for the region.

The Lighthouse project has incorporated many Smart Growth principles and designs:

• A mix of uses including retail, office, residence, and entertainment.

• Appropriate density, though much higher than any in the surrounding areas,  that is necessary to support the Nassau Coliseum redevelopment, entertainment improvements and onsite retail.

• Public spaces: Celebration Plaza, the gathering area by the Sports Complex, and the Canal. We believe that the inclusion of restaurants and shops, and recreational and entertainment options for residents and visitors will help make it a place that people will want to live, work, and play.

• A new urban community with the kind of ambiance that might attract the young professionals that are leaving Long Island in large numbers.

• Availability of the loft-type housing option and the availability of 20% workforce housing units on site..

• Green building and energy efficient design as the developer will seek LEED ND certification.

• A real street grid for an area devoid of connectivity. This project encourages efficient and easy transit choices and less dependence on the automobile. We understand, however, that many of the preferred options require the political and financial support of the surrounding communities, Nassau County and New York State.

• $55 million of transportation mitigation that the developer has proposed which, to date, is higher than other regional projects with potentially larger impacts.

What makes this project unique for Long Island is that it has the opportunity to become a true place, destination and essentially a new town center redeveloped out of a sea of asphalt and unworkable sprawl.  This transformation in and of itself is a huge benefit.

Lastly we have been very impressed with the level of community outreach that the developers have performed to nearly 200 civic, business and community organizations over the last year.  This level of bottom up planning sets the standard to help Long Island residents to participate in change.

Vision Long Island supports this project as it achieves many of the goals of proponents of Smart Growth and is on its way to becoming Long Island’s premier development, one that sets the standard for the future of our region.  

Vision Long Island's testimony is available here.

For more information, please visit www.lighthouseli.com or the official blog of the Lighthouse Development Group, The Light Post at lighthouseliblog.blogspot.com.

SMART GROWTH NEWS

Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director
Contributors: Eric Alexander, Executive Director; Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator;
Tawaun Weber, Director of Special Projects; Juliana Roberts Dubovsky, Planning Consultant

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:
24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One Northport, NY 11768. Phone: (631) 261-0242. Fax: (631) 754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org