sept2004smarttalk

The big buzz this month is Suffolk County's Open Space Bond Act, which will appear on this year's election ballot. Most open space bond proposals find strong support on Long Island. Recent Bond Acts in Nassau County, Oyster Bay and Brookhaven are prime examples, as was the precedent-setting effort in the Town of Huntington. Until recently, however, some environmental groups themselves were having trouble supporting Suffolk County's proposal.

What makes the Suffolk County Bond initiative different is its inclusion of a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) component. TDRs enable property owners to sell their right to develop to another party, who can then use that right to develop on another parcel. It's classic “Smart Growth”: preserving open space without property owners or taxpayers having to sacrifice the asset's value, while enabling more concentrated development to occur where appropriate. It is this kind of compromise that can keep those trying to house our working families and those striving to preserve our environment from having to work at odds with one another.

Without specific guidelines, proposals like these can still yield sprawl. They need to be carefully planned. Fortunately, Suffolk County sees this, and has addressed the key concerns. Vision Long Island strongly supports the principle and spirit behind their proposal and the provisions now in place that will control where and how development rights can be transferred.

Specifically, there will be a guarantee that once the rights are sold, they will not be used just to develop another greenfield. There is also assurance that the original property will remain undeveloped. What's more, upon approval of the bond act, a mechanism will be established whereby developers, environmentalists and affordable housing advocates will work together to forge consensus and hammer out the details to best serve Suffolk County. Vision Long Island is prepared to assist in this, and offers draft TDR guidelines on our web site, http://www.visionlongisland.org/TDRGuidelines.htm

Looking even further, the TDR component can be shaped to foster the creation of strong vibrant centers. This is a prime opportunity for Suffolk County to lead Long Island beyond the compromise of single interests to the transcending idea that our built environments should provide a “sense of place”. Places with identity. Places that afford whole communities for our people, complete with convenient and environmentally friendly access to daily needs. Places that use our most fundamental resource – our land – wisely, prevent pollution, and facilitate the preservation of the natural places that are our common treasure.

Eric Alexander, Director

Katheryn Laible, Communications Director

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VLI NEWS & EVENTS

Mastic Vision Advances With Passage of Brookhaven's J-6 “Main Street Business District” Zone

Suffolk Life recently reported on the passage of zoning in the Town of Brookhaven that will allow for the development of mixed-use pedestrian-oriented retail centers. This zoning option, which has not been available in the Town since 1957, will legalize implementation of the vision created by the Mastics and Shirley communities 2 years ago. Read the details at http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12814896&BRD=1776&PAG=461&dept_id=6363&rfi=6

2004 Smart Growth Summit: Setting the Standard

Government, business, development and not-for-profit leaders are coming together for Long Island 's Third Annual Smart Growth Summit, "Setting the Standard", which is happening at the Huntington Town House on Friday, November 19th. Join them in addressing a diversity of issues impacted by land use decisions. Primary goals of the day include reviewing and improving evaluation criteria for projects and reviewing a “Blueprint” for smarter growth on Long Island. Sponsorship packages are available. For more information visit our web site: http://www.visionlongisland.org

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ACTION ALERTS!!!

Vote “Yes!” on the Nassau County Open Space Bond Act

Vision Long Island helped the Long Island Neighborhood Network and other groups to advance the $50M Open Space Bond Act that will be on Nassau County ballots this November. If approved, the money will be put in a dedicated fund that will be overseen by a Citizen's Advisory Committee. In addition to funding acquisition of lands for both habitat and recreational use, the fund will be used to mitigate storm water runoff – a major source of Long Island pollution – and help clean up Brownfield sites. Estimated to cost homeowners a mere $7 per year, this is a smart move for Nassau County!

Watch “Meet the Leaders: Nassau Council of Chambers and Vision Long Island” on Ch 18

Check out the upcoming edition of “Meet the Leaders”, hosted by Pat Halpin. This informative program will focus on Smart Growth, Downtown Revitalization and the Nassau HUB. Featured guests are Vision Long Island Director Eric Alexander and the President of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, Richard Bivone. Air dates begin October 1 st at 7:30pm on Channel 18 Cablevision. Additional dates and times can be found on our web site: http://www.visionlongisland.org/MeettheLeaders.htm

“Prevention is the Cure” Walk, Sunday, October 10th , 9AM-Noon

Join the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition for their annual “Prevention Is The Cure” Walk Sunday, October 10th , at the American Legion Hall located on the corner of Mill Dam Road and New York Avenue in Halesite. Registration starts at 8AM.

The HBCAC has coordinated this "fun family oriented outreach opportunity" to compliment the Huntington Fall Festival. It is also offering opportunities for people to suggest and run games that have an environmental focus. Examples could include children, pets, food, exercise, clean energy, clean water, clean air . . . you get the picture. Provide materials and they will be included in the goodie bags given to all walkers and visitors. Call Alice or Karen at 631-547-1518 for details.

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TOWN NEWS

Islip: Council Districts Fight Goes to NYS Supreme Court
A petition containing 7,788 signatures to place the question of Council districts on the ballot in the Town of Islip has been declared invalid by the Islip Town Clerk based on a technical wording issue. A suit challenging the Clerk's decision has been filed with the court.

The Long Island Neighborhood Network has joined with local Islip residents to form the Islip Council Districts 2004 Reform campaign. Join them at a "Fight to Make it Right" fundraising gala on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. Proceeds will help support the legal battle and other efforts to bring council districts to Islip Town.

For more details, see: http://neighborhood-network.org/government/islip_cd.htm

Southold: Town Board Unanimously Approves LI's Strongest Affordable Housing Mandate

Newsday recently reported that the Town of Southold now requires a 25% affordable set aside in all subdivisions with five or more houses. Newsday noted it as the most far-reaching housing legislation on Long Island to date. For Southold residents and workers, who saw average house prices climb to $500,000 in 2003, it's a matter of necessity. Check out the full article: http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/41683.html

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LONG ISLAND NEWS

Nassau Business Leaders and Local Officials Come Together to Talk Growth Policy

The Long Island Business News and Herald Community Newspapers recently reported on a meeting involving over 75 Nassau County business leaders, local officials and community activists. Organized by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce and Vision Long Island, the agenda concentrated on economic and other concerns impacted by County growth planning and policies. A primary focus was the Nassau Hub, for which the County itself is currently drawing plans.

The group is working to draw on the insights of the local communities and models from around the country to address tough questions and determine the best way to guide land use and transportation development.

The Herald quoted Nassau Council of Chambers President Richard Bivone, "If we don't work together as a team, then we will fail. We need to focus on building a foundation, so that at the end of the day, we're doing this for now, we're doing this for the future, and we're doing this for our kids."

Find the Herald article at:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12989150&BRD=1601&PAG=461&dept_id=477132&rfi=8

Check out the Long Island Business News article:

http://www.libn.com/leadstory_detail.cfm?ID=4157

Wang's Big Plans for Nassau Coliseum

Newsday has reported that Charles Wang met recently with Nassau County officials to discuss his $200M plans to dramatically expand the Nassau Coliseum starting in 2006. Plans include more seating, a sports complex and, ultimately, a 60-story hotel-condo. There's an affordable housing component as well. The County seems to like the idea, provided Wang can get the community on board, and could offer up to 77 acres of land to compliment the State's offer of financial support and tax breaks.

Check out the article at: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-licoli0929,0,207139.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines

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NATIONAL NEWS*

Developer Approaches to NIMBY Battles Range

It's clear we need more moderately priced housing, but what do municipalities and developers do about the armies of disillusioned, disenfranchised, downright ornery residents determined to cease the onslaught of bad and excessive development by blocking every proposal that comes down the pike? The classic answer, of course, is stealth: minimize information leaks, and avoid public hearings and other opportunities for "NIMBYs" to organize.

Others are opting instead for the “Smart” route -- sharing plans, listening to communities, involving them in problem solving and maintaining all-around high standards of form and function. It's a lot of work, especially with so many jaded communities harboring deep distrust of developers with pretty renderings. More and more, however, are finding the effort worth while. Read an article from the Copley News Service, provided by Knowledgeplex: http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/40066.html

From the ULI Smart Growth News Sweep: "South Gains the Most in a Major Redistribution of Public Housing Subsidies" New York Times (08/30/04) P. A17; Chen, David W.

The Bush administration has implemented a new formula for distributing public housing subsidies, which will boost the budgets of about 80 percent of the country's 3,100 public housing agencies. Agencies currently are awarded lump-sum payments without having to document their expenses; but under the new formula, the subsidies will be based on performance and actual expenditures. Housing agencies in the South stand to benefit the most, and officials plan to use the money to upgrade their infrastructure and tackle maintenance tasks. For instance, subsidies will soar 47 percent in Texas and 38 percent in Florida . However, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials reports that 608 agencies will record losses. Subsidies will drop 75 percent in Alaska , 21 percent in Nevada , and 11 percent in Baltimore . New York City also will experience funding cuts as its local housing authority loses about $30 million. These agencies will be forced to eliminate security guards, shutter day-care facilities, and impose fees for snow removal and other services as a result.(www.nytimes.com)

FLORIDA
Advisory Committee Proposes Changes to Gainesville's Project Review Process
Fleshing out ideas initially outlined by new Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan's transition teams in May and by participants of the fact-finding trip to Norfolk, Va. and New Haven, Conn. in June, the City Commission's specially formed advisory Economic Development/University Community Committee proposed more then 40 city policy changes, several of which would ease the review process for some projects and encourage redevelopment.
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=4244&state=10

From the ULI Smart Growth News Sweep: "BuildSmart Program Offers Competitive Advantage for Smart Builders Marketing to Today's Savvy New Home Buyers" Business Wire (08/11/04)

Florida led the nation in residential construction permits in March, according to the U.S. Census. Local builders looking to get an edge on the competition can do so by constructing energy-efficient BuildSmart homes, which are inspected and certified by Florida Power & Light (FPL) Co. Dwellings built in accordance with the BuildSmart program feature high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, efficient windows and lighting, programmable thermostats, and other components that help shave 10 percent to 30 percent off monthly energy bills. "FPL provides sales and marketing support, credibility, and reinforces our customers' trust that the home they are buying is built to a higher standard," says WCI environmental stewardship manager Karen Childress, whose company was named the nation's best builder of 2004 by the National Association of Home Builders. (www.businesswire.com)

GEORGIA

Smart Growth Skeptic Encouraged by Atlanta Task Force Plan to Increase Density in Select Areas
Identifying himself as one of those "long suspicious of buzzwords such as 'smart growth' and the 'new urbanism'," Crier Newspapers publisher and WAGA-TV's "The Georgia Gang" host Dick Williams is nevertheless pleasantly intrigued by a report from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Quality Growth Task Force as offering "a theory, a reasonable plan and optimism."
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=4245&state=11

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Natural Barriers, Early Master Plan Helped Waterville Valley Grow Smart
Thanks to its master plan drafted in the 1960s and to natural barriers created by the surrounding White Mountain National Forest, Waterville Valley neither sprawled nor tried to stop development as many other New Hampshire towns did or do -- it was growing dense, compact and pedestrian-friendly, and is now exemplifying increasingly popular precepts of smart growth.
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=4237&state=30

NEW JERSEY
Mercer County Groups Hope to Head Off Fourth Wal-Mart Store
Just in initial planning, a possible fourth Wal-Mart store in Mercer County has already mobilized strong opposition across its prospective target area, with community activists, union leaders and residents from Lawrence Township, Ewing and Trenton in the "LET's Stop Wal-Mart" coalition hoping their campaign will raise awareness of mega-stores' economic, environmental and other impacts, and spur state legislation that would set stricter rules for their construction.
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=4239&state=31

PENNSYLVANIA

From the ULI Smart Growth News Sweep: "Three Towns Collaborate on Futures" Wilkes Barre Times Leader (PA) Online (08/06/04); Fox, Jon

The newly created nonprofit South Valley Partnership--whose members are local business people--has reached an agreement with Nanticoke , Newport Township , and Plymouth Township to draw up a regional development plan. None of the three Pennsylvania municipalities currently have such a growth blueprint, and each is operating on a shoestring budget that keeps them from pursuing revitalization in their communities. To fund the creation of a comprehensive plan that will allow the three markets to overcome their economic troubles and reap the benefits of redevelopment, the new organization has procured $20,000 in state funding and is preparing to take the next step. In the approaching months, group members will consult with a Wilkes-Barre urban planning firm as well as with business owners and community leaders to begin pinpointing areas ready for development and start mapping out a comprehensive plan.(www.timesleader.com)

RHODE ISLAND

From the ULI Smart Growth News Sweep: "Study: State Housing Crisis Getting Worse" Kent County Daily Times Online (08/20/04); Mello, Michael

Rhode Island enacted a law earlier this year that forces municipalities to formulate plans to reserve 10 percent of their housing stock for low- to moderate-income households. Research by I-squared Community Development, however, suggests that these goals must be upped in order to prevent an even bigger affordable-housing crisis. About 18,000 low-cost units must be built over the next six years in order to meet demand from lower-income workers, many of whom cannot afford rent or a mortgage. HUD recently presented the state's public housing authorities with a $16.3 million grant, $234,639 of which went to the Coventry Housing Authority. Coventry hopes to meet the 10-percent goal over a 15-year period, considering that less than 4 percent of the city's residential units were deemed affordable in 2000. To achieve its goal, city leaders will establish an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and Trust Fund, launch public education campaigns, and help buy out mobile-home tenants, among other strategies.(www.kentcountytimes.com)

UTAH
Provo Uses Regional Partnership Agreement to Fund Citywide Neighborhood Revival Through Home Renovations
Under its regional partnership agreement the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle, Washington Mutual Inc., the Enterprise Foundation and Utah's Bank of American Fork, the Provo Housing Authority and the City Center Affordable Housing Coalition received $1.29 million to turn the city's historic Maeser School into 32 senior apartments and build on the site 12 homeownership units for first-time buyers, while spurring citywide neighborhood revival through rehabilitation or construction of another 31 homes, with Enterprise Foundation Vice President and Western Regional Director Doris Koo saying the partnership is looking forward to help Provo and provide "a blueprint for other cities in America regarding smart growth initiatives."
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=4250&state=45

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* Special thanks to Smart Growth Online who, except where otherwise noted, provides the National and International Smart Growth updates. The ULI's Smart Growth News is another priceless resource that we rely on and highly recommend.

For more information about Vision Long Island, please visit http://www.visionlongisland.org or contact us at:

Vision Long Island

24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One

Northport , NY 11768

(631) 261-0242 Fax: (631) 754-4452

info@visionlongisland.org

CONTENTS

VLI NEWS & EVENTS

2004 Smart Growth Summit: Setting the Standard

ACTION ALERTS!!!

Vote “Yes!” on the Nassau County Open Space Bond Act

“Prevention is the Cure” Walk, Sunday, October 10th , 9AM-Noon

LONG ISLAND NEWS

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