The Executive Board of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic
Organization has established the organization’s
priority goals for calendar year 2007. After
creating a list of more than three-dozen items with
the input of civic members, the Board has selected
the ten most imperative issues to work on over the
next twelve months.
Continue to Develop a Land Use Plan for the Portion Road Corridor
Our Portion Road Visioning made it clear that the Portion Road corridor needs to transform from ill-defined suburban sprawl to three distinct village centers. To achieve this goal we must continue to develop a land use plan that redefines the corridor.
Develop a Master Plan for the Revitalization of the Ronkonkoma Railroad Station Neighborhood
It’s unfortunate that the first view of Ronkonkoma and the Town of Brookhaven glimpsed by a visitor arriving by train is a neglected and run-down streetscape. It’s time for a change, and the first step will be the creation of a master plan for revitalizing the neighborhood.
Work with the Towns of Brookhaven and Islip to Improve Code Enforcement
From poor property maintenance to illegal land uses to performing construction without a permit; code violations compromise the safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods. Code enforcement needs to improve and there needs to be more education and awareness programs so all citizens under¬stand the local laws.
Develop Design Guidelines for the Portion Road Corridor
It’s not enough just to have areas labeled as ‘downtowns.’ To create a sense of place that attracts pedestrians, shoppers, and activity, we need attractive and picturesque downtowns. To achieve that, we need design guidelines, not to require conformity, but to create architecture that is consistently appro¬priate and first-class.
Work with the Towns of Brookhaven and Islip to Create a Team Approach to Town Services
It’s time to move away from ‘on-demand’ town services and move towards a proactive team approach. Instead of waiting for something to go awry and waiting again for it to be corrected, we propose that the Civic, local residents, and the Town create area-specific teams that identify potential issues and provide the appropriate maintenance before problems develop. This method would increase accountability and provide more relevant and timely services.
Put in Place a Limited Building Moratorium for the Portion Road Corridor
Trying to build a house while drawing the plans at the same time is a difficult task at best. Deciding which style of house you want while the mason is busily laying brick and mortar will most likely lead to an undesired outcome. The same applies for attempting to develop a land use plan while the construction of new buildings continues without regard to your intentions. We support a brief ‘time-out’ for new commercial construction while the land use plan is developed.
Conduct a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Church Street Triangle Park
After working with the Town of Brookhaven to purchase the neglected piece of property at the western end of Church Street, the Civic will be hard at work this year to turn a eyesore of the past into a bijou of a park. (Look for more information coming soon on how you can help.)
Increase Member Participation, Conduct More Community Projects, and Increase Public Awareness
What the Civic can achieve is only limited by the resources available, and you are the best resource we have. The Board is committed to developing projects that are of interest to you and improve the quality of life in your neighborhood.
Continue with the Protection and Revitalization of the Lake
Some time in early 2007, the revised Lake Study will be published. Inside will be a long list of action items that the Civic will be working on to once again restore the Lake to its rightful place as a source of pleasure, wonder, and beauty.
Work with the Towns of Brookhaven and Islip to Revise Land Zoning Regulations to a Form-Based Code
Our current zoning ordinances are an antiquated set of rules that segregate land use into color-coded blobs, overwhelming our downtowns with suburban sprawl. Its time to obliterate the blobs and put in place a zoning code for the future, one that requires development practices that are sustainable, create the appropriate balance between natural and human-made environments, and restore our downtowns.
There are certainly many other projects and issues the Civic will be working on in the upcoming months, but because of their potential to improve the quality of life, the Board has decided that these will have priority. If you want to help the Civic achieve even one of these goals, then we need you.
Continue to Develop a Land Use Plan for the Portion Road Corridor
Our Portion Road Visioning made it clear that the Portion Road corridor needs to transform from ill-defined suburban sprawl to three distinct village centers. To achieve this goal we must continue to develop a land use plan that redefines the corridor.
Develop a Master Plan for the Revitalization of the Ronkonkoma Railroad Station Neighborhood
It’s unfortunate that the first view of Ronkonkoma and the Town of Brookhaven glimpsed by a visitor arriving by train is a neglected and run-down streetscape. It’s time for a change, and the first step will be the creation of a master plan for revitalizing the neighborhood.
Work with the Towns of Brookhaven and Islip to Improve Code Enforcement
From poor property maintenance to illegal land uses to performing construction without a permit; code violations compromise the safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods. Code enforcement needs to improve and there needs to be more education and awareness programs so all citizens under¬stand the local laws.
Develop Design Guidelines for the Portion Road Corridor
It’s not enough just to have areas labeled as ‘downtowns.’ To create a sense of place that attracts pedestrians, shoppers, and activity, we need attractive and picturesque downtowns. To achieve that, we need design guidelines, not to require conformity, but to create architecture that is consistently appro¬priate and first-class.
Work with the Towns of Brookhaven and Islip to Create a Team Approach to Town Services
It’s time to move away from ‘on-demand’ town services and move towards a proactive team approach. Instead of waiting for something to go awry and waiting again for it to be corrected, we propose that the Civic, local residents, and the Town create area-specific teams that identify potential issues and provide the appropriate maintenance before problems develop. This method would increase accountability and provide more relevant and timely services.
Put in Place a Limited Building Moratorium for the Portion Road Corridor
Trying to build a house while drawing the plans at the same time is a difficult task at best. Deciding which style of house you want while the mason is busily laying brick and mortar will most likely lead to an undesired outcome. The same applies for attempting to develop a land use plan while the construction of new buildings continues without regard to your intentions. We support a brief ‘time-out’ for new commercial construction while the land use plan is developed.
Conduct a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Church Street Triangle Park
After working with the Town of Brookhaven to purchase the neglected piece of property at the western end of Church Street, the Civic will be hard at work this year to turn a eyesore of the past into a bijou of a park. (Look for more information coming soon on how you can help.)
Increase Member Participation, Conduct More Community Projects, and Increase Public Awareness
What the Civic can achieve is only limited by the resources available, and you are the best resource we have. The Board is committed to developing projects that are of interest to you and improve the quality of life in your neighborhood.
Continue with the Protection and Revitalization of the Lake
Some time in early 2007, the revised Lake Study will be published. Inside will be a long list of action items that the Civic will be working on to once again restore the Lake to its rightful place as a source of pleasure, wonder, and beauty.
Work with the Towns of Brookhaven and Islip to Revise Land Zoning Regulations to a Form-Based Code
Our current zoning ordinances are an antiquated set of rules that segregate land use into color-coded blobs, overwhelming our downtowns with suburban sprawl. Its time to obliterate the blobs and put in place a zoning code for the future, one that requires development practices that are sustainable, create the appropriate balance between natural and human-made environments, and restore our downtowns.
There are certainly many other projects and issues the Civic will be working on in the upcoming months, but because of their potential to improve the quality of life, the Board has decided that these will have priority. If you want to help the Civic achieve even one of these goals, then we need you.