As the Civic moves forward with implementing
the Portion Road vision, the Executive Board
believes that understanding the concepts behind
Smart Growth and how it is being utilized by other
communities on Long Island, can help us to develop
pedestrian-friendly and thriving
neighborhoods.
The morning session began with a panel discussion
moderated by Joye Brown of Newsday. Participants
included supervisors from various towns on Long
Island, including Brookhaven's Brian X. Foley.
Affordable housing was the main topic of
discussion, and the impact of new construction on
roads, traffic, sewers, schools and taxes. One
suggestion was the creation of a Council of
Governments; a forum where municipalities can work
together, exchanging ideas, and educating each
other. With a limited quantity of undeveloped
property remaining on Long Island, issues that
affect one area will affect the whole Island, so
the counties and townships need to cooperate.
The first workshop of the day was New Models for Affordable Housing. Currently, the majority of new housing being built on Long Island are large single-family homes, and this trend is not meeting the needs of most people, nor helping to keep residents on Long Island. The greater need is for one-bedroom apartments and condominiums near mass transit and downtowns for working people, seniors and younger people just starting out. One suggestion was that open space acquisitions be used to build affordable housing. Another suggestion was to follow the example of other communities who have successfully integrated affordable housing with single-family homes while maintaining property values. An example was shown of modular homes being built as successful ‘stepping-stone’ housing to help younger couples get started and encourage them to stay in the community until they can afford larger homes. To achieve this, education programs will be needed in existing communities.
The next workshop was Codes and Regulating Plans. Most of the municipalities on Long Island are using zoning codes that were developed from fifty to one hundred years ago. These codes no longer reflect the current trends in land use and their continued use results in a negative impact to communities. As an example, Mayor Jack Martins of the Village of Mineola spoke about the circumstances within his community. There are no open spaces remaining and the single-family dwellings are largely supporting the local businesses. Now that the community has matured they are reevaluating their zoning codes, including investigating provisions to allow for residences, such as condominiums, studios, and apartments, within downtown and near the railroad station. The goal is to provide more variety in housing and thereby encourage younger residents to stay or return to Mineola, which the current zoning code seems to inhibit.
In addition, revised zoning codes would work toward eliminating as much vehicular traffic as possible by allowing more residential options closer to the railroad station, as well as developing new commercial areas within walking distance of existing residences. The Village is also considering working with carpoolers with preferential packages for parking and is looking to develop businesses within the area that do not require the use of cars. The Mayor also acknowledged that a pro-active community that understands the concepts of smart growth would be needed to help put these changes in place.
The last workshop was titled Smart Growth Projects in Suffolk. Riverhead has been actively revitalizing their downtown riverfront area with specialty shops, parks, and recreation areas in an attempt to combine the best of the community’s past and the present. They quickly realized that incentives would be needed for new businesses in addition to changing the zoning code limitations for building height and parking. To date they have been successful in bringing in a new inn, food stores, restaurants, an art gallery, and a culinary projects building. The ultimate goal is to develop an area of mixed use that is attractive to both the residents and visitors. By creating ‘anchor points,’ they have been successful in bringing new life to existing neighborhoods and businesses. For example, by redeveloping an old lumberyard into the new aquarium, people are attracted to the neighborhood and they remain in the area to visit the adjacent restaurants and shops. This has also allowed other non-traditional businesses to open as well.
The lunch session speakers included Richard M. Kessel, Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority, who encouraged the use of energy saving light bulbs this holiday season and spoke about the windmills and other LIPA projects. The Hon. Tim Bishop, U.S. House of Representatives, also spoke, as well as Steve Maun of Leyland Alliance. The key points made included the need for restaurants and entertaining activities, and not just retail stores, to keep people coming to downtown areas. It was also noted that village greens or squares are important assets that create community identity and keep neighborhoods together. In addition, the importance of community pattern growth was discussed, which includes concepts such as creating downtown architectural guidelines, planned diversity in businesses and attractions, and managing ecological considerations.
In conclusion, it is never too late to stop doing the wrong things in our communities, and start doing the right ones.
The first workshop of the day was New Models for Affordable Housing. Currently, the majority of new housing being built on Long Island are large single-family homes, and this trend is not meeting the needs of most people, nor helping to keep residents on Long Island. The greater need is for one-bedroom apartments and condominiums near mass transit and downtowns for working people, seniors and younger people just starting out. One suggestion was that open space acquisitions be used to build affordable housing. Another suggestion was to follow the example of other communities who have successfully integrated affordable housing with single-family homes while maintaining property values. An example was shown of modular homes being built as successful ‘stepping-stone’ housing to help younger couples get started and encourage them to stay in the community until they can afford larger homes. To achieve this, education programs will be needed in existing communities.
The next workshop was Codes and Regulating Plans. Most of the municipalities on Long Island are using zoning codes that were developed from fifty to one hundred years ago. These codes no longer reflect the current trends in land use and their continued use results in a negative impact to communities. As an example, Mayor Jack Martins of the Village of Mineola spoke about the circumstances within his community. There are no open spaces remaining and the single-family dwellings are largely supporting the local businesses. Now that the community has matured they are reevaluating their zoning codes, including investigating provisions to allow for residences, such as condominiums, studios, and apartments, within downtown and near the railroad station. The goal is to provide more variety in housing and thereby encourage younger residents to stay or return to Mineola, which the current zoning code seems to inhibit.
In addition, revised zoning codes would work toward eliminating as much vehicular traffic as possible by allowing more residential options closer to the railroad station, as well as developing new commercial areas within walking distance of existing residences. The Village is also considering working with carpoolers with preferential packages for parking and is looking to develop businesses within the area that do not require the use of cars. The Mayor also acknowledged that a pro-active community that understands the concepts of smart growth would be needed to help put these changes in place.
The last workshop was titled Smart Growth Projects in Suffolk. Riverhead has been actively revitalizing their downtown riverfront area with specialty shops, parks, and recreation areas in an attempt to combine the best of the community’s past and the present. They quickly realized that incentives would be needed for new businesses in addition to changing the zoning code limitations for building height and parking. To date they have been successful in bringing in a new inn, food stores, restaurants, an art gallery, and a culinary projects building. The ultimate goal is to develop an area of mixed use that is attractive to both the residents and visitors. By creating ‘anchor points,’ they have been successful in bringing new life to existing neighborhoods and businesses. For example, by redeveloping an old lumberyard into the new aquarium, people are attracted to the neighborhood and they remain in the area to visit the adjacent restaurants and shops. This has also allowed other non-traditional businesses to open as well.
The lunch session speakers included Richard M. Kessel, Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority, who encouraged the use of energy saving light bulbs this holiday season and spoke about the windmills and other LIPA projects. The Hon. Tim Bishop, U.S. House of Representatives, also spoke, as well as Steve Maun of Leyland Alliance. The key points made included the need for restaurants and entertaining activities, and not just retail stores, to keep people coming to downtown areas. It was also noted that village greens or squares are important assets that create community identity and keep neighborhoods together. In addition, the importance of community pattern growth was discussed, which includes concepts such as creating downtown architectural guidelines, planned diversity in businesses and attractions, and managing ecological considerations.
In conclusion, it is never too late to stop doing the wrong things in our communities, and start doing the right ones.
To this end, members of the Executive Board
attended Vision Long Island’s Annual Smart Growth
Summit on November 17th. The Board’s Recording
Secretary, Patricia Duffield, has prepared this
summary of the day’s events.