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 plenary topic was the “State of the
Towns” with Joye Brown of Newsday, as the
moderator. The panel consisted of many of Long
Island’s Town Supervisors. One of the chief
concerns was over the fact that too many young
people are leaving Long Island. The general
agreement was that communities need to challenge
the old way of thinking and be open-minded to
accommodate change because that, in turn, will
bring about the “sense of place” that is needed as
we develop our communities.
A major problem for all of the towns is ‘attainable’ housing. Nassau County has created a next-generation housing plan is reaching out to people who own land to identify for opportunities housing. It was made clear that our current mode of development is not sustainable and that we need to insist on changes in developing all areas, including transportation. Progressive thinking is the tool to be used to bring about the needed changes, and all of Long Island needs to work together to rediscover a mutual purpose for our future.
Transportation-Transit Oriented Development
Federal funding is where the most pressure needs to be applied for the changes needed to the transportation infrastructure. We need to be flexible and any plans must be economically viable. Good transportation planning can create a quality of life that people want, such as using a trolley system to get around local areas or large shopping or residential complexes. Another suggestion was the use of express buses to and from key points that are timed correctly for proper and efficient use. For railroad stations and transportation hubs, it was suggested that buildings incorporate parking beneath to reduce the quantity of surface parking, which allows the creation of green areas and open spaces. This can also allow retail and residential density to be close to the railroad station instead of parking lots. The Ronkonkoma Hub project was mentioned.
Sewers and Infrastructure
It was discussed that Long Island needs comprehensive long-range plans for sewers and infrastructure. Communities need to be educated objectively on the issues of sewers and water management. Federal funding will be needed to upgrade the infrastructure.
Codes & Regulating: From Vision to Implementation
The Village of Farmingdale zoning code allows for a third floor in their downtown area as well as ‘attainable’ housing, which is helping to revitalizing their downtown. Each end of “main street” should have some sort of ‘anchor’ to designate the limits of the downtown area and create a draw for shoppers. In some cases the depth of a building was shortened, allowing space for additional parking parallel to “main street” and the height of the building increased for additional housing or office space.
Vision Long Island once again created an all-day summit that was informative and gave representatives of local governments, groups, and businesses an opportunity to learn and exchange ideas.
A major problem for all of the towns is ‘attainable’ housing. Nassau County has created a next-generation housing plan is reaching out to people who own land to identify for opportunities housing. It was made clear that our current mode of development is not sustainable and that we need to insist on changes in developing all areas, including transportation. Progressive thinking is the tool to be used to bring about the needed changes, and all of Long Island needs to work together to rediscover a mutual purpose for our future.
Transportation-Transit Oriented Development
Federal funding is where the most pressure needs to be applied for the changes needed to the transportation infrastructure. We need to be flexible and any plans must be economically viable. Good transportation planning can create a quality of life that people want, such as using a trolley system to get around local areas or large shopping or residential complexes. Another suggestion was the use of express buses to and from key points that are timed correctly for proper and efficient use. For railroad stations and transportation hubs, it was suggested that buildings incorporate parking beneath to reduce the quantity of surface parking, which allows the creation of green areas and open spaces. This can also allow retail and residential density to be close to the railroad station instead of parking lots. The Ronkonkoma Hub project was mentioned.
Sewers and Infrastructure
It was discussed that Long Island needs comprehensive long-range plans for sewers and infrastructure. Communities need to be educated objectively on the issues of sewers and water management. Federal funding will be needed to upgrade the infrastructure.
Codes & Regulating: From Vision to Implementation
The Village of Farmingdale zoning code allows for a third floor in their downtown area as well as ‘attainable’ housing, which is helping to revitalizing their downtown. Each end of “main street” should have some sort of ‘anchor’ to designate the limits of the downtown area and create a draw for shoppers. In some cases the depth of a building was shortened, allowing space for additional parking parallel to “main street” and the height of the building increased for additional housing or office space.
Vision Long Island once again created an all-day summit that was informative and gave representatives of local governments, groups, and businesses an opportunity to learn and exchange ideas.
To this end, members of the Executive Board
attended Vision Long Island’s Annual Smart Growth
Summit on November 16th. Dawn Hopkins,
Corresponding Secretary, and Patricia Anne
Duffield, Recording Secretary, attended the event
at the Melville Marriott and have provided this
summary.