An Eventful Week in the Land of Smart Growth
On the positive side, there was a very informed and thoughtful public hearing for the scoping of the Lighthouse Development project in front of the Town of Hempstead. In Brookhaven, we saw the groundbreaking for 200 workforce housing units in Coram from Avalon at Charles Pond, the first development project from the Middle Country Road Land Use Plan. In Islip, NYS Sen. Owen Johnson secured $1.5 million for the implementation of the Bay Shore Marina Visioning project.
On the awareness raising front, the Long Island Junior Chamber of Commerce had a very productive session that outlined the need to keep young people on Long Island. Channel 21 is also presenting a three part series on Leaving Long Island next week.
Up in Albany, the NYS Smart Growth Cabinet held its second meeting this week and outlined the progress it is making with specific policies and incentives from the DEC, MTA, and some serious restructuring of operations at NYS DOT. VISION, along with Tri-State Transportation Campaign, LI Progressive Coalition, Neighborhood Network, League of Conservation Voters, the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, and local civics and chambers have formed a Smart Growth Working Group that will be watching the progress of the NYS Smart Growth Cabinet, which will meet again in July. Stay tuned for future reports and pending legislation.
VISION is proud and honored to have played a part, ranging from lead to support player, in the above initiatives.
On a lighter note heading into Memorial Day weekend, you have the choice of biking and hiking with the Sierra Club, street painting in downtown Riverhead, and, my personal favorite, a Zombie Crawl through downtown Brooklyn. Though I would be curious to meet the folks who would do all three, hopefully at least one suits your fancy.
