Thursday, May 15, 2008

Smart Growth Implementation for NYS

Tremendous progress was made this week in a worksession dedicated to implementing Smart Growth solutions here on Long Island.  Vision Long Island, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Neighborhood Network, LI Progressive Coalition, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce hosted the event with support from ten civic organizations, local chamber of commerce leaders, developers, and local government officials.  State officials that participated included the NYS Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, Empire State Development Corp, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Department of State.  

We had an opportunity to hear from Paul Beyer, New York's Director of Smart Growth, as well as Peter Fleischer who is the Executive Director of the Smart Growth advocacy group, Empire State Future.  Paul was able to lay out his recent accomplishments with the newly formed Smart Growth Cabinet.  Two items of note include incentive packages for transit-oriented development with the MTA as well as a priority infrastructure proposal from the DEC.  Peter presented the role and activities of Empire State Future to keep NYS agencies and legislative priorities in sync with the Smart Growth priorities from the various subregions of New York.

The main focus of the session was dialogue with the NYS DOT.  Due to some very poor communication and lack of openness to design considerations that consider pedestrians, bicyclists, and mass transit, their was some pent up frustration.   After years of fighting with the DOT Region 10, progress is being made.  Kudos to the Albany staff who commandeered a group of officials to participate in a roundtable worksession.  The respectful tone in the room from civic and business and environmental leaders evidenced the seriousness of potential collaboration.  No one wants to waste any more time fighting over roadway priorities and we imagine that the Department is tired of stalled projects and decreased productivity.

Too often, big thinkers belittle residents for their focus on their communities and perceived lack of attention to a broader regional interest.  That perceived myopic view, or NIMBYism, was not on display at this meeting or at many of the other session for which we have taken part or organized.  The sophistication, awareness, and overall openness to change is beyond what we have seen in years from our local leaders.  Local developers, civics, and local officials are ready for change what we need now is for State officials to transform some very arcane regulations and start to provide incentives for implementing the difficult work of Smart Growth planning solutions

This Smart Growth Working Group will meet again within the next two months.  An upcoming action item will be support for the NY Smart Growth Priority Infrastructure Act.  The bill passed the Assembly on April 15th and is now ready to get moving in the Senate.  You will start to hear more about this in the coming weeks.

This coalition of organizations is going to keep the progress going and continue the interagency/multi-stakeholder dialogue. Please call Juliana Roberts in our office if you would like further information on a Smart Growth agenda with New York State at 631-261-0242.

Posted by Eric at 6:34:48 PM in Blog (23) | Comments (0)

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