It was a pretty good week for proponents of Smart Growth. 

Progress in Albany:
After an inspiring swearing in for Governor David Paterson, talk in Albany turned to getting back to work.  The NYS Smart Growth Cabinet met to map out activities for the year after years of hoping that New York State government agencies would coordinate their activities towards Smart Growth policies.

Congestion Pricing advocates flocked to Albany on Tuesday to present the benefits of the full program.  The response was somewhere between cautious pessimism and reluctant optimism.  The need for a recurring funding stream for transit is necessary in order to fund East Side access, third track, station improvements, improved service, and fare stabilization.

Sewers in Our Future:
Kudos to Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy for organizing Long Island’s first Sewer Summit.  Over 250 folks attended and there are real opportunities to move sewers in Mastic/Shirley, Rocky Point, Smithtown, and Kings Park.

Opposition to Wal-Mart:
On a jubilant note community leaders mobilized to beat back a proposal from Wal-Mart in Rocky Point. In coordination with the Rocky Point Civic Association, local business leaders, and Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, we will be screening the movie “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price”.  If you have a free evening to spend with a great community, some free popcorn, and an informative movie, come to Rocky Point next Friday.

On a final note, the planning for the 6th Annual Smart Growth Awards is underway.  We have some fantastic applications this year all around.  Special thanks to all who spent the time to submit their projects and programs.  We want to make this year's event the biggest ever, so please plan on attending and spreading the word.

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Smart Growth Awards Coming June 12th: Register Today!

Last year, over 500 people came out to honor projects from across the Island in fields such as mixed-use development, green building, and regional leadership. See more on last year's event here.

Registration forms can be mailed to our office at 24 Woodbine Ave., Suite One, Northport, NY 11768, sent by fax to 631-754-4452, or emailed to info@visionlongisland.org.

Sponsorship packages are available. Reserve your seats today. Click here for the registration form.

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Be a Smart Growth News or Smart Talk Visionary

We invite you to strengthen and sustain VISION's e-news publications by becoming a Smart Talk Visionary. For $500, you can sponsor Smart Growth News, our weekly publication. In recognition, your firm’s logo and a short description of your work will be featured in every issue. For $1,000, your organization can sponsor Smart Talk. This monthly news resource will include your firm’s logo and feature revolving articles on the organizations helping inform Long Island.

Archives of Smart Talk and Smart Growth News Weekly are available on our website. For more information on this chance to be at the forefront of Long Island’s Smart Growth Movement, call Vision Long Island, 631-261-0242 or email info@visionlongisland.org.

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Congestion Pricing Lobbyists Head for Albany

With mere days remaining before the City Council and State Legislature decide whether or not to approve the congestion pricing plan, two buses loaded with a diverse range of lobbyists, students, community activists, environmentalists, civic leaders, and many others, headed for Albany. Decked out in “I support congestion pricing- ask me why” t-shirts, buttons, and signs at 6:00am, these bleary-eyed early riders were members of the Campaign for New York’s Future, a coalition of over 150 civic, business, environmental, labor, community, and public health organizations that support the goals and strategic direction of PlaNYC and congestion pricing for the region.

Prepared for a day of dialogue and debate, the lobbyists were armed with facts and figures from www.BetterTransit.org and the Environmental Defense Fund, excerpts from the commission’s report, editorials, and their own experiences as constituents and residents of the Tri-State region. The group met with Assembly members and Senators, several from Long Island, to convey this message of support. Many of these elected officials who were opposed or on the fence voiced legitimate concerns about constituents on Long Island being nickled and dimed, the residential parking permit proposal and, on top of it, most New Yorkers still aren’t convinced that the funds collected would actually be dedicated to funding the MTA Capital Plan or other transit investments. According to the latest poll from Quinnipiac University, “only 43 percent of voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that congestion pricing funds will be used to improve mass transit, while 54 percent say this is "not too likely" or "not likely at all.”

Despite these concerns, many officials agreed that something must be done and supported the plan’s philosophy and potential. The details must be addressed to maintain regional equity. In order for anything to be accomplished, the plan must be approved on March 31st to receive $354 million in financial support from the Federal government. Long Island would share the regional benefits of congestion pricing through the MTA’s ambitious projects like the third rail and East-side access for the LIRR to Grand Central Terminal, not to mention reduced traffic and congestion for those who must drive. Without the revenue from congestion pricing, Long Island commuters and residents may not see the change that is so urgently needed to keep Long Island in the race against other regions for workforce, housing, amenities, and overall quality of life.

Suffolk Sewer Summit Held in Hauppauge

At Hauppauge’s H. Lee Dennison Building on Thursday March 20th, County Executive Steve Levy led Suffolk County’s inaugural “Sewer Summit” to discuss the future of Suffolk County and its dependence on sewers.  Speaking before a gathering of elected officials, planners, environmentalists, consultants and various members of the community, Levy, Sewer District/Waste Water Task Force Chairman, Legislator Wayne Horsley, and Vito Minei, Director of Environmental Quality at Suffolk County’s Department of Health Services spoke on the pressing challenge Suffolk faces with its deteriorating and insufficient infrastructure. The summit examined the possibilities of creating sewer districts in downtowns, citing their importance in maintain a vibrant economy on Long Island.

Levy, quoted in Newsday’s coverage of the event, said, "Whether or not we grow as a county is dependent on whether or not we solve this dilemma. You can't grow workforce housing unless you have sewers for the extra density. You can't revitalize the downtowns without the extra sewer capacity."

In Mastic Shirley, the creation of a public sewer district is imperative due to the polluted state of the Forge River from septic systems. In Rocky Point, the revitalization of the Main Street and Central Business District is dependent upon sewers to support additional housing downtown. Smithtown, which has had Smart Growth ordinances in its codes for years, has not been able to implement many plans without sewers. Smithtown and Kings Park have recently undertaken a study to hook their Main Streets up to the sewer plant on the Kings Park psychiatric facility property.

However, in order for any of these necessary improvements to occur, Levy said lawmakers in Albany and Washington, D.C., should match local contributions dollar-for-dollar to build more sewers. Emphasizing that 250 local officials attended the event, Levy said, “The word is going to get back to them that there is a groundswell of support for this,” and that Long Island’s federal and state lawmakers had better recognize that. For Long Island, the future lies in reinvesting in our downtowns. As Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri said in Newsday’s article from March 21st, “"What does a sewer mean to a downtown? It means everything," he said. "It means tomorrow is going to be a better day than today."

MTA Capital Plan Update

The MTA’s proposed $29.5 Billion Capital Program includes vital system maintenance, expansion and improvement programs to accommodate the growth of the region. In order to see any of this occur, our elected officials must vote to support better transit with congestion pricing. In case you aren’t familiar with the details of the plan, its affects on the region, or the benefits for your community, the MTA website provides details on the programs and congestion pricing. For even more facts, visit the Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s website for links to fact sheets for each region of metropolitan New York, including all the boroughs, Long Island and Westchester County. Also look at bettertransit.org.

NJ Future Discusses Rising Gas Prices

According to New Jersey Future, a statewide research and policy group advocating Smart Growth in New Jersey, studies show that even with the rising gas prices in the region, New Jersey is “well positioned to weather the storm.” Several factors have contributed to New Jersey's lead. The primary reason is density. According to the article, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation and, in conjunction with compact development and mixed use, New Jersey residents have been shown to drive less than their neighbors in other states. In fact, the article states, “since 1980, New Jersey has had the fourth slowest growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the nation, behind North Dakota, South Dakota and the District of Columbia.” On top of that, NJ Transit, the nation’s third largest provider of bus, rail, and light rail transit, provides many residents with an extensive public transit system that often negates the need for a car. Walkability, compact development, density, and an impressive public transit system puts New Jersey in the lead when it comes to reduce gasoline dependence.

For more details, visit NJ Future's website.

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Rocky Point To Show "High Cost of Low Price" Film to Protest Wal-Mart Proposal

After all the work that Rocky Point has done towards revitalization, allowing a Wal-Mart to come in would be effectively shooting themselves in the foot. According to Grant Parpan’s article in the North Shore Sun from March 7th, the owners of the site, where the former drive-in movie theater resided, are requesting to build a Wal-Mart on the 18-acre property. The current property owner, Lerner-Heidenberg Properties, is also suing the Town to develop the site as it would have been prior to the Town Board’s zoning change from regular business to commercial recreation.

Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, has directed the developers' attorney, Mitchell Pally, to the Rocky Point Civic Association’s land use committee. According to the article, Councilwoman Bonner will not meet with anyone regarding the project until they’ve engaged the civic group. “If the civic’s on board, I’m on board. But as I’ve said all along, you have to first approach the civics. I will not support a project unless the civic thinks it’s what’s best for the community.” Drew Martin, President of the Civic Association, acknowledged that the land use committee will be meeting with the attorney this week to hear the proposal.

“Once again, the quality of life that we fought so hard for in the Rocky Point community is being challenged by outside interests of corporate America and the developers who represent them,” Councilwoman Jane Bonner said. “Rocky Point’s small business owners have greatly contributed to the revitalization of our downtown area and have helped make this community a great place to live and work.”

The documentary features personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to survive in a Wal-Mart world. It uncovers the retail giant’s effects on families and American values and looks at communities struggling to fight back. It examines Wal-Mart’s detrimental physical impact on towns and main streets all across America.

“Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price” will be shown at the VFW Hall in Rocky Point on King Road on Friday, March 28th, at 7:30 pm.

For more information, contact Vision Long Island at 631-261-0242, Rocky Point Civic Association's Drew Martin at 631-946-0092, or Councilwoman Bonner’s office at 631-451-6964. See also articles from Newsday,the North Shore Sun, and the Village Beacon Record.

Trump Updates Jones Beach Proposal

According to Bill Bleyer’s article in Newsday from March 19th, Donald Trump submitted a revised proposal to the state for his “Trump on the Ocean” catering hall and restaurant last week. The revised plan does not include the contentious basement. Instead, the alternative design has extended the building height from 28 feet to 38 feet high. The revised Trump on the Ocean would have a slightly increased footprint of about 72,000 square feet compared to the original Boardwalk Restaurant which was 49,800 square feet. The revised plans have also switched the restaurant back to the first floor, despite the insistence of State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash, stating that there would still be a clear ocean view because the first floor would now be 5 feet higher than it was in the previous plan.

Perhaps adding fuel to the fire, the new plan has already created opposition due to the increased height while assuaging the issue of the basement. State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation officials have repeatedly said in meetings with Trump and in public comments that they would not accept any building larger in any dimension above the ground than the previous design because Jones Beach is on the National Register of Historic Places. While Trump still plans to file suit this week against the Department of State and Parks Department, let us hope that this reconsideration is a step towards cooperation and building worthy of the site’s historic status.

Two Museums Proposed for Oyster Bay; Dan Burden Talks Walkable Communities

Northender.com recently reported on two proposed museums in Oyster Bay Hamlet. In an article titled "A Tale of Two Museums: Planning for One Progresses, Planning for the Other Changes Course," writer Brian Brennan notes that plans for the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum are moving forward, while there are still major roadblocks in the way for the proposed Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Research Center.

The community is on board, according to the article, for the Railroad Museum, with plans moving forward as funding dictates. The Oyster Bay Main Street Association is applying for a Quality Communities Grant from New York State to fund this project, working with the Friends of Locomotive 35, the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, Jablonsky Associates, and Saratoga Associates. Part of that application process involved presenting renderings of the old station house, which served the community for over a century, to the community at the end of last month. This is in addition to topographical studies and a Historical Structures Report.

There is significantly more opposition to the proposed Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Research Center. Roosevelt had a long history with Oyster Bay, as his summer home, Sagamore Hill, is located there. The museum also has proposed locations in Boston and Washington, DC, and the Theodore Roosevelt Association has given the Town time to further develop their proposal, with an understood deadline of the end of March. All costs associated with the process, from planning through construction, would have to be funded by the Town.

The debate surrounds the lacking infrastructure in the Town's downtown. There are currently abandoned storefronts and decreasing traffic in and out of the area. Fears are that an economic downturn will further the problem and that the hamlet would be unable to sustain the museum once it was completed, nor would it be able to afford the multi-million dollar cost of its construction. Conversely, the finished museum could attract hundreds of thousands of new visitors to the area, which would help revitalize the community.

Another contentious element of the Roosevelt museum is the location. Some are considering Firemen's Field, but there is growing opposition to that, as the proposal calls for a two-story parking structure and a large museum and research center.

The Oyster Bay Main Street Association recently had a town meeting to discuss land use, the proposed museum plans, and alternatives with Dan Burden from Walkable Communities. The day also included a walking tour of Firemen's Field. News12 provides us with video coverage of the day. Burden, who had visited the hamlet in 2001 and 2004, helped develop the Oyster Bay Hamlet Plan and then monitor its progress.

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Civic Group Looks to Hempstead Community to help Rename Handball Courts at High School

The Family and Children's Association, along with many in the community of Hempstead, is applying for funding for a community project in the Village. The Association hopes that My Hometown Helper, which is sponsored by Hamburger Helper, will provide funding to dedicate the handball courts at Hempstead High School to Michael Alguera, a 15-year-old student who was killed while playing his favorite sport there.

One of the criteria that the foundation is looking at are the number of comments each proposal receives. The Association is asking that supporters log in and voice their support.

Downstate Suburban Workforce Act

VISION urges you to get out your pens and take action to join a letter writing campaign in support of the Downstate Suburban Workforce Act.  The Downstate Act (which differs somewhat from the LI Workforce Housing Act) supports a tiered income structure targeted from 80% below median to 120% above median, includes support for development of rental units, encourages higher density developments, and establishes a one-time payment for planning and developing Housing Opportunity Areas.

Supporting documentation can be found here, along with sample letters here and here that can be modified and sent out.

Tell Your Legislators to Support Congestion Pricing

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign recently highlighted the NYC Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission's modified congestion pricing plan, which they say proposes an answer to the region's overcrowded buses, subways, and roads that will cut commute times, achieve real traffic reductions, reduce air pollution throughout the region, and raise more than $500 million a year for transit.

In order for this to happen, the State Legislature must approve the plan by March 31.

VISION urges everyone to tell their state legislators to pass this modified congestion pricing plan and bring much-needed traffic relief and transit improvements to the region.

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Hofstra-Brookings Institute Conference Examining Future of Nation's Suburbs & Cities to be Held March 27th

Hofstra University and the Brookings Institute will hold conference on Thursday, March 27th. Called 'The Future Growth of Nation's Suburbs and Cities,' the conference features a presentation from Bruce Katz, Vice President and Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute in Washington D.C., entitled "Metro Nation: Blueprint for American Prosperity." The Brookings Institution is co-sponsoring the event with Hofstra's National Center for Suburban Studies (NCSS).

The conference will be from 8 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. at the Hofstra University Club, in the David S. Mack Hall on the North Campus. Mr. Katz will deliver his presentation during the morning session, which runs from 8-11 a.m. Among those responding to his ideas will be Long Island Congressman Steve Israel, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano.

Long Island Progressive Coalition Celebrating 29th Anniversary on March 29th

REP-LI is holding a luncheon to celebrate 29 years of the Long Island Progressive Coalition on Saturday, March 29th, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, at the Timber Point Country Club in Great River. Honorees at the luncheon, celebrating the fight for social and human dignity, include RWDSU/Local 338 President John Durso, Vision Long Island Executive Director Eric Alexander, New York State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Reach Out America's Barbara Zeller, South Fork LIPC's Helen Fitzgerald, the AQE Youth Committee, and Volunteer of the Year Barbara Buehring.

Tickets are $65 each, with a discount for 2 at $110 and a table of 12 for $600. Sponsorship and journal advertisement opportunities are also available. For more information, visit the LIPC's website.

Port Jefferson Station To Hold Blood Drive March 29th

The Port Jefferson Station Chamber of Commerce Tourism Department, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Long Island Blood Services are holding their 1st Annual Blood Drive on Saturday, March 29th, from 10am to 2pm at the Port Jeff Station Tourism Office Railroad Car Visitors Parking Lot, located on the corner of Rts. 112 and 347.

Walk-ins are welcome and snacks, beverages, raffle gifts, and tourism information will be available. For more information about the blood drive, contact Mark Donovan at 631-834-4215. For more information about blood donations, contact Long Island Blood Services at 800-688-0900.

RPA to Hold 18th Annual Regional Assembly on April 18th

The Regional Plan Association has launched a new website to help spread the word about their upcoming conference. The 18th Annual Regional Assembly, titled "Oil and Water: Adapting to Scarcity," will be held on April 18th at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan and will focus on the need for creative and innovative approaches to energy and climate concerns regionally and nationally, especially in the wake of this year's presidential race.

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ArtSpace In Huntington To Hold "Sense of Place" Exhibit

Now showing at the Art League of Long Island is an exhibition on the “Sense of Place,” which is running until March 30th.

Despite its location directly off Northern State Parkway, the exhibit features local artists from Centerport and Setauket as well as those in the region inspired by Long Island’s landmarks, downtowns, and landscape. Each artist applies the definition and implications of “place” to experiences, memories, land masses, and the human relationship to the environment.  The gallery features two floors of a range of mediums, from photography to paintings, sculpture, and much more.

The Art League of Long Island is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to broad-based visual arts education, providing a forum and showcase for artists of all ages and ability levels. It is located at 107 East Deer Park Rd., Dix Hills, NY 11746. The gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9-4 pm and Saturday through Sunday from 11-4pm.  A visit to the exhibition is free but donations are welcome. Visit the website http://www.artleagueli.org/index.html or call: 631-462-5400 for more information.

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These cartoons were passed onto our staff this week. We are unsure of their origin, but we hope that they can add some poignant humor to your weekend.

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SMART GROWTH NEWS

Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director
Contributors: Juliana Roberts, Planning Coordinator; Eric Alexander, Executive Director;
Katheryn Laible, Assistant Director

We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.

For more information about Vision Long Island, visit http://www.visionlongisland.org or contact us at:
24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One Northport, NY 11768. Phone: (631) 261-0242. Fax: (631) 754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org