 |
|
Smart Growth Awards Coming June 12th: Register Today!
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.
|
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 
|
Sometimes, in our efforts to deliver up-to-date Smart Growth news each week, we unknowingly receive mistaken information. A recent article about Yaphank stated that Suffolk County had chosen a winning bidder for the project when one has yet to be selected. We apologize to all parties involved for any confusion that was caused by forwarding on this misinformation. |
|
Be a Smart Growth News or Smart Talk Visionary
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. |
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.|
Congestion Pricing Crashes and Burns
The partisanship that contributed to the Plan's demise must be put aside as heads come together to create a new model. Rather than a mourning period, the State should take an “exploring period” for a thorough study of all traffic-reducing options with a detailed environmental review. As the New York Times pointed out in Gene Russianoff’s article from April 9th, “Governor Paterson has taken the first step by creating a panel to identify new ways to pay for mass transit.” Kudos to Governor Paterson, but there is much more to be done. Despite the tensions between the city and state bureaucracies, a regional vision must be conceived to remedy this egregious blunder and improve the traffic and transit in and around New York City. Broadwater Sinks
“Broadwater does not pass the test. Shame on us if we can’t develop a responsible energy policy without sacrificing one of our greatest natural and economic resources,” said Governor Paterson.
Elected officials like Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, Congressman Tim Bishop and Senator Carl Marcellino emphasized that out of this victory, Long Island and the State of New York must find new, creative alternatives to address increasing energy demands. Congressman Bishop said “energy is the new currency” and that steps must be taken to make it cleaner, safer, and greener for all of New York.
Elected officials present included Governor David Paterson, Congressman Tim Bishop (D-Suffolk), Senator Kenneth LaValle (R-Suffolk), Senator John Flanagan (R-Suffolk), Senator Carl Marcellino (R-Nassau, Suffolk), Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Suffolk), Assemblyman Fred Thiele (R-Suffolk), Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington (D-Suffolk), Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D-Suffolk), Assemblywoman Ginny Fields (D-Suffolk), Assemblyman Philip Ramos (D-Suffolk), Assemblyman Andrew Raia (D-Suffolk), Assemblyman Joseph Saladino (D-Nassau), Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Nassau), and Assemblyman David McDonough (R-Nassau).
Canvas Magazine Features Sustainability on LI
Written by C.A. Corry, the article highlighted some of the most prominent developments in the region that recognize the importance and include the elements of Smart Growth like mixed-use, infill development, transportation alternatives, higher density and walkability. Projects like Tallgrass Village in the Town of Brookhaven, Heartland Town Center in the Town of Islip, Glen Isle in the City of Glen Cove, the Lighthouse Project in the Town of Hempstead, and the Apollo Project in the Town of Riverhead were highlighted for their inclusion of Smart Growth and sustainable practices. The article also reviewed smaller progressive projects like the Winston in Mineola and two mixed-use redevelopments in the Villages of Islandia and Patchogue.
In conjunction with the efforts of municipalities, government mandates, environmental organizations, the defeat of Broadwater, and the Long Island Power Authority’s near-billion dollar energy efficiency initiative, Long Islanders are clearly embracing many facets of sustainability. As Corry stated in the article, "as the drumbeat for sustainability grows louder... Smart Growth is becoming a modern rallying cry against suburban sprawl.” Being “smart” on LI certainly does have its rewards- recognition from Vision Long Island at June 12th’s award ceremony and the reversal of NIMBYism to public support will only advance Long Island towards a sustainable future. For the complete article, visit Canvas Magazine's website. Nassau County Moves in a Green Direction
Under the bill, Nassau County would have to set up a procurement committee to identify suitable products that would be the least damaging to the environment and people. Specifically, the county would not be able to purchase products made with polystyrene foam, also known as Styrofoam. They would use existing guidelines and standards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to consider purchasing choices for products like office supplies, food services, and building construction materials. According to Newsday’s article by William Murphy, a committee hearing considered another Nassau County bill that would require supermarkets and some other stores to recycle customers' plastic bags. Nassau County is taking the initiative to lead by example and, hopefully, other government offices will follow suit. lIVINGSTON dEVELOPMENT Opens Marketing Office FOR 'tHE vILLA AT gLEN cOVE'
According to David Winzelberg's Spaced Out Blog from the Long Island Business News, "The project... will be divided among one mid-rise and five low-rise buildings between Craft and Young Avenue. Flushing-based Livingston Development Group is offering the condos from $325,000 to $800,000. The new condos will have underground parking to keep cars off the streets and allow for a park-like streetscape. Another part of the condo design features rooftop gardens with views of the Long Island Sound." In attendance at the opening were Glen Cove Deputy Mayor Kelly Morris and Phyllis Gorham, Executive Director, Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, Laffey Associates Cathy Poturny, Director Marketing & Media Relations, John Comegna, LSA, Peter Christie, LSA, and Emmett Laffey, Principal; Nick DiLeo, Glen Cove City Councilman , Keith Lanning, Director Operations, Livingston Development, Daniel Livingston, President/Livingston Development, Mary Stanco, Chamber Member and Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, City of Glen Cove Councilwoman. Read more in Long Island Business News' Spaced Out Blog. |
On Monday, April 7th, the nation learned of New York’s great loss- $354 million dollars, to be exact. The New York State Assembly did not even bring the congestion pricing plan to a vote, blaming a lack of supporting votes to put it to the floor. It was the only plan in the works that would prepare New York for the estimated 1 million additional residents it is expected to transport come 2030 while simultaneously improving air quality, roads, and infrastructure for the entire region. Come Monday afternoon, we could have raised a riot of words in response to this dismissal of the congestion pricing plan. But after having several days to simmer down, all that remains is the question of, “what next?” 
Kate Slevin, Executive Director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, suggested, “the event was a sign of failure in Albany and a call to action for New York City residents to elect new state leaders.” This may certainly be true, but one can point the blame to Mayor Bloomberg or Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, but that still will not change the present dire state of our inundated transit system.
No one can say that Long Islanders are not tenacious or ungrateful after seeing their appreciation for Governor Paterson when he announced on Thursday, April 10th that Broadwater’s plans for a liquefied natural gas terminal in the Long Island Sound were found to be inconsistent with the federally approved Long Island Sound Management Plan and thereby could not move forward. 
While the Governor was certainly in the spotlight, many thanks were given to the elected officials and grassroots organizations who gathered support and force for the opposition. The heroine of the day was clearly Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Concerned Citizens for the Environment, who, in partnership with local politicians and civic groups, lead the charge against the barge. 
As if to answer this call for a new energy plan, Governor Paterson outlined the initial steps his administration will take to meet the growing demand for energy on Long Island, which included establishing a State Energy Planning Board, pursuing energy conservation with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), and developing renewable, clean energy in conjunction with a state-wide energy policy.
County elected officials included Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, Legislator Edward Romaine (R-District 1), Legislator Kate Browning (WF-District 3), Legislator Brian Beedenbender (D-District 4), Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-District 5), Legislator William Lindsay (D-District 8), Legislator John Kennedy (R-District 12), Legislator Wayne Horsley (D-District 14), Legislator Steve Stern (D-District 16), Legislator Jon Cooper (D-District 18), Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby (D-Hempstead), Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld (D-Brookhaven, District 1), Councilwoman Jane Bonner (D-Brookhaven, District 2), Supervisor Brian Foley (D-Brookhaven) Supervisor William McGintee (R-East Hampton), Councilwoman Susan Berland (D-Huntington), Councilman Stuart Besen (D-Huntington), Supervisor Phil Nolan (D-Islip), Councilman Steve Flotteron (R-Islip), Supervisor Phillip Cardinale (D-Riverhead), and Councilwoman Barbara Blass (R-Riverhead).
The feature article for Canvas Magazine’s April edition, “Sustainable Long Island- What Our Towns are Doing to Promote Sustainability,” highlighted Vision Long Island as a leader in galvanizing municipalities throughout the region to embrace sustainable practices and projects.
Clean energy has also made advancements on Long Island, largely due to the efforts of Neighborhood Network. According to their report, “Leading the Way,” ten towns and both counties have taken up various energy efficient initiatives, such as upgrading government buildings, investing in alternative fuels, and focusing dedicated staff to clean energy programs. Only six of the 15 municipalities have action plans and only six towns have adopted EnergyStar requirements for new home construction, so there is more progress to make.
At the same time that the New York State Assembly was killing a bill that would get cars off the road and improve our air quality, Nassau County was taking progressive measures to improve and protect their environment. On Monday, April 7th, Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved “green” legislation that would require the county to make purchasing choices with an environmental conscience.
Recently, Livingston Development Corp. opened a marketing office for The Villa at Glen Cove. The condo complex, located on 4 acres on Glen Cove Avenue, is a walkable project scheduled to begin construction this fall. |
Downstate Suburban Workforce Act
Supporting documentation can be found here, along with sample letters here and here that can be modified and sent out. |
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.
RPA to Hold 18th Annual Regional Assembly on April 18th
|
The Regional Plan Association has launched a 
This Saturday, come rain or shine, the Town of Huntington will be holding an Earth Week Expo at the Town Hall parking lot at 100 Main Street in hopes of raising awareness on pressing environmental issues. 
"Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." - Oscar Wilde |
SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications 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: |
