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Smart Growth News |
6th Annual Smart Growth Summit Coming November 16th - Register Today!
Workshop topics include: Transportation & Congestion Pricing, Clean Energy & Green Building, Sewers & Infrastructure, Codes & Regulations, Commercial Corridor Redevelopment, Community Planning & Public Process, Regional Planning, Housing & Gentrification, Downtown Revitalization, and Projects of Regional Significance.
Sponsorships are available. Register today! Click here for the full brochure about the event or here for the registration form.
Hofstra Conference considers "Aging in place" The baby boomers have long been a generation in the limelight and recently, as an aging demographic, they are coming back to our attention. By 2011 the beginning of the baby boomers will be reaching 65 years old, heralding an approaching tidal wave of rapidly changing national demographics. AARP recent survey showed that 79% of adults over 50 would like to stay in their current homes but due to a lack of public transportation and the challenges caused by sprawl development, this is difficult. The fastest growing age group is increasingly finding themselves stranded and isolated due to design failures within the home and on the streets. Hofstra University held a conference on October 25 on this very issue entitled, “Safer Homes, More Livable Communities: Design Strategies for Aging in Place.” With the efforts of the School of Education and Allied Human Services, and the Gerontology Program, Hofstra University brought speakers from AARP, William Stoner and Michael O’Neal, Dr. Lorraine Hiatte, and numerous panelists invested in this issue. Above all, the speakers felt that livable communities for all ages are best, such as Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), which are essentially communities that are socially and physically designed to support the young and old. These qualities include affordable and appropriate housing options, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options through neighborhood design and public transportation. The reality of aging in communities has increasing importance due to the baby boomers and successful Smart Growth and New Urbanism projects. Traditional neighborhood design utilizes Universal Design themes by encouraging movement and eliciting intelligence. These design philosophies emphasize connectivity and accessibility, which should be mandatory qualities of all community design but often are not. Shaping space with these principles must be compulsory if we are going to be prepared for a much older America and maintain our cultural expectations for aging: independence, choice and control. Apparently, it takes more than a village to save a farm. Actually, it took $1.6 million from Suffolk County, the Town of Huntington and the Village of Northport to buy the Lewis Oliver property. The 2.1 acres held the former dairy farm and petting zoo, which closed earlier this month. A group called "Friends of the Farm" spearheaded the movement to preserve the property, which would have been developed into four single-family homes. The 109-year-old farm, a favorite spot for the local stroller set, will be used as a park which will be maintained by the Friedns group and the village. "This historic 109-year-old jewels has new owners," said Stu Bessen, a Huntington councilman who fought for the open space acquisition. Besen used to visit the farm as a kid and takes his own children to the bucolic setting. "Now future generations will have the opportunity to make their own memories at this historic treasure," he said. Buffalo City Council UnanimousLY OpposES Expansion of Waterfront Highway; Local Groups Form Buffalo Waterfront Coalition
The Congress for the New Urbanism's effort to enable urbanism on Buffalo's downtown waterfront continues to build momentum. Last week, the Buffalo Common Council asked the State to delay the awarding of construction contracts that would maintain the embanked Route 5 freeway and expand a major frontage road on the Outer Harbor. Councilmembers state that the current NYSDOT plan does not promote long-term economic development because it maintains the main barrier to the waterfront -- the elevated freeway. Instead, they call for a single, at-grade boulevard that would be complemented with a system of streets and blocks to set the stage for the building of valuable urban neighborhoods. Read more about the Council's decision in the Buffalo News article, "Buffalo council unanimous in opposing high-speed Southtowns Connector." In related news this week, a coalition of local organizations has formed under the name Buffalo Waterfront Coalition to oppose NYSDOT's plan. Read more about it at Buffalo Rising, "Will The Ghost of Robert Moses Continue To Haunt Us?" Read more about CNU's work in Buffalo related to their Highways to Boulevards Initiative.
sUSTAINABILITY HANDBOOK PublisheD
Read more here, or click here to order the handbook.
Oyster Bay Promotes Environmental Bond Act
Brookhaven Community Preservation Fund Up For Vote On November 6th
The Brookhaven CPF would work similarly to the programs in the eastern towns: A two percent real estate transfer fee is assessed on the buyer each time a property is bought in the town. Under Brookhaven's plan the first $250,000 of developed properties and the first $150,000 of vacant lots would be exempt. The proceeds from the tax would be earmarked for open space preservation in the town. To help promote affordable housing and to encourage young families to settle or remain in the area, the Brookhaven plan, includes a feature that exempts qualified first-time home buyers from the 2 percent transfer fee. The CPF would also institute a development rights transfer program. Under the program, 25 percent of the development rights on land purchased with CPF monies will be available for developers to purchase for use across the town and across different zoning classifications. Any money from the sales of development rights will be rolled back into the CPF to purchase more open space and farmland. This progressive vote addresses key concerns for Suffolk and the region of Long Island; its passage will help to preserve the best aspects of LI and encourage practices that will sustain its vitality. Dates for Community Preservation Fund Town Hall Community Outreach Education Forums: District #1: October 29th at Port Jefferson Village Hall from 7-9 pm For more information, visit Brookhaven.org or ABCO's website.
Congestion Pricing Mitigation Hearing Several members of the Congestion Mitigation Commission gathered at Hofstra University on Wednesday evening, October 24, to hear testimony from the public on the plan. The 17-member body has been directed to undertake a review and study of Mayor Bloomberg’s plans to reduce traffic congestion and other related health and safety issues within the city of New York. However, as these issues extend beyond city limits, the commission is conducting a series of public hearings to be held in each borough of the city of New York, on Long Island, and in Westchester County. The hearing on Wednesday provided an opportunity of public involvement in a highly contested issue; everyone agrees that traffic congestion has become a regional crisis but strategies as to how to decrease it remain contested. A reoccurring concern from the public was the overall importance of improving public transportation options and increasing investment in public infrastructure. However, many felt that the required revenue to do so would have to come from congestion pricing rather than mass transit fare hikes. Several individuals voiced concerns over the financial burden to the middle and working class as well as to the small businesses that repeatedly send trucks into the city. The main opposition regarded the economic impact and suggested revenues. Those who voiced support of the plan included Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Regional Plan Association, Vision Long Island, and Sustainable Long Island. Chris Jones of the Regional Plan Association emphasized the regional importance of the plan in regards to addressing global warming, traffic congestion, and funding for transit improvements. Opponents of the proposed plan agreed that these are daunting challenges facing the country and the region, but people cannot afford to bear the burden of paying for change. In order for some form of congestion pricing to be put in place a clearly delinated set of public benefits/traffic mitigation efforts needs to be outlined. Change does not come easy and we all must be willing to make some sacrifices to confront global warming and other pressing issues. As Daniel Burnham said, “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized.”
Lawmakers Push Bill to Prevent Unreasonable Rent Increases for Mobile Home Owners According to a recent Newsday article, mobile home owners in Montauk may soon be given legislation allowing them to fight unreasonable rent increases. At Montauk Shores, a waterfront mobile home park, monthly rent for those who own their homes but lease the land has jumped from $150 to $1,000 in 27 years. In response, many mobile home owners began lobbying their representatives last year for legislation to prevent these extraordinary rent increases. As a result, the Sate Assembly Standing Committee on Housing scheduled to hold a public hearing at Riverhead Town Hall on Friday, October 26th. The hearing is to discuss drafting legislation that would give a legal avenue to fight increases and provide the right of first refusal for the purchase of mobile home parks when they are up for sale. Sponsors of the legislations include State Assemblymen March Alessi and Fred Thiele Jr., who believe that the “anti-rent gouging legislation was prompted by the lack of bargaining power for mobile home tenants.” According to the proposed bill, when increases in rent exceed inflation, one-third of the tenants would need to file complaints in order for the case to go to a mediator. They in turn would consider whether owners are gouging their tenants aside from capital improvement projects that would increase costs. In opposition to rent control, the Montauk Shores Board of Managers is protecting the interests of the individual land owners. According to the President of the Board, the purpose of the development’s rental sites was to provide income for the resort’s amenities, not affordable housing and “the bill is ill suited for a mostly seasonal, resort community.” Preserving existing housing stock, particularly units for folks with lower incomes and our workforce, is one of our biggest challenges in the debate for affordable housing on Long Island. A wide range of strategies, including bills like the one proposed, are needed as there is little or no production of new lower income housing. Without production of new stock, preservation must be the goal. |
Join Vision Long Island for the 6th Annual Smart Growth Summit to be held on Friday, November 16th from 8:00am to 3:00pm at the Melville Marriott. This comprehensive land-use conference brings Long Island's leaders and experts together to address issues of Smart Growth and Livability. 
Tuesday, October 16th found a gathering of supporters, elected officials, and press at the Town Hall in Oyster Bay. It was the first in a series of press conferences for the Town of Oyster Bay’s Environmental Bond Act. The $60 million bond aims to preserve open space, parks, and keep Long Island’s water clean. Town Supervisor John Venditto made an appearance to show his encouragement for the bond act which will go on the ballot for November 6th. Other leaders in the field of environmental conservation such as Neil Lewis of the Neighborhood Network spoke, as did members of the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, the North Shore Land Alliance and other groups advocating for responsible land use.
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It Takes a Village: Intergenerational Programs That Work Conference
While many young people are leaving Long Island in pursuit of affordable housing elsewhere, many older people are leaving for southern retirement communities or choosing to remain on the island, but moving into age-restricted communities. The unfortunate result is a separation of the generations. These circumstances pose real challenges to the normal balance, and urgently call for new and creative ways to encourage generational groups to communicate with one another, care for one another, and support public policies that don't divide them by age. It Takes a Village: Intergenerational Strategies That Work is designed to bring together Long Island's community organizations and its business community to create effective intergenerational programs and promote public policy that meets the needs of all generations. The conference takes place on Monday, November 12, 2007 from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University. Click here for a registration form, or visit Intergenerational Strategies' website here.
farmers market comes to northport on saturday Northport Village has scheduled its first farmers' market for Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., according to Henry Tobin, a village trustee. Vendors will set up in the parking lot of Cow Harbor Park located at the foot of Main Street and Woodbine Avenue. A second market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3. These markets will feature produce, cheeses and seafood from Long Island. The vendors will include Sang Lee Farms, Capatano Dairy Farms, Northville Farms and local baymen. These markets are organized by the Northport Farmers' Market Committee in conjunction with the Northport Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Northport. For additional information, Tobin can be reached at 631-757-6577.
"Step it up" to address global climate change
For more information on the event itself, click here. For more information on Step It Up, check out www.stepitup2007 or For more information on what you can do to address Global Warming go to: the Neighborhood Network's website.
mike maroni APPEARS IN "THROWDOWN" ON THE FOOD NETWORK
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Whether in the workplace or the community in general, relationships among different generations are more important today than ever before. As life expectancies continue to rise dramatically, generations depend on one another for much longer periods of time. Not only are middle-aged individuals providing shelter, food, clothing and education for those under 25, many of these same families are also caring for and providing support for relatives over age 75. 
"Step it Up" to address global climate change event, featuring LIU Southampton professor Scott Carlin and Neighborhood Network's Beth Fiteni, will be held on Saturday November 3rd at 3pm at 38 Old Country Road Garden City. 
In case you missed it, Village of Northport restaurant owner and chef, Mike Maroni, will be appearing on the Food Network again next week. Featured in "Throwdown," Mike was challeneged by the Food Network's Bobby Flay to a meatball showdown. The rerun times are: November 1st at 8:30pm ET/PT, November 2nd at 3:30am ET/PT, and November 25th at 4:00pm ET/PT.Smart Growth Weekend Planner - Halloween Edition
Type O Negative Set to Play Downtown Wantagh
With a downbeat sound that is a cross between Black Sabbath and psychedelic-era Beatles, self-effacing humor, and a dedicated and enthusiastic fan base, they provide their audience with an entertaining live show. Frontman Peter Steele, a nearly 7-foot-tall former sanitation worker, uses his low, bass-heavy voice to produce one of the band's most recognizable sounds. The band has released such albums as Bloody Kisses, Life is Killing Me, as well as their 90's radio hit, Black No. 1, with the catchy refrain of "loving you is like loving the dead". They are touring to support their most recent album, Dead Again, which has yielded no hit singles, but has introduced fans to new favorites such as "Halloween in Heaven," "Profit of Doom" and "September Sun." Type O Negative resonate brightly in a music scene populated by cookie-cutter acts being told what to do by accountants. So, if you would like a slightly cranky, doom-and-gloom Halloween with a big sound and a touch of humor, check out Type O, following their show at Irving Plaza in Manhattan on October 29th. Long Island-based rock band Borgo Pass will be opening the show. This concert is a personal pick from selected Vision Long Island staff. For more information on the concert at Mulcahy's, click here.
Halloween Fun For the Family ARound the Island
Bayville offers the annual Scream Park, which is fun for all ages, while Schmitt's Farm in Suffolk offers a variety of family activities. Visit lihauntedhouses.com for a full listing of the area's attractions.
Non-Spooky Fun: Landmark's FOlk Series Kicks Off This Weekend With Ollabelle and Susan Werner
All five Ollabelle members had come from varied backgrounds and geographical locations to make music in New York City, and had crossed paths or worked together in various combinations. Their debut disc won massive critical acclaim, as did tours with Diana Krall, Ryan Adams and Buddy Miller. With 6 albums under her belt, an active touring career throughout the U.S. and a string of accolades from the likes of The Washington Post, The Village Voice and The New Yorker, Susan Werner has become one of the defining artists of the folk music genre. Her songs effortlessly slide between folk, jazz and pop, and are delivered with a sassy wit and classic midwestern charm. The Fabulous Folk Series is sponsored by Greenberg Traurig LLP, Frank Ullman and WFUV Radio. Tickets are $35 Premium and $30 Standard Seats with additional savings if you are a Friend of Landmark or if you purchase all four programs at once. Call the Box Office at 516-767-6444 on weekdays, 10 am - 4 pm (and Saturday after 10 a.m.) or purchase tickets online. |
Support your downtown with an edge! Brooklyn-based gothic rock mainstays Type O Negative are coming to Mulcahy's, in downtown Wantagh on Thursday, November 1st at 7pm. 
Long Island has a host of Halloween season activities, from Haunted Houses to hayrides to Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin farms. Taking your family and friends to places like these help to foster community development, all while having fun this fall. 
WFUV's John Platt will return to the Jeanne Rimsky Theater on October 27th to host the first of four concerts in Landmark's Fabulous Folk Series. The double-bill will feature Ollabelle and Susan Werner for an evening of gospel and soul. 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: |