A Message From Vision

What a week: an exciting project in the region, action by our Governor on Smart Growth, and some legislative possibilities for affordable housing.

Liberty Harbor Tour - VISION recently had the opportunity to visit Liberty Harbor in Jersey City, designed by New Urbanist planner Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co., as part of a tour organized by the New York Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism.  While under construction and a bit cold, it was not hard to see the walkability, both to the PATH trains and the Ferry into Manhattan.  The project effectively blends the existing neighborhood into this development, while also mixing in small scale retail and recreational uses.  The townhouse style housing and the larger apartment buildings range from $250,000 to over $600,000 with penthouse and rooftop units at over one million, mixing incomes as well.  What was great to see is that the average age for this development is 33 years old.  When we ask where young people are going, it is not simply affordability that is causing our young folks to leave: it is also about the mix of activities. 

New York State action on Smart Growth - Governor Elliot Spitzer has just launched a Smart Growth cabinet for New York State.  We are hopeful that this internal committee will be helpful in reviewing state policies that are counterproductive to Smart Growth particularly, in the NYS DOT, MTA and ESDC.  With that said, some members of the Long Island Senate delegation, who have worked very hard to meet the needs of our aging infrastructure, affordable housing, and open space and environmental priorities, are critical of the Governors lack of focus on Long Island.   VISION had the opportunity to meet with the Governor along with other Long Island leaders during his trip to Long Island this week and hope that it leads to a more sustained dialogue around some policy and project priorities.  Toward that end, please e-mail us with the top preferences for state action either in the form of a new initiative or legislation or reconfiguring existing State agency directives.   We will be spending a bit more time in Albany this session and would like your input in order to stay on track.

New York State action on housing -  In more pressing news, the debate about what to do about affordable housing has taken a new turn.  Two approaches to addressing the problem are underway and both have merit.  The Long Island Association and the NYS Senators and Assemblymembers who worked hard on moving the Inclusionary Zoning legislation are continuing their effort at a bill.   The new proposed "incentives only" legislation by Suffolk County, in concert with the Regional Plan Association and multiple counties, is also a unique approach.  Coordination with local municipalities and State officials will make it even better.   Tell us your thoughts on the best way to achieve a consensus on a housing bill for Long Island.

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This Week's Sponsor

Verizon Proudly Supports Vision and its Online Communications

Verizon has been supporting VISION's technology with grants for the past two years, having helped procure new computers, A/V equipment, and software for the organization. 

Our website has been fully upgraded with features including dynamic images, a poll, online donation services, and modernized structure that will facilitate future updates and enable services to handheld devices.

Verizon has supported us as we try to meet the increased demand for video documentation and the growing popularity of podcasts. This is particularly important as we strive to engage the critical 18-35 year old demographic.

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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Regional News

Jersey CIty Embraces Smart Growth Principles

In Jersey City, the new housing development of Liberty Harbor embraces and exemplifies the use of Smart Growth principles with "smart streets," mixed use, walkability and accessibility to public transit. An enormous mixed-use project, it stretches 28 blocks between historic Paulus Hook and Van Vorst Park. The plan, as it is approved by the city, contains 6,000 sq. feet of housing as well as "just-below-street level" shops, parks, and office space. According to a New York Times article by Antoinette Martins from December 9th, "Two Projects Claim Street Savvy," the developer, Peter Mocco, and his architects had "studied long and hard to try to discern the elements of a great urban street, looking to old European cities and the streets of Boston for inspiration." This resulted in wide sidewalks, a wavy shape that varies the experience, a human scale, gardens nestled into the curves and a stunning view of the nearby Statue of Liberty. The streets themselves are designed to "influence the look, feel and "livability" of the neighborhood."

Developers are starting to realize that the past 50 years of sprawl development has created a counter culture generation who are anti-suburban sprawl. In the article, Mr. Mocco says that, "after two generations of suburban sprawl people knew there had to be something better and started returning to the cities. What they are very clearly looking for are places that are friendly, with human scale and built-in sociability, where the streets are pleasant and entertaining to walk." Although all the streets at Liberty Harbor will have two-way traffic and space to park on both sides, their essential nature is different than traditional suburban streets. In the end, Mr. Mocco wisely stated that, "Old streets were built for cars, and then altered to accommodate people. These streets are for people, but will accommodate cars."

Click here to read the full article in the New York Times or here for more information on Liberty Harbor.

Public Hearing on State of Nassau's Sewers Runs Deep

December 10th's meeting of Nassau County's Public Works Committee and The Planning, Development and Environment Committee got into the subject of sewage much deeper and messier than usual. The public meeting focused on the current status, conditions, operations, upgrades, and potential consolidations of Nassau County's sewage treatment plants.

A presentation from Robert Weltner, President of Operation SPLASH, began with a discomforting report on the delicate condition of the Western Bays, many of which are estuaries, and the number of violations occurring at sewage plants nearby. Mr. Weltner emphasized that it is incumbent upon this committee to fix these problems with necessary upgrades, most notably the importance of getting ocean outflow pipes to disperse treated effluence, rather than polluting our bays as it does currently.  A report conducted in conjunction with SPLASH and Citizens Campaign for the Environment, entitled "Save the Western Bays," illustrated facts and numbers to the committees.

A particularly startling fact from the report is that "four sewage treatment plant (STPs) and one power plant combine to discharge 64.5 million gallons per day into the shallow Western Bays." Peter Scully, DEC Regional Director for Nassau and Suffolk, supported the report's findings and suggested solutions like consolidations, nitrogen removal, as well as a call for a Total Maximum Daily Load Analysis (TMDL) for the Western Bays and South Shore.

All three parties agreed that a major culprit of the pollution was the Jones Beach STP, owned by New York State, which has had 32 violations since 2004. Not only has the Jones Beach STP failed to meet removal standards (they are currently looking to lower their standards), the plant's outfall pipe also discharges directly into Zack's Bay, a major recreational spot for families. Adding fuel to the fire is the Trump development, which both groups believe will result in "additional violations that will "max" out the Jones Beach STP capacity." When NYS Parks Department representative Ronald Foley and consultants from H2M attempted to counter these claims, they were confronted with incensed legislators. Infuriated by the State's decision to lower the STP's standards and their allowance for Trump's project to hook up to the existing pipe without an application or impact study, Legislator David Denenberg vowed to voice the sewage problem at Trump's hearing in Westchester the following day.

Clean Energy Task Force Provides Update On Regional Initiatives

At the recent meeting of the Neighborhood Network's Clean Energy Leadership Task Force, held on December 8th in East Farmingdale, the season's holiday cheer was not dampened with dour information on the perils of global warming. Rather, it was heightened with new action plans and initiatives being taken nationally and locally towards advancing clean energy. From the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the White House and Rockefeller Center Christmas trees to the "Green Levittown" program, clean energy initiatives are picking up.

Led by Executive Director Neal Lewis and Program Director Beth Fiteni, the meeting was well attended by elected officials, not-for-profits, municipalities, and experts in the field. LIPA President and CEO Kevin Law outlined an ambitious program underway to promote renewables, energy conservation, and a ten year energy plan for Long Island. Detailed information on LIPA's efforts can be found on their website.

Another "green" initiative is underway in Levittown; it may now become the first "green suburb'' under a proposal by Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi. According to an update from Brad Tito, the plan seeks to retrofit Levittown's 17,000 homes with energy-saving equipment and home improvements at reduced cost and reduced financing rates. In regards to solar power, Bruce Humenik of AEG added that in order to increase such residential clean energy options, municipalities must look at their photovoltaic codes to ensure, streamline and standardize safe, quality installations.

In the "Municipal Spotlight" was Dennis Lynch of the Town of Brookhaven's Office of the Supervisor, who presented on the town's numerous clean energy accomplishments. Isidore Doroski, Chairman of the Riverhead Town Energy Advisory Committee, provided a detailed presentation on peak oil and its implications for Long Island. Eric Alexander of Vision Long Island followed Mr. Doroski with Smart Growth principles and projects that reduce dependence on automobiles and oil, including localizing of goods and services, conserving and preserving existing resources, and the obvious increase of density to discourage sprawl.

Stay tuned for more informative and enlightening Clean Energy Leadership Task Force meetings.

Environmental Organizations Call on D.E.C. to Fix Brownfields Cleanup Program

After many of the region's leading environmental organizations came together to file a lawsuit in New York over its Brownfield Cleanup Program, the Department of Environmental Conservation has taken steps to improve it.

The program was initially designed to encourage the cleanup and redevelopment of thousands of contaminated sites throughout the state. However, the actual implementation of the proposed measures fell flat at the end of the last administration's stay in office. Instead of effective legislation, the DEC instead implemented watered-down regulations and ignored many of the measures layed out during the program's approval stage in 2003.

Because of the actions of groups like the Sierra Club, NYPIRG, Environmental Advocates of New York, and Citizens' Environmental Coalition, the state has acknowledged that some of its practices are illegal and have pledged to perform proper cleanups on contaminated sites.

More hearings are scheduled for December 21st. For more information, please visit the Environmental Advocates of New York.

Gov. Spitzer Announces Formation of Smart Growth Cabinet; Opportunities for Long Island?

Governor Eliot Spitzer signed an Executive Order on Tuesday, creating a Smart Growth Cabinet, which, according to the Governor's press release, will "review state agency spending and polices to determine how best to discourage sprawl and promote smart land use practices. It will coordinate cross-agency activities and develop "smart growth" policies that cater to New York's unique regional needs... [It] will consist of high-level policy-makers from various state agencies that have an impact on growth and development patterns, including representatives from the Empire State Development Corporation, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Transportation, Department of State, and Department of Housing and Community Renewal, among others."

As of the announcement, the Cabinet is only focused on three regions in the state (the Adirondacks, the Lower Hudson Valley, and the Catskills), none of which include Long Island.

Sen. Carl Marcellino, Chairman of the State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, stated, "I am baffled at how Governor Spitzer can ignore one of the most densely populated regions of the state. Long Island's diverse needs, aging infrastructure and the continued preservation of open space require careful planning and support from the State of New York."

Gov. Spitzer has allocated over $2 million for Smart Growth projects since taking office in January. With the funds available, there is no reason for Long Island to be removed from the process.

Robert Yaro, President of the Regional Plan Association, added his comments on the Cabinet, noting that "the responsibility of making this initiative work is not entirely with the Governor and the legislature, or even solely with the public sector. Civic and business interests also need to be mobilized to generate public support, hold elected officials accountable, and match public dollars with private resources... A new organization, Empire State Future, is getting started to coordinate activities among participating groups, educate the public and key stakeholders, and advocate for smart growth and urban revitalization policies at the state, regional and municipal level... With a push from both inside the Executive Chamber and outside Albany, New York has an opportunity to build on both the successes and lessons learned from the pioneering efforts in other states.

Read Gov. Spitzer's press release on the Cabinet here. Also, read Robert Yaro's article here.

Vision Long Island is looking forward to working with the Governor and the NYS Senate Delegation in strategies to enhance Smart Growth policies and projects across the region. Specific reformatting of NYS agencies, such as DOT, MTA, and ESDC, will help enhance the activities of local governments, civic associations, and the development community towards Smart Growth development. If you have ideas on how NYS can move toward smarter growth, please contact our office, as we will be spending some time in Albany this next session.

Trump Gets (Partially) Trumped on Jones Beach Proposal

Speaking of Mr. Trump and his project at Jones Beach, the hearing on Tuesday in Westchester did not exactly goes as he planned. According to Jennifer Smith's Newsday article from December 11th, "Trump's team and state parks officials had traveled to Cortland Manor on Tuesday to present their case before the review board overseen by the State Department of State's Division of Code Enforcement and Administration. After more than three hours of testimony and deliberation, the board announced it had turned aside the request. It cited "insufficient evidence to grant the variance for the basement." Despite the state parks department's invitation for the project itself, Trump on the Ocean hasn't had a smooth ride. In fact, the possibility of rough waters ahead is just one of many issues; since it is located in the floodplain, it is required to be elevated above the expected level of flooding and waves in 100 years of flooding. The article also states that, "according to a 2006 environmental impact statement, the Trump on the Ocean site has a 1 percent chance of being flooded in any year and that the flooding would be accompanied by breaking waves that are 3 feet or greater in height." Though the DEC officials put that at a 26% chance within 30 years, global warming patterns might have an effect.

On another strange note, the public hearing was held in Westchester, despite the project's location at Jones Beach in Nassau County. According to Bill Bleyer's article in Newsday from December 4th, the State Parks Regional Director Ronald Foley said that his agency chose to have the application heard in Westchester to "avoid waiting another month for a Long Island hearing."  Nassau County assessor Harvey Levinson, is also quoted in this article, saying "it (the hearing) should definitely be held in Nassau County. It isn't reasonable to expect people to travel up to Westchester." Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg (D-Merrick) did manage to attend the hearing, although the article only quotes him in regards to the variance, stating that "he was concerned that the basement would worsen erosion of the surrounding area during bad weather."

Check out Newsday's article, "Setbacks for Trump's Jones Beach Banquet Hall Plan," for more details.

Syosset Trailer Park To Close

Recently, there was a letter to the editor published in the Syosset-Jericho-Woodbury "Neighborhood Newspapers" that discussed the future of the mobile home park in Syosset. The trailer park, the only one in Nassau County, has been around for over 80 years, but is now being shut down. Below is the letter, originally published on December 12th.

The Syosset Mobile Home Park residents came home recently to eviction notices on their door and/or letters terminating their tenancy at the park. November rent checks were returned, and we were told that "payments would no longer be accepted"

Larry Rush, the owner of the park, the principal player of STP Associates LLC, would be instrumental in making senior citizens, special needs children and their families, working class men and women "Homeless in Syosset."

Now, when we go to contact the management office, we find it vacant and the number listed has a recording.

The Park is 80 years old, and were are asking ourselves, as we research its beginnings, why is in not grandfathered in as a mobile home park? Another question which needs to be answered is why this mobile home park, the only one in Nassau County, is not designated as a historical landmark?

We own our homes, but not the land. We are residents of the Town of Oyster Bay, but when we go there for assistance, we are told "our hands are tied." We are affordable housing on Long Island, we are "people" who contribute positively to the town, who have children in the Syosset schools, and we are people who should be and must be treated humanely.

Residents of the Town of Oyster Bay, we implore you to come to our aide and help us save our homes. We cannot do it alone, but let it be know that we will never give up the fight to protect our equity!

I have spoken.

Randi Portnoy
A Syosset Mobile Home Owner.

Several writers responded to this letter. Some of the replies can be found here and here.

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Action Alerts

How Can New York State Solve Long Island's Affordable Housing Shortage?

First off, we must give credit for what the state has accomplished recently. There is currently a program, called HELP Long Island, under way that was set up by Long Island's State Senators and administered by the Long Island Housing Partnership that will assist first-time homebuyers living in Smart Growth zones near downtowns and train stations. For more information, contact the Long Island Housing Partnership at 631-435-4710.

In recent weeks, there have been a number of approaches to address LI's housing shortage. To date of this publication, there is no consensus on any of the proposals. We would like your input and additional ideas to help support passage of at least one of these initiatives.

One approach: incentive programs for municipalities. Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy spearheaded a six-county, $87.5 million plan to address the region's 'brain drain' and affordable housing problems. The proposed legislation will offer financial incentives to towns and villages to encourage affordable housing development.

The proposal establishes a Downstate Suburban Workforce Housing Council that would work with local municipalities to identify the so-called "Housing Opportunity Areas." These identified areas would create a minimum of 20% affordable units. Anything above 20% would qualify the areas for incentives with, among other things, school districts, water, sewer, traffic, transit, and park space. For a copy of the proposal, click here.

Another approach: modified inclusionary zoning. The LIA is working with New York State Senators on a revised inclusionary zoning that would provide a set-aside for affordable housing similar to the DiNapoli-Balboni bill (A.2050/S.3966). One option would be an affordable housing fund that could be established in each municipality for the construction of affordable units. A copy of last year's inclusionary zoning legislation can be found here (to be modified).

John Kominicki of the Long Island Business News has devoted two columns to this subject. For his candid perspective on this dialogue, click here and here.

We are seeking your input on these proposals. Please click on the link to send us your thoughts and revisions on this critical issue.

Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission Proposes Major Changes to Congestion Pricing Plan

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign recently reported on a piece from Crain's New York Business News regarding the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission and the proposed changes to the region's congestion pricing plan.

According to the article, some of the proposed changes include moving the northern boundary of the congestion pricing zone to 60th St., down from 86th St.; significantly reducing the number of enforcement cameras; increasing the cost of on-street parking in the central business district, sometimes to $4 an hour in metered spots; adding tolls to the East River bridges; and changing the toll offset for those who use the Port Authority and MTA crossings.

At this point, these changes are all just considerations, but it does highlight that this Commission is listening to the public in some of its debate.

The next Commission meeting is set for Monday. Read the full story on Streetsblog.

LED Lights Save Money On Your Holiday Season Electricity Bill

Newsday recently ran an Op/Ed piece about LIPA and the Neighborhood Network's efforts to promote LED lights this holiday season. LED lights conserve electricity and have already been put in place on holiday light displays at Rockefeller Center, with the promise of RexCorp Plaza joining the trend next year.

To offset the higher cost of LED lights, LIPA is offering a downloadable coupon, available at lipower.org/cei/led, that offers a discount for buyers, along with a list of participating stores. The site also lists several other benefits of LED lights. Newsday's article notes that the lights last longer and burn less fossil fuel. "To use a string of 100 conventional lights five hours a day for one month, over five seasons, you can expect to pay $761.25. For the same number of LED lights over the same time frame, you'd be spending $7.61 in electricity.

Read the editorial in Newsday here. The Neighborhood Network also offers more information and a humorous, if not informative, clip from "National Lampoons: Christmas Vacation."

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Weekend Planner

Riverhead Foundation Joins with Children's Museum of the East End to Hold Interactive 'Discover My Community' Exhibit for Local Marine Awareness

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation and the Children's Museum of the East End have teamed up to present the Discover My Community 2007 exhibit, which features the Riverhead Foundation and other local not-for-profit organizations for a hands-on experience for families to learn about what is in their neighborhood. The exhibit runs until March 24, 2008 and includes activities related to art, science, music, and literacy, while also allowing families to experience marine science at the local level.

For more information, contact the Riverhead Foundation's office at 631-369-9840 or visit their website.

Shop Downtown This Holiday Season

As the holiday season kicks off this year, we encourage everyone to shop locally: Visit your downtowns and support the local businesses instead of fighting through the crowds at the area's congested malls. Shopping downtown helps the economy and offers unique gift ideas and keeps the areas vibrant and lively.

One such downtown is Port Jefferson. The Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce, along with the assistance of the C.D.M. Chamber of Commerce, The Port Jefferson Arts Council, Port Jefferson C.O.C., and other area organizations, are working hand-in hand on a holiday shop local campaign at the railroad car information center. All merchants are invited to the kick-off events, to drop off their business flyers, volunteer services or staff all in an effort to help promote shop local now and in the future.

To volunteer, call Kevin Cantwell at 631-696-7353, or President Joe Savastano, at 331-1444, for general information.

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SMART GROWTH NEWS

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