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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.
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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 
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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.
Wall Street Journal Features Smart Growth and New Urbanism
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On March 24th, the 
On Monday, March 24th, the MTA released disappointing news that they would be postponing $30 million in service improvements that it had promised in connection with recent fare and toll increases, saying its finances had worsened sharply. According to March 25th’s article by William Neuman in the New York Times, this reversal from the optimism of the State of the MTA address, was largely due to a sharp drop in taxes from real estate transactions.
A Green Procurement bill is being considered Nassau County Legislature that would require the County to purchase eco-friendly products and adhere to practices that would reduce the amount of toxins in our environment and protect public health. Featured in the New York League of Conservation Voters newsletter “Eco-Politics Daily,” the new legislation would set up a committee that would use existing guidelines and standards, including but not limited to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s, to implement the bill. According to the NYLCV, many local governments are taking similar strides around the country and seeing a range of positive results. While Nassau County already uses nontoxic cleaning products in public buildings, this new bill would make significant contributions towards reducing the County’s impact on the environment and the general health and well being of its communities. 
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Rocky Point To Show "High Cost of Low Price" Film to Protest Wal-Mart Proposal
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.
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. Guest Editorial - Time to Take REsponsibility for the Future of Our Long Island Community
"Long Island’s regional sense of community identity revolves around the waters that surround us. One of the most universally recognized icons of Long Island’s waters is Jones Beach. Jones Beach is the pride of Long Island. Its vast expanse, natural beauty, scenic vistas, recreational amenities featuring a major outdoor amphitheater venue (including catering operation) now known as the Nikon Theatre at Jones Beach, public access, and proximity to the region’s population make Jones Beach a unique Long Island treasure.
The results to date have been representative of other Long Island land use and policy matters. That is, there has been litigation and threats of more and more litigation to come. Hearings have been scheduled, rescheduled, moved, and rescheduled again. Economic development, environmental, historic preservation, business, and civic interests have weighed in. Substantial resources have been committed to and invested in this scrum. Prospects indicate that more resources will continue to be poured into this dispute. All of this coming when the state and the region are falling closer towards daunting fiscal challenges. Rather than painfully revisiting the drama to date, it is time for Long Island and its leaders in New York State to transform the discord into dialogue. Beneath the roar of the waves there are some valuable and important interests to be examined and addressed. These interests have more in common than the disparate publicly declared positions of various parties would suggest. For example, everyone wants a safe and reliable building. To accept less would endanger human lives, undermine the beach, and be financially unsound. Second, the more harmoniously the new building and redevelopment site fit within Jones Beach’s natural beauty and National Register of Historic Places ambiance and character, the more attractive and lasting its appeal. Appropriate building scale and architectural vernacular could actually greatly enhance Jones Beach. Fourth, enlightened construction methods and materials would protect the Jones Beach environs and wildlife, and serve as a model for smart development. Fifth, other emergency services and even financial considerations should be resolvable especially with the experience of the Jones Beach Theatre where 14,000 Long Islanders often and safely convene in the summer for some of the area’s best live musical entertainment. Here is a suggested path to build consensus on a vision for addressing the cultural, educational, environmental, economic and safety considerations. This would allow resources to be reallocated to protection and enhancement of this Long Island treasure: - State appointment of independent facilitator (or up to three person panel) to review, with appropriate federal, state and local agencies, existing agreements, approvals, and process to date. - Identify all remaining approvals and procedural requirements, including, as appropriate, those under the State Environmental Quality Review Act or SEQRA. - Synthesize concerns to date and incorporate review and potential mitigation or project enhancements into relevant approvals and overall SEQRA process (if not already undertaken). - Encourage intergovernmental cooperation and coordination through coordinated SEQRA review. - Look to integrate further opportunities for public access to the facility for regular small scale events or programs (i.e., on the history of Jones Beach, native wildlife, Long Island’s coastal ecology). This could provide an unprecedented opportunity for the developer/operator to work collaboratively to bring together our Long Island community. - Assess the possibility of facilitator conducting informal consensus building or mediation to constructively resolve remaining legitimate concerns and help steward the process. Let us, as a community, seize upon this as a chance to take responsibility to preserve and enhance Long Island’s landmark treasure – Jones Beach." More Trouble for Trump On the Ocean
Donald Trump and partner Steve Carl are seeking approval of the basement variance and $500 million in damages in the Supreme Court in Garden City and the Court of Claims in Albany. As quoted in Newsday on March 25th, Mr. Trump also accused state officials of misleading him, "They gave us a long-term lease and then they failed to honor it when a new administration came in," Trump said. "And after ... five years of studying the basement, they said 'you can't build a basement.'" According to Bill Bleyer’s article in Newsday, the litigation is also asking the court to prohibit the parks department from declaring the developers in default if they don’t complete construction by June 2010, as required by the lease. |
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.
“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.”
Editor's note: This editorial was written by James F. Gesualdi, Esq., a member of the American Planning Association and American Institute of Certified Planners
In recent months, the storied heritage of Jones Beach, and the potential future redevelopment of the long-time Boardwalk restaurant and catering facility, have generated an intense, muddled, and sometimes seemingly counterproductive public discourse. At the center of this situation is the proposed world-class high-end catering facility. The facility is to be constructed, operated, and maintained by a private entity awarded the contract/lease to do same by New York State in its capacity as owner of Jones Beach State Park. Questions abound as to how the matter has progressed to the point where today, a narrow, technical, flood protection related building matter has become the first, and perhaps not the last, flashpoint for project opponents.
Donald Trump has lived up to his promises of suing over the delays of his “Trump On the Ocean” catering hall. Two lawsuits were filed on Monday against the state Department of State and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. |
Civic Group Looks to Hempstead Community to help Rename Handball Courts at High School
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
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
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. |
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 
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.
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.
Long Island Progressive Coalition Celebrating 29th Anniversary on March 29th
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. RPA to Hold 18th Annual Regional Assembly on April 18th
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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.
The Regional Plan Association has launched a 
Take A Look In A Book...
Featured on National Public Radio (NPR) this week was a stellar review of James Howard Kunstler’s new work of fiction, “World Made By Hand.” While Mr. Kunstler began writing in fiction, he is largely known for his social commentaries that criticize poor suburban planning, the American landscape of sprawl, and the country’s dangerous dependence on oil. However, his return to fiction brings a reversal of the usual scenario of America’s demise. Hear the complete review at www.npr.org from “All Things Considered.” Just for fun, view Kunstler’s website for his quirky film reviews, monthly “eyesores,” and many more fun distractions from your workday! Port Jefferson Station To Hold Blood Drive March 29th
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. |
If you are looking to stay in this weekend, why not read a book by one of the most outspoken opponents of sprawl? 
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.
Peeps on the Metro In closing this week and in celebration of spring, we hope you enjoy a short video we found on YouTube about using public transportation and featuring everyone's favorite marshmallow treats in our nation's capital!
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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: |
