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Suburban Plight Reaches Reuters
This review is being led by scholars and practitioners of Smart Growth and New Urbanism who are rethinking how they can meet these changing demands for housing. Home prices in the suburbs are falling while residences in city center are in ever increasing demand and value. A recent survey of 903 brokers affiliated with national real estate chain Coldwell Banker found that 80 percent of them said higher fuel costs are increasing their clients' desire to live in cities. In addition, young families who can’t afford the costs of the suburbs are increasingly choosing to raise their children in cities like New York contrary to the historical pattern. "People rejected cities for 30 years or so but now they're looking again," said John Norquist of Congress for the New Urbanism, an international group that, among other Smart Growth principles, promotes walkable development. "Parents recognize that there are good reasons to live in cities," Norquist said. "Walkability, convenience, not having to drive kids everywhere and gas prices at $4.50 a gallon will accelerate that." Read the complete article here. Neighborhood Network Gala Honors Ed Thompson
Congratulations to Mr. Thompson and to the Neighborhood Network for their hard work and dedication to Long Island and the environment. Suffolk County Breaks Ground on First "Green" Precinct
In a statement from the County, Executive Levy said, “in eighteen months, green will be the new blue for our police force,” Levy said. “This building will not simply provide the dedicated officers of our Fourth Precinct with a larger base; it will serve as an example of what Suffolk County can become.” Levy highlighted other energy efficient projects in Suffolk County such as a 40-kilowatt solar power system at the police headquarters and at the County’s Environmental and Interpretive Center. The H. Lee Dennison Building and facilities in Riverhead will also receive improvements in energy efficiency. Pine Barrens Society: Long Island is Failing on Open Space Preservation
The article states that a third of the remaining acres are located in Brookhaven, but a lack of funding for preservation continues to deter acquisitions. This past year, Brookhaven residents defeated the proposal for a Community Preservation Fund and Supervisor Brian Foley has not stressed this issue to the Town Board. The expansion of suburban sprawl further threatens the region’s remaining open spaces and farmland, though the recession may actually help to decrease the rate of new development in suburbia. In addition, overdevelopment would simultaneously destroy Long Island’s agriculture and the tourism industry that depends upon it. While land is cheap and suburban housing demand is low, we have the optimal opportunity to preserve open space and farmland on Long Island. “Right now, we can buy the land at fire sale prices we’ll never see again,” says Richard Amper. “If we do not catch up in 2008, it might be impossible to ever catch up.” |
News of the American suburban plight is reaching far and wide in the media circuit. Even Reuters has picked up a story out of New York about the changing real estate and quality of life demands of suburbanites. According to Helen Chernikoff’s article, “Suburbs Feel the Pinch as Fuel Prices Soar,” the “suburban idyll is under review” due to the impacts of suburbia on the environment and the wallet.
Nearly 100 of Long Island's most influential environmental leaders joined the Neighborhood Network on Thursday, June 26th at the Riverview Restaurant in Oakdale to honor Ed Thompson for his ongoing leadership. Following a networking cocktail hour overlooking the beautiful Great South Bay, the environmentally-friendly meal accompanied a ceremony that highlighted the work of the organization and of Mr. Thompson.
On Monday, July 7th, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy broke ground on a new, “green” Fourth Precinct. According to Henry E. Powderly II’s article in 
On July 1st, the Long Island Pine Barrens Society released their 2008 report on the region’s land preservation achievements entitled “Still On Course for Failure: A Renewed Call to Action on Land Preservation.” According to an article from July 4th by Diana Gallagher of |
LIRR Supports Vintage Group’s Mixed Use & Transit Oriented Development
Vision Long Island awarded the Vintage Group’s plan as the best "Mixed Use" project at the Smart Growth Awards on June 17th. Vision and continues to support this ambitious transit-oriented and mixed-use project. Proposed Route 39 Moratorium
Naturally, there would be a few projects that escape the moratorium, like the two workforce housing projects: Southampton Fairfield and Sandy Hollow Cove. Some of these actually further the consumption of open space such as the single family home permits that will continue. Freedman claims that there are also at least three proposals for planned development districts that fall in the proposed moratorium area as well as the typical suburban hamlet center. Before anyone panics, Town Supervisor Linda Kabot assures residents that they will continue to take public comments on the proposal until the next meeting on July 22nd. |
On Wednesday July 2, 2008, nearly 100 people gathered Riverhead in support of the Vintage Square Transit Oriented Development. The meeting was held at the Suffolk Community College Culinary Institute in downtown Riverhead and included business and civic leaders from across Suffolk County and Riverhead Town, seven labor unions, and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, representing over 60,000 workers.
Attending the landmark meeting were the offices of elected officials Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Tim Bishop, NY State Senator Ken LaValle, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, and Suffolk County Legislators Ed Romaine and Jay Schneiderman. Also present were NY State Assemblymen Marc Alessi, Executive Director of New York State Empire Development Corp. Andrea Lohneiss, Suffolk County Commissioner of Economic Development Patrick "Skip" Heaney, and Suffolk County Department of Public Works Deputy Commissioner Tom LaGuardia. Additionally, there were four members of the Riverhead Town Board, Councilwoman Barbara Blass, Councilman John Dunleavy, Councilman James Wooten and Supervisor Phil Cardinale.
Most importantly, LIRR president Helena Williams and members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Strategic Initiatives Division pledged their support to the Vintage Group. According to a press release from the Vintage Group, after a presentation detailing the transportation aspects for the revitalization of the corridor and projections for reducing air pollutants on the North Fork through intermodal mass transit, LIRR president Helena Williams promised to join with the Vintage Group to do everything possible to make the Vintage Square Transit Oriented Development a reality for the Town of Riverhead. 
Officials in the Town of Southampton have proposed a year-long moratorium on new construction along County Route 39 from Shinnecock Hills to Water Mill in response to fears that this commercial highway will be completely built up before due consideration is given to future development and preservation. According to Mitchell Freedman’s article, “|
Capitol Hill Hearing on Climate, Energy, and Smart Growth You can download all of the testimonies here, including Steve Winkelman's. Their concrete policy recommendations:
Check in with Smart Growth America blog on a regular basis for some quotes and other updates from this exciting hearing.
Call for Comments: NYS DOT Launches Smart Growth Website
"Governor David Paterson has made smart growth an integral part of government planning, and NYSDOT's new Web site supports this vision by providing useful, practical information to help local decision makers." Vision Long Island endeavored to move NYS DOT Long Island’s office (Region 10) towards Smart Growth transportation policies and design on Long Island. In an attempt to correct years of indifference to Smart Growth and sprawl supportive transportation decisions, Region 10 is turning over a new leaf. Prompted by the Governor and Commissioner Glynn’s initiative, several meetings have been held this year with representatives, engineers and planners from DOT Region 10. Vision is optimistic about working with DOT Region 10 on Smart Growth programs in the future.
Check out the NYSDOT Smart Growth website at: nysdot.gov/smartplanning and please submit comments to our office at info@visionlongisland.org. |
The New York State Department of Transportation recently released their new “Smart Growth-Smart Planning” website, which will provide an introduction to Smart Growth principles, checklists for community planning, and development frameworks. The site is part of New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Glynn's Smart Growth Initiative to align the DOT’s transportation projects with the principles of Smart Growth and sustainable development. According to an article featured on 
"The State Department of Transportation is committed to helping communities better integrate their land use and transportation choices. This new Web site is an important step in that process," Commissioner Glynn said.
Lighthouse on Parade
Back Pack Pirates at Fire Island
For more information, along with a permission slip, please see the attachment. NSCH is also seeking volunteers to help with this event, including registration, clean up, etc., and collection of back-to-school supplies. NSCH is holding its annual “S.O.S: Supply Our Students” drive in connection with the Pirates event, and expect to collect enough supplies to provide additional items for children in shelters, foster care, and our member agencies. Start a school supplies collection at your office, house of worship or school! If you are interested in helping out with this event, please Greta Guarton, Associate Director of NSCH at 516-742-7700 x 15 or email gguarton@nsch.org or visit their website. |
On August 13th, the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless will have their 2nd Annual “Back Pack Pirates” event on Fire Island. In collaboration with Every Child’s Dream, it is a fun-filled day for children ages 8 – 15, complete with breakfast, lunch, a free t-shirt, pirate eye patch, bandana, and a range of activities from a ferry ride to Fire Island to a treasure hunt, music, and a theatrical performance. The event is limited to 500 children so please register before the deadline of August 1. 
LIPC Seeking Affordable Housing Organizer
The Community Organizer’s primary responsibilities include identifying and building relationships with local leaders, working with the faith-based community, and developing local activists and leaders. The position will also entail organizing and strategizing for campaigns, actions, mobilizations, media coverage, and other activities. Prior experience in community organizing, as a volunteer or employed, is necessary. The position also calls for creative approaches to problem-solving, including analytic, strategic, and planning skills. It requires the ability to travel, including having a reliable car, to work evenings and weekends, and effective public speaking skills. Please send a resume, cover letter and a writing sample to: Erin Curtin, LIPC, 90 Pennsylvania Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758 or fax your materials to: 516-541-2113 or email erin@lipc.org. Services Available: Help Around the House Once a Vision Board Member, Carol Eckert is now a pioneering “handygal” offering her skills and services in home improvement to the greater Huntington Area, Fort Salonga, and Kings Park. “Help around the House” is a cross between “Take Home Handyman” and “Toolbelt Diva.” She offers help completing to-do lists, gardening, redecorating, organizing, home vacation watch, and any other little jobs that you may need help with around the house. For more information on this entrepreneur and her business, check out her website. |
The Long Island Housing Partnership is looking for an experienced community organizer to focus on Affordable Housing in the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Campaign. |
Freeport Memories
A reception will be held on July 12th from 9:30am to 11:30am, where members of the public can share their historical relics with the community. For more information and directions to the library, visit their website. Great South Bay Music Festival
The festival will be held at Shorefront Park on Rider Avenue and Smith Street July 11th from 4pm-11pm, July 12th from noon-11pm, and July 13th from noon-9:30pm. All day tickets are only $15! For more information call 631-331-0808 or visit their website for a complete schedule of events. |
From July 1st to July 31st, the Freeport Memorial Library and the Freeport Historical Society will present an exhibit of photographs of houses, events, and people from historic Freeport. 
"My uncle used to say we like people for their qualities but we love them for their defects." - John Meyers, Hellboy |
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: |
