Listen to this articleIn Brief:
- Over 17,000 units of TOD and affordable housing approved locally
- State-level zoning proposals spark local anti-development backlash
- Inflation and media-fueled distrust add to community resistance
- Smart Growth Awards spotlight successful local-led projects
- Residents urged to join “Planned Locally” community effort
Getting consensus for redevelopment proposals in Long Island communities has never been easy. Up until the last few years though, themes had emerged: Plan locally, build in downtowns around train stations, work with the community, provide public benefits, preserve as much open space as possible and find opportunities with government subsidy to build needed affordable housing. Over 17,000 units of downtown, transit-oriented development and affordable housing have been approved with community support based on years of local planning in nearly 50 communities across Long Island with this mindset. For nearly 10 years, we had won over 80% of the public hearings for these types of projects.
Some in Albany, New York State and regional interests from New York City have spent the last five years seeking to overrule local zoning and shift that power and decision making to the state level.
These proposals have not been successful, but the efforts of over 200 Long Island elected officials opposing them have built more anti-development sentiment in towns and villages across the Island. During this period, TOD and downtown projects were only approved 40% of the time. It won’t get any better if the issue of Albany control of housing continues to be on campaign attack ads and mailers over the next two years of elections.
Well-intended—but misguided—housing policies aren’t the only factor in the recent anti-development backlash. Generally, toxic politics stemming from federal, state and regional discourse fueled daily by national media helps sow the divisiveness. Social media hysteria from people—who often don’t live in the community of the project proposed—helps accelerate misinformation which plaques development projects as well.
The general mood of the public doesn’t help. Multiple years of inflation and high cost of everything impact lower-income, working- and middle-class folks to the point where they can’t afford to live their lives.
A society that rewards the absolute worst values in people, particularly amongst the elite—narcissism, greed and those who seek to control their communities—doesn’t help matters as well. In general, folks feel the wealthy and powerful get rewarded, and regular citizens have to deal with the impacts.
The good news is you can still build trust on the local level through bringing resources and “planning local” with municipal officials, civics, chambers, school districts, fire departments and other community organizations. Long Island remains a community of communities that works best when funding and incentives are directed to do creative things.
For the last 24 years, the LI Smart Growth Awards has put a spotlight on the best of our local leaders and projects that help rebuild trust in our communities.
The passage of the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act was approved by voters thanks to local community support and the leadership of Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Suffolk Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey and the members of the legislature. This program will fund sewers and wastewater treatment systems in many Suffolk downtowns and communities.
TOD and downtown revitalization projects were approved in the Village of Mineola, Bay Shore, Village of Lynbrook, Village of Port Jefferson, Village of Patchogue, the Village of Babylon, and Islip.
Affordable housing developments were spotlighted in the Village of Rockville Centre, Central Islip and the work of the resident-led Uniondale Community Land Trust. Mixed-use planning projects will transform communities in Mastic Beach, Port Jefferson at Lawrence Aviation and Huntington Station.
Pedestrian safety and community enhancing programs were awarded for a streetscape project in Hicksville, a sign, light and awning program for local businesses in the Village of Farmingdale and a Greenway trail in Setauket. The work of the people behind these projects gives us hope that on the local level we have the skills, temperament, judgement, innovation and leadership to work together and rebuild trust that is often lacking in public life.
We have an opportunity to not just be a spectator to this good work but lend a hand in your own community where you live or work. Join the “Planned Locally” campaign if you are interested by sending an email to: [email protected].
Eric Alexander is the director of Vision Long Island and founder of the LI Main Street Alliance.
