New York is Developing Sustainable Communities

The State of New York is showing a strong commitment to promoting smart growth with the initiation of new grant programs.

Last month, NY Governor David A. Paterson and DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis announced Smart Growth Grants for Adirondack Park communities to help them develop plans that link together the concepts of sustainable development, environmental protection, and community livability. A total of $1 million was awarded to 18 projects. 

The grant program had an overwhelming response, which demonstrates how well suited smart growth initiatives can be for rural communities such as those within the Adirondack Park. Smart growth does not mean "no growth." In areas undergoing rapid development, or areas in need of an economic boost while protecting natural resources and maintaining cultural heritage, smart growth policies can help protect the interests of town residents while allowing needed economic growth. Smart growth can be useful in addressing land-use issues facing rural communities such as workforce housing, aging infrastructure, water quality, economic development, open space protection and village/hamlet revitalization. The 2007-08 New York Environmental Protection Fund included $2 million in grants to promote smart growth initiatives; $1 million was earmarked for the Adirondacks, the rest will go to communities in other areas of the state. http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/42847.html 

The NYS DEC is currently soliciting Smart Growth Grant applications from towns, villages, and not-for-profit organizations located along the Route 28 corridor of the Central Catskill Park/Mountains. DEC seeks proposals for capital projects which protect the region's natural resources and accommodate economic growth by revitalizing existing village, hamlet and town centers located wholly within the program area. Applications must be postmarked by June 20. http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/37874.html 

F. X. Browne, Inc. assisted the Town of Brighton in obtaining an Adirondack Smart Growth grant. We will be developing a smart growth plan in order to assess the town's existing and projected land use, to build awareness of cooperative opportunities between local businesses, and to determine ways to improve the economic development in the town by maximizing the natural, cultural, historical, and creative resources and providing economically feasible housing and business services. For more information about smart growth, comprehensive planning, low-impact development, and other municipal planning concerns, contact F. X. Browne, Inc. at info@fxbrowne.com.