Sprawl: New York

NEW YORK

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign is an alliance of public interest, transit advocacy, planning and environmental organizations working, in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metropolitan region, "to reverse deepening automobile dependence and sprawl development by revitalizing and extending public transit and rail freight systems, reining in highway expansion and providing for foot and bicycle travel in transportation plans and projects."

Scenic Hudson is an organization that works with communities along the Hudson River on environmental and land use issues. In addition to acting as a land trust, Scenic Hudson stresses preserving the character of riverfront communities.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Hudson River Valley as one of America's 11 most endangered historic places in its year 2000 Report. According to the National Trust:

"This region is experiencing an onslaught of development that could devastate the character of its towns and spoil the setting of some of its most significant historic sites. At least seven -- and possibly as many as 12 -- power plants are being proposed for the valley. One of them, slated to be the largest gas-fired facility of its kind in the United States, would cast a pall over revitalization efforts currently under way in the picturesque village of Athens and mar the view from Olana, the home of famed 19th-century artist Frederic Church.

Factories and commercial sprawl projects on the drawing board would have an equally devastating impact elsewhere in the valley. In the village of Hyde Park, for instance, a big-box retail development is proposed for a site directly across from the entrance to the home and library of President Franklin D. Roosevelt."

Vision Huntington is a citizen organization addressing sprawl and growth issues facing the Town of Huntington on Long Island. Among the group's objectives:

To encourage comprehensive land use planning that is consistent with the needs of the local community, adjacent communities, and the region as a whole.
To encourage land use that links economic development decisions to environmental and quality of life issues and protect the property values of its residents.
To encourage compact development that is pedestrian-friendly, reduces automobile dependency, provides transportation alternatives, and is focused around existing or newly designed transportation centers.

Farmland for sale in Town of Seneca, New York. This farmland is close to a Walmart, 84 Lumber, and several car dealerships, along the 5 & 20 corrdior (designated as a historic landmark in New York, but under the threat of strip development).


Photos by Shawna E. Armitage, Ontario County (NY) Dept. of Planning & Research. Posted by permission.

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Do you know of a state or local program we haven't listed that fights sprawl? If so, please e-mail us the information at: editor@plannersweb.com, and we'll include it here.