Legislation
Reducing Sprawl along Middle Country Road Corridor
Kepert Sponsors Series of Upzonings
In order to accomplish our goals of decreasing congestion, while enhancing safety and preserving important parcels of open space, the
Middle Country Road Plan balanced the creation of two pedestrian oriented village centers through a series of upzonings. Preliminary
calculations demonstrate that these upzonings will result in an impressive reduction in sprawl and strip commercial development, while creating vibrant, pedestrian friendly mixed use centers. These changes of zone will result in over 1,200 less housing units being built along he corridor, and over one million square feet less commercial space.
“These important changes will result in a safer, less congested Middle Country Road, and the end of the proliferation of seemingly
endless strip stores lining our main streets,” stated Councilwoman Kepert.
Reducing Sprawl along Middle Country Road Corridor
The Middle Country Road rezonings took that one step further by moving forward a major effort to transform
communities characterized by strip commercial development, and big box stores separated by the street by seas of asphalt.
During the last fifty years our zoning codes have encouraged sprawl. Suburban Sprawl is by definition the spreading out of development. “Due to these development patterns we are choking on traffic, have no identifiable community centers, and we need to get in our cars to fulfill even the simplest need such as getting a loaf of bread,” stated Councilwoman Kepert.
In 2002 the Middle Island Civic and the Longwood Alliance along with the Town of Brookhaven sponsored a visioning or inclusive planning process. At a series of community meetings the community outlined their goals for the future of their community.
“The people of Middle Island and Coram stated that they wanted to stop the destruction of our sensitive lands, replace NYS most deadly
roadway with a safe, effective streetscape, which decreases curb cuts, conflict points, and congestion, create a downtown with public spaces, shops, and houses, a town similar to the traditional towns on L.I. Port Jeff, Northport, Bellport etc. A town with some sort of sense of identity. These rezonings will enable us to transform the community’s vision into a reality,” stated Kepert.
Upzoings:
Coram -
253.61 acres rezoned
42.48 acres in private ownership
22.84 acres to residential Upzonings Privately held = 65.32
Middle Island -
379.53 acres rezoned
187.48 acres in private ownership
61.78 acres to residential Upzonings Privately held = 249.26
Ridge -
1274.42 acres rezoned
589.33 acres in private ownership (includes AVR)
149.42 acres to residential Upzonings Privately held = 738.75
Total privately held upzonings = 1053.33
total rezoned= 1907.56
Acquired Parcels:
So far there have been approximately 190 acres preserved. Approximately 284 more acres are in the process of being acquired.
