by Doug Greene
Upstate planners live and work in a region that's been challenged by loss of jobs, an antiquated system of local government, political discord, unfair distribution of state funding, and a migration of young people moving out. We have been watching and waiting for the State of New York to find the resolve, courage and determination to formulate a progressive and implementable Smart Growth Program.
This year the Smart Growth Cabinet has made progress in adopting specific policies that begin to address economic development, environmental and equity issues -- the building blocks of sustainability. The Upstate American Planning Association applauds these efforts, and we also support the Cabinet's initiatives such as:
- Transit Oriented Design
- Public Transportation
- Tax Increment Financing
- State Infrastructure Funding
- Live Where You Work Incentive
- Increased Historic Preservation Tax Credits
- Community Preservation Act
- Age Integrated Housing
These are important steps and need to be implemented by the New York Legislature as soon as possible to start reversing a long trend of poor planning. The Upstate APA wants to extend a challenge to everyone -- legislators, the business community, and all citizens alike -- to make our State great again.
There are many other issues, however, that need to be considered, evaluated and addressed to constitute a complete Smart Growth program. Here are some other important points:
- Effect of the current system of local government.
- Unchecked government spending and excessive tax rates.
- Improving the knowledge base of legislators and generating the political will to embrace Smart Growth.
- Re-evaluating the current State Planning Law and creation of a strong State Planning Department.
- The Smart Growth Cabinet should include the State Education Department in its consideration and discussions of Smart Growth related infrastructure.
Issue 1: The Current System of Local Government undermines the ability of the State to implement a Smart Growth Program. There is a long held resistance by municipalities to change a system of local governance that was created more than 200 years ago. The myriad number of governments, authorities and boards create inefficiencies and difficulty in communicating and coordinating with other municipalities, counties and the state. This redundancy is partly to blame for the high tax rates in our state. The State needs to acknowledge its authority and take the lead in establishing a balanced approach to consolidation of service, schools and governments while still respecting the integrity and character of communities.
Issue 2: High Taxes. The high tax rates in New York State create an unhealthy business climate and a huge burden on businesses, farmers and homeowners. This is too big a subject to address in a few words, but it needs a real effort that identifies ways to reduce taxes to New Yorkers that includes aggressive measures to make necessary changes.
Issue 3: Legislative Support of Smart Growth. Funding is a huge motivation for legislators at every level of government. The financial efficiencies of Smart Growth make more sense now than ever before, especially financially. Every level of government is strapped for funding and the principles of Smart Growth can have huge impact on how our limited government resources are used.
Issue 4: Creation of a State Planning Department. The Smart Growth Cabinet needs a home. A state-level Planning Department would create the manpower needed to implement a New York State Smart Growth Program. This entity would educate, assist and implement Smart Growth policies to the local municipalities that don't have the resources to make it happen.
Issue 5: Smart Growth for State Education Facilities. Current requirements for large format schools with their acres of parking and playing fields are sprawl inducing. Perhaps more importantly, the state of urban school districts is often very bad. City schools, in my opinion, are the number one reason that middle class families leave cities. Any successful discussion of Smart Growth and reducing sprawl must therefore include the participation of the State Education Department.
The 869 members of the Upstate APA are ready to help in any way our organization can to make Smart Growth happen in New York State.
(Doug Greene, AICP, RLA, is the Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Planning Association's New York Upstate Chapter)
