EDITORIAL: A Model Development: Greenport Wisely Mixes Land Uses

By Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

Mar. 16–Leadership, intelligence and a clear vision for Long Island’s sensible and sustainable development. Those traits — and the ability to create a consensus for change — are what Greenport Mayor David Kapell has demonstrated in winning approval of a project that will create a complex of affordable housing and small local industry on 2 acres of prime waterfront land in his North Fork village.

All too often, those are scarce qualities in other villages and towns confronting proposals to break tired and counterproductive patterns of development. The Town of Oyster Bay recently chose to default to the status quo by turning away an ambitious plan in the Plainview-Old Bethpage area that would have combined commercial development with new housing.

In Greenport, Kapell — who will leave office next month — was able to mediate a two-decade dispute over the disposition of the old Shelter Island Oyster Co. property. It could easily have become just another luxury apartment project. Instead, after navigating the shoals of village agencies and neighborhood groups, Kapell landed a deal for the construction of a yacht dealership, a sea-scallop freezing operation to serve local fishing fleets and 17 apartments that will be sold only to Greenport residents at affordable prices. A covenant will prevent those apartments from being resold as luxury housing.

The complex will bring jobs and provide housing at reasonable prices by creating acceptable density. It’s a formula that needs to be replicated elsewhere on the Island.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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