Honor Vision Long Island Anniversary

2018 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations which are dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural resources of New York, recognizing the role all citizens have in protecting the environment and the quality of life in this Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Vision Long Island upon the occasion of its 20th Anniversary to be celebrated at a Party on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York; and WHEREAS, For 20 years, Vision Long Island has strived to promote more livable, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible growth on Long Island through Smart Growth, which focuses on infill re-development and open space preservation; and WHEREAS, Smart Growth supports mixed-use, mixed-income communities which are convenient, attractive, pedestrian-friendly, and make affordable housing and public transportation both desirable and realistic; and WHEREAS, For the last two decades, Vision Long Island has counseled downtown villages and towns, and has served as a valuable resource for the county, state, and federal governments, as well as the business and civic community on downtown revitalization, planning and infrastructure; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, Vision Long Island has made over 2,000 presentations, performed over 20 community visionings, and advanced more than 100 public and private planning projects towards implementing the goals of the Island; and WHEREAS, Some of these goals include securing redevelopment and infrastructure investments for Long Island's downtowns; comprehensive planning involving all stakeholders to yield consensus-based visions addressing long- and short-term needs of communities and the region as a whole; land use decisions which incorporate economic development considerations, compact development which is pedestrian-friendly, reduces automobile dependency and is focused around existing or newly designated transportation centers; and zoning codes, land-use regulations and street design standards which enable and provide adequate incentives to facilitate Smart Growth development; as well as promotion of downtown business districts and other community driven programs and to strengthen great places; and WHEREAS, The success of Vision Long Island is in direct correlation to the efforts of its Director Eric Alexander, his staff, and the Board of Directors whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud the efforts of organizations such as Vision Long Island which are dedicated to educating the public about the advantages and facts of the Smart Growth movement, and envision a more economically sustainable and environmentally responsible future; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Vision Long Island upon the occasion of celebrating its 20th Anniversary on February 15, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Eric Alexander, Director, Vision Long Island.