listen to this articleThe City of Glen Cove has been awarded $150,000 from New York State’s Smart Growth Community Planning Program, which aims to help promote walkable downtowns, small businesses, affordable housing, and more.
This funding is part of $3 million awarded to 15 communities. This program provides grants to communities to develop municipal and county-wide comprehensive plans, municipal zoning ordinances, targeted zoning plans, and zoning ordinances.
New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley said in a news release about the funding that “the State Department offers a powerful set of community planning and development programs that transform neighborhoods in every region of the state.” Ta.
“New York State is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence in community revitalization and economic development, fueled in part by these important programs,” he added. “We congratulate these communities for joining the wave of revitalization across the Empire State.”
Award-winning communities must be committed to incorporating smart growth principles into their planning and zoning. These principles include walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly streets. Compact multipurpose community design. Vibrant downtowns and other urban centers. A variety of housing options for all incomes, ages, and abilities. Safe and accessible public spaces. Ample parks and outdoor recreation opportunities. clean energy etc.
Glen Cove has received funding to achieve key goals in its recently adopted 2024 Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan with sustainability components. Modifications to zoning, land use, architectural, and environmental regulations implement the plan. The city plans to direct funding to encourage mixed-use redevelopments near train stations and the waterfront that are affordable to first-time homebuyers and seniors. Encourage the opening of new businesses, especially downtown. Making Glen Cove more sustainable and resilient.
Funding for this program is included in Round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The REDC process is designed to support regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet regional economic needs. Regional councils reviewed the program’s projects and provided scores that reflected how well the projects aligned with regional goals and strategies.
The award is funded through the state’s Environmental Protection Fund and is increasing from $300 million to $400 million in 2022. The Department of State provides matching grants on a competitive basis to eligible organizations through the Environmental Defense Fund.
