Governor Hochul has included in her proposed New York State Budget a “Housing Compact Plan” that could dramatically impact local communities, including Floral Park.

Overview of Proposal

• Included in the Governor’s budget is a proposal that all municipalities increase their housing units by 3% every 3 years.
• If this 3% growth threshold is not met, if a local Zoning Board turns down a developer’s application for a new housing project, then the State can overrule the local Zoning Board.
• Focus is around areas serviced by MTA. Municipalities must increase housing unit density to 50 units per acre within 1/2-mile radius of train stations. Just for comparison, currently there are approximately 10 units per acre with our existing 100’ x 40’ properties.
• 1/2-mile radius would encompass all of West End and a large portion of Southside.
• Rationale is to meet “housing crisis in NY where jobs outnumber units.”

Issues/Impacts

• How can infrastructure, including but not limited to sewers, water, roads, etc., handle 5 times as many residents?
• How can existing schools handle increased population?
• How can existing emergency services be maintained?
• How will local communities accommodate increased parking/traffic?
• What about the maintenance and creation of open space?  There is minimal open space in western Nassau County currently.
• Why is a “one size fits all” proposal appropriate, with minimal exceptions for communities like Floral Park that have incorporated many “smart growth” principles in its zoning regulations for decades?
• Many other impacts and unintended consequences of this proposal need to be analyzed and studied, instead of rushed through for approval during the budget process.

Mayor/Board Recent Actions (within the last week since NYS Budget Announcement)

• Mayor spoke with Governor’s Long Island representative.
• Mayor attended press conference with NYS Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick/Martins/Rhoads, Assemblyman Ra, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor DeSena, along with 20 Mayors and Trustees from villages in Nassau.
• Mayor spoke with Assemblywoman Solages at length.
• Deputy Mayor Pombonyo held a discussion with a member of the FPBSD Board of Education to alert them to this proposal.
• Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA) has taken a firm stance in opposition to the Governor’s proposal.
• Nassau County Legislators Nicolello and Giuffre, along with Town of Hempstead Supervisor Clavin have sent emails and/or flyers out opposing the plan.

Actions for Residents

Call/Email local elected officials to let them know this is not acceptable.  Most importantly, let the Governor know that you oppose this idea.  A summary statement could be as follows

“Floral Park for decades, including recently, has engaged in smart, well thought out growth and housing development plans that continue to allow existing and new residents to enjoy a suburban quality of life. All of these projects were approved by local homeowners/taxpayers through their service as appointed members of our local Zoning Board.  The Governor’s Housing Compact Proposal must be removed from the budget to ensure local control of how communities continue to exist, as they have successfully for the past 100 years.

Contacts

Title & Name	Street	City, NY & Zip	Email	Local Tel
Governor Kathy Hochul	NYS State Capitol Building	Albany, NY 12224		518-474-8390
Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick	55 Front Street-Suite 1	Rockville Centre, NY 11570	[email protected]	516-766-8383
Senator Jack M. Martins	Legislative Office Building Room 608	Albany, NY 12247	[email protected]	516-922-1811
Assemblyman Edward P. Ra	825 East Gate Boulevard-Suite 207	Garden City, NY 11530	[email protected]	516-535-4095
Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages	1690 Central Court	Valley Stream, NY 11580	[email protected]	516-599-2972

Map of Floral Park with ½ Mile Radius Circles from Train Stations