The consultants working with the Town of Shelter Island and its advisory committee have introduced a draft framework for the Comprehensive Plan Update — it’s the basis for the ultimate report of the year-long planning effort that will be delivered to the Town Board sometime in December.
The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee met Monday for a two-hour session that largely reviewed aspects of planning already underway (read our coverage of other aspects of the meeting here). A discussion of the proposed report framework took place near the end of the Zoom meeting. While the titles and chapter headings are subject to change, the layout gives an early indication of the plan:
Part I — Our Voice and Our Vision for Shelter Island
- Chapter 1 – The Power of Place and Community and the Shelter Island Vision and Values
- Special character of Shelter Island as a physical place and a human community
- Vision and Values
- Chapter 2 – Sources of the Visions and Values
- Brief summary of what the community said in the survey, SWOTCI, workshops, interviews, etc. (appendix to contain more detailed reports)
Part II — Our Community Works for Everyone
- Chapter 3 – Living on Shelter Island
- Residential character and neighborhoods
- Housing — size, cost, short- and long-term rentals; impacts on the community; options for managing housing issues, including affordability
- Chapter 4 – Working on Shelter Island
- Economic conditions and impacts on residents, character and town resources
- Options to strengthen the year-round economy for business and livelihoods, including Route 114, Town Center and villages*
- Options to support legacy industries (farming and fishing)
Part III – Our Green Systems Preserve and Improve our Ecosystem
- Chapter 5 – Preserving our Natural Heritage and Landscapes
- Strengthening stewardship of protected landscapes, and historic, cultural and scenic resources
- Options for targeted and coordinated conservation to protect and preserve the aquifer and healthy plant and wildlife habitat
- Connectivity of greenways, trails and recreation sites
- Chapter 6 – Investing in Sustainability and Green Practices
- Expand green landscape practices
- Climate change impacts and vulnerability — mitigation and adaptation
- Energy conservation and renewable energy (may be more suitable for Part IV)
Part IV – Sustainable Infrastructure Systems and Networks Connect Our Community
- Chapter 7 – Water and Wastewater Systems
- Secure safe drinking water for all
- Ensure safe and up-to-date wastewater systems
- Options for expanding public systems to additional areas on the Island, such as the Town Center
- Chapter 8 – Getting Around Town
- Safe and convenient waling and biking and other micromobiity options
- Alternatives to private vehicles, such as shuttles
- Chapter 9 – Town Facilities and Services
- Facility improvement needs
- Town-support services needs
- Private or nonprofit services
Part V – Shelter Island’s Future
- Chapter 10 – Land Use and Village* Design
- Future Land Use Map and recommendations for regulatory changes
- Concept plans/drawings for the Town Center/Villages*
- Chapter 11 – Governance and Implementation
- Options to enhance Town government accountability, transparency and efficiency
[*Editor’s note: The consultants use villages throughout their reports, but do not mean separate municipal entities — such as the incorporated Village of Dering Harbor]
Next steps
Edward Hindin, a member of the Shelter Island Planning Board who is serving as volunteer project manager for the Comprehensive Plan Update, says next steps include assigning CPAC members to serve on working groups to develop the sections of the plan as outlined in the framework.
In addition to the 12 volunteer CPAC members, Hindin is working closely with Town Councilmen Mike Bebon and Albert Dickson, who collectively make up the Comprehensive Plan Task Force, as well as with department heads from Town government. All serve in an advisory capacity to the elected Town Board, which has final say over the plan and has been closely following the proceedings.
If you have questions/comments about the Comprehensive Plan Update, direct them to cpu@shelterislandtown.us.
Learn more about the planning process in these Gazette posts.
