The North Shore Heritage Area Planning Process

1998 - STATE LEGISLATION

New York State Legislature initiates the creation of the Long Island North Shore Heritage Area. The initial concept is for the area to begin at Great Neck on the west and extend to Port Jefferson.

1999 - PLANNING COMMISSION ESTABLISHED

The North Shore Heritage Area Planning Commission, with appointments made by the Governor, State Senate, State Assembly, and Nassau and Suffolk Counties, meets for the first time. The Commission's main purpose is the development of a Management Plan. Sub-committees within the Commission are formed to determine the boundary of the Heritage Area, and to conduct public outreach.

2000 - BOUNDARY EXPANDED

New York State Legislature expands boundaries of the Heritage Areas to include all of Long Island's North Shore, from the western border of Nassau County to Orient Point - 65 municipalities. State legislation passes expanding the boundary and adds seats to the Planning Commission to represent the additional communities.

2003-2006 - MANAGEMENT PLAN & PUBLIC PROCESS

The Planning Commission hires consultant peter j. smith & company to prepare a Management Plan for the Heritage Area. The process features an extensive public involvement component, including:

• Eighteen Public Workshops conducted in seven Heritage Area towns - North Hempstead, Glen Cove, Huntington, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Riverhead, and Southold.
• Four issue-oriented focus groups, exploring interpretive themes, and environmental, transportation, and tourism issues. These were attended by civic leaders involved in the focus group topics.
• A special meeting for policy makers and planners.
• All meetings of the Planning Commission are open to the public and include a public comment period.

2003-2006 - STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW (SEQR)

With the Management Plan a Type I action under SEQR, the Planning Commission conducts an environmental review. The process is used to expand public involvement in the Plan. SEQR public hearings are held on February 2, 2005. Parts of the Plan are amended in response to public comments. FGEIS completed and filed April 6, 2006. Findings Statement completed October 11, 2006.

2005-2006 - MANAGEMENT PLAN APPROVAL

The Planning Commission requests approval of the Management Plan from the municipalities within the Heritage Area. The Plan is submitted for approval to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in the fall of October 2006 and approved on December 8, 2006.