Urban planning can be alot like fashion: what was once old is now new, again.

Transit Villages are designed to build shops, housing, and offices together in areas that are well served by public transportation, much like older downtown districts. An alternative planning approach which avoids urban sprawl, transit villages uses past experiences building towns and cities before automobiles created the suburbs we know today.

The updated transit village version, moderate- to higher-density development is directed to areas within an easy walk of public transportation with special attention is given to the needs of pedestrians.

The main benefits of transit villages stem from more efficient land use and more compact building. Building up uses far less land than building out and allows for growth without using open space. Building more compactly means there are more destinations at each transit stop within easy walking distance. As a result transit can run more frequently and thus be more convenient for more people.

This LoHud story talks about using the transit village concept to incorporate some of the ideas mentioned in the Riverspace Downtown project, especially as it pertains to increased density and a friendly pedestian enironment.

Sources: Sierra Club, NJDOT, Federal Highway Administration (Bay Area Fruitvale Transit Village Project

Many households generate more recyclables than general trash. The Village of Nyack is great at carting away trash, but has hired out recyclables to Miele Sanitation, a New Jersey firm which only does it twice a month. That can be a drag if you miss the day and have to go 4-5 weeks without pickup. Continue reading →

If we only knew how dangerous thermometers were when we were young!

If you still have an old-style thermometer, you can get a free one from Rockland County by turning in yours in. More info at www.rocklandrecycles.com/authority/thermometer.html.

With the price of gas, who can afford to run a motor boat? I look around at all those motor boats still under wraps at the Marinas and think I am so glad I never got into motor boating. Continue reading →

Orange & Rockland Utilities say they have completed the first phase of cleanup at an old manufactured-gas plant site on Gedney Street in Nyack. According to O&R spokesman Mike Donovan, the land portion of the  cleanup operation was finished last September. The utility will look for possible shoreline contaminations with a followup investigation this spring. O&R has spent $14 million on the cleanup so far.

The Gedney Street facility, which operated from 1852 until 1965, is one of over 1,500 manufactured-gas plants that burned coal or petroleum to  light and heat the homes and businesses. The  process created coal tar and other byproduct contaminants that can cause cancer. The plants became obsolete in the 50’s when natural gas pipelnes were constructed.

According to O&R, the Gedney Street facility made gas from coal and oil from 1852 until 1889. The plant used both coal and oil as feedstock for the carbureted water gas process from 1890 until 1938. It served as a oil gas facility providing “peak shaving” after 1938 used only during times of peak demand.

Sources: Journal News, May 5, Orange and Rockland

Today’s Journal News reports failing grades for air quality for counties in the lower Hudson Valley, and notes that Rockland is the only county in the area that does not have an air quality monitoring station. Continue reading →

In November of 2007, Nyack hired Dean Dykeman to conduct a tree inspection for village’s 300+ trees. (see PDF Report)

The contract was for only $3,000 so it was a “drive-by” visual inspection with no measuring, borings, etc.

The report suggested removing about 20 trees and dozens in dire need of pruning.

The report suggest the Village needs a tree management plan including:

• Annual Inspection of all village trees
• Development of a tree removal and replanting program
• An annual budget for tree care
• Designation of a certified arborist to help manage the village trees

Click to Enlarge

Ever wonder how to get rid of your pile of batteries, your old paint cans, computer, oil, etc.? Rockland County has a facility to take all your old electronics and nasty substances.

It’s located on Firemen’s Memorial Drive in Pomona, right off of Exit 12 of the Palisades. Click on the image to view details on what items are accepted and times the facility is open.

Nyack will have many events from Earth Day on April 22 to the big day on Saturday, April 26 with a community cleanup and parade. See more information HERE.

A Family Utility, Up on the Roof

Published in the NY Times: March 26, 2008

WITH the price of oil at historical highs and concerns about energy security and global warming intensifying, many people are looking for ways to make a personal contribution to cutting oil imports and shrinking carbon emissions.

In mid-2004, the Roth-Irwin family of Nyack, N.Y., decided to do something. The first step was easy. They responded to an ad in the local newspaper placed by ISI Solar, also of Nyack, which sells and installs commercial and residential solar power systems.

Full story at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/business/businessspecial2/26nyack.html?_r=1&ref=businessspecial2&oref=slogin