Smart Growth Principles

Scenic Hudson is a member of the Hudson Valley Smart Growth Alliance (HVSGA), a coalition working to build consensus on smart growth principles and promote local and regional solutions to sprawl.

The HVSGA is  a regional partnership of diverse interests including environmental, land conservation and economic development organizations, builders, realtors, tourism officials and planning agencies.

The goal of the HVSGA is to advocate for and facilitate the implementation of Smart Growth tools and techniques by decision-makers at the local and regional level that will promote economically feasible and environmentally sound development practices based on our guiding Smart Growth Principles.

One of the first actions the alliance took was to adopt a guiding set of Smart Growth Principles that encourage a comprehensive and balanced approach to future land conservation and development. All groups listed as Endorsing Organizations have agreed to promote the following set of 7 Smart Growth Principles.

Thinking Regionally, Acting Locally

Support local, community-based planning and land-use decisions while strengthening home rule with training programs for board members and voluntary regional coordination through the Hudson River Valley Greenway Compact.

Protecting Our Landscape Legacy

Adopt protection measures for farmlands, important open space, parks and critical natural and wildlife areas that create connected greenspace systems across municipal boundaries and through the region.

Building Close-Knit, Interconnected Communities

Encourage compact, mixed-use development patterns, in and around existing centers and in locally identified priority growth areas, linked to more cost-efficient infrastructure and public services.

Respecting the Past, Building for the Future

Ensure that new development is compatible with existing community character, preserves and rehabilitates historic buildings and districts, and creates enduring value through high quality design.

Making Connections More Convenient

Provide a wider variety of transportation choices, including walkable neighborhoods that can support public transit, to reduce auto dependency, traffic congestion and pollution and allow better access to jobs and services.

Giving Growth Back its Good Name

Promote economic development, including agriculture and tourism, employment opportunities and a full range of housing options that are consistent with smart growth principles and use green building techniques whenever possible.

Streamlining Without Sacrificing Quality

Make the development process more predictable, fair and cost-effective through updated community plans, codes and design guidelines; coordinated review processes; interagency cooperation; and incentives for smart growth practices.