Torch Passed for Land Use Law Reform
Last week Albany and Pace Law Schools concluded their role as educators and leaders of an effort build consensus for land use law reform in NY State. For five years, the schools have hosted conferences and meetings to bring land use issues to the forefront among planners, local governments, agency representatives, environmentalists, developers, academics and others. Now, they say, it is time to pass the torch. After presenting several resolutions for reform at last week's Land Use Law Reform Conference, the institutions stepped back to let other groups take the reins. The two schools' effort on the issue has generated six law review articles, over a dozen land use law newsletters, and a mailing list of thousands. The schools have built a general consensus among disparate parties that New York's land use laws serve neither environmental protection nor economic growth, and need reform. Campaign member Environmental Advocates (EA) and the New York State Builders Association agreed to continue the process, and inject it with an advocacy orientation. They will convene a follow-up meeting next month. EA's Loretta Simon describes the change as "very positive" and says "good potential exists for participating groups to develop the structure for necessary land use law reform." Contact Environmental Advocates. 518-462-5526.
