Northport Village releases draft Comprehensive Plan, seeks public comment

The Village of Northport has released a draft of its new Comprehensive Plan, a long-term roadmap that will guide growth, development and community preservation in the Village for the next 10 to 20 years.

The draft plan is now available for public review on the Village website or in person at Village Hall. Residents, property owners, business owners and other interested parties are encouraged to review the document and submit comments by Friday, March 13, by emailing nptcomprehensiveplan@northportny.gov. 

What the plan does
A comprehensive plan sets priorities for land use, zoning, housing, environmental protection, infrastructure, transportation, recreation and economic development. It serves as the framework for future local laws, capital projects and grant applications.

The plan serves as a guide for answering four key questions: Where has Northport been? Where is it now? Where does it want to go? And how will it get there?

How the process began
The planning process began over the summer of 2023, when the Village board appointed a Comprehensive Plan Committee and retained planning firm Nelson, Pope & Voorhis to assist with research and drafting.

The committee reviewed demographic data, land use patterns, zoning regulations, housing trends, environmental conditions and more. It also incorporated findings from prior village, town and county planning studies.

Public input played a key role in the process as well. In spring 2024, the Village conducted a community survey that received 237 responses. A public workshop held on May 9, 2024 drew about 50 participants and provided feedback on topics such as housing, traffic, parks, environmental issues and the Village’s long-term vision.

The draft plan is now complete and going through public review. Revisions based on public input can be recommended by the committee. The Village board is required to hold a public hearing on the draft plan before it's formally adopted. 

Once adopted, the Comprehensive Plan will serve as the framework for all Village policies and land use regulations. 

Northport’s vision and goals
The draft plan describes Northport as a historic maritime village defined by its harbor, downtown, architecture, tree-lined streets and waterfront setting. “The quality of life in the Village is evidenced by the generations of families who call it home,” the vision statement reads. “The vision for the Village is to protect and preserve its intimate nautical atmosphere, excellent quality of life and community integrity while embracing future demographic needs.”

To achieve the vision statement, the draft plan includes eight planning topics with specific goals related to each topic. Each goal is further broken into objectives or action items to implement the goal.

The eight topics as listed in the plan include:

Housing: Protect existing neighborhoods while exploring opportunities for additional housing options that fit the Village’s scale and character.

Land Use and Zoning: Maintain established development patterns, allow limited small-scale growth and update zoning codes to reflect current needs without changing community character.

Historic and Scenic Resources: Protect historic buildings and scenic views and establish a historic preservation program.

Environmental Sustainability: Improve stormwater management, protect the harbor and waterfront, promote sustainable practices, and protect natural vegetation and biodiversity.

Infrastructure: Ensure roads, utilities and stormwater systems can meet current and future needs, including the impacts of climate change.

Traffic and Transportation: Improve pedestrian safety, promote a connected walking network, address traffic flow and parking congestion and support “complete streets” that serve all users.

Parks and Recreation: Maintain and upgrade parks and recreational facilities and improve accessibility.

Economic Stability: Support long-term economic health while maintaining the character and visibility of the downtown business district.

Implementation timeline
The plan’s “implementation matrix” divides each goal’s objectives into three timeframes: short-term (1-5 years), long-term (5-10 years) and ongoing. 

Below are examples of some objectives within their recommended timeframes, with the full list available in the draft plan:

Short-term:

• Support small-scale additional housing development that considers the existing residential population density of the Village.
• Explore options for regulating Accessory Dwelling Units.
• Identify and implement Zoning Code clarifications.
• Consider requiring a traffic study for larger development/redevelopment projects or projects that have the potential to significantly increase traffic conditions.
• Identify locations for rotating public art displays.
• Ensure recycling bins are available in public spaces.
• Provide educational opportunities and encourage the use of native plant species and removal of invasive species.
• Evaluate and implement measures to improve water quality.
• Consider developing a coordinated traffic management plan for Bayview and Woodbine Avenue during summer weekends or events.
• Prepare a sidewalk improvement plan.

Long-term:

• Consider introducing a maximum size requirement for commercial establishments.
• Review existing zoning requirements for large parcels and open space areas and analyze potential rezonings to protect natural resources, open space, and align with the community’s vision.
• Evaluate options to ensure that new development is required to set aside greenspace.
• Explore methods for reducing waste generation.
• Explore options for expanding Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations.
• Consider dedicating historic monuments.
• Introduce a comprehensive and cohesive education signage program for historic resources.
• Explore options to support the long-term success of the Lewis Oliver Farm Sanctuary.

Ongoing:

• Continue to support Code Enforcement.
• Continue and protect existing land use patterns in the Village.
• Support land uses in the downtown which are balanced between residents’ and visitors’ needs.
• Continue to promote the existing scale of buildings within the Village, and particularly the downtown area.
• Evaluate the potential of expanding and upgrading sewer systems.
• Enhance parking capacity and management in the downtown area without compromising the Village’s historic character.
• Continue to facilitate community-wide events.

The draft Comprehensive Plan for Northport Village can be found here. Public comments and questions may be submitted by March 13 to nptcomprehensiveplan@northportny.gov. A presentation on the draft plan is also available on the Northport Village website.