Architecture and development should reflect the historic character of the neighborhood and take precedence over "big box" development, participants said, and the town should create an architectural review board.

Participants in the District 2 discussion also said there is a need for a waterfront and public beach access plan and that they'd like to see the town acquire land for access and parking to allow more public access. They also said there should be a comprehensive approach to addressing non-point source pollution as well as public education on water conservation, stormwater runoff and limiting the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

More transportation development is needed, participants said, especially intermediate hubs that link different types of transportation to one another. Business districts and corporate employers should fund shuttle services for commuters, and express transit service is needed. They also wanted the area to be more pedestrian friendly, with more sidewalks and trails. Housing and utility issues were also discussed. Residents said there is a need for sewer systems instead of septic systems, and a townwide water management policy coordinated with the Suffolk County Water Authority. Residents wanted flexible housing options instead of single-family homes; they preferred multi-family housing over large complexes.

In Council District 4, which includes parts of Ridge, Middle Island and Coram, discussions focused on the United Artists theater in Coram and creating a Coram hamlet center with mixed-use buildings, transportation connections and community facilities on the site.

The town will incorporate the feedback gleaned from the charrette into recommendations in its updated comprehensive land-use plan.

"Now we have to incorporate it into the master plan and roll up our sleeves and get to work," Ms. Bonner said. "Let's not just have this as another hamlet study collecting dust. Let's bring this to fruition."

The guiding principles will be translated into policies that will be used by the town to plan for future growth, Mr. Alexander said, and will be adopted via codes, procedures, regulations and the annual budget. Some of the ideas that came forward during the charrette may translate to more immediate results, he added, such as traffic calming efforts, forming design guidelines for signs, and creating rain gardens to handle runoff. Ms. Bonner agreed.

"It's important now to incorporate the recommendations and suggestions that we can," the councilwoman said.

In the meantime, the Brookhaven 2030 team will continue its presentations to communities as it draws up a draft of the comprehensive plan, incorporating the recommendations, guiding principles and feedback from Brookhaven communities, which will be released in January or February of next year, Mr. Alexander said.

From there, the town will do its own review of the draft of the comprehensive land-use plan, said Jeff Kassner, the town's assistant director of environmental protection. After the town accepts the draft, Mr. Kassner said the town will take the draft to different civic associations, the Long Island Builders Institute, chambers of commerce and other parties with a vested interest, to explain how the plan will affect them and what it will accomplish.

After getting feedback, the town may incorporate it into the record with possible revisions before preparing a final draft to be adopted by the Town Board, he said, which will likely happen in early 2009. Once the plan is adopted, Mr. Kassner said, the town will immediately begin to implement it.

asnyder@northshoresun.com

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