Policy makers in Yonkers have the ability to steer the city's development in a bold new direction that will promote sustainable development practices, increase public access to the city's spectacular riverfront and encourage economically successful development. The redevelopment of the city's four-mile-long Hudson River waterfront offers unique opportunities to put smart growth planning principles into action to develop a sustainable, livable and truly 21st century community. The redevelopment of this extraordinary resource, as well as other developments in the city, should be undertaken in a manner that balances the need for economic growth and revitalization with adequate environmental safeguards and sufficient benefits to existing communities.

Specifically, the city should:

• Ensure adequate and accessible public open space along the entire Yonkers waterfront. This space should:
• Include clearly separated and marked bike and pedestrian paths throughout the entire waterfront.
• Be easily accessible not just from waterfront developments but from neighborhoods throughout the city.
• Be incorporated into new developments in a manner that will appropriately preserve viewsheds of the Hudson River for neighborhoods in the city's interior.
• Ensure that all new developments are adequately connected to existing transit resources, including rail, bus and ferry systems.
• Amend the Zoning Ordinance to include an open space ratio that would require that all developments provide an amount of open space commensurate with the project's size.
• Develop effective east-west transit connections throughout the city.
• Commit to immediate improvements in the pedestrian and neighborhood environment throughout the city, such as:
• Widening sidewalks
• Improving landscaping
• Introducing traffic calming initiatives
• Planting street trees
• Providing resources to improving parks throughout the city.
• Adopt new zoning regulations that will require the planting of street trees and vegetated areas in parking lots. Encourage new developments to include neighborhood-scale retail spaces.
• Ensure adequate opportunities for public comment and participation during all aspects of redevelopment projects
• Ensure adequate opportunities for public comment and participation during all aspects of redevelopment projects.

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