It's critical for environmentalists to distinguish between bad and good development. The development that's in the planning stages for the Village of Patchogue in Suffolk County is one example of the latter.

Computer Rendering Of Future SiteSuffolk County officials recently announced plans to facilitate the building of two large affordable housing complexes with adjacent commercial space. Together, these endeavors will create 285 apartment units and 32,500 sq. ft. of commercial space.

This is the type of smart growth that the NYLCV Education Fund advocated for in the Brookhaven Six-Month Action Plan mailed to thousands of residents in June. When residential units are built on top of or adjacent to retail space, residents no longer have to drive for miles for their basic necessities -- allowing them to live more sustainably.