Brunswick Smart Growth

Q: What is Smart Growth?
A: Smart growth is growth that benefits the community in positive ways and doesn't overburden the existing resources. Preserving community and the quality of life for its citizens are also important aspects of a Smart Growth policy.

Q: Isn't this just an Anti-Growth group?
A: Absolutely not. BSG is not anti-growth or anti-business. Brunswick will continue to grow on its own and as people and businesses move in from other areas. Growth itself is not the issue. What we are trying to avoid are the kinds of urban sprawl and unlimited growth that have been so detrimental to so many other places. Brunswick is a wonderful place to live and we want the kind of growth that maintains that. We are not opposed to new construction in areas that are already appropriately zoned or to projects that propose smart growth initiatives that do not exceed and impact our existing infrastructure (water, sewer, power, traffic, police & fire protection, etc...).

Q: Wasn't BSG formed just to block the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter?
A: The Wal-Mart Supercenter was certainly the catalyst that prompted concerned citizens to look at all the projects under consideration by the Town Board. After we saw the whole picture, it was obvious that some oversight of the planned building activities was needed by common citizens. Although many BSG members do have objections to Wal-Mart's practices, we as a group are only concerned with the immediate projects before the Brunswick Town Board. BSG is against the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter for many specific reasons which are outlined in our letter to the Town Board in response to their draft scope document. Most of our objections are not specific to Wal-Mart itself and would apply to any large development on that parcel of land with adjacent wetlands and the impacts to traffic on Route 7 and nearby roadways.

Q: Is BSG a political organization?
A: Only in the sense that we feel that local government should act in the best interests of its citizens. BSG is not aligned with any political parties or groups. We endorse policies, not candidates. Smart Growth is not a partisan issue. All candidates of all political parties are encouraged to support smart growth.
BSG does plan to issue report cards in time for election day on where all the candidates stand and how they have performed on smart growth issues. Hopefully, that extra information will be helpful to you in making your voting decisions.

Q: Why aren't donations to BSG tax deductable?
A: Although BSG is registered as a not for profit group, it is not considered a charity and is also involved in affecting legislation with regards to smart growth policy. That doesn't mean we're not doing great things. It only means the IRS won't let you deduct what you give to us.

Q: When writing a letter to a newspaper or other place, should I identify myself as Brunswick Smart Growth?
A: In a word, No. We really are flattered that you would ask, but it is important that all correspondence from BSG first be cleared through our media committee and/or steering committee for consistency of the message and content with our other media releases.
We encourage you to stress principles of Smart Growth, just not as a representative for the group. Your comments are from you as a concerned citizen.
Besides, a series of letters from several individuals should have more impact than having them seen as all being from the same source and will do more to help us all to our common goals.

Q: Are membership meetings open to everyone or do you have to be an official, dues-paying member?
A: Meetings are open to everyone. While you're at it, bring a friend or neighbor along with you. You might come as a non-member, but we think that if you're interested in smart growth in Brunswick and Rennselaer County, there's a good chance you might just end up leaving as one.

Q: Isn't it already too late to stop all these projects already under consideration?
A: No. They aren't "done deals". Most are still only in the early phases and have a long way to go to be approved. The scope documents submitted by the developers can and should be challenged for more detail and for lacking information. Citizens have a right to know all of the facts about pending projects that will affect them. After that, the project has to satisfy a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR). Only after that, can the Town Council cast the deciding votes on zoning changes and other approvals for the project. The Brunswick Town Council members are elected officials, so letting them know where we as citizens stand on issues is our civic responsibility and listening to us and acting in our best interests is theirs.