How Climate Smart Communities and Transit Oriented Developments are Shaping Long Island’s Growth

Long Island is entering a transformative period in urban planning. More municipalities are formalizing sustainability commitments, while developers and planners are responding with projects that prioritize energy efficiency, reduced emissions, and smarter mobility.

Part of this shift are two programs: Climate Smart Communities (CSCs) and Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs). Understanding these opportunities and how they complement one another is essential for owners, developers, and municipalities ready to capitalize on incentives, grants, and streamlined approvals.

What Are Climate Smart Communities (CSCs)?

The Climate Smart Communities program is a New York State initiative, led by NYSERDA and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), encouraging municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve energy efficiency, and build resilience to climate impacts.

Benefits of CSC Participation

• Access to Grants: Over $22 million annually in competitive grants for energy upgrades, flood mitigation, EV infrastructure, and sustainability planning.
• Community Recognition: Municipalities earn bronze, silver, or gold certifications, enhancing their public reputation and eligibility for additional state support.
• Infrastructure & Energy Projects: Many CSCs prioritize EV charging, heat pump conversions for public buildings, and renewable energy installations.

Where It’s Happening on Long Island

Long Island has a growing number of certified CSCs:

• Suffolk County – Silver Certified
• Town of Huntington
• Town of Southampton
• East Hampton
• Hempstead
• City of Long Beach

These communities are embedding sustainability into policy, planning, and budgeting shaping the landscape for private development.

 What Are Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs)?

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a planning strategy that encourages higher-density, mixed-use developments within walking distance of public transit — especially rail stations like the LIRR hubs in Patchogue, Ronkonkoma, Bay Shore, and others.

Benefits of TODs

• Zoning Flexibility: Many Long Island towns offer TOD overlay districts, enabling:
• Increased building height
• Reduced parking minimums
• Expedited permitting
• Increased Property Value: Proximity to transit boosts rental and sales values due to accessibility.
• Environmental Gains: TODs reduce car dependence, cutting emissions by 10-30% per household compared to sprawl developments.
• Infrastructure Investment: Municipalities often align public spending on walkability, lighting, and green spaces with TOD projects.

TOD has been central to revitalization efforts in Patchogue Village, which transformed its downtown through dense, transit-connected housing and retail, complemented by sustainability upgrades like large-scale solar installations.

How CSCs and TODs Complement Each Other

While CSCs set the policy and funding foundation for climate action, TODs provide a development mechanism to execute it.



In CSC-designated towns, TOD proposals that incorporate energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy align with local climate goals, giving developers:

• Smoother Planning Board Approvals: Energy-smart designs support GHG targets and local sustainability agendas.
• Access to Funding: Projects may tap CSC grants for municipal partnerships, EV chargers, or resilience improvements.
• Enhanced Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between developers and CSC municipalities can unlock co-funded infrastructure upgrades, benefiting both the community and private developments.

STRATCO’s Approach

We help clients:

• Navigate NYSERDA, PSEG, and IRA incentives to reduce project costs.
• Integrate CSC priorities into development narratives to support municipal buy-in.
• Conduct energy modeling to validate carbon reduction claims for planning boards.

Example in Action: Patchogue

Patchogue’s leadership as a TOD pioneer with CSC-aligned policies has yielded:

• A surge of mixed-use, multi-unit developments near the LIRR.
• Community solar installations cutting energy costs for public facilities.
• Enhanced walkability and reduced vehicle emissions downtown.



Projects that align with both CSC and TOD frameworks in towns like Patchogue and Huntington are better positioned for funding, approvals, and public support.

Stay Informed. Stay Engaged.

STRATCO Property Solutions is a third-party specialist that navigates Long Island’s incentive programs. STRATCO serves the entire value chain with in-depth services to obtain the government incentives available for building upgrades or retrofits. For collaboration opportunities or if your team is planning new construction in 2025–2026, now is the time to transition away from fossil-fuel-based designs, contact us.

 Aidan Attina

 516 736 6179

 aa@stratcoproperty.com

^1] Climate Smart Communities - NY.GOV

^[2] Connect Long Island - Transit-Oriented Design