The Town of Islip’s new Comprehensive Plan, named TOI-360, continues operating on schedule for the public opinion gathering process. Since the first in-person meeting in early January, they have hosted numerous public workshops. These workshops took place in the various hamlets and areas comprising the Town of Islip, with the most recent one on May 22, focusing on Fire Island. The hour-and-a-half virtual meeting addressed documented feedback and provided residents with an opportunity to express their opinions.
Hosted by the New York City-based consulting firm BFJ Planning – which the Town of Islip has appointed to lead this plan – roughly 50 people tuned in virtually to hear about how the island they love will be incorporated into TOI-360.
“We sent out a questionnaire to all civic groups throughout the town and Fire Island,” said Noah Levine, Associate Principal of BFJ Planning. “We were very fortunate to have received very specific comments from Fire Island; Kismet, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Lonelyville, Robbins Rest, Summer Club, Corneilel Estates, and Seaview and Ocean Beach are going to send other comments as well.”
All of Fire Island’s hamlets and villages fall under the jurisdiction of the Town of Islip, making their input critical to TOI-360.
The primary areas of concern identified from the feedback were housing, sustainability and resilience, parks and recreation, and culture. More specifically, the aging housing stock on Fire Island shows that nearly half of the homes were built between 1940 and 1969. Additionally, there is limited infrastructure and regular flooding, which creates challenges for housing. This directly leads to concerns about sustainability and resilience. As a barrier island, Fire Island endures the impact of coastal storms. Almost the entire island is situated within a 100-year floodplain and faces threats like rising sea levels, beach erosion, and the necessity for effective stormwater management. Economically, there are worries, as tourism during the summer season supports the local economy. The concern is how long it can solely sustain the economy. According to BFJ Planning, in 2022, nearly $20 million was spent in communities near Fire Island, which would significantly boost the economy, even if only a quarter of that amount were allocated.
Some other concerns raised by BFJ Planning include the limited transportation options available and the need to improve sanitation systems. Fire Island-goers who provided feedback highlighted the necessity for more frequent maintenance of the boardwalks. They also suggested that the path between Lonelyville and Ocean Beach should be made more bike-friendly. Additionally, the public expressed a desire for ferry and train schedules to align better and called for more regulations concerning e-bikes and golf carts. Protecting water quality and resources ranked high on the public’s priority list as well. Residents are also concerned about the aging of equipment, including ambulances and fire services. Increasing the number of full-time residents was proposed as a potential solution to help address these issues.
“We’ve also heard from several communities, and through some of the feedback, that there is a genuine interest in support for encouraging more year-round residents on the island,” stated Levine. “A stronger year-round population is seen as essential to sustaining critical services like the school district, emergency services, and fire protection, which all face challenges when the Island is largely vacant outside of the peak season. However, there are significant hurdles to achieving this.”
If you’re learning about TOI-360, you’re likely wondering why there’s so much discussion surrounding these concerns and improvements. TOI-360 is a comprehensive plan being developed by the Town of Islip that, over 20 years, aims to improve and preserve the town. It is driven by the opinions and requests of Islip’s residents. This marks the first time since 1979 that the Town of Islip has initiated a plan of this nature. Twenty years from now, we will celebrate the 360th anniversary of when the land that comprises Islip Township was purchased from the Secatogue Nation, which is also the origin of this plan’s unique name.
The tone of this meeting was quite different from the first one at the Islip Town Hall. Those who participated eagerly listened to the data being presented. Last time, residents were there to fight tooth and nail, believing unsanctioned changes were on the way to their homes. Levine assured those in attendance once again that it is the people’s voice and plan. “We rely on the community, it focuses on broad community-wide goals, and comes with a framework for decision making,” he stated.
This is also supported by the months-long collection of information from the public. Over these five months, 97% of the feedback received has come from residents of Islip. A summary of this feedback, including concerns and suggestions, will be posted on the TOI-360 website in the coming weeks. By the end of summer, all this information will be compiled to outline an action plan for presentation to the Town’s officials and partners. In the fall, a draft report will be released, and all necessary revisions will be made. By the end of April 2026, this 18-month process will conclude, and the plan will be adopted. The collected feedback aims to better Fire Island and the town of Islip as a whole.
