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    As a lawyer and licensed real estate broker with over 45 years of commercial real estate experience, I'm contributing my expertise to Rockland County's update of its Countywide Comprehensive Plan. The county is selecting residents for its Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), which will play a crucial role in shaping the plan.

    The comprehensive plan update aims to address the challenges posed by the county's aging infrastructure and identify development opportunities. This unique moment presents an opportunity for Rockland to take a hard look at its zoning policies, particularly in light of new concepts such as "live, work, and play" zoning, which encourages mixed-use development.

    The CAC will reflect the diversity of the county's residents and stakeholders, including representatives from schools, higher education, chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, housing experts, environmental organizations, and community leaders. The committee's task is to ensure that community input and perspectives are integrated into the planning process.

    County Executive Ed Day has underscored the importance of updating the Comprehensive Plan, noting that it will serve as a guiding document for land-use policies, zoning decisions, and the long-term vision for Rockland County. The plan will focus on priorities such as sustainable development, economic growth, housing, water resources, and climate change mitigation.

    The aging infrastructure in Rockland County presents a significant challenge, particularly for developers seeking to revitalize underutilized or outdated properties. A key part of this challenge is the shift away from traditional Euclidean zoning toward form-based zoning, which emphasizes physical design over land use type. This change encourages mixed-use development, central to the concept of affordable and workforce "live, work, and play" zoning.

    I believe Rockland County should take bold steps to explore mixed-use developments that can revitalize key areas, such as downtown districts or vacant commercial properties. A thorough examination of the county's infrastructure is also necessary to ensure it can support new growth and development. The Comprehensive Plan update will need to identify infrastructure gaps and recommend solutions.

    As part of the update process, significant focus will be placed on economic development, housing, and climate change. The county's housing stock needs to be updated to reflect modern demands, including affordable and workforce housing options. Addressing climate change through sustainable development practices is a major priority.

    Ultimately, I believe the Comprehensive Plan update presents a critical moment for Rockland County to reevaluate its future. By taking a hard look at zoning concepts, development opportunities, infrastructure needs, and community input, the county can set the stage for a vibrant, sustainable, and prosperous future for its residents and businesses.