MAY 2, 2006, FARMINGVILLE, NY –Brookhaven Supervisor Brian X. Foley introduced his new commissioner of the town’s Department of Planning, Environment and Land Management at a press conference at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3 in the Media Room at Brookhaven Town Hall.
The new commissioner is David W. Woods, AICP/PP, principal in the firm of GreenWoods Associates, who was appointed via a unanimous vote of the Town Board at its meeting Tuesday night..
This nomination is the result of a comprehensive national search that reached out to planners across the country through advertising in The New York Times, Newsday, the New York State Planning Federation’s Planning News publication and web site, the town web site and elsewhere. Candidates were reviewed by the entire Town Board, as well as the Supervisor’s Citizens Advisory Board.
“Mr. Woods is the seasoned, thoughtful visionary Brookhaven needs to lead its Department of Planning, Environment and Land Management,” said Supervisor Foley. “We’re keeping our promise to bring in the best and brightest to serve Brookhaven Town and usher in a new culture of competence. Our selection of Mr. Woods is a prime example of my dedication to finding the best people to fill important jobs in Brookhaven Town.
“The land use decisions the town makes now will determine our future and the future of our children and grandchildren, and our planning department needs someone at the helm with a good and true vision for the future of Brookhaven Town.
“When I was growing up, Brookhaven was a town of less than 100,000 people; now, it is a town of nearly half a million people. We are fighting the last battles against the kind of suburban sprawl and unsightly strip mall development that have plagued this town during its recent explosive growth. To fight that battle and win, we must have the thoughtful, creative, and community oriented approach of David Woods.
“Our future depends on it.”
“The Town of Brookhaven was looking for a planner who has both a diverse background and stellar credentials,” said Councilwoman Connie Kepert, who played a central role in the search for a new planning commissioner. “David Woods has it all. He has experience in implementing Smart Growth solutions, downtown revitalization, transportation initiatives, land preservation, and community revitalization projects. He is a planner who will aid Brookhaven communities in moving forward an inclusive planning process or visionings. It has been my pleasure in helping the town find such a qualified candidate.”
Mr. Woods has 20 years of professional public and private sector comprehensive planning experience. He holds two master’s degrees—the first in Government and Public Administration from the University of Maryland and the second in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University.
Mr. Woods has worked as a consultant and in public service in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, Florida and Minnesota. He served with regional planning organizations including the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.
He served as Principal Planner for Comprehensive Planning for Hillsborough and Lee County in Florida, where he conceived and shepherded through to passage two comprehensive plans in response to the State of Florida’s Growth Management Act. He also was Planning Director for the City of Mount Vernon, New York, and Senior Planner for Lynwood, Washington.
He rejoined GreenWoods Associates in 2001 as Vice President and Principal.
In that consulting role, Mr. Woods conducted a revitalization study for the communities of Riverside/Flanders and Northampton to address housing needs, economic redevelopment, historic and environmental preservation in three of the less affluent hamlets in the Town of Southampton. He also led the development of the Greater New Brunswick Area Corridor Study, and played a key role in the development in the Comprehensive Planning Project for the city of Mount Vernon.
The Citizens Advisory Committee that played a key role in the process has representatives from the environmental community, civic groups, unions, and development interests. Its members are environmentalist Sarah Ankar, Tom Williams of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, David Scro representing the Long Island Builders Institute, IBEW union president James Plant and Doug Dittko, president of the Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organizations