Town Of Islip Hosts Workshop On TOI-360 Plan In West Islip

WEST ISLIP, NY — The Town of Islip is hosting a workshop in West Islip in April to inform the public about its TOI-360, a comprehensive plan designed to guide the community’s growth and development over the next 20 years and beyond.

The town said the initiative marks the first update to the Town's comprehensive plan since 1979, aiming to address key areas such as sprawl and congestion while promoting coordinated development and informed infrastructure investment.

Dubbed "Workshop D," the Brentwood workshop will focus on local "challenges and priorities" in West Islip, Bay Shore, West Bay Shore and Fire Island. It is slated for Wednesday, April 23, at 6 p.m., at the West Islip Community Center.

According to a statement, the TOI-360 plan derives its name from the town’s rich history. In two decades, it will be just over 360 years since William Nicoll purchased land from the Secatogue Nation in 1683. The number 360 also represents this full-circle opportunity to reflect on Islip’s past, thoroughly examine growth patterns and land use trends, and develop a shared vision for the future. This comprehensive plan will address issues like sprawl and congestion while promoting coordinated development and informed infrastructure investment.

The statement said the adoption of a Comprehensive Plan is essential for several reasons. First, it provides a clear vision for Islip’s future and offers a framework for decision-making. This ensures that the community’s needs and aspirations guide all policies and actions by the local government. By accommodating diverse views, values, and interests, the plan fosters collaboration and builds consensus among stakeholders with varying perspectives.

The public engagement process will be one of the key challenges in a Town of this size – Islip is the third most populated municipality in New York State. The Town is committed to ensuring there is broad public input from the diverse population within the Town of Islip, which is home to over 330,000 residents spread across multiple hamlets, each with its own unique character, historical land use patterns, and strong community ties.

Engaging a wide range of voices is critical to understanding the needs and priorities across different communities, neighborhoods, and hamlets. While the plan will primarily address issues at a town wide level, it will also provide an opportunity to identify specific community concerns and local priorities.