Belmont Park Needs To Be Good Neighbor To Elmont, Floral Park

Communities that Provide So Much Deserve Much in Return

I. The neighboring communities that shoulder the greatest burdens are to be guaranteed the greatest benefits.

Preserve and Protect Racing and Our Communities Alike

II. The neighboring communities support the preservation and fostering of the world-class premier thoroughbred racing facilities within their neighborhood. The communities encourage the protection and incorporation of all buildings and landscaped features of historic, architectural or cultural significance into the local communities visioning, economic or historic planning.

Plan And Provide New State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

III. In order to achieve that goal, there must be a plan in place for a state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities worthy of being called the nation's premier venues for thoroughbred racing and a source of community pride. Such modernization of the infrastructure must encompass and be projected into the surrounding neighborhoods in which such world-class entertainment facilities are situated. This includes a complete updated inventory and evaluation for updating of roads, state-of-the-art water, sewer, water recharge basins and electrical systems both within and surrounding these facilities. From user-friendly sidewalks and lighting to new estate fencing, the facilities must be able to compete with and be comparable to the support already provided or committed to other major entertainment facilities in the State of New York such as the new Major League Baseball facilities at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, the new Citi Field in Flushing Meadows, Queens, and the new National Basketball Association venue in Brooklyn.

Education Funds Made Here Must Stay Here First

IV. Since Video Lottery Terminals will be permitted by the State of New York at one or more of the facilities, there must be an irrevocable commitment that the communities that are neighboring these three facilities receive a dedicated stream of revenue earmarked for education institutions within their communities, prior to any additional funds being distributed to educational institutions outside of those neighboring communities. One way to ensure the neighboring communities get at least their fair share of state aid to local school districts is to require that their state aid to local school districts be at least what the overall state average is in any given year.

Play By the Same Rules and 'Pony Up' a Fair Share

V. These facilities are not an island, but are an integral part of the communities in which they are located. They should be subject to the same rules as their neighbors, including zoning, employment, housing codes, regulations and police oversight. The facilities should, therefore, contribute their fair share for the services and infrastructure their neighboring communities make available to the facilities. This includes amounts for police, fire and sanitation services, either through actual property taxes or a similar amount even if a tax-exempt status is present. An iron-clad Payment in Lieu of Taxes [PILOT] agreement guaranteeing such a revenue stream to surrounding local political subdivisions, including the central high school and elementary school districts, should be completed.

Safety and Security Is a Necessity Not a Luxury

VI. The safety and security for the facilities and their neighboring communities must be maintained and increased. Safety includes the safe inflow and outflow of traffic to and from the facilities whether the sites are hosting an event or conducting ongoing operations. Security should include use of state-of-the-art technology, including requiring proper identification of all individuals permitted in the non-public areas at the facilities. In addition, as these facilities have already been designated as staging areas should an emergency or natural disaster take place, there must be state-of-art readiness and facilities in place.

Be a Good Neighbor to Your Neighbors

VII. The neighboring communities that have existed in peaceful co-existence with these facilities for decades should have their right to the quiet enjoyment of their neighborhoods respected and continued to be maintained. Those areas that are natural parklike settings must continue to be maintained. There must be a comprehensive facilities management plan addressing both modernization and preservation plans and must include design guidelines, based upon generally acceptable community standards, to be used in the development of individual capital and maintenance projects. Any proposed material change in the nature or time of operations at the facilities must be fully disclosed and reviewed with the neighboring communities prior to such a change.

Be an Economic Engine for Your Communities

VIII. The facilities must continue to be an economic engine generating jobs and business for the communities in which each is located. It must be ensured that local residents and businesses are protected from any adverse economic impact as a result of activities at the facilities. Local residents should be given preference in hiring at the facilities, and local businesses be given preferred status, including as suppliers, vendors and service providers. Creating an overall business and service center should be considered, with the goal of generating additional revenue streams to benefit the surrounding communities.

Be a Part of, Instead of Apart from, Your Neighboring Communities

IX. The facilities should become an integral presence within the communities in which each is located. This includes the support of and the participation in active civic and volunteer life as a pillar of the neighboring communities in which each facility exists. This includes the support and participation in annual community events and the inclusion of the local communities in events taking place at each facility, including but not limited to, world-renowned thoroughbred horse racing events taking place at the facilities. This also includes providing, at little or no cost, facilities and recreational areas to groups and organizations in the surrounding communities.

Transparent Responsive Oversight Creates Community Trust

X. The neighboring communities must be involved and considered in any significant change of operations or activities at the facilities. The facilities must be subject to formal local oversight and review to consider all proposed additions, renovations or demolitions at the sites. There should be the establishment of a corporate ethics compliance official and a local community liaison who will be available to the surrounding communities to ensure implementation of both the letter and spirit of this Statement of Principals.

From Statement of Principles, Village of Floral Park, Task Force for Belmont’s Preservation and Improvement