Who Are the Long Island NIMBYs? The Same People Who Just Stopped the Barone Warehouse in Islip.

Housing and industrial development on Long Island in the last 30 years has been characterized by an almost comically low rate of growth. The region, particularly Suffolk County, has experienced one of the lowest rates of development in the entire country, and according to many, Long Island is currently experiencing a "housing crisis".

As many of us know, millennials and younger individuals that grew up on the Island by and large can't afford to live here, and don't really have much in the way of opportunities to work here either. Being able to accomplish either as a person born around 1985 or later is a pretty significant one. But that's a different topic for a different day.

Long story short, beginning in the 1990s, Long Island has experienced an extremely sharp decline in the rate of both residential and industrial development, and many advocates for further development attribute this to the concept of NIMBYism, or "Not In My Backyard," where residents resist any new development in their communities.

This is a concept worth exploring, especially in light of the Town of Islip's recent rejection of what would have been a gigantic industrial warehouse complex, a battle that the "NIMBYs" seem to have won decisively, and is largely being celebrated around Suffolk County.

Why is it That People on Long Island Don't Want New Development?

There are several reasons why people on Long Island harbor such a strong distaste for the development of new housing and industrial buildings.

First, we all value the Island's natural beauty, which is characterized by our beaches, parks, and generally peaceful spaces. There is a legitimate fear that new development could result in the destruction of these spaces, along with even more pollution, overcrowding, and a loss of the Island's unique charm.

Furthermore, Long Island is already densely populated, and many residents are concerned about the strain that additional development would place on already overburdened infrastructure. Issues such as traffic congestion, inadequate public transportation, and stretched municipal services are frequently cited as reasons to resist new construction.



Maybe most importantly, Long Island has a relatively strong sense of community and identity, with close-knit neighborhoods and neighborhood cultures that most residents don't want to see changing. People are generally worried that large-scale developments could disrupt the social fabric and erode the Island's distinct character. This particular issue is very contentious at times, as it has a tendency to engage people's personal political ideologies.

What, exactly, is a NIMBY?

A NIMBY, an acronym for "Not In My Backyard," generally refers to individuals or communities who oppose new development projects or initiatives in their area. The term originated in the United States during the 1980s (arguably in reference to Long Island specifically) and gained prominence as communities became increasingly concerned about the potential negative impacts of development on their quality of life.

In the modern discourse, it has seen a significant increase in use in online communities, all the way to critical content creators on YouTube and TikTok.

Barone Management Industrial Warehouse in Hauppauge Denied Application to Rezone.

So, if you're an Islander, you have probably heard about this recent case of so-called NIMBYism. The most interesting thing though, is that it seems to have caused something of a re-think of the whole NIMBY concept, as the power structures and needs of the people of Suffolk County change over time, as well as the interests they're finding themselves up against.

Barone Management is not a small company. They are a major real estate developer that is concerned with the same set of values as any major real estate developer. And it is very easy to argue that those values don't align with the residents of Hauppauge, and their ability to enjoy their lives in peace. The fact that they had their attorneys try to shoe-horn in a "sports facility" to "sweeten the deal" and find a way to ram their plans through is only a further indication of their priorities.

The plan for the Barone warehouse would have required rezoning a huge area in the town of Hauppauge, and would have absolutely changed the entire complexion of the area. Instead of normal suburban living, there would have been a facility with 14 loading docks crammed into a residential area, along with all of the large trucks to go with it.

Were the "NIMBYs" Right About the Islip Decision?

The fact is, in this case, the same people who have been demonized for years for keeping the Island from changing in a "progressive" way, have just banded together to stop a powerful developer from making their fears real in a way that would have legitimately hurt the Island.

There are still serious questions about whether or not NIMBYs make it harder for people to enjoy a "modern lifestyle", and if those attitudes which are characterized as exclusionary have made it more difficult for young people and young families on the Island. But in light of the recent Islip decision, it pays to realize that not all groups are necessarily "right" or "wrong" all the time.