A Case Against the Sprawl

By Daniel Q. Moore

Member of Color Penfield Green

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of Color Penfield Green or any other civic group within the Town of Penfield. Views expressed in this article should not be construed as political messaging for any specific political party. While individuals within town politics and government may agree or disagree with my article, this is not an endorsement or criticism of their individual policy objectives.

When imagining a stereotypical suburb, what do you see? I see endless cookie-cutter mini-mansions with white picket fences separating them, freshly maintained monoculture grass lawns, and maybe a sidewalk on one side of the winding roads leading to a cul-de-sac. I think of how the once 10 minute drive to Wegmans’ now takes 20. Different question – think of a re-imagined suburb, what do you see? I see sidewalks on both sides of a tree lined street, a neighborhood cafe at the end of the road with bikes parked outside, and a multi-use park situated right near the schools. Instead of countless cars in the drop-off loop, I see parents walking with their children and the buses full. Traffic has calmed to a point people feel safe enough to enjoy the historic Four Corners town center without being hit.

Not only is sprawl unsustainable from an environmental perspective, it is equally as damaging to how it feels to be a community. When the fences go up in everyone’s private castles, and the only way to get to places is through driving, isolation becomes convenient. Community becomes an afterthought. Nothing could be more dangerous for society. I forgot where I heard this, but the quote “I have never seen my neighbors bring their groceries inside their house” horrifies me. With a place that was built for cars, it may seem impossible to imagine anything different. With the ever-commericalization of the Routes 250-

441 corridor being seemingly endless, some may believe that car-centric design is here to stay. I disagree. I see a Penfield that prioritizes attainability of housing at every level. I see a Penfield that allows seniors to remain in the town at the same time as young people my age buying their first starter homes. I see a Penfield that protects and enhances its green space, its farms, and its waterways. I see a Penfield that lives up its motto of “a town of planned progress.”

How do we get there? For starters, Penfield’s zoning ordinance must be comprehensively updated. Despite mixed-use development being one of the most sustainable forms of land use, mega-projects such as The Arbors are giving it a bad reputation. Instead of disproportionately large projects, we

should create mixed use at the neighborhood-scale. Legalizing a floor or two of residential living above restaurants and other retail is an excellent way to create gentle density. Legalizing auxiliary dwelling units, duplexes, and more types of housing rather than colossal apartment buildings and single-family homes will allow for growth without compromising open space. Reconfiguring large shopping plazas to decrease car reliance will help mitigate traffic. Bringing in local businesses over transcontinental, borderline redundant, corporations will make Penfield a place to visit, not a place to just drive through.

Photo by Darya Sannikova

It’s a daunting task, but I truly believe Penfield can be the town we want it to be. I see a future where Penfield fosters community for all. I see a future where Penfield continues to cherish and enhance its parks, schools, farms, environmental commitments, and community amenities. Using the motto of the

University of Rochester (Meliora,) I see a Penfield that strives to be ever better. Planned progress without direction is meaningless. Implementing land use reform to encourage community engagement will help positively move Penfield forward.