Other communities in North Hempstead are doing it, including Port Washington, Great Neck, Roslyn Heights, and New Cassel and Manhasset 's first visioning meeting for Plandome Road is Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Manhasset High School. Town officials invite any individual who lives or works in Manhasset to participate offering their ideas for the area stretching from Northern Boulevard to Webster Avenue which is located at the opposite end of town. A "vision process" is a community-based planning initiative where local governments, community groups, businesses and residents come together to create a shared vision for their community.

During the process residents break into smaller groups to brainstorm on designated questions and various issues. The exchange of ideas and concerns from each group are compiled and reported to the facilitators. This process presents an opportunity to learn about the options available on any given subject while providing a forum for the expression of concerns, ideas, and opinions.

New Cassel is further along in the visioning process and is, in many ways, a model for others. There, the basics were lacking and residents wanted, in part, a pharmacy, affordable housing, and a locally-owned supermarket. Every community is unique and it is proven when residents are involved in the process, have ground level input, the results are better. Concerns about Plandome Road have been identified as walkability, traffic, overall safety, and beautification including opportunities for enhancing existing building facades. It would be nice, some said, to have Plandome Road a destination-not a "pass through."

The town engages consultants and has in-house planners who work with the particulars of the community feedback.

In early November various groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Committee for a Safer Manhasset, Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations, Manhasset Park District and town representatives joined in a walking tour of the area launching the beginning of the "visioning" conversation. At the Dec. 7 meeting an existing condition report is scheduled, an overview of what was seen as problems or areas in need of improvement. For example, using the Starbucks parking area as a cut through to avoid the light at Bayview Avenue and Plandome Road.

Try to attend and register any concerns now rather than encounter problems "down the road."

For more information call 311 or log on to the town's website at www.northhempstead.com.