Environmental review must enclude "emotional well being"

[BKM]

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/inte...430094,00.html


Interesting essay on "adult businesses" in a small, affluent Hudson River town (Nyack) and the impact of the "Culture Wars" on the planning process. The intriguing thing to me is the court's decision that New York State SEPA review includes "Emotional Well-Being." :

the group argued that the proposed sex shop on Route 59 violated the environmental laws of the State of New York -- on the grounds that the environment includes, in addition to the air, water and forests, the emotional well-being of those who inhabit it.

Apparantly, the court was somewhat sympathetic on technical/procedural grounds.

I'm curious about this-have New York planners typically considered "emotional well being" as part of their SEPA review? Wow, if so.

[imaplanner]

Interesting.

Somebody should sue.

Stephen Baldwin is an idiot.

[BKM]

Interesting.

Somebody should sue.

Stephen Baldwin is an idiot.

Well...at least his brand of relgiious thuggery doesn't involve copious alcohol and anti-semitism.

[imaplanner]

I've been searching but havent been able to really find anything that goes into detail of the judges ruling. If you find anything further can you provide a link? I am definately intersted in reading the judgement.

[abrowne]

I think emotional well-being is a stretch, but the word environment conveys to me more than just soil, water and air. It is a presence of space and certain merit can be found with considering how the proposal impacts the human geography of the place.

[bluehour]

I have come across this before....

A local group opposing a wind farm and the environmental health department of the local council is concerned over the objectors' "levels of anxiety" related to the development.

?????

[Suburb Repairman]

I think emotional well-being is a stretch, but the word environment conveys to me more than just soil, water and air. It is a presence of space and certain merit can be found with considering how the proposal impacts the human geography of the place.

I'm with you there with including human geography in environmentals, but emotional well-being? Give me a break. Just when I thought we couldn't be any more coddled... I think about displacement, socioeconomic impact, etc. when I consider human geography in conducting environmental reviews, not whether a project makes someone warm & fuzzy or requires them to visit a therapist because for once in their life they didn't get their way or have an irrational fear of whatever the project is.

I could see NIMBY's taking serious advantage of such a policy... "No, you can't put lower income housing right there... it will cause me undo anxiety..."