"Development must meet the region's needs without compromisingthe needs of future generations," says Westchester County ExecutiveAndrew Spano. "We want to have a strong economy, but we mustprotect our environment and precious quality of life. This is wheregood planning comes in."

The hearings, which will begin with a session tonight at thePeekskill Library, will focus on suburban sprawl issues in theareas of routes 203, 35 and 6 and the Bear Mountain ParkwayCorridors. The other hearings to be held later this month will beon Nov. 14, at the Yorktown Town Hall Board Room at 363 UnderhillAve., and on Nov. 16 at the Cortlandt Town Hall Meeting Room. Allsessions will begin at 7 p.m.

Spano encouraged concerned residents to become involved in the202-35-6 Bear Mountain Parkway Sustainable Development Study. Thisstudy will look at ways to balance the economy, environment andquality of life through effective transportation and land usepolicies. The community's input is being encouraged to shape thesepolicies, which should help lead to ways to create more livableneighborhoods, protection of natural resources and enhancement ofthe region's long-term economic vitality, he relates.