Town of Blooming Grove Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting October 13, 2004
Overview of Presentation Process Plan Vision Recommendations Next Steps
Process: Listening to the Public Monthly meetings with Steering Committee beginning in August 2003 Public Information Meeting in January 2004 Public Survey, January- February 2004 Public Hearing on draft Plan Steering Committee: October 13, 2004 Town Board: November 9, 2004
Process: Listening to the Public and Mapping of the Town s natural resources Photo-Inventory of Special Places Environmental analysis Regional Context Learning from the Land
Process: Learning from the Land Mapping of the Town s unprotected open space
Plan Vision The Town seeks to retain its rural character by directing commercial development in appropriate locations and providing a broad range of housing options
Plan Vision: Natural Resources The Town seeks to protect open space The town seeks to protect natural resources
Plan Vision: Historic and Cultural The Town will strive to recognize, preserve, protect, and celebrate its rich culture and history The Town will strive to recognize, protect, and celebrate its existing cultural resources Resources
Plan Vision: Demographics and The Town actively seeks to encourage a diverse population The Town seeks to ensure that community services are not overburdened Population
Plan Vision: Land Use The Town seeks limited new commercial uses to increase the tax base and provide employment, though such uses should not overburden the existing infrastructure The Town desires new commercial uses that conform to the Town s rural image The Town seeks to encourage limited new regionaldestination office or commercial establishments in appropriate locations along Route 17M that do not harm the quality of life in the Town
Plan Vision: Land Use The Town seeks to balance its growth with the preservation of its rural character and natural environment The Town seeks to preserve a diverse stock of housing The Town seeks that the design of housing, regardless of price, should be consistent with the Town s rural character
Plan Vision: Transportation The Town seeks to preserve the essential character and scale of existing roads while adapting the roads to ensure safety and safe traffic flow. The Town seeks to encourage the use of streets as public space The Town views transportation as vital infrastructure for the community character and economic development
Plan Vision: Utilities The Town seeks that development should be located where utilities are, or can be, provided The Town seeks to actively encourage a reduction of water and electricity usage and wastewater production
Plan Vision: Community Facilities The Town s community facilities should be sources of local pride The school system should provide superior educational experiences for all students
Recommendations To carry out the Vision set forth in the Comprehensive Plan, the Town Code is the primary tool to address future development Protection of Natural Resources Residential Commercial Economic Development Opportunities Historic and Cultural Resources Transportation Infrastructure Community Facilities
Recommendations: Natural Resources Surface Water Ground Water Soils Topography Habitat
Recommendations: Zoning
Recommendations: Residential Rural Residential low scale appropriate to context of landscape and infrastructure stringent review during application process 1 ac.
Recommendations: Residential Rural Residential is NOT Conventional Development Rural Residential does NOT allow greater lot count Rural Residential IS conservation subdivision 1 ac.
Recommendations: Residential Rural Residential Process Step 1: Conservation Analysis 1 ac.
Recommendations: Residential Rural Residential Process Step 1: Conservation Analysis Step 2: Site Design Step 3: Road Layout Step 4: Define Lot Lines 1 ac.
Recommendations: Residential Design Guidelines building design landscape design public realm
Recommendations: Residential Allow residential development in commercial areas Permit pre-fabricated housing Allow accessory apartments
Recommendations: Commercial Rural Crossroads I: follows the rural traditional development pattern of commercial uses at key intersections to form small hamlet center. low scale compact mixed use pedestrian links to neighborhoods
Recommendations: Mixed Use Rural Crossroads II: A New Town Center. new school/community center and municipal facilities possibility for office/retail uses new focal point
Recommendations: Commercial Focus ORI (Office Research and Industry) along Route 17M and 208 Amend bulk and dimensional criteria in ORI district Oxford Depot area: preserve scenic character
Recommendations: Economic Development To raise tax ratables, commercial development is desired but not at the cost of the community character Tourism as economic development opportunity Retains, supports, and strengthens rural character Provides tax ratables Does not generate new school children
Recommendations: Economic Development Getting Tourism to work for Blooming Grove: Take advantage of location Close proximity to NYC Easy accessibility by road and rail Rural character Close proximity to other cultural attractions Agri-tourism Adjust Zoning Code to encourage tourist-related uses Inns Bed and Breakfasts Hotels/Conference centers
Recommendations: Cultural and Preserve historic and cultural resources Tie historic and cultural resources into tourism Historic Resources
Recommendations: Transportation Problem Areas identified many key intersections are difficult and/or dangerous Work with County and State to correct these problems
Recommendation: Transportation Revised Road Standards Context Appropriate
Recommendations: Transportation North-South Bypass Parallel Route 208 Bypass Town Center Connector Oxford 94 Connector
Recommendations: Infrastructure New Infrastructure developed to Town standards Conduct soil and groundwater studies to understand water and wastewater capacity
Recommendations: Community Prepare a coordinated capital plan New Town Center Facilities Coordinate with School Districts to plan for growth and sharing of facilities and services
Next Steps Comprehensive Plan Town Board Public Hearing November 9, 2004 Direction from Town Board SEQRA Adoption Zoning Meetings with Zoning Committee Drafting the revisions to Zoning Code SEQRA Adoption
Town of Blooming Grove Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting October 13, 2004