Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan

EXHIBIT SBL-3 TOWN AND VILLAGE OF ATHENS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

TOWN AND VILLAGE OF ATHENS

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

VOLUME I

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, INTRODUCTION, GOALS & RECOMMENDATIONS, AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

FINAL ADOPTED SEPTEMBER, 2007

Acknowledgments

The Town and Village of Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee would like to recognize and thank the many people and organizations whose assistance has made the completion of this Comprehensive Plan a reality. The development of the Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan was partially financed by grants obtained through the Hudson River Valley Greenway, NYS Quality Communities Program, Greene County IDA, Athens Community Foundation, NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program, Catskill-Olana Mitigation Fund, a member item from Senator Seward, and other State, Federal, Local and private funding sources. The Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee would specifically like to thank the following:

Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee (ACCP)

J. Stephen Casscles, Chairman Joanie Reimann-Giordano, Secretary Hal Brodie, Town Planning Board Liaison Charles Houghton Joseph Iraci Jack Lubera, Town Board Liaison Deirdre McInnerney Ann Myers Christian Pfister, Village Board Liaison Jeff Rose Andrea Smallwood, Village Board Liaison Linda Stacey Mike Veeder Paul Wais, Jr. Jane Zimmet

Town Board

Albert Salvino, Supervisor John Farrell Jr., Town Council Jack Lubera, Town Council James H. Robinson, Town Council Steven Worth, Town Council

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page i Acknowledgements

Village Board

Hon. Andrea Smallwood, Mayor David Riley, former Mayor Dominick Multari, Village Trustee James Palmateer, former Village Trustee Christian Pfister, Village Trustee Thomas Sopris, Village Trustee

Town and Village Staff

Linda M. Stacey, Town Clerk Mary Jo Wynne, Village Clerk Mary H. Brandow, Bookkeeper/Budget Officer Dennis Proper, Village Supt. of Public Works Richard Albright, Town Supt. of Highways George Holsopple, Town Code Enforcement Officer Mike Ragaini, Village Code Enforcement Officer Mark K. Levanway, Village Planning Board Chairperson

Hudson River Valley Greenway

Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Capitol Building, Room 254 Nan Albany, NY 12224 Phone (518) 473-3835 IP r Fax (518) 473-4518 Vii- www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us comoccoastaci www.hudsonrivervalley.com

New York State Quality Communities Program Grant

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page ii Acknowledgements

Greene County Department of Planning & Economic Development

Mary Howard

Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District

Rene Van Schaack, Executive Director Abbe Martin, Conservation Planner

Consultants MEM Community Planning & Environmental Associates in • Nan Stolzenburg, AICP ••• Community Planning & 152 Stolzenburg Road M•MI Environmental Associates Berne, NY 12023 Nan Saolienburg.A1CP - nnw.plannIngbetterplaces.com 152 StoL/enburg Road. Berne. NY 12023 Don Melu. Planning and GIS - no n.donmelttcom

Laberge Group Laberge ENGINEERING 4 Computer Drive West ARCHITECTURE Group SURVEYING Albany, New York 12205 PLANNING

4 Computer Drive West • Aborts New York 12206 wwwloberpegroup.com

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page iii

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments...... i

Table of Contents ...... iv

Executive Summary ...... vi

Introduction ...... vi

The Planning Process ...... vii

Vision Statement ...... vii

Plan Contents ...... viii

Summary of the Inventory and Profile...... ix

Summary of Public Participation Process ...... x

Introduction to Planning ...... 1

What is a Comprehensive Plan? ...... 1

Implementing the Plan ...... 1

Updating & Amending the Plan ...... 2

Goals and Recommendations ...... 3

Development of Goals and Recommendations ...... 3

Vision Statement ...... 3

Goals and Recommendations ...... 4

Economic Development ...... 4

Open Space, Environmental, Natural Resources and Scenic Views ...... 15

Agriculture ...... 26

Transportation and Pedestrian ...... 33

Historic, Cultural and Recreational Resources ...... 40

Housing ...... 51

Municipal and Community Resources ...... 56

Implementation Plan ...... 65

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Priority Action Plan ...... 65

Key to Priority...... 66

Key to Type of Action ...... 67

Map List ...... 79

Comprehensive Plan Maps ...... 79

Build-Out Analysis Maps ...... 80 9W Corridor Study Maps ...... 80

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Executive Summary

Introduction

The Village and Town of Athens are situated along the Hudson River‟s western shoreline, approximately 30 miles south of the City of Albany in Greene County. The Village and Town are located across the river from the City of Hudson and are about 100 miles north of New York City.

According to an historical account written in “Athens : 1776-1976 Its People and Industry”, the Village and Town of Athens have a rich history that dates back to the pre -Colonial Era and is linked to the Hudson River. Athens is a community along the Hudson River which has retained much of its architectural a nd historical integrity since its settlement in 1706. It reflects over 250 years of development and change, from farmland to a prosperous shipbuilding center and railroad terminus, to a tranquil residential and commercial community. Athens is also typica l of numerous Hudson River communities which prospered in the 19th century due to the resources of the Hudson River. As history and the Hudson River are very valuable to Athens residents, the Town and Village continue to focus attention on waterfront revi talization and historic preservation.

Over the past few decades, Athens has been experiencing steady commercial and industrial growth along Route 9W, Schoharie Turnpike and State Route 385; and significant residential growth is occurring around Sleepy Ho llow Lake and other areas

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page vi Executive Summary throughout the Town and Village. The majority of the Town‟s western area remains mostly rural and residential in nature, with a large amount of undeveloped land that either remains in agricultural production or has grown over to secondary forest. Many Athens residents enjoy a rural lifestyle, while commuting to work in the Albany area or other easily accessible regions.

The Planning Process

Like all communities, in order for the Town and Village of Athens to remain socially and economically sustainable, it must respond to changing conditions. The Town and Village of Athens, which share common interests in the future development and preservation of their respective communities, cooperatively chose to develop a Comprehensive Plan. As part of the comprehensive planning process, the Town and Village developed the following joint Vision Statement which is a synopsis of the visionary thoughts provided by all the concerned citizens who took part in the pubic participation process of the Comprehensive Plan:

Vision Statement

Athens is a vibrant and family-friendly place that is warm and inviting. Our residents include a wide range of age groups of different economic, educational, and social backgrounds which support a broad range of cultural, social, and recreational activities. Our safe & quiet neighborhoods have a small town atmosphere that consist of well designed and maintained homes that reflect our unique local history. Our rural, forested areas are rich in wildlife and afford undisturbed views of the Catskill Mountains, Berkshires and Hudson River Valley.

The clean and ecologically healthy Hudson River waterfront provides excellent access to the public for a variety of outdoor recreational activities and business enterprises. The charming village waterfront is linked to a convenient historic downtown shopping area. This mixed residential and commercial district provides a variety of necessary goods, services, entertainment venues, and attractions for local and regional patrons.

Athens has a balance of economic opportunities, including employment in professional & service sectors, commercial enterprises, farms, and light

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manufacturing. Furthermore, to encourage commerce, it has a well- designed transportation network that facilitates travel and the transportation of goods within the town and to nearby cities.

Homeowners, apartment dwellers, and businesses are supported by respected, well-run, and coordinated municipal governments. Proactive planning and infrastructure development have helped to attract small & medium sized businesses, while preserving the qualities that make Athens unique. Commercial growth and the expansion of housing stock for working and professional individuals and families and for senior citizens are accomplished in a manner which preserves working farms, open spaces, scenic vistas, and small town character.

The joint Comprehensive Plan is an example of inter-municipal cooperation and consensus building among varying interest groups to create strategic goals and an implementation plan for these two municipalities. A variety of tools were used to gather public opinion and support throughout the planning process. The Plan incorporates the knowledge and skills of a citizen advisory committee, planning consultants, and special interest groups to identify the local assets and liabilities, and establish goals and strategies for revitalization. This effort has led to a feeling of community ownership of the Comprehensive Plan and the creation of realistic goals and recommendations that can be implemented through policy changes, new program creation or expansion, organizational changes, grant acquisition, regulatory updates, and other alternatives and actions that will guide the Town and Village toward a successful future.

Plan Contents

The Comprehensive Plan is comprised of three volumes: Volume I contains an Executive Summary; an Overview of the Planning Process; a Summary of the Inventory and Profile; a Summary of the Public Participation Process; the Vision Statement, Goals and Recommendations; and the Implementation Plan.

Volume II contains the detailed Town and Village Inventory and Profile which offers a more in-depth discussion of the History of Athens; the Public Participation Process; Previous Planning Efforts; County Planning Efforts; Demographics; Housing Resources; Municipal Resources; Economic and Industrial Resources; Transportation Resources; Physical and Environmental Features; Cultural and Historical Resources; Existing Land

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Use and Zoning, and a display of thematic maps used throughout the planning process to illustrate the various sections of the Plan.

Volume III – Supplementary Reports, contains the complete Community Image Survey Report; the Athens Build-out Analysis; the Route 9W Study; the Draft Main Street Revitalization Strategy and the Draft Open Space Plan, which are both in progress and are expected to be completed in the summer of 2007.

Summary of the Inventory and Profile

The following is summary of the content of the Inventory and Profile. Please see Volume II of this Comprehensive Plan for further details.

Volume II, the Inventory and Profile of the Comprehensive Plan contains an abundance of information about the existing conditions in the Town and Village of Athens, its unique characteristics, trends or issues that will affect its future as well as community values and a shared vision for its development. The Inventory and Profile was drafted under the direct guidance the Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee (ACCP), ) a joint committee with five (5) appointed members from the Town and five (5) appointed members from the Village of Athens which was created with the intent of representing a large cross section of the community. In addition to the Committee‟s input there was significant outreach to municipal officials and active efforts to „interview‟ members of the community though telephone surveys and public participation workshops and meetings. The Inventory and Profile also incorporates facts and ideas from previous community planning efforts as well as regional and relevant state plans or programs.

The Inventory and Profile includes: a detailed description of the broad community outreach program that was intended to incorporate varying levels of public participation throughout the planning process; a detailed demographic, market and housing analysis which provides information about the people who live within the Town and Village of Athens; comparisons of the demographic features of the two involved communities to neighboring communities, Greene County and the State of New York, to provide a level of context that is required to understand the existing socio-economic conditions within the communities. The Inventory and Profile provides an overview of the local municipal resources, such as emergency services, education, municipal properties, utilities, historical properties and cultural events; a summary of the economic sectors, the local and regional tourist attractions, and a discussion on the existing economic development organizations, the services they provide, and the current efforts to boost the economy of

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page ix Executive Summary the area. The Inventory and Profile also includes an overview of the local and regional transportation resources, including the existing road network and alternative transportation options and a detailed description of the physical and environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, the topography, water features, soils, coastal areas, scenic views and habitats. Finally, this Volume, summarizes the local zoning codes and existing land use of the Town and Village.

Summary of Public Participation Process

The foundation of a good Comprehensive Plan is the incorporation of public input early and often throughout the Plan’s development. In order to develop a plan built upon public consensus on key issues and common goals, receiving feedback from the Town and Village elected and appointed leaders, business owners, and residents is imperative.

A two-part public outreach and participation process occurred over a two- year period. The first approach focused on obtaining input from the Town and Village elected officials, appointed boards and Town and Village staff. With the intent to ensure representation from each community, the Town Board and Village Board appointed the Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee, which was comprised of representatives from the Town and Village. The individuals appointed to the Committee are not only members of elected and appointed boards, but are residents and business owners that bring a wide range of experiences to the Committee and have local knowledge of the key issues concerning residents of Town and Village.

The second approach was targeted toward receiving feedback from the general public. Several public workshops were held to solicit the opinions of residents at large. Participants were encouraged to express their opinions on a wide variety of community issues and characteristics, which helped formulate the vision for the future. Stakeholder interviews were also conducted of Town and Village staff members, and representatives of other local organizations or special interest groups. In order to provide another opportunity for all residents and property owners to give feedback for this planning process, the Committee also conducted a Community Survey.

Listed below are events that took place over a 2-year period beginning in the summer of 2005 and ending in the spring of 2007 for the development and adoption of the Comprehensive Plan:

• Appointment of the Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee.

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• Comprehensive Plan Committee Orientation Meetings. • Review of the comprehensive planning process. • Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis. • Stakeholder Interviews • Visioning Workshop. • Community Image Survey Workshop. • Community Survey. • Buildout Analysis • Draft Route 9W Corridor Study • Draft Main Street Study • Review of Draft Inventory and Profile. • Open House • Develop draft Goals and Recommendations. • Review of draft Goals and Recommendations • Review of Draft Plan by the Committee. • Solicit public input and forward Draft Plan to Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development for review. • Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Public Hearing. • Town and Village Board Public Hearings. • State, Environmental, Quality, Review Act (SEQR) Determination.

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Introduction to Planning

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

New York State law grants municipalities the authority to prepare and adopt comprehensive plans.1 As defined by law, a comprehensive plan is a document that identifies goals, objectives, principles, and policies for the immediate and long-range protection, enhancement, growth, and development of a community. Also known as a master plan, a comprehensive plan provides guidance to municipal leaders, government agencies, community organizations, local businesses, and residents, and helps to ensure that the community‟s needs are met, both now and in the future.

Long-term in nature (with generally a 10-year outlook), comprehensive plans concentrate on drafting land use policy, developing regulatory measures, identifying zoning changes, and creating local laws that, over time, will foster the community‟s growth in a manner consistent with residents‟ preferred vision. A well-developed comprehensive plan is a community‟s blueprint for the future.

The comprehensive plan, as a tool of planning, is a means to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the people. An adopted comprehensive plan indicates that both community leaders and citizens accept the plan as the guide to future decision-making and development. New York‟s zoning enabling statutes (the state statutes which give cities, towns and villages the power to enact local zoning laws) all require that zoning laws be adopted in accordance with a comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan provides the backbone for the local zoning law. 2

Implementing the Plan

The adoption of the Comprehensive Plan is only the beginning. The mere statements of goals and recommendations of this plan will not produce the desired results unless the Town and Village implement the concepts through land use regulations, public

1 Town Law §272-a and Village Law §7-722 2 Zoning and The Comprehensive Plan, James A. Coon Local Government Technical Series, December, 1999, Town Law §263, Village Law §7-704

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Once the Comprehensive Plan is adopted, the Town and Village Boards should each designate an Implementation Committee to review the goals and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan, and make recommendations for immediate actions that should be pursued by the Town and Village. The Committee should have members that represent the existing Planning Boards, Zoning Board of Appeals and Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee (ACCP). This Implementation Committee should first be charged with implementing the recommended changes to the Zoning Codes/Ordinances, in order to bring these regulations in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. Upon completion of their review, the Implementation Committee should present their recommendations to the Town and Village Boards for consideration and adoption. The Town and Village Boards must follow the legal requirements set forth in Town Law §263, Village Law §7-704 - §7-708 and General Municipal Law §239-m when making changes to the Zoning Code/Ordinance. The Implementation Committee should also be charged with the implementation of the other recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. The Committee should work on each strategy in the order of importance established by the Plan within the next section; however, it is likely that priorities may change with the availability of funding sources for particular projects.

Updating & Amending the Plan

In order for the Comprehensive Plan to be an effective tool in guiding the desires of the Town and Village residents, it must be reviewed on a regular basis. Ideas and attitudes change over time. Five years from now, a problem that may have been at the forefront of the public mind may be resolved and something else may take its place. Therefore, it is recommended that the Town and Village Boards and Planning Boards, or other designated special board, annually review the Comprehensive Plan‟s recommendations to ensure that they are relevant to the changing conditions within the Town and Village. It is recommended that the entire Comprehensive Plan be reviewed at least once every five years, and be amended where needed. The Plan should be updated or re-written at least once every ten years.

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Goals and Recommendations

Development of Goals and Recommendations

The Goals and Recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan, once implemented, are intended to guide the future development of the Town and Village. To best understand the intent of these elements, it might be helpful to know the differences that exist between goals and recommendations.

A goal is a general statement of a future condition that is considered desirable for the community; it is an end towards which actions are aimed.

A recommendation is a specific proposal to do something that relates directly to accomplishing the goal.

The goals and recommendations developed in support of the Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan were all crafted through the efforts of plan consultants working closely with the community. Much effort was put into the public participation process conducted in support of the planning process. This involved several public workshops, stakeholder interviews, a series of committee meetings, and a residential survey.

Culling all the feedback from these efforts, an attempt was made to identify goals and recommendations that best reflect the community‟s concerns and desires. With the feedback received through public and committee meetings, the goals were finalized and further tailored to better reflect the communities‟ desired vision of the future. Final modifications were made to reflect feedback received.

Vision Statement

As part of the comprehensive planning process, the Town and Village developed the following joint Vision Statement which is a synopsis of the visionary thoughts provided by all the concerned citizens who took part in the pubic participation process of the Comprehensive Plan:

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Athens has a balance of economic opportunities, including employment in professional & service sectors, commercial enterprises, farms, and light manufacturing. Furthermore, to encourage commerce, it has a well-designed transportation network that facilitates travel and the transportation of goods within the town and to nearby cities.

Goals and Recommendations

Economic Development

An important factor in understanding economic development and devising strategies for growth is identifying the resource areas. These include: the available workforce and workforce development, quality of life factors, and business and community resources and infrastructure. In order to succeed a community must have an attractive quality of life, along with available building sites, a qualified labor force, financial incentives or resources, utilities and transportation infrastructure. These components are integral to business attraction and retention.

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The Town and Village of Athens have a variety of local economic development resources available to existing and new business owners. The majority of the Village is serviced by public water and sewer and is conveniently linked to the state highway system. The main water line runs through the Town and Village along Schoharie Turnpike, from its source at Hollister Lake, offering an opportunity for future extension of the drinking water system. Further, the Town has an Industrial Park with gas and rail access.

The location along the Hudson River waterfront as well as its historic buildings and layout, add to Athens‟ continued potential for a mix of residential and business uses. New York State has recently authorized a new Empire Zone in Greene County which encompasses 167 acres of land within the Town of Athens. The Town and Village are also blessed with a variety of local tourist attractions which are supported and promoted locally as well as regionally through the area chambers of commerce and the Greene County Tourism Promotion Department. With its proximity across the river from the City of Hudson and its high percentage of seasonal residences, the tourism industry will likely continue to play a large role in the local economy.

In addition to local economic development resources, the Town and Village of Athens also have a variety of regional resources to assist existing and new business owners. The Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development (GCDPED) and the Greene County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) administer a number of programs that together have the ability to promote and generate economic opportunities. Economic Development assistance is also available through the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, the Coxsackie Area Chamber of Commerce and the GreeneBusiness Partnership. A detailed listing of these programs taken from the GCDPED web site can be found in the Appendix.

In order for the Village and Town of Athens to remain economically sustainable, it must respond to changing conditions. The Village and Town are both projected to gain population between 2005 and 2010, with large percentages of the populations falling between the ages of 35 and 54. This projected population growth could have a positive economic impact, as according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumers between the ages of 35-44 and 45-54 are in their peak earning years, and spend the most dollars of all other age groups. Projections also predict an increase in the median household income for Village and Town residents by 2010.

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Throughout the public outreach process, residents expressed the desire for more retail shopping opportunities and services for every day needs. Residents also expressed a general dissatisfaction with the empty storefronts on Second Street, lack of local job opportunities and high taxes. The results of the residential survey showed that a vast majority of residents supported the conversion of empty buildings to commercial space, the expansion of economic development activities, the creation of an industrial park, additional commercial development, more local job availability, more locally-owned and operated businesses, and high-tech and light industrial businesses. Residents also expressed that it was important to create economic development strategies to preserve farming as a part of the local economy. Preservation of farming leads to the enhancement of local quality of life by controlling land development and preserving open space and the natural beauty of the community. In addition farming as an industry has been proven to have less demand on municipal services, thus keeping tax rates lower throughout the community.

The Town and Village together have a skilled work force in the areas of education, health, and social services, public administration, manufacturing and retail trade, however many residents currently commute to other towns and cities for work, and often bring their business to other towns and cities along the way. The Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development is currently developing a comprehensive economic development plan for the County. Early stages of the planning process have identified industry opportunities for the Town and Village of Athens as well as facility requirements and issues concerning competition with the Albany area.

The following Goals and Recommendations have been formulated to address these and other challenges. Specific recommendations for the economic development of the 9W Corridor are included in the Route 9W Corridor Recommendations section.

GOALS

A. Foster a vital business-friendly environment for existing and new business enterprises to expand Athens' tax base.

B. Foster a range of employment opportunities in professional & service sectors, commercial and retail enterprises, agriculture and light manufacturing.

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C. Foster a viable regional tourism economy and position Athens to benefit from increased tourism.

D. Protect and carefully develop the Hudson River waterfront, as it remains the community‟s most valuable resource.

E. Link the Village waterfront to a convenient historic downtown shopping area.

F. Encourage the downtown shopping area to become a mixed residential and commercial district that provides a variety of necessary goods, services, entertainment venues and attractions for local and regional patrons.

G. Encourage the continued growth and improvement of a range of retail & commercial services contained in aesthetically pleasing structures along Route 9- W primarily to serve the needs of residents.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Local and Regional Cooperation, Planning, Programming

1. Create or appoint a joint Town/Village Local Development Corporation (LDC) to spearhead revitalization and funding. A Local Development Corporation is a legal entity/organization directed by a board of directors and/or members, for the purpose of creating new jobs and income growth. This is one of many tools used by communities, counties and regions throughout New York State to foster economic development. Creating a 501 (c) (3) public benefit corporation will allow some flexibility in pursuing and using economic development funds provided by the State.

2. Work with the proposed joint Town/Village LDC, or the GreeneBusiness Partnership to recruit new businesses to fill empty commercial structures and to attract and retain employment opportunities. Create and maintain a vacant land and building inventory to easily identify potential redevelopment sites. In the short term, businesses should be recruited that the local market can support, such as a grocery store, small convenience store, casual restaurant/deli, dry cleaner or bakery. As the revitalization efforts gain momentum, recruit businesses that need the support of the regional market such as specialty gift shops, antique stores, fine dining restaurants,gv pubs, bed and breakfast‟s, and entertainment facilities to support the tourism market.

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3. Appoint a Joint Village/Town economic development liaison to stay abreast of economic development programs, attend meetings, participate in community events, and communicate Village and Town positions on key issues with existing economic development and tourism agencies such as the Greene County Chamber of Commerce and the Greene County Tourism Promotion Department.

4. Develop a joint town/village Business Assistance Program. The program could include a revolving loan fund that is designed and directed to new and existing businesses either located in or considering an Athens location. Revolving loan funding uses include, but are not limited to: relocation and start up expenses; purchase of equipment or inventory; the engagement of professional technical assistance, leasehold improvements; and working capital. The funding could also be used to assist with capital improvements, façade and sign enhancements, business expansion and second and third story rehabilitation.

5. Work with Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development and adjacent towns and villages to coordinate the “Historic River Towns Inter-municipal Growth Plan and the Greene County Comprehensive Economic Development Plan. These current and future planning processes will facilitate the formation of mutual goals, coordinated efforts for economic development, and follow-through on implementation strategies.

Empire Zone Benefits

1. Support local businesses in accessing Empire Zone benefits to create new and/or retain existing jobs:

a. Update the Town of Athens Zoning Ordinance to be more specific and to allow for a more “shovel ready” development review process in the designated Empire Zone areas. b. Work with the County to ensure that the Town zoning districts are consistent with the types of businesses that will be utilizing the Empire Zone. c. Add a specific list of allowable uses to the table of “District Objectives and Land Use Controls” within the Zoning Ordinance, and list which uses will require site plan review or special permits. d. Update Section 180-26 of the Town Zoning law to detail what kind of uses require special permits, which board oversees the review process, what the procedure is for attaining a special permit, and what standards are to be used.

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Where practical, eliminate the need for certain business uses to apply for special use permits within the Empire Zone. e. Update the Performance Standards, Section 180-14. f. Consider developing a Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the Empire Zone.

2. The Town and Village should cooperate with Greene County IDA, Greene County Planning and Economic Development Department and private property owners to provide public water and sewer to the new Empire Zone properties on Schoharie Turnpike.

Infrastructure Expansion

1. The Town and Village Boards and Planning Boards should work together to study and consider the future extension of public water service to the commercial properties at the intersection of Route 9W and Schoharie Turnpike. Public water services should be contained within this “commercial node”, and not extended north along the entire length of 9W. This concept is intended to avoid the creation of a continuous commercial strip along 9W. Future public water extensions could be aimed south of the intersection of Schoharie Turnpike and 9W to the “commercial node” at the intersection of 9W and Leeds-Athens Road. Expansions south of Leeds Athens Road, as well as east and west along Leeds Athens Road should be discouraged.

2. Investigate opportunities to expand municipal telecommunications and utility infrastructure, such as DSL, high speed Internet, and/or cable access connections.

Design Guidelines and Zoning Code Improvements

1. Develop architectural design, building form, subdivision regulations and signage guidelines to foster new commercial, residential, and mixed-use development that retains small town, historic and natural character of the Town and Village. These standards and sketches can serve as a guide toward achieving an acceptable urban pattern through building styles and typologies. The design standards should be applicable to all proposed activities, including signage and franchise/chain businesses. The Town and Village should utilize the results of the Community Image Survey to establish these guidelines or standards.

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2. Improve the overall aesthetics of the Town and Village by addressing issues such as vacant or dilapidated buildings, broken or boarded up windows, unscreened dumpsters, junk cars and general rubbish, uninviting fencing and building facades, cluttered sidewalks, and unattractive signs with enhanced local codes and code enforcement. Identify and work with absentee landlords to improve the use and appearance of residential, commercial, or mixed-use buildings throughout the Town and Village.

3. Review and update the “use tables” of the Town and Village zoning codes to ensure that they allow for the desired commercial uses in specific districts. Further, review use tables and zoning so that the town and village regulations are coordinated and not in conflict with each other.

Village Downtown Improvements

1. Initiate a Main Street Program with the support from the National Trust‟s National Main Street Center, Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization©. The Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization™ is a comprehensive strategy that can be tailored to different communities and is based on a Four Point Approach™. The following excerpt is from The Professional‟s Guide to the Main Street Approach, National Trust‟s National Main Street Center, 2000. The National Trust for Historic Preservation also offers the following 8 principles that must be combined with the Main Street Four Point Approach™:

Four Point Approach™

a. Organization: Building a consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals that play roles in the community. Many individuals and organizations have a stake in the economic viability of the community, including: bankers, property owners, government officials, merchants, residents, professionals, chamber of commerce representatives, local industries, civic groups, historical societies, schools, consumers, real estate agents and local media.

b. Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the existing local economic base, while diversifying it. Activities include helping existing businesses expand, recruiting new businesses to provide a balanced mix, converting un-used space into productive property and sharpening the competitiveness of local

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merchants. By strengthening the local economy, the community will be able to support the ongoing use of historic commercial buildings, and preserve unique community assets.

c. Design: Improving the community aesthetic by enhancing the physical appearance of public and private buildings, streetlights, window displays, storefronts, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, public open spaces, promotional materials, and all other elements that convey a visual message about the local business environment and what is has to offer.

d. Promotion: Marketing the community‟s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, tourists, and others. Effective promotion creates a positive image of the community. Promotion of retail activities, special events and ongoing programs can rekindle community pride.

Eight Principles of the Main Street Approach™

a. Comprehensive: A single project cannot revitalize a business district. For instance, design improvements alone will not stabilize or expand your economy. Effective marketing, organization, and solid economic development strategies are all necessary components of successful downtown revitalization.

b. Incremental: Small projects and simple activities enable those involved to see things happening. Small projects enable those involved to develop the skills and confidence needed to be successful at more complex, larger projects.

c. Identify and Capitalize on Existing Assets: Every community is unique and has special qualities that set it apart from all others. Local leaders should focus on a unique asset like a distinctive building or feature, and turn it into an opportunity.

d. Implementation Oriented: Frequent visible changes and activities create confidence in the program and encourage greater levels of participation in the revitalization efforts.

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e. Quality: From storefront design, to promotional campaigns, to special events, quality must be emphasized in every aspect of the revitalization program.

f. Self-Help: Local leaders must have the desire and will to make the project successful. Grant programs can help fund pieces of the work, planners and consultants can provide guidance, but without community involvement and commitment, the revitalization effort will not be successful.

g. Public-Private Partnerships: Public and private sectors have a vital interest in the economic health and physical viability of downtown. An effective partnership is one that recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of the other partner.

h. Changing Attitudes: Changing community attitudes and habits are essential to bring about downtown revitalization. Public perceptions must be shifted in order to support and sustain the economic revitalization effort.

2. Explore the creation of a Downtown Business Improvement District. BIDs are funded by a special assessment paid by property owners within a designated area and are overseen by a committee of property owners. BIDs deliver supplemental services such as maintenance, public safety and visitor services, marketing and promotional programs, capital improvements and beautification in a designated area.

3. Improve public parking areas in the Village. Analyze residential and commercial streets, off-street parking conditions and develop a plan for solving the associated parking problems. Potential solutions include establishing municipal parking, delineating existing on-street parking spaces with stripping, enforcing parking regulations, and/or creating designated spaces for renters through a permit system.

4. Continue to apply for grant assistance through federal, state, county, local and philanthropic organizations. Focus on making financial assistance available to existing and new businesses to rehabilitate and re-use existing commercial buildings.

5. Establish a “Curtains on Main Street” program to hang curtains in the windows of temporarily vacant buildings.

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6. Improve the overall streetscape of Second Street and Water Street by gradually replacing DOT highway-style lighting with replica vintage lighting to improve aesthetics and better light the sidewalks. Replace traffic lights with mast arm poles, improve curbing and sidewalks and where feasible, add landscaping and street furniture.

7. Encourage business owners to install building mounted lighting for the pedestrian area, such as gooseneck lighting and under-awning lighting to illuminate business signs and store window displays.

Riverfront Improvements

1. Take advantage of the Hudson River as an asset of the Town and Village. Continue to implement the goals of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan and the Athens Waterfront Revitalization Project to improve the Riverfront Park, the 4th Street Boat Launch, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse and other riverfront properties. These improvements would attract tourists to the Town and Village, provide access to the river and promote recreational activities. Riverfront improvements that were recommended from these plans, that are either currently underway, or have yet been implemented include the following:

a. Riverfront Park 1. Dredging of the ferry slip to restore depth and development of heavy duty mooring for use by tour boats. 2. Improvements of the “Central Plaza” area at the foot of Second Street. 3. Construction of a small structure to house restrooms and possible ticket office. 4. Rearrange and define street parking areas to provide additional capacity. 5. Placement of various architectural details such as railings, lighting, and surface treatments. 6. The establishment of a boat tour operation or additional ferry trips running between Hudson & Athens, and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse and/or other river destinations.

b. 4th Street Boat Launch 1. Development of a safe launching/landing area for canoes and kayaks. 2. Development of a small kiosk to direct visitors to nearby businesses and attractions/

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3. Aesthetic improvements including improvements to the streetscape, utility relocation, and improvements to the adjoining private buildings and the old slip. 4. Landscaping, benches and planters. 5. Development of limited parking spots (12-13), which can be used for paddlers.

2. Display a kiosk in the Athens Riverfront Park and the 4th Street Boat Launch with a map of historic sites in the village and information on dining, shopping events and opportunities for paddlers, street festivals and other interesting attractions in the community. The kiosk could include information on the Village of Athens Walking Tour (map and pamphlet developed for the Bicentennial celebration), Athens Cultural Center, Athens Museum, Athens Street Festival, Middle Ground Flats, Brandow Point, Stockport Conservation Area and the Hudson River Regional Festival among other attractions.

3. Continue efforts to remove or rehabilitate the abandoned barges along the riverfront that are presenting safety, aesthetic and environmental concerns.

4. Utilize Middleground Flats for camping, picnicking, hiking/nature trails, bird- watching, and fishing. The number of camping sites should be limited to avoid environmental damage to the island.

Tourism and Promotion

1. Continue to participate in regional events, programs and services that already exist and appeal to tourists. The Great Hudson River Paddle is but one regional festival that involves many communities throughout the region. It is important for the Town and Village to continue to participate in such events to secure its place in a regional economy.

2. Continue to support and promote a variety of local cultural and recreational events in the Town and Village. Examples include: street festivals, river festivals, block parties, craft fairs, wine tastings, ice festivals, town/village-wide garage sales, book fairs, holiday celebrations, parades, and walking tours to attract tourists throughout the year and inspire community spirit and pride.

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3. Work with the Greene Business Partnership to encourage existing manufacturing businesses to expand their products and services. For example, local businesses could open their doors for tours of their facilities during festival days, or create a small display detailing the history of their company in Athens.

4. Work with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County, Greene County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, Greene County Department of Planning & Economic Development and Greene County Tourism to seek grant opportunities for local farmers in order to strengthen the local agricultural economy. Local farmers can benefit from involvement in a regional agri-tourism, eco and/or recreational tourism market, as well as expanded farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture Programs (CSAs or Co-ops).

5. Create Village and Town web sites for the promotion of existing and forthcoming programs, development initiatives and community events. Be sure to provide links to Chamber of Commerce, Greene County and school district websites.

6. Develop a more recognizable signage program throughout the Village and Town. Signs and kiosks should lead visitors to shopping areas and other attractions. A recognizable theme of banners for all of the seasons could also be displayed on the existing utility poles to dress up the area.

7. Enhance the community gateways or “welcome” signs, with additional landscaping, lighting, and thematic signage. Gateways can be tied to an established theme and can include signs, sculptures, or ornamental historic objects.

Open Space, Environmental, Natural Resources and Scenic Views

Athens stretches between the Hudson River shoreline and the first line of hills of the Helderberg Escarpment and is characterized by a generally rolling, rural landscape. The town has three distinct topographic zones: a flat terrace along the Hudson (containing the Village / Route 385), the Kalkberg Hills (in the vicinity of Route 9W), and the Hoogeberg Hills (in the vicinity of the NYS Thruway west to the town border). A series of steep slopes (over 15%) running north-south can be found and are more predominant in the central to western portion of Athens. There is a narrow band of steep slopes along the Kalkberg Hills, some areas scattered through the Hoogeberg Hills and along stream edges and banks in the terrace area in the eastern portion of town.

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Athens has a notable amount of green space particularly along the Hudson, which has many areas of protected or preserved forests, wetlands, and tidal flats. The entire Hudson shoreline north from Cohotate Preserve to the Coxsackie border (except areas near the Village) is an extensive wetland complex that includes tidal pools and areas of emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation. Other wetland areas include a regulated wetlands complex north of Green Lake Park as well as along Corlaer Creek and Murderer‟s Creek. There are federally designated floodplain areas along the entire Hudson shoreline, Murderer‟s Creek below the dam, and Potic Creek. Sleepy Hollow Lake is on NY State‟s list of impaired water bodies due to silt and sedimentation from stream bank erosion. Other important community open spaces and preserves include the Green Lake boat launch, Buttermilk Falls, Brandow Point (under development), Middle Ground Flats, and the Vosburgh Swamp area wetlands and tidal flats.

Much of Athens‟ Hudson River shoreline is considered to be critical wildlife habitats, particularly in the West Flats area in the northeastern portion of the town. The NYS Natural Heritage Program designates a number of the significant ecological communities found along the Athens shoreline as „imperiled‟ in New York. These habitats are also given priority under the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation‟s Hudson River Estuary Management Program and the Department of State‟s Coastal Zone Management Program. Other areas containing significant habitat clusters can be found in the vicinity of Potic Mountain and the Hans Vosen Kill.

State Route 385 is a State Scenic Byway for 3.5 miles of its length south of the Village of Coxsackie border. It was originally designated as a scenic road under a program of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and later transferred to the NYS Department of Transportation. A portion of the Town and Village is included in a Scenic Area of Statewide Significance under the New York Coastal Zone program. Some official protection exists for scenic resources, but only in the village. Some parts of Athens have environmental limitations to intense development such as lower water capacities, shallow or clay soils, and significant ecological communities.

Feedback from the community indicates that town and village residents value Athens scenic nature and surrounding landscape. In particular, people noted the quaint small- town architecture and layout, its Hudson River setting, the absence of a rail road along the banks of the River, the quantity of green open space, the diversity of natural habitats, and views of the Catskills Mountains and foothills.

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Specific scenic locations valued by the community include the following: High Hill Road at Schoharie Turnpike with scenic views of Coxsackie, Athens, the Hudson River, the City of Hudson, and the Berkshire Mountains; and Sandy Plains Road at High Hill Road with views of the Cauterskill Creek, the Helderberg Escarpment (Hoogeberg Hills), and Windham Mountain. Residents also identified scenic views along Howard Hall, Vosenkill and Cross roads in the town.

GOALS

A. Assess, protect and enhance the environment to sustain the quality of natural resources, the rural landscape, and diversity of wildlife habitats.

B. Protect and maintain air and water quality and establish effective storm water management practices.

C. Preserve scenic views of the rural environment, the Hudson River, views of the Catskill and Berkshire Mountains, open spaces and other important physical features in Athens.

D. Promote environmentally sound energy efficient commercial & residential buildings.

E. Conserve and protect the Hudson River Estuary and its associated natural resources, habitats and wildlife.

F. Develop an effective science-based, locally driven strategy for the assessment, prioritization and management of Athens‟ natural resources by participating with neighboring municipalities and establishing partnerships with existing natural resource programs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Water Quality Related Recommendations

1. Develop and implement a town/village stormwater management and maintenance plan that incorporates state and federal requirements. Consider adoption of most

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recent version of NY State sample local law established for compliance with state regulation of municipal separate storm water systems (MS4s) or incorporate these standards for local development. Ensure local codes and standards empower decision-makers in the zoning, subdivision, and site plan review process to encourage use of pervious surfaces and natural drainage design features including the setting aside of adequate undeveloped space to absorb surface runoff from lots or development sites. Ensure local code enforcement officers are trained in current state requirements for Pollution Prevention Plans required for development of over one acre.

2. Encourage groundwater recharge and reduce runoff velocity by limiting the rapid growth of impervious surface coverage within the Town and Village. Require shared access roads and parking lots in commercial areas, ensure parking standards in town/village codes are appropriate to the village/rural character of the community and not copied from more suburban examples, ensure parking codes include (and encourage) standards for pervious surface lot treatments and design that allows for more natural drainage patterns as well as permeable landscaped islands. Encourage wetland protection, restoration and mitigation to maintain or enhance natural stormwater.

3. Identify local aquifer resources (watersheds like Potic Mountain & recharge zones e.g.) and provide for adequate development densities, protections and buffers in the zoning code. In these areas consider establishing standards for sediment and oil traps for large parking lots.

4. Ensure that key hydrologic resources such as the Hudson River shoreline (particularly areas with emergent or submerged aquatic vegetation or other wetlands), the east/south branch of Murderers Creek, the Corlaer Kill, the Hans Vosen Kill and their associated wetlands and watersheds are well protected and buffered or performance standards established in local law.

5. Maintain partnerships with the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program.

6. Seek federal and state funding for protection and conservation efforts within the Hudson River Estuary.

7. Hollister Lake is another important water resource in Athens and serves as the Village of Athens water supply. The Town and Village should work cooperatively to create a

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source water protection area (overlay zone) around Hollister Lake to protect drinking water quality. This area should coincide with the natural watershed of the lake. Within this source water protection overlay area, standards should be established to control development, manure spreading, septic systems and other sources of non- point pollution from reaching the lake.

8. Extend the 100‟ and 50‟ stream buffer requirements that currently exist for the Agriculture and Open Space Districts to streams in the Ru district. This will give the same kind of stream protection to all locations in town. Within these setback areas, work with landowners to encourage maintenance of natural vegetation. During the subdivision process, incorporate watercourse protection by using vegetative borders and buffers.

9. Consider a watershed overlay approach to protecting Black Lake and Green Lake. Within this watershed overlay, development standards should be established to protect water quality from erosion, sedimentation, and non-point sources of pollution. Standards could include setbacks, use of erosion and sediment control procedures, density limitations, or other mechanisms. (See recommendations, above on Hollister Lake.)

10. Encourage local agricultural producers to work with Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District to obtain technical assistance and grants to implement best management practices that limit runoff of water, pesticides, fertilizers, and animal wastes into water bodies.

11. Work with the Sleepy Hollow Lake Association to promote a watershed and shoreline protection strategy. Continue to work with the Association to encourage control of invasive plants and animals using high pressure steam washing or cleaning technology.

12. The Town and Village Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeals should carefully consider development projects proposed within 100-year floodplains. To the maximum extent practicable, zoning and subdivision laws should attempt to require that new structures are built out of the designated floodplain.

13. Establish steep slope regulations for development on slopes greater than 15% to control erosion and sedimentation.

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Natural Resource Related Strategies

1. Support the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District in its effort to develop a natural resource inventory/overview of Athens and map the sensitive/critical/rare/unique habitats. This information should be used as an important piece of information to be evaluated during project review processes. Consider incorporating natural resource inventory data on the town and village‟s official maps. The Town and Village should work to mitigate any potential negative impacts of development on important wildlife habitats.

2. Ensure town and Village planning, zoning, subdivision, and site plan documents reference these natural resource inventories and resources and other locations of community concern. During the review process, the town and/or village should place conditions and/or incentives that shape development proposals in ways that protect or minimize harm to these resources.

3. Identify threatened or diminishing habitat types in the community and seek to protect them through voluntary acquisition of title or development rights on prime parcels.

4. Identify districts or locales within the town demonstrating exemplary „rural landscape‟ qualities and seek to protect them through voluntary acquisition of title or development rights on prime parcels.

5. Ensure members of the planning/zoning boards and other key community officials have sufficient materials, maps, and resources to appreciate significant community natural resources. Arrange presentations/talks for these decision-makers by local and regional experts to ensure their understanding and awareness of important resources and current threats or challenges is up to date. Encourage members of Town and Village Planning Boards to participate in available trainings (e.g. Hudsonia‟s Biodiversity Assessment Training) that may provide boards with increased knowledge regarding natural resources and current methods used to assess and protect resources.

6. Consider forming a standing ad-hoc inter-municipal natural resource committee for the Athens area that would involve locally interested and expert residents as well as representatives from key organizations such as Greene County Planning, Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District, Hudson River Estuary Management Program / NY State DEC, and the NY State Department of State Coastal Zone

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Management Program. The committee could meet at regular intervals (semi-annually e.g.) to review and suggest funding opportunities or priorities for grant applications dealing with habitat protection. This process could also act as a mechanism for periodic review and modification of priority rankings of locations/resources in need of protection. As an alternative, or in addition, consider appointing a joint town/village Conservation Advisory Committee, as authorized by New York State under General Municipal Law.

7. Provide information on, and encourage landowner participation in, conservation programs that provide technical assistance and/or financial assistance or incentives to help landowners with conservation efforts on private property. Such programs may include, but are not limited to Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

8. Incorporate environmental protection requirements into siting and design of development projects. Encourage the use of design/construction standards that minimize the impact on natural resources including viewsheds, habitats and wildlife (e.g. historical, energy efficient, downward lighting).

9. Encourage development of conservation plans for all major development projects to provide habitat and wetland protection on adjacent or nearby continuous lands that provide similar habitat to the area being developed. Encourage developers to coordinate with organizations such as the Greene County Soil and Water District, Greene Land Trust, or similar organizations to ensure long-term protection and management of habitat and conservation lands.

10. Consider establishing local regulations regarding introduction and transport of non- native invasive species (e.g. using clean fill on all development sites; clean vessels between uses in different navigable waterways).

Scenic Resource Recommendations

1. Develop a scenic resources inventory that identifies existing and potential scenic views and places needing improvement. Use the LWRP scenic recommendations to aid in establishing local development standards that serve to protect the important / valued view sheds, landscape features, viewpoints, and scenic districts in the community. Process input from experts and community residents to identify

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additional resources and help prioritize/rank sites and views. Consider establishing conservation, ridgeline protection, and other overlay zones to protect scenic and other environmental resources.

2. Identify important visual corridors to the Hudson River as part of the scenic resources inventory and ensure that new development/redevelopment does not further restrict existing views from the business district, important public gathering places, and public road corridors. Ensure the zoning laws do not allow building encroachment or blocking of these main visual corridors. Protect scenic views further by:

a. Requiring a Visual Assessment Addendum to SEQR during the development review process for projects located within the identified scenic viewsheds. b. Encouraging developers to carefully place structures and roads to maintain views or viewing opportunities during the subdivision or other review process. Use the information from this plan as the basis for identifying scenic locations. c. Promote opening up public vistas of the river in appropriate ways. d. Establish design/construction standards that will help to maintain rural character and minimize the impact of development on viewsheds. e. Evaluate the Black Rock area south of the Village and determine ways to manage the vegetation growth to re-open vistas to the River.

3. Consider establishing an annual fund to build matching funds for leveraging state and federal monies available for voluntary acquisition of development rights on parcels with value for scenic preservation.

4. Seek planning and acquisition funding through Hudson River Foundation‟s Catskill- Olana Scenic Mitigation Fund.

5. Ensure that new development is sensitive to identified community scenic values through a planning review process that clearly identifies and describes the significance of these resources as well as codes and ordinances that empower local officials to ensure their protection during review and approval processes.

6. Consider streetscape improvements to the Route 385 corridor including streetscape plantings, general design, maintenance of scenic views, control of commercial signage, establish building setback requirements and protect tree lines adjacent to the road, and visual barriers to certain uses, such as the auto salvage yard, etc.

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7. In order to protect the scenic qualities of roads, control excessive signage.

Environmental Recommendations

1. Expand existing development standards in the Town zoning code designed to protect the environment (Section 180-25). This section needs to provide the Town with more specific expectations and performance standards than currently exist. The standards included in this section set the general tone but give little specific direction to the Planning Board on how to accomplish those standards.

2. Consider establishing outdoor burn, noise, and nuisance odor laws in the Town and review the Villages existing burn law.

3. Ensure that the zoning codes have strict performance standards for the operation and maintenance of auto and scrap junkyards and autobody repair shops, including adequate visual screening from public roads, public lands, and adjacent residences and businesses. Enhance language and enforcement of junk car laws.

4. Continue efforts to remove or up-grade barges near Peckham‟s in the Hudson River.

5. Encourage property developers in Athens to take advantage of NY State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) staff technical expertise on energy efficiency and green construction.

6. Work with NYSERDA Energy Efficiency Services program to explore ways town/village buildings may be improved for energy efficiency.

7. Ensure local building and zoning code enforcement officers are trained or familiar with NY State Green Building Codes and standards as well as the NY State Green Building Tax Credit. Make local residents, businesses, and residents aware of NY State‟s Green Building Tax Credit program.

8. Work with NYSERDA staff and Greene County Industrial Development Authority to help establish performance criteria in local codes appropriate to Athens.

9. Reference the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program certification standards and NYS Green Building standards in the local building and zoning codes.

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10. Work with the Greene County Planning and Economic Development Department and NYSERDA to establish a local outreach program to home and business owners to improve energy efficiency at their current location.

11. Consider adding a local property tax credit or footprint or floor-to-area ratio bonus in the zoning codes for buildings that meet highest „green‟ and/or efficiency standards.

12. Develop a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for the Town of Athens (incorporating the existing Village plan) with a focus on habitat preservation, including use of land for agricultural purposes, especially in the area of the town‟s northern shoreline. Implement the recommendations of the Village LWRP.

13. Seek to limit future waterfront construction to existing developed sites, using redevelopment/rehabilitation of existing structures and increased density / infill development to accommodate new projects as the downtown economy expands.

14. Encourage proper authorities to establish and enforce local „no wake‟ or speed zones around sensitive shoreline vegetation habitat (to help protect submerged aquatic vegetation) with the cooperation and input of NY State DEC, the Greene County Sheriff, and local marina operators.

15. Pass strict local ordinances for the operation and maintenance of marina businesses, focusing on rules relating to regular handling and use of fuel, oil, and waste to minimize small, frequent escape of contaminants into the estuary.

Open Space Recommendations

1. Update the cluster zoning ordinance for the Town and establish cluster zoning in the Village. Both municipalities should consider offering developers density „bonuses‟ to new developments that preserve large blocks of open space and both should include provisions for creation of conservation subdivisions. Density bonuses could be issued when a development preserves at least 50% of the parcel as permanently undeveloped land. Both clustered and conservation subdivision developments offer flexibility to the landowner and can result in more compact development pattern that preserve open space and minimizes habitat fragmentation.

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2. Section 180-26 of the Town zoning (Special Use Permits) should be expanded to ensure that open space and environmental issues are addressed during the review process.

3. Initiate a local conservation easement program to protect important open space lands.

4. In the Town, the current Open Space District (OS) is located between I-87 and Route 9W (West/East) and Leeds Athens Road and Schoharie Turnpike (South/North). This area includes several large DEC-regulated wetlands, steep slopes, and a significant stream corridor. The environmental features being protected by the OS district extend beyond the district boundaries however. To the North and South, the land is zoned as Ru. To adequately protect the important lands along streams and wetlands currently outside of the current Open Space District, develop a stream corridor overlay district and extend the Open Space District as shown on the Conceptual Zoning Districts map.

5. The majority of the Town controls density of development by establishing a minimum lot size of between 60,000 square feet and 90,000 square feet, depending on presence of public services. These are appropriate minimum lot size for more urban areas that have public water and sewer infrastructure and are not appropriate to meet the low density goals of a rural area. These densities will probably not result in protection of open spaces or the environment in the long-term. This is illustrated in the build out analysis (See Volume III) which indicates that the level of development allowed in the Ru zone has the potential to result in a large population increase and with it, a decreased chance that the goals established in this plan can be met. It is recommended that the Town de-emphasize use of controlling density through a minimum lot size and use a density measurement instead (number of dwellings allowed per acre). For example, the zoning could establish a density of 1 dwelling per 3 (or 5 or more) acres with a minimum lot size of 60,000 to 90,000 square feet. Separation of lot size from density allows more opportunities for protection of open spaces and critical environmental features and at the same time allows for smaller lot sizes that may be more affordable.

6. Initiate a Town and Village sponsored purchase of development rights program. This work should be coordinated with the Greene Land Trust and other area land trusts. Funds for this program could come from grants, public tax dollars, dedicated funds, or from a real property transfer tax. When authorized by the state, proceed with the real estate property transfer tax to gain funding for open space conservation. Target

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areas to be riverfront properties, priority farmlands, forest lands, scenic locations, floodplains, significant habitats, and historic locations.

7. For minor subdivisions, amend the Town subdivision regulations to require consideration of rural siting standards. These standards include, but are not limited to keeping stone walls as they may exist, not placing new structures in the middle of former farm fields, carefully placing structures away from critical environmental features, reuse where possible of farm roads, and not interfering with adjacent agricultural or woodland operations.

8. Consider amending zoning in both the Town and Village to offer incentives in the form of a density bonus to development projects that provide community amenities such as preserved open space, public access to recreational lands or waterbodies, affordable housing opportunities, senior housing, etc.

9. Establish inter-municipal agreements with neighboring communities to protect natural resources and open spaces that cross municipal boundaries.

10. Update the definition sections and purpose statements of all land use laws in Athens to be consistent with this plan.

11. Enhance use of SEQR for environmental review. All actions that require SEQR should be carefully reviewed by the Planning or Zoning Board for potential negative environmental impacts and they should work to mitigate those impacts. Reviewing boards should use the Geographic Information System (GIS) maps provided by this plan to clearly understand the environmental resources on any particular parcel. The Town and Village should ensure that planning and zoning board of appeals members receive training to effectively use and administer SEQR.

Agriculture

The Town of Athens contains 1,659 acres (11.5% of the total land base in Athens) of designated New York State certified Agricultural Districts or 3.5% of the total acreage designated in Greene County. The local district is distributed throughout most areas of the town and is somewhat unconnected. There is no portion of the NYS Agricultural District in the Village although several major parcels are currently in agricultural use

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 26 Goals and Recommendations there. In general, Athens agricultural soils are mixed, with richer soils located near the creeks and waterways and poorer soils located in the hilly areas.

In addition to the New York State Agricultural District, the Town of Athens has a local zoning district oriented towards agriculture. That zone (See the Current Town Zoning District Map) has as its primary purpose to protect agriculture by setting a low density for residential development and establishing restrictions on uses that would negatively impact agriculture.

The Town‟s farmers engage in a variety of farming activities. These include truck, farming, dairy farming, pasturing, flowers, vegetables, and growing hay. Several smaller farms also grow organic products, including poultry and produce. There is a vineyard which produces wine grapes along the riverfront. One farm has a retail location on Route 9W, which is supported by several greenhouses.

Issues related to agriculture include a fragmentation of agricultural lands (both due to development as well as to environmental conditions), limited prime agricultural soils, and a generally depressed agricultural economy in Greene County. However, there has been an increase in the amount of land devoted to agriculture county-wide in recent years. There is support within the Town and Village for local farms and farmers, and residents would like to encourage farms, local food production, agri-business related efforts, and continued presence of actively farmed lands in their landscape.

GOALS

A. Integrate the needs of agriculture in the development of any economic development plan by promoting agriculturally-related businesses and niche farming.

B. Protect and enhance existing productive farmlands or potentially productive farmlands and working landscapes.

C. Ensure that Athens is a “farm friendly” town and promote community awareness of the importance of agriculture.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. To encourage the means to preserve agricultural lands and practices, work with Greene County to facilitate implementation of the Greene County Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection Plan in Athens. This is especially important

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in order to expand farm businesses such as new retail outlets, develop local products, find local markets, and develop farm-based tourism.

2. Greene County has a Right-To-Farm Law (Local Law 2: 2002). The Town and Village should utilize and support this law locally to ensure that area farms are not negatively impacted due to nuisance issues brought by non-farmers. Athens should evaluate this County law and determine if it is adequate for the Town and Village or if a local Right-to Farm law should be developed.

3. Town and Village zoning should require buffers between farmland and new, non- farm uses. New development should not cause undue impact upon existing farms. New development should provide for its own buffer zone and/or landscape plantings for screening when necessary.

4. Town zoning should be amended to be more farm friendly and create more opportunities for a variety of agricultural activities. This should include but is not limited to creation of agricultural definitions for agriculture, farms, farmland, farm stand, forestry and agri-business as well as organic and niche farming operations. There are currently no definitions related to agriculture included in the zoning. Zoning should not require set acreages to be a valid agricultural use since some of these operations can be quite small. Zoning should allow flexibility in regulations to accommodate agricultural businesses. In the Town and Village, zoning should specifically allow farmers markets, farm stands, bed and breakfasts and other agri- tourism uses, processing facilities, u-pick farms, Christmas trees, and other marketing or retain facilities. These businesses are not likely to be successful if they are required to meet signage, parking, and standards applied to non-farm commercial operations. These uses should be permitted by right in the Ru and other appropriate zones as well as wherever the NYS Agricultural District exists. Farm businesses should be allowed temporary signs, parking near pick-your-own fields, etc. Zoning should also allow other agricultural enterprises like feed mills, farm suppliers, farm marketing buildings, forestry and other agricultural processing facilities.

5. The Town and Village of Athens should ensure that they are properly assessing agricultural structures. Provide assessors with depreciation schedules to enable more accurate valuations of farm properties. Ensure that local assessors have opportunities for training on assessment of agricultural structures. Ensure that landowners are aware of and utilize the agricultural tax assessment programs for agricultural and forest lands.

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6. Evaluate Town zoning regulations and institute amendments, standards, and practices which will work to preserve agriculture as an important land use in Athens. Some of the steps that should be taken, and methods that could be used include:

a. Evaluating the suitability of the existing Town Agricultural Zoning District and make amendments to ensure that this zone covers the locations where agriculture is currently or potentially could take place. Consider expanding this zone to include those lands that are actively farmed. See the Agriculture and Farmland Map that illustrates those locations.

b. Amend zoning to enhance clustering and use of conservation subdivisions at the town level. Both these lot layout techniques are valuable tools to protect open spaces and agricultural lands during development. Use of clustering and conservation subdivisions should be mandatory for all major subdivisions throughout the Town, and the Planning Board should have the authority to require these methods in other cases if such a layout would preserve agricultural soils and operations.

c. In cooperation with the Village, the Town zoning code should encourage growth near the adjacent Village and other development clusters within the Town.

d. Consider changing the way Athens regulates the density of residential development. Currently, the Town requires a minimum lot size. However, use of a minimum lot size to regulate density has been shown to simply “spread” residential units throughout the landscape and has been shown to be not effective in preserving lands suitable for agriculture. Creation of small lots tends to also fragment farms and erodes the “critical mass” needed for efficient and profitable farming. Zoning should establish a density, as measured in the number of dwellings allowed per acre for each zoning district. A minimum lot size of ½ acre could be established as well in each zone to ensure that all well and septic requirements are met. Advantages of separating out lot size from density includes easier ability to create open spaces; offering more flexibility to landowners to create smaller lots if desired; and opportunities for creation of smaller lots that would be more affordable. Use of density instead of minimum lot sizes also means that each parcel of land is eligible for a set number of lots that could be created. This prevents constant subdividing and re-subdividing. For example, if a 100 acre parcel were in a zone that required 1 dwelling per 3 acres, the entire

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parcel would be eligible for about 33 lots. A landowner could subdivide 10 lots in one year, but the next year would only be able to subdivide an additional 23 lots.

e. Specifically reduce the allowable density of development in the Ru District. It is recommend that there be a density of no more then 1 dwelling per 3 acres with a ½ acre minimum lot size. The 90,000 square feet minimum lot size (without water and sewer) is too high to adequately protect rural character and farming. (See also recommendations for housing and open space related to density, minimum lot sizes, etc.)

f. Consider use of agricultural overlay zones to further protect priority and critical farmlands.

g. Establish creative residential subdivision design requirements in addition to clustering and conservation layouts that could help future homes to co-exist with active farmland. Utilize other rural siting standards including, but not limited to: preserve stone walls, hedgerows, and other rural landscape elements; prevent placement of new house sites in the middle of a field; place buildings and access roads in tree lines and edges of fields to avoid construction in open fields; reuse farm roads where possible; use shared driveways and other similar roads and driveways to reduce impervious surfaces and fragmentation of potential farmable areas; and minimize clearing of vegetation and trees.

7. The Village should add a “Domestic Farm Animal” section to regulate farm animals housed on property within the Village.

8. Explore mechanisms for allowing the Town to review intensive, confined animal operations.

9. Maintain agriculture parcel maps for use by the Planning Board so that they can adequately review projects and determine impacts of new development on agriculture.

10. Develop a “Lease of Development Rights” program. This is where the landowner receives a tax abatement of local real property taxes in return for voluntary participation in a term-easement program.

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11. Explore and encourage additional tax incentives for agriculture and forestry, especially for smaller and start-up farms that might not meet the State-required acreage of income levels that dictate eligibility for a State agricultural assessment.

12. Consider development of a local purchase of development rights program. As an alternative to a purchase program, Athens can consider a transfer of development rights program (where development density is transferred from a location that should remain as agriculture, forestry or open space to an area more suitable for denser development such as in or near the Village). Either program would be advantageous to the long term maintenance of lands available for farming. See also the housing section for more discussion on these options.

13. Work with Greene County to assist Athens increase participation in the Section 485-b tax abatement program for business investments. This could encourage development of additional agri-businesses.

14. Encourage farmers to initiate recreational leasing of their lands as a means of supplementing farm incomes. The Town could work as a partner with these farm operations to help resolve insurance and liability issues.

15. In order to represent agriculture in Athens, the Town should increase participation of farmers on the Planning Board by appointing agricultural members under the authority of State Town Law Section 271(11).

16. The Town should work with the Village of Athens to create annexation and infrastructure expansion policies so as to encourage development of water and sewer infrastructure within the village or town areas adjacent to the Village, rather than in agricultural or other important open space areas.

17. The Planning Board in both the Town and Village should receive information and training on New York State Agriculture and Markets Law 25-aa requirements for reviewing projects that may have impact on farms in or adjacent to New York Agricultural Districts located in Athens. The Town and Village should provide for compatible forms of development in these areas.

18. Encourage farm landowner participation in the New York State Agricultural Districts program by identifying properties that should be included in the district,

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and working with landowners to accomplish this. There are some active farmlands in Athens that are not part of this state program.

19. Zoning and subdivision laws should be amended to require use of the Agricultural Data Statement (as detailed in NYS Agriculture and Markets Law) so that land buyers and home builders are legally noticed that they are locating within an agricultural area.

20. Encourage formation of an entity to promote the sale of produce locally and regionally. The goal of this program should be to create local outlets for local farm products. This effort would need collaboration with adjacent communities as well. As a sub-program, consider assisting local farmers set up “CSA‟s” or Community Supported Agriculture programs.

21. Initiate programs to increase community awareness of farming as a viable economic enterprise and a way of preserving open space.

22. Develop an “agri-tourism” map of local farms to promote tourism and further appreciation and understanding of area agriculture.

23. Institute a buy-local program.

24. Promote regional marketing of agriculture products either by ag-tourism or regional shipment of products.

25. Support development of regional dairy and other farm processing facilities.

26. Analyze agricultural land use patterns and soils to identify priority farms and farmlands to target farmland protection measures toward.

27. Involve the farming community and landowners who rent land to farmers in a committee to assist the Town and Village to implement these strategies.

28. Work with Greene County Cooperative Extension to expand agricultural opportunities in Athens.

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Transportation and Pedestrian

The general goal of a transportation system is to facilitate the efficient movement of people, goods and services. The Town and Village of Athens are dependent upon the functionality of the surface transportation system, which includes roads, bridges, sidewalks, trails and the railroad to maintain economic well-being and quality of life. A well-planned and designed surface transportation system should be visually and environmentally friendly as well as safe and accommodating to pedestrians, bicyclists and automobiles.

As described in the Inventory and Profile, the transportation network within the Town and Village of Athens is comprised of Federal, State, County and Local roads. The New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) traverses the Town in a north-south direction and access to Thruway for Village and Town residents is either at Interchange 21 or 21B. The major non-interstate transportation corridors that carry commercial, commuter and local traffic are US Route 9W and NYS Route 385. Other roads such as County Roads (CR) 28, 49, 49A, 53, 57, 74 and Town/Village roads such as Union Street and Flats Road also carry thousands of vehicles and passengers on a daily basis. These roads connect the Town and Village with neighboring communities and employment centers located throughout the region.

Transportation and traffic related issues in the Town and Village have increased over the years, especially along US Route 9W, NYS Route 385, and Schoharie Turnpike (CR 28). During the development of the Comprehensive Plan, several meetings were held with the public, where workshop participants expressed concern regarding speed limit adherence, pedestrian and bicycle access and safety, parking, sidewalk and roadway conditions, truck traffic, and public transportation services for residents, senior citizens in particular.

According to the Residential Survey, a majority of residents are willing to continue spending about the same tax dollars on maintaining and expanding the sidewalk system and have a strong to intermediate interest in the bike paths, hiking and walking trails. A majority of residents surveyed also see a strong need for streetscape enhancements and more parking in the Village. Some residents also perceive problems relating to traffic volume and speed in specific areas throughout the Town and Village. In addition, the pedestrian network is fragmented, as sidewalks are often too narrow, made of different materials, not always maintained, or simply unavailable in certain locations.

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The following Goals and Recommendations have been formulated to address issues relating to overall functionality of the transportation system. Many specific recommendations for the 9W Corridor are included in the Route 9W Corridor Recommendations section.

GOALS

A. Foster a safe and efficient transportation network that encompasses modes of transportation other than the automobile to satisfy existing and future needs of the community.

B. Improve the accessibility of businesses located on Second and Water Streets through signage, parking and automobile & pedestrian circulation improvements.

C. Maintain and enhance the character of existing residential streets to promote safe, efficient and un-congested circulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

D. Provide and maintain a safe and contiguous system of sidewalks, bike trails and pathways in appropriate areas throughout the Town and Village.

E. Improve and maintain the integrity and capacity of existing state and local roads through access management.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Cooperation, Planning, Programming

1. Develop a Capital Improvement Plan for the Town and Village that identifies all capital programs and outlines funding, staff, and equipment needs for the maintenance of the transportation system as well as time tables for conducting the work. 2. Establish a Traffic Safety Committee that would include transportation professionals, public safety representatives, resident(s) and board member(s). The purpose of this committee would be to address traffic complaints and also to prioritize future transportation projects based upon needs and available funding.

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3. Work with the County Planning and Highway Departments to identify county maintained routes in the Town/Village which are not safe for pedestrians and automobile traffic and encourage upgrades as part of routine maintenance, rehabilitation, replacement, and redesign.

4. Study the traffic conditions and the related pedestrian circulation and safety issues in areas that are experiencing high levels of traffic. As part of this study, appropriate locations for crosswalks should be identified. Consider installing textured or painted crosswalks and pathways in areas used by pedestrians and cyclists. Install signs of notice for motorists that they must slow down/stop for pedestrians, and work with local and state police to enforce this rule. Some critical areas of concern identified at public meetings include:

a. Second and Third Street intersections with NYS Route 385 b. Market Street and N. Washington Street c. Schoharie Turnpike d. Vernon Street and Second Street e. N. Vernon and Market Street

Traffic and Access Management

1. Work with developers on proposed projects to ensure that new roads are consistent with Town and Village goals regarding connectivity and accessibility and rural/village character. At the Town level, new road standards should be reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with the existing low volume rural roads. The Town Highway Staff should participate in the Cornell Local Roads training programs and Town roads should be built, and maintained as per low volume rural road standards as established by the Cornell Roads program.

2. Encourage new commercial and higher density residential development in high traffic areas to share driveways, or ingress/egress points in order to decrease vehicle and pedestrian hazards. Protect the integrity of pedestrian pathways by working with the County and DOT to limit the number of curb cuts along county and state routes.

3. As a part of Site Plan Review, consider requiring a Traffic Impact Analysis for development proposals that will add additional traffic to the surrounding local streets.

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4. Enforce the speed limits and consider reducing the speed zones during school hours, especially on Vernon Street, Second Street, Market Street and Union Street. Improve sidewalks and crossing areas for the safety of children walking to E. J. Arthur Elementary School. Consider the use of flashing signs “slow” or “watch for children” during schools hours or other traffic calming measures. Utilize the NYSDOT manual for traffic calming as needed and incorporate into local road standards.

5. Work with New York State DOT to reduce the speed on Route 385. Consider developing a Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan for Route 385, a NYS designated Scenic Byway. This plan should address the promotion, enhancement and protection of scenic, natural, coastal, historical, cultural and recreational resources along Route 385, and among other things, ensure that the Town and Village are not divided from the waterfront by this major roadway. Creation of the plan is fundable through the NYS DOT, and adoption of the plan will lead to further funding opportunities for improvements along Route 385.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Pathways

1. Construct new sidewalks or maintain and improve existing sidewalks in the Village and in densely developed areas of Town. Areas to be considered for sidewalk construction or reconstruction should have existing uses, development patterns, and traffic patterns supportive of sidewalks. Concentrate construction of new sidewalks on Village streets where they currently do not exist and in areas where safety improvements are needed for children that walk to school. Town/Village residents whom attended public meetings suggested the following areas for sidewalk construction or reconstruction. These areas are not the only areas in need of attention, nor are they listed in order of importance.

a. North Vernon Street b. Third Street c. Schoharie Turnpike d. Water Street e. Second Street f. Warren Street g. Brick Row h. State Route 385 between Wheat St and Goodrich St i. Limestreet area

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2. The Town and Village should create “priority pedestrian routes”. Sidewalks on these priority routes should be wide and have streetscape/landscape elements to help establish a perception of a unified waterfront greenspace (use of a textured sidewalk surface such as in Coxsackie Village would add to the distinct identity and character of this „main‟ pedestrian corridor). These routes include, but are not limited to:

a. A north-south corridor beginning at the Triangle Park along Washington Street through the Village all the way to Rainey Park/Field.

b. A waterfront loop parallel to the main north-south corridor linking the Riverfront Park and the 4th Street Boat Launch to Ding‟s Marina and other business/recreation sites along Water Street.

3. Establish a sidewalk fund for the Village to support regular ongoing maintenance and orderly expansion of the sidewalk network. This fund should be proportional to the size of the sidewalk network and the estimated annual need for basic repairs. Major construction or rehabilitation projects can be addressed through DOT‟s regular roadway project funds available to municipal projects such as the Transportation Improvement Program or Marchiselli Funds. Major projects can also be funded through semi-regular sources such as the NY State Transportation Bond Act‟s Multi- Modal Program (projects funded at discretion of either the Governor‟s office, the NY Assembly, or the NY Senate).

4. Refine community sidewalk standards to ensure new development maintains and connects to the community sidewalk network where appropriate. Consider adding sidewalk standards appropriate to the context of the adjacent housing density and commercial mix. For example a wider sidewalk with more aesthetic features would be appropriate in the commercial center for a few blocks in each direction from Second Street and Washington Street intersection as well as along the waterfront. A slightly less wide or landscaped facility would be appropriate along the extended portions of the main corridors (Second St. and Washington St. ). Standard sidewalk dimensions would be appropriate at other locations throughout the Village. It is recommended that sidewalk standards include a grassy planting strip of a minimum of three feet to allow planting of street trees between the sidewalk and the roadway. At the Town level, sidewalks may not be desirable in all rural subdivisions, but may be necessary in new hamlets or major subdivisions.

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5. During winter months, enforce the existing property codes that require property- owners to shovel their own sidewalks in the Village.

6. Encourage private developers to install sidewalks and trails as part of new development projects within the areas identified as being supportive of sidewalks in the Town and Village. At the Town level, dense, clustered developments would be appropriate locations for the Planning Board to recommend new sidewalks.

7. Continue to maintain, enhance and expand the system of walking trails, bike trails and crosswalks that connect the schools, residential, and commercial areas of the Town and Village. Create a map of bicycle and pedestrian pathways and install bike racks where appropriate.

8. Enhance the existing network of Village alleyways for pedestrian and bicycle safety. Repair surfaces, install lighting where practicable, and name the alleyways.

9. State and county roads with higher traffic levels (where there is no on-street parking) should have striped shoulders (minimum 2‟ width) for cyclists (and pedestrians where no sidewalk is warranted). This type of facility is especially needed on east-west county routes that link outlying hamlet, residential, and recreational areas of the Town with the Village center and the waterfront.

10. As new development is phased in adjacent to existing development on infill parcels, new roads should provide connections between communities and subdivisions. As conservation subdivisions or clustered developments are built, incorporate preserved open space with linked trails and paths.

11. The Town and Village should explore the feasibility of obtaining title or easements to the White Elephant Line rail bed from private land owners to extend of the riverfront pedestrian corridor to the Village of Coxsackie. As trails and pathways are developed, ensure that adequate parking at trail heads exist.

12. Athens should seek grants to study potential pathways between Brandow Point and 4th Street Boat Launch / Electric Launch Company sites, working with NY State Department of Transportation, Scenic Hudson, and Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District.

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Other Transportation Means

1. Encourage the use of the Hudson River as a part of the transportation system. Work to establishment a boat tour operation or additional ferry trips running between Hudson & Athens, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse and other river community locations.

2. Work with Greene County to increase availability of county-subsidized transportation for residents, especially senior citizens, to provide access to shopping areas and health care facilities.

3. In addition to bus shuttle service expansion, support and encourage the formation of a volunteer driving service to take senior citizens to get groceries and health care services.

4. Ensure that the existing county bus service is as inviting and accessible as possible by providing signage designating the „primary‟ bus stop location in Athens as well as providing a bench and some landscaping. Benches can be paid for fully or in part as „naming‟ opportunities for donations by local businesses and individuals and/or through BID assessments.

5. Work with Coxsackie, Catskill, and Greene County to improve the existing county bus service to ensure its regularity or that it serves key locations. To cover added costs, the partners should approach their representatives in the NY State Assembly and Senate to identify ways that the recently passed Transportation Bond Act multi- modal funds can enhance or expand the bus service.

Public Parking

1. Improve public parking areas in the Village. Analyze residential and commercial streets, off-street parking conditions and develop a plan for solving the associated parking problems. Potential solutions include establishing a municipal parking area, delineating existing on-street parking spaces with stripping, adding parking meters, enforcing parking regulations, and/or creating designated spaces for renters through a permit system. The Village should work with the local business community to provide employee parking that is not on the street in front of the businesses. Identify prime on-street parking in the business district and make these parking spaces time

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limited (1 hour maximum e.g.) or metered to discourage employees or downtown residents from monopolizing these spots.

2. Considered underutilized lots or portions of lots for long term off street parking for business patrons, employees, and downtown residents. Title to these lots or easements on portions of these lots could be obtained by the Village or a BID organization and developed for public parking use. Potential parcels might include the area one block north of the corner of Second and N. Washington Streets, the southwest corner of Second and Warren Streets, or the north side of Second Street opposite 1st Alley.

Lighting, Landscaping and Aesthetics

1. In the Village, establish a program to replace the existing highway-style lighting with luminaries that compliment the historic heritage of the Village.

2. Provide additional park-like features (trees, grass, flowers) to create a feeling of a continuous greenspace along Second Street between N. Warren Street and Riverfront Park.

3. Keep roadways clear of trash by enforcing litter regulations, educating the public and organizing an annual or semi - annual roadside clean up day.

Historic, Cultural and Recreational Resources

Many historical structures and landscapes throughout the Town and Village of Athens are significant historic resources. The Village has retained much of its architectural and historical integrity since establishment by Dutch settlers in 1706. It reflects over 250 years of development and change, from farmland to a prosperous shipbuilding center and railroad terminus, to a tranquil residential and commercial community. Athens is somewhat typical of numerous Hudson River communities which prospered in the 19th century due to the resources of the Hudson River, but which have remained largely unchanged since.

Athens has many historic sites and locations including the West Athens Hill Site (Town), Newkirk Homestead (Town), Hudson/Athens Lighthouse (Village), Stranahan- DelVecchio House (Village), Albertus Van Loon House (Village), and the Zion Lutheran Church (Village), and the Haight Gantley House. The Stewart House B&B, the Athens

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Opera House, the Jan Van Loon House (which is intended for restoration as an interpretive center), the Black Rock Native American flint quarry, the Northup House site on Route 385, and the former ice storage house (now a marina), are also identified as locally significant historic properties. The Athens Lower Village Historic District and Brick Row Historic District in the village are also on the National and State Registers. In the town the site of the Black Horse Inn (prop. Isaac Hallenbeck) on Route 9W, the Native American encampment area off Route 9W and north of the Leeds-Athens turnpike were indicated as additional historic sites with local significance.

Major cultural resources in Athens include numerous places of worship, cemeteries, the Athens Community Center, Athens Museum, Athens Cultural Center, and the D. R. Evart Library. The Village hosts the Athens Street Festival in July, attracting about 10,000 people to the downtown. The Village also hosts Friday night music festivals during the summer at Riverfront Park drawing about 100 people each night.

Important community parks include the following: Riverfront Park, Athens Village Green (Little League Field and playscape), Union Street Park, Triangle Park, Isabelle Rainey Park, and the 4th Street Boat Launch (proposed). Important community recreational facilities include the following: NYS Boat Launch at Murderer‟s Creek, Athens Recreation Association (Community Pool), Cohatate Preserve and Brandow Point (Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District property), and the EJ Arthur Elementary School playground.

Three public school districts serve the Town and Village of Athens. Most residents live within the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District and the Catskill Central School District. A small area at the southwestern tip of the Town is located within the large, rural Cairo-Durham Central School District. Questar III BOCES and Columbia-Greene Community College are other educational facilities available to Athens residents. The Edward J. Arthur Elementary located in the village, is the only school within the Town of Athens and serves the K-4 grade levels.

Community members highly value the historic, cultural and recreational resources and the resulting character in Athens, and feel that these features add significantly to the quality of life in the Town and Village. People also recognize the positive influence these resources have on the economic prosperity of the community and they desire to maintain and enhance them. While Athens has already put in place several tools to protect historic resources and promote cultural and recreational opportunities, there is more that can be done to attain the goals and vision of the community as follows.

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GOALS

A. Enhance the use of and access to the Hudson River and its waterfront as a centerpiece for recreational, social, cultural and educational activities in Athens.

B. Preserve and enhance historic residential and commercial structures and the small town character of Athens.

C. Ensure that Athens has high quality, aesthetically pleasing and safe pathways for walking, cycling and other outdoor activities.

D. Diversify and enhance year-round recreational activities for all ages including, indoor & outdoor sports and other recreational activities.

E. Diversify and enhance year-round cultural activities for all ages including, art exhibits, concerts, redevelopment of the Athens Museum, and historic home tours. Build partnerships with existing natural resource programs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Waterfront Related Recommendations

1. Increase waterfront awareness by developing a community interpretive guide with maps, a „walking tour‟ for main historic and waterfront sites, and resources for public distribution in both pamphlet and web page form. The tour should focus on the exemplary resources and sites of highest quality rather than be a comprehensive list. Obtain high-quality and scenic photographs of historic sites, waterfront views, and wildlife for these materials and enlist local volunteers, sponsor a photo contest, or consider hiring a professional to develop them. Use the text and graphics obtained as elements for interpretive signage at key waterfront locations like Riverfront Park.

2. Coordinate and cooperate with Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District and other conservation organizations to develop a unified theme and message among the various preserves and access sites along Athens‟ shoreline. Seek development

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and implementation funding for guide and signage from Hudson River Foundation and Hudson River Greenway.

3. Sponsor active waterfront nature and/or history programs. Work with the Hudson River Estuary Program, Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Greene County Historical Society and other local or regional environmental organizations to provide experts for public nature programs at times convenient for family participation.

4. Expand community historic resource walking tours to include waterfront natural resources, parks, and historic resources. Consider reaching out to local scout troops or school groups (e.g., Coxsackie-Athens Central School, Columbia-Greene CC) to participate or assist in programs. Encourage local teachers to incorporate town waterfront locations into classes and activities especially those that would involve parent/student participation.

5. Work with adjacent towns, Greene County, and NY State Department of Transportation to implement comprehensive roadway signage system identifying turns/routes to Athens waterfront sites from major roadways (Route 385, Route 23, Route 9W). Seek coordination and funding through the Hudson River Valley Greenway Scenic Byways Initiative.

6. Continue Friday social/cultural concerts at Riverfront Park. Consider adding local youth school bands and/or teen-oriented music to the performance mix. Seek funding from NY State Council on the Arts for expanded music performances or fine arts related programming at Riverfront Park.

7. Consider adding regular/occasional family-oriented programs for weekday evenings or weekends at Riverfront Park (such as interpretive programs mentioned above or movies).

8. More aggressively advertise the New York State Hudson River Greenway Water Trail that passes through Athens. Points already mapped on this trail include the Athens Riverfront Park, the NYS Boat Launch, and the Athens Fourth Street Slip. These locations should be focal points for outdoor recreational and economic opportunities in Athens and the region. Take advantage of the Hudson River Paddle event that stops in Athens each year.

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9. Continue support for Athens Street Festival.

10. Prioritize completion of the Waterfront Revitalization Project using Bond Act and Catskill-Olana Mitigation Fund grants. (The waterfront revitalization project was initiated in 1998 through a feasibility study completed by Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District – and is considered a very high priority by the LWRP. This is a riverfront park improvement project.) See the Economic Development section for details on improvements to riverfront park and boat launch.

11. Ensure that Rainey Field/Park is openly accessible and has some facilities (i.e. picnic tables and benches) for passive enjoyment when there are no games on the ball field.

12. Ensure that LWRP scenic resource recommendations are incorporated into local zoning code. Consider establishing a scenic overlay zone to ensure critical resources are considered and protected with new development.

13. Include the protection of important wetland habitats near Vosburgh Swamp and along the shallows and wooded bluffs south of Brandow Point in the zoning code as important resources to be protected.

14. Athens should seek state and private funding to obtain title to or easements for scenic waterfront parcels for additional riverfront pedestrian links.

15. The Town and Village should ensure that all LWRP recreation goals and strategies are implemented and incorporated.

16. Expand uses at the Riverfront Park. See recommendations in the Economic Development section for details on recommended improvements to Riverfront Park.

17. Encourage establishment of kayak and bike rentals at Riverfront Park and other riverfront locations.

18. Encourage a marina to provide access to the Hudson River.

19. Consider establishing swimming access for the public.

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20. Encourage programs that promote maintenance of existing vista‟s and creation of new vista‟s to the river and mountains. Work with landowners to encourage on a voluntary basis, opening up vistas from these locations.

Cultural Resource Recommendations

1. Provide background materials and encourage local press to spotlight community sites and resources in occasional articles or as part of an ongoing series.

2. Ensure that main Town/Village resources are identified in Greene County tourist promotion materials and regional/state websites are linked to community „resource‟ web pages. Check I Love NY website to ensure Riverfront Park, the state boat launch, and the historic resources are listed in the searchable guide (currently only the Hudson-Athens lighthouse is listed).

3. Continue a working relationship between the town/village, the non-profit manager of the Athens Cultural Center, and the Greene County Council on the Arts to explore ways to leverage local and regional expertise and state arts funding to enhance or expand community arts programming such as the summer concert series or performances at the Athens Cultural Center, Riverfront Park and/or Community Center. Consider providing tax support for the cultural center. Encourage local historians to volunteer to host programs for these groups.

4. Encourage local schools to strengthen coordination with Athens Cultural Center and Greene County Council on the Arts for joint cultural/arts enrichment program opportunities.

5. Encourage summer youth program and local schools to incorporate town/village cultural sites and events into their activities. Request involvement of and in coordination with the Athens Cultural Center.

6. Reach out to Greene County Soil and Water Conservation Service, Hudson River Estuary Management Program, Scenic Hudson and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater regarding speakers and natural heritage programs for the general public as well as summer youth program targeted toward locations such as Riverfront Park, Athens Cultural Center, Brandow Point, Athens boat launch, Green Lake, Buttermilk Falls, and Cohotate Preserve.

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Historic Resources Recommendations

1. Establish local incentives for historic preservation. Consider property tax rebate incentives to encourage private property owners to carry out stabilization, rehabilitation, and improvements to historic structures. Other incentives can include an historic landowner recognition program (awards, certificates, plaques, etc.) or use of façade easement programs (The Town or Village can hold a historic easement on a structure to ensure that the historic qualities are preserved permanently.) Additionally, strengthen and enforce historic district regulations to ensure continued integrity of village historic resources.

2. Target vacant or underutilized „anchor‟ buildings in the Village for rehabilitation to ongoing, active use with special marketing, outreach to prospective tenants, and special incentives.

3. Inform/update current owners, residents, and local real estate firms/agents of historic property incentives, funding, low interest loan resources and rules and regulations that pertain to local historic districts that exist at the state and federal level via newsletters, direct mailings, brochures, web site and other means.

4. Develop a façade restoration plan targeted toward the few blocks at and around the main village crossroads of Washington Street and Second Street. Seek funding for technical assistance funding to develop the plan from Governor‟s Office for Small Cities, NY State Office of Historic Preservation, the New York Preservation League or the County Main Street Revitalization Program.

5. Encourage adaptive reuse of historic buildings. This can, for example, be accomplished through the Village of Athens Revolving Restoration Loan Fund to assist owners in improving historic properties, building façade improvement grants and tax incentives. (Please see the economic development recommendations for more information). Zoning should specifically allow conversion of buildings to new uses as a specially permitted use, rather than promote demolition of existing buildings. See recommendations on funding to expand the Revolving Restoration Loan Fund.

6. Continue plans to rehabilitate and convert the Jan Van Loon house into an interpretive center.

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7. Pass and enforce commercial building design and layout standards for all commercial zoning districts at the town and village level. Elevate the role of historical character in the Site Plan review by specifically requiring that the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals review proposals for their compatibility with the historical character of the neighborhood. Design standards should be established as follows:

a. In the Village, commercial structures should be of the same scale, design, and layout of existing buildings and should be consistent with the small town nature of the village. Some of these design standards could include, but not be limited to limiting curb cuts and driveways, requiring shared access drives or parking lots for certain areas, limiting the width of pavement along a property, encouraging shallow setbacks, parking to the rear or side, having consistent architecture, signs and lights that are consistent with a traditional village, and requiring sidewalks.

b. In the Town, commercial structures in the Highway Commercial District should also be consistent with a rural town. Some of these design standards should be similar to the above stated standards for the village. Large structures having facades over 80 feet in length should be required to incorporate a façade break to break up the visual features of the building. Light industrial uses should have ample landscaping and screening from the road and meet performance standards for noise, vibration, odor, smoke, etc.

8. Amend the local historic district law to enhance proper maintenance of structures within the district. Review the Village historic district regulations and amend to provide more specific historic preservation guidelines appropriate for Athens. Illustrations and standards that more clearly identify the architectural, layout, or design features that are consistent with the historic district would make the Planning Board most effective in its review and will benefit the applicant by clarifying expectations ahead of time.

9. Map and clearly identify the historic districts in the Village as well as to define and map the “Historic District Transitional Area”. Zoning refers to this transition area and requires the Planning Board to review applications in this area, but it is not mapped or identified in the zoning.

10. Amend all zoning purpose statements (both Town and Village) to place more emphasis on protecting and enhancing the historic, small town, and waterfront character of the village.

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11. Initiate a program to address substandard building conditions within Athens. Seek funding mechanisms to help property owners refurbish and renovate historic structures both within and outside the historic district. This program could include tax incentives as well.

12. Encourage community activities that promote historic preservation such as annual awards for home improvement (house, tours, etc.).

13. Enhance public education programs related to Athens‟ history and historic areas.

14. Fully develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) map showing historic and cultural places in the Town and Village. The inventory should include all historical markers, cemeteries, and other historical and cultural sites.

15. At the town level, consider making this inventory a full historical survey. This would identify all properties that may be eligible to be placed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

16. For publicly funded projects that come before either of the Planning Boards, ZBA or Town/Village Boards, ensure that the Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau of the State Historic Preservation Office is involved in project review. Through its review, the Bureau identifies historic resources involved in public projects and assists with developing preservation approaches. This review process ensures that historic preservation is considered in the planning of publicly funded projects.

17. Understand the applicable laws that can help Athens protect historic resources. These include Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 which directs federal agencies to consider historic resources in their project planning. New York State has a parallel law for state agencies in Section 14.09 of the State Preservation Act of 1980.

18. The Village should consider applying for Certified Local Government Status. This federally funded program can assist in historic preservation efforts. In order to become certified, the Village should review its historic district zoning regulations and consider amending them to meet the Certified Local Government standards.

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19. Ensure that the Town Planning Board understands the requirements of the Flint Mine National Historic District and that development proposals protect the assets of this historic district.

20. Roads, sidewalks, and other transportation resources play an important role in preserving the historic character of the Town and Village. Numerous recommendations are made related to these topics in the Transportation section but have equal value in attaining the historic and cultural goals as well.

Recreational Resource Recommendations

1. Establish a Town and Village recreation committee that includes teens in order to develop age appropriate programming.

2. Consider forming a Pathways Committee that would be a joint effort between the Town and Village and all neighboring communities to identify and implement new bike/hike opportunities. The role of this committee would be to identify potential locations for trails, seek funding on behalf of the communities, and facilitate trail development programs.

3. Athens topography does not present many sites where a pathway could be suitable, though the old rail bed of the White Elephant Line would be ideal if purchased for public use. Another potential location would be in a corridor running roughly parallel to Route 9W, but only if sufficient right of way was reserved for the path and adjacent greenspace and plantings to ensure that it remained a visually inviting corridor (or as linear park compatible with adjacent development) and not simply an extra-wide sidewalk. Explore feasibility of expanding the hiking trails on or near utility line easements and connecting the Cohatate Preserve and Brandow Point with trails. Transportation Enhancements funding is available sporadically (about every three years) both for corridor acquisition and capital development costs. Corridor acquisition may also be funded through NYS Environmental Protection Fund or Bond Act grants.

4. Town and Village should consider ways that a shared use pathway might better connect the Sleepy Hollow residential development with the heart of the Village (potentially through Union Street Park).

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5. Maintain the Athens Recreation Association (community pool) and find ways to make it more inviting and accessible recreational facility. Athens should consider allocating funds or encourage fundraising to establish a local match for application for NYS Environmental Quality Bond Act funds under the parks category to effect some basic improvements to ensure that the pool remains a viable and inviting facility for the community‟s families and youth.

6. The relative lack of heated recreational facilities for the general public puts increased importance on the Athens Community Center gym during winter months. Special attention to encouraging or facilitating activity or exercise programs targeted toward youth and adults would help address their recreational and activity needs. If occasional „open hours‟ for teens and/or adults for pickup basketball or other indoor exercise is not in place, the town and village should consider setting aside such slots in the facility schedule.

7. The recreation committee should develop a town-wide recreational strategic plan. This plan should also inventory recreational facilities in neighboring towns and work to enhance existing programs and facilities rather than duplicating services where feasible.

8. Both the Town and Village municipal budget should allocate funding for recreation capital improvements and activities.

9. Add recreation to the recommended 5-year Capital Improvement Plan to identify and address recreation and facility needs for current and increased populations, especially the Community Center. Establish a per lot recreation fee to be assessed for every lot subdivided within the town. These funds are dedicated to providing recreational programming for Town and Village residents.

10. Continue the services of a grant writer to aggressively pursue and take advantage of all private, state, county and federal aid that may be available to accomplish the strategies outlined in this plan.

11. Coordinate activities with the school district to benefit the entire community. Work with the school districts serving the town. Promote cooperation between the town and village and the school districts in innovative ways such as joint planning and land acquisition for recreation and/or facilities cost-sharing. Encourage increased municipal use of existing school facilities during non-school hours.

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12. Consider innovative ways to create new partnerships between private landowners and the Town and Village for recreational use. For example, develop land use agreements with willing landowners to allow for public use on their property. Other examples include:

a. User groups or the Town of Athens could consider making lease payments to landowners on a per acre basis for recreational uses of woodlands and pasturelands.

b. Help landowners understand their options, benefits and implications of providing public access on their lands for recreation. Provide information on the New York Recreation Use Statute that indemnifies landowners from liability.

c. Rural road standards for new town roads could be modified, where appropriate, to provide adequate paved shoulders as part of the typical required cross section, where needed. This would help accommodate bikes and other pedestrian uses.

13. Create new open spaces and parkland via dedications made during the existing subdivision process, or through land or easement purchases through payment-in-lieu of land dedication.

14. During subdivision and/or site plan reviews for any nursing, retirement or other type of senior housing facility, ensure that small, passive-use parks and gardens with walkways are included in the site plans.

15. When land is preserved as a result of a clustered or conservation subdivision design, work to link these protected lands with trails and greenways pursuant to the towns plan for paths and trails. Use the Town‟s Geographic Information System (GIS) maps to assist in this endeavor.

16. Work with the Greene Land Trust and other conservation organizations to accomplish the strategies outlined in this section.

Housing

The availability of good quality housing is vital to the future economic growth and stability of the Town and Village of Athens. According to research and supporting

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 51 Goals and Recommendations documentation provided in the Inventory and Profile of this Plan, over the past decade there has been a significant increase in housing construction in the Town and Village and projections show a continuation of this growth trend. Rental housing remains affordable in the Town and Village, however the purchase of a home has become less affordable for the average household over the past decade.

According to the US Census, between 1990 and 2000, the Town and Village witnessed an increase in construction of new homes of 17.4% and 12.6 % respectively. Population projections obtained from ESRI Business Information Solutions forecast further housing growth between 2000 and 2010, with an estimated growth of approximately 15.0% for both the Town and the Village.

The cost of rental housing in the Village and Town appears to be affordable as was determined by calculating the “rental index.” Affordable rental housing is generally considered to be no more than 30% of a household‟s monthly income. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment in Greene County in 2005 was estimated to be $630. According to the 2000 Census, the average monthly rental rate in the Town of Athens was $433, while in the Village of Athens it was $392. Based on the median household income for Town ($39,728), and the median household income for Village ($36,655), Town households are estimated to be able to reasonably afford $993 for rent while Village residents can afford $916. Therefore, rental housing is affordable. One problem identified by public workshop participants was that some of the rental units throughout the Town and Village suffer from severe neglect or lack of investment due to absentee landlords. In general, this neglect can result in the spiral effect of the lowering of surrounding property values, which allows for more properties to be acquired by absentee owners, which leads to more neglect and sometimes abandonment of properties.

In 2005, the estimated household income for Town residents was $45,504, while the estimated household income for Village residents was $47,966.3 This translates to a monthly income of $3,792 for the Town and $3,997 for the Village. Therefore, Town households are estimated to be able to reasonably afford $1,137 for rent while Village residents can afford $1,199. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment in Greene County in 2005 was estimated to be $630. Therefore, rental costs in the Town and Village of Athens still appear to be affordable.4

3 ESRI Business Information Solutions, Inc. 4 Estimates for 2005 average monthly rental rates are available only at the County level.

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Research has determined that home-ownership is not affordable in the Village or Town. A common analysis tool to determine the affordability of ownership housing units is to compare the median value of single-family ownership units with median household income. Nationally, a ratio of 2 or less is considered “affordable”. Housing cost estimates for 2005 indicate a significant increase in the price of homes in both the Village and the Town of Athens, which has resulted in a diminished affordability. According to 2005 housing value estimates, the median housing value for the Village doubled between 2000 and 2005, and the median housing value for the Town increased by 88%. The affordability ratio in 2005 was 3.31 for the Village of Athens and 3.62 for the Town of Athens. Residents that participated in the public workshops also pinpointed this lack of moderate and affordable housing as a weakness for the community.

The results of the Residential Survey identified a wide variety of issues regarding housing. According to the survey results, residents believe that affordable housing opportunities are needed in the community, especially for senior citizens. The survey did not however show strong support for increased spending of tax dollars for any housing programs. Residents did not wish to see the development of more rental housing in the Town or Village, but would like to see future development of more moderately priced single-family housing units, town homes and condominiums to encourage home- ownership opportunities.

Many of the issues overlap with the need for improved codes, ordinances, and code enforcement, which is addressed under Land Use and Zoning. The following Goals and Recommendations have been developed in order to address the future needs for housing:

GOALS

A. Promote a mix of quality housing options at price ranges that are accessible to all ages and income levels.

B. Preserve and enhance Athens‟ existing residential neighborhoods by promoting the rehabilitation and maintenance of historic structures that reflect the area‟s unique local history.

C. Promote the construction of new housing stock that reflects the area‟s unique local history and is in harmony with existing structures.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Encourage affordable housing for people of average incomes. For subdivisions of 10 or more units or other large housing and mixed-use developments, the Town and Village should require developers to provide at least 10% affordable housing units in their plans. Positive incentives, such as density bonuses in areas suitable for more dense development can be used for encouragement.

2. Encourage the development of additional senior (55+) housing opportunities in the Village. Development is recommended in areas adjacent to resources and services that can easily be accessed by senior adults, e.g. public transportation, retail shops, library, community center. This housing should include both affordable units as well as market-rate units, to allow existing residents to downsize. Further market analysis should be conducted to identify other appropriate uses, including assisted living facilities or cooperative housing development. Density bonuses in areas suitable for senior housing can be used for encouragement. Village Zoning should be updated to properly define “senior housing” and “assisted living facilities” and other related definitions. The Zoning should permit these uses by Site Plan Review, and Special Use Permit, in the RL, RR, RM and CR Districts.

3. Encourage the use of Planned Unit Districts (PUD) in the Town to allow a mix of residential housing types clustered in areas that have, or have the potential to have water, sewer, recreation areas and roads. The Town should update Article IV of the Zoning Ordinance accordingly.

4. Develop Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) regulations for the Village. The RPUD should have a minimum area of 5 acres, and should allow for a variety of housing types, including but not limited to, duplexes, condominiums, townhouses, senior housing and assisted living facilities. The RPUD should not allow commercial uses, as the Village should encourage these types of uses to remain in the downtown area. The RPUD should require that the development be designed in a “traditional” way, that links into the existing grid system and provides appropriate landscaping, sidewalks and paths to link the new neighborhood to the downtown commercial and waterfront area. The RPUD should refer to architectural design, building form, and signage guidelines that retain the historic character of the Village. The Village should

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utilize the results of the Community Image Survey to establish these guidelines or standards.

5. The Town and Village should encourage the use of Cluster Development and Conservation Subdivision techniques for new single-family home developments to preserve open space and sensitive natural areas. These techniques, when applied properly, can also allow denser growth to support affordable use of infrastructure and lower development costs. Developers should be encouraged to link the new cluster development to existing road networks, sidewalks and paths of other surrounding neighborhoods.

6. Town and Village Zoning should define and allow by special use permit accessory and/or in-law apartments to provide alternative housing opportunities for the citizens of the community.

7. Where feasible, the Town and Village should encourage developers to link new housing developments with existing residential and commercial areas by installing access roads, sidewalks and trails, thereby creating walkable and connected neighborhoods.

8. New housing units in or near existing residential neighborhoods should blend with the existing neighborhoods and have the same or similar setback distances from the main road and should reflect the historical heritage of the area.

9. Consider the adoption of a Residential Occupancy Permit (ROP) regulation. A ROP regulation enables the Town and Village to regularly inspect multiple-family and two-family housing units. This regulation can also require that the property is current on all local taxes before an ROP can be issued. The intent of such legislation is to guard against unsafe living conditions for building inhabitants while improving the quality of life for all community residents. The development of a Rental Unit Owner Registry can also assist the Town/Village Code Enforcement Officers when they need to contact absentee landowners.

10. Strongly enforce existing building codes. Develop, expand and enforce current codes regarding noise, trash and junk vehicle removal, and other violations of the building code. Establish procedures for enforcement, and increase education opportunities for the code enforcement officer.

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11. Develop and implement clean up programs for neighborhoods.

12. Seek funding from federal and state sources to rehabilitate sub-standard housing, facilitate home-ownership and restore historic homes.

13. The Town and Village should consider establishing a system of recognition for homeowners and business owners who preserve and restore historic structures.

14. Continue to support the Village of Athens Walking Tour as a way to educate the public about historic homes, buildings and sites within the Village.

15. Implement or codify the Village Historic District regulations to protect local historic structures and sites and provide protection against potential impacts, such as physical modifications or demolition of historic structures. Strengthen the regulations by using the results of the Community Image Survey to develop improved architectural design, building form guidelines for new structures within the Historic District. These standards and sketches can serve as a guide toward achieving an acceptable urban pattern through building styles and typologies that reflect the local heritage. Inform residents about the provisions of the Historic District and explain the benefits of the regulations to the community.

16. Develop a structural resources inventory to help the Town and Village Planning Boards understand the important preservation features of individual historic sites and structures when making land use decisions.

17. Apply for funding to establish a Homeownership Assistance Program. This can be used for down - payment assistance, a grant to buy down the interest rate, or for rehabilitation assistance.

Municipal and Community Resources

Municipal and community resources include many aspects of community life that are either administered by a local government, provided through local municipal service districts, or made possible by not-for-profit organizations and/or volunteer organizations. Services provided at the municipal level in the Town and Village of Athens include road maintenance, snow removal, parks maintenance, storm-water management and drainage, library services and the provision of public sewers and drinking water. Fire protection and emergency medical services are provided by municipal fire districts that utilize

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 56 Goals and Recommendations mostly volunteers, while police protection is provided by the Village Police Department, the Greene County Sheriff‟s Department and the State Police.

In addition to quality municipal services, the quality of the public school system is also very important to the Town and Village of Athens, to satisfy the needs of the community, and to help define the character of Athens as a good place to live. Residents of the Town and Village have a variety of public and private educational resources available to them including three school districts, private secondary schools, a BOCES program and a nearby community college.

Throughout the public outreach process, residents expressed an overall satisfaction with the available municipal services, however a vast majority of residents support the consolidation of Town and Village services as a cost savings measure. Through the residential survey it was revealed that the majority of respondents feel that the Town and Village should rely more on County services, and that the Village and Town government offices should remain housed within the same building and that efforts should be made to renovate the existing building. Residents supported the continued efforts to expand the capacity of the drinking water system, to bring the public sewer system up to code, but wish to keep taxes stable by encouraging smart commercial and residential growth patterns. Residents also expressed the need to maintain and continue to expand upon the current programs and resources for youth and senior citizens and to strengthen and enforce existing codes and regulations.

The following are Goals and Recommendations for the future needs of municipal services and infrastructure identified as important throughout the planning process. Many specific recommendations for the 9W Corridor are included in the Route 9W Corridor Recommendations section.

GOALS

A. Promote public infrastructure and services designed to meet the needs of current and future residents.

B. Promote public protection and fire safety infrastructure to ensure that the community remains a safe place to live.

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C. Foster proactive municipal planning and infrastructure development strategies to encourage commercial development as long as it is accomplished in a manner which preserves working farms, open spaces, scenic vistas, and small town character.

D. Promote the community‟s educational resources as a vital contributor to Athens‟ continued viability.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Where feasible, consolidate municipal services and/or cooperate with other government agencies to limit the duplication of services and the costs of providing such services. The Shared Municipal Services Initiative is a new program created by New York State to provide financial assistance to municipalities interested in investigating opportunities to work together. Conduct a feasibility analysis and needs assessment to determine the benefits of full or partial consolidation of Town and Village functions or operations.

2. According to the Community Survey, 92% of the public indicated that they want a joint village/town municipal building and 77% of the public support renovating the existing Town and Village of Athens municipal building/community center to better meet the needs of both the Town and Village government offices.

3. Continue to share the municipal facility in the existing Community Center and apply for funding through the DOS Shared Municipal Services Incentive Grant Program to assist the Town & Village in paying for the rehabilitation of the shared office space, conference room, courtroom, storage space, and parking areas of the Community Center. The grant application could also include improvements to the Athens Museum on the 2nd floor.

4. Consider ways to improve communication between the Town and Village Planning Boards to ensure that both municipalities are considering the inter-municipal impacts of development proposals and that decisions are made with the consideration of mutual concerns.

5. Apply for funding through the DOS Shared Municipal Services Incentive Grant Program for the purchase of shared equipment for the Town and Village Highway

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and Public Works departments. Seek funding for the rehabilitation of the Village Public Works facility.

6. Conduct a feasibility analysis and needs assessment to determine whether it makes sense economically, operationally, and administratively to consolidate the two municipal highway departments in to one. Utilize the New York State Comptroller‟s Cooperation and Consolidation Consulting Services (3CS) program to assist in this feasibility study. This program offers municipalities consulting services to conduct studies and audits to examine the service improvements and cost savings that can be gained through cooperation or consolidation.

7. Continue the program of upgrades to the public water supply system to maintain a safe and sufficient water source that can be effectively distributed throughout the Village.

8. Continue the program for improvements to the two sewer treatment plants in the Village to comply with NYS DEC requirements and expand the plant(s) capacity so that additional properties may hook into the system.

9. The Village should create annexation and infrastructure (water and sewer) expansion policies that are in concert with the open space and agricultural land preservation policies set forth within this plan. Expansion of water and sewer should be focused primarily in the Village, however, the Village should coordinate with the Town to consider expansion of public water limited to the Empire Zone and commercial nodes along Route 9W.

10. Consider the adoption of a Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to better plan for all capital projects in the Town and Village. This planning should include budgeting, physical, real estate, staffing and equipment needs related to sidewalks, roads, water and sewer, parks facilities, etc. A CIP is a management and fiscal planning tool communities use for financing and constructing needed public improvements and facilities. Properly designed, a CIP enables a community to identify its capital needs, rank them by priority, coordinate their scheduling, and determine the best method of paying for them.

11. Develop and implement a Town/Village storm water management and maintenance plan. Ensure that the Planning Boards, ZBAs, and Building Inspectors follow stormwater control requirements of New York State and the Federal government. If

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not already required, consider adoption of most recent version of NY State sample local law established for compliance with state regulation of Municipal Separate Storm Water Systems (MS4s) and incorporate these standards into local regulations.

12. Work with developers to continue the extension and expansion of the grid street system or new connector roads in the Village as new development occurs in the future.

13. Continue to support and invest the necessary resources to the municipal Fire, Police, and Emergency Medical Service squads in order to maintain a high level of public safety and security. Enact a local law at the Town and Village level to take advantage of the NYS tax incentives for emergency service volunteers.

14. Investigate opportunities to expand municipal telecommunications and utility infrastructure, such as DSL, high speed Internet, and/or cable access connections.

15. Create Village and Town web sites for the promotion of existing and forthcoming programs, development initiatives and community events. Be sure to provide links to Chamber of Commerce, Greene County and school district websites.

16. Identify easy methods to publicize Town and Village events. Local residents can be kept informed of local happenings via a bulletin board located in a prominent spot and a website. The website can be used to post timely information on local community happenings and/or events calendar.

17. Expand the Athens Youth Commission summer recreation programs and the after school programs for community children and teens and coordinate with the programs offered through the school districts.

18. Increase communication and cooperation amongst Village, Town, County and School District officials. Create a steering committee comprised of Village, Town, County and School District representatives to address issues of joint concern.

19. Continue to build upon unique community characteristics to develop common themes. Celebrate these themes through annual festivals, parades, and/or events. Promote and encourage volunteerism with a recognition program (awards, certificates, plaques, etc.). Potential funding is available through the Greene County Council on the Arts.

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20. Appoint a citizen committee to be responsible for organizing community enhancement and Clean-up Days and for coming up with new ways to engage the public in community activities and programs.

21. Review and update the Town and Village Zoning codes to ensure that zoning districts boundaries are clearly defined and delineated on a map, and where feasible, based on parcel boundaries or permanent features such as roads and water bodies. The Town and Village zoning codes should, where feasible, recognize, accommodate and reinforce adjacent municipal zoning designations.

22. Review and update Town and Village Zoning codes to ensure consistency between the local regulations and NYS laws related to administration and procedures.

23. Review and update the Town and Village Zoning codes to ensure that all terms and definitions are appropriately defined and explained, and the intent and vision identified through the Comprehensive Planning process is clearly articulated. The following changes should be made to the zoning district boundaries and bulk requirements of the Town and Village zoning regulations: a. Along the waterfront in the Village, expand the allowable uses in the Industrial District to allow for more commercially oriented businesses. Strict design standards should be adhered to in these waterfront areas. b. In the Village, extend the C District south of Third Street along Route 385. Strict design guidelines consistent with the LWRP and NYS Scenic Byway policies should be implemented along this corridor via the use of an overlay district to the south and north of the CR District within the Village. c. In the Village RL District, consider changing the minimum lot size to ¼ acre if served by public water and sewer, 1.5 acres if served by only public water, and 3 acres if not served by public water or sewer. d. In the Town, work with the County to ensure that the Town zoning districts are consistent with the types of businesses that will be utilizing the Empire Zone. Determine appropriate allowable uses within this district and update the zoning to include a detailed list of allowable uses that are also specifically defined in the definitions section. e. Update the Town Zoning, Section 180-26, to clarify the special use permit regulations. Provide detail on the procedure for obtaining a special use permit, what standards are to be used and which board oversees the review process.

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Ensure that all uses requiring special use and site plan approval are listed in the table of “District Objectives and Land Use Controls”. f. The Town and Village should coordinate the commercial uses allowable in their respective commercial, industrial and mixed-use districts, so as to discourage competition between Town and Village. g. Reduce the allowable density of development in the Town‟s Ru Zoning District. The 90,000 square feet minimum lot size (without water and sewer) is too high to adequately protect rural character and farming. h. Consider adopting an Overlay District for Route 385 in the Town and Village. This district would include additional design standards for landscaping, lighting, signage, sidewalks and pathways, and require new development to share driveways, or ingress/egress points in order to decrease vehicle and pedestrian hazards along this roadway.

24. Incorporate the detailed suggestions and technical recommendations of the Village Planning Board which were suggested during the zoning code review of 1997 – 2001 so long as the suggestions are in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and are not contradictory with the overall Vision, Goals, and other Recommendations of the Plan.

25. Consider developing a Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan for the portions of Route 385 that pass through the Town and Village. This plan should address the promotion, enhancement and protection of scenic, natural, coastal, historical, cultural and recreational resources along Route 385, and among other things, ensure that the Town and Village are not divided from the waterfront by this major roadway. Creation of the plan is fundable through the NYS DOT, and adoption of the plan will lead to further funding opportunities for improvements along Route 385.

26. Strengthen the Town and Village Site Plan Review regulations so that all physical geography and existing environmental conditions are taken into consideration when evaluating new development proposals. In order to promote new development that is consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, the Site Plan Review Process should assist in conveying design and form preferences to potential applicants. The Site Plan Review requirements could provide information to applicants on how the Town and Village want new development to look and relate to existing development. Site Plan Review should require that proposed commercial projects be designed:

a. In an architectural manner and using materials consistent with Town/Village intent;

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b. To include pedestrian and bicycle facilities wherever appropriate; c. To facilitate access management through coordinated access points and/or access roads and interconnection of parking lots; d. To screen unsightly equipment, commercial vehicles, and dumpsters from public right-of-ways; e. To provide a landscaped buffer between adjacent residential, commercial and industrial developments; f. To provide/maintain adequate green space and plantings; g. To provide new roads as connective throughways extending from existing road networks whenever possible; and h. To address other potential environmental impacts, such as noise, lighting, and additional traffic volumes as may be appropriate.

27. Review and revise the Town and Village existing Subdivision Regulations, as may be appropriate, to ensure that natural and historic resources are preserved. Resources that should be preserved may include, but are not limited to, water bodies, wetlands, forestlands, and other unique historic features. In addition, the Subdivision Regulations should provide applicants guidance on any desired pedestrian and cyclist access features, local road and driveway design, preferred development form and character, and parks, recreation and open space requirements and/or mitigation.

28. Develop subdivision, site plan review, variance, and special use permit applications and checklists for the Town and Village Planning Boards to use during project review.

29. Ensure that the Planning Boards and ZBAs use the Geographic Information System (GIS) maps (on paper or on computer) developed for this Comprehensive Plan to better understand the resources at each site as they are reviewing development proposals.

30. Once the Comprehensive Plan is adopted, the Village and Town Boards should designate an Implementation Committee to review the goals and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan, and make recommendations for actions that should be pursued. The Committee should have members that represent the existing Planning Boards, Zoning Boards of Appeals and Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. This Implementation Committee should first be charged with implementing the recommended changes to the Zoning codes and maps, in order to bring these regulations in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. The Village and Town

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Boards must follow the legal requirements set forth in NYS Village Law §7-704 - §7- 708, NYS Town Law §263 - §265, and General Municipal Law §239-m when making changes to the zoning regulations. The Implementation Committee should also be charged with the implementation of the other goals and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. The Committee should work on each strategy in the order of importance. Priorities may change with time and the availability of funding sources for particular projects.

31. The Village and Town Boards and Planning Boards, or other designated special board, should annually review the Comprehensive Plan‟s goals and recommendations to ensure that they are relevant to the changing conditions within the Town and Village. It is recommended that the entire Comprehensive Plan be reviewed at least once every five years, and be amended where needed. The Plan should be updated or re-written at least once every ten years.

32. The Town and Village Assessors should work closely with Greene County Department of Real Property and the with Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development to re-classify certain properties within the Village and Town and make sure that all shared database and Geographic Information System (GIS) files are kept up-to-date and current.

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Implementation Plan

Priority Action Plan

This section outlines an action plan to implement the Comprehensive Plan‟s recommendations. Leadership from the Town and Village Boards is critical and both have responsibilities in putting this plan into action. Although the Town and Village Boards have the ultimate responsibility in implementing this plan, they will need assistance from various boards, agencies, and organizations for specific strategies recommended in the plan. So that the ideas presented in this Plan can become a reality, it is recommended that the Town and Village Boards commit to the following immediately after adoption:

1. Adopt a resolution setting up a Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee made up of members from both the Town and Village Boards and representatives from both Planning Boards, Zoning Boards, and the joint Comprehensive Plan Committee as well as members of the public. The role of this Implementation Committee would be to:

a. Coordinate implementation activities. b. Communicate regularly with both Boards about implementation activities and needs. c. Identify funding needs to implement various strategies and work with town officials in obtaining necessary funds through grants and other means. d. Make an annual report to the Town and Village Boards about implementation activities and upcoming needs. e. Communicate regularly with the public so that everyone is informed of implementation progress.

2. Use the Priority Action Schedule below, as a checklist of implementation activities and establish time frames and expectations for implementation.

3. Evaluate implementation activities on an annual basis and establish expectations for each years worth of implementation work.

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4. Re-evaluate the Plan every five years to ensure that it stays current and relevant to conditions in Athens.

5. Establish programs for the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning, Town, and Village boards, and building inspector that provide on-going training in new land use techniques, SEQRA, and legal procedures. Establish minimum education training requirements to meet at a minimum, the New York State requirements.

6. Enhance public participation by ensuring that citizens have electronic access to town documents (e.g., Comprehensive Plan, zoning regulations). All applications and related documents would be available for access on the Town web site.

7. To aid the development review process, the Town and Village should develop guides, checklists, illustrations, and other educational materials to be given out to all those who seek a zoning, subdivision, or building permit. Through the building inspector and sketch plan phases of review, the Town and Village should make every effort to clearly outline Athens‟ expectations for development and help applicants understand the land use planning techniques being utilized in the town.

8. Provide all board members with the copies of the Comprehensive Plan.

9. Maintain, update, and utilize the maps created through the Geographic Information System (GIS) for this Comprehensive Plan at all Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings and also make these available to landowners and the public, preferably via a web site.

10. The Village and the Town should establish an annual meeting between the Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to discuss issues, problems, and solutions related to land use and other topics detailed in this Plan.

Key to Priority

This plan calls for a variety of policy decisions, program initiation, regulatory changes, coordination with regional organizations and agencies, and securing funding. The following schedule is a compilation of all the actions identified in Volume 1 of the Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan. It also identifies the type of action and a page reference for Volume I. The action table does not list each and every strategy contained in Volume I of the Plan. Instead, it is a compilation of the major actions

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 66 Implementation Plan suggested in the Plan and represents a prioritization of major categories of work to be accomplished in Athens. This Action Plan should not be a substitute for the details contained in the rest of Volume I.

The priorities listed in the table below are based on the average ranking given to each strategy by the Comprehensive Planning Committee. The rankings represent a combination of importance (key priority to implement) and timing for implementation (certain strategies are easier to accomplish or quicker to accomplish than others). Each Committee member ranked each strategy, and the final ranking shown in the table below represents an average of rankings given to each strategy. For those strategies specific to either the Town or the Village, the average was taken from Committee representatives from either the Town or the Village, respectively. The priority should be interpreted as follows:

1 YEAR TWO YEARS LONG TERM ONGOING

Where:

1= Strategy should be implemented in first year after plan adoption 2= Strategy should be implemented within two years after plan adoption 3= Strategy should be implemented within five years after plan adoption O=Strategy needs to be implemented on an on-going basis by the Town and/or Village

Key to Type of Action

Each strategy represents a specific type of action that the Town and/or Village can take. These types of actions are:

Capital Improvement: Any action that results in an investment and improvement in a property, structures, equipment, staff or other similar items.

Policy: Any action that results in establishment of a set policy that will govern the actions of the Town and/or Village.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 67 Implementation Plan

Program: Any action that results in establishment of a plan, activity, committee, proposal, or similar items.

Regulatory: Any action that results in the development of new or amendment of existing land use related laws in the Town and/or Village. This typically refers to zoning, site plan review, or subdivision laws.

Strategies for Both Town and Village Volume Type of Location Strategies/Action I Page Priority Action # Town & Update zoning use tables so that they allow Regulatory 8-10 1.00 Village desired uses and prohibit undesired uses. Town & Amend zoning and other regulations in the Regulatory 20-21 1.00 Village Town and Village to protect natural resources. Develop scenic resources inventory including visual corridors to the Hudson River. Amend Town and Village zoning and subdivision laws to prevent negative impacts to important visual corridors and scenic location through enhanced review procedures and development standards. Work with absentee landlords to improve the use and appearance Town & of buildings throughout the Town and Village. Regulatory 21-23 1.00 Village Plan for streetscape improvements along Route 385, including, but not limited to creating visual barriers to certain uses such as the auto salvage yard. Enhance enforcement of junk car laws in the Town and develop new performance standards in Village laws to control negative visual impacts of auto and scrap junk yards and auto body repair shops. Amend all zoning purpose statements to place Town & more emphasis on protecting and enhancing Regulatory 47 1.00 Village the historic, small town and waterfront character. Improve communication between Town and Town & Village Planning Boards in order to consider Program and 58 1.00 Village inter-municipal impacts of development Policy proposals.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 68 Implementation Plan

Strategies for Both Town and Village Volume Type of Location Strategies/Action I Page Priority Action #

Improve housing conditions by use of a Residential Occupancy Permit for inspection and maintenance of multi-family housing units. Program Town & Strongly enforce building codes, develop Enforcement 55-56 1.00 Village neighborhood clean-up programs, seek funding to rehabilitate sub-standards housing, and initiate home-ownership programs.

Update and enhance the cluster zoning Town & section in Town and establish use of clustering Regulatory 24 1.10 Village in the Village to protect open spaces.

Zoning in the Town and Village should define and allow accessory apartments, in-law Town & apartments, and other such uses as Regulatory 55-56 1.10 Village alternative housing opportunities. Zoning should also ensure that all these housing types blend with existing neighborhoods.

Review and update Town and Village laws to ensure consistency between this Plan. This includes updating purpose statements, administration sections to be consistent with State regulations, changing district boundaries, changing allowable lot sizes, and dimensions, updating special use permit Town & regulations, developing a commercial overlay Regulatory 61-62 1.10 Village district along Route 385 in the Village to enhance commercial development, incorporating zoning code revisions suggested by the Village Planning Board, and other zoning related strategies as recommended in Plan to meet the goals of the Town and Village. Strengthen the site plan review process in both the Town and Village to better evaluate Town & physical, environmental, historic, and aesthetic Regulatory 62-63 1.10 Village concerns of new development. The plan suggests a variety of specific changes needed in this area.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 69 Implementation Plan

Strategies for Both Town and Village Volume Type of Location Strategies/Action I Page Priority Action # Review Town and Village subdivision Town & regulations to enhance protection of natural Regulatory 63 1.10 Village and historic resources. Create an Implementation Committee to help Town & the Town and Village put this Plan to work and Program 63-64 1.10 Village implement the strategies included in it. Amend zoning with more specific expectations Town & and environmental performance standards for Regulatory 23-24 1.22 Village development and consider establishing outdoor burn, noise, and nuisance odor laws. Planning and Zoning Boards should use the Town & Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau of Program and 48 1.29 Village the State Historic Preservation Office for Policy advice during project review. Pass and enforce commercial building design Town & and layout standards and elevate role of Regulatory 47 1.30 Village historical character in site plan review at both the Town and Village levels. Require developers of large housing projects Town & to provide 10% of the units as moderately- Regulatory 54 1.30 Village priced units and provide density bonuses in return. Encourage use of cluster and conservation design subdivisions to simultaneously provide Town & open space, traditional neighborhoods, and Regulatory 55 1.30 Village more opportunities for moderately-priced housing. Develop architectural design, building form, subdivision, and signage regulations to ensure Town & that new development is consistent with the 9 and 40, Regulatory 1.33 Village character of the Town and Village. This should 47 include lighting, landscaping and aesthetic improvements. Adopt a Capital Improvement Plan to better Capital Town & plan for all capital projects in the Town and Improvement 59 1.33 Village Village. and Program

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 70 Implementation Plan

Strategies for Both Town and Village Volume Type of Location Strategies/Action I Page Priority Action # Limit duplication of services and costs of providing such services by consolidating Program and Town & municipal services. Use the Shared Municipal Policy 58-59 1.38 Village Services Initiative and Grants, and the NYS

Comptroller’s Cooperation and Consolidation Consulting Services to assist in this effort. Town & Extend 100’ and 50’ stream buffers to the Ru Regulatory 19 1.40 Village district. Town & Appoint joint Town/Village economic Program 8 1.40 Village development liaison. Allow for use of Planned Unit Districts to allow Town & for a mix of housing types in both Town and Regulatory 54-55 1.40 Village Village. Town & Enact a right-to-farm law. Regulatory 28 1.40 Village Town & Require buffers between new non-farm Regulatory 28 1.40 Village development and existing farmlands. Protect natural resources by ensuring that Town & planning board and zoning board members Program and 20-21 1.44 Village have necessary tools to identify and evaluate Policy natural resources, Town & Enhance training and use of SEQR during all Program 26 1.50 Village project reviews. Planning Boards should meet all agricultural district review requirement of New York State Town & Agriculture and Markets for projects in a NY Program and 31-32 1.50 Village Agricultural District. This includes use of the Policy Data Statement, Disclosure Notice, and review of impacts on farms. Program and Town & Work to expand cable, internet, and other Capital 9 and 60 1.57 Village telecommunications. Improvement Create a source water protection overlay zone Town & around Hollister Lake to protect drinking water Regulatory 18-19 1.60 Village quality. Create a joint Town/Village Local Town & Development Corporation to spearhead Program 7 1.60 Village revitalization and funding.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 71 Implementation Plan

Strategies for Both Town and Village Volume Type of Location Strategies/Action I Page Priority Action # Create mechanisms to promote development of more senior housing such as providing Town & Program and density bonuses and ensuring that zoning 54 1.60 Village Regulatory allows and provides reasonable standards for this development. Establish local incentives for historic Town & preservation such as property tax rebates, Program 46 1.67 Village façade improvement programs, etc. Add a domestic farm animal section to the Town & Village zoning and a review requirement for Regulatory 30 1.78 Village intensive, confined animal operations at the Town level. Study and consider expansion of public water Town & Capital to commercial properties at 9W/Schoharie 9 1.89 Village Improvement Turnpike intersection. Encourage programs to increase opportunities for sale of local ag products; increase community awareness of farming in Athens; Town & develop agri-tourism opportunities; develop a Program 31-32 1.89 Village buy-local program; and support development of regional dairy and other farm processing facilities. Program and Town & Include in a Capital Improvement Plan to Capital 50 2.00 Village identify and address recreation needs. Improvement Town & Properly assess agricultural structures. Program 28 2.00 Village Improve the waterfront by creating an interpretive guide/tour, develop a unified theme and message about the Hudson and Athens, expand historic walking tours, develop a comprehensive signage system with Program and Town & adjacent river towns, continue and expand Capital 42-44 2.00 Village events at the waterfront, complete the Improvement Waterfront Revitalization Project and implement other LWRP recommendations, expand uses at Riverfront Park, establish bike and kayak rentals, and create and maintain vistas to the River.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 72 Implementation Plan

Strategies for Both Town and Village Volume Type of Location Strategies/Action I Page Priority Action # Work with Greene County and other Hudson Town & River towns to coordinate regional programs Program 8 2.00 Village and issues. Town & Work with Greene County SWCD to complete Program 20 2.10 Village a natural resource inventory of Athens. Town & Develop joint/Town Village Business Program 8 2.11 Village Assistance Program Seek funds to obtain title to or easements for Program and Town & scenic waterfront land to be used for more Capital 44 2.13 Village riverfront pedestrian links. Improvement Program and Town & Improve the streetscape of Route 385. Capital 22 2.20 Village Improvement Establish a Town/Village recreation committee to develop recreational programs. This group should help develop a town-wide recreational strategic plan. Consider forming a multi-town Town & Pathways Committee to identify and Program 49-50 2.20 Village implement bike/hike trails. These efforts should coordinate efforts with the school district, find partnerships between the Town and Village and landowners, etc. Develop and implement a Town/Village Town & Program and stormwater management and maintenance 17-18 2.29 Village Regulatory plan. Implement strategies to help move Athens Town & Program and towards energy efficiency and use of green 23-24 2.33 Village Policy development practices. Create new recreational lands and green links as parcels are developed as allowed under the Town & subdivision law. Work to link lands protected Capital 50-51 2.33 Village in a clustered or conservation subdivision Improvement together for recreational purposes. Work with Greene Land Trust to assist in this effort. Establish intermunicipal agreements to protect Town & Program and natural resources and open spaces that cross 26 2.40 Village Regulatory municipal boundaries.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 73 Implementation Plan

Strategies for Both Town and Village Volume Type of Location Strategies/Action I Page Priority Action # Program, Establish a Traffic Safety Committee; study Town & Capital traffic and pedestrian conditions; identify and 34-35 2.44 Village Improvements implement safety improvements. and Regulatory Construct new or improve existing sidewalk in the Village and work towards constructing Town & sidewalks in densely populated areas in Town. Capital 36-37 2.50 Village Develop a sidewalk fund for this purpose and Improvement establish sidewalk construction and placement standards. Create pedestrian routes to connect important locations, including sidewalks, bike trails, and Town & Capital paths. For example, explore feasibility of 37-38 2.60 Village Improvement using the old White Elephant Line rail bed for this purpose.

Town Only Strategies Plan Type of Location Strategies/Action Page Priority Action # Amend zoning to require new structures to be Town built out of all floodplain areas and establish Regulatory 19 1.00 steep slope regulations to control erosion. Amend zoning and subdivision to protect open spaces via special use permit standards, extending the Open Space District in the Town, Town establishing different development densities for Regulatory 25-26 1.00 residential lots, using rural siting standards, using density bonuses as incentives to protect open spaces.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 74 Implementation Plan

Town Only Strategies Plan Type of Location Strategies/Action Page Priority Action # Create opportunities for agriculture and be more farm friendly. Amend zoning to remove barriers to agricultural development and uses. Other zoning related strategies include expanding the Town Agriculture Zone to cover locations where agriculture is taking place; protect farmlands with mandatory clustering or conservation subdivision design for major subdivisions; direct Town Regulatory 28-30 1.00 growth towards the Village and other development clusters in Town; reduce the allowable density in the Ru District to 1 dwelling per 3 acres and a 1.2 acre minimum lot size; consider use of an agricultural overlay zone; use rural siting standards to preserve farmlands and rural character (hedgerows, fields, stone walls, etc.). Town Help businesses access Empire Zone Benefits. Program 8-9 1.33

Work with Greene County to facilitate adoption Town of Greene County Agricultural Development and Program 27-28 1.33 Farmland Protection Plan in Athens. Consider establishing a Black Lake and Green Lake watershed overlay to address erosion, Regulatory Town sedimentation, and pollution. Work with Sleepy 19 1.75 and Program Hollow Lake Association to promote a watershed and shoreline protection strategy Explore additional incentives for agriculture and Town encourage participation in existing programs Program 30-31 2.00 such as the NY Ag District Program. At town level, consider doing a full historic Town survey. Fully use the GIS database for mapping Program 48 2.25 and using this information. Develop a Purchase or Lease of Development Rights Program and offer tax abatement Program and Town incentives in return for voluntary participation in Capital 30 2.50 this easement program. Explore additional Improvement incentives for agriculture. Elevate the understanding and awareness of the Program and Town 49 2.67 Flint Mine National Historic District in Town. Policy

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 75 Implementation Plan

Town Only Strategies Plan Type of Location Strategies/Action Page Priority Action # Develop local waterfront revitalization plan for Town the Town of Athens that incorporates goals and Program 24 3.00 strategies of this plan. Seek ways to protect exemplary rural Program and Town landscapes through voluntary donation of land Capital 20 3.00 or development rights. Improvement

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 76 Implementation Plan

Village Only Strategies Plan Type of Location Strategies/Action Page Priority Action # Strengthen and enforce local historic district regulations. Create a historic district transitional area in the Village. When the local law is Regulatory 46-49, Village enhanced, consider applying for Certified Local 1.20 and Program 56 Government status to tap into funding and technical assistance related to historic preservation Continue upgrades to the public water supply system in the Village and continue Capital Village improvements to the two sewer treatment Improvement 59 1.33 plants. The Village should create an annexation and Policy and infrastructure expansion policy. Work to rehabilitate and adaptively re-use underutilized buildings in the Village. Educate Program and Village owners about the incentives, loans, funding, 46-47 1.60 Policy rules, and programs available to promote historic preservation. Village Initiate a Main Street revitalization program Program 10-12 1.67 Capital Village Improve public parking areas in Village. Improvement 39-40 1.67 and Program Develop a façade restoration program in the Village Program 46-47 1.83 Washington and Second Street area. Improve streetscapes on Second and Water Capital Village 13 1.83 Streets. Improvement Develop kiosks at the Riverfront Park, Capital remove/rehabilitate abandoned barges, work to Village Improvement 14 2.33 enhance Middleground Flats for outdoor and Program recreation activities. Explore creation of a downtown Business Program and Village 12 2.50 Improvement District. Regulatory

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 77 Implementation Plan

Ongoing Strategies Type of Location Strategies/Action Plan Page # Action Town & Work with landlords to improve use and Program Village appearance of buildings. 10 Enhance tourism and promote the area via Program and events, business expansion, enhancing the Capital Town & local agricultural economy, use of websites, Improvement Village and enhancing signs. 15 Work with developers to minimize traffic Program and impacts and implement traffic access Regulatory management techniques such as shared Town & ingress/egress points and minimizing curb Village cuts. 35 Encourage other transportation means such Program Town & as the Hudson River and enhanced public Village transportation. 39 Enhance cultural resources by increased Program marketing, work with community groups to promote events at the Athens Cultural Center, Riverfront Park and other locations in Town, work with the local schools and Town & summer youth programs to develop Village enrichment programs. 45 Continue to invest and support fire, police Capital Town & and emergency medical services and work Improvement Village to enhance them and Program 60 Regularly review this Plan’s goals and Program recommendations to ensure that they are Town & relevant to the changing conditions in the Village Town and Village. 64 Secure development grants focusing on Program rehabilitation and re-use of existing Village buildings. 12 Implement the Local Waterfront Program Village Revitalization Plan. 13-14

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 78

Map List

The following Geographic Information System (GIS) maps have been created to accompany the Comprehensive Plan and other Supplementary Reports found in Volume III.

Comprehensive Plan Maps

1-Surrounding Area 2-General Base Map 3-Aerial Photographs 2001 4-Current Town Zoning Districts 5-Current Village Zoning Districts 6-Property Class 7a-Future Land Use-Conceptual Zoning, Town 7b-Future Land Use-Conceptual Zoning, Village 7c-Future Land Use-Conceptual Zoning, Village Waterfront 7d-Future Land Use-Conceptual Zoning, Town Overlays 7e-Future Land Use-Conceptual Zoning, Village Overlays 8-Municipally Owned Properties 9-Historic Sites 10-Recreation and Tourism 11-Public Water Sewer 12-Fire Districts 13-School Districts 14-Topography 15-Bedrock Geology 16-Steep Slopes 17-Habitat Overlays 18-Habitat Predictions 19-Water, Wetlands, Wet Soils 20-Flood Hazards 21-Coastal Zone 22-Environmental Constraints 23-Agriculture and Farmland

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 79 Map List

24-Empire Zone

Build-Out Analysis Maps

BO3a-Fully Build Parcels, Town BO3b-Fully Build Parcels, Village BO5a-Environmental Constraints, Town BO5b-Environmental Constraints, Village BO7a-Buildable Area, Town BO7b-Buildable Area, Village BO9a-Build-out Results, Town BO9b-Build-out Results, Village

9W Corridor Study Maps

CS1-Route 9W Corridor Regional Location CS2-Route 9W Corridor Aerial Photographs CS3-Route 9W Corridor Property Class CS4-Route 9W Corridor Current Zoning CS5-Route 9W Corridor Environmental Constraints CS6-Route 9W Corridor Conceptual Zoning

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume I Page 80

TOWN AND VILLAGE OF ATHENS

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

VOLUME II INVENTORY AND PROFILE

FINAL ADOPTED SEPTEMBER, 2007

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ...... i

History of Athens ...... 1

Community Outreach Process...... 4

Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee (ACCPC) ...... 4

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats (SWOT) ...... 5

Public Meetings and Workshops ...... 13

Visioning Workshop ...... 13

Open House ...... 19

Community Image Survey Summary...... 23

Community Survey ...... 27

Summary of Survey Results...... 28

Stakeholder Interviews...... 32

Previous Planning Efforts in the Town & Village ...... 33

Village of Athens Local Waterfront Revitalization Program ...... 33

Overview of the LWRP Recommendations ...... 33

Athens Waterfront Restoration Feasibility Study ...... 35

Proposed Barge Removal Project ...... 35

Athens Fourth Street Boat Launch Project ...... 36

Hudson River Improvement Fund Grant ...... 37 Town and Village of Athens Municipal Community Center: Evaluation of Existing Municipal Offices and Feasibility Study of Future Government Space ...... 37

Village Main Street Plan ...... 38

County Planning Efforts ...... 38

Greene County Economic Development Plan ...... 38

Greene County Habitat Management Plan ...... 41

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page i Table of Contents

Demographic Profile ...... 42

Population ...... 42

Age Distribution...... 44

Household Composition...... 46

Household Income ...... 48

Educational Attainment ...... 51

Housing Resources...... 53

Housing Inventory ...... 53

Projected Housing Growth ...... 58

Housing Value ...... 59

Recent Home Sales ...... 60

Housing Affordability ...... 60

Housing Rental Index ...... 60

Ownership Units Affordability Ratio...... 61

Housing Needs and Assistance Programs ...... 62

New York State Department of Housing & Community Renewal ...... 62

Local Housing Programs...... 63

Municipal & Community Resources ...... 64

Municipal Properties ...... 64

Athens Community Center ...... 64

Other Municipal Properties ...... 65

Public Access Recreation Land ...... 65

Community Parks...... 65

Natural Open Spaces / Preserves ...... 67

Roadway Maintenance and Repair ...... 68

Village Department of Public Works ...... 68

Town of Athens Highway Department ...... 69

Greene County Highway Department ...... 69

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page ii Table of Contents

Water, Sewer and Sanitation ...... 70

Public Water Supply ...... 70

Public Sewer System...... 71

Solid Waste Disposal ...... 71

Utilities ...... 72

Electric & Gas ...... 72

Telephone, Cable & Internet Access...... 72

Emergency Services ...... 73

Police Services ...... 73

Fire Districts & Departments ...... 73

Catskill Ambulance Services ...... 74

Greene County Emergency Medical Services, Inc...... 75

Educational Resources ...... 75

Coxsackie-Athens Central School District ...... 76

Catskill Central School District ...... 77

Questar BOCES ...... 79

Columbia-Greene Community College ...... 80

Economic & Industrial Development ...... 81

Economic Analysis ...... 81

Employment Trends ...... 81

Occupational Trends ...... 84

Commuter Patterns...... 86

Life Style Segmentation Analysis ...... 87

Retail Sales and Consumer Spending ...... 89

Business Analysis ...... 95

Economic Sectors...... 98

Tourism ...... 98

Agricultural ...... 103

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page iii Table of Contents

Industrial Businesses ...... 106

Regional Planning and Economic Development Resources ...... 107

Greene County Department of Planning & Economic Development ...... 108

Greene County Tourism Department ...... 112

Greene County Industrial Development Agency ...... 112

Empire Zone...... 113

GreeneBusiness Partnership...... 114

Other Economic Development Organizations ...... 115

Transportation Resources...... 117

Existing Roadways Network...... 118

State/Federal Highway Non-Interstate Routes ...... 118

County Roads ...... 121

Local Roads ...... 123

Previous Transportation Studies ...... 124

Route 9W Corridor Study ...... 124

Alternative Transportation Options ...... 125

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations ...... 125

Greene County Transit System ...... 125

Air Transportation ...... 125

Scenic Byway Route 385 ...... 126

Road Intersections of Concern ...... 127

Physical and Environmental Features ...... 128

Topography ...... 128

Steep Slopes: ...... 129

Water Features and Wetlands ...... 129

Flood Hazard Areas ...... 130

Other Water Features: ...... 130

Water Quality: ...... 130

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page iv Table of Contents

Coastal Zone: ...... 131

Bedrock Geology: ...... 131

Soils...... 132

Ecological Data ...... 132

Breeding Bird Atlas ...... 132

Herpetological Atlas ...... 133

Rare Species and Ecological Communities ...... 133

Critical Habitats: ...... 134

Scenic Areas & Views ...... 137

Scenic Area of Statewide Significance (SASS): ...... 138

Vosburgh Swamp Subunit of the SASS: ...... 140

Athens-Coxsackie Farmland Subunit of the SASS ...... 142

Stockport Creek Subunit of the SASS ...... 145

Existing Land Use and Zoning ...... 149

Existing Land Use Analysis ...... 149

Town of Athens Land Use Tables (Town-outside the Village) ...... 149

Village of Athens Land Use Tables ...... 156

Land Use Regulations ...... 161

Village of Athens Regulations ...... 161

Town of Athens Regulations ...... 162

Historical and Cultural Resources ...... 163

Historic Resources ...... 163

Places of Worship ...... 164

Cemeteries...... 164

Cultural Events / Resources ...... 164

Appendix A Maps ...... 166

Comprehensive Plan Maps ...... 166

Build-Out Analysis Maps ...... 167

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page v Table of Contents

9W Corridor Study Maps ...... 167

Appendix B Community Survey and Full Survey Results ...... 168

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page vi History of Athens

An excellent account of the history of Athens can be found in ―Athens: 1776-1976 Its People and Industry‖. The following is excerpted from an historical account on file with the New York State Historic Preservation Office for the Village of Athens:

―The Village of Athens is a community along the Hudson River which has retained much of its architectural and historical integrity since its settling in 1706. It reflects over 250 years of development and change, from farmland to a prosperous shipbuilding center and railroad terminus, to a tranquil residential and commercial community. Athens is also typical of numerous Hudson River communities which prospered in the 19th century due to the resources of the Hudson River, but which never greatly changed since that time. The earliest residents of the Athens area were Indians of the Algonquin Nation, mostly Mohicans and Delawares. They fished in the river and planted corn along its banks. An area off of Washington Street along the river, known as Black Rock, is thought to have been a significant ceremonial site for these Indians, but no testing for archeological resources has been done.

Athens is mentioned in a diary kept by Robert Juet of his trip up the Hudson with Henry Hudson on the Halfmoon in 1609. He describes their running aground on the flats between Athens and Hudson, and their subsequent anchoring for several days. During the anchoring, the crew visited the west shore and marveled at the ―good ground for corn, and other garden herbs, with great stands of goodly oaks, and walnut trees, and chestnut trees, ewe trees, and trees of sweet wood in great abundance, and a great store of slate for houses.‖

The earliest European settler in Athens was Jan Van Loon, who secured title to the land from various owners in 1685. In 1706, Van Loon was living on his land known as Loonenburgh. The Jan Van Loon House still stands, although only one wall remains from the original structure. The Albertus Van Loon House, an exceptional stone, Dutch Colonial built in 1724, also remains from the Van Loon era.

In 1794, a company of New York City speculators led by Edward Livingston purchased a tract of land forming what is now the upper village area. These men began to lay out a dream city called ―Esperanza‖ which they hoped would become the capital of New York

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 1 Inventory and Profile

State and the terminus of the Erie Canal. But, these plans never materialized, due to the loss of much of their financial support. The land was partitioned in 1799. A small community grew in the upper village area in the initial years of the 1800’s, but it never rivaled the lower village in size or importance.

At the turn of the 19th century, Athens began to form. This was largely due to the efforts of Isaac Northrup, who in 1800, purchased the large farm of the Van Loons and other adjoining properties and set about the planning of the village along the Hudson. By 1805, a number of elegant structures were built, each reflecting the wealth of the early settlers of Athens. The Northrup House, built by the village’s founder, was constructed in 1803 and is a fine Federal style residence. Another exceptional Federal residences Is the Nichols House built in 1803. Nichols fought at Yorktown, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and the Battle of the Wilderness during the Civil War.

The initial years of the village were so successful, that in 1805 the village of Athens was incorporated, making it one of the oldest incorporated villages in New York State. The incorporation joined the lower village and the small scattered community to the north known as the upper village. Three turnpikes, the Schoharie Turnpike (1802), the Albany- Greene Turnpike (1806) and the Athens Turnpike (1809), were begun in the early years of the 1800’s, bringing Athens in closer proximity to the surrounding areas.

By the middle of the 19th century, Athens was an established and successful community. Numerous factors were significant in the village’s prosperity, the most important being its location along the Hudson. The Hudson-Athens Ferry, which operated from 1778 to the late 1940’s, attracted numerous individuals and industries to the area. The largest of the industries was the Athens Shipyards.

Another important industry which contributed to the village’s growth and stabilization at mid-century was the Clark Pottery. This manufacturer of assorted stoneware began operating in 1805 and continued until 1900. Many examples of earthenware produced at Clark Pottery are in museums, including a large collection at Cooperstown, NY.

By 1877, a number of new industries had contributed to the village’s prosperity. In 1864, the Saratoga and Hudson River Railroad was formed by two of the nation’s wealthiest men, Daniel Drew and Cornelius Vanderbilt. The southern terminus of this line was in Athens, where a large terminal was built in the upper village area. The Brick Row District was constructed at that time to house the railroad lines operating staff. But, the prosperous line lasted only twelve years, for in 1876, the Athens terminal and yards

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 2 Inventory and Profile burned to the ground, leaving only Brick Row in testimony to the once successful cargo line.

Also significant in Athens’ development was the ice industry. The ice industry continued in importance into the 20th century, but of all the ice houses which dotted the riverfront, only one remains on Water Street.

Thus, by 1877, the Village of Athens had experienced its peak in industrial and residential development. The years from mid-century to 1877 were fruitful and although little remains from these industries, there are exceptional residences which testify to this period in Athens’ history. At the turn of the 20th century, Athens remained virtually as in 1877. The vast majority of homes from 1877 still survive, leaving the village rich in architecture and history.‖

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 3 Community Outreach Process

This section summarizes the two-approach public outreach and participation process that occurred during the two- year plan development process. The first approach focused on obtaining input from the Town and Village elected officials, appointed boards and Town and Village staff. With the intent to ensure representation from each community, the Town Board and Village Board appointed the Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee (ACCP), which was comprised representatives from the Town and Village. The individuals appointed to the Committee are not only members of elected and appointed boards, but are residents and business owners that bring a wide range of experiences to the Committee and have local knowledge of the key issues concerning residents of the Town and Village.

Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee (ACCPC)

The Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee (ACCPC), a joint committee with five (5) appointed members from the Town and five (5) appointed members from the Village of Athens was created with the intent of representing a large cross section of the community. The Committee assisted the plan consultants with information gathering, provided feedback and reviewed draft documents when necessary. The ACCPC began

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 4 Inventory and Profile meeting on a monthly basis in the summer of 2005 to discuss issues and gather preliminary information to be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats (SWOT)

This Comprehensive Plan and the goals it establishes are based upon an analysis of the Town and Village of Athens’ Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT). These SWOT were identified through public workshops and discussions, a residential survey, and a detailed analysis of the Town and Village demographic, economic, environmental, cultural and historic profiles.

Strengths are resources or capabilities that will help the Town and Village fulfill its joint vision. Weaknesses are deficiencies in resources and capabilities that will hinder Athens from fulfilling its vision. Opportunities are factors or situations that can affect the Town and Village favorably and can help reach future goals. Threats are factors, situations or challenges that can affect Athens negatively and prevent the Town and Village from reaching its goals.

The SWOT analysis provides many valuable clues about potential effective strategies, since every successful strategy builds on strengths and takes advantage of opportunities, while it overcomes or minimizes the effects of weaknesses and threats. These elements, both positive and negative, have a powerful impact on future community development. The following outlines the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that were developed from public input as well as analysis of data in the inventory and profile:

Strengths

Location S Location of Town and Village is convenient to other areas of the county, region and State Transportation Access Access to highway system Well-maintained roads 9W corridor Close to major transportation routes Walkability of the village with grid streets and sidewalks

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 5 Inventory and Profile

Pedestrian Access • Layout of Village Natural Resources Beautiful nature with scenic views Quiet riverfront setting Lots of wildlife Varied natural environments Rural atmosphere Diversity of natural habitats Hudson River/Lake resources/recreation Location on Hudson River Access to waterfront Black Lake area Green Lake Buttermilk Falls Recreational activities on river Development of riverfront park Summer concerts and fireworks, festivals Diversity of public parks and preserves Community pool Historical Resources Significant Historic buildings, districts and beautiful architecture Lighthouse Historic properties and districts listed on National/State registers People People are involved with the community People are accepting of organizations and other people Friendly residents with mix of backgrounds High level of civic involvement Infrastructure/Municipal Services Municipal services Great Village parks/Triangle park Involved elected officials Community benefit package and grants from Athens Generating Plant Community Character (small/rural/safe) Small town character and feel, quaintness Great potential Safe & secure for residents & kids

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 6 Inventory and Profile

Great quality of life Rural character and setting Not over populated Scenic Mixed village and rural settings Safe, family-oriented community Concentration of density in village and Sleepy Hollow Lake. School District Good quality school system, especially elementary school Lower taxes than other areas Planning/Zoning Motivation for planned growth Housing Affordable housing

Weaknesses

Taxes • High Taxes • Lack of commercial activity for tax base • Higher taxes than other regional communities Structures • Unsightly Areas • Lack of investment in properties • Abandoned and dilapidated housing • Lack of Investment on Second Street • Main Street storefronts empty and some in disrepair Trash Removal/Cleanup • Litter on roadways • Abandoned barges/campers • A number of visible junk cars and yards Business and Industry • Lack of simplicity for businesses, too much red tape • Lack of light industrial areas • Lack of businesses and employment • Lack of small businesses • No economic base to improve business activity

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 7 Inventory and Profile

S Downtown parking limited • Lack of a grocery store, few professional services, lack of retail for daily needs, lack of restaurants Retail and Personal Services • Lack of businesses such as: Car wash/hardware/everyday needs • Basic services needed such as stores for food/drugs Infrastructure Lack of infrastructure for economic development Water for fire protection Lack of water /sewer (9W & Schoharie Turnpike) Infrastructure problems for drainage Odor of Sleepy Hollow sewage Sidewalks need repair/rehabilitation Stormwater drainage problems Fewer public facilities in western part of town creates perception among some of inequity Municipal Cooperation Lack of coordination between Village and Town Duplication of services Little very good agricultural lands (i.e., soils, slopes, etc.) Land Use Development/Planning Outdated plan Unplanned growth Lack of open space and preservation of land Agricultural lands spread around town in loose clusters and lack critical mass or concentration could negatively impact farms in future. Regulations Too many protective land use rules Outdated zoning code Lack of enforcement of existing junkyard ordinance/ abandoned houses Perception of inconsistent zoning and code enforcement Transportation/Parking Excessive speeding, pedestrian safety Lack of parking control Heavy traffic on Route 385 Thruway and Route 9W cut off western portion of town Transportation –pedestrian/bike • Neglected sidewalk conditions

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 8 Inventory and Profile

Sidewalk needed on Schoharie Turnpike and Vernon Street Street pattern improvement, but keep grid pattern Housing Lack of moderate and affordable housing Lack of investment in housing Community Character/Identity Issues Lack of identity Senior citizen needs and lack of youth programs Lack of community identity and cohesiveness Multiple school and postal districts limit cohesion Noise School Not enough school activities No distinct school district – there’s portions of 3 in the Town and Village Quality of Life Too much noise Stray dogs and cats Not enough police coverage Police coverage limited Seniors and Youth Lack of Senior Center services More youth activities – lack youth programs and activities Pool facility needs improvement Riverfront Rundown appearance of waterfront

Opportunities

Code Enforcement Increase availability of code enforcement officer Increase education for code enforcement officer Create code enforcement for junkyards, junk cars, and dilapidated housing Housing Attract builders to develop affordable housing Offer grants/loans to fix up private/commercial properties Increase housing density through planned development Attract second home buyers

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 9 Inventory and Profile

Litter/Cleanup Regulate commercial junk Improve sign ordinance Create clean-up activities and dates of litter removal Business and Industry • Grocery store, pharmacy, specialty shops, bookstores, coffee houses, antiques, bakery, medical and dentals offices, restaurants • Encourage economic development techniques to increase business and jobs in the area. Create tourism activities, clustered industries, and micro-enterprise loans • Encourage farming by creating economic development through tax breaks, grant programs Offer tax incentives to encourage small businesses in the Town and Village Create more light industrial areas Develop 9W corridor Utilize State incentives, such as the Empire Zone, to create encourage more businesses to locate. • Encourage agriculture/forestry/organic co-op farming- local farm markets, Athens farmers market Presence of small businesses give foundation for more with adequate support Downtown Revitalization Revitalize Second Street. Improve parking, add period lighting, reset old sidewalks and may be make new ones, preserve access to river, and attract boutique stores • Utilize Historic Districts (promote and enhance); Improve appearance of historic buildings Recent funding for historic building renovations Empty historic storefronts are available for new businesses Regulations Complete and adopt comprehensive plan Provide good zoning for the community Create and implement noise ordinance Protect the environmental and scenic open spaces Traffic Incorporate one way streets Install traffic calming devices throughout the area Enforce speed on Route 385 and Schoharie Tpk., Vernon Sr./2nd St

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 10 Inventory and Profile

S Construct sidewalks on roads with a lot of foot traffic, and create a safety lane for children walking to school/flashing signs ―slow‖ or ―set speed‖ limiting during schools hours • Brandow Point – create a pedestrian link Natural and Recreational Resources Improve waterfront and marina Protect and preserve open space Middle Ground Flats (Island) Potential for improved walking links between riverfront park and downtown Riverfront park rehabilitation plan and grants Infrastructure • Improve and fix Sleepy Hollow Sewage System • Increase allowable public water volume for residential uses Municipal Services Consolidate Town and Village building and services together Coordinate local law enforcement, make local law efficient Use Athens boundaries for a school district Cooperation between Town and Village Community Create a vision, for community identification Draw people to the community by marketing the community amenities Improve Senior Center services Farming Ideas Grass Fed rodeo cattle Alpacas Specialty slaughterhouse (Muslim/Kosher) Greene County Agricultural District #1 – 10,125.41 acres in New Baltimore, Catskill, Coxsackie and Athens – Athens has 1,047.2 acres in the Agricultural District.

Threats

Taxes School taxes are not used efficiently Sleepy Hollow Lake taxes but with fewer services than rest of community Regulations Lack of preserved open space

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Outdated zoning No real protection of historic districts Unplanned growth and services Unregulated trash burns Change Town housing regulation, that requires a 2 acres of land for every house Too much unplanned growth Businesses Lack of small businesses Inability to attract businesses to the community Too many residences, too few businesses Lack of economic base Lack of medical businesses, such as a doctor’s office or dentist West Athens/Route 9W area inviting for strip malls and big box stores Traffic Speeding throughout the Town Village parking is unorganized Sidewalks are in disrepair Lack of transportation facilities Truck traffic Community Unsightly Appearance of Town and Village Losing rural character Affordability Multiple layers of local government Duplication of services Lack of coordination between Town and Village Lack of Identity Lack of Code Enforcement Apathy from community to improve the Village and Town Residents are un-accepting of outsiders Old barges and ships are an eyesore Sleepy Hollow lake subdivision close to large agricultural parcels – could be conflict in future Population density in Sleepy Hollow Lake may create development pressure along Route 385 north of the Village of Athens. Growing number of absentee landlords Conversion of single family dwellings to multi-family may cause problems

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Public Meetings and Workshops

Visioning Workshop

In early January 2006 all residents, property owners, civic groups, businesses, and government officials were invited to participate in a special ―planning and visioning‖ workshop to shape the future of the Town and Village of Athens. The event was in the evening at the EJ Arthur Elementary School Cafeteria.

Upon arrival, participants of the workshop were guided to take a seat surrounding the small group tables. The number of participants in each group varied between four and five. Following introductions, each group was instructed to brainstorm and identify negative factors about the Town and Village of Athens. Subsequently, each person within the group was asked to give priority to one negative factor. After each person identified his/her priority factor, the group brainstormed solutions to minimize or eliminate each of these priority negative factors. This process was repeated with the brainstorming of positive factors about the Town and Village of Athens. After each person identified his/her priority positive factor, the group brainstormed solutions to maintain or enhance each of these positive priority factors to ensure their existence in the future.

Following the identification of positive and negative factors, participants were guided through a visioning exercise. Each person was asked to write down the characteristics of ―ideal‖ Athens 15-years into the future. Each characteristic was placed on a post-it note without discussion from the group. Following the individual exercise, each group discussed the characteristics and ―clustered‖ them into categories (e.g. quality of life, natural resources, land use, etc.). Each small group then developed one sentence to capture the thoughts of each cluster and to then combine all of the sentences to pull together and form one vision statement for each small group.

The outcome of the workshop provided a ranked list of positive and negative factors of the Town and Village. The ―visioning statements‖ drafted at the workshop were used by the Comprehensive Plan Committee to draft a collective Vision Statement to address future needs for a variety of areas throughout the Town and Village. The ―potential solutions‖ identified by the public were later expanded into goals and recommendations with the intent to revitalize, strengthen, maintain and enhance communities unique qualities.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 13 Inventory and Profile

Visioning Workshop Results – Positives

Category Positive Factors Identified

TotalResponses Priority Stickers

Housing 4 0 Increase in Housing, More affordable, Repairing houses Close proximity to Albany, Strength of location, Proximity to other Location 4 5 areas/cities Town highway system, Town roads are in good shape, Roads well Transportation access 8 9 maintained, 9W Corridor, Access to major transportation systems, Access to highway

Grid Street system, Alleys, Sidewalks, Easy accessibility - walking Pedestrian access 8 1 distance, Layout of Village Firehouse, Emergency generators in firehouse, Fire Company, 911 Emergency Services 4 0 service Natural beauty, Scenic view, Beautiful flowers in summer, Quiet river setting, Good location between mountains and river, Keep it Natural Resources 16 9 green, Farms, Abundance & diversity of land, Wild life, Open space/Nature, Varied natural environments, Ability to have livestock

Hudson River, Waterfront & river access, Black Lake area, Potential for waterfront development, Restore waterfront, Green Lake, Hudson River/Lake 20 19 Recreation activities on river, Boat launch, Development of resources/recreation riverfront park, Boat Ramp, Beautiful lake and riverfront

Stewart House, Historic architecture, Historic homes, History of Historical resources 14 4 area, Museum, Historic buildings, Strict historic guidelines, Lighthouse

Friendly, Diverse community, The people, Volunteer spirit, People 17 3 Community Spirit, Civic pride in homes, Multi-generational families, Helpful neighbors

Snow removal well maintained, Observance of military holidays, Infrastructure/Municipal 6 1 Location of Banks, Water quality Services

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Inventory and Profile

Category Positive Factors Identified

TotalResponses Priority Stickers

Small town character, Quite atmosphere, Great potential, Small size of community, Good place to raise children, Safe & secure for residents & kids, Family values, Family centered community, Safe, Community Character 32 23 High quality of life for residents, Rural environment, Country (small/rural/safe) feeling, Rural Character, thinly populated

Good schools, Elementary school & fields, Good school district, School 9 6 Quality of schools,

Athens Street Festival, Playgrounds, Cultural center, Athens pool, Recreation 13 1 Community pool, Village parks/Triangle park, Community Center, Little League Field

Library, Excellent Public Library, Children activities, Decent Library and Programs 8 0 planning for seniors, Summer Recreation Program No strip malls, Limited stores but convenient, Commercial, Small businesses, Restrict big box stores and franchise stores, Prevent Business and Industry 7 0 development of Tourism that will neglect residents

Taxes/Tax Base 1 2 Lower taxes Government 4 0 Elected officials – vision, T/V offices combined Low density zoning, Keep zoning/building codes strict on rural Planning and Zoning 5 1 character, Growth, Sleepy Hollow expansion, Entrance signs to Village

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Visioning Workshop Results - Negatives

Category Negative Factors Identified

Total

Priority

Stickers Respons

High taxes, Need to utilize school taxes effectively, Athens residents pay higher taxes than Catskill, Inverse relationship between taxes and Taxes/Tax Base 8 3 services - high taxes/low services, Not enough commercial activity for tax base, Raise taxes to pay for improvements

Need to remove unsightly dwellings, Main Street conditions, Storefront improvement, Poorly kept buildings – no action, Run down homes with yard debris, Need new developments and Aesthetics - Structures 14 8 encourage aesthetics, Run down Washington Ave., Unsightly Areas, Poorly kept properties, Restore houses, Current housing conditions, Abandoned houses, Dilapidated properties, Second Street needs polishing

Litter on roads, Outdoor unregulated trash burns, Garbage in front of houses – weak regulation codes, Abandoned barges/campers, Run Trash Removal/Cleanup 13 6 down homes with yard debris, Not cleaning the streets, Dirty streets, Village entrance needs improvement, Junk cars, Junk yards

Lack of business, Lack of employment, Too much red tape when business comes, Lack of jobs, Too many residences/not enough Business and Industry 14 14 business, Attract light industry, Lake of occupied commercial properties, Lack of economic base, Lack of small business

Not enough personal services – doctors, dentists, lawyers, barbers, Need – food stores/drugs stores/car wash/hardware, Town/Village Retail and Personal services 16 4 outdoor kiosk, No access to museum, Lack restaurants, Lack of retail services, Lack supermarket, Lack novelty/grocery/gift stores, Need hotels, Need stores

Lack of infrastructure, Improve water quality, Water for fire Infrastructure- Water 10 5 protection, Lack of public water/sewer, Infrastructure problems – water meters, Public drinking water Drainage 5 3 Lack of infrastructure, Drainage problems Sleepy Hollow sewage bad odor, Lack of water/sewer (9W & Sewer 8 5 Schoharie Tpk.), Peckham bad odors, SHL sewer plant odors, Lack of infrastructure

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 16

Inventory and Profile

Category Negative Factors Identified

Total

Priority

Stickers Respons

Duplication of municipal services, Combine V&T into 1 municipality – stop duplicating, Village is part of the Town but Town Municipal Cooperation 8 4 not part of the Village, Lack of coordination between V/T, Town/Village should work together Outdated plan, Unplanned growth, Residential

& Commercial zoning is mixed, Change zoning laws for light Land Use 8 5 industry/carwash, Restrict development of big industrial business to Development/Planning protect bedroom community, Houses too close together, Trailers in Village, Not enough open space being preserved

Lack of local law enforcement, Too many regulations, Inconsistent zoning & zoning enforcement, Inconsistent code enforcement Too Regulations 10 3 many protective land use, Clarification of codes, Lack of enforcement of existing junk yard ordinance/abandoned houses, Enforce stricter law enforcement on unregistered vehicles

Lack of parking, Lack of parking for business/renters, Better rules for Transportation - Parking 8 3 parking during winter Transportation – Need consistent signage, Lack of traffic light at main intersection, 3 0 signage/controls Need to maintain more speed traps

Heavy Traffic, Speeding, High speed limit (55 mph) for rural roads, Heavy truck traffic, Traffic on Schoharie Turnpike, Speed limits in Transportation – 12 2 Schoharie, Speeding on Village streets, Industrial traffic on 385, traffic/speeding Need traffic control over speeding, Need for Traffic enforcement, Traffic on Vernon Street – School area

Uneven pavements, Sidewalks in disrepair, Sidewalks need improvement, Lack of safe places to walk dog/blocked sidewalks, Transportation – Sidewalks on Schoharie Tpk, Sidewalks on Vernon Street, Poorly 13 4 pedestrian/bike maintained alleyways, Absence of bicycle paths, Street pattern (keep grid pattern)

ti- -i- Poor transportation, lack of transportation facilities, RR crossing Transportation - access 3 0 needs attention

Lack of affordable housing, Multiple families living in S.F. Housing 6 2 Dwellings, Absentee landlords, Support first time homebuyers,

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Inventory and Profile

Category Negative Factors Identified

Total

Priority

Stickers Respons

School districts not following municipal boundaries, No distinct Schools 4 2 school district, Not enough school activities, Public schools Athens postal district partially in Catskill Government Services 2 0 (West side of 9W) does not receive appropriate notices, Government not using technology Lack of emphasis on Village, Lack of identity need a vision, Establish identity & move towards goal, Encourage Sleepy Hollow Lake to join community, Not always Community welcoming, Lack attractions to draw people to 13 6 Character/Identity Issues the area, Lack of community cohesiveness, Maintain bedroom community characteristics, Encourage pride in property and community, Lack of historic street lighting, Maintain historical character Athens Street Festival/nighttime noise, Too Quality of Life 6 3 much noise, Snowmobiling in Village, Stray dogs and cats, Not enough police coverage, Too much police coverage, Lack of Emergency Services 4 1 Village police after 12AM, Need more police patrol Not enough services for seniors, Senior Center needs attention, Seniors 4 1 Seniors need help Encourage summer camps, Lack of youth activities, Lack of youth Youths 7 1 program, Limited recreation for teens & youth, Lack of opportunity for young people Lack of recreational areas, Need bike trail, Need Dog parks for walking dogs, Expand pool hours & improve facilities, Lack of Recreation 8 0 benches on Second Street, V/T parks need maintenance, Community Center needs renovation

Underdeveloped riverfront, Dilapidated waterfront, No swimming beach, Need funds (grant money) to beautify river, Lack of Riverfront 8 2 recreation/exposure to Green Lake, No recreational beaches, No marina on park

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 18 Inventory and Profile

Open House

To gain additional community input on action oriented recommendations, the Comprehensive Plan Committee hosted a public open house in mid summer 2006. The open house was held in the evening at the EJ Arthur Elementary School Cafeteria. Members of the public were invited to hear a short presentation on the results of the Committee’s work to date, including the community survey results, mapping analysis, and presentation of the draft vision and goal statements. Following the presentation, the public was invited to visit ―stations‖ and share their ideas on specific topics with the Comprehensive Plan Committee members. Tables were set up for each of the following topics: economic development; housing; municipal and community resources; transportation; historical, cultural and recreational resources; agriculture; and open spaces, natural resources and scenic views. Participants were invited to share their ideas about what actions they feel are needed to address the needs of each of the topics.

Each topic station had a list of draft goals that have were developed by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. In addition, each station had a map of the Town and Village, as well as Action Sheets that could be filled out by participants. Each station was facilitated by a Comprehensive Plan Committee member who was available to answer any questions that you may have. Open House participants were encouraged to visit each station and provide feedback on each goal. The following results of the open house were later incorporated into the Plan’s recommendations.

Open House Results

Community Suggested Actions for: HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL

Write more specific historic preservation guidelines Look for grants to help residents refurbish historic homes Encourage community activities that promote historic preservation such as annual awards for home improvement. (House, tours, etc.) Create tax incentives Open vistas of the river Add uses of the riverfront park Move the museum to the Village Establish kayak and bike rentals Establish town marina

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S Put more emphasis on historic in goals • Form better coordination between citizens and code enforcement on rules that apply Donate/purchase riverfront parcel to establish swim area on Hudson Create pamphlet for realtors about historic district for new parties Tax support for the cultural center Increase education about our historic area Restore Athens community gym and add programs Appoint a cultural ―Czar‖

Community Suggested Actions for: TRANSPORTATION AND PEDESTRIAN SYSTEMS

• Feasibility of a bicycle path – where would/could this be sited given high-traffic on 385 and lack of a shoulder? • Multi-modal transportation systems – what other types of transportation would be? • Parking – need provision for municipal parking in the Village if a shopping area is to be developed (experience with street festival = no public parking) • Crosswalks at critical points in Village (with stations and notice for motorists that they must slow down/stop for pedestrians) at Stewarts, Second and Third Street intersections with 385 must be enforced • Increase availability of county-subsidized transportation for seniors (shuttles) as area grows (shopping increasing in Catskill) • Sidewalks – repair and maintain – have more sidewalks (Market Street, North Vernon St. – for children going to school) More stop signs in Village to slow down traffic 20 mph speed limit sign at N. Vernon Street and Market Street for E. J. Arthur Enhance Athens Village network of alleyways for pedestrian (bicycle) traffic repair surfaces, incorporate lighting and landscaping, name them • Establish a network of trail systems to connect different residential/commercial areas of the Town and Village • Cluster houses will help enhance walkable neighborhoods • Collaborate with neighboring communities

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 20 Inventory and Profile

Community Suggested Actions for: MUNICIPAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Promote wireless internet access Consolidate municipal services Garbage service Repair Village sidewalks Expand sewer service Continue water quality improvement project Keep Town and Village offices in one building (in the Village) Consolidate Town and Village Governments! Promote DSL (Direct Service Line for computers) Increase sewer plant capacity Keep Town and Village Services separate as both are very different in topography and needs Activities for children – after school programs, expand summer recreation program Village pool – currently member organization – could it be run and funded as a municipal facility = more activities? Improve quality of life issues Improve Village drainage system Teen programs organized sports activities

Community Suggested Actions for: HOUSING

Strict preservation regulations (i.e. no vinyl siding) to preserve the historic district If development of new structures is indicated, then the structure should reflect the heritage of the Village structures Encourage affordable housing for people of average incomes Encourage affordable housing for small/new families Require developers to provide a small % of affordable and senior housing units Maintain character – but not so strict on regulations - Not in favor of affordable/subsidized housing What is affordable? Develop environmental and energy guidelines for new construction Improve, review and maintain zoning laws

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 21 Inventory and Profile

Community Suggested Actions for: OPEN SPACE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND SCENIC VIEWS

Should have a map showing forested land as opposed to vacant Should be more information available about air and water quality Should be able to swim in the river – create riverfront beach Limit development of Potic Mountain to protect water supply and lakes such as Black Lake, Green Lake and Hollister Limit height of buildings in scenic view areas Maintain/develop ―green zones‖ for natural beauty of Town Need to control agricultural run-off, especially around Sleepy Hollow Lake Insure that boats docked in marinas don’t spill oil Municipality should purchase and preserve riverfront properties Should develop a kayak launch on the river Small boat storage (secure!) on riverfront (Lease from or request donation from ELCO) Complete river front park project Improve 385 corridor – streetscape plantings – general design Develop commercial signage standards Bike lanes on country roads Enlarge riverfront park Get rid of old barges by Peckham More municipal parks in the Town Open up vistas of river on Village-owned riverfront property Tighter regulation of emissions and traffic at Peckham Protect Sleepy Hollow Lake water shed by careful zoning Increase minimum lot size in RV district Restriction of auto junk yards Cluster zoning Conservation easements

Community Suggested Actions for: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Development of public transport • Incentives for small business (tax breaks) outreach/marketing program

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 22 Inventory and Profile

Development for infrastructure – Water specifically on 9W Corridor, sewer systems, telecommunications Zoning to allow for special review and variances Expedited review process - Act Now Economic development of post office Downtown and Village parking Village wide wi fi (wireless) Integrate with County and IDA for resources and business development Keep close architectural design control Plan entrance and exit schemes to facilitate safe and easy access to businesses Integrate rail service into Zoning Plan One school district Investigate formation of local development corporation Develop additional festivals as tourist draw Develop Town and Village Web Site Develop 9W Corridor Master Plan

Community Suggested Actions for: AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

Farmers Market Favorable tax policies for Ag land and forest land Favorable zoning Create local outlets for local farm products Community awareness of farming as a viable economic enterprise and a way of preserving open space Development of local ―CSA‖ (Community Supported Agriculture program/co-op) Institute ―open space districts‖ Identify and preserve profitable farm land Develop ―agri-tourism‖ map of local farms to visit Maintain strict environmental overview/oversight

Community Image Survey Summary

As part of the public outreach process, a Community Image Survey was developed. This effort was undertaken to gain a clear understanding of the desired future appearance and character of the Town and Village. The purpose of this effort was to articulate the

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 23 Inventory and Profile residents’ impression of the present community image and to build consensus for its future character.

This effort included two parts: a written survey that explored resident’s opinions about Athens’ visual character and a visual image survey that explored resident’s opinions about preferred visual character of buildings, streets, landscapes, and development patterns in general. The image survey asked participants to view a series of slides that show what people typically see along streets, sidewalks, and public spaces. The slides illustrated such aspects of the community such as building form, density, setbacks, scale, massing, architectural style, colors, textures, materials, landscaping, road types, etc. People were asked to numerically rate images as to their acceptability in Athens.

Residents of the Town and Village of Athens were invited to participate in the image and written survey and a total of 41 residents completed the survey. The results of the written survey are included below along with a summary of the visual image survey. For complete results of the Community Image Survey, please see Volume III – Supplementary Reports, Section 1.

Community Image Survey – Written Survey Results (Summary)

As part of the Community Image Survey process, residents of the Town and Village were asked to complete a written survey. A total of 41 residents competed the survey.

Residents were given a map that was divided into four (4) sections, including the Village of Athens; the Town - West of Thruway; the Town - East of Thruway, and the Sleepy Hollow Area. When asked to indicate where in the Town of Athens they lived, more than half of all respondents (54%) indicated that they live in the Village. About 23% indicated that they live in the Sleepy Hollow Area, while 10% live west of the Thruway, and another 10% live east of the Thruway.

Residents were then asked to indicate how long have they lived in Athens. A high percentage (40%) of respondents indicated that they lived in the community for more than 30 years. About 18% of respondents have lived in the community between 20 and 30 years. Twenty eight percent (28%) have lived in Athens between 6 and 19 years, and 14% for less than 5 years.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 24 Inventory and Profile

When asked to rate the overall visual character of the Village of Athens on a scale of 0 (worst) to 5 (best), a vast majority of respondents (85%) rated the overall visual character of the Village of Athens as a ―3‖ or a ―4‖. Another 10% rated the Village’s visual character as a ―2‖. No respondents rated the Village’s visual character as being the best or the worst.

Many residents, when asked to describe the attributes that contribute to the positive visual character of the Village of Athens, listed the architectural aesthetics, history and picturesque scenery; community character; the waterfront and river recreation resources and other natural resources; location and accessibility, and business and industry.

When asked to rate the overall visual character of the rest of the Town Athens (outside the Village) on a scale of 0 (worst) to 5 (best), approximately three quarters (71%) of the respondents rated the overall visual character of the Town of Athens (excluding the Village) as a ―3‖ or a ―4‖. About 26% of respondents rated the Town (outside the Village) as a ―2‖. No respondents rated the visual character of the Town outside the Village as being the best or the worst.

When asked to describe the attributes that contribute to the positive visual character of the Town of Athens (outside the Village), many residents noted the scenic views and beauty; riverfront and recreation opportunities; well-kept properties and housing; rural community character and landscapes; countryside and open space; agricultural and farm lands; and access via roads and railroads.

Residents were then asked to identify the most positive and visual pleasing location in the Village. Some of the most common responses included streets such as, Franklin St. Union St., Water Street, Second Street/Main Street and Route 385. Others included, but are not limited to: the library, nursery, lighthouse, the riverfront views of Hudson, the lower historic district, Steward House and other historic homes, and local parks such as Triangle Park, Village Park, and Riverfront Park.

When asked to identify the most positive and visually pleasing location in the Town of Athens outside of the Village, some of the most common responses included, beautiful vistas at the intersection of Leeds - Athens Road and Howard Hall Road; Route 385 – north and south of the Village, where you can see Hudson River to east and Catskills mountains to the west; Farm to Market Road– mountain views; Vosborgh’s Nursery, with wonderful view of the river/farmlands/woods; the riverfront; Green Lake; the Town Park; the variety of housing styles, and the Sleepy Hollow Lake community.

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Residents were then asked to identify the most negative and visually unpleasing location in the Village. Some of the most common negative and visually unpleasing locations included, but are not limited to: the Route 385 service stations and junkyards; the old barges; Peckham Industries and tanks; the entries into Village, south and on Rte 385; the sewage treatment plant; the Sleepy Hollow sewer plant; North Washington St. by the garages, and lower Second St. (run down homes and buildings).

When asked to identify the most negative and visually unpleasing locations in the Town outside of the Village, some of the most common responses included, but are not limited to: the Sleepy Hollow treatment plant; the Athens Electric Generating Plant; 9W junk yard and used car lots; Schoharie Turnpike Industrial Park; junkyard located on the corner of the Green Lake and Schoharie Turnpike; abandoned Wormuth Foundry; un- maintained roads (Lime Street, north of U. Hage, Rte. 28 – east and west of RR Tracks); and run down homes.

Community Image Survey – Visual Image Survey Results (Summary)

Positive Features

This image was the highest rated positive image. Overall, the following features characterized all positively rated images:

• Rural landscape scenes showing farmland, farms, very low density/scattered residences Two story residences Peaked roofs Lack of obvious garages, and not vehicle-oriented Buildings set close to the road (shallow setbacks) Green landscaped areas, lots of street trees Traditional downtown images Commercial buildings that looks residential Buildings constructed of traditional-looking materials (wood, brick) Rural country roads, with narrow lanes, and roadside trees Building architecture with porches, porticos, shutters, dormers Small signs made of wood or wood-looking

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• Residential streets have sidewalks

Negative Features

This image was the highest rated negative image. Overall, the following features characterized all negatively rated images: t.r411111. JP, WW1 ; Flat topped buildings One story buildings (commercial) Minimal trees and landscaping Large and complex signs – tall and variable in color Buildings set far off street with paved areas/parking lot areas between road and building Franchised architecture Wide streets with no street side trees Neighborhoods 1960+ era subdivision No sidewalks Residential streets with no street trees More noticeable utility wires Buildings not placed on lot in traditional village-like manner (buildings perpendicular to street, angled, off of parking lots, etc.)

See Volume III for full results of the Community Image Survey.

Community Survey

In early January of 2006 a Community Survey was mailed to all Town and Village residents with a stamped return envelope for the convenience of all residents. The survey included 27 questions of mostly multiple choice and a few fill- in style, providing survey respondents with an opportunity to identify any specific issues or concerns not otherwise covered in the survey. The intent of the survey was to get specific information from Town and Village residents, business owners and property owners on how they would characterize current living conditions and municipal services, what they feel are the priority actions that should be undertaken by the Town and Village to improve quality of life, and what types of development and businesses residents would encourage or

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 27 Inventory and Profile discourage. A copy of the survey questionnaire and the complete survey results is contained in Appendix B.

Summary of Survey Results

Question 1: All areas of the town had representation in the survey. About 40% of the respondents were from the town outside the village with the remainder from inside the village or are non-resident landowners (8% of the respondents). Of all the areas, the village had the most respondents.

Question 2: The average number of years living in Athens was 24.4 years. Participants have lived in Athens from less than 5 years to 85 years. The highest percentage of respondents (19%) has lived in Athens less than 5 years. Twelve percent have lived in Athens 6 to 10, 11 to 15, and 16 to 20 years each.

Question 3: Almost 80% of participants are full-time residents.

Question 4: Almost all own their home (99%).

Question 5: The average age of participants was 57 years.

Question 6: Almost half of the participants feel that the quality of life in Athens is still the same as five years ago. About 10% feel it is worse, and almost 27% feel that it is better.

Question 7: There are mixed feelings about whether affordable housing opportunities are needed in Athens. About 35% said that there is a need while an equal number said there is not a need. A full 31% said they were undecided.

Question 8: For those that felt that affordable housing opportunities were needed, respondents preferred using moderately priced dwellings (41%) over in-law apartments, apartment complexes, townhouses, and others. Use of condominiums had the least amount of support with 8% indicating that they would like to see them provided for in Athens.

Question 9: When asked about how satisfied people were about the local government, the majority of people answered, ―satisfied‖ for most of the local government services. There was a high degree of satisfaction with town/village hall hours, fire protection, and

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 28 Inventory and Profile road maintenance (all of these were about 70% being ―satisfied‖). Satisfaction with zoning was the lowest (33%) with 24% indicating they were not satisfied and 42% saying they had no opinion. For many of the local government categories in this question, many people had no opinion.

Question 10 and 11: This question asked about spending public funding to accomplish various tasks to protect and enhance Athens. No more than 25% of participants were in favor of spending more money even if taxes go up to provide for the various measures indicated in this question. The most support for this kind of spending was for protecting farms and farmland, developing Riverfront Park, developing waterfront access and recreation opportunities, providing for public water and sewer, downtown revitalization, and local police and emergency services (all received about 20 to 25%). There was the most support for spending money only if taxes are not raised. There was little support for spending less than now, but about 1/3 of participants indicated that about the same amount of money as spent now would be adequate. Of all the categories, creating a micro-enterprise assistance program; an industrial park; a housing rehabilitation program; providing affordable housing for first time homebuyers and renters; and providing added senior services were considered to be less important than the other categories for spending money on. Written comments on this question indicated that many people were not in favor of spending any money on a new town hall.

Question 12 and 13: Well over half of the participants indicated that it was ―important‖ to have almost all the items listed in this question in Athens. Those items not considered important include affordable housing for renters and more residential density. Some received mixed opinions: having day care; enhanced tourism; public transportation; and small hobby or recreational farms had about the same number of people indicating that they were important to have in Athens as those who feel they are not important. Of all the items in this question, affordable housing for seniors was felt to be the item that was most important to have in Athens.

Question 14: Almost 83% said that they agreed with consolidating services between the town and village. Well over 73% indicated that they agree with consolidating all services (police, fire, highway, building/zoning, planning board, ZBA, government boards, and tax assessment). Combining fire, police, highway, and government boards was agreeable to over 80% of participants. About half wanted to rely more on county services, and 92% indicated that they want a joint village/town municipal building. Related to this last part, 77% indicated that the municipal building should be renovated and not to develop a new building.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 29 Inventory and Profile

Question 15: 38% said that they were not interested in industrial development anywhere in the town or village. 61% said that they were and these participants favored technology and light industry over manufacturing or distribution businesses. Heavy industry was not favored by many (8%).

Question 16: Most of the recreational opportunities explored in this question were of ―strong interest‖ or ―some interest‖ from participants. Dog parks, golfing, and snowmobiling trails were opposed the most (by about 30 to 40%). Those recreational opportunities receiving the most interest included a community center, cultural activities, hiking trails, marina, senior citizen center, and walking/running paths.

Question 17: When asked about what commercial businesses would participants support, a grocery store received the most number of people indicating there is a ―strong need‖ in Athens for that use. Many people felt that additional restaurants (no drive through), bakery, and medical dental offices have ―some need‖ (about 40%). Several of the businesses were felt by many to have ―no need‖. These included drive through restaurants, bowling alley, day spa, health food store, home improvement center, industrial development, big box store, mall style businesses, mini-storage units, movie theater, and a music store. When asked where these uses are preferred to be located, the village was the preferred location for most. A few uses were preferred by slightly more people to be located in the town. These include those larger businesses such as a garden center, home improvement center, industrial development, big box store, etc. However, most of these uses were not preferred by the majority of participants at all.

Question 18: Participants felt that having more retail uses, more restaurants, and more recreational and cultural events would encourage them to spend more time downtown. About 35% said that more parking and 33% said that enhanced street beautification would be an encouragement. There were many other ideas of what could be done to enhance use of the downtown area (see written responses.)

Question 19: Participants were asked to identify three things they like most about the Town of Athens. Some of the most common responses include beauty, central location, country atmosphere, farms, historic resources, location on the river, open space, peaceful, quaint, quiet, rural (aesthetics, character, atmosphere, nature, etc.), scenic, small town feel, the people, and the waterfront.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 30 Inventory and Profile

Question 20: Participants were asked to identify three things they like most about the Village of Athens. Some of the most common responses include access to river, architecture, boat launch, historic buildings and character, friendly, Hudson River, location, quaint, quiet, and small and small town character.

Question 21: Participants were asked to identify three things they like the least about the Town of Athens. Some of the most common responses include Athens Generating, high taxes, junk and junk cars, lack of good planning, lack of retail choices, lack of property maintenance, no restaurants or lack of other services, not enough opportunities for jobs, run-down conditions, and lack of recreation activities.

Question 22: Participants were asked to identify three things they like the least about the Village of Athens. Some of the most common responses include run down conditions of buildings, empty storefronts, high taxes, lack of retail choices and services, lack of recreational activities, parking, street and sidewalk maintenance, and unkempt properties.

Question 23: Participants were asked to describe the type of place Athens could be in 20 years. The most common words to describe this future Athens include: affordable, attractive, beautiful, charming, clean, a destination, exciting, historical, peaceful, progressive, prosperous, quaint, quiet, revitalized, rural, safe, scenic, small community, thriving, and vibrant.

Question 25: Participants were asked to identify a street or road where traffic safety is a concern. The primary locations of concern include (see full list): Second St. and Washington St. (385) Route 385 through the village Third Street with no sidewalks Howard Hall Road Intersection of Greenlake and Buttermilk Leeds Athens & 9W Vernon Street at 385 Schoharie Turnpike Sleepy Hollow Road Union Street

Question 26: Participants were asked to identify places where pedestrian safety is a concern. Common responses include: • Second Street and 385

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Route 385 The bank corner Leeds Athens Road in various locations Schoharie Turnpike Sleepy Hollow Road Union Street, especially at 385 Vernon Street

Question 27: An additional 14 pages of comments were received as ―additional comments‖.

Stakeholder Interviews

Project consultants conducted telephone interviews with individuals identified as stakeholders by the ACCPC. A stakeholder is any group or individual that has a stake in or may be impacted by recommendations developed through the planning process. In general, stakeholders represent municipalities, local government departments, residential communities, business associations, and other local organizations, such as nonprofits, volunteer committees, or special interest groups.

Stakeholder interviews included discussions with persons representing a variety of organizations, agencies, or business interests. The issues discussed with these individuals ranged from specific Town and Village issues with infrastructure, to environmental concerns, to traffic issues, to public parks and recreation resources. The information discovered through these discussions was used to inform the planning process and provide guidance to the ACCPC and the consultants on how to move forward in developing the Comprehensive Plan.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 32 Previous Planning Efforts in the Town & Village

Village of Athens Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

Following the award of a joint Town and Village Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) planning grant, a joint Town/Village Waterfront Advisory Committee was appointed. This committee included members of various local boards, business representatives, civic, planning and environmental groups, and area residents. The community was kept informed of the planning effort through periodic releases and public meetings. A questionnaire was distributed to area residents to ascertain their opinion on a variety of applicable issues. While both communities worked on developing the LWRP, only the Village adopted its LWRP and associated implementation measures in 1999. The NYS Secretary of State approved the Program in 2001 and the U.S. Ocean and Coastal Resource Management Office (OCRM) approved the Program in 2002.

The Village LWRP divided the waterfront area into four land use categories: (1) urban area; (2) urban waterfront area; (3) waterfront recreation and open space areas; and (4) planned open space residential. The urban area was identified as appropriate for intensive commercial and residential development. While a variety of uses were regarded as appropriate for the urban waterfront area, the LWRP indicated that priority should be given to those that require a waterfront location. The waterfront recreation and open space area included areas that, given their natural features and habitats, ought to be preserved.

Overview of the LWRP Recommendations

Since the adoption and approval of the Village of Athens Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), the Village has implemented many of the recommended actions of the LWRP to improve the Hudson River waterfront, with assistance from the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWCD). The Village of Athens LWRP identified a number of projects as important mechanisms to advance the goals of the LWRP. These priority projects included (1) Substantial phased improvements to the Village’s Riverfront Park; (2) Removal of old barges from the waterfront; (3) Improvement to Village-owned waterfront properties to facilitate public water

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 33 Inventory and Profile recreational uses; (4) Pursuit of walking and hiking trail opportunities; (5) Development of scenic overlooks; and (6) Historic preservation and revitalization programs. Many of these riverfront improvement projects have been further pursued and studied by the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWCD), through the Athens Waterfront Restoration Feasibility Study; the Athens Fourth Street Launch & Promenade Project; and the Athens Abandoned Barge Project, which are briefly discussed in the following sections.

Recommended improvements to the Village’s Riverfront Park included developing improved docking space and installing a new stand-pipe/dry hydrant for fire fighting capacity. Improvements were recommended for the NYS boat launch and the Village- owned Fourth Street Boat Launch. In addition, improvements were recommended for Rainey Park at the mouth of Murderers Creek and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The LWRP also recommended that opportunities for public acquisition of waterfront land, through donation or easement, be pursued.

The LWRP included three major trail development recommendations. The ―White Elephant Railroad‖ right of way, which runs from the northern part of the Village to the Coxsackie Town line, was identified as a potential hiking/cross-country skiing/snow- mobile trail. A cleared roadway that runs under the Niagara Mohawk transmission line from NYS Route 385 to the Hudson River in the southern end of the Village was identified as a potential easement site that would permit access for viewing and picnicking. Finally, a third idea was to widen NYS Route 385 to provide for an on-road bike trail. Scenic overlook stopping areas were also recommended for development along NYS Route 385. Street beautification efforts (sidewalk and curbing replacement and resetting and street tree planting) were also recommended to improve accessibility in the Village’s historic district. The LWRP also identified several methods to guide future development in the community, to ensure the community’s resources are preserved and maintained. One such recommendation included the establishment of design guidelines to guide development in the planned open space residential area (including the Sleepy Hollow development).

Other objectives identified by the LWRP were to conduct historic preservation studies, including developing design guidelines, and to create a multi-faceted tourist program to identify markets, design promotional efforts, and coordinate advertising campaigns. To preserve the Middle Ground Flats area, it was recommended that a management plan be created. To assist the Village in preserving additional open lands, it was recommended that the Village conduct a study examining the feasibility of establishing a trust that can

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 34 Inventory and Profile accept and administer easements, donations, or land acquisitions to protect natural resources and scenic views.

Athens Waterfront Restoration Feasibility Study

The Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWCD), with financial and in-kind assistance from the NYS Department of Sate Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, Iroquois Gas Transmission System, Army Corps of Engineers, Athens Generating Regional & Community Historic Preservation Benefit Program, and other State and Federal funding agencies, developed a feasibility study and final design plans to revitalize the Village’s waterfront area. The Study identified recommendations to restore the Village ferry slip and adjoining Riverfront Park to benefit both small pleasure craft users as well as larger tour boats. It was even recommended that the Village (and/or others) investigate the feasibility of establishing a small tour boat operation.

Specific recommendations related to the ferry slip restoration addressed a myriad of environmental issues that might arise due to the restoration activities. Techniques to address these concerns included retrofitting the stormwater system (to include sediment traps and stabilized outfalls); working with appropriate County, State, and Federal agencies on dredging techniques and practices; reconstructing 525 linear feet of bulkhead along the Village shoreline and constructing an improved promenade; and designing all aspects of the project including docks, access ramps, information kiosk, lighting, benches and landscaping to be consistent with the historic character of the downtown.

According to Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWCD), additional actions associated with the riverfront project include the construction of a central plaza at the end of Second Street and a small restroom/ticket office facility. There was also an expressed need for additional parking capacity. Methods to increase parking included rearranging and redefining existing on-street parking.

Proposed Barge Removal Project

According to Greene County, there were ongoing attempts by the Village and Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWCD) to remove the eleven abandoned vessels that have been stored along the Athens waterfront since the 1970s. According to the County, the vessels, which include barges, tug boats, and a yacht, were brought to Athens by the owner with the intention of rehabilitating the vessels into a series of ―waterfront commercial enterprises.‖ As these plans never materialized, the

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 35 Inventory and Profile vessels were abandoned and have deteriorated significantly. Peckham Industries has control of the underwater land grants below the barges.

The blighted vessels, in addition to aesthetic concerns, also present safety and environmental concerns. The area around the barges is heavily covered by wetlands and little is known about what may be stored on the vessels.

Most recently, GCSWCD, who would work in partnership with NYSDEC and Hudsonia, Inc., had been seeking funding to implement the clean-up activities. Working with NYSDEC, GCSWCD was seeking to establish a protocol on unknown vessel removal, establishing standard investigation procedures addressing applicable ecological, navigational, historical, and social impacts. The removal was slated to receive funds several years ago from the Hudson River Estuary Program, but the EPF budget did not get passed and the proposal has since been postponed.

Athens Fourth Street Boat Launch Project

According to Greene County, efforts to conduct improvements to the Village’s unimproved boat launch at Fourth Street began in earnest in 2002. Revisiting discussions regarding the site that occurred during the LWRP planning process, the Fourth Street Site was identified as ideal for use as a small craft, paddle craft launch area, where canoes, kayaks, and small power craft could be launched or landed. In 2003, the adjoining landowner opted to participate with the effort, resulting in the scope increasing to include additional public access, a small promenade, increased parking, and improved buffering between properties. Identified as a Hudson River Water Trail site in 2002, the Village has been successful in partnering with both public and private entities to fund and further the project’s progress.

Project components for this effort include, but are not limited to: . Development of a safe launching/land area for paddle boats such as canoes and kayaks; . Development of a small kiosk to direct paddle visitors to Village businesses; . Aesthetic improvements including improvements to streetscape, utility relocation, and improvements to adjoining private buildings and the old slip; . Installation of landscaping, benches, and planters; and . Development of parking spaces which can be used by paddlers.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 36 Inventory and Profile

Hudson River Improvement Fund Grant

In March 2000, the Village of Athens submitted a grant application to the Hudson River Improvement Fund for $15,000 to fund municipal planning services to ―help reorient and attract business activity and tourism towards the riverfront and Second Street business district.‖ The intent behind this proposed activity was to enhance these facilities so that they will encourage the public to visit the village’s center and its riverfront park, helping to restore the area to its former role as the center of the community for inhabitants and visitors. It was desired that the plan guide future development of the Village’s waterfront assets and business district. In addition to a public outreach effort, this planning process was to include review of the previously completed LWRP, a marketing strategy to attract appropriate business and tourism to the riverfront and Village business district, and a prescriptive and objective revitalization plan. This grant application was unsuccessful.

Town and Village of Athens Municipal Community Center: Evaluation of Existing Municipal Offices and Feasibility Study of Future Government Space

In August 2004, J. Robert Folchetti and Associates completed a study to evaluate options related to the shared Town and Village Municipal Community Center. One option they examined involved the construction of a new Town Hall/Town Center to house Town offices while the Village offices remained in the existing Community Center building. The alternative was to rehabilitate the existing Community Center to better meet the needs of both the Town and Village. The rehabilitation efforts would also have to include modifications to make the facility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

As part of the study, the consultants conducted interviews with both the Board of Trustees and the Town Board as well as with Town and Village employees to gain a better understanding of the future needs of each department. They also examined the potential historic impacts associated with modifying the existing Community Center. A survey was prepared to evaluate the opinions of the community, especially on the issues considered to be ―intangibles.‖ Approximately 80% of respondents expressed the opinion that the municipalities should share a common location, share costs, and that a central location provides an overall convenience to residents.

More information on this study is included in the Municipal and Community Resources section of this plan.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 37 Inventory and Profile

Village Main Street Plan

In 2000, the Village of Athens applied for a technical assistance grant from the Governors Office for Small Cities. Gathering data on building conditions and soliciting public opinion, the Village then set out to prepare a Main Street plan that would revitalize the Athens Business District. A ―L‖ shaped study area, the delineated Main Street, originating at Warren and Second Streets continuing to Water and Fourth Streets, included a mixture of commercial, retail, restaurant, and residential buildings. Although a draft was presented to the Village Board, the plan was never completed or adopted.

County Planning Efforts

Greene County Economic Development Plan

Initiated by the Greene County Legislature, the Greene Business Partnership is overseeing the preparation of a countywide Comprehensive Economic Development Plan. The Greene Business Partnership is a collaborative membership organization including the Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development, the Greene County Industrial Development Agency, and the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. A multi-year planning process, the County engaged consultants in 2005 to assist with the development of the plan. Once completed, the plan will provide a comprehensive assessment of the County economy and provide a set of prioritized strategic directions and actions to improve the livability and quality of life for residents.1 In addition, the plan aims to facilitate the creation of high-quality jobs, generate new investment in the communities, and ensure the county’s long-term fiscal health. The plan is expected to be completed and adopted by early April or May of 2007.

On-going economic development efforts have documented that Greene County is uniquely situated in ―three‖ external regional markets; the Capital Region, the Hudson Valley, and the Great Northern Catskills. These external markets have significant influences on the work and travel patterns of the area. According to the Greene Business Partnership, the terrain of Greene County divides the county into three unique geographic zones for purposes of planning and decision making for economic development: the Mountaintop Towns, the Historic River Towns, and the Valley Towns. The Town and

1 About the Greene County Comprehensive Economic Development Plan http://www.greenebusiness.com/about.html

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 38 Inventory and Profile

Village of Athens, along with Catskill, Coxsackie, and New Baltimore are included in the Historic Hudson River Towns category.

A Target Industry and Resource Analysis was completed for each of the regions and shows potential industry opportunities and related requirements and issues associated with each one. Opportunities identified in the Historic River Towns are listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1: River Town Opportunity Areas Description of Opportunity Facility Requirements Issues/Comments

Food (large commercial Industrial Park with gas (for bakery) Competing with Albany for labor baking plant or cheese and treatment plant capacity (for processor) cheese processing wastes) Printing Operations Industrial Park Competing with Albany for labor

Plastics and Rubber Industrial Park with gas and rail Competing with Albany for labor access (for larger plastics molding operations) Fabricated Metal/Mach. Industrial Park Competing with Albany for labor

Computers and Electronics Industrial Park with clean room Enhance quality of life (housing, Medical Devices capability healthcare and shopping) for relocated professionals

Warehousing and Storage Industrial Park with low cost land Gaining access to qualified high and direct access to interstate school grads that want to work in warehousing

Financial Services Back Office park with at least 10,000 SF Competing with Albany for labor Office office shell in place with interstate access Professional/Technical Serv. Office park and sub-divided Competing with Albany for labor. building Enhance quality of life

Source: Moran, Stahl, and Boyer, LLC. For Greene County Economic Development Plan

As part of the Greene County Economic Development Plan, the Historic River Towns of the County were evaluated in terms of historic economic trends, existing economy, development and projects, and potential growth areas. Athens historically was a center for shipbuilding and boat building, with more than 200 steam vessels being built there,

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 39 Inventory and Profile including the Kaaterskill, a well-known sidewheeler.2 Today, the Electric Launch Company continues the tradition of boat building. Athens was also home to sizable brick manufacturing industry, which attracted seasonal laborers.

Recent development and projects in Athens has been varied, including residential projects, commercial activities, community uses, and industrial developments. Residential activities include the ongoing development of Sleepy Hollow Lake. Commercial projects include the development of Dionysos Restaurant; construction of a commercial elevator storage warehouse; and the placement of a utility trailer manufacturing space on NYS Route 9W. Public and community projects include the Greene County Highway Department garage; new fire training and tower facility; and Village of Athens Firehouse. Industrial projects include the newly constructed Athens Generating natural gas powered power plant on NYS Route 9w and Iroquois Compressor.

During public workshops, participants discussed ongoing development trends, infrastructure needs, and plans for future development in Greene County’s River Towns. Potential growth areas identified for the Town and Village of Athens by residents attending the Greene County Economic Development public workshop include clustered commercial, office, and retail uses at NYS Route 9W and Schoharie Turnpike; revitalized use of historic storefronts for commercial/retail uses along Second Street; and use of historic structures for commercial/retail uses on NYS Route 385 in the Village.

Participants at public workshops also believe future small-scale industrial development should be focused within the designated Empire Zone. The waterfront district was identified as an appropriate location for parks, recreational development, water-related businesses, and activities such as marinas and restaurants. Affordable housing is preferred for development around Vernon and Union Streets. Agricultural uses are preferred for continuance wherever possible throughout the Town and Village. A ―Sportsman’s Land Trust‖ was suggested as one technique to preserve existing open space and potentially attract visitors to the community.

In assessing Athens’ existing public water and sewer system, residents identified the need for additional infrastructure expansion. Continued development could tax existing groundwater supplies and push aging septic systems to their limits, potentially resulting in septic failure and costly clean-ups. Therefore, according to the Greene County

2 ―Sub-Regional Opportunities for Historic River Towns,‖ Saratoga Associates, 2006.

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Economic Development Plan, expanded water and sewer districts may be needed in areas where the most growth has and will occur.

Greene County Habitat Management Plan

In 2004, the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District (GCSWCD), the Greene County Industrial Development Agency (GCIDA) with assistance from a wide range of other key stakeholders such as Audubon NY and NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program initiated two efforts targeted at a developing a better understanding of habitat resources in the 9W corridor, 1) the training of local stakeholders and 2) the development of a detailed plan for habitat assessment and protection. The focus area for the Greene County Habitat Management Plan is 29,468 acres (46 square miles) bound by the Albany County border to the north, the Hudson River to the east, NYS Route 23 to the south, and Interstate 87 or US Route 9W (whichever is most westerly) to the west.

At the present time, the planning process for the Greene County Habitat Management Plan is currently underway, however, according to the plan introduction, ―the intention of the Plan is to offer an informative foundation for municipalities; developers, local residents, and other stakeholders interested in the future of this locally treasured landscape and its wildlife.‖ ―The management plan is designed to help initiate consistent and effectual parameters for future planning.‖ ―With the outlined plan, developers can make more informed decisions, and regulatory agencies can better negotiate land uses and trade-offs.‖ ―The Plan establishes groundwork for future environmental planning that will predictably continue happening in this area.‖

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 41

Demographic Profile

This section summarizes a number of trends, including population, age, housing, education, and income, currently impacting the Town and Village of Athens. For comparative purposes, data of neighboring riverfront villages (Village of Catskill and Village of Coxsackie), New York State, and Greene County are also evaluated. This information is culled primarily from the 2000 U.S. Census of Population and Housing Summary File 3 (SF3). The SF3 contains detailed tabulations of the questions asked of a sampling of census respondents (the sample or long-form questionnaire is delivered to 1 out of every 6 residents). The results include detailed data concerning population, sex, age, households and families by relationship, housing occupancy, income, poverty, education, employment, etc. It is important to note that these data are based on a sample of the population and housing units throughout the Town and Village and are subject to sampling errors.

To document trends, some information from the 1980 and 1990 Census is included, as well as population projections obtained from ESRI Business Information Solutions.3 Please note that because the Village is wholly within one Town, the Town figures presented in the tables that follow include the Village figures. The source data has not been adjusted to show only the remainder of the town, (the town outside of the village).

Population

Local population growth or decline is often dependent upon several factors including: economic expansion, environmental capacity, housing suitability, age driven needs, and regional desirability. According to the US Census Bureau, the Town of Athens population increased from 3,561 in 1990 to 3,991 in 2000. This reflects a 12.1% growth rate, a significant increase when compared to the State’s 5.5%, and the County’s 7.7% growth rates. The Village of Athens had a growth rate of 8.4% during the same period. See Table 2 below.

3 ESRI Business Information Solutions is a leading source for demographic, business, and retail market data in the United States. Their information is often purchased by retail and industrial sector entities to determine primary market types within a specific area.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 42 Inventory and Profile

Table 2: Historic and Projected Population Trends

Athens Village Athens Town Greene County New York State Year Number Growth Number Growth Number Growth Number Growth 1980 1,738 NA 3,462 NA 40,861 NA 17,558,165 NA 1990 1,563 -10.1% 3,561 2.9% 44,739 9.5% 17,990,778 2.5% 2000 1,695 8.4% 3,991 12.1% 48,195 7.7% 18,976,821 5.5% 2005 1,786 5.4% 4,206 5.4% 48,890 1.4% 19,411,913 2.3% 2010 1,830 2.5% 4,320 2.7% 49,543 1.3% 19,871,975 2.4% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2005. Source for 2010 Projections: ESRI Business Information Solutions.

In 2000, Village density was approximately 503 people per square mile (1,695/3.37 sq.mi.) and Town density was approximately 143 people per square mile (3,991/28 sq.mi.).

During the same decade, the Village of Coxsackie, located north of Athens, experienced an increase in population of 6.5%, while the Village of Catskill, located south of Athens, experienced a decrease of 4.6%. See Table 3 for more details.

Table 3: Historic and Projected Population Trends Catskill Village Coxsackie Village Year Number Growth Number Growth 1980 4,718 NA 2,786 NA 1990 4,603 -2.4% 2,719 -2.4% 2000 4,392 -4.6% 2,895 6.5% 2005 4,502 2.5% 2,902 0.2% 2010 4,562 1.3% 2,940 1.3% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2005 Estimates. Source for2010 Projections: ESRI Business Information Solutions.

Population estimates for 2005 indicate continuing upward population growth trends for Greene County (1.4%) and NYS (2.3%). In addition, according to the 2005 population estimates, the Town and Village of Athens each grew by 5.4% between 2000 and 2005. During the same period, the neighboring Village of Coxsackie experienced a slight increase in population of 0.2%, while the Village of Catskill grew by 2.5%. ESRI’s 2010 population projections forecasted that the Town and Village of Athens, Greene County, and NYS along with the neighboring villages, would continue to experience positive population growth. See Tables 2 and 3 for additional details.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 43 Inventory and Profile

Age Distribution

According to the 2000 Census, the percentage of population below the age of 18 is similar in all geographic locations: the Village (26.5%), the Town (25.2%), Greene County (26.1%), and NYS (27.5%). It was further identified that the 20 – 34 age group represents less of the total population in the Village (14.7%) and Town (14.5%) than in either the County (17.8%) or State (21.1%).

The 35 – 54 age group contributes a larger portion of the population to the Town (32.4%) and the Village (30.6%) than either to the County (29.8%) or the State (29.7%). The 55 – 64 age group comprises the smallest portion of the population in all four locations: the Village (9.6%), the Town (11.6%), the County (10.6%), and the State (8.9%).

Table 4: Comparison of Population by Age - 2000 Census Village of Athens Town of Athens Greene County New York State Age Total % Total % Total % Total % 0 - 14 335 19.8% 782 19.6% 9,201 19.1% 3,923,707 20.7% 15 - 19 114 6.7% 244 6.1% 3,387 7.0% 1,287,544 6.8% 20 - 24 65 3.8% 138 3.5% 3,087 6.4% 1,244,309 6.6% 25 - 34 184 10.9% 440 11.0% 5,494 11.4% 2,757,324 14.5% 35 - 44 284 16.8% 669 16.8% 7,524 15.6% 3,074,298 16.2% 45 - 54 234 13.8% 623 15.6% 6,847 14.2% 2,552,936 13.5% 55 - 64 163 9.6% 462 11.6% 5,111 10.6% 1,687,987 8.9% 65 - 74 172 10.1% 344 8.6% 4,028 8.4% 1,276,046 6.7% 75 + 144 8.5% 289 7.2% 3,516 7.3% 1,172,306 6.2% Total 1,695 100.0% 3,991 100.0% 48,195 100.0% 18,976,457 100.0% Median Age 40.6 41.1 39.0 35.9 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

The percentage of senior citizens (individuals aged 65 and over) is similar in both the Town (15.8%) and the County (15.7%). The Village had the highest percentage of senior citizens at 18.6%, while NYS had the lowest percentage at 12.9%. See Table 4 and Figure 1 for more details.

The estimated median age in 2000 for the Village, Town, and Greene County were comparable, ranging between 39.0 and 41.1. The State’s median age, at 35.9, was considerably lower.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 44 Inventory and Profile

Figure 1: Population by Age Group, 2000

Age of Population 25.0%

20.0%

15.0%

10.0%

5.0% Percent of Total Population Total Percent of

0.0% 0 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 64 65 - 74 75 +

Village of Athens 19.8% 6.7% 3.8% 10.9% 16.8% 13.8% 9.6% 10.1% 8.5% Town of Athens 19.6% 6.1% 3.5% 11.0% 16.8% 15.6% 11.6% 8.6% 7.2% Greene County 19.1% 7.0% 6.4% 11.4% 15.6% 14.2% 10.6% 8.4% 7.3% Age Groups

Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

For comparison purposes, Table 5, illustrates the age distribution in the villages of Catskill and Coxsackie in 2000. The proportion of individuals 19 years or younger in the Villages of Catskill (27.8%) and Coxsackie (29.2%) is comparable to trends occurring in the Town and Village of Athens.

Residents between the ages of 20 and 34 comprised a slightly higher percentage of the population in the Villages of Catskill (18.9%) and Coxsackie (17.7%), as compared to the Village (14.7%) and Town (14.5%) of Athens. The percentage of senior citizens in the Village of Coxsackie, at 13.7%, was the lowest of all the four study areas. Senior citizens comprised 17.5% of the population in the Village of Catskill, 18.6% in the Village of Athens, and 15.8% in the Town of Athens.

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Table 5: Neighboring Comparison of Villages’ Population by Age, 2000 Census Village of Catskill Village of Coxsackie Age Total % Total % 0 - 14 954 21.7% 645 22.3% 15 - 19 270 6.1% 199 6.9% 20 - 24 255 5.8% 167 5.8% 25 - 34 574 13.1% 344 11.9% 35 - 44 597 13.6% 455 15.7% 45 - 54 605 13.8% 403 13.9% 55 - 64 370 8.4% 285 9.8% 65 - 74 359 8.2% 196 6.8% 75 + 408 9.3% 201 6.9% Total 4,392 100.0% 2,895 100.0% Median Age 37.5 37.1 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

Household Composition

Table 6 compares household composition for the Town and Village of Athens, Greene County, and NYS. In 2000, it was estimated that the Town had a total of 1,600 households, of which, 1,111 households (69.4%) were Family Households, and 489 households (30.6%) were Non-family Households including individuals living alone or together as roommates. Of the Town’s total Family Households, 877 households (54.8%) were married-couple families, while 234 households (14.6%) were Other families.

Table 6: Household Composition, 2000 Village of Athens Town of Athens Greene County New York State Total Population Total % Total % Total % Total % Total households 687 100.0% 1,600 100.0% 18,256 100.0% 7,056,860 100.0% Family households 451 65.6% 1,111 69.4% 12,073 66.1% 4,639,387 65.7% Married-couple family 335 48.8% 877 54.8% 9,343 51.2% 3,289,514 46.6% With children < 18 years 143 20.8% 352 22.0% 3,875 21.2% 1,527,187 21.6% Other Family 116 16.9% 234 14.6% 2,730 15.0% 1,349,873 19.1% With children < 18 years 73 10.6% 146 9.1% 1,752 9.6% 704,194 10.0% Non-family households 236 34.4% 489 30.6% 6,183 33.9% 2,417,473 34.3% Householder living alone 204 29.7% 405 25.3% 5,094 27.9% 1,982,742 28.1% Householder not living alone 32 4.7% 84 5.3% 1,089 6.0% 434,731 6.2%

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Table 6 continued: All Households w/ children< 18 yrs 216 31.4% 489 30.6% 5,627 30.8% 2,466,483 35.0% Households below Poverty Level 79 11.5% 133 8.3% 2,237 12.3% 982,266 13.9% Average household size 2.44 2.48 2.42 2.61 Average family size 3.01 2.96 2.97 3.22 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

The Village had a total of 687 households, of which, 451 households (65.6%) were Family Households and 236 households (34.4%) were categorized as Non-family households, including individuals living alone or together as roommates. This figure is slightly higher than the Town (30.6%) but comparable to the County (33.9%) and NYS (34.3%). Of the Village’s total Family Households, 335 households (48.8%) were married-couple families, while 116 households (16.9%) were Other families. The Village had the highest percentage of householders living alone (29.7%), when compared to the Town (25.3%), the County (27.9%), and NYS (28.1%). The percentage of households living below poverty in the Town (8.3%) is lower than the Village (11.5%), the County (12.3%), and NYS (13.9%). The average household size for NYS (2.61) is slightly higher than the Village (2.44), the Town (2.48), and the County (2.42). The average family size for NYS is 3.22. This figure is slightly higher than the Village (3.01), the Town (2.96), and the County (2.97).

Figure 2: Family and Non-Family Households, 2000

Family and Non-Family Households Composition, 2000

70.0% 69.4% 65.6% 66.1% 65.7% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% Percentage of Total 34.4% 30.0% 33.9% 34.3% Households 30.6% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Village of Town of Athens Greene County New York State Athens

Family Households Nonfamily Households

Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

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Table 7 compares the household composition of the neighboring riverfront Villages of Catskill and Coxsackie. In 2000, it was estimated that the Village of Catskill households included 62.4% family households and 37.6% non-family households. The Village of Coxsackie had 60.9% family households and 39.1% non-family households. The percentage of family households in the two neighboring Villages is lower than both the Town and Village of Athens.

Table 7: Household Composition of Neighboring Villages, 2000 Village of Catskill Village of Coxsackie Total Population Total % Total % Total households 1,765 100.0% 1,188 100.0% Family households 1,101 62.4% 724 60.9% Married-couple family 687 38.9% 518 43.6% With children < 18 years 291 16.5% 253 21.3% Other Family (No Spouse Present) 414 23.5% 206 17.3% With children < 18 years 283 16.0% 143 12.0% Nonfamily households 664 37.6% 464 39.1% Householder living alone 551 31.2% 389 32.7% Households With children< 18 years 574 32.5% 396 33.3% Households below Poverty Level 301 17.1% 172 14.5% Average household size 2.39 2.38 Average family size 2.99 3.09 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

Household Income

Table 8 compares household income in the Town and Village of Athens to Greene County and NYS. In 2000, the Town had the smallest share of households earning less than $25,000 (27.6%). The Village had 31.8% of households earning less than $25,000, and the County and NYS had 32.6% and 29.6% respectively.

In 2000, 37.4% of Town households earned between $25,000 and $49,999. This figure was higher than the Village (35.9%), County (33.4%), and State (26.2%). The percentage of households earning between $50,000 and $74,999 in the County and State, at 18.3% and 18.4% are comparable. The percentage of households earning between $50,000 and $74,999 in the Village, at 17.2%, and in the Town, at 16.2%, are slightly lower.

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Of all four areas, NYS had the highest percentage (25.9%) of households earning $75,000 or more. The percentage of residents earning $75,000 or more in the County followed at 18.8%. The Village and the Town at 15.2% and 15.7% respectively were similar.

Table 8: Household Income, 2000 Greene (V) % Of (T) % Of Co. % Of NYS % Income in 1999 Athens Total Athens Total Total of Total Less than $25,000 226 31.8% 442 27.6% 32.6% 29.6% $25,000 to $49,999 255 35.9% 598 37.4% 33.4% 26.2% $50,000 to $74,999 122 17.2% 260 16.2% 18.3% 18.4% $75,000 to $99,999 56 7.9% 151 9.4% 8.0% 10.6% $100,000 or more 52 7.3% 150 9.4% 7.7% 15.3% Total Households 711 100.0% 1,601 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Median HH Income- 1990 $25,438 $27,474 $27,469 $32,965 Median HH Income- 2000 $36,655 $39,728 $36,604 $43,393 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1990 and 2000.

In 1990, the median household income was $25,438 in the Village, $27,474 in the Town, $27,469 in the County, and $32,965 in NYS. Between 1990 and 2000, median household income in the Town increased by 44.6% while it increased by 44.1% in the Village. During the same time period, median household income in the County increased by 33.3% and in NYS it increased by 31.6%. See Figure 3.

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Figure 3: Median Household Income, 2000

Median Household Income, 1990 and 2000

$45,000 $40,000 $35,000

$30,000 I, $43,393 • • 4

$25,000 $39,728

$36,655 $36,604

$20,000 $32,965

$15,000 $27,474

$25,438 $27,469 $10,000 $5,000 -z $0 1990 2000

Village of Athens Tow n of Athens Greene County New York State

Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1990 and 2000.

Table 9 highlights the breakdown of household income in the villages of Catskill and Coxsackie. The percentage of households earning less than $25,000 in the Village of Coxsackie (33.1%) is comparable to both the Town and Village of Athens. On the other hand, the percentage of Catskill’s residents earning less than $25,000 is considerably higher (43.9%).

Table 9: Household Income of Neighboring Villages, 2000

(V) % Of (V) % Of Income in 1999 Catskill Total Coxsackie Total Less than $25,000 779 43.9% 391 33.1% $25,000 to $49,999 523 29.5% 402 34.0% $50,000 to $74,999 230 13.0% 211 17.8% $75,000 to $99,999 129 7.3% 133 11.2% $100,000 or more 114 6.4% 46 3.9% Total Households 1,775 100.0% 1,183 100.0% Median HH Income- 1990 $26,134 $27,946 Median HH Income-2000 $28,261 $35,787 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1990 and 2000.

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The percentage of Coxsackie households earning between $25,000 and $49,999 is similar to the Town and Village of Athens. The percentage of residents earning between $25,000 and $49,999 is 34.0% in the Village of Coxsackie and 29.5% in the Village of Catskill. The Village of Coxsackie had 15.1% of residents earning $75,000 or more. This figure is slightly lower for the Village of Catskill at 13.7%.

Educational Attainment

National trends indicate that more and more individuals are attaining higher levels of education, while the number having a high school education or less has been steadily decreasing. When reviewing educational attainment data from Census 2000, it is evident that the trends occurring in the Town and Village of Athens are consistent with these national trends.

In comparing all four study areas: the Town and Village of Athens, Greene County, and NYS, it is clear that the Village of Athens had the highest percentage (28.1%) of residents with less than a high school diploma. The Town, County, and NYS showed comparable percentages of residents lacking a high school diploma with 20.7%, 21.4%, and 20.9%, respectively.

Table 10: Educational Attainment, 2000

Village of Town of Greene New York Attainment Level Athens Athens County State

Less than 9th grade 10.9% 7.6% 5.8% 8.0% 9th to 12th grade, no diploma 17.2% 13.1% 15.6% 12.9% High school graduate 31.6% 35.9% 36.5% 27.8% Some college, no degree 17.4% 18.9% 18.0% 16.8% Associate degree 8.6% 6.1% 7.6% 7.2% Bachelor's degree 8.7% 9.4% 9.0% 15.6% Graduate or professional degree 5.7% 9.0% 7.4% 11.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

In 2000, the percentage of Town residents with a high school degree and some college education, but no degree was 54.8%. The Village and the County showed similar trends,

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 51 Inventory and Profile at 49.0% and 54.5%, respectively. The State, at 44.6%, falls behind the other three areas. (Refer to Table 10).

In 2000, the State had the highest percentage (27.4%) of residents with a bachelor’s and/or graduate/professional degree in all four areas. This figure was 14.4% for the Village, 18.4% for the Town, and 16.4% for the County.

As indicated in Table 11, the percentage of residents with less than a high school diploma in the Village of Catskill was 22.7% in 2000, and 19.0% for the Village of Coxsackie. The Village of Athens percentage of residents without a high school diploma was 28.1% and the Town of Athens was 20.7%. The Village of Catskill (56.6%) had the highest percentage of the communities examined with a high school degree and some college education, but no degree. Coxsackie had 53.6% residents with a high school degree and some college education, but no degree. The percentage of Town of Athens residents with a high school degree and some college education, but no degree was 54.8%. The Village had 49.0%.

The Village of Coxsackie had a higher percentage of residents (16.1%) with a bachelor’s and/or graduate/professional degree than the Village of Catskill (13.3%). However, the Town of Athens had the highest percentage of all four with 18.4%. The Village of Athens percentage was 14.4.

Table 11: Educational Attainment, 2000 Village of Village of Attainment Level Catskill Coxsackie Less than 9th grade 6.3% 6.0% 9th to 12th grade, no diploma 16.4% 13.0% High school graduate 39.2% 33.6% Some college, no degree 17.4% 20.0% Associate degree 7.3% 11.4% Bachelor's degree 6.2% 7.1% Graduate or professional degree 7.1% 9.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

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Housing Resources

Housing Inventory

Housing stock in the Town and Village of Athens consist of a variety of architectural styles and housing types. As shown in Table 12: Year Structure Built, 2000, according to the US Census 2000, most housing units in the Town of Athens (56.2%) were constructed in 1969 or earlier, and 26.4% were constructed between the periods of 1970 and 1989. Another 17.4% of the Town’s housing units were constructed between 1990 and 2000.

As shown in Table 12 below, the majority of housing units in the Village of Athens (69.9%) were constructed in 1969 or earlier. Another 17.4% were built from 1970 to 1989, and approximately 12.6% were constructed between 1990 and 2000. While according to the US Census, the Town and Village of Athens witnessed an increase in construction of new housing units of 17.4% and 12.6 % respectively, between 1990 and 2000, Greene County as a whole experienced approximately 12.0%, with NYS experiencing a considerably lower construction rate increase of 6.9% during this ten-year period.

Table 12: Year Structure Built, 2000 Village of Athens Town of Athens Greene County New York State Year Structure Built # % # % # % # % Built 1999 to March 2000 0 0.0% 23 1.2% 313 1.2% 67,821 0.9% Built 1995 to 1998 19 2.4% 63 3.2% 908 3.4% 198,312 2.6% Built 1990 to 1994 81 10.2% 257 13.0% 1961 7.4% 259,063 3.4% Built 1980 to 1989 83 10.4% 260 13.2% 4260 16.0% 594,390 7.7% Built 1970 to 1979 56 7.0% 260 13.2% 4262 16.1% 866,120 11.3% Built 1969 or Earlier 556 69.9% 1,109 56.2% 14840 55.9% 5,693,601 74.1% Total: 795 100.0% 1,972 100.0% 26,544 100.0% 7,679,307 100.0% Median Year Structure Built 1940 1963 1964 1954 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000, SF-3 Sample Data.

Please note, the information presented in many of the tables in this section are referenced in Summary File 3 (SF-3) of Census 2000, which are data based on a sample (1 out of every 6 residents) of the respective municipalities. According to the Census Bureau, when information is missing or inconsistent, the Census Bureau uses a method called imputation to assign values. Imputation relies on the statistical principle of "homogeneity," or the

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 53 Inventory and Profile tendency of households within a small geographic area to be similar in most characteristics. The data is provided to give a general idea of housing development patterns in Athens and the surrounding region.

Recent building permit data provided by the Town and Village Building and Code Enforcement Officers show an additional growth of 43 new single-family homes in the Village, and 136 new single-family homes in the Town between 2000 and 2006. Eighty nine (89) of the 136 homes were constructed around Sleepy Hollow Lake in the Town. (The Village Building Inspector was unable to specify the number of permits that were issued for the Village portion of Sleepy Hollow Lake). Table 13 shows the number of new single-family homes constructed between 2000 and 2006, according to Town and Village building permit records.

Table 13: Building Permits Issued for New Single-Family Homes, Village and Town of Athens, 2000 – 2006 Permits (Town Permits Total Permits Total Permits outside of (SH* Lake – Total Permits (Town & Village Year (Village) SH*Lake) Town Portion) (Town) Combined) 2000 4 7 4 11 15 2001 ** 6 7 13 13 2002 6 8 11 19 25 2003 8 9 18 27 35 2004 9 5 17 22 31 2005 12 6 21 27 39 2006 4 6 11 17 21 Total 43 47 89 136 179 Source: Town and Village of Athens Building Permit records 2000 – 2006. Notes: * SH = Sleepy Hollow Lake. ** Village cannot find record. All data for the Village includes the permits issued for Sleepy Hollow Lake. The Village Building Inspector was unable to specify the number of permits that were issued for the Village portion of Sleepy Hollow Lake.

As indicated in Table 14 Units by Structure for the Town of Athens, 1990 and 2000, according to the US Census, the Town of Athens showed an increase of 18.2% in single- family detached units from 1990 to 2000, and a reported decrease of 16.3% in single family attached units. Two family units increased by 5.6% and multi-family units (5 to 9 family) showed an increase of 13.3%. Multi-family units (20 + family) showed a large increase of 113% from 1990 to 2000. However, they still only made up 2.5% of the total housing stock in the Town in 2000.

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Table 14: Units by Structure for the Town of Athens, 1990 and 2000 1990 2000 % Change Type of Unit Total % Total % (1990-2000) 1Family, detached 1,250 71.1% 1,478 74.9% 18.2% 1Family, attached 49 2.8% 41 2.1% -16.3% 2 Family 125 7.1% 132 6.7% 5.6% 3 or 4 Family 80 4.5% 63 3.2% -21.3% 5 to 9 Family 15 0.9% 17 0.9% 13.3% 10 to 19 Family 19 1.1% 15 0.8% -21.1% 20 + Family 23 1.3% 49 2.5% 113.0% Mobile home or other 198 11.3% 177 9.0% -10.6% Total 1,759 100.0% 1,972 100.0% 12.1% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1990 and 2000, SF-3 Sample Data.

As indicated in Table 15:Units by Structure for Village of Athens, 1990 and 2000, from 1990 to 2000, the Village of Athens showed an increase of 7.1% in single-family detached units and 17.9% in single-family attached units. Two family units decreased by 1.3% and multi-family units (3 to 4 family) decreased by 16.9%. The Village also had a large increase (120 %) in multi-family units (5 to 9 family) and in 20 + family units (276.9 %). However, it should be noted, that they make up only 7.6% of the housing stock.

Table 15: Units by Structure for Village of Athens, 1990 and 2000 1990 2000 % Change Type of Unit Total % Total % (1990-2000) 1Family, detached 491 68.8% 526 66.2% 7.1% 1Family, attached 28 3.9% 33 4.2% 17.9% 2 Family 76 10.6% 75 9.4% -1.3% 3 or 4 Family 59 8.3% 49 6.2% -16.9% 5 to 9 Family 5 0.7% 11 1.4% 120.0% 10 to 19 Family 0 0.0% 9 1.1% NA 20 + Family 13 1.8% 49 6.2% 276.9% Mobile home or other 42 5.9% 43 5.4% 2.4% Total 714 100.0% 795 100.0% 11.3% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 1990 and 2000, SF-3 Sample Data.

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In reviewing Table 16: Housing Inventory by Occupancy, 2000, it is estimated that the Town of Athens housing stock consisted of 1,972 units, of which, 1,600 homes, or 81.1%, were occupied in 2000. Of the total occupied units, 1,194 housing units, or 74.6%, were owner-occupied while the remaining 406 housing units, or 25.4%, were renter-occupied. In addition, the Town had 372 vacant units, or 18.9% of its total housing inventory. Of the total vacant units, 234 units were used for seasonal, recreational or occasional purposes, comprising 62.9% of the Town’s total vacant housing units.

The Village of Athens housing stock consisted of 793 units in 2000, of which, 687 homes (or 86.6%) were occupied. Of these, 476 housing units (or 69.3%) were owner-occupied while the remaining 211 (or 30.7%) were renter-occupied units. The Village had 106 vacant units (13.3% of its total housing inventory). Of the total vacant units, 42 homes (or 39.6%) were used for seasonal, recreational purposes, comprising 5.2% of the Village’s total vacant housing. It should be noted, that the 39.6% of the Village’s vacant units is comparable to the State percentage of seasonal, recreation, or occasional units at 37.8%.

Table 16: Housing Inventory by Occupancy, 2000 Greene Village of Athens Town of Athens NYS Characteristics County Number % Number % % % Total housing units 793 100.0% 1,972 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Occupied housing units 687 86.6% 1,600 81.1% 68.8% 91.9% Vacant housing units 106 13.4% 372 18.9% 31.2% 8.1% Total Occupied housing units 687 100.0% 1,600 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Owner-occupied housing units 476 69.3% 1,194 74.6% 72.1% 53.0% Renter-occupied housing units 211 30.7% 406 25.4% 27.9% 47.0% Total Vacant housing units 106 100.0% 372 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% For rent 8 7.5% 16 4.3% 8.5% 25.5% For sale only 4 3.8% 16 4.3% 5.6% 9.5% Rented or sold, not occupied 24 22.6% 34 9.1% 2.7% 6.5% Migrant Workers 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% Seasonal, recreation, or occasional 42 39.6% 234 62.9% 71.7% 37.8% Other vacant 28 26.4% 72 19.4% 11.5% 20.6% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000, SF-1- 100% Count.

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Moreover, according to Table 16 above, Greene County’s vacancy rate is the highest of all the four study areas. Approximately 68.8% of the County’s total housing stock was occupied, while 31.2% was vacant. The State had the highest occupancy rate of all four areas, with 91.9% occupied units, and only 8.1% of its total housing stock vacant. Vacant rental properties accounted for a smaller share of all vacant units in the Town (4.3%) as compared to the Village (7.5%), Greene County (8.5%) and NYS (25.5%).

In comparison, as represented in Table 17 below, the Village of Coxsackie had the highest percentage of occupied housing units (90.5%) and lowest percentage of vacant units (9.1%), which more closely resembled the State’s percentage’s of (91.9%) and (8.1%) respectively.

Table 17: Housing Inventory by Occupancy, 2000 Village of Catskill Village of Coxsackie Characteristics Number % Number % Total housing units 2,048 100.0% 1,307 100.0% Occupied housing units 1,774 86.6% 1,183 90.5% Vacant housing units 283 13.8% 119 9.1% Total Occupied housing units 1,765 100.0% 1,188 100.0% Owner-occupied housing units 911 51.6% 715 60.2% Renter-occupied housing units 854 48.4% 473 39.8% Total Vacant housing units 283 100.0% 119 100.0% For rent 148 52.3% 16 13.4% For sale only 44 15.5% 18 15.1% Rented or sold, not occupied 12 4.2% 11 9.2% Migrant Workers 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Seasonal, recreation, or occasional 27 9.5% 23 19.3% Other vacant 52 18.4% 51 42.9% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000, SF-1- 100% Count.

Examining Table 17, the Village of Catskill more closely matched the State’s percentages of owner occupied and renter occupied housing units. The Village of Catskill showed a breakdown of 51.6% and 48.4% for owner occupied units and renter occupied units. Compared to the other three communities, the Village of Coxsackie is the closest with 60.2% and 39.8%. Both the Village and Town of Athens have significantly higher percentages of owner occupied units and lower percentages of renter occupied units.

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Vacant rental properties accounted for a significant percentage (52.3%) of all vacant units in the Village of Catskill. This figure was comparatively lower in the Village of Coxsackie, with only 13.4% vacant rental units. The Town and Village of Athens are still lower with 4.3% and 7.5% respectively, while the State and County’s percentages are 25.5% and 8.5% respectively. The percentage of vacant units used for seasonal, recreational purposes was 9.5% in the Village of Catskill, and 19.3% in the Village of Coxsackie. These figures are significantly lower than both the Town and Village of Athens (62.9% and 39.6%).

Projected Housing Growth

According to the Census and ESRI BIS Business Information Solutions projections, the Town and Village are expected to continue to see significant housing growth over the next few years. Figure 4 shows the growth trends predicted. The Town and Village are expected to see steady growth between 2000 and 2010. Housing growth projections estimate a growth of approximately 15.0% for both the Town and the Village by 2010. It should be noted that the actual building permits issued during the past time periods will not match the Census estimates or ESRI BIS projections. The data is provided to give a general idea of potential future housing development patterns in the Town and Village of Athens.

Figure 4: Housing Unit Growth Trends 1990 - 2010

Housing Unit Growth Trends for the Town and Village of Athens, 1990-2010

2,500 2,271 2,162 2,000 1,972 1,759

1,500 Athens Village Athens Town 1,000 916 872 795 714 500

0 1990 2000 2005 2010

Source: Census 1990, 2000, ESRI Business Information Solutions, 2006.

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Housing Value

Table 18 below shows the value of owner-occupied units reported to the 2000 Census. According to the 2000 Census, 62.3% of the Village’s owner-occupied units were valued between $50,000 - $99,999. This figure was higher than the Town (49.0%), the County (46.9%), and the State (25.3%). Conversely, approximately half (49.3%) of NYS homes were valued $150,000 or more, while the Village had only 9.9% of its housing valued at over $150,000. Approximately, 20.7% of the Town’s homes were valued over $150,000, while the County as a whole had 16.6% of its homes valued over $150,000.

Table 18: Owner-Occupied Housing Units by Value, 2000 Village of Athens Town of Athens Greene County New York State Value # % # % # % # % Less than $50,000 64 14.1% 159 13.3% 1,512 11.5% 339,479 9.1% $50,000 - $99,999 283 62.3% 584 49.0% 6,183 46.9% 944,565 25.3% $100,000 to $149,999 62 13.7% 203 17.0% 3,297 25.0% 614,475 16.4% $150,000 to $199,999 31 6.8% 148 12.4% 1,194 9.1% 583,599 15.6% $200,000 to $299,999 10 2.2% 83 7.0% 742 5.6% 690,014 18.5% $300,000 or more 4 0.9% 16 1.3% 250 1.9% 567,115 15.2% Total 454 100.0% 1,193 100.0% 13,178 100.0% 3,739,247 100.0% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000, SF-3 Sample Data.

Figure 5: 2000 Median Housing Value

$160,000

$140,000 $147,598

$120,000

$100,000 $91,927 $80,000 $87,406 $79,412 $60,000

$40,000

$20,000

$0 (V) of Athens (T) of Athens Greene Co. N.Y.S

Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000, SF-3 Sample Data.

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In 2000, the Town and Village of Athens had a median housing value of $87,406, and $79,412, respectively. However, both the Village and Town had lower median housing values than the County ($91,927) and the State ($147,598).

Recent Home Sales

Table 19 shows the average sales price for homes sold in the Village and Town of Athens since 2003. Although the average can be skewed by the presence of especially high priced homes, the average does given an indication of pricing trends. It should be noted that, by mid-year 2006, only 6 homes have been sold in the Town while 8 have been sold in the Village. Other years’ averages are derived on the sale of 23 or more homes.

Table 19: Single Family Home Sales, 2002-2006 Village of Athens Town of Athens Year Average Price Average Price 2003 $126,688 $178,679 2004 $170,302 $190,887 2005 $169,727 $224,977 2006 (mid-year) $236,937 $188,983 Source: Athens Assessors Office, 2003-2006 data.

Housing Affordability

Housing Rental Index

There are several ways to determine if housing is generally affordable in a community. One method is to determine the ―rental index.‖ This index shows the maximum gross rent a given household can afford. Affordable rental housing is generally considered to be no more than 30% of a household’s monthly income. The average monthly rental rate in the Town of Athens (in 2000) was $433, while in the Village of Athens it was $392. In 2000, the median household income in the Town was $39,728 while in the Village it was $36,655. The average Town household has a monthly income of $3,310, while the average Village household has a monthly income of $3,054. In meeting the standard of not more than 30% of income, the average Town household, in 2000, could spend $993 on rent, while the average Village household could spend $916. Both these figures are higher than the average monthly rent. Thus rentals, in 2000, were apparently affordable to median income households.

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In 2005, the estimated household income for Town residents was $45,504, while the estimated household income for Village residents was $47,966.4 This translates to a monthly income of $3,792 for the Town and $3,997 for the Village. Therefore, Town households are estimated to be able to reasonably afford $1,137 for rent while Village residents can afford $1,199. Average monthly rental rates are not available for the Town or Village for the year 2005, however according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment in Greene County in 2005 was estimated to be $630. The FMR for three-bedroom units is $819 while for a four-bedroom unit is $892. Therefore, rental costs in Athens still appear to be affordable.

Ownership Units Affordability Ratio

One common analysis tool to determine the affordability of ownership housing units is to compare the median value of single-family ownership units with median household income. Nationally, a ratio of 2 or less is considered ―affordable‖. For instance, to affordably purchase a home costing $200,000, the household should earn an income of $100,000 to achieve a ratio of 2.

In 2000, the affordability ratio for the Town and Village of Athens were 2.17 and 2.2 respectively. The affordability ratio for Greene County was 2.52 and for NYS, 3.42. The villages of Catskill and Coxsackie housing affordability ratios were 2.68 and 2.54, respectively. Therefore, in 2000, homes in Athens were generally affordable.

Table 20: 2000 Housing Affordability Village of Town of Greene New York Athens Athens County State Median house value $79,412 $87,406 $91,927 $147,598 Median household income $36,655 $39,728 $36,604 $43,393 Affordability ratio 2.17 2.20 2.51 3.40 Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions, 2006.

However, housing estimates for 2005 indicate a significant increase in the price of homes in the greater Athens community, which has resulted in a diminished affordability of home buying power. According to 2005 housing value estimates, the median housing value for

4 ESRI Business Information Solutions, Inc.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 61 Inventory and Profile the Village doubled between 2000 and 2005, and the median housing value for the Town increased by 88%. The affordability ratio in 2005 was 3.31 for the Village of Athens and 3.62 for the Town of Athens. It should be noted that prices have gone up comparatively across the county and NYS as a whole.

Table 21: 2005 Housing Affordability Village of Town of Greene New York Athens Athens County State Median house value $158,621 $164,655 $170,771 $255,073 Median household income $47,966 $45,504 $41,691 $51,187 Affordability ratio 3.31 3.62 4.09 4.98 Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions, 2005 estimates.

Figure 6: Median Home Value, 2000 and 2005

Median Home Value, 2000 and 2005

$300,000

$250,000 $255,073

$200,000

$158,621 $164,655 $170,771 $150,000 $147,598

$100,000 $87,406 $91,927 Housing ValueHousing $79,412 $50,000

$- Village of Athens Town of Athens Greene County New York State

2000 2005

Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions, 2000, and forecasts for 2005

Housing Needs and Assistance Programs

New York State Department of Housing & Community Renewal

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Rental Assistance) is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program is administered by Greene

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County through the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). This program enables low-income families to pay no more than 30% of their monthly income toward their total shelter expenses by issuing direct payments to landlords in excess of this amount. The Greene County Housing Office currently has an allocation of 289 vouchers or clients with a waiting list of over 600 eligible participants. This program is funded through administrative fees received by the County based upon the total number of vouchers.

The Greene County Housing Office also operates the ―Family Self-Sufficiency‖ program, to promote economic independence and self-sufficiency for eligible participants already receiving rental assistance. This is a five-year voluntary program where participants develop goals and design a service-training program to meet desired goals, including possible home ownership, further education, or the purchase of an automobile. A tax-free escrow account is set up for each FSS client and at the end of the five-year completed program the money is released to the families head of household. If the family has not completed the five-year contract, the escrow money is forfeited.

The Greene County Housing Office also administers the Emergency Food and Shelter program, a federally funded emergency program through the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA). The program provides assistance to renters and homeowners in order to forestall eviction, foreclosure and utility shutoffs. The landlord, mortgage institution or utility company must agree not to evict, foreclose or shutoff for one full month in order to receive a payment.5

Local Housing Programs

The Rivertown Housing Development Fund Company is located at 19 Third Street and operates two buildings consisting of 52 affordable apartments for low-income elderly and disabled tenants.

5 This information is from the Greene County Department of Economic Development and Planning website, http://www.greeneeconomicdevelopment.com/planning/housing.htm.

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Municipal & Community Resources

Municipal Properties

Athens Community Center

The Town and Village of Athens currently share a community center on First Street in the Village of Athens. Constructed in the early 1900s as a local elementary school, the building has been updated over time to accommodate a variety of uses. The current configuration of the building is home to the Town and Village offices, court facilities, Village police, and other community organizations. Space is also rented to a local artist and museum. The gymnasium is often used by aerobic groups, basketball, bands, boy’s and girl’s baseball, and birthday parties.

As part of a 2004 study examining the feasibility of developing a new Town Hall, it was determined that the existing working space permitted by the existing Community Center (4,650 square feet) was too small to accommodate existing and future needs. The total space of the building, including hallways and restrooms but excluding the basement, is 8,500 square feet. In addition to more office space, a bigger conference room and courtroom is needed and more storage space is needed. The existing facility is not handicapped accessible, does not have a fire protection system that meets New York State codes, and lacks central air conditioning. The building’s existing heating units are inefficient and the window insulation is poor. The restrooms are not handicapped accessible.

The existing 10,600 square foot parking lot can be designed for up to 25 parking spaces plus two additional handicapped spaces for a total of 27. This falls significantly short of the required 51 spaces (48 spaces plus three handicapped spaces) needed to meet the Code requirement of one space per 200 square feet floor area. In addition, although a precise tally has not been estimated, more parking is needed to meet peak time needs (especially Town Court nights).

The Community Center, although not registered as a historic landmark in Greene County, is located within the Village of Athens Historic District and provides a ―tangible connection to the Village’s past and contributes to the community’s identity.‖ The

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Village of Athens had been awarded a $100,000 grant from Athens Generating Plant Funds, administered by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) to make repairs to the building. However, acceptance of the grant funds requires the Village to sign a covenant with NYS agreeing that all proposed upgrades will be reviewed and approved by NYSOPRHP staff prior to construction and the construction must meet the requirements set forth by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Structures and the Village must be compliant for a period of 20 years.

Other Municipal Properties

In order to illustrate the other Village and Town owned properties, a Geographic Information System map has been prepared, utilizing the data provided in the local tax rolls, and additional information obtained from members of the Athens Community Comprehensive Plan Committee (ACCPC). See the Municipally Owned Properties Map in Appendix A.

Public Access Recreation Land

The Village and Town of Athens have several park or park-like resources available for the enjoyment of their residents. All currently open parks listed below are open dawn to dusk. See the Recreation and Tourism Locations Map in Appendix A.

Community Parks

The Athens Village Green is the major park in the village. It hosts the Athens Little League field and there is a concession stand with handicapped accessible bathrooms open during games. The Athens Green also has the Playscape playground, which is a big draw as one of two park facilities for children in the village. There are also basketball hoops, which are popular with teens. There is on-street parking, and the location is centrally accessible to the village population.

The EJ Arthur Elementary School also has children’s playground equipment along with two public, asphalt tennis courts. It is accessible on foot and there is ample parking during non-school hours.

Triangle Park is a small landscaped pocket park with a bench located at South Franklin and 5th Streets. It features a memorial for town and village veterans.

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A key gathering spot in downtown Athens is Riverfront Park located at Second and Water Street. It has a gazebo, picnic tables, and benches. The park features floating docks open to the general public for boat tie-up and fishing during the daytime free of charge. There is on-street parking with a few handicapped accessible spaces, which are also for use by patrons of nearby downtown businesses.

Athens Riverfront Park is also the setting for the Great Hudson River Paddle event, hosting 50 overnight campers as well as daytime events. Athens is a greenway community and a designated access point for the Hudson River Water Trail. There are detailed plans and funding in place for a restoration of the park being carried out by Kaaterskill Engineering with support from the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District. Plans also exist for restoration of a former ferry slip adjacent to the park.

On the Hudson River side of the intersection of 4th and Water Streets in the village is a property where a car-top (canoe/kayak) boat launch is planned and for which grant funding has been secured. This is intended to be a designated Hudson River Greenway Water Trail launch site, and may be incorporated into redevelopment of the adjacent Electric Launch Company (ELCO) property. The site will make use of available on- street parking.

The Isabelle Rainey Park is located on the north side of Murderers Creek and is used primarily for a girls’ softball league. It is available for general public use, but the entrance gate is locked when no games are scheduled to prevent dumping, so vehicles must park along Route 385. It is accessible to most of the village population by walking, and there is ample vehicle parking during games.

There is a state-owned public boat launch providing drive in / drive out boat launch access to the Hudson River adjacent to the Murderers Creek and near Rainey Field. It has roughly 15 large parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers and about 20 regular vehicle spaces. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages this popular boating access point to the Hudson.

Slightly more out of the way for the main village population is Union Street Park, which has a large mowed field, a picnic pavilion and a skating rink in the winter. There is parking for approximately 10 vehicles, and it is within walking distance of Sleepy Hollow Lake.

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A community-based not-for-profit corporation operates a seasonal community pool located on Maple Lane off of Market Street. The pool draws significant use among resident families and youths.

Natural Open Spaces / Preserves

Cohotate Preserve is a nature preserve operated by the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District with self-guided tours on nature trails along the Hudson River and occasional active programs for school groups. The parking lot is ample and can accommodate school buses. Because of its location along State Route 385 in the Town, it is only conveniently accessed by car.

Green Lake is only publicly accessible lake in the Town that has a small boat launch and slip. Community residents also use it unofficially for swimming. The lake is stocked for summer and winter fishing, and there are annual fishing tournaments. The property is owned and managed by Greene County.

Buttermilk Falls is a natural feature in the Town near Green Lake. It is set in the woods a short distance from a small parking area along High Hill Road. The property is owned by the state and managed by the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation Service.

The Middle Ground Flats is a large wooded island located on the eastern edge of the town in the Hudson River, mid-way between the village and City of Hudson. A number of squatters’ cabins exist on the property. The island is a nest location for breeding Bald Eagles. The north and south portions of the island also have sandy beaches that are popular destinations with boaters. A management and use plan for this area will likely be developed in the future once the land is transferred to DEC or OPRHP for management. Both the Town and Village of Athens, and the Hudson River Alliance, will be invited to participate in the development of the management plan for the island.

Hollister Lake on Schoharie Turnpike is the Village of Athens Reservoir. It was open at one time to fishing, but this public use is now restricted for security reasons.

Neither Athens nor its surrounding communities has a significant bike trail or linear park facility, although there are walking trails in the Village of Catskill, at Olana State Historic Site, and along the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.

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Brandow Point, a riverfront property located in the southern portion of the Village is currently being improved for public use. Eventually the general public will enjoy views of the Olana State Historic Site, Rogers Island and the Hudson River. The Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District (GCSWCD) currently maintains an office and meeting space at a house on Brandow Point. The house and a few surrounding acres are owned by Scenic Hudson, however, DEC owns the majority of the land surrounding Brandow Point, which is managed by GCSWCD. Like the Cohotate Preserve, it is located along Route 385, but is closer to the village and could possibly be linked with a pedestrian-friendly route.

Roadway Maintenance and Repair

Village Department of Public Works

The Village of Athens Department of Public Works (DPW) has five (5) full-time employees. According to the Supervisor of Public Works, the DPW is responsible for cleaning and maintaining 12 miles of Village roadways, including snowplowing, sidewalk and sign maintenance and replacement, brush removal, repair of water line breaks, hydrant flushing, as well as the maintenance of municipal parks, buildings and grounds. There has been some discussion related to the need for a new DPW facility as the current location on Route 385 in the old electric station, is considered to be in very poor condition.

Major equipment owned by the DPW includes, but is not limited to, two pick-up trucks, a utility van, a one ton truck with a plow, two International plow trucks with sanders, a CAT tractor with a backhoe and bucket, and a Ford tractor with a bucket, a 1 ½ ton roller, a road leaf loader, a sewer machine and a utility trailer.

The Village has an on-going program for sidewalk repair and replacement. Some sidewalks in the Village were recently replaced or repaired, although additional improvements are needed. The 2006 New York State Department of Transportation, Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), allocated federal funds to the Village for improvements to Water Street, Brick Row, and Warren Street. There are currently no bike paths in the Village of Athens.

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Town of Athens Highway Department

The Town of Athens Highway Superintendent manages the Highway Department for the Town and is assisted by five (5) other full-time staff personnel. According to the Highway Superintendent, the Town Highway Department is responsible for maintaining approximately 34 miles of town roads and the Department maintains several pieces of equipment including, but not limited to, a dump truck, loader, grade-all, back-hoe, snow plow, roller, stone box, hand tools and torches. There are currently no bike paths in the Town of Athens.

Greene County Highway Department

The Greene County Highway Department is responsible for maintaining Greene County’s highway and bridge infrastructure. As indicated on the County website, Greene County is 653.8 square miles in size with 14 municipalities and 5 Villages.6 It has 261.49 miles of County roads, with 134 bridges, and 147 culvert structures measuring 4 feet in diameter or larger.

Work ranges from sweeping and plowing road and bridge surfaces, to complete deconstruction and reconstruction of both roads and bridges. To perform its functions, the department maintains its own fleet of light and heavy equipment and personnel.

Currently the County Highway Department has one main office building located at 240 West Main Street in Catskill, and four substations located throughout the County. Two of the facilities are located on the Mountaintop, in Ashland and Hunter, and two are located in the valley, in Athens and Freehold. The mechanic’s shop is located in Athens. Two of the highway facilities have been recently constructed: one on Route 9W in Athens and one in Hunter just off of State Route 23A.

6 Greene County Government Website, www.greenegovernment.com/department/highway/index.htm

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Water, Sewer and Sanitation

Public Water Supply

The Town of Athens does not have its own public water supply. Properties within the Town generally have private wells and are dependent upon groundwater aquifers; however, some properties along Schoharie Turnpike are serviced by the Village public water system. The bedrock formations of Athens generally provide enough water for domestic uses.

Municipal water is provided to a majority of properties within the Village of Athens. According to the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2005, the Village provided water through 644 service connections to a population of approximately 1,695 people. The source of the public water supply is Hollister Lake located along Schoharie Turnpike in the northwestern part of the Town of Athens. See the Water and Sewer Map in Appendix A.

The Village operates a conventional water treatment facility. The water from the main source is pumped to the treatment plant for 1) coagulation using aluminum sulfate to cause small particles to stick together forming what is termed a ―floc‖; 2) sedimentation which causes the floc to drop out of the water to the bottom of a tank for removal; 3) filtration through 2 layers of media, anthracite, a form of carbon and sand; and 4) chlorination to protect against contamination from harmful bacteria and other organisms. The finished water is then piped to the storage facility where a corrosion inhibitor is added to protect the distribution system piping and household plumbing fixtures from corrosion. The clearwell at the treatment plant holds 100,000 gallons and the storage tank has the capacity to hold 750,000 gallons to meet consumer demand and to provide an adequate supply for fire protection.7 In 2005, the system was in compliance with applicable State drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.

Average daily consumption is approximately 226,000 gallons per day (gpd). The highest day of demand in 2005 was 450,000 gallons. The minimum water charge in 2005 was $65.00 for 15,000 gallons which is billed quarterly. Residential customers in the Village are charged $3.00 per thousand gallons of water used above the quarterly minimum. Residential customers in the Town are charged $127.50 for 15,000 gallons which is billed

7 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2005, Village of Athens.

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In 2005 the Village completed installation of a new 10-inch water transmission line from Hollister Lake to the Village, and is currently under contract for dam repairs and upgrades to the filtration system.

Public Sewer System

The majority of Town residences and businesses are served by private septic systems which consist of septic tanks with leach fields, although a few properties are hooked up to the Village public sewer system. The residents living within the Sleepy Hollow Lake residential development, located in the Town and Village, are served by a private sewage treatment facility. Most properties within the Village of Athens are served by the municipally operated sewer system.

The Village Sewer System consists of two wastewater treatment plants owned and operated by the Village. Both waste water treatment plants discharge to the Hudson River. The Main sewer plant is located on Water Street and has a State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit to treat up to 400,000 gallons per day (gpd). Currently this plant is at capacity. Improvements are proposed to allow the plant to handle 650,000 gpd. A second plant exists at Brick Row and has a SPDES permit for 17,000 gpd. This plant is also at capacity. The Village has completed preliminary cost estimates to double the capacity of the plant to 34,000 gallons per day (GPD); however, no such improvements are proposed at this time. The Village is presently under an Order of Consent, which does not allow any further hook-ups to the sewer until the sewer enhancement project is complete.

Solid Waste Disposal

The Greene County Solid Waste Management Department manages four solid waste transfer stations located in Catskill, Coxsackie, Windham and Hunter. Village and Town residents either bring their trash to the nearest transfer station or contract with a private waste disposal service. The Village of Athens holds a brush clean up day twice a year, and the brush is stored on Village-owned land located behind the new firehouse on Third Street until it is chipped into mulch for Village residents to use.

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The County transfer stations accept and properly dispose of municipal solid waste, including construction and demolition debris, and process and market the source- separated recyclables generated by the county’s residents and businesses. The Catskill Transfer Station, located on State Route 385 accepts bagged and scaled waste and recyclables and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Coxsackie Transfer Station is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30am to 3:30pm.8

The Greene County Solid Waste Management Department also supports newspaper collection boxes through out the County and recycling centers in the Village of Athens, and Towns of Cairo, Durham, Greenville, Halcott and New Baltimore. The recycling centers, do not accept appliances, batteries or tires (with the exception of Greenville, which does accept tires). Salvation Army donations are accepted at receptacles at each of the transfer stations. The Department is developing an annual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection day, which is scheduled to be held in the Spring of 2007.

Utilities

Electric & Gas

The Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation provides electrical power to the Town and Village. There is no natural gas service in the Town and Village, although the Iroquois Gas Compressor and gas pipeline is located in the Town.

Telephone, Cable & Internet Access.

Local land-line telephone service is provided to the Town and Village by Verizon. State Tel, a private telephone company, also services the Sleepy Hollow area and some other parts of the Village and Town. Mid-Hudson Cablevision offers cable telephone (Voice Over Internet Protocol, VOIP) to customers with a high-speed broadband Internet connection.

Mid-Hudson Cablevision Inc. offers cable and digital television as well as high-speed Internet service to anyone who has a cable account in the Town and Village. Certain property –owners may not have access to cable services in remote areas of the Town. Verizon also offers high-speed Internet and digital television to areas in the Town and

8 Greene County Government website, www.greenegovernment.com/department/solidwaste/index.htm

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Village, such as the Sleepy Hollow Lake area, where Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology is available.

Emergency Services

Police Services

The Town of Athens does not have its own police department. Police protection is provided by Greene County Sheriff’s Department and the NYS Police Department. The closest satellite office provided by State Police Department is located in South Cairo, New York. Police emergencies are dispatched to the County Sheriff’s Department and to the NYS Police Department through 911.

The Village does have its own Police Department. The Village Police has part-time deputy officers available typically in the evening hours. The remainder of the day is serviced by the NYS Police Department. The Village Police has a direct emergency phone number that is forwarded to the NYS Police Department should no one be available to answer at the Village Police Station.

Fire Districts & Departments

The Town and Village have three fire districts: 1) Athens Fire Protection District, 2) West Athens – Lime Street Fire District, and 3) Leeds Fire Protection District. All of the fire departments within the Town and Village are staffed by volunteers.

The Leeds Fire Protection District is located approximately in the southwestern quadrant of the Town, west of I-87 and south of Green Lake Park and Buttermilk Falls. Not only does the Leeds Fire District cover the south-western portion of the Town of Athens but it also covers portions of the Town of Catskill. The Leeds fire company is known as the Leeds Hose Co. #1, and the fire house is located on Route 23B.

The West Athens Fire District covers the northwest corner and central portion of the Town, west of the railroad tracks. The fire company is known as the West Athens - Lime Street Fire Company #1, and there are two fire stations, one located on Leeds-Athens

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Road, and the other located on Bambie Lane.9 See the Fire Districts Map in Appendix A.

The Athens Fire Protection District covers the eastern portion of the Town, east of the railroad tracks to the Hudson River, including the Village of Athens. According to the Athens Volunteer Fire Department Chief, and their website, this fire department is a public department (with the Village Board serving as the Board of Fire Commissioners) whose volunteer members protect 2,500 people living in an area of 10 square miles.10 The active and social volunteer members also provide a number of other services to the community at the new fire station located at 39 Third Street, such as pizza night on Thursdays, and breakfasts on Sundays. The fire department also offers fire prevention training for the Edward J. Arthur Elementary School children.

Catskill Ambulance Services

Emergency medical services for the Town and Village of Athens have been contracted to Town of Catskill Ambulance Service since 2004. The Town Board reviews the contract with the Catskill Ambulance Service annually. The Catskill Ambulance Service is licensed by the New York State Department of Health, and operates in the Towns and Villages of Athens and Catskill. According to the Catskill Ambulance Administrator, approximately 10 percent of all emergency calls received by Catskill Ambulance Service are in the Town and Village of Athens, while the remaining 90 percent are in the Town and Village of Catskill.

The Catskill Ambulance Service provides 24-hour a day general ambulance service that includes pre-hospital emergency medical treatment and transportation to the nearest appropriate hospital. The Catskill Ambulance Service owns and operates four ambulances. Three ambulances operate full-time between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, while only two ambulances are necessary from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM. In the event that all ambulances are actively responding to an emergency situation, additional EMS is dispatched from another municipality as part of the County’s Mutual Aid Agreement.

9 ―History of the West Athens - Lime Street Fire Company #1, Inc at the Celebration of their 50th Anniversary”: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygreen2/west_athens_lime_st_fire_company_1.htm 10 Athens Volunteer Fire Department website: http://cms.firehouse.com/dept/Athens2NY

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Greene County Emergency Medical Services, Inc.

The Greene County Emergency Medical Services, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation that provides paramedic-level services to people who suffer serious medical emergencies, such as heart attacks and vehicular accidents. The local town and village boards of Greene County created Greene County Emergency Medical Services, Inc to address a critical gap in paramedic services in the County. The majority of Greene County Emergency Medical Services, Inc Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from each municipality.

Greene County Emergency Medical Services, Inc has contracts with each of the municipalities in Greene County. Under these contracts, each municipality pays a percentage of the overall corporate budget. Greene County Emergency Medical Services, Inc receives approximately 90% of its funding from local towns and villages. The remaining 10% of its funding is obtained from the Greene County Rural Health Network, a local not-for-profit corporation that receives funding from the New York State Department of Health.

The paid staff of paramedics travels to an emergency site and work closely with the local voluntary ambulance squad that also arrives at the emergency site. After stabilizing the patient, one of Greene County Emergency Medical Services, Inc paramedics boards the ambulance and travels with the patient to the hospital.11

Educational Resources

11 Advisory Opinion on Tax Exempt Status, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Office of Tax Policy Analysis, Technical Services Division, October 19, 2006 - http://www.tax.state.ny.us/pdf/advisory_opinions/multitax/a06_5m_27s.pdf.

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Coxsackie-Athens Central School District

The Coxsackie-Athens Central School District covers over 75 square miles and is made up of four (4) public schools: the Coxsackie Elementary School (Grade Level K-4, Coxsackie), Coxsackie-Athens High School (Grade Level 9-12, Coxsackie), Coxsackie- Athens Middle School (Grade Level 5-8, Coxsackie), and Edward J. Arthur Elementary School (Grade Level K-4, Athens).

Education Statistics

Education related statistics provided by the New York State Department of Education for school years 2003 to 2005 provided interesting comparisons between the Coxsackie- Athens Central School District, similar school districts, and all public school averages throughout New York State. Refer to Table 22. According to the 2005-06 Accountability Status of the NYS Education Department, Coxsackie - Athens CSD is a ―District in Good Standing‖, meaning the district has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) to the goal of proficiency for all students.

Table 22: 2003 – 2004 School Year Expenditure Comparisons 2003-2004 School Year General Education Special Education Coxsackie- Instructional Expenditures $10,578,473 $2,498,871 Athens Pupils 1,607 126 CSD Expenditures Per Pupil $6,583 $19,832 Similar Instructional Expenditures $6,423,937,649 $2,133,644,676 District Pupils 861,915 116,809 Group Expenditures Per Pupil $7,453 $18,266 All Public Instructional Expenditures $23,071,001,473 $7,088,163,962 Schools in Pupils 2,821,352 401,211 NY State Expenditures Per Pupil $8,177 $17,667 Source: NYSED Fiscal Accountability Supplement for Coxsackie-Athens CSD

Fiscal Accountability Information

Referring to Table 22, the Fiscal Accountability Supplement information provided by the NYS Education Department indicates that Coxsackie-Athens CSD spent less per pupil compared to similar schools and all Public Schools in NYS for General Education. The average expenditure per pupil for General Education for similar schools and all Public Schools in NYS was $7,453 and $8,177 respectively, while the CACS spent $6,583 per

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 76 Inventory and Profile pupil. Schools across the State and other similar schools spend about $17,667 and $18,266 respectively per pupil on Special Education, while CACS spent $19,832 per pupil. According to 2004-05 Staff Counts, the school district has 139 teachers, 19 other professional staff, 42 paraprofessionals, and 3 teaching out of certification.

2004-05 Fall Enrollment

According to 2004-05 fall enrollment, CACS had a total of 1,593 students enrolled in K - 12. The High School served 458 students in grades 9 – 12, the Middle School served 399 students in grades 5 – 8, and the Elementary School served the highest number of students, 720 in grades Pre-K – 4. Average classroom sizes were 17.5 for Kindergarten, 20.5 for Grade 8, and 16 for Grade 10.

Racial breakdown, according to 2004-05 statistical data, showed that 95.0% students were White (Not Hispanic); 2.0% were Hispanic; 2.5% were Black (Not Hispanic) and 0.4% were American Indian, Alaskan, Asian or Pacific Islander.

Catskill Central School District

The Catskill Central School District is made up of three (3) public schools: the Catskill Elementary School (Grade Level K-6, Catskill), Catskill Middle School (Grade Level 7- 8, Catskill), and Catskill Senior High School (Grade Level 9-12, Catskill).

Education Statistics

Education related statistics provided by the New York State Department of Education for school years 2003 to 2005 provided interesting comparisons between the Catskill Central School District, similar school districts, and all public school averages throughout New York State. Refer to Table 23. According to the 2005-06 Accountability Status of the NYS Education Department, Catskill CSD is a ―District in Good Standing‖, meaning the district has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) to the goal of proficiency for all students.

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Table 23: 2003 – 2004 School Year Expenditure Comparisons 2003-2004 School Year General Education Special Education Instructional Expenditures $13,850,598 $5,626,316 Catskill Pupils 1,841 257 CSD Expenditures Per Pupil $7,523 $21,892 Similar Instructional Expenditures $1,283,349,436 $411,113,388 District Pupils 177,931 27,200 Group Expenditures Per Pupil $7,213 $15,114 All Public Instructional Expenditures $23,071,001,473 $7,088,163,962 Schools in Pupils 2,821,352 401,211 NY State Expenditures Per Pupil $8,177 $17,667 Source: NYSED Fiscal Accountability Supplement for Coxsackie-Athens CSD

Fiscal Accountability Information

Referring to Table 23, the Fiscal Accountability Supplement information provided by the NYS Education Department indicates that Catskill CSD spent more per pupil compared to similar schools and less compared to all Public Schools in NYS for General Education. The average expenditure per pupil for General Education for similar schools and all Public Schools in NYS was $7,213 and $8,177 respectively, while the Catskill CSD spent $7,523 per pupil. Schools across the State spend about $17,667 and other similar schools spend about $15,114 per pupil on Special Education, while Catskill CSD spent $21,892 per pupil. According to 2004 – 05 Staff Counts, the school district has 157 teachers, 16 other professional staff, 54 paraprofessionals, and 4 teaching out of certification.

2004-05 Fall Enrollment

According to 2004-05 fall enrollment, Catskill CSD had a total of 1,754 students enrolled in K - 12. The High School served 555 students in grades 9 – 12, the Middle School served 460 students in grades 6 – 8, and the Elementary School served the highest number of students, 739 in grades Pre-K – 5. Average classroom sizes were 19.5 for Kindergarten, 16.7 for Grade 8, and 19.2 for Grade 10.

Racial breakdown, according to 2004-05 statistical data, showed that 80.4% students were White (Not Hispanic); 6.4% were Hispanic; 11.7% were Black (Not Hispanic) and 1.4% were American Indian, Alaskan, Asian or Pacific Islander.

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Questar BOCES

Formerly named Rensselaer-Columbia-Greene Board of Cooperative Educational Services (B.O.C.E.S.), the organization changed its name to Questar III in 1994. Employing approximately 550, the school’s Central Offices are located at 10 Empire State Blvd. in Castleton.

Questar III is an educational service agency providing more than 250 instructional and support services to 23 public school districts with about 40,000 students in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties. Questar III also provides additional services to approximately 580 school districts and all 37 BOCES in New York State.

According to the school’s website12, the mission of Questar III is to provide leadership and create student success through shared instructional and support services to schools and their communities. Questar III currently serves elementary, secondary and adult students, offering students choices and opportunities in education. Through Questar III, school districts can offer programs and services more economically, efficiently and equitably by sharing their costs. These programs and services are offered in the following areas: Career and Technical Education, Special Education, General Education and District Support Services. Additionally, Questar III oversees the Eastern New York Regional School Support Center (ENYRSSC), Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Center (BETAC) and New York State CTE Resource Center.

Adult students can earn their high school diploma through one of many programs tailored to meet their educational and personal needs. Career and job skills training programs are also available in fields such as licensed practical nursing, metal technologies, and security and law enforcement.

For school districts, Questar III provides support services such as state aid planning, legal and labor relations, staff development, health and safety and communications. Through its services, the school assists school districts by providing the expertise of professionals in the field, as well as valuable connections to resources around the state.

12 www.Questar.org. The information included in this description was culled from Questar III website.

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Columbia-Greene Community College

Columbia-Greene Community College, located on NYS Route 23 in the Town of Greenport, is a two-year college that is part of the State University of New York public school system. According to the school’s website, nearly 90% of their graduates continue their studies or go directly into the job market. Many Columbia-Greene graduates transfer to other secondary institutions to acquire a four-year degree.

Columbia-Greene has eight different departments that allow students to study such diverse tracks as Education, Arts and Humanities, Automotive Technology, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, Computer Science and Mathematics, Nursing, and Science. Degrees or certificates are awarded in a total of twenty-seven separate fields. In addition, the school offers web-based courses as well as various other levels of web- enhancement for classroom-based courses.

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Economic & Industrial Development

To understand the various components of economic development, an analysis of employment trends, occupational trends, market segments, and existing businesses must be completed. In addition, to complement this, available and potential resources in all viable industry sectors must be discussed. This section includes a discussion on the local tourism industry; waterfront revitalization opportunities; agricultural and forestry resources; and manufacturing and industrial businesses.

Economic Analysis

Employment Trends

Table 24 illustrates the resident employment of Town and Village residents as compared to Greene County and NYS. The information is from the 2000 Census.

The Town’s top three employment sectors were education/health/social services sectors (21.7%), public administration (13.6%), and manufacturing (11.7%). The top three employment sectors in the Village of Athens were education/health/social services sectors (22.4%), public administration (15.3%), and retail trade (11.6%).

The top three sectors in Greene County were health/education/social services sectors (20.3%), retail trade (10.8%), and public administration (10.5%). The education/ health/social services and retail trade sectors were also among the top three in the State.

The Town of Athens had the highest percentage of jobs in the manufacturing sector (11.7%), compared to the Village (10.3%), the County (8.7%), and the State (10.0%). Retail trade, at 11.6% in the Village and 11.3% in the Town plays a larger role in Athens’ local economy than it does in Greene County or NYS where it respectively represents 10.8% and 10.5% of the total employment.

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Table 24: Town and Village of Athens Residents Employment by Industry Sector-2000 Village of Athens Town of Athens Greene Co. NYS Classification Number % Number % % % Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing/Hunting/Mining 5 0.7% 15 0.8% 2.5% 0.6% Construction 40 5.5% 135 7.2% 8.5% 5.2% Manufacturing 75 10.3% 218 11.7% 8.7% 10.0% Wholesale trade 25 3.4% 41 2.2% 2.5% 3.4% Retail trade 85 11.6% 211 11.3% 10.8% 10.5% Transportation/Warehousing/Utilities 42 5.7% 135 7.2% 6.8% 5.5% Information 23 3.1% 48 2.6% 2.8% 4.1% FIRE, rental and leasing 36 4.9% 98 5.2% 5.4% 8.8% Professional/Scient/Mgnt/Admin/Waste 53 7.3% 109 5.8% 6.4% 10.1% Education/Health/Social Services 164 22.4% 406 21.7% 20.3% 24.3% Arts/Entertainment/Recreation/Accomm 45 6.2% 123 6.6% 9.4% 7.3% Other Services 26 3.6% 75 4.0% 5.4% 5.1% Public Administration 112 15.3% 254 13.6% 10.5% 5.2% Total 731 100.0% 1,868 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

Figure 7: Village of Athens - Employment by Sector, 2000

Agriculture/Forestry/ Fishing/Hunting/Minin Public Administration Agriculture/Forestry/g 13.6% Fishing/Hunting/Minin0.8% Public Administration g Construction Other Services Manufacturing 15.3% 0.7% 7.2% 4.0% Construction 11.7% Other Services 5.5% Arts/Entertainment/Re3.6% Manufacturing Wholesale trade creation/Accomm 10.3% 2.2% Arts/Entertainment/6.6% Recreation/ Wholesale trade Retail trade Accommodation 3.4% 11.3% 6.2% Retail trade 11.6% Education/Health/ Transportation/Wareh Social Services Transportation/Ware-ousing/Utilities Information 21.7% Professional/Scient/M -housing/Utilities7.2% Education/Health/ gnt/Admin/Waste 2.6% 5.7% Social Services FIRE, rental and Professional/Scient/5.8% Information 22.4% leasing Mgnt/Admin/Waste FIRE, rental and 3.1% 5.2% 7.3% leasing 4.9%

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Figure 8: Town of Athens - Employment by Sector, 2000

Agriculture/Forestry/ Fishing/Hunting/Minin Public Administration g 13.6% 0.8% Construction Other Services 7.2% Manufacturing 4.0% 11.7% Arts/Entertainment/Re Wholesale trade creation/Accomm 2.2% 6.6% Retail trade 11.3%

Education/Health/ Transportation/Wareh Social Services ousing/Utilities Information 21.7% Professional/Scient/M 7.2% gnt/Admin/Waste 2.6% FIRE, rental and 5.8% leasing 5.2%

Table 25 shows the resident employment by industry for the Villages of Catskill and Coxsackie. The top three sectors in the Village of Catskill were education health/social services sectors (22.7%), retail trade (15.7%), and arts/entertainment/recreation (13.0%). The top three sectors in the Village of Coxsackie were education health/social services sectors (21.0%), public administration (18.4%), and transportation/warehousing/utilities (8.8%).

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Table 25: Village of Catskill &Coxsackie Residents Employment by Industry Sector- 2000 Village of Catskill Village of Coxsackie Classification Number % Number % Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing/Hunting/Mining 24 1.2% 10 0.8% Construction 120 6.1% 86 6.6% Manufacturing 148 7.6% 89 6.8% Wholesale trade 58 3.0% 46 3.5% Retail trade 307 15.7% 84 6.4% Transportation/Warehousing/Utilities 118 6.0% 115 8.8% Information 59 3.0% 26 2.0% FIRE, rental and leasing 99 5.1% 102 7.8% Professional/Scient/Mgnt/Admin/Waste 74 3.8% 104 8.0% Education/Health/Social Services 443 22.7% 274 21.0% Arts/Entertainment/Recreation/Accomm 253 13.0% 85 6.5% Other Services 37 1.9% 45 3.4% Public Administration 212 10.9% 241 18.4% Total 1,952 100.0% 1,307 100.0% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

Occupational Trends

Table 26 indicates resident occupation from Census 2000. The largest number of the Town’s employed residents held management or professional positions (28.8%). While this figure was lower than Greene County (30.5%) and NYS (36.7%), it was slightly higher than the Village (27.6%). The Town of Athens, with 2.1%, had the lowest unemployment rate of all four areas in 2000.

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Table 26: Resident Occupation, 2000 Village of Athens Town of Athens Greene Co. NYS Occupation Type Total % Total % % % Management/Professional 202 27.6% 538 28.8% 30.5% 36.7% Service industry 155 21.2% 359 19.2% 17.8% 16.6% Sales/Office and Admin Support 190 26.0% 494 26.4% 25.4% 27.1% Farming/Fishing/Forestry 5 0.7% 14 0.7% 1.4% 0.3% Construction/Extraction/Maintenance 69 9.4% 211 11.3% 11.6% 7.6% Production/Transportation/Material 110 15.0% 252 13.5% 13.3% 11.7% Total 731 100.0% 1,868 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed civilian population 16+ 731 54.9% 1,868 59.1% 52.9% 56.6% Unemployed civilian population 16+ 32 2.4% 66 2.1% 3.5% 4.3% Armed Forces 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% Not in Labor Force 569 42.7% 1,228 38.8% 43.4% 38.9% Total Population 16 years + 1,332 100.0% 3,162 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

The top three occupations for Town and Village residents were the same as Greene County and NYS. These were management or professional workers, sales/office/administrative support workers, and service industry workers.

As shown in Table 27, the top three occupations for Village of Catskill residents were sales/office/administrative support workers at 30.3%, service industry workers at 28.8%, and management/professional workers at 18.6%. By comparison, the top three occupations for Village of Coxsackie residents were management/professional workers at 31.0%, sales/office/administrative support workers at 26.9%, and service industry workers at 18.1%. In 2000, the Village of Catskill had the highest unemployment rate (5.5%) of all four communities discussed.

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Table 27: Resident Occupation, 2000 Village of Catskill Village of Coxsackie Occupation Type Total % Total % Management/Professional 363 18.6% 405 31.0% Service industry 562 28.8% 236 18.1% Sales/Office and Admin Support 592 30.3% 352 26.9% Farming/Fishing/Forestry 0 0.0% 5 0.4% Construction/Extraction/Maintenance 173 8.9% 120 9.2% Production/Transportation/Material 262 13.4% 189 14.5% Total 1,952 100.0% 1,307 100.0% Employed civilian population 16+ 1,952 56.6% 1,307 60.0% Unemployed civilian population 16+ 191 5.5% 103 4.7% Armed Forces 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Not in Labor Force 1,306 37.9% 767 35.2% Total Population 16 years + 3,449 100.0% 2,177 100.0% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

Commuter Patterns

Referring to Table 28, it was estimated that in 2000 62.3% of Village and 57.5% of Town residents had commute times of less than 25 minutes, compared to the state at 48.8% and the County at 56.7%.

The Village had the lowest percentage (7.5%) of workers taking between 25 and 34 minutes to get to work. This figure was comparatively higher for the Town with 12.4%. The County and the State had an even higher percentage of workers taking between 25 and 34 minutes to get to work, 15.9% and 18.3% respectively.

The Town and Village had similar percentages of workers taking between 35 and 60 minutes to get to work, 20.2% and 21.9% respectively. By contrast approximately 16.1% of County residents and 16.9% of State residents travel between 35 and 60 minutes to work.

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Table 28: Travel Time To Work Comparison, 2000 Workers 16+ by Athens Village Town of Athens Greene County New York State Means of Transportation to Total % Total % Total % Total % Work < 10 minutes 108 15.4% 210 11.6% 3,699 19.3% 899,306 11.3% 10 - 24 minutes 330 46.9% 832 45.9% 7,147 37.4% 2,990,431 37.5% 25 - 34 minutes 53 7.5% 224 12.4% 3035 15.9% 1,458,072 18.3% 35 - 44 minutes 64 9.1% 148 8.2% 1,332 7.0% 544,033 6.8% 45 - 59 minutes 78 11.1% 248 13.7% 1,739 9.1% 806,556 10.1% > 60 minutes 70 10.0% 149 8.2% 2,178 11.4% 1,265,649 15.9% Total (Employed Commuters) 703 100.0% 1,811 100.0% 19,130 100.0% 7,964,047 100.0% Mean Travel Time 27.3 27.8 29.1 31.7 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

Life Style Segmentation Analysis

Premised on the belief that the spending habits of lifestyle segments will remain consistent over time, Lifestyle Segmentation reports are used to predict future consumer behavior, preferences, and expenditure patterns. Developing a ―geo-demographic cluster system,‖ an area-specific segmentation analysis is one method communities can use to identify current customer trends and behaviors. Conducting such an analysis can allow a community to more effectively target economic development and community revitalization efforts, whether the intent is to attract local shoppers or potential tourists.

Geo-demographic cluster systems are based on the premise that ―birds of a feather tend to flock together.‖ In other words, households living in socially and economically similar areas share a number of similar views, attitudes, values, and, consequently, buying behaviors. Through identifying these clusters, a clearer understanding of an area’s common lifestyle preferences (and prevailing market tendencies) can be gained. For businesses, potential new customers and markets can be identified; for communities, potential retail market needs (and viable commercial development opportunities) can be revealed.

A Life Style Segmentation Analysis was conducted to gain a better understanding of local Athens area consumers and determine the potential demand for particular products

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 87 Inventory and Profile and activities within the community. The geo-demographic cluster system used for this study was the Community Tapestry Segmentation, developed by ESRI Business Information Solutions, Inc. This system uses more than 60 attributes, including income, source of income, employment, home value, housing type, occupation, education, household composition, age, and other key determinants of consumer behavior to create 65 lifestyle segments.

According to the Community Tapestry Segmentation, Town of Athens residents fall into four segments: Rural Resort Dwellers (33.2%), Rooted Rural (22.5%), Rustbelt Retirees (22.3%), and Rustbelt Traditions (22.0%). Village of Athens residents fall into two segments: Rustbelt Traditions (51.1%) and Rural Resort Dwellers (48.9%). More detailed descriptions of each of the four segments follow below.

Rustbelt Retirees

The population of Rustbelt Retirees mostly resides in the Northeast or Midwest, especially in Pennsylvania and areas around the Great Lakes. Although many householders are still working, labor force participation is below average. More than 40 percent of the households draw retirement income. The neighborhoods are typical of the older, industrial cities—owner-occupied, single-family homes in the city with a current market value of $111,000. Unlike many retirees, those in the Rustbelt are not inclined to move.

Rustbelt Traditions

This segment of the population is typically found in old, rustbelt cities in states near the Great Lakes. They represent the backbone of the remaining manufacturing and transportation industries that continue to support the local economy. Most of these residents live in small single-family homes, with a median home value of approximately $93,000, and are financially conservative. They are attentive to home improvement such as roofing, flooring and carpet installation. There is a mix of household types among this segment, including married couples with children but also single-parent households. The median age of this segment is 36 years old. They typically deem television as an important daily activity and are an avid sports program audience.

Rooted Rural

This older, predominantly family, market is found in rural areas. The population is older, stable and settled, with a median age of 41 years. About a third of the households are

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 88 Inventory and Profile already drawing Social Security. Neighborhoods are predominantly single-family homes, with a strong presence of mobile homes and some seasonal housing. The median home value is $82,800.

Rural Resort Dwellers

Favoring milder climates and pastoral settings, the population resides in rural non-farm areas throughout the U.S. Their communities are small, but growing – primarily single – family or mobile homes, including a significant inventory of seasonal housing. An older is a population with a median age of 46 years, most are married with no children at home. Although near retirement age, most are employed, with many being self-employed. The median household income is $43,000.

Retail Sales and Consumer Spending

As retail development is playing a larger role in economic development in the United States, with retail sales translating into both sales tax and property tax for host municipalities, many communities across the country are taking it upon themselves to research consumer spending. In general, consumers prefer to shop for everyday items close to home. These items include goods and services such as groceries, home cleaning supplies, personal care items, alcohol, cigarettes, automobile repair, beauty salon services, and restaurants. In contrast, consumers are willing to travel farther from home for larger ticket items such as furniture, furnishings, appliances, electronics, clothing, entertainment, automobiles, recreational vehicles, medical services, and big-box retail stores. Finally, consumers are willing to take longer day trips from home in search of specialty shopping experiences that may include dining, entertainment, and recreation.

In order to learn about the spending patterns of the residents of Athens, a Retail Goods and Services Expenditure report was obtained from ESRI BIS. The information from this study is included in Table 29. ESRI BIS uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys to identify a baseline-spending pattern. Data from additional surveys, including a Diary Survey for daily purchases and an Interview Survey for general purchases, are used to refine the spending estimates. ESRI BIS integrates data from both surveys to provide a comprehensive database on all consumer expenditures.

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Figures 9 and 10 indicate the spending habits of local residents as compared to a nationwide standard. The Spending Potential Index (SPI) is household-based, and represents the amount of money spent for a product or service relative to a national average of 100. One important aspect about the data should be noted. While local spending habits are compared to a national average, the expenditure outlays are not corrected for regional inflation. Therefore, that a given community spends less on specific goods or services may reflect one of several things: (1) local residents are able to obtain the desired goods or services at a cheaper cost; (2) local residents’ interests in such goods and services falls short of the national average or the goods and services are not easily available, or (3) local residents have less disposable income to spend on such items.

Village of Athens

According to the SPI, Village of Athens residents spend considerably closer or higher than their national counterparts on most retail goods and services. For every $1 spent nationally on retail goods and services, Village residents spend between $0.69 and $1.23.

Village of Athens residents spend far lower than average on Financial Investments (at 69). The index value for this financial category was the lowest of all the indices specified in the report. Child Care (at 82) listed under Household Operations, was the second lowest expenditure ranking. See Table 29 for more details.

There are three areas where Village residents spend equivalent to the national averages. Community Antenna or Cable Television, listed under Entertainment and Recreation category, Small Appliances under Household Furnishings and Equipment and Vehicle Insurance under Insurance category had a 100 SPI.

However, there are a few areas where Village residents spend more than the national averages. These include satellite dishes, pets, recreational vehicles and fees under Entertainment and Recreation category. Food and Health categories include nonalcoholic beverages at home; nonprescription drugs; prescription drugs; eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Home, Household Furnishings, and Household Operations categories contributed a larger share to the Village’s expenditure. These included subcategories such as maintenance and remodeling materials; utilities, fuel, and public services; major appliances; lawn and garden; and housekeeping supplies.

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Items listed under Financial and Insurance categories that were higher than national averages were vehicle loans, owners and renters insurance, vehicle insurance, life/other insurance and health insurance. Vehicle purchase, gasoline and motor oil, listed under Transportation, also had a higher Village SPI.

Of all the categories listed in the Village’s expenditure ranking, recreation vehicles and fees, under Entertainment and Recreation, had the highest index at 123. Prescription drug spending had the next highest at 120.

Figure 9 represents the averages of all of the spending potential index values for each category. As seen in the Figure, the top three retail goods and services categories by expenditures for the Village of Athens are Health, Insurance, Transportation, and Home.

Figure 9: Village of Athens Spending Index

120.0

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Spending Potential Index Potential Spending 0.0

Food

Home

Health Travel

Financial

Insurance

Computers

Miscellaneous

Transportation

Equipment

Apparel andApparel Services

HouseholdOperations Entertainment& Recreation HouseholdandFurnishings Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions (ESRI BIS). Expenditure Data area derived from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data was updated in September of 2003 based on Consumer Expenditure Surveys from 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Town of Athens

According to the SPI, for every $1 spent nationally on retail goods and services, the Town of Athens residents spend between $0.62 and $1.20. The lowest of all indices

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 91 Inventory and Profile specified in the report is Financial Investments (at 62), which means Town residents spend far lower than national averages on these items. Childcare and moving/storage/ freight express, listed under Household Operations were the second lowest expenditure rankings.

The only area where Town residents spend equivalent to the national averages (with 100 SPI) is on gasoline and motor oil, listed under Transportation. However, there are a few areas where Town residents spend more than the national averages. These include, pets, recreational vehicles and fees, nonprescription and prescription drugs.

Town residents spend far higher than the national averages on maintenance and remodeling material and lawn and garden care. In addition, the Insurance category containing owners and renters insurance, life/other insurance, health insurance, had higher spending index. See Table 29 for more details.

Of all the categories in the expenditure ranking, recreation vehicles and fees listed under Entertainment and Recreation had the highest index of 120. As indicated by Figure 10, the top three retail goods and services categories by expenditures for the Town of Athens are Health, Insurance, and Transportation.

Figure 10: Town of Athens Spending Index

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Spending Potential Index

Food

Home

Travel

Health

Financial

Insurance

Computers

Miscellaneous

Transportation

Equipment

Apparel and Services

Household Operations Household Furnishings and Entertainment & Recreation Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions (ESRI BIS). Expenditure Data are derived from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data was updated in September of 2003 based on Consumer Expenditure Surveys from 1999, 2000, and 2001.

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Table 29: Retail Goods & Services, 2000 Village Town Spending Average Total Average Spending Total Spent Potential Spent per Spent per Spent per Retail Goods & Services Categories Potential per Year Index Household Year Household Index (Town) (S.P.I.) (Village) (Village) (Town) Apparel and Services 93 $2,559.14 $1,888,647 86 $2,373.49 $4,075,281 Men's 95 $495.07 $365,365 88 $460.19 $790,150 Women's 93 $841.59 $621,096 86 $775.79 $1,332,028 Children's 94 $406.99 $300,361 88 $379.67 $651,899 Footwear 89 $447.74 $330,434 83 $417.92 $717,571 Watches & Jewelry 96 $241.09 $177,924 89 $223.20 $383,231 Apparel Products and Services 87 $126.65 $93,467 80 $116.72 $200,402 Computer 91 83 Computers and Hardware for Home Use 90 $223.39 $164,863 82 $202.74 $348,101 Software and Accessories for Home Use 92 $26.99 $19,916 83 $24.40 $41,891 Entertainment & Recreation 98 $3,059.01 $2,257,547 92 $2,865.67 $4,920,351 Fees and Admissions 87 $524.48 $387,066 78 $473.26 $812,587 Membership Fees for Clubs 91 $149.21 $110,118 83 $135.60 $232,822 Fees for Participant Sports, excl. Trips 89 $102.54 $75,678 80 $92.41 $158,672 Admission to Movie/Theatre/Opera/Ballet 83 $121.30 $89,519 75 $108.59 $186,444 Admission to Sporting Events, excl. Trips 90 $50.18 $37,032 81 $45.23 $77,656 Fees for Recreational Lessons 83 $101.25 $74,719 75 $91.43 $156,993 TV/Video/Sound Equipment 96 $991.12 $731,445 90 $924.67 $1,587,652 Community Antenna or Cable Television 100 $551.02 $406,654 95 $523.77 $899,311 Color Televisions 91 $104.56 $77,166 84 $95.88 $164,629 VCRs, Video Cameras, and DVD Players 91 $34.44 $25,415 81 $30.58 $52,511 Video Cassettes and DVDs 94 $38.51 $28,418 85 $34.75 $59,674 Video Game Hardware and Software 90 $30.48 $22,495 81 $27.60 $47,395 Satellite Dishes 103 $3.04 $2,243 98 $2.88 $4,945 Rental of Video Cassettes and DVDs 89 $55.94 $41,286 80 $50.17 $86,143 Sound Equipment 94 $167.58 $123,671 86 $153.93 $264,300 Rental and Repair of TV/Sound Equipment 91 $5.55 $4,097 83 $5.09 $8,744 Pets 106 $374.06 $276,055 102 $359.14 $616,651 Toys and Games 95 $193.04 $142,462 89 $181.12 $310,977 Recreational Vehicles and Fees 123 $413.17 $304,919 120 $401.14 $688,764 Sports/Recreation/Exercise Equipment 95 $209.71 $154,767 91 $199.85 $343,138 Photo Equipment and Supplies 96 $138.41 $102,147 88 $127.26 $218,506 Reading 97 $215.02 $158,686 90 $199.23 $342,076

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Village Town Spending Average Total Average Spending Total Spent Potential Spent per Spent per Spent per Retail Goods & Services Categories Potential per Year Index Household Year Household Index (Town) (S.P.I.) (Village) (Village) (Town) Food 96 $7,628.27 $5,629,663 91 $7,174.03 $12,317,814 Food at Home 98 $4,642.53 $3,426,190 93 $4,400.39 $7,555,465 Bakery and Cereal Products 98 $691.85 $510,585 93 $655.39 $1,125,305 Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs 97 $1,230.51 $908,119 93 $1,175.33 $2,018,035 Dairy Products 99 $510.79 $376,965 94 $483.75 $830,605 Fruit and Vegetables 95 $792.38 $584,779 90 $750.83 $1,289,182 Snacks and Other Food at Home 99 $1,416.99 $1,045,742 94 $1,335.08 $2,292,338 Food Away from Home 94 $2,985.74 $2,203,473 88 $2,773.65 $4,762,349 Alcoholic Beverages 90 $461.14 $340,323 82 $419.52 $720,310 Nonalcoholic Beverages at Home 101 $398.91 $294,398 95 $376.90 $647,131

Financial 87 81 Investments 69 $5,796.27 $4,277,646 62 $5,143.51 $8,831,411 Vehicle Loans 105 $5,660.96 $4,177,786 99 $5,385.57 $9,247,019 Health 111 106 Nonprescription Drugs 107 $106.02 $78,240 101 $100.76 $173,009 Prescription Drugs 120 $645.65 $476,489 118 $634.33 $1,089,137 Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses 105 $89.92 $66,362 98 $84.19 $144,546 Home 102 96 Mortgage Payment and Basics 94 $7,487.20 $5,525,552 88 $7,001.02 $12,020,746 Maintenance and Remodeling Services 97 $1,533.07 $1,131,408 92 $1,443.18 $2,477,937 Maintenance and Remodeling Materials 114 $369.20 $272,468 107 $344.19 $590,980 Utilities, Fuel, and Public Services 101 $4,216.57 $3,111,831 96 $4,013.49 $6,891,168 Household Furnishings and Equipment 94 87 Household Textiles 94 $119.04 $87,850 87 $109.38 $187,808 Furniture 89 $543.45 $401,065 82 $501.53 $861,125 Floor Coverings 93 $73.03 $53,897 87 $67.95 $116,664 Major Appliances 101 $274.74 $202,756 95 $258.92 $444,564 Housewares 97 $92.41 $68,197 91 $87.06 $149,476 Small Appliances 100 $35.21 $25,985 93 $32.69 $56,123 Luggage 85 $9.06 $6,683 76 $8.07 $13,853 Telephones and Accessories 94 $48.78 $36,003 88 $45.67 $78,421 Household Operations 95 88 Child Care 82 $344.36 $254,140 73 $306.90 $526,939 Lawn and Garden 113 $473.21 $349,226 109 $458.93 $787,985

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 94 Inventory and Profile

Village Town Spending Average Total Average Spending Total Spent Potential Spent per Spent per Spent per Retail Goods & Services Categories Potential per Year Index Household Year Household Index (Town) (S.P.I.) (Village) (Village) (Town) Moving/Storage/Freight Express 85 $43.06 $31,780 74 $37.91 $65,097 Housekeeping Supplies 101 $681.13 $502,671 95 $643.12 $1,104,231 Insurance 103 101 Owners and Renters Insurance 109 $453.62 $334,769 106 $438.34 $752,625 Vehicle Insurance 100 $1,296.12 $956,538 94 $1,229.03 $2,110,239 Life/Other Insurance 107 $676.51 $499,267 102 $647.96 $1,112,542 Miscellaneous 97 90 Personal Care Products 96 $389.55 $287,490 90 $362.08 $621,687 School Books and Supplies 86 $97.83 $72,197 77 $86.88 $149,175 Smoking Products 109 $540.97 $399,236 103 $512.23 $879,501 Transportation 102 97 Vehicle Purchases (Net Outlay) 104 $5,817.86 $4,293,577 99 $5,521.78 $9,480,888 Gasoline and Motor Oil 105 $1,935.65 $1,428,511 100 $1,844.83 $3,167,572 Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs 98 $1,011.66 $746,607 92 $949.06 $1,629,535 Travel 92 86 Airline Fares 88 $356.62 $263,186 81 $327.03 $561,517 Lodging on Trips 97 $386.80 $285,455 91 $363.36 $623,887 Auto/Truck/Van Rental on Trips 88 $43.50 $32,105 80 $39.78 $68,303 Food and Drink on Trips 96 $432.21 $318,969 90 $402.93 $691,839 Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions, with data from InfoUSA; compiled by Laberge Group.

Business Analysis

Table 30 presents ESRI BIS forecasts for employment in the Town and Village of Athens in 2005. The table breaks down various business sectors by number of establishments and number of employees, as well as indicating each sector’s share of the total employment in the area.

Several caveats should be noted about this information. ESRI obtains the information from InfoUSA, a sales leads and mailing list company. InfoUSA tracks data using a variety of sources, including telephone directories, court data, public information available from the state, annual reports, newspapers, Security Exchange Commission filings, business registrations, etc. If the accounting for an existing business is done

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 95 Inventory and Profile elsewhere, such as a regional headquarters, or if an establishment is a franchise, economic data may be reflected in the data for the community housing the headquarters, instead of the local establishment.

Village of Athens

As indicated in Table 30, the service sector contributes the highest percentage (26.2%) to the Village’s employment sector. The retail trade industry and construction sector both represent 15.9%, while the wholesale trade sector contributes 12.8% to the Village’s total jobs. The governmental sector contributes approximately 11.3% to the Village’s total employment.

The sectors that are not represented at all in the Village are communication; general merchandise stores; apparel & accessory stores; miscellaneous retail; securities brokers; insurance carriers and agents; and legal services.

Town of Athens

The service sector contributes the largest number of jobs in the Town of Athens as well, representing 26.3% of all employment. The retail trade industry contributes 16.1%, while the construction sector represents 15.9% of the Town’s total jobs. Wholesale trade, education institutions and libraries both represent 12.7 % of all jobs. The governmental sector contributes 11.3% to the Town’s total employment.

Similar to the Village, there were several sectors in the Town that are not represented at all. These include communication, general merchandise stores, apparel & accessory stores, miscellaneous retail, securities brokers, insurance carriers and agents, and legal services.

Table 30: Business Summary Village of Athens Town of Athens Industrial Sector Businesses Employees Businesses Employees (%) (%) (%) (%) Agriculture & Mining 1.3 0.6 1.8 0.6 Construction 15.4 15.9 15.8 15.9 Manufacturing 2.6 8.5 2.6 8.6 Transportation 2.6 2.4 2.6 2.3 Communication 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Electric, Gas, Water, Sanitary 1.3 0.3 0.9 0.2

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 96 Inventory and Profile

Table 30: Business Summary Village of Athens Town of Athens Industrial Sector Businesses Employees Businesses Employees (%) (%) (%) (%) Services Wholesale Trade 3.8 12.8 4.4 12.7 Retail Trade Summary 19.2 15.9 19.3 16.1 Home Improvement 1.3 1.2 0.9 1.3 General Merchandise Stores 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Food Stores 2.6 3.0 2.6 3.1 Auto Dealers, Gas Station, Auto 3.8 2.1 3.5 2.1 Aftermarket Apparel & Accessory Store 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Furniture & Home Furnishings 3.8 0.9 3.5 1.0 Eating & Drinking Places 6.4 8.5 7.0 8.6 Miscellaneous Retail 1.3 0.0 1.8 0.0 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 9.0 5.5 7.9 5.4 Summary Banks, Savings & Lending 1.3 0.9 0.9 0.8 Institutions Securities Brokers 1.3 0.0 0.9 0.0 Insurance Carriers & Agents 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Real Estate, Holding, Other 6.4 4.6 6.1 4.6 Investment Services Summary 32.1 26.2 31.6 26.3 Hotels & Lodging 2.6 0.9 2.6 1.0 Automotive Services 3.8 2.4 3.5 2.5 Motion Pictures & Amusements 3.8 0.3 3.5 0.2 Health Services 1.3 2.4 0.9 2.5 Legal Services 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Education Institutions & 1.3 12.8 1.8 12.7 Libraries Other Services 19.2 7.3 19.3 7.3 Government 11.5 11.3 11.4 11.3 Other 1.3 0.6 1.8 0.6 Totals 100 100 100 100 Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions, with data from InfoUSA; compiled by Laberge Group.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 97 Inventory and Profile

Economic Sectors

Tourism

Tourism Trends

In today’s post-industrial economy, many communities are focusing on tourism as an economic development engine. While industrial development generally calls for communities to compete on terms of a standardized set of criteria (such as workforce skills, transportation networks, and cost-of-living), establishing a tourism center challenges a community to ―develop its assets.‖ A successful tourism development approach must be multi-faceted. By enhancing their community’s attractions and highlighting their unique qualities, tourism promoters market their areas to attract guests; create products to encourage lingering; and develop leisure activities to keep guests busy, all the while infusing dollars into the local economy. In order to be successful, the tourism ―product‖ must appeal to travelers and to people seeking leisure time activities.

New York State Tourism Trends

New York has been very successful in promoting tourism, as it is, according to the Department of Economic Development, currently the second largest industry in the State, employing more than 750,000 people with total wages exceeding $13 billion. While many tourists visit New York City, upstate New York, characterized by its diverse landscapes, small communities, and significant role in the Nation’s history, is becoming increasingly popular, with many visitors coming from the New York metro area. The prevalent types of tourism in upstate New York are: (1) Cultural tourism (including heritage tourism and agri-tourism); (2) Environmental tourism (including eco-tourism and recreational tourism); and (3) Antiquing/ Specialty shopping.

Although the terms are frequently interchanged, and a vacation will often include both types of activities, many tourism professionals distinguish between heritage and cultural tourism. While heritage tourism is place-based, rooted in specifics of a specific area and its native residents, cultural tourism focuses on an area’s cultural resources and opportunities, such as museums, exhibits, shows, and festivals, with less of an emphasis on place. For example, a car museum in Norwich, New York is an example of cultural tourism; a car museum in Detroit, Michigan is an example of heritage tourism. Agri- tourism, a type of heritage tourism that is especially popular in upstate New York, is defined as the diversification of farm operations to include services and products

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 98 Inventory and Profile designed for visitors. The State’s many U-PIK farm stands, wineries, and farmstead bed- and-breakfasts are examples of agri-tourism.

Cultural and heritage tourists, in addition to being older on average than other types of tourists, tend to earn and spend more money, stay longer on visits, shop more, and are more likely to stay at a hotel or motel. The major benefit to cultural and heritage tourism is that historic and cultural preservation is integral to effective implementation, so resource stewardship is not only encouraged, but is necessary. One major challenge is ensuring that increased visitation does not degrade the quality of the experience or strain the areas cultural and natural resource infrastructure, some of which are likely to be irreplaceable historic resources.

Environmental tourism focuses on an area’s natural resources, with potential sub-areas being eco-tourism and recreational tourism. Eco-tourism promotes conservation, sustainability, low-impact visitor behavior, and education. Examples of eco-tourism activities include bird watching, nature photography, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and camping. Recreational tourism focuses on active outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, skeet shooting, archery, and horseback riding, paintball, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, rock-climbing, and cave exploration.

Antiquing has long been an established past time in upstate New York. Unlike regular retail shopping, a major component of antiquing is the hunt. As part of an antique hunt, collectors may comb the countryside, traveling from store to store, stopping at flea markets, craft and antique fairs, second-hand stores, and even yard sales looking for specific items that they may or may not find. While numerous antique districts have sprung up across the State to accommodate these collectors, a growing number of complimentary retail and specialty shops have likewise sprung up along side these antique shops. These include art galleries and frame shops; crafts and specialty retail stores; and restaurants and cafes.

Greater Athens Tourism Trends

Greene County has an estimated 25% of the housing stock functioning as seasonal, or weekend homes. The Town and Village of Athens have their respective share of seasonal residents as well, with anecdotal discussions estimating food sales double at the local supermarket during the summer months. These residents, while not around all the time, still play a major role in the community’s land use development and economic outlook.

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The Athens tourist industry, as it is part of the northern Catskills Mountain area, definitely has a focus on environmental tourism in the form of recreational tourism activities such as skiing, hiking, biking, hunting, and camping. Amenities attracting visitors from outside the Athens area include the Hudson River, the Cohotate Preserve, Green Lake, and Buttermilk Falls; camping at Indian Ridge and Juniper Woods; and the fresh produce and crafts grown and sold at Black Horse Farms.13 Excellent scenic opportunities of the Hudson River, Catskills, Berkshires, Helderberg Mountains and various creeks can be found at High Hill Road at Schoharie Turnpike, the Leeds Athens Road at Forest Avenue and Sandy Plains Road at High Hill Road.

As a riverfront community, Athens has several water recreation resources that attract visitors. The Athens boat launch and Hagar’s Harbor Marina, located off of Route 385, attract many visitors. See the Recreation and Tourism Locations Map in Appendix A.

Heritage tourism, including Agri-tourism, is also a major element in the Town’s tourism industry. The Town houses numerous historic sites and buildings that are packaged via tours to inform guests of the significant role they played in the area’s, or even Nation’s, development. Several Agri-tourism enterprises seek to attract the seasonal visitors that flock to the area.

Athens has also entered the market as a potential lure for Hollywood Filmmakers. With the 2004 filming of the War of the Worlds and Iron Weed, Athens was a brief destination on the map for film and movie enthusiasts. Over 500 local and non-local ―extras‖ participated in filming the movie’s alien invasion scene. The income from such a venture was an excellent bonus for the free publicity. Perhaps this could be the foundation for future tourist and movie revenue. Independent films and film festivals often provide a niche market to willing communities competing for tourist dollars.

Tourist Attractions

Hudson River Waterfront The Village of Athens, located on the State and National Registers was once a prosperous shipbuilding village. The homes in the main business district preserve the scale of a small, mid-nineteenth century village. The Village’s waterfront is considered a gateway to the Village. Continued revitalization efforts for the riverfront is beneficial to local

13 A description of these resources is included elsewhere in this Plan.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 100 Inventory and Profile residents and will also help bring positive economic changes the local business community. With the Ferry slip restored and Riverfront Park revitalized, ferry service between Athens and Hudson may be a viable option for the future. In addition, the Hudson Athens Lighthouse and Middle Ground Flats, located just off the shore of Riverfront Park attract tourists to the area.

Considering the restoration of the rivers health and ecosystem, further riverfront development is predictable. In addition, Middle Ground Flats, approximately two miles long and 1,200 feet wide, provides an excellent opportunity for recreational use and is included in the Village’s Coastal Area. The floating docks at Riverfront Park create a maritime entrance to the Village. The Village of Athens LWRP recommended that to preserve the Middle Ground Flats area, a management plan should be created. The New York State Open Space Conservation Plan identifies Priority Conservation Projects for the Hudson River Estuary/Greenway Trail Corridor.14 The Plan recommends the transfer of Middle Ground Flats, along with other state lands with river access and natural resource values, to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), or local entities for management agencies. Middle Ground Flats would make a nice addition to the Hudson River Islands State Park, bringing potential increased tourism to the Athens’ waterfront.

Hudson River Paddle

The Great Hudson River Paddle is an annual event held under the auspices of the Hudson River Valley Greenway, a state agency charged with developing the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail; the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, whose mission is to recognize, preserve, protect and interpret the nationally significant cultural and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley; and the Hudson River Watertrail Association, Inc., a non-profit corporation founded in 1992 to promote and develop a continuous water trail from New York City to the Erie Canal. The canoers and kayakers make the Athens waterfront a place to stop and camp for the night.

Festivals

The Athens Street Festival has been held every July for the past 30 years and draws approximately 10,000 people with activities from morning to night. The Village also

14 The New York State Open Space and Conservation Plan and Generic Environmental Impact Statement, 2006 - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/opensp/2006/osp2006.pdf.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 101 Inventory and Profile participates in the Hudson River Regional Waterfront Festival with other river towns such as Saugerties and Tivoli. . Friday night summertime music festivals regularly attract audiences of 100 or more to the Village’s waterfront.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

The Hudson Athens Lighthouse, as it stands so visible in the middle of the Hudson River, is a unique resource. The Jan Van Loon House is located at the corner of South Washington and Route 385. The Athens Cultural Center is located on Second Street and is used for art shows and cultural learning center classes. The Athens Museum is located within the Community Center and is open upon request for special functions such as historic walking tours and events. The historic district covers a large area in the Village including the Lower Village and Brick Row. The D.R. Evart Library is located on Second Street and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hudson Athens Lighthouse

A Second Empire architectural style lighthouse, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is located in the Hudson River between Hudson and Athens, New York. At one time the Hudson City Lighthouse, dredging of the Hudson River Channel resulted in the ―relocation‖ of the Lighthouse from Hudson to Athens.

The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society or H.A.L.P.S. is a non-profit organization that was established to maintain, preserve and restore the lighthouse, which is chartered as a museum. According to the lighthouse website, the organization was established to provide a way for individuals to become actively involved in the museum development and the preservation of the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse. The lighthouse beacon remains the responsibility of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Since 2003, Hudson Cruises has run a 20-person patron boat ferry service between Hudson, Athens, and the Lighthouse. Athens has also been a station point along the water trail during the Hudson River Paddlers event. Overnight campers stay at the Village of Athens waterfront park.

An important asset for Greene County tourism and economic development, the lighthouse is mentioned in numerous promotional brochures, including those developed by the Hudson River Valley Lighthouses Coalition, the Columbia County Council on the Arts, and the I Love NY Office.

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Tourism Promotion Resources

Greene County Tourism Association

The Greene County Tourism Association is a membership organization founded in 1948 and has been an active organization promoting tourism in Greene County. The membership includes all tourism related businesses. The organization maintains a website at thecatskills.com through which they provide information on events, attractions, lodging, dining, and members.

Greene County Tourism Department

The Greene County Tourism Promotion Department maintains a tourism website at greenetourism.com. The site provides information on outdoor adventures, lodging and dining opportunities, community services, and history and heritage. There is also a detailed calendar of events listing regional special events. As the Greene County Tourism Promotion Department is also the official Tourism Promotion Agency for Greene County, it can apply, receive, and administer funding from the NYS Division of Tourism under the annual I Love New York Matching Funds program. The department supports other regional tourism programs including the Catskill Association for Tourism Services (Delaware, Sullivan, Ulster, and Greene); Hudson Valley Tourism Association (10 counties); and the Hudson River Regional Festival (Ulster, Dutchess, and Greene). The department also produces a number of widely distributed publications and brochures.

Agricultural

Preserving and enhancing agricultural and natural resources are a key component to comprehensive planning and economic development. Assisting prospective, beginning and established producers in the planning, production, marketing and business management would go a long way in fulfilling a thriving local economy, while balancing land conservation and preservation. Keeping agriculture productive and economically viable has been a challenging task across the region. However, there are many programs in place to assist. Particularly, programs focused on preserving and enhancing farming as part of economic development strategies, but also in improving and enhancing the local quality of life. Many people move to a region for its unique agricultural identity, but at the same time, the localities’ identity becomes threatened by the increasing amounts of growth pressure. The key is not just allowing growth, but guiding it while keeping agricultural industries profitable and not susceptible to development pressure.

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Greene County has an Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection Plan in place to assist in these efforts. According to the Plan, ―Farming is much more important than a starting point on the development scale‖. The Top 10 Reasons why farming is important to Greene County are: (1) Farming is big business, generating millions of dollars in the County, (2) Farming provides year-round business for other Greene County enterprises, (3) Income from agriculture goes farther than other sectors in helping the economy, (4) Agricultural opportunities can actually increase with growth of an area, (5) Farms lower taxes, (6) Farms create rural character and attract tourism, (7) Successful farming limits suburban sprawl, (8) Farms and forests preserve natural environments, (9) Farms and forests support wildlife, sport hunting and other recreational land uses, and (10) Farmland is an invaluable resource for future generations.

County Agricultural Districts

Through Article 25AA of the NYS Agriculture and Markets Law, counties may establish Agricultural Districts. Agricultural Districts are a locally initiated farm protection tool designed to preserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of agricultural land. Each district must be formally established by the County Legislature and certified by the State’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets in accordance with the authorizing provisions of New York State’s Agriculture and Markets Law (AML). See the Agriculture and Farmland Map in Appendix A.

Under law, each Agricultural District must be reviewed by the County’s governing body eight, twelve, or twenty years following its establishment to determine whether the district will be continued, terminated, or modified. In conducting such reviews, the County Legislature takes into consideration recommendations regarding the addition or deletion of properties submitted by the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board and the County Planning Board.

Agricultural district designation provides farmers with protection from local laws restricting farming, gives some protection from eminent domain proceedings, and provides certain tax advantages. Sewer and water taxes, for example are not levied on the farm portions of lands within the agricultural districts.

According to the Greene County Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection Plan, while Greene County has approximately 30,073 acres inside its Agricultural Districts, nearly 3.5% of this land is located in the Town of Athens. Athens districts encompass a total of 1,047 acres. Athens’ Agricultural Districts are distributed

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 104 Inventory and Profile throughout most areas of the Town. Large, unconnected District lands are located in the southwest, northeast, and southeast quadrants of the Town. No delineated areas are located within the Village.

Local Farming

In general, Athens agricultural soils are mixed, with richer soils located near the creeks and waterways and poorer soils located in many of the hilly areas. According to the Greene County Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Town’s farmers tend to engage in a variety of farming activities. Some lands are used for raising dairy and beef cattle, pasture land, and growing hay, corn and other marketable crops. Recent proposals discussed for specialty farming in the community have included raising purebred beef; grass-fed rodeo cattle; alpacas; and establishing a kosher slaughterhouse. Many smaller farms also grow organic products, including poultry and produce. A few hobby farmers grow cut flowers and a single vineyard produces grapes and wine along the riverfront.

Hydroponics, where crops are grown with water only, plays a role in local farming. Black Horse Farms, a large truck crop farm operation, grows and sells fresh produce and baked goods as well as hanging plants, annuals and perennials for planting, and an extensive country store gift shop.15 The farm sells its products at Greene Markets locally and to markets in New York City. The Black Horse Farms recently opened four new greenhouses at its retail location on Route 9W in the Town of Athens. 16

Agroforestry

Agroforestry is an approach to agricultural and natural resources management that involves the deliberate integration of trees and shrubs with root crops, and sometimes livestock, to obtain both sustainable production and the benefits of ecological conservation.

According to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County, agroforestry is a relatively new field of study that explores forests, focusing on forest farming and forestry practices that do not necessarily require the harvest of trees. The focus includes providing incentives for forested land to remain that way in order to provide the

15 Black Horse Farms website - http://www.blackhorsefarms.com 16 Coxsackie Area Chamber of Commerce - http://www.coxsackieareachamber.com/blackhorse.html

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 105 Inventory and Profile environmental, economic (tourism, hunting and fishing) and public health benefits to the surrounding residents and still provide economic development opportunities to the landowner through selective timber harvests and forest farming practices that include growing and selling native herbs, ginseng, mushrooms and shade tolerant crops.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Agroforestry Resource Center of Greene County provides education and research in agroforestry. The goal is to maintain and enhance the forested land of the rural Northern Catskills region while also creating opportunities for financially stressed landowners to remain on the land by introducing agroforestry practices and helping to create markets for these products.

Industrial Businesses

Athens Generating Plant

With construction completed in 2003, the Athens Generating Plant, a 1,080-megawatt combined-cycle generating plant in Athens, went into commercial service in 2004. According to its website, www.athensgen.com, Athens Generating sells its electricity on a competitive basis to municipalities in the Mid-Hudson Valley, southeastern New York and the New York City regions.

The facility consists of three Siemens Westinghouse 501G combustion turbine generators. The plant is fueled by natural gas combined-cycle technology that provides a much more efficient production as compared to older power plants. Through the combined-cycle process, heat recovery steam generators recycle heat from the exhaust of the combustion turbines and use it to produce steam, which is then used to drive the steam generators and produce additional power. This process is regarded as one of the most efficient electricity production techniques.

The Athens facility is owned by New Athens Generating Company, LLC (a subsidiary of Pacific Gas and Electric) and managed by Competitive Power Ventures out of Silver Springs, Maryland. The plant is operated by North American Energy Services out of Issaquah, Washington.

Iroquois Gas Transmission System

According to its website, Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. is a partnership of affiliates of six U.S. and Canadian energy companies. The company owns a 411-mile

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 106 Inventory and Profile interstate natural gas pipeline that extends from the U.S.-Canadian border at Waddington, NY through western Connecticut to its terminus in Commack, NY, and from Huntington to the Bronx. Its wholly owned subsidiary, the Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company, headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, is the agent for and operator of the pipeline.

Iroquois' compressor station in Athens, similar to its stations in the New York communities of Croghan, Boonville, Wright, and Dover, rates as a minor emissions source under New York State regulations because its utilizes technology which nearly halves the nitrogen oxide emissions traditionally associated with more conventional compressor stations. Although this pipeline and compressor station is located in Athens, Town and Village residents are not serviced with natural gas from this source.

Electric Launch Company

A traditional maritime business in Athens, Electric Launch Company, or ELCO, has been manufacturing electric boats at its South Washington Street waterfront facility since 2002. Electric boats, much quieter than conventional powerboats, also do not contribute the same pollution. Limited to top speeds of 50 mph, electric boats also cost more than conventional boats.

In existence since the 1800s, Electric Launch Company (ELCO) moved into the Athens facility in August 2002. The facility includes 68,000 square feet of office, production and storage space situated on a 3.5-acre parcel with water access to the Hudson River.

Regional Planning and Economic Development Resources

The Town and Village of Athens have a variety of regional economic development resources available to encourage the growth and stabilization of the local economy. The Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development and the Greene County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) administer a number of programs that together have the ability to promote and generate economic opportunities. Economic Development assistance is also available through the Greene County Chamber of Commerce and the GreeneBusiness Partnership. The following is a description of these programs taken from the GCDPED web site.

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Greene County Department of Planning & Economic Development

Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development (GCDPED) provides a number of services and programs to business start-ups or expanding companies that are either already located in Greene County or are planning to relocate to the county. The following is a description of these programs taken from the GCDPED web site

Green County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (Quantum Fund)

The Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development administers the Greene County Micro-enterprise Assistance Program (MAP), a federally funded program to create jobs in the County by helping small businesses grow. The program offers basic business training, technical assistance, and low-interest loans to individuals interested in starting or expanding a small business in Greene County.

The program is open to Start-up businesses or existing businesses that are either owned by low and moderate-income persons, or that will create jobs, the majority of which will be available to low and moderate-income persons. Eligible business entities must have five or fewer employees, one of whom is the owner of the business.

The Greene County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund has been nicknamed the "Quantum Fund". Greene County offers three types of Quantum Fund loans: matching loans, micro loans and Micro-enterprise Assistance Program loans (MAP). Quantum Fund and micro loans are available for up to 50% of the borrowing needed for a business expansion. MAP loans are available for up to 90%. Micro loans are made from $60,000, which was set aside from the rest of the Quantum Fund. MAP loans are made from special, but limited, monies available in the MAP program. Under these programs, the County provides low interest loans for business expansion. Each borrower must create at least one permanent full time job (or its equivalent) for each $20,000 loaned. ($25,000 for MAP loans) and at least 51% of the jobs must be made available to low and moderate-income persons. Repayments of loans are placed in a revolving loan pool (the Quantum Fund) and additional loans are made to more businesses.

All projects must demonstrate a need for below-market financing. The loans are not intended to replace available bank financing but instead serve as "gap" or "subsidy" financing. "Gap" loans are defined as those that provide funds needed to complete a total project that would otherwise not be available from other sources. "Subsidy" financing is

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 108 Inventory and Profile defined in the following context: Although sufficient funds are available from other sources, the costs of these funds are at a level as to render the total project financially unfeasible. Therefore, the Economic Development Loan is required for a lower total project-funding rate.

Map Program Components

Business Training - Those selected for the program have the opportunity to attend a training course that provides instruction in basic business skills leading to the development of a viable business plan. There are typically two rounds of classes a year, in the spring and in the fall. Each round consists of classes held one evening each week for eight to ten weeks. Classes are instructed by local and regional business experts and are designed to cover the entire business planning process. Topics include marketing, customer service, bookkeeping, developing financial statements, and applying for financing. A certificate is awarded upon completion of training. Scholarships are available for participants determined to be low and moderate-income at the time of application. A nominal fee is charged to those who are not income-qualified.

Technical Assistance - One-on-one technical assistance is available to existing and prospective entrepreneurs through the Micro-enterprise Assistance Program. Assistance is provided from a pool of business consultants with professional expertise in general business planning, accounting, marketing, finance, and legal services. Consultants are selected to assist MAP participants based on an appropriate match of consultant skills and the specific needs of the program participant.

Micro-enterprise Loans - A key component of the Micro-enterprise Assistance Program is a revolving loan fund to assist in the capitalization of new or expanding micro- enterprises. Matching low-interest loans with flexible repayment terms are available in amounts up to $25,000 to finance any justifiable business need including working capital. All start-up businesses are required to complete the business-training element of the program and prepare a business plan prior to applying for a MAP loan. Existing businesses will be evaluated to determine the level of assistance required to allow access to MAP loan funding.

Business Resource Centers - To further assist small businesses, Greene County has also established a Business Resource Center in Catskill. The resource center offers access to resource materials including computer hardware and software, online services, all forms of print, video and electronic media materials, and information on a wide variety of

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 109 Inventory and Profile business-related subjects including business planning, financing, taxation, insurance, and employee benefits. The Business Resource Center is open to all and access to resources is available without charge (a nominal charge may be imposed for copying and printing).

Community Development Programs

Greene County provides a variety of technical assistance programs through its Community Development Program to assist local governments, businesses, local development corporations and not-for-profit organizations in the communities to expand their business and improve the quality of life.

Main Street Revitalization – Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program offers matching grants and architectural assistance for exterior improvements along traditional Main Streets. The Greene County Legislature has provided $150,000 per year for projects to spur additional private investments.

Main Street Revitalization – Business Attraction Initiative - The Main Street Business Attraction Initiative provides matching grant funds for communities, local chambers of commerce, municipalities and not-for-profit Main Street organizations to attract new businesses, particularly to the county's historic main streets. Eligible activities for the Business Attraction Initiative include: collecting information on available space for lease or purchase; marketing space to potential business owners; targeted mailings; and other attraction initiatives to market local available space.

Main Street Revitalization - Interior Space Program - Under the Interior Space Program, the County can offer deferred-payment matching grants of up to $25,000 for job-creating projects on Main Streets in Greene County. A new owner or tenant that will create additional employment can use the funds for any improvements necessary in order to modernize or improve interior spaces to prepare them for occupancy. Limited funds are awarded on a matching grant basis, with a minimum of 50% of project costs required to be contributed by the property owner. The funds become a grant if the job creation occurs and all of the costs are properly documented.

Main Street Revitalization – Tourism Enhancement Program - The Tourism Enhancement Program provides matching funds to assist resort/lodging/tourism operators to create effective business plans and market their properties to adapt to changing market

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 110 Inventory and Profile conditions. Property appraisals are also an eligible expense for this program, as are business planning and development expenses.

Greene County Planning and Economic Development Website

As part of the ongoing economic development strategy currently underway in Greene County, a general website, discovergreene.com, was established to provide interested individuals with a one-stop connection to Greene County government via greenegovernment.com; to Greene County Planning and Economic Development at greenebusiness.com; and to Greene County Tourism at greenetourism.com. The primary Greene County Planning and Economic Development website, greeneeconomicdevelopment.com, provides information on the many economic development and community development programs available to existing and prospective businesses in the County.

The website also provides links to spec sheets for development properties available in Greene County. Among the twelve buildings currently available in Greene County are the Athens Opera House and the Athens Department of Public Works Garage. A single spec sheet provides information on two industrial parks –Greene Business and Technology Park and Kalkberg Commerce Park in the Towns of Coxsackie and New Baltimore—that have ―shovel-ready‖ land that can accommodate building projects for the next 1 – 3 years.

The Greene County Site Finder is an interactive mapping tool that allows interested individuals to search for commercial or industrial properties by acreage. Available sites in Athens identified through this mapping tool include the 60-acre light industrial Travco Industrial Park on Schoharie Turnpike (County Route 28) and an 80-acre agricultural site on County Route 74.

Greene County Development Guide

In 1992, the Greene County Planning Department in conjunction with the Greene County Planning Board prepared a Greene County Development Guide. The Guide is designed to help the County manage future development according to established planning objectives. It provides valuable information to help public and private developers prepare development proposals and it introduces would-be developers to the area’s character and development trends.

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The Guide includes various components such as population, existing land use, local, state, and federal regulations and policies. It also includes major facilities and resources such as transportation, municipal facilities & services, and recreational resources.

Greene County Tourism Department

Greene County Industrial Development Agency

The Greene County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is a ―public benefit‖ corporation formed by the Greene County Legislature in 1972. The IDA assists with site selection, corporate park sites, financial and Empire Zone incentives, PILOTS (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) for qualified businesses, industrial development bonds, government interface and workforce assistance. Financial incentives can be in the form of tax-exempt and taxable bonds to cover the cost of construction, rehabilitation, and equipping for commercial and industrial projects. Qualified projects can be considered for sales and mortgage recording tax exemption and real property tax abatement.

The Greene IDA is currently managing the Greene Business and Technology Park, a 200- acre shovel-ready site. Property is available for lease or purchase with build to suit options.

The Greene County Industrial Development Agency’s website (Greeneida.com) provides information on the County’s economic development programs and resources, including the spec sheets of available buildings and developable properties that are also accessible

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 112 Inventory and Profile from the County Planning and Economic Development website. Greenebusiness.com provides information on the County’s ongoing economic development planning efforts and also provides ―direct access for site selectors‖. This website also has a short film and brochures, as well as information about the IDA, including its mission statement.

Empire Zone

In late July 2006, New York State designated a new Empire Zone in Greene County. Empire Zones (EZs) are designated areas throughout New York State that offer special incentives to encourage economic and community development, business investment and job creation. According to the Greene County Economic Development Office, the Town of Athens has 167 acres of privately-owned land included within the new Empire Zone, including about 60 acres of land within the Travco Industrial Park. See the Empire Zone Map in Appendix A.

Businesses located within an EZ are eligible to receive significant tax credits and benefits. In addition to being eligible for sales tax exemptions, Qualified Empire Zone Enterprises (QEZEs) are eligible for real property and business tax credits. The purpose of the Empire Zones Program is to give companies increasing their employment the opportunity to operate on an almost "tax-free" basis for up to 10 years, with additional savings available on a declining basis in years 11 through 15. The Empire Zone provides the following incentives and benefits as identified on the Empire Zone Website:

1. QEZE Sales Tax Exemptions: Qualified Empire Zone Enterprises (QEZEs) are granted a 10-year exemption from State sales tax on purchases of goods and services (including utility services and owned vehicles) used predominantly in such zone (effective March 1, 2001). 2. QEZE Credit for Real Property Taxes: Qualified Empire Zone Enterprises are allowed a refundable credit against their business tax equal to a percentage of real property taxes paid based upon increased employment in the zone (effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2001) 3. QEZE Tax Reduction Credit: Qualified Empire Zone Enterprises are allowed a credit against their tax equal to a percentage of taxes attributable to the zone enterprise (effective taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2001). 4. Wage Tax Credit (WTC): This credit is available for up to five consecutive years for companies hiring full-time employees in newly created jobs. For employees in

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special targeted groups, this credit equals $3,000 per year, with a credit of $1,500 per year effective January 1, 2001, for all other new hires. 5. EZ Investment Tax and Employment Incentives Credit (ITC-EIC): Businesses that create new jobs and make new investments in production, property and equipment may qualify for tax credits of up to 19% of the company's eligible investment. 6. New Business Refund: Businesses new to New York State are entitled to a 50% cash refund of unused EZ-WTC and ITC amounts. Other businesses may carry forward unused credits indefinitely. 7. Utility Rate Savings: Special reduced electric and gas rates may be available through investor-owned utilities in New York State. Businesses that locate or expand their operations in an EZ may receive significantly reduced rates. 8. Zone Capital Credit: A 25% tax credit against personal or corporate income taxes is available for contributing or purchasing shares in a zone capital corporation; or for a direct equity investment in a certified zone business; or for contributions to approved community development projects within an EZ. 9. Technical Assistance: Each local zone office is staffed with professionals qualified to assist businesses locating or expanding in an EZ. 10. Sales Tax Refund or Credit: Purchases of building materials to be used for commercial or industrial real property located in an EZ are eligible for a refund or credit of NYS sales taxes. A similar refund or credit of local sales tax may also be available from the locality. 11. Real Property Tax Abatement: EZs may offer tax abatements from an increased assessment, with the abatement value based on improvements to real property for up to 10 years. This holds true for up to seven years at 100%, decreasing over the last three years of the exemption.

GreeneBusiness Partnership

The GreeneBusiness Partnership is a public-private partnership of the Greene County Department of Planning and Economic Development, the Greene County Industrial Development Agency, and the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. This partnership fosters collaboration among organizations and businesses that are working towards a single goal of maintaining a high quality of life while improving the long-term economic stability of Greene County. GreeneBusiness is dedicated to making the county the best place to live, work, vacation and conduct business. The GreeneBusiness Partnership also works closely with three regional economic development agencies: the Center For

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Economic Growth (CEG), the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC), and the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC).

Other Economic Development Organizations

Coxsackie Area Chamber of Commerce

The Coxsackie Area Chamber of Commerce, according to its website, coxsackieareachamber.com, originally founded in 1996, currently has 120 members. A volunteer based group, the chamber’s mission is to retain and expand existing businesses within the Coxsackie area, including the Towns of Coxsackie, Athens, and New Baltimore. The organization’s ultimate goal is to attract new enterprises, improve the business climate, and increase public awareness of the benefits of the Coxsackie area. This website provides a link to the Greene County Industrial Development Agency website (Greeneida.com). The website also includes links to for a membership directory, information on chamber meetings and events, member news, and a community calendar.

Greene County Chamber of Commerce

The Greene County Chamber of Commerce (GCCC) was initiated in 1998 to develop a successful growth environment for area businesses. The Chamber promotes recruitment of new companies to the region and represents the interests of businesses to the legislative and governmental departments.

The Greene County Chamber of Commerce, with a website at greenecounty- chamber.com, is working to ―advance the general welfare and prosperity of Greene County by providing a unified voice and effective network for business, civic, cultural, and educational organizations.‖ The Chamber provides assistance to local and county organizations by providing ―access to trends, resources and high level expertise from county wide, regional and statewide organizations.‖ 17

Their website also provides a link to a socio-economic profile available on the County Planning and Economic Development website, as well as one to the Greenetourism.com’s detailed calendar of events listing and information on the County Fair.

17 Greene County Chamber of Commerce website, greenecounty-chamber.com

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Greene County Tourism Association

Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation

The Greene County Industrial Development Agency’s websites provides a link to the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation’s website, hvedc.com. This website has an interactive search function whereby site selectors or prospective businesses or developers can search for available buildings, parcels, or brownfields located in New York’s Hudson Valley (including Greene, Columbia, Ulster, Sullivan, Duchess, Orange, Putnam, Westchester, and Rockland Counties). Featured information on the website includes Empire Zone sites, ―shovel-ready sites,‖ and data back-up and recovery centers. According to Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, identified industrial clusters located within the region include biotechnology/pharmaceuticals; semiconductor/microelectronics; financial/insurance, and information technology.

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Transportation Resources

The general goal of a transportation system is to facilitate the economical movement of people, goods and services. Therefore, because we are all very dependent on surface transportation systems, including roads, bridges, transit, walkways, trails and the railroad, a well-planned and designed surface transportation system should be accommodating, safe for use, visually and environmentally friendly.

The transportation network within the Town and Village of Athens is comprised of Federal, State, County and Local roads. The major transportation corridor is the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87), which traverses the Town in a north-south direction. Access to the Thruway for Town and Village residents is either at Interchange 21 or 21B. A portion of Interchange 21 is located at the southern edge of the Town. However, the majority of the Interchange is located in the Town of Catskill. Interchange 21B is located in the Town of Coxsackie, which is approximately 10 miles from the Village of Athens. An inventory and analysis of I-87 was not conducted for this project. See the General Map in Appendix A.

The major non-interstate transportation corridors that carry a significant amount of commercial, commuter and local traffic in the Town and Village are US Route 9W and NYS Route 385. Other roads such as County Roads (CR) 28, 49, 49A, 53, 57, 74 and Town/Village roads such as Union Street and Flats Road also generate commuter and local traffic based upon their location and functionality.

Roadways are generally classified into six (6) categories, which are Urban or Rural Arterials, Local or Rural Collectors and Local or Rural Roads. A description of the various roadway classifications is as follows:

• Urban and Rural Arterials – varies from two-lane roadways to multi-lane, divided, controlled access facilities. They serve major areas of activity and are located between major destination points.

• Urban and Rural Collectors – typical two-lane roadways that collect and distribute traffic while providing access to abutting properties.

• Rural and Local Roads – typical low speed and low volume two-lane roadways that primarily provide access to abutting properties.

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The functionality of a road is a critical element, along with traffic volumes, operating speed, type of terrain, development density and land use that should be considered during the planning and design of a safe and efficient transportation system. Roadways that are classified as collectors or arterials may be eligible to receive federal and/or state funding for rehabilitation or reconstruction.

Existing Roadways Network

State/Federal Highway Non-Interstate Routes

A portion of US Route 9W and NYS Route 385 are within the Town and/or Village of Athens boundaries. The functional classification of these routes as noted in the NYSDOT Highway Sufficiency Ratings document is as follows:

• US Route 9W – Minor Rural Arterial • NYS Route 385 – Major Rural Collector

A summary of the characteristics and/or features of US Route 9W and NYS Route 385 are as follows:

US Route 9W

As previously stated, this route is functionally classified as a Minor Rural Arterial. The route runs parallel to and east of the Thruway in a north - south direction within the Town of Athens. The road mainly consists of two undivided travel lanes and paved shoulders. In addition, this route serves as a major transport of commuting traffic with direct access to Exit 21B of the Thruway.

The following traffic count and road condition data was obtained from the 2003 NYSDOT Highway Sufficiency Ratings:

From CR 28 to Town of Athens/Coxsackie boundary line: Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) - 7,010 Vehicles Percent of Truck Traffic - 5 Pavement Width – 30 feet Shoulder Width – 2 feet Pavement Type – Asphalt overlay of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement

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S Subbase Type – Gravel/Stone • Surface Condition: 6 – Fair, distress is clearly visible (isolated alligator cracking)

The posted speed limit is 55 MPH. Within the Town of Athens, the US Route 9W/CR 28 intersection is controlled by a traffic signal system. A ―STOP‖ sign on the minor approaches control all other intersections. Centerline pavement markings are provided to separate the travel lanes and edge line markings are provided at the pavement/shoulder area.

NYS Route 385

As previously stated, this route is functionally classified as a Rural Major Collector Road. The route generally runs in a north - south direction, parallels the Hudson River, and is located in the eastern portion of the Town and Village of Athens. The road consists of two undivided travel lanes and paved shoulders. Centerline pavement markings are provided to separate the travel lanes and edge line markings are provided at the pavement/shoulder area.

The following traffic count and road condition data was obtained from the 2003 NYSDOT Highway Sufficiency Ratings:

From Town/Village of Catskill Line to Town of Athens/Village of Athens Boundary line: Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) – 2,990 Vehicles Percent of Truck Traffic - 5 Pavement Width – 22 feet Shoulder Width – 3 feet Pavement Type – Asphalt Overlay over Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Subbase Type – Natural soil Surface Condition: 9 – Excellent

From Town of Athens/Village of Athens Boundary southern boundary line to CR 28: Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) – 2,990 Vehicles Percent of Truck Traffic - 5 Pavement Width – 22 to 24 feet Shoulder Width – 3 to 4 feet Pavement Type – Asphalt overlay of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement or Asphalt

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S Subbase Type – Gravel/Stone or natural soil • Surface Condition: 6 to 9 – Fair to excellent, distress is clearly visible in the fair condition area (isolated alligator cracking)

From CR 28 to - Town of Athens/Village of Athens northern boundary line: Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) – 1,800 Vehicles Percent of Truck Traffic - 5 Pavement Width – 22 to 24 feet Shoulder Width – 2 to 4 feet Pavement Type – Asphalt overlay of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement or Asphalt • Subbase Type – Gravel/Stone or natural soil • Surface Condition: 6 – Fair, distress is clearly visible in the fair condition area (isolated alligator cracking)

From Town of Athens/Village of Athens northern boundary line to Town of Athens/Coxsackie boundary line: Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) – 1,800 Vehicles Percent of Truck Traffic - 5 Pavement Width – 20 to 22 feet Shoulder Width – 2 to 3 feet Pavement Type – Asphalt overlay of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement or Asphalt • Subbase Type – Gravel/Stone • Surface Condition: 6 to 9 – Fair to excellent, distress is clearly visible in the fair condition area (isolated alligator cracking)

The speed limit from the Town of Athens/Coxsackie boundary line to north of the bridge over Murderers Creek is 55 MPH. However, posted speed limit signs are not provided. From south of the bridge over Murderers Creek to south of the intersection with South Washington Street, the posted speed limit is 30 MPH. The posted speed limit changes back to 55 MPH from South Washington Street to the Town of Athens/Catskill boundary line for most of this roadway.

The roadway section changes considerably within the limits of the Town and Village. Within the 55 MPH posted speed limit areas, the roadway character is rural. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic are accommodated on either the travel lane or narrow shoulders. Within the 30 MPH posted speed limit, the roadway character is urban. Concrete gutters

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 120 Inventory and Profile and sidewalks are generally provided in the ―urban‖ area. However, the condition of the sidewalk is fair to poor. In addition, there are gaps where sidewalks are not provided, such as adjacent to the Playground/Park area between Wheat Street and Goodrich Street.

Parking is also allowed in the ―urban‖ area, generally within the limits noted above. However, vehicles typically park on the concrete gutter and sidewalk due to the lack of adequate on-street parking spaces. On - street parking spaces are not striped.

County Roads

The Town/Village of Athens has six (6) County highways within their boundary. They are County Road (CR) 28, 49, 49A, 53, 57 and 74. County highways typically link state highways to local roads, and provide connections with other County or Town roads.

A summary of the characteristics and/or features of these road segments are as follows:

County Road (CR) 28 – Within the Village Boundary

This segment of County Road 28 (Schoharie Turnpike) runs in an east - west direction. The roadway provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders. Centerline markings are provided to separate the travel lanes, along with edge line markings. The posted speed limit is 30 MPH. The terrain is rolling with several horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduce the desirable sight distance.

County Road (CR) 28, From US Route 9W To Town/Village of Athens Boundary

This segment of County Road 28 (Schoharie Turnpike) also runs in an east - west direction. The roadway provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders. Centerline markings are provided to separate the travel lanes, along with edge line markings. The posted speed limit is 45 MPH. The terrain is rolling with several horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduce the desirable sight distance. A highway-railroad grade crossing exists with gates and signing for traffic control. However, pavement markings such as crossbars, clearance line and symbols on the approaches are not provided.

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County Road (CR) 49, From Gypsy Point Road to CR 49A

This segment of County Road 49 (Green Lake Road) runs in a north - south direction. The roadway provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders. Centerline markings are provided to separate the travel lanes. Edge line markings are not provided. The posted speed limit is 45 MPH and the terrain is rolling with numerous horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduce the desirable sight distance. One notable concern is the triangular shaped intersection with Buttermilk Falls Road.

County Road (CR) 49A, From CR 28 To CR 49

This segment of County Road 49A (Green Lake Road) runs in a north - south direction. The roadway provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders. Centerline markings are provided to separate the travel lanes. Edge line markings are not provided. The speed limit is 55 MPH. However it is not posted as such. The terrain is rolling with numerous horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduce the desirable sight distance.

County Road (CR) 53, From NYS Route 385 To CR 28

County Road 53 (Howard Hall Road) runs in a north - south direction. The roadway provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders. Centerline markings are provided to separate the travel lanes. Edge line markings are not provided. The speed limit is 55 MPH. However it is not posted as such. The terrain is rolling with numerous horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduce the desirable sight distance. One notable concern is the triangular shaped intersection with CR 28.

County Road (CR) 57, From Union Street To Town Athens/Coxsackie Boundary

This segment of County Road 57 (Farm To Market Road) runs in a north - south direction. The roadway provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders. Centerline markings are provided to separate the travel lanes. Edge line markings are not provided. The speed limit is 55 MPH within the limits of the Town of Athens. However, it is not posted as such. The posted speed limit is 30 MPH within the Village of Athens and the terrain is rolling with numerous horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduce the desirable sight distance.

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County Road (CR) 74 – From US Route 9W To CR 28

This segment of County Road 74 (Leeds-Athens Road) runs in an east - west direction. The roadway provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders. Centerline markings are provided to separate the travel lanes, along with edge line markings. The posted speed limit is 30 MPH within the Village of Athens boundary. However, the posted speed limit changes to 55 MPH in the Town of Athens. The terrain is rolling with several horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduce the desirable sight distance.

A highway-railroad grade crossing exists with gates and signing for traffic control. However, pavement markings such as crossbars, clearance line and symbols on the approaches are not provided.

Local Roads

The Town and Village have a well-designed transportation system that generally functions well for local residents. For the most part, the roadways are well maintained and traffic flows smoothly. In the Village, pedestrians are generally accommodated via concrete or old slate sidewalks along various roadway segments. Crosswalks are provided at some of the major intersections and side street crossings.

Flats Road – From CR 28 To Hallenbeck Road

This segment of Flats Road runs in a north - south direction. The roadway provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders. Centerline markings and edge line markings are not provided and the posted speed limit is 45 MPH. The terrain is rolling with several horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduces the desirable sight distance.

Union Street – From CR 28 To NYS Route 385

The roadway runs in an east - west direction and provides two undivided travel lanes. Centerline markings and edge line markings are not provided, and the posted speed limit is 30 MPH. From CR 28 to Constantine Court, the character of the road is more rural, and from Constantine Road to NYS Route 385 it is urban. A 5-TON weight limit restriction is posted from NYS Route 385 to CR 57. The terrain is rolling with several

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 123 Inventory and Profile horizontal and vertical curves, which in some cases reduce the desirable sight distance. A bicyclist was witnessed utilizing the road for access.

Previous Transportation Studies

Route 9W Corridor Study

The Greene County Planning Board performed a study of Route 9W in 1991 The purpose of the study was to develop design standards and an action plan that would assist the local municipalities in planning for better development. The study included background information such as existing land use, population, physical features and regulations, circulation, business and industry. The following recommendations resulted from the study:

• Development Design Standards that include layout, roadway and conservation setbacks, height of structures, property access, separation of vehicular and pedestrian, separation of uses, landscaping, buffering, signage, lighting and gateways; • Actions on Zoning, Subdivision and other Laws and Regulations.

The following transportation related items were recommended:

Proposed roadway setbacks from an arterial shall be 72 feet from the centerline of the road. The setback from a collector road shall be 60 feet; Access to individual properties shall be from local roads, which will connect to collector road, which in turn connects to an arterial road; Driveways to major commercial, office or industrial developments should only be provided if controlled by a traffic signal system or provided with proper turning lanes; Vehicular and pedestrian traffic should be separated via well designed pathway systems; In mixed developments, commercial and residential traffic should be provided with separate access routes; Establish sign design standards; Curb cuts along arterials and collector roads need to meet design and sight distance criteria.

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Alternative Transportation Options

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations

The comparatively dense Village of Athens has sidewalks, while the more widely dispersed Town area does not. Most of the Village’s sidewalks are older and are deteriorating in spots.

Greene County Transit System

The Greene County Transit system has been providing public transportation since 1980 and includes bus service between the Village of Catskill and the outlying areas of the county. The morning run brings passengers from the pickup points to any point along the route on its way to Catskill. In addition, a mid-day shuttle circulates throughout the Village of Catskill.

Buses are handicapped accessible and the Greene County Department of the Aging subsidizes fares for qualifying seniors. Transit service stops in Athens twice per day at the intersection of 9W and Schoharie Turnpike, the Athens Post Office, Stewart’s, Rivertown Center and Rivertown Apartments.

In addition to the listed designated stops, buses may be flagged down at any safe point along the route and, with appropriate notice to the driver, passengers can request alternate drop-off points. The schedule allows for up to three route deviations of up to one mile off the main route. Any passenger, regardless of age may take advantage of the route deviation service but must contact the bus company in advance.

Funding for the Greene County Transit system includes the above-mentioned subsidy, fares, cash match by Greene County and Operating Assistance from NYS Department of Transportation. The state’s assistance is based upon the number of passengers served and the number of miles traveled.

Air Transportation

Air transportation for the Town and Village of Athens is provided by three major airports within the region, Albany International, Stewart International and Dutchess County Airport, as well as a number of small craft airports such as the Columbia County Airport,

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Catskill Valley Airport, Deer Run Airport and Hunter-Mountain Airport. Albany International Airport, located in Albany County, New York, which is approximately 33 miles north of Athens by way of the NYS Thruway, provides approximately 110 commercial arrivals and departures every day. The airport was expanded in 1998 with a 230,000 square foot terminal designed to accommodate 1.5 million flights annually. Parking is provided for over 5,000 vehicles and a shuttle service from distant parking lots is offered. Commercial airline providers include; Air Canada, American Eagle, Continental, Continental Connection, Delta, Independence Air, Northwest, Southwest, United/United Express, US Airways/US Airways Express/Metrojet.

Stewart International Airport, located approximately 57 miles south of Athens in the Town of Newburgh, Orange County, is the nation's first privatized commercial airport that is operating under a 99-year lease agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation. The airport's main terminal was completely redesigned in 1998. The airport is affiliated with a number of nationally recognized carriers and regional providers such as Northwest, American Eagle, US Airways Express and Independence Air.

Dutchess County Airport, located in Wappingers Falls, New York, about 7 miles south of the City of Poughkeepsie, provides corporate and general aviation transportation services. Their major carrier is USAir/USAir Express.

Scenic Byway Route 385

Running 3.5 miles long from Athens to Coxsackie, a segment NYS Route 385 was designated a Scenic Byway in 1992. The Scenic Byway Program was created through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) to basically offer an official name for back roads that Americans have enjoyed for years. The development of the Interstate system demanded a re-recognition or appreciation of the slower pace of these back roads. The Scenic Byway Program attempts to allow travelers to rediscover the beautiful and unique places along America’s varied countryside. In doing so, it promotes tourism and encourages beautification and maintenance of the route. The NYS DOT offers grant opportunities through the Scenic Byway Program for things such as safety and access improvements along designated byways. Grant opportunities would only be available to the Town and Village of Athens if the governing body adopted an official management plan for Route 385.In 2003, the Towns and Villages of Athens, Catskill, and Coxsackie drafted an agreement to form ―The Greene County Rivertowns Association‖ to ―promote and protect natural and man-made historic, cultural, scenic and recreational resources along and adjacent to Scenic Byway Route 385.‖ Broadly, the

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 126 Inventory and Profile goals behind this agreement were to build the local economy by fostering tourism of the coastal communities, increase public awareness of local resources, and develop a Corridor Management Plan for Scenic Byway Route 385, to be named ―The Thomas Cole Scenic Byway.‖ This resolution was also an early attempt at promoting intermunicipal cooperation among the communities. There was some controversy surrounding the creation of this Corridor Management Plan, concerning State regulations for advertising signs along the Scenic Byway, and at this time this plan is not being pursued.

Road Intersections of Concern

Compilation of surveys for the community profile indicated concerns over a number of intersections and areas of traffic and pedestrian safety. These areas include:

Table 31: Public Identified Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Concerns Traffic Safety Concerns Pedestrian Safety Concerns

Second Street and 385 Second Street and 385 Route 385 through the Village Route 385 Third Street with no sidewalks Howard Hall Road Leeds Athens Road at various locations Intersection of Greenlake and Buttermilk Schoharie Turnpike Leeds Athens & 9W Sleepy Hollow Road (both entrances) Vernon Street at 385 Union Street Schoharie Turnpike Vernon Street Sleepy Hollow Road Union Street

It should be noted that most of these concerns overlap, indicating both traffic and pedestrian safety issues for each.

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Physical and Environmental Features

The physical and environmental features in the Town of and Village of Athens have been studied, analyzed and mapped. The following maps illustrate these features:

Topography Wetlands Water Features Scenic Areas of Statewide Importance Slope Bedrock Geology Floodplains

Topography

The topography of Athens includes three major areas: a fairly level terrace flanking the Hudson River; the Kalkberg Hills, just west of the terrace; and the Hoogeberg Hills, extending from the Kalkberg’s to an area beyond the western border of the town. The terrace is mostly level and ranges in elevation from 150 to 200 feet. It is about four miles wide and rises fairly steeply up from the Hudson River, especially in the area of the town south of the village. Some portions of the terrace are somewhat hilly – in an area west and south of the village and in areas where streams have eroded the terrace. The entire Village of Athens lies within this topographical area.

The Kalkberg’s (Dutch for ―limestone mountain‖) is a range of low hills parallel to and at the west margin of the Hudson River terrace. New York State Route 9W is located along the line which divides these two areas. The range is less than a mile wide and varies in altitude from 200 to 350 feet.

The Hoogeberg Hills in northern Greene County is a triangular area lying between the Kalberg’s and the valley of the Catskill Creek. Within the Town of Athens, it extends from the vicinity of the Hans Vossen Hill and the NYS Thruway to the town’s western border along the Potic Creek. It is composed of numerous rounded hills rather than distinct ranges. Elevations here range from 200 to 700 feet.

This topographic pattern is easily identifiable on the Topography Map.

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Steep Slopes:

Slopes that limit development are usually defined as those in excess of 15%. Using this criteria, there are relatively few areas within the town that are constrained. A narrow band of very steep slopes (over 45%) is seen on the edge of the Kalberg’s. Some slopes of about 15% are scattered in a north/south direction mostly west of the Thruway. Along the Hudson River terrace, steep slopes are confined mostly to stream edges and banks. See the Steep Slopes Map in Appendix A.

Water Features and Wetlands

Freshwater wetlands are a valuable natural resource. When associated with a stream, they have the ability to temporarily store and gradually release large amounts of water. By helping streams maintain a more constant flow rate, they serve as flood and storm water control areas and are important to controlling erosion and flooding to areas downstream. Other benefits of wetlands include: water purification, maintenance of important wildlife habitats and open spaces, and recreation. Wetlands are identified on the basis of existing vegetative types and soils. Certain plants are predominant in wet soils and are, therefore, a good indicator of wet conditions over time.

Pursuant to ECL Article 24 Parts 662 and 663, New York State protects freshwater wetlands larger than 12.4 acres. Smaller wetlands may also be protected under federal regulations. The Freshwater Wetlands Act, aimed at preventing wetlands being filled or drained, regulates activities within or adjacent to designated wetlands. A permit issued by the NYS DEC for regulated activities is required. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has jurisdiction over all wetlands not administered by the NYS DEC. Permits need to be secured prior to any filling, alteration, or construction in or adjacent to any wetlands. See the Water, Wetlands, and Wet Soils Map in Appendix A.

The wetland map shows many regulated wetlands in Athens, mostly in the mid-portions of the Town and east to the Hudson River. An extensive wetland complex, including tidal pools, exists along almost the entire boundary with the Hudson River, except in parts of the Village of Athens. This large complex includes areas near the Cohotate Preserve starting where Corlaer Kill Creek enters the Hudson River, north to the border with Coxsackie, except for certain areas of the Village. Most of the other wetlands away from the River are associated with, and found along creeks and streams. Another large complex of regulated wetlands exists from Green Lake Park, north to the town boundary. Corlaer Creek and Murderers Creek also have extensive wetlands along them.

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Flood Hazard Areas

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides floodplain boundary maps. The mapped boundaries delineate the flood elevation that has a 1 percent chance (100-year zone) or 0.2 percent chance (500-year zone) of being equaled or exceeded each year. The Flood Insurance Rate maps identify areas within the town which are prone to flooding. The Town participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and is eligible for assistance from FEMA in the event of a flood and has adopted the flood plain regulations as set forth in the Flood Insurance Study for the town and village. Many of the NYS DEC regulated wetlands are also located in or adjacent to floodplain areas.

In Athens, the designated floodplains are concentrated along the Potic Creek and the Hudson River. Along the Hudson, the floodplain includes all of the shoreline, Middle Ground Flats, and up Murderers Creek to the dam. A narrow floodplain exists along the length of Potic Creek and then widens at the border between Athens and Catskill. See the Flood Hazards Map in Appendix A.

Other Water Features:

The Hudson River and its tributaries within the Town, along with the man-made reservoir at Sleepy Hollow are the other predominant water features in Athens. The Sleepy Hollow Lake was formed by damming Murderers Creek.

Water Quality:

The Hudson River is classified as a Class A water by New York State. A Class A water body is considered a source of water supply for drinking, for processing purposes, fishing, and primary/secondary recreation. The waters are also suitable for fish propagation and survival. The other creeks in Athens are classified as Class C (best usage is fishing, fish propagation and survival) or Ct (same as C, but with the addition of suitable for trout propagation and survival).

New York also develops an annual list of impaired water bodies. In the Town of Athens, Sleepy Hollow Lake is on the Section 303d List of Impaired Waters due to silt and sediment caused by stream bank erosion. It is considered a high priority water to have a restoration strategy developed for submission to the USEPA. There are currently no other impaired water bodies identified in the Town.

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Coastal Zone:

The entire boundary of the Town and Village of Athens along the Hudson River is included in the New York State Coastal Zone (See the Coastal Zone Map in Appendix A). A Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) has been developed for the Village of Athens (adopted September 1999) but not in the Town. Not all of the Village of Athens is included in the coastal zone: it is bounded on the west by NYS Route 385 except where the boundary extends inland approximately one-half mile to include the more developed section of the Village. The LWRP details land uses, fish and wildlife habitats, wetlands, flood areas, water quality, and other natural resources of the Village’s coastal zone. For the Village of Athens, three major issues are addressed in the LWRP: preservation of the natural waterfront environment while allowing public use; restoration of the village center; and affordable housing. The land and water use plan for the Village proposes four general land use categories: urban area; urban waterfront area; waterfront recreation and open space areas; and planned open space residential. Proposed public and private projects discussed in the LWRP include village park improvements, removal of abandoned barges, improvement and/or acquisition of waterfront property, creation of walking and bike trails, creating of accessible scenic over looks, and historic district improvements.

Bedrock Geology:

Bedrock is the many-miles-thick crust of the earth. It is solid rock made up of many individual rock types. It is present everywhere, but is usually covered by other surficial deposits. Bedrock generally is covered by a skin of soil and other loose material, especially in regions with humid climates. This cover material results as weathering breaks down the surface rock. The loose materials may remain in place or be eroded, transported, and deposited by water, wind, or glacial ice. In 90 percent of New York State, bedrock is buried by surficial deposits that are more than one meter thick. Most of these deposits were left by a continental glacier (an ice sheet) that was perhaps 2 km thick.

The Town of Athens is underlain by several major bedrock formations (See the Bedrock Geology Map in Appendix A). Most of the town and the entire village are located on Normanskill and Deephill Shales. These rocks consist of gray sandstone, shale, chert and thin-bedded limestone. This area yields small to moderate supplies of commonly hard water with an average well yield of 6 to 10 gallons per minute. Further west is the bedrock of Onondaga limestone and Esopus Shale. This mile-wide area consists of blue-

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 131 Inventory and Profile gray limestone, siltstone and chert. These formations yield small to moderate water supplies with average well yields of 8 to 10 gallons per minute. To the west of this formation is the Bakoven Shale, Mount Marion Formation, and the Ashokan Formation. The small amount of Bakoven shale is narrow (500 feet wide) and has no known supply of water. The Mount Marion and Ashokan formations are mainly gray sandstone. These rocks typically have small water yields (3 and 7 gallons per minute, respectively).

Soils

The soils in the Town of Athens are largely a reflection of the last ice age, composed of materials deposited in that era and subsequently tempered by climatic conditions. The area of the town east of the Thruway is composed of soils which are glacial lake deposits while to the west are found soils composed of glacial till. Fifteen different soil associations have been identified in the Town of Athens. Analysis of the soils data indicates that only small portions in the southwest and northeast corners of the town have soils suitable for intense development. Suitable building sites can often be found within the unsuitable areas if an adequate septic system is constructed.

Ecological Data

Breeding Bird Atlas

The Town and Village of Athens were included in both the 1980 to 1985 and 2000 to 2005 New York State Breeding Bird Atlas. To date, approximately 90 different bird species have been recorded as being present or likely breeders in the town. Of these, three species are considered threatened species, four are listed as species of special concern by the state, 10 are game species, three are unprotected and the remainder have protected status as migratory birds. The species present in the town illustrate the wide variety of habitats available and range from water and shore birds, to those found in open fields and forests.

Species that are listed as threatened include the Northern Harrier, Least Bittern, and the Bald Eagle. Species listed as special concern include the Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Bittern, Coopers Hawk, and Red-shouldered Hawk.

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Herpetological Atlas

As part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s effort at a state-wide herpetological atlas (reptiles and amphibians), several species have been identified as being present in the Town and Village of Athens. Nine species have been identified to date, although the inventory is not complete. These species were inventoried at the Cohotate Preserve, Maggies Hole at Potic Creek, Green Lake, and Middle Ground Flats and include:

Common Snapping Turtle Eastern Garter Snake Gray Tree frog Green Frog Northern Redbacked Salamander Northern Spring Peeper Northern two-lined Salamander Northern Water Snake Red Spotted Newt

Rare Species and Ecological Communities

Several rare species and ecological communities have been identified in the Town of Athens by the New York Natural Heritage Program. These species include the following:

Plants

Long’s Bittercress (Threatened) Downy Wood-mint (Endangered) Stiff-leaf Goldenrod (Threatened) Estuary Beggar-ticks (Rare) Smooth Bur-marigold (Threatened) Golden Club (Threatened) Heartleaf Plantain (Threatened) American Waterwort (Endangered) Spongy Arrowhead (Threatened)

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Birds

• Least bittern (threatened)

Fish

Shortnose Sturgeon (Endangered) Significant Ecological Communities Freshwater Tidal Marsh (considered imperiled in NY and globally vulnerable) Calcareous Cliff Community (vulnerable in NY, but globally secure) Calcareous Talus Slope Community (vulnerable in NY, and globally vulnerable) Shale Talus Slope Woodland (vulnerable in NY, and globally vulnerable) Oak-Hickory Forest (Apparently secure) Shale Cliff and Talus Community (vulnerable in NY, but globally secure) Freshwater Tidal Swamp (considered critically imperiled in NY, and imperiled globally) Freshwater Intertidal Mudflats (considered imperiled in NY, and globally vulnerable) Freshwater Intertidal Shore (considered imperiled in NY, and globally vulnerable)

Critical Habitats:

New York State’s Coastal Management Program includes a total of 44 policies which are applicable to development and use proposals within or affecting the State’s coastal area. Any activity that is subject to review under Federal or State laws, or under applicable local laws contained in an approved LWRP will be judged for its consistency with these policies. One of the policies established relates to fish and wildlife resources. In order to meet this policy, New York State has evaluated, designated and mapped significant coastal fish and wildlife habitats. New York has designated several critical habitats within the Town of Athens.

These include Middle Ground Flats and the tidal flats and swamps along the Hudson River. These tidal flats include the West Flats and Vosburgh Swamp. These areas were included due to a high significance related to ecosystem rarity (rare in the Hudson Valley), potential species vulnerability (mud turtle and least bittern), human use (shad fishery and waterfowl hunting), and unusual population levels of waterfowl and various anadromous fish species. Directly across from the Middle Ground Flats critical habitat area is the Stockport Creek State Wetlands Preservation Area on the Columbia County

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 134 Inventory and Profile side of the river which includes another complex of tidal flats, wetlands, and the Stockport Creek on that side of the River.

Habitat Description:

Vosburgh Swamp and Middle Ground Flats have been designated by New York State as a Critical Habitat and it extends for approximately four miles along the western shore of the Hudson River, upstream from the Village of Athens, in the Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County (7.5' Quadrangle: Hudson North, N.Y.). The fish and wildlife habitat encompasses approximately 1,200 acres, comprised primarily of extensive mudflats and shallows, off-channel open water areas, hardwood swamp, a freshwater impoundment (Vosburgh Swamp) and spoil bank islands. The habitat also includes Murderers Creek, upstream approximately one-half mile to Sleepy Hollow Lake dam, which is the first impassable barrier to fish.

Fish and Wildlife Values:

Extensive tidal mudflats and shallow areas are relatively rare in the Hudson Valley region. These habitat types, along with the emergent wetlands and open water areas, make the Vosburgh Swamp and Middle Ground Flats area very attractive to many fish and wildlife species. This area provides valuable feeding and resting habitat for large concentrations of waterfowl during the fall and spring migrations. Approximately 10,000 canvasbacks, along with various other waterfowl species, have been reported in the area during seasonal migrations. When open water is available, this area also provides an important waterfowl wintering area in the upper Hudson Valley region, especially significant for redhead and canvasback ducks. Several spoil bank islands on Middle Ground Flats provide relatively unique vertical sand banks that have been colonized by bank swallows. This is one of the few locations in this section of the Hudson River where this species has been confirmed breeding. Mud turtles (T) and least bittern (SC) have been reported to reside in Vosburgh Swamp, but this has not been confirmed for either species. This wetland area does provide potential habitat for various other marsh- nesting birds, including green-backed heron, American bittern, black duck, mallard, wood duck, Virginia rail, common moorhen, and marsh wren. Several rare plant species, including heartleaf plantain, and subulate arrowhead, occur in river shoreline areas near Vosburgh Swamp. Human use of the Vosburgh Swamp and Middle Ground Flats area is of regional significance. The area receives very heavy waterfowl hunting pressure during the fall migration period.

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A heavy concentration of American shad utilize the littoral zone areas at West Flats and around Middle Ground Flats for spawning. This area, including Murderers Creek, is also utilized as a spawning, nursery, and feeding area by striped bass, alewife, blueback herring, white perch, and a variety of resident freshwater species. In addition, one of the northernmost commercial shad fisheries is established in the vicinity of Middle Ground Flats. A NYSDEC boat launch is located on the south side of Murderer's Creek, providing access for recreational fishing throughout the area.

Impact Assessment Requirements:

A habitat impairment test must be met for any activity that is subject to consistency review under federal and State laws, or under applicable local laws contained in an approved local waterfront revitalization program. If the proposed action is subject to consistency review, then the habitat protection policy applies, whether the proposed action is to occur within or outside the designated area. The specific habitat impairment test that must be met is as follows: In order to protect and preserve a significant habitat, land and water uses or development shall not be undertaken if such actions would destroy the habitat or significantly impair the viability of a habitat.

(Habitat destruction is defined as the loss of fish or wildlife use through direct physical alteration, disturbance, or pollution of a designated area or through the indirect effects of these actions on a designated area. Habitat destruction may be indicated by changes in vegetation, substrate, or hydrology, or increases in runoff, erosion, sedimentation, or pollutants. Significant impairment is defined as reduction in vital resources (e.g., food, shelter, living space) or change in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, substrate, salinity) beyond the tolerance range of an organism. Indicators of a significantly impaired habitat focus on ecological alterations and may include but are not limited to reduced carrying capacity, changes in community structure (food chain relationships, species diversity), reduced productivity and/or increased incidence of disease and mortality. The tolerance range of an organism is not defined as the physiological range of conditions beyond which a species will not survive at all, but as the ecological range of conditions that supports the species population or has the potential to support a restored population, where practical. Either the loss of individuals through an increase in emigration or an increase in death rate indicates that the tolerance range of an organism has been exceeded. An abrupt increase in death rate may occur as an environmental factor falls beyond a tolerance limit (a range has both upper and lower limits).

Any activity that would substantially degrade water quality, increase turbidity or temperature, or alter water depths in the Vosburgh Swamp and Middle Ground Flats habitat would result in significant impairment of the habitat. Disruption of the freshwater

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 136 Inventory and Profile or tidal flows in these areas could have major consequences to the littoral zones, wetlands, and mudflats which contribute significantly to the value of this habitat. Elimination of productive wetland and littoral areas, through dredging, filling, or bulkheading would have significant impacts on the fish and wildlife resources of Vosburgh Swamp and Middle Ground Flats. Spills of oil or other hazardous substances are an especially significant threat to this area, because the biological activity of tidal flats is concentrated at the soil surface, much of which may be directly exposed to these pollutants. Thermal discharges, depending on time of year, may have variable effects on use of the area by aquatic species (and wintering waterfowl); shad spawning activities and survival are directly affected by water temperature. Installation and operation of water intakes could have significant impacts on fish populations in the area, through impingement of juvenile and adult fish, or entrainment of fish eggs and larval stages.

Scenic Areas & Views

Community meeting feedback indicates that town and village residents value the scenic nature of the community and the surrounding landscape. Responses particularly noted the quaint small-town architecture and layout, its Hudson River setting, the quantity of green open space, the diversity of natural habitats, and views of the Catskills Mountains and foothills.

Specific scenic locations include the following: High Hill Road at Schoharie Turnpike with scenic views of Coxsackie, Athens, the Hudson River, the City of Hudson, and the Berkshire Mountains; Leeds Athens Road at Forest Avenue with views of the Blue Mountains of Saugerties; Howard Hall Road with views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains; and Sandy Plains Road at High Hill Road with views of the Cauterskill Creek, the Helderberg Mountains, and Windham Mountain. Residents also identified scenic views along both Vosenkill and Cross Roads in the town.

Both the town and the village have portions of their Hudson River waterfront located within the designated State Coastal Area overseen by New York’s Department of State. New York’s Coastal policy #24 mandates that state actions and decisions ―prevent impairment of scenic resources of statewide significance‖; and policy #25 mandates that the state ―protect, restore, or enhance natural, and man-made resources which are not identified as being of statewide significance, but which contribute to the overall scenic quality of the coastal area.‖ Both of these policies potentially affect the Town and Village of Athens.

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The Village has also adopted a state-approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program under the Department of State’s Coastal Zone Management Regulations, adding weight to these state criteria in its decision-making as well as formally identifying scenic resources and enhancements of local significance.

State Route 385 is a State Scenic Byway for 3.5 miles of its length south of the Village of Coxsackie border. It was originally designated as a scenic road under a program of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation later transferred to the NYS Department of Transportation. Until the Town and/or Village adopt a corridor management plan for Route 385, this Scenic Byway designation essentially has no real influence on the future development of the corridor.

Scenic Area of Statewide Significance (SASS):

In recognition of the scenic value of the coast, New York's Coastal Management Program (CMP) includes two policies which provide for the protection and enhancement of this unique resource. Policy 24 provides for the designation and protection of scenic areas of statewide significance; and Policy 25 requires that proposed actions located outside a designated SASS must protect, restore or enhance the overall scenic quality of the coastal area. Both policies call for agencies to determine if a proposed action would impair scenic quality. The policies state that impairment of a landscape's scenic quality can occur in two principal ways: 1) through the irreversible modification or destruction of landscape features and architectural elements which contribute significantly to the scenic quality of the coast, and 2) through the addition of structures which reduce views or are discordant with the landscape because of their inappropriate scale, form, or construction materials. See the Coastal Zone Map in Appendix A.

Regulations governing the designation of scenic areas of statewide significance are found in 19 NYCRR Part 602.5. Both policies include siting and design guidelines which are to be used to evaluate the impact of proposed development, recognizing that each situation is unique and that the guidelines must be applied accordingly. The guidelines address the appropriate siting of new structures and other development; the use of scale, form and materials which are compatible with the landscape's existing scenic components; the incorporation of historic elements in new development; the maintenance of existing landforms and vegetation; and the removal and screening of discordant features.

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The Hudson River coastal landscape has a wealth and variety of scenic resources, shaped by a unique combination of geological forces and historical events. Majestic mountains and formidable bluffs rise above the Hudson's waters in some stretches of the river. In others, forested slopes, estate lawns, extensive marshlands and farm fields line its shorelands. The Hudson River region has played an important role in the nation's history. It spawned the Hudson River School of Painting and the Romantic Landscape style. World-renowned artists have responded to its beauty, and the works of major architects line the river's corridor. Historic river landings and villages evidence the Hudson's past as a bustling transportation corridor. Today, tourism is the major industry; and national and State parks and historic sites attract visitors from around the nation and the world.

Six stretches of the Hudson River and its shorelands have been designated as scenic areas of statewide significance. These are the Columbia-Greene North SASS, the Catskill- Olana SASS, the Estates District SASS, the Ulster North SASS, the Esopus-Lloyd SASS and the Hudson Highlands SASS. They include a fiord in the Hudson Highlands, an impressive collection of significant estates along the Hudson River's mid-section, the landscape where Thomas Cole and Frederic Church made their homes, and the pastoral landscape south of the State capital. Each designated SASS encompasses unique, highly scenic landscapes which are accessible to the public and recognized for their scenic quality. Each designated SASS is comprised primarily of clusters of distinctive subunits.

Designation affords special protection from potentially adverse federal or State actions which could impair the scenic quality of the SASS. Narratives prepared for each SASS describe the character and scenic quality of the SASS landscape, providing guidance to the public and regulatory agencies as to which landscape elements should be protected and which actions could impair the scenic quality of the SASS.

Additional protection of SASS can be afforded by municipalities which prepare Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRP). Local land use authority is an important tool for the protection of scenic resources. In communities with an approved LWRP all three levels of government - federal, State and local - are working toward a common goal. Designation of the SASS does not impinge on local government decisions.

Two Scenic Areas of Statewide Significance (SASS), centered on the Hudson River, bookend the north and south borders of the Town. The Catskill-Olana SASS is centered around Olana State Historic Site, Rogers Island. Portions of the town and village shoreline would be visible from this designated scenic area, potentially affecting its integrity. Portions of The Columbia-Greene North SASS centered on the Vosburgh

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Swamp (subunit 11) and historic farmlands located on the Hudson River shore between State Route 385 and the west flats (subunit 12) are located in the Town’s northeast corner. Within these two scenic areas, three subunits have been designated and include the Vosburgh Swamp Subunit, the Athens-Coxsackie Farmland Subunit, and the Stockport Creek Subunit of the SASS. The following descriptions of these subunits of the SASS were taken directly from the website of the NYS Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources 18:

Vosburgh Swamp Subunit of the SASS:

Location

The Vosburgh Swamp subunit encompasses some 450 acres midway between the Villages of Coxsackie and Athens, including the west flats and Vosburgh Swamp as well as Four Mile Point. The subunit's northern boundary, a common boundary with the Lampman Hill subunit, lies just south of Beecher Road. Its western boundary, a common boundary with the CGN-12 Athens-Coxsackie Farmland subunit, generally follows the edge of the wetland except in the north where the boundary reaches west to NY Route 385. The subunit is located in the Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County.

Physical Character

Topographic variety is limited. The southern two-thirds of the subunit is comprised of a broad, flat marsh at the base of wooded bluffs. The northern portion consists of long, gradual slopes at the bottom of which lie a broad plain and low hills located along the Hudson River. There is a diverse mix of vegetation types including marsh vegetation, woodlands, pasture, orchard and lawns. The great variety of marsh vegetation contrasts with the heavy cover of trees on the surrounding upland. Water, including the Hudson River, coves, ponds and rivulets in the marsh, is the dominant element. The Hudson is about 3500 feet wide in this area. The shoreline is diverse, encompassing meandering streams, irregular marsh boundaries and more regular pond configurations. Small sandy beaches appear at low tide.

18 New York State Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources, http://nyswaterfronts.com/index.asp.

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Cultural Character

Isolated by the marsh, a small group of homes is clustered on a low rise called Four Mile Point. Partially hidden in the trees, they symbolize an older way of life along the river. The buildings provide a charming cultural element in the midst of this natural area. The subunit is generally well maintained, but some discordant features such as abandoned gravel pits and scattered new housing are present. Wildlife, river traffic and rising mists over the Hudson contribute ephemeral effects.

The roadbed of the Saratoga and Hudson River Railroad is still visible in the northern portion of the subunit. Built in 1867 by Cornelius Vanderbilt to bring farm produce and other goods from inland areas to the docks in Athens, the railroad was dubbed the White Elephant Railroad when its docks and depot burned nine years after their construction. A 19th century stone lighthouse with clapboard wings still stands at the elbow of Four Mile Point. Once the site of ice houses, the point is now a quiet, rather isolated landscape with a strong relationship to the Hudson River. The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc. owns the 7.6 acre Four Mile Point Preserve, opened in September 1992, which provides public access to the river, a beach, picnic area, and a promontory trail and overlook with spectacular views of the river, Stockport Middleground Flats, and agricultural lands of Columbia County. The Town of Coxsackie manages and maintains the preserve.

Views

The subunit offers full views of the Hudson, its islands, and the bluffs and hills of the Hudson's eastern shore. The depth of views is limited only by the relatively low elevation. There are moderately long views up and down the Hudson for two to three miles. Some broad views extend 90 to 180 degrees, and those from the upland areas to the east extend to the Taconic Hills. Views to the west across the pastures at the top of the slopes reach to the distant Catskill Mountains. With a background of river and low hills, the composition is horizontal, unified and tranquil.

Interior landward views are of historic barns and houses framed with large trees and surrounded by lawns with the Hudson for a backdrop. Four Mile Point Road is narrow and winding, revealing new compositions with each turn. Views from the road include the Hudson River, ponds, marshes, woodlands and historic structures.

The Vosburgh Swamp subunit is accessible from Four Mile Point Road and from the Hudson River. It is visible from NY Route 385, the Hudson and its eastern shore, including the passing railroad trains. There is evidence of use of the beach areas for

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 141 Inventory and Profile picnicking and viewing the Hudson River. The abandoned right-of-way of the White Elephant Railroad is used informally by local residents to gain access near the Hudson River. Public accessibility has increased with opening of the Four-Mile Point Preserve.

Public Recognition

The Vosburgh Swamp is known for its wildlife values and attracts bird watchers from around the Northeast. Four Mile Point is well known to boaters. Otherwise the subunit is known primarily by local residents, particularly hunters. NY Route 385 is a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law, and the Vosburgh Swamp subunit is visible from the highway. The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc. recently purchased land on Four-Mile Point for a park open to the public.

Reason For Inclusion

The Vosburgh Swamp subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it is a distinctive landscape with a great variety of vegetation and a moderately varied landform. The texture and color of the marshland vegetation contrast with that of the wooded uplands. The historic structures also provide an element of contrast, although they are well integrated with the natural setting. The water elements of the Hudson River and the Vosburgh Swamp are dominant and unify the subunit. The subunit is publicly accessible from the Hudson River and NY Route 385 and visible from Route 385, the Hudson River and its eastern shore. NY Route 385 is a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law because of the views it provides, including views of the Vosburgh Swamp subunit. Public recognition is generally limited to local residents except for that segment of the public involved in bird watching and hunting. Public accessibility has increased with opening of the Four-Mile Point Preserve.

Athens-Coxsackie Farmland Subunit of the SASS

Location

The Athens-Coxsackie Farmland subunit is comprised of about 500 acres of land bordering NY Route 385. Its northern boundary is a common boundary with the Lampman Hill subunit, anchored at the intersection of Route 385 and Four Mile Point Road. The eastern boundary of the subunit is the common boundary with the Vosburgh Swamp subunit. The Village of Athens northern boundary constitutes the southern boundary of the subunit and the southern boundary of the SASS on the Greene County

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 142 Inventory and Profile side of the Hudson River. The subunit is located in the Towns of Athens and Coxsackie, Greene County. Consult the Columbia-Greene SASS map sheet number 3 for subunit boundaries.

Physical Character

The subunit is characterized by successional farmland on a low bluff overlooking Vosburgh Swamp and the Hudson River. The land slopes down from the highway to the Hudson, from an elevation of 100 to 150 feet, creating a moderate amount of topographic diversity. Vegetation is a mix of second growth deciduous forest, pasture, hayfield and scrub. The shoreline is moderately varied, consisting of small coves and bays and the marsh edges.

Cultural Character

The Athens-Coxsackie Farmland subunit has a rich cultural and historic heritage evident in traditional farmstead clusters and attractive vernacular architecture. The area has been occupied since prehistoric times. Robert Juet, crewman on Henry Hudson's Halfmoon, recorded in his diary having run aground on the flats and trading with the Indians. He describes the beauty of the landscape in his writings. In 1667 the Loonenburg Patent, which included lands in the southern portion of the subunit, was granted to Adrian Van Loon. The first house on the large farm was built to the south of the subunit in what is now the Village of Athens by Jan Van Loon in 1708. The land was then subdivided over the years. The early settlers of these fertile flat lands were farmers, many of whom had migrated from the Manor of Rensselaerwyck to the north.

The northern portion of the subunit lies in the Town of Coxsackie, which was founded in 1788. The Town of Coxsackie once extended south to Murderer's Creek in what is now the Village of Athens. The Town of Athens was founded in 1815 and incorporated the southern portion of the original area of Coxsackie.

The subunit was once traversed along its eastern edge by the Saratoga and Hudson River Railroad. Built by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1867 to bring farm produce and other goods to Athens docks, it was dubbed the White Elephant Railroad nine years later when its docks and depot were destroyed by fire. Its abandoned right-of-way, sometimes atop a six-foot berm across open fields, is still visible.

The contrast of the farmsteads with their open, natural surroundings is blurred by recent residential development along the highway. A greenhouse, as well as cultivated clusters of trees belonging to a commercial nursery are located along NY Route 385. In general

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 143 Inventory and Profile the area seems to be in transition, with many abandoned fields and new homes in evidence. There is some evidence of neglect. Farming activities provide some ephemeral effects. Scattered new development contributes a moderate degree of discordance.

Views

The subunit overlooks Vosburgh Swamp and the Hudson River. Views from the subunit include partial vistas to the east of the Hudson with the Taconic Hills visible in the distance. Views to the west include the dramatic backdrop of the Catskill Mountains. The views extend from one to two miles in length and are 90 to 180 degrees in width. The varied landscape provides a pleasing variety of visual elements, organized around a pastoral theme. There exists a dynamic balance of elements in the view compositions, with the Catskills and Hudson River islands providing some focal points.

Public Accessibility

The subunit is primarily in private ownership. It is visible from the Hudson River and the subunits on the eastern shorelands as well as from NY Route 385. In the southern portion River Road provides access to the southern edge of the subunit, and the Hudson River provides access to its length. Its eastern edge along Vosburgh Swamp is visible from the Hudson River. The abandoned right-of-way of the White Elephant Railroad runs along the eastern boundary of the subunit and is used informally by local residents for hiking and snowmobiles.

Public Recognition

The subunit is not widely recognized by the public, although it constitutes the eastern foreground of the NY Route 385 viewshed. A portion of NY Route 385 is a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law.

Reason For Inclusion

The physical character of the subunit is its most dominant scenic attribute. The low bluffs and pastoral landscape of the Athens-Coxsackie Farmland subunit are highly visible from the Hudson River and its eastern shorelands as well as from NY Route 385, a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law. The subunit is accessible from the Hudson River and River Road. The subunit exhibits a moderate variety of topography and vegetation highly unified by the historic farming activities. The contrast among the landscape elements of broad fields, woodlands and

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 144 Inventory and Profile river is moderate. The composition and extent of views to the Catskills and Taconics is dramatic.

Stockport Creek Subunit of the SASS

The Stockport Creek subunit encompasses approximately 1,000 acres of eastern shoreland and the adjacent waters of the Hudson River. Its southern boundary is Gifford Parkway and the center of North Bay, the southern boundary of the SASS. The subunit extends north and east to include the corridors of Stockport Creek and Kinderhook Creek. Its western boundary is a common boundary with the Vosburgh Swamp subunit except south of the swamp where the western boundary is the mean high tide line on the eastern shore of Middle Ground Flats. Its eastern boundary is a common boundary with the CGN-28 Stottville Farms subunit. The subunit is located in the Towns of Greenport and Stockport, Columbia County, and in the Village of Athens, Greene County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheet number 3 for subunit boundaries.

Physical Character

The landform consists of steep ravines and bluffs from 75 to 150 feet high along the Hudson River and the Kinderhook and Stockport Creeks and their tributaries. Water dominates the landscape, the Hudson River varying in width from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. The shoreline of the Hudson is convoluted, consisting of wetlands, mudflats, coves and creek mouths. The Stockport Creek winds around islands and flats, and its water tumbles over falls and rocky platforms. In places the creek bluffs have sheer rock faces. The Stockport Creek, the second largest unobstructed tidal freshwater stream on the Hudson, receives the waters of the Kinderhook and other smaller creeks which drain the uplands to the north, east and west, and then empties into the Hudson in the northern portion of the subunit.

Cultural Character

The intrusions of civilization in this predominantly untouched natural area are few, being limited to the railroad along the shore of the Hudson, a few modest vernacular structures along the banks of the Stockport Creek and the tops of the bluffs, and the river traffic of commercial and recreational vessels. This belies the once-bustling nature of Stockport. Stockport was formed in 1833 from Stuyvesant, Ghent and Hudson and named after Stockport, England, the origin of James Wild, a prominent resident. Upstream on the Stockport Creek the waterfalls and remains of dams indicate former sites of the mills which once made Stockport a manufacturing community. The town even hosted an

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 145 Inventory and Profile academy dedicated to training workers for the mills. The hills around Stockport Creek were covered with vineyards during the 19th century.

The area of confluence of the Stockport Creek with the Hudson is reputed to be the site of the first visit in Columbia County by Henry Hudson's crewmen. They found in 1609 a prospering, friendly native community with a lodge, cornfields and granaries. Standing near the mouth of the creek on its northern bank is the Staats House, the second house built on the site after the original homestead was burned by the Indians in 1664 by order of the English. The creek mouth was included, along with what is now the City of Hudson, in the area called Claverack Landing. At that time Claverack extended from Kinderhook south to Livingston Manor. Major Abraham Staats, a fur trader and surgeon general for the Dutch West India Company, owned a farm on the north side of Stockport Creek which was originally farmed by a tenant. In 1667 Major Staats received a patent for the land from the English. The existing house was built in the mid-17th century and was occupied by the Staats family until late in the 18th century.

Today the subunit is primarily in a natural state. Except for some structures along the Stockport Creek, the subunit is generally well maintained. With few discordant features to mar the scene, the symbolic value of the subunit as a pristine natural area is very strong. Ephemeral effects of wildlife, river traffic, sunsets and passing trains serve to reinforce the area's natural tranquility.

Views

The subunit has wide, full views of the Hudson, up to 180 degrees in breadth. They are of moderate length, extending one to three miles up and downstream. The variety and dynamic balance of the landscape's visual elements, together with the background provided by the unspoiled west shore of the Hudson and the distant looming Catskills to the southwest, yield many unique and outstanding compositions. Several small wooded islands and navigational lights on the river provide focal points within the viewshed.

Along the Stockport Creek the views are of a meandering water body with tumbling waterfalls and sheer cliffs. The perspective is narrow and intimate, except at the mouth of the creek where the water surface broadens and encircles islands and the footings of the railroad bridge. Rowboats tied along the shore are the only reminders of man's presence in the surrounding area.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 146 Inventory and Profile

Public Accessibility

The subunit is accessible to the public via County Route 22, also known as Station Road, which runs along the north shore of Stockport Creek west of NY Route 9. East of Route 9 the road runs along the top of the southern creek bank. The Hudson River shorelands and lower creek are accessible from the Hudson River, but the railroad tracks limit landing areas. At the end of Station Road on the shores of the Hudson and Stockport Creek are located a parking lot and boat ramp operated by the Hudson River Estuarine Sanctuary and Research Reserve which provides boating access to both the Hudson and the creek. The parking lot also provides visual access to the shoreline and lower creek.

The Estuarine Sanctuary and Research Reserve conducts educational program tours of the area during all seasons of the year. In addition, 200 acres of waterfront property in the southern portion of the subunit, including Priming Hook and North Bay wetlands and upland, have been purchased by the Columbia Land Conservancy and the Open Space Institute to create the Greenport Hudson River Conservation Area, which extends east into the Stottville Farms subunit. Public access will increase when this property is opened to the public.

The subunit is visible from the Hudson River and the railroad trains on the eastern shore. It also constitutes the middle ground in views from the west shore of the river, including those from NY Route 385, a Scenic Road designated under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law and located in the Athens-Coxsackie Farmland subunit.

Public Recognition

Public recognition of the subunit's scenic attributes is limited due to its secluded nature. The shorelands are well known to birders who travel to the area to observe the resident and migrating wildlife. The importance of the landscape has been recognized through the creation of the Greenport Hudson River Conservation Area.

Reason for Inclusion

The Stockport Creek subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it has an unusually varied shoreline and changing topography which are unified by the dominant water elements. The subunit is accessible to the public via local roads, the Hudson River and the Estuarine Sanctuary boat launch and is visible from local roads, passenger trains and from the Hudson River and its western shore. The subunit is recognized by hunters and birders for its abundant wildlife, as well as through the creation of the Greenport Hudson River Conservation Area. Except for the railroad

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 147 Inventory and Profile tracks and a few deteriorated structures, the subunit is generally free of discordant features.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 148

Existing Land Use and Zoning

Existing Land Use Analysis

The following information was derived from an analysis of the real property tax data for the town and village. It details the various land uses in Athens and identifies important characteristics about land use trends. See the Land Use by Property Class Map in Appendix A.

Town of Athens Land Use Tables (Town-outside the Village)

Table 32: Town of Athens Property Classifications Property Class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Agricultural 22 1,653.9 11.5% Residential 1,082 5,675.8 39.5% Commercial 26 290.8 2.0% Industrial 4 107.9 0.8% Recreation and Entertainment 14 203.4 1.4% Community Services 12 26.3 0.2% Public Services 5 376.4 2.6% Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands and Public Parks 3 203.9 1.4% Vacant Land 725 5,713.8 39.7% Unknown 27 128.2 0.9% Grand Total 1,920 14,380.5 100.0%

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Figure 11: Town of Athens, Total Acres in Each Property Class

Total Acres in Each Property Class

6000 5000 4000 3000

2000 Total Acres Total 1000

Industrial

Unknown

Residential

Agricultural

Commercial

Vacant Land

Public Services

Community Community Services

Lands and Public and Lands Parks

Wild, Wild, Forested, Conservation Recreation and Entertainment and Recreation Property Class

Table 33: Town of Athens Agricultural Sub Classifications Agricultural Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Crops 12 933.8 6.5% Livestock 9 608.0 4.2% Vacant Land 1 112.0 0.8% Agricultural Total 22 1,653.9 11.5%

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Figure 12: Town of Athens, Total Acres in Each Agricultural Sub Class

Total Acres in Each Agriculture Sub-class

1000 900 800 700 600 500

400 Total Acres Total 300 200 100

Crops

Livestock Vacant Land Property Class

Table 34: Town of Athens Residential Sub Classifications Residential Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Apartment Condominium 4 35.5 0.2% Mobile Home 105 783.9 5.5% Multiple 14 180.2 1.3% Rural Estate 31 1,124.5 7.8% Seasonal 32 139.6 1.0% Single Family 873 3,341.2 23.2% Three Family 4 16.4 0.1% Two Family 19 54.5 0.4% Residential Total 1082 5,675.8 39.5%

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Figure 13: Town of Athens, Total Acres in Each Residential Sub Class

Total Acres in Each Residential Sub-class

4000 3500

3000 2500

2000

1500 Total Acres Total 1000

500

Multiple

Seasonal

Two Family Two

Apartment

Rural EstateRural

Three Family Three

Mobile Home Mobile

Condominium Single Family Property Class

Table 35: Town of Athens Commercial Sub Classifications Commercial Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Auto 9 18.9 0.1% Dining 2 5.4 0.0% Kennel 1 13.8 0.1% Lodging 4 186.2 1.3% Multipurpose 3 9.9 0.1% Office 1 3.6 0.0% Storage and Distribution 6 53.1 0.4% Commercial Total 26 290.8 2.0%

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Figure 14: Town of Athens, Total Acres in Each Commercial Sub Class

Total Acres in Each Commercial Sub-class

200 180 160 140 120 100

80 Total Acres Total 60 40 20

Auto

Office

Dining

Kennel

Lodging

Distributio

Storage and Storage Multipurpose Property Class

Table 36: Town of Athens Industrial Sub Classifications Industrial Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Manufacturing 2 76.5 0.5% Mining 1 21.4 0.1% Pipelines 1 10.0 0.1% Industrial Total 4 107.9 0.8%

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 153 Inventory and Profile

Table 37: Town of Athens Recreation and Entertainment Sub Classifications Recreation and Entertainment Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Camp Resort 4 174.3 1.2% Park 7 20.7 0.1% Sports 3 8.3 0.1% Recreation and Entertainment Total 14 203.4 1.4%

Table 38: Town of Athens Community Services Sub Classifications Community Services Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Cemetery 4 4.3 0.030% Cultural and Recreation 2 11.9 0.083% Government 2 4.1 0.028% Protection 2 2.5 0.017% Social Welfare 1 3.1 0.022% Transportation 1 0.4 0.003% Community Services Total 12 26.3 0.18%

Figure 15: Town of Athens, Total Acres in Each Community Service Sub Class

Total Acres in Each Community Service Sub-class

6 Total Acres Total 4

Cemetery

Protection

Recreation

Cultural and Cultural Government

Transportation Social Welfare Property Class

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Table 39: Town of Athens Public Services Sub Classifications Public Services Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Communication 1 0.5 0.0% Electric and Gas 3 243.9 1.7% Water 1 132.0 0.9% Public Services Total 5 376.4 2.6%

Table 40: Town of Athens Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands & Public Parks Sub Classifications Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands Number of Parcels Acres Percent of and Public Parks Sub-class Land Area Government Owned 1 79.1 0.6% Private 2 124.8 0.9% Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands 3 203.9 1.4% and Public Parks Total

Table 41: Town of Athens Vacant Land Sub Classifications Vacant Land Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Commercial 45 564.2 3.9% Residential 677 4,962.1 34.5% Waterfront 3 187.5 1.3% Vacant Land Total 725 5,713.8 39.7%

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Village of Athens Land Use Tables

Table 42: Village of Athens Property Classifications Property Class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Agricultural 4 123.5 6.0% Residential 671 662.5 32.2% Commercial 33 129.4 6.3% Industrial 3 6.9 0.3% Recreation and Entertainment 11 49.7 2.4% Community Services 18 56.4 2.7% Public Services 6 32.9 1.6% Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands and Public Parks 3 10.1 0.5% Vacant Land 335 988.7 48.0% Unknown 0.0% Grand Total 1,084 2,060.2 100.0%

Figure 16: Village of Athens, Total Acres in Each Property Class

Total Acres in Each Property Class

1200 1000 800 600

400 Total Acres Total 200

Industrial

Unknown

Residential

Agricultural

Commercial

Vacant Land

Public Services

Community Community Services

Lands and Public and Lands Parks

Wild, Wild, Forested, Conservation Recreation and Entertainment and Recreation Property Class

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 156 Inventory and Profile

Table 43: Village of Athens Agricultural Sub Classifications Agricultural Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Crops 4 123.5 6.0% Agricultural Total 4 123.5 6.0%

Table 44: Village of Athens Residential Sub Classifications Residential Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Apartment Condominium 12 3.8 0.2% Mobile Home 21 62.2 3.0% Multiple 4 5.3 0.3% Rural Estate 1 16.7 0.8% Seasonal 2 6.5 0.3% Single Family 586 529.2 25.7% Three Family 7 8.4 0.4% Two Family 38 30.4 1.5% Residential Total 671 662.5 32.2%

Figure 17: Village of Athens, Total Acres in Each Residential Sub Classification

Total Acres in Each Residential Sub-class

600

500

400

300

Total Acres Total 200

100

Multiple

Seasonal

Two Family Two

Apartment

Rural EstateRural

Three Family Three

Mobile Home Mobile

Condominium Single Family Property Class

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 157 Inventory and Profile

Table 45: Village of Athens Commercial Sub Classifications Commercial Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Auto 4 3.3 0.2% Bank 1 0.1 0.0% Dining 4 1.1 0.1% Funeral Home 1 0.7 0.0% Lodging 1 0.1 0.0% Multipurpose 17 30.6 1.5% Office 1 86.5 4.2% Parking 1 0.4 0.0% Retail 1 0.1 0.0% Storage and Distribution 2 6.4 0.3% Commercial Total 33 129.4 6.3%

Figure 18: Village of Athens, Total Acres in Each Commercial Sub Classification

Total Acres in Each Commercial Sub-class

100 90 80 70 60 50

40 Total Acres Total 30 20 10

Auto

Bank

Office Retail

Dining

Parking

Lodging

Distributio

Storage and Storage

Multipurpose Funeral Home Funeral Property Class

Table 46: Village of Athens Industrial Sub Classifications Industrial Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Manufacturing 3 6.9 0.3% Industrial Total 3 6.9 0.3%

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Table 47: Village of Athens Recreation and Entertainment Sub Classifications Recreation and Entertainment Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Camp Resort 2 6.4 0.3% Park 6 40.0 1.9% Social 2 1.3 0.1% Sports 1 2.0 0.1% Recreation and Entertainment Total 11 49.7 2.4%

Table 48: Village of Athens Community Services Sub Classifications Community Services Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Cemetery 3 23.6 1.1% Cultural and Recreation 1 0.2 0.0% Educational 4 28.2 1.4% Government 3 2.8 0.1% Protection 2 0.1 0.0% Religious 4 1.3 0.1% Social Welfare 1 0.3 0.0% Community Services Total 18 56.4 2.7%

Figure 19: Village of Athens, Total Acres in Each Community Services Sub Classification

Total Acres in Each Community Services Sub-class

Total Acres Total 10

Religious

Cemetery

Protection

Recreation

Educational

Cultural and Cultural Government Social Welfare Property Class

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Table 49: Village of Athens Public Services Sub Classifications Public Services Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Waste Disposal 4 20.1 1.0% Water 2 12.8 0.6% Public Services Total 6 32.9 1.6%

Table 50: Village of Athens Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands & Public Parks Sub Classifications Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands Number of Parcels Acres Percent of and Public Parks Sub-class Land Area Public Park 3 10.1 0.5% Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands 3 10.1 0.5% and Public Parks Total

Table 51: Village of Athens Vacant Land Sub Classifications Vacant Land Sub-class Number of Parcels Acres Percent of Land Area Commercial 7 79.4 3.9% Residential 327 846.1 41.1% Waterfront 1 63.2 3.1% Vacant Land Total 335 988.7 48.0%

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Land Use Regulations

The following charts list the various land use regulations for the Town and Village of Athens. See the Town and Village Zoning Maps in Appendix A.

Village of Athens Regulations

Table 52: Village of Athens Regulations Ordinance / Code / Resolution Adopted / Updated Zoning (no comprehensive plan) 1982/1994 Subdivision 1972 Site Plan Review 1994 Major Development Review Fee None Building Code Adopted NYS Code Mobile Homes 1968 Unsafe Buildings 1990 Historic Districts (no design guidelines) 1982/1993 Street & Sidewalk Standards None Telecommunications Towers None Signage Control 1993 Property Maintenance Standards None Junkyard Control 1993 Dump Control 1967/1968/1976/1977 Abandoned Vehicle Control 1976/1993 Adult Uses None Noise None Dog Control 1972/1976/1977 Approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program 1994

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Town of Athens Regulations

Table 53: Town of Athens Regulations Ordinance / Code / Resolution Adopted / Updated Zoning (master plan adopted early 1970’s) 1988 / 2005 Subdivision 1988 / 2005 Site Plan Review Under Zoning Code, updated 2003 Major Development Review Fee 2003 / 2005 Building Code 2005 Mobile Homes 1969 / 2000 Unsafe Buildings 2003 / 2005 Historic Districts None Street & Sidewalk Standards 1990 / 2005 Telecommunications Towers 1998 Signage Control Under Zoning Code Property Maintenance Standards None Junkyard Control 2005 Abandoned Vehicle Control 2005 Adult Uses 2005 Noise None- recent consideration Dog Control 2001 / Approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program None – past consideration

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 162

Historical and Cultural Resources

Historic Resources

New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation indicates several sites on both National and State Historic Registers in the communities of Athens: West Athens Hill Site (Town), Newkirk Homestead (Town), Hudson/Athens Lighthouse (Village), Stranahan-DelVecchio House (Village), Albertus Van Loon House (Village), and the Zion Lutheran Church (Village).

The Hudson Athens Lighthouse is located near the middle of the Hudson River near the southeast edge of the village border. It is open to the public on a limited basis, through summer cruises run by the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society. This organization also works to maintain and rehabilitate the structure.

In the Village, the Stewart House B&B, the Brooks Opera House, the Jan Van Loon House (which is being restored as an interpretive center), the Black Rock Native American flint quarry and the Northup House site on Route 385, are also identified as locally significant historic properties. In the town the site of the Black Horse Inn (prop. Isaac Hallenbeck) on Route 9W, the Native American encampment area off Route 9W and north of the Leeds-Athens turnpike were indicated as additional historic sites with local significance.

The Athens Lower Village Historic District and Brick Row Historic District in the village are also on the National and State Registers. According to the National Register nomination, the Lower Village Historic District, ―reflects the architectural and historical growth of the small Hudson River community of Athens. Within the district are excellent examples of residential, ecclesiastical, and commercial architecture which vividly portray the village’s growth from the beginning of the nineteenth, through the twentieth century. These structures reflect the community’s Dutch heritage as well as a strong river-based economy that included a shipyard along with pottery and brick manufacturing.‖ See the Historic Sites Map in Appendix A.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 163 Inventory and Profile

The Brick Row district contains a group of thirty historic row houses built in 1864 to house workers of the Saratoga and Hudson River Railroad, built by Daniel Drew and Cornelius Vanderbilt. It remains the only evidence of Athens once bustling role as the water terminus of this rail line, which ferried goods between Schenectady and the Hudson River. The route allowed freight to bypass delays at Albany arising from the number of canal locks and the amount of shipping traffic. Before the terminal and docks burned in 1876, the volume of freight handled rivaled that of Albany. Following the demise of the railroad, Brick Row became an immigrant settlement of primarily Italian descent.

Places of Worship

Village

First Reformed Church, North Church Street Federated Church, North Franklin Street Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, North Washington Street Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Washington Street Church At Athens Family Praise, North Washington Street

Town

High Hill United Methodist, Schoharie Turnpike

Cemeteries

The Mount Hope Cemetery and Athens Rural Cemetery are both located in the village adjacent to the intersection of Market and North Church Streets. The Mount Hope Cemetery dates to the revolutionary era. The Colleburgh/Limestreet Cemetery located on Green Lake Road just north of the Schoharie Turnpike is still active. Historic or family graveyards in Athens include: the Van Hoesen/Van Valkenburg Family Cemetery, the Rushmore Family Cemetery, the Mackey Family Plot, the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and the Van Loan Family Burying Ground.

Cultural Events / Resources

The village hosts the Athens Street Festival in July, attracting about 10,000 people to the downtown. The village also hosts Friday night music festivals during the summer at Riverfront Park drawing about 100 people each night.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 164 Inventory and Profile

The Athens Community Center is a turn of the century era elementary school, which now houses Town and Village municipal offices, courts, and police department. The attached gym is often used by aerobics groups, for youth sports practice, by bands, and for the occasional birthday parties.

The Athens Museum is a one-room collection of images, artifacts, and documents of community life and industry primarily during the 1800’s. Located on the 2nd floor of the community center, it is open upon request to groups or during special community events. The Town Historian administers the museum.

The Athens Cultural Center on Second Street, is a village owned building being used by a not for profit group which organizes art shows, cultural enrichment classes, etc. The building was once the local Athens Generating Co. headquarters. The upper floor needs restoration.

The D.R. Evart Library is located on 2nd Street in the village. It became its own district last year, and is part of the Mid-Hudson Library system.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 165

Appendix A Maps

The following Geographic Information System (GIS) maps have been created to accompany the Comprehensive Plan and other Supplementary Reports found in Volume III.

Comprehensive Plan Maps

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 166 Appendix A

23-Agriculture and Farmland 24-Empire Zone

Build-Out Analysis Maps

9W Corridor Study Maps

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 167

Appendix B Community Survey and Full Survey Results

Community Survey Questionnaire

Please place an ―X‖ in the appropriate box or write your answer in the space provided. If you are unable to answer a question, please leave it blank.

1. Where in Athens do you live? Please choose a number from the map below  1 2 3 4  I do not live in Athens, but I own land in the Town or Village (if you checked this box, please proceed to question #5)

2. How many years have you lived in Athens? ______

3. Do you live in Athens full-time or part-time?  Full-time  Part-time

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4. Do you own or rent your home?  Own  Rent

5. What is your age? ______

6. Looking back 5 years, is the quality of life in Athens generally improved, the same, or worse?  Better  Worse  Still the same  No Opinion

7. Are additional affordable housing opportunities needed in the community?  Yes  No  Undecided

8. If you answered yes to #7, how would you like to see affordable housing provided?  Accessory Dwelling Units such as in-law apartments  Additional Apartment Complexes Moderately Priced Dwelling Townhouses Condominiums

9. How satisfied are you with your local government?

Satisfied Not Satisfied No Opinion Hours of operation (town/village hall)    Responsiveness to resident’s concerns    Accessibility and communication with officials    Accessibility to public records    Rescue Squad/Ambulance    Fire Protection    Police/Law Enforcement    Recycling    Road Maintenance/snow removal    Code Enforcement and permitting    Zoning    Other:( )   

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 169 Appendix B

10. Beyond the basic services you expect to be provided, would you be in favor of spending public funding to accomplish any of the following, and if so, to what extent?

(Please check only one box per line, below) Yes, Spend Yes, Spend More Money Spend Same More Money Spend Less Only if Taxes Amount as Even If than Now Are Not Now Taxes Go Up Raised 1. Protect open spaces 1 2 3 4 2. Protect working farms and farmlands 1 2 3 4 3. Further develop Riverfront Park 1 2 3 4 4. Develop waterfront access and recreation opportunities 1 2 3 4 5. Protect historic buildings and sites 1 2 3 4 6. Protect scenic landscapes 1 2 3 4 7. Protect sensitive environmental sites 1 2 3 4 8. Provide for public water and sewers 1 2 3 4 9. Convert empty buildings into commercial space 1 2 3 4 10. Expand economic development activities 1 2 3 4 11. Sidewalks, curbs, signs, and similar infrastructure 1 2 3 4 12. Street beautification 1 2 3 4 13. Downtown revitalization 1 2 3 4 14. Create a micro-enterprise assistance program to help 1 2 3 4 small businesses 15. Create an industrial park 1 2 3 4 16. Create a Housing Rehabilitation program 1 2 3 4 Helping provide affordable housing for: 17. Senior citizens 1 2 3 4 18. First time home buyers 1 2 3 4 19. Renters 1 2 3 4 20. Local Police and Emergency Services 1 2 3 4 21. Provide Added Senior Services 1 2 3 4 22. New Town Hall 1 2 3 4 23. Other: ( ) 1 2 3 4

11. From the above list in Question 10, please list, by number, the five that are most important to you: ______

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 170 Appendix B

12. How important are the following for you and your family to have in Athens?

(Please check only one box per line, below) Not Important No Opinion Important Affordable housing for first time home buyers 1 2 3 Additional commercial development 1 2 3 Affordable housing for renters 1 2 3 Affordable housing for seniors 1 2 3 Cable television 1 2 3 Cultural activities 1 2 3 Day care 1 2 3 Educational facilities 1 2 3 Enhanced tourism 1 2 3 Farms and farmland 1 2 3 Forestlands/Wildlife habitats 1 2 3 Garbage Removal 1 2 3 High speed internet connection 1 2 3 Historic character 1 2 3 Historical sites, structures, cemeteries 1 2 3 Limits on new residential density 1 2 3 Litter Control 1 2 3 Local job availability 1 2 3 Locally-owned/ operated businesses 1 2 3 More residential density 1 2 3 Open spaces 1 2 3 Opportunity for community involvement 1 2 3 Parks and playgrounds 1 2 3 Provide water and sewer service 1 2 3 Public access to open space 1 2 3 Public safety 1 2 3 Public transportation 1 2 3 Recreational opportunities 1 2 3 Rural aesthetic character 1 2 3 Scenic views and landscapes 1 2 3 Sensitive environmental sites protected 1 2 3 Services for senior citizens 1 2 3 Small hobby farms/recreational farms 1 2 3 Streams, ponds and wetlands 1 2 3 Well water quality 1 2 3

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 171 Appendix B

Well water quantity 1 2 3 Youth Activities 1 2 3 Other: ( ) 1 2 3

13. From the above list in Question 12, please list, by number, the five that are most important to you: ______

14. Many communities are looking to consolidate services between municipalities as a cost saving measure. How do you feel about the possibility of consolidating services between the Town and Village? Agree Disagree No Opinion Share more services between Town &Village:   

14a. If you answered ―Agree‖ above, do agree or disagree with consolidating the following services? Agree Disagree No Opinion police    fire protection    highway maintenance    building/’zoning code enforcement    planning board activities    zoning board of appeals activities    government boards    property tax assessment    Other ( )   

14b. How do you feel about more reliance on County Services? Rely More  Rely Less No Opinion

14c. How do you feel about having a joint or separate Village/Town Municipal Building? Joint  Separate

14d. If you answered ―joint‖ to 14c, do you feel that we should renovate the old, or build a new municipal building? Build New Renovate Old 

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 172 Appendix B

15. If you are interested in seeing more industrial development in Athens, what would you like to see, and where would you locate it? 1 I am not interested in more industrial development anywhere. 2 I am interested in seeing the following industrial uses developed in Athens:  technology manufacturing distribution light industry heavy industry

16. Are you interested in seeing any of the following recreation uses developed or expanded in Athens? Recreational Uses Strong Some Oppose No Interest Interest Opinion Athletic Fields (baseball, softball, soccer)     Bike paths     Camping areas     Community center     Cultural activities (music, theater, etc.)     Dog Park     Golfing     Hiking trails     Horse trails     Ice skating     Marina     Playgrounds with equipment     Public picnic areas     Public swimming pool     Senior citizen center     Snowmobiling trails     Supervised recreational activities for senior adults     Teen center     Tennis courts     Walking/running path     Other ( )    

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 173 Appendix B

17. Which of the following economic/commercial businesses would you personally support? Level of Need Preferred Location Strong Some No No Route Business or Service Village Town Need Need Need Opinion 9W Additional Restaurants (no drive through) Additional Restaurants (with drive through) Antique Shop Appliance/Electronics Store Bakery Book Store Bowling Alley Clothing Stores Convenience Store Day Spa Drug Store Dry Cleaner Fabric/Craft Store Garden Center/Nursery Grocery store Health Food Store Home Improvement Center Industrial development Large Scale/Big Box Store Mall style business development Medical/Dental Offices Mini-Storage Units Movie Theater Music Store Plaza style businesses Sporting Goods Store Other ( )

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 174 Appendix B

18. What could be done in the downtown to encourage you to spend more of your time there? (Check all that apply)  More Retail Uses  More Restaurants More Recreational, Cultural Events & Activities  Enhanced Street Beautification  More Services  More Parking Other______

19. What 3 things do you like the most about the Town of Athens? 1.______2.______3.______

20. What 3 things do you like the most about the Village of Athens? 1.______2.______3.______

21. What 3 things do you like the least about the Town of Athens? 1.______2.______3.______

22. What 3 things do you like the least about the Village of Athens? 1.______2.______3.______

23. What three words would you use to describe the type of place Athens could be in 20 years? 1.______2.______3.______

24. Do you want to see the riverfront developed?  Yes  No

25. If yes, what kind of development do you want to see? (Check all that you prefer)  Residential  Commercial  Industrial  Mix of Residential and Commercial  Recreation

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 175 Appendix B

26. Is there a street or road where traffic safety is a concern?  Yes  No If yes, please identify what street or road: ______

26. Is there a location where pedestrian safety is a concern?  Yes  No If yes, please identify what location: ______

27. Please feel free to add additional comments below. ______

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume II Page 176 Appendix B

Athens SurveySurvey ResultsResults Surveys ReturnedReturned - 489 Area 2 - Town Completed PerceitPercent Area 1 - NorthNorth of Area 3 -- Town Area 4 - Town DoDo notnot livelive inin Answers Answered 1.1 . Where inin Athens do youyou liverlive?111 1 111 Village Village East of 187IB7 WestWestoflB7 of187 Athens :out(out ofof4S9) 489) (out(out of 489) NumberNumber of Responses 172172 69 82 76 34 433 89% PercentPercent of CompletecCompleted Answers 39.7% 15.9%15.9% 18.9%18.9% 17.6%17.6% 7.9% Completed PerceitPercent Answers Answered 2. HowHow manymany years have you livedlived inin Athens? 5 or lessless 6 to 1010 1111 toto 1515 1616 to 20 21 toto 25 :outfout of 489) (out(out of 489) NumberNumber of Responses 77 50 48 49 27 408 84% PercentPercent of CompletecCompleted Answers 18.8%18.8% 12.2%12.2% 11.7%1 1 .7% 12.0%12.0% 6.6% 26 to 30 31 toto 35 36 toto 40 40 to L545 45 toto 50 NumberNumber of Responses 32 30 1414 1212 1515 PercentPercent of CompletecCompleted Answers 7.8% 7.3% 3.4% 2.9% 3.7% 51 to 55 56 toto 60 61 toto 65 66 to 70 71 toto 75 NumberNumber of Responses 1515 1414 3 6 6 PercentPercent of CompletecCompleted Answers 3.7% 3.4% 0.7%0.7% 1.5%1 .5% 1.5%1 .5% 76 to 80 81 toto 85 More thanthan 85 AveraceAverage NumberNumber of Responses 5 5 00 24.4 PercentPercent of CompletecCompleted Answers 1.2%1.2% 1.2%1 .2% 0.0%0.0% Completed PerceitPercent Answers Answered 3. Do you live in Athensthens full-timempadatime?full-time or part-time? Full-time Part-timePart-time :out(out of 489) (out(out of 489) NumberNumber of Responses 343 82 425 87% PercentPercent of CompletecCompleted Answers 80.7%60.7% 19.3%19.3% Completed PerceitPercent Answers Answered 4. IDivDo ;you1i,lui llown, , ,,ii 1or, 1, 11,rent1,1,1,, ogiiyour, 1,11home?11, ,1,11 " Own RentRent :out(out of 489) (out(out of 489) NumberNumber of Responses 428 3 431 88% PercentPercent of CompletecCompleted Answers 99.3% 0.7% Completed PerceitPercent Answers Answered E'5. What isis %trimyour aria?age? AvoranoAverage AnaAge 'nut(out of ARM489) lout(out of dRql469) 57.1 444 91%

Completed PerceitPercent E.6. Looking back 5 yea's,years, isis thethe qualityguality of lifelife inin Athens generally improved,improved, Answers Answered tiethe same, or worse? Better Worse Still the same No opinion ;out(out of 489) (out(out of 489)469) NumberNumber of Responses 123123 48 229229 65 465 95% PercentPercent of CompletecCompleted Answers 26.5% 10.3%10.3% 49.2% 14.0%14.0%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 1771 77 Appendix B

Completed PercentPercent 7. Are additionadditional affordable housing opportunities needed in the Answers Answered community? Yes NoWo UndecidedUndecided (out(out of 489)439) (out[out ofof 489)489) NumberNumber of ResponsesResponses 163163 160160 145145 468 96% Percent of Completed Answers 34.8%34.6% 34.2% 31.0% Accessory Dwelling Units such as Additional ModeratelyModerately Number of (multiple(multiple 8. If you answered yes to ffl, how would you like to see affordable housingng in-lawin-law Apartment PricedPriced Condo-Condo itemsitems checks per provided?oleo ~ioG[ol? apartments Complexes DwellingDwelling Townhouses rniniurnsminiums checked resonder)resonder) NumberNumber of ResponsesResponses 33 64 113113 39 24 273 Percent of Completed Answers 12.1%12.1% 23.4% 41.4% 14.3%14.3% 8.8%8.3% Completed PercentPercent Answers Answered HowHow satisfied areare you with your locallocal government? Satisfied Not satisfied NoNo opinion (out(out of 489)439) (out(out ofof 489)489) HoursHours of operationoperation (town/village(town/village hall) 319 42 105105 466 95% 68.5% 9.0% 22.5% ResponsivenessResponsiveness to resident'sresident's concerns 206 98 145145 449 92% 45.9% 21.8%21 .8% 32.3% Accessibility and communication with officials 267 59 133133 459 94% 58.2% 12.9%12.9% 29.0% Accessibility to public recordsrecords 213 33 212 458 94% 46.5% 7.2% 46.3% RescueRescue Squad/AmbulanceSquad/Ambulance 255 31 172172 458 94% 55.7% 6.8% 37.6% FireFire ProtectionProtection 338 1616 110110 464 95% 72.8% 3.4% 23.7% Police/LawPolice/Law Enforcement 241 95 121121 457 93% 52.7% 20.8% 26.5% RecyclingRecycling 237 92 127127 456 93% 52.0% 20.2% 27.9% RoadRoad Maintenance/snowMaintenance/snow removalremoval 328 80 59 467 96% 70.2% 17.1%17.1% 12.6%12.6% Code EnforcementEnforcement and permitting 201 112112 144144 457 93% 44.0% 24.5% 31.5% Zoning 149149 109109 188188 446 91% 33.4% 24.4% 42.2% Other 9 33 68 110110 22% 8.2% 30.0% 61.8%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 1781 78 Appendix B

11.11. Number of Yes, Spend Yes, Spend Times 10.10. Beyond thethe basic services you expect toto be provided,provided, would youyou bebe inin more money moremore money Spend same Chosen as Completed PercentPercent favorfavor of speedingspending public funding to accomplish any of the following, andand ifif even ififtaxes taxes onlyonlyiftaxes if taxes amoun:amount as Spend lessless most Answers Answered

so, to what extent?extent? go up areare notnot raisedraised now thanthan nownow important:important: (out(out of 489) (outfoutof489f of 489) 1.1 . Protect open spaces 90 151151 144144 50 9292 435 89%69% 20.7% 34.7% 33.1% 11.5%1 1 .5% 2. Protect working farms and farmlands 93 177177 134134 39 9999 443 91%91% 21.0%21 .0% 40.0% 30.2% 8.8% 3. Further develop Riverfront Park 103103 188188 106106 47 9191 444 91%91% 23.2% 42.3% 23.9% 10.6%10.6% 4. Develop waterfront access and recreationrecreation opportunities 104104 201 110110 38 100100 453 93%93% 23.0% 44.4% 24.3% 8.4% 5. Protect historichistoric buildings and sitessites 81 183183 147147 45 100100 456 93%93% 17.8%17.8% 40.1% 32.2% 9.9% 6. Protect scenic landscapeslandscapes 77 202 138138 35 9191 452 92%92% 17.0%17.0% 44.7% 30.5% 7.7% 7. Protect sensitive environmental sites 86 180180 142142 36 8282 444 91%91% 19.4%19.4% 40.5% 32.0% 8.1% 8. Provide forfor public water and sewers 106106 154154 135135 41 101101 436 89%89% 24.3% 35.3% 31.0%31 .0% 9.4% 9. Convert emptyempty buildings intointo commercialcommercial space 57 210 111111 53 7575 431 88%88% 13.2%13.2% 48.7% 25.8% 12.3%12.3% 10.10. Expand economic development activitiesactivities 71 197197 116116 43 8181 427 87%87% 16.6%16.6% 46.1% 27.2% 10.1%10.1% 11.11. Sidewalks, curbs, signs, and similar infrastructureinfrastructure 58 176176 171171 37 5454 442 90%90% 13.1%13.1% 39.8% 38.7% 8.4% 12.12. Street beautification 54 186186 162162 41 5252 443 91%91% 12.2%12.2% 42.0% 36.6% 9.3% 13.13. Downtown revitalizationrevitalization 94 185185 119119 40 118118 438 90%90% 21.5%21 .5% 42.2% 27.2% 9.1% 14.14. Create a micromicro-enterprise-enterprise assistance program to help smallsmall businesses 60 188188 129129 56 48 433 89%89% 13.9%13.9% 43.4% 29.8% 12.9%12.9% 15.15. Create an industrialindustrial park 43 133133 116116 123123 6161 415 85%85% 10.4%10.4% 32.0% 28.0% 29.6% 16.16. Create a HousingHousing Rehabilitation program 44 154154 129129 90 41 417 85%85% 10.6%10.6% 36.9% 30.9% 21.6%21 .6% 17.17. Helping provide affordable housing for:for: Senior citizens 73 199199 139139 32 8686 443 91%91% 16.5%16.5% 44.9% 31.4%31 .4% 7.2% 18.18. Helping provide affordable housing for:for: FirstFirst time hom9home buyersbuyers 28 153153 179179 69 2929 429 88%88% 6.5% 35.7% 41.7%41 .7% 16.1%16.1% 19.19. Helping provide affordable housing for:for: RentersRenters 11 104104 189189 112112 1414 416 85%85% 2.6% 25.0% 45.4% 26.9%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 1791 79 Appendix B

20. LocalLocal PolicePolice and EmergencyEmergency Services 100100 163163 147 33 129129 443 91% 22.6% 36.8%36.6% 33.2% 7.4% 21.21 . ProvideProvide Added Senior Services 56 188188 156 34 6060 434 89% 12.9%12.9% 43.3% 35.9% 7.8% 22. New Town HallHall 44 125125 121 139139 3737 429 88% 10.3%10.3% 29.1% 28.2% 32.4% 23. Other: 22 17 1717 14 1919 70 14%14% 31.4%31 .4% 24.3% 24.3% 20.0% 13.13. NumberNumber ofof Times Chosen asas Completed PercentPercent 12.12. HowHow importantimportant areare thethe followingfollowing for you and your familyfamily to have inin mostmost Answers Answered Athens? ImportantImportant Not ImportantImportant No Opinion important:important: (out(out of 489) (out(out of 489) 1.1 . Affordable housinghousing for firstfirst time homehome buyers 167167 194194 89 44 450 92% 37.1%87.1% 43.1% 19.8%19.8% 2. Additional commercial development 227 161161 62 5757 450 92% 50.4% 35.8% 13.8%13.8% 3. Affordable housinghousing for rentersrenters 138138 229 78 35 445 91% 31.0%31 .0% 51.5%51 .5% 17.5%17.5% 4. Affordable housinghousing for seniors 292 112112 48 8080 452 92% 64.6% 24.8% 10.6%10.6% 5. Cable televisiontelevision 223 183183 42 40 448 92% 49.8% 40.8% 9.4% 6. Cultural activities 262 130130 56 2424 448 92% 58.5% 29.0% 12.5%12.5% 7. DayDay care 146146 196196 97 1616 439 90% 33.3% 44.6% 22.1% 8. EducationalEducational facilitiesfacilities 294 94 55 48 443 91% 66.4% 21.2%21 .2% 12.4%12.4% 9. EnhancedEnhanced tourismtourism 196196 189189 54 1818 439 90% 44.6% 43.1% 12.3%12.3% 10.10. FarmsFarms and farmlandfarmland 296 95 58 40 449 92% 65.9% 21.2%21 .2% 12.9%12.9% 11.11. ForestlandsfWildlifeForestlands/Wildlife habitatshabitats 328 70 49 5252 447 91% 73.4% 15.7% 11.0%1 1 .0% 12.12. Garbage Removal 257 128128 62 30 447 91% 57.5% 28.6% 13.9%13.9% 13.13. High speed Internetinternet connection 237 140140 71 2828 448 92% 52.9% 31.3%31 .3% 15.8%15.8% 14.14. HistoricHistoric character 300 96 54 5555 450 92% 66.7% 21.3%21 .3% 12.0%12.0% 15.15. HistoricalHistorical sites, structures, cemeteries 311 78 53 33 442 90% 70.4% 17.6% 12.0%12.0%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 180 Appendix B

16.16. LimitsLimits onor newnew residentialresidential density 313 75 55 5959 443 91% 70.7% 16.9%16.9% 12.4%12.4% 17.17. LitterLitter Control 365 42 38 2222 445 91% 82.0% 9.4% 8.5% 18.18. LocalLocal jobjob availability 314 86 46 3939 446 91% 70.4% 19.3%19.3% 10.3%10.3% 19.19. LocallyLocally-owned/-owned/ operated businesses 334 70 37 4141 441 90% 75.7% 15.9%15.9% 8.4% 20. MoreMore residentialresidential density 84 271 74 99 429 88% 19.6%19.6% 63.2% 17.2%17.2% 21.21 . Open spaces 291 80 65 1919 436 89% 66.7% 18.3%18.3% 14.9%14.9% 22. Opportunity forfor community involvementinvolvement 286 92 59 1212 437 89% 65.4% 21.1% 13.5%13.5% 23. ParksParks andand playgroundsplaygrounds 300 85 59 3030 444 91% 67.6% 19.1%19.1% 13.3%13.3% 24. ProvideProvide water and sewersewer service 296 96 55 3838 447 91% 66.2% 21.5% 12.3%12.3% 25. PublicPublic access toto openopen space 277 92 66 99 435 89% 63.7% 21.1% 15.2%15.2% 26. PublicPublic safety 392 37 1919 4646 448 92% 87.5% 8.3% 4.2% 27. PublicPublic transportationtransportation 181181 195195 62 1515 438 90% 41.3%41 .3% 44.5% 14.2%14.2% 28. RecreationalRecreational opportunities 283 102102 59 1818 444 91% 63.7% 23.0% 13.3%13.3% 29. RuralRural aestheticaesthetic character 300 77 60 3131 437 89% 68.6% 17.6%17.6% 13.7%13.7% 30. Scenic views and landscapeslandscapes 334 73 40 2525 447 91% 74.7% 16.3%16.3% 8.9% 31. Sensitive environmental sites protectedprotected 329 69 48 2424 446 91% 73.8% 15.5%15.5% 10.8%10.8% 32. Services forfor senior citizens 310 87 47 2222 444 91% 69.8% 19.6%19.6% 10.6%10.6% 33. Small hobbyhobby farms/recreationalfarms/recreational farmsfarms 192192 157157 87 1515 436 89% 44.0% 36.0% 20.0% 34. Streams, pondsponds and wetlands 343 55 49 1818 447 91% 76.7% 12.3%12.3% 11.0%11.0% 35. Well water quality 325 71 52 2525 448 92% 72.5% 15.8%15.8% 11.6%11.6% 36. Well water quantity 295 81 62 1313 438 90% 67.4% 18.5%18.5% 14.2%14.2% 37. Youth Activities 304 85 56 2020 445 91% 68.3% 19.1%19.1% 12.6%12.6% 38. Other: 38 1010 1919 1010 6767 14%14% 56.7% 14.9%14.9% 28.4% 38. Other, Text 33 7%7%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 181 Appendix B

14.14. Many communities are lookinglooking toto consolidate services between Completed PercentPercent municipalities as a cost savincsaving measure.measure. HowHow do you feelfeel about the Answers Answered possibility of consolidating seriicesservices betweenbetween the Town and Village? Agree DisagreeDisagree No opinion (out(out of 489) (out(out of 489) Number of ResponsesResponses 380 35 45 460480 94% PercentPercent of Completed Answers 82.6% 7.6%7.6% 9.8% Completed PercentPercent 14 a.. Iff you answered "Agree" above, do agree or disagree with Answers Answered consolidatingnsolidating the following services? Agree DisagreeDisagree No opinion (out(out of 489) (out(out of 489) Police 328 44 1414 386 79% 05.0%85.0% 11.4%1 1 .4% 3.0%3.6% Fire Protection 32L324 51 1111 386 79% 83.9% 13.2%13.2% 2.8% Highway Maintenance 349 30 1010 389 80% 89.7% 7.7%7.7% 2.6% Building/Zoning code erforcementenforcement 303 49 29 381 78% 79.5% 12.9%12.9% 7.6% Planning Board activities 300 56 30 386 79% 77.7% 14.5%14.5% 7.8% Zoning Board of Appeals activitiesactivities 295 55 31 381 78% 77.4% 14.4%14.4% 8.1% Government Boards 308 45 29 382 78% 80.6% 11.8%1 1 .8% 7.6% Property tax assessment 302 57 23 382 78% 79.1% 14.9%14.9% 6.0% Other 40 3 1212 55 11%11% 72.7% 5.5% 21.8%21 .8% Completed Percent Answers Answered 1413101,b. IHowIII.w do you feel about more reliancereliance on County Services? Rely more RelyRely lessless No opinion (out(out of 409)489) (out(out of 409)489) Number of ResponsesResponses 210 68 166166 444 91% PercentPercent of Completed Answers 47.3% 15.3%15.3% 37.4% Completed PercentPercent ILI14 I=c. HirHow 111.do you feel:H aboutH:.I HiHir having aa joint1,.ihir, 1oIIor separate VillageTTownsI age/Town Answers Answered I Municipalr ,Ithill i c:.II InBuilding? uilding? JoirtJoint Separate (out(out of 489) (out(out of 489) Number of ResponsesResponses 406 34 440 90% PercentPercent of Completed Answers 92.3% 7.7% Completed PercentPercent ILI14 111d. lIfii vyouiigil answered "joint" to 14c,14c, do oilliiyou riF.IF.1feel1H1thatIii:'.r, we should renovaterenovate the Answers Answered 1141-old,, limor IATIbuildliJaa new municipal building? Build new RenovateRenovate old (out(out of 489) (out(out of 489) Number of ResponsesResponses 91 309 400 82% PercentPercent of Completed Answers 22.8% 77.3%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 182 Appendix B

Completed PercentPercent 15.15. IfIf you are interestedinterested inin seeing more industrialindustrial development inin Athens Answers Answered what would you likelike to see, and where would you locatelocate it?it? (out(out of 489)439) (out[out ofof 489)489) 15.15. -- (1)(1) II amam notnot interestedinterested inin more industrialindustrial development anywhere. 154154 402 82% 38.3% 1515- - (2)(12) II am interestedinterested inin seeing the following industrialindustrial usesuses developed inin Athens: 248 61.7% Heavy Technology Manufacturing DistributionDistribution Light industryindustry industryindustry 248 159159 152152 228 42 50.7% 32.5% 31.1% 46.6% 8.6% Completed PercentPercent 16.16. ArAre8,101111.1you interested in1.11seeing1any of thethe followingfollowing recreationrecreation usesuses Strong Answers Answered developed or expanded inin Athens? interestinterest Some interestinterest Oppose No opinion (out(out of 489)439) (out(out ofof 489)489) Athletic FieldsFields (baseball,(baseball, softball,Softball, soccer) 82 194194 53 105 434 89% 18.9%18.9% 44.7% 12.2%12.2% 24.2% BikeBike pathspaths 125125 179179 57 74 435 89% 28.7% 41.1% 13.1%13.1% 17.0%17.0% Camping areasareas 47 149149 115115 116 427 87% 11.0%11.0% 34.9% 26.9% 27.2% Community center 156156 175175 36 66 433 89% 36.0% 40.4% 8.3% 15.2%15.2% Cultural activitiesactivities (music,(music, theater, etc.) 169169 156156 41 69 435 89% 38.9% 35.9% 9.4% 15.9%15.9% DogDog ParkPark 49 102102 137137 135 423 87% 11.6%11.6% 24.1% 32.4% 31.9% Golfing 79 110110 131131 112 432 88%83% 18.3%18.3% 25.5% 30.3% 25.9% HikingHiking trailstrails 140140 168168 47 79 434 89% 32.3% 38.7% 10.8%10.8% 18.2%13.2% HorseHorse trailstrails 61 139139 97 131 428 88% 14.3%14.3% 32.5% 22.7% 30.6% IceIce skating 108103 183183 46 94 431 88%83% 25.1% 42.5% 10.7%10.7% 21.8% MarinaMarina 137137 165165 52 78 432 88% 31.7% 38.2% 12.0%12.0% 18.1%13.1% PlaygroundsPlaygrounds with equipment 129129 177177 50 77 433 89% 29.8% 40.9% 11.5%11.5% 17.8%17.8%

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PublicPublic picnic areas 13813S 159159 55 81 433 89% 31.9% 36.7% 12.7%12.7% 18.7%13.7% PublicPublic swimming pool 131131 136136 76 86 429 88%83% 30.5% 31.7%31 .7% 17.7%17.7% 20.0% Senior citizen center 162162 166166 30 75 433 89% 37.4% 38.3% 6.9% 17.3%17.3% Snowmobiling trails 43 97 190190 94 424 87% 10.1%10.1% 22.9% 44.8% 22.2% Supervised recreationalrecreational activities for senior adults 102102 174174 39 112 427 87% 23.9% 40.7% 9.1% 26.2% Teen centercenter 135135 164164 43 97 439 90% 30.8% 37.4% 9.8% 22.1% Tennis courtscourts 73 149149 75 125 422 86% 17.3%17.3% 35.3% 17.8%17.8% 29.6% Walking/running path 161161 156156 49 66 432 88% 37.3% 36.1% 11.3%11.3% 15.3%15.3% Other 20 1010 1111 18 59 12%12% 33.9% 16.9%16.9% 18.6%18.6% 30.5% Prefered PreferedPrefered PreferedPrefered 17.17. Which of thethe followingfollowing economic/commercial businesses would you LocationLocation LocationLocation LocationLocation personally support? Strong need Some needneed NoNo needneed No opinion Village Town RouteRoute 9W Additional RestaurantsRestaurants (no(no drive through) 134134 193193 70 27 175175 94 9797 31.6% 45.5% 16.5%16.5% 6.4% 35.8% 19.2%19.2% 19.8%19.8% Additional RestaurantsRestaurants (with(with drive through) 34 96 250 36 29 34 86 8.2% 23.1% 60.1% 8.7% 5.9% 7.0% 17.6%17.6% Antique ShopShop 55 140140 153153 76 142142 44 30 13.0%13.0% 33.0% 36.1% 17.9%17.9% 29.0% 9.0% 6.1% Appliance/Electronics Store 50 156156 150150 56 58 44 6868 12.1%12.1 % 37.9% 36.4% 13.6%13.6% 11.9%11.9% 9.0% 13.9%13.9% BakeryBakery 168168 187187 47 29 197197 49 36 39.0% 43.4% 10.9%10.9% 6.7% 40.3% 10.0%10.0% 7.4% BookBook Store 115115 152152 93 46 142142 49 28 28.3% 37.4% 22.9% 11.3%11.3% 29.0% 10.0%10.0% 5.7%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 184 Appendix B

I Bowling Alley 41 87 214 66 34 35 52 10.0% 21.3%21 .3% 52.5% 16.2%16.2% 7.0% 7.2% 10.6%10.6% Clothing Stores 116 139139 119119 46 101101 59 64 27.6% 33.1% 28.3% 11.0%1 1 .0% 20.7% 12.1%12.1% 13.1%13.1% Convenience Store 98 145145 146146 24 104104 6767 43 23.7% 35.1% 35.4% 5.8% 21.3%21 .3% 13.7%13.7% 8.8% Day Spa 35 92 212 67 54 45 27 8.6% 22.7% 52.2% 16.5%16.5% 11.0%1 1 .0% 9.2% 5.5% Drug Store 164 168168 74 23 157157 55 50 38.2% 39.2% 17.2%17.2% 5.4% 32.1% 11.2%1 1 .2% 10.2%18.2% Dry Cleaner 66 144144 143143 50 89 45 38 16.4% 35.7% 35.5% 12.4%12.4% 18.2% 9.2% 7.8% Fabric/CraftFabric/Craft Store 65 127127 160160 60 69 48 42 15.8% 30.8% 38.8% 14.6%14.6% 14.1% 9.8% 8.6% Garden Center/Nursery 86 168168 123123 45 40 96 73 20.4% 39.8% 29.1% 10.7%10.7% 8.2% 19.6%19.6% 14.9%14.9% Grocery storestore 222 132132 63 1515 133133 84 88 51.4%51 .4% 30.6% 14.6%14.6% 3.5% 27.2% 17.2%17.2% 18.0%18.0% Health FoodFood Store 62 120120 170170 60 84 49 34 15.0% 29.1% 41.3%41 .3% 14.6%14.6% 17.2% 10.0%10.0% 7.0% Home ImprovementImprovement Center 53 6868 266 30 1313 30 45 12.7% 16.3%16.3% 63.8% 7.2% 2.7% 6.1% 9.2% IndustrialIndustrial development 80 128128 168168 34 1212 6767 104104 19.5% 31.2%31 .2% 41.0%41 .0% 8.3% 2.5% 13.7%13.7% 21.3%21 .3% LargeLarge Scale/Big Box Store 43 63 266 42 6 26 64 10.4% 15.2%15.2% 64.3% 10.1%10.1% 1.2%1 .2% 5.3% 13.1%13.1% Mall stylestyle businessbusiness development 64 7777 242 31 1515 36 74 15.5% 18.6%18.6% 58.5% 7.5% 3.1% 7.4% 15.1%15.1% Medical/Dental Offices 144 189189 62 32 143143 103103 47 33.7% 44.3% 14.5%14.5% 7.5% 29.2% 21.1% 9.6% MiniMini-Storage-Storage Units 1919 60 275 54 1515 30 44 4.7% 14.7%14.7% 67.4% 13.2%13.2% 3.1% 6.1% 9.0% Movie Theater 86 120120 172172 43 75 52 48 20.4% 28.5% 40.9% 10.2%10.2% 15.3% 10.6%10.6% 9.8% Music Store 33 100100 207 63 49 40 27 8.2% 24.8% 51.4%51 .4% 15.6%15.6% 10.0% 8.2% 5.5% PlazaPlaza style businesses 59 115115 178178 55 33 48 80 14.5% 28.3% 43.7% 13.5%13.5% 6.7% 9.8% 16.4%16.4% Sporting Goods Store 40 135135 180180 52 36 49 60 9.8% 33.2% 44.2% 12.8%12.8% 7.4% 10.0%10.0% 12.3%12.3% Other 1616 6 8 1010 1515 7 2 40.0% 15.0%15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 3.1% 1.4%1 .4% 0.4%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 185 Appendix B

Completed PercentPercent 18.18. What could bebe done in the downtown to encourage V11you1'1111[11to1'1 spendd moremore Answers Answered of your timetime there?there? (out(out of 489)439) (out[out ofof 489)489) MoreMore RetailRetail Uses 249 420 86% 59.3% MoreMore RestaurantsRestaurants 220 52.4% MoreMore Recreational,Recreational, Cultural EventsEvents and Activities 250 59.5% EnhancedEnhanced StreetStreet BeautificationEleautification 138138 32.9% MoreMore SeivicesServices 92 21.9% MoreMore ParkingParking 146146 34.8%34.3% Other 25 6.0%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 186 Appendix B

Town and Village of Athens Survey CrossCross-Tabs-Tabs

14a. Do you agree or disagree with consolidating the following services? WhereWliere inin Athens do you live?live? Police Village North of VillageVI II age East 011-87of 1-87 West 011-87of 1-87 DoDo Not Live inin Athens Grand Total Agree 7Z3%73.3% 76.8%76.3% 63.4% 55.39655.3% 52.9% 67.2% Disagree 9.3% 2.9%2.3% 13.4% 7.9% 11.8%1 1 .3% 9.0% NoMo Answer 15.1% 17.4%1 7.4%. 20.7% 31.6% 29.4% 20.6% No Opinion 2.3% 2.9% 2.4% 5.3% 5.9% 3.2% Grand Total 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Where in Athens do you live? Fire Protection Village North of Village East of011-871-87 West of 1-871-87 DoDo Not Live inin Athens Grand Total Agree 73.3%7Z3% 72.5% 63.4% 53.9% 55.9% 56.5%66.5% Disagree 9.3% 8.7%3.7% 14.6% 11.8%11.9% 11.8%1 1 .9% 10.9,10.9% No Opinion 1.7% 1.4%1.4% 1.2% 3.9% 5.9% 2.3% No Answer 15.7% 17.4% 20.7% 30.3% 26.5% 20.3,20.3% Grand Total 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%1 00.0%. 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%1 00.0%. 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%

Where inin Athens do you live?live? Highway Maintenance Village North of Village East 011-87of I-87 West 081-87of I-87 DoDo Not Live inin Athens Grand Total Agree 77.9%77. 9% 76.8%76.3% 67.1% 60.5% 61.8% 71.4% Disagree 5.8% 4.3%43% 9.8% 6.6% 5.9% 6.5% No Opinion 1.7% 1.4% 1.2% 2.6% 5.9% 2.1% No Answer 14.5%145% 17.4%174% 22.0% 30.3% 26.5% 20.1% Grand Total 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Where in Athens do you live? Building,ZoningBuilding/Zoning code enforcement Village North of Village East of011-871-87 West of 1-87 DoDo Not LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total Agree 65.1%.65.1% 73.9%73.9%. 61.0% 53.9% 52.9%52.9%. 62.8% Disagree 13.4961 3.4% 4.3%4.3%. 8.5% 7.9% 9.9%8.8% 9.7% No Opinion 47%4.7% 4.3%43% 7.3% 6.6% 11.8%1 1 ,8% 6.0% No Answer 16.9%1 6.9% 17.4% 23.2% 31.6% 26.5% 21.5% Grand Total 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%1 00.0%. 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%1 00.0%. 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%

WlrereWhere in Athens do you live? Planning Board activities VillageVillage North of Village East of 1-87I-87 West 011-87of I-87 DoDo Not LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total Agree 65.1% 75.4% 57.3% 52.6% 52.9% 62.1% Disagree 13.4% 4.3%43% 12.2% 13.2%13.2% 8.8% 11.3% No Opinion 4.7% 2.9%2,9%. 11.0% 3.9% 9.9%8.8% 5.8% No Answer 16.9% 17.4%1 74% 19.5% 30.3% 29.4% 20.8% Grand Total 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Where in Athens do you live? Zoning Board of Appeals activities Village North of Village East of 1-87 Westwest of 1-871-87 DoDo Not LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total Agree 64.0%.64.0% 72.5%72.5%. 59.8% 51.3%51.3%. 55.9%55.9%. 61.7% Disagree 12.2%1 2.2% 7.2%7.2%. 11.0%11 1 .0% 13.2%13.2% 5.9% 10.9% No Opinion 5.8% 2.9%2.3% 8.5%18.5% 3.9% 8.8% 5.8% No Answer 18.0%19.0% 17.4% 20.7%20.7%1 31.6% 29.4% 21.7% Grand Total 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%1 00.0%. 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%1 00.0%. 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%

Where inin Athens do wuyou live?live? Government Boards Village North of Village East of 1-87I-87 Westwest of 1-87I-87 DoDo Not LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total Agree 66.3% 75.4% 56.1% 56.6% 55.9% 63.3% Disagree 12.8% 5.8% 9.8% 7.9%7,9% 2.9% 9.5% No Opinion 3.5963.5% 2.9%2,9%. 11.0% 5.3% 11.8%1 1 .9% 5.8% No Answer 17.4%174% 15.9%1 5.9% 23.2% 30.3% 29.4% 21.5%21 .5% Grand Total 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Where in Athens do wuyon live?kve? ProperlyProperty tantax assessment Village North of Village East of 1-87 West of 1-87 DoDo Not LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total Disagree 9.9%9.996 10.1% 13.4% 17.1,17.1% 11.8%1 1 .3%. 12.0% Agree 69.2% 69.6% 6161.0%.0% 47.4,47.4%. 50.0% 62.4% No Opinion 41%4.1% 2.9%2.3% 4.9% 5.3% 8.8% 4.6% No Answer 16.9%1 6.9% 17.4% 20.7% 30.3% 29.4% 21.0% Grand Total 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%,1 00.0%. 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%1 00.0%. 100.0%1 00.0% 100.0%

Where inin Athens do you We,live? Other Village North of Village East of 1-87I-87 West of 1-87I-87 Do Not Live inin Athens Grand Total Agree 12.8% 2.9% 4.9% 6.6% 11.8%11.8% 8.5% No Opinion 1.7% 1.4%1.4% 3.7% 1.3%1.3% 5.9% 2.3% Disagree 1.2%1 .2% 0.0%0.0%. 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% No Answer 84.84.3%3% 95.7% 91.5% 92.1% 82.4%'32.4% 88.7% Grand Total 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 187 Appendix B

14 b. How do you feel about more reliancereliance on County Services? Where in Athens do you live?live? Village North of Village East 011-87of I-87 West ofof 1-87I-87 Do NotNot LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total Rely More 43.0% 52.2% 46.3% 35.5% 29.4% 42.7% Rely Less 12.8%1 2.3%. 14.5%1 4.5%. 17.1% 18.4%13.4%. 11.8%1 1 .8% 14.8%1 4.3%. No Opinion 36.0% 29.0% 26.8% 38.2% 50.0% 34.6%34. 6% No Answer 8.1%8.1%. 4.3%4.3%. 9.8% 7.9%7.9%. 8.8% 7.9%7.9%. Grand Total 100.0%,1 00.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%,1 00.0% 100.0% 100.0%11 00.0%

14 c.C. How do youyoureelfeel about having a joint or separate Village/Town Municipal Building? Where inin Athens do you live?live? Village North of Village East of I-871-87 West of 1-87I-87 Do NotNot LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total No Answer 7.0%'7.0%. 5.8%5,3%. 8.5% 13.2%'13.2% 23.5% 9.5% 1 Joint 86.0%36.0% 92.8% 85.4% 77.6%77 6% 64.7% 83.8%33.3% Separate 7.0%7.0%. 1.4%1.4%. 6.1% 9.2% 11.8% 6.7% Grand Total 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0%

14 d.(1. Do you feelfeel that we should renovaterenovate the old, or build a new municipal building? Where inin Athens do you live?live? Village North of Village 1 East 011-87of I-87 West ofof 1-87I-87 Do NotNot LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total Build NewMew 20.9% 20.3%20.3%' 18.3% 19.7%19.7% 11.8%11.8% 19.4%19.4% HenovateRenovate 010Old 65.1%65.1 % 65.2%65.2%. 65.9% 56.6% 55.9% 63.0% No Answer 14.0%140% 14.5%145% 15.9% 23.7% 32.4% 17.6%176% Grand Total 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0%1100.0% 100.0%

7. Are additional affordable housing opportunities needed in the community? VVIiereWhere inin Athens do you live?live? Village North of Village East of 1-87I-87 West ofof 1-87I-87 Do NotNot LiveLive inin Athens Grand Total Yes 36.0% 21.7% 40.2% 30.3% 26.5% 32.3%32.8% No 38.4%33.4% 43.5%43.5%. 24.4% 28.9% 20.6% 33.5% Undecided 23.3% 3434.8%8% 32.9% 38.2% 41.2%41,2% 30.9% No Answer 2.3%2.3%. 0.0% 2.4% 2.6% 11.8% 2.8%2.3%. Grand Total 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0%

2. How many years have you livedlived inin Athens? 5. What isis your age? UnderUnder 30 30's3Q's 40's 50's 60's6Q's 1 to 5 years 2 6 20_201 1919 7 111 1 to 20 years 2 3 25125 27 24 21 to 30 years 4 2 919 1818 10 31 to 40 years 5 331 1111 1515 41 to 50 years 10110 3 5 51 to 60 years 1313 4 6 to 101 0 years 2 11 13113 1717 16 61 to 70 years 1 71 to 3080 years 81 to 3585 years No Answer 5 15115 1212 17117 Grand Total 1010 32 95951 120120 99199 1 to 5 years 70's 80's 90's I No Answer Grand Total 111 1 to 20 years 3 3 60160 21 to 30 years 8 2 6 97197 31 to 40 years 7 2 7 59159 41 to 50 years 4 2 2 2 44144 51 to 60 years 4 3 2 27127 6 to 101 0 years 4 5 3 29129 61 to 70 years 7 1 67167 71 to 3080 years 6 1 1 919 81 to 3585 years 9 1 1 11111 No Answer 5 515 Grand Total 11 1 1 20 81 1 63 22 331 45 489

10. Would you behe in favor of spending public funding for the following? 1.1. Protect open spaces Yes, even with more taxes Yes, but no more taxes Same as Now Less than Now No Answer Grand Total Lived in Athens: 1 to 5 years 27% 28% 28% 8%3%. 8% 100%1 00%. 111 1 to 20 years 21% 34% 32% 8%3% 5% 100%100% 21 to 30 years 20% 31%31%. 31% 7%7%. 12% 100%1 00%. 31 to 40 years 27% 25% 27% 16%16% 5% 100%100% 41 to 50 years 11%11%. 33%33%. 30% 19%19%. 7% 100%1 00%. 51 to 60 years 10%10% 38% 28% 10%10% 14%14% 100%1 00% 6 to 101 0 years 15%15% 36% 36% 6% 7% 100%1 00%. 61 to 70 years 22% 11% 11% 22% 33% 100% 71 to 3080 years 9% 27% 36% 0% 27% 100%1 00% 81 to 3585 years 0%0%. 40%40%. 20% 20% 20% 100%1 00%. No Answer 14%14% 27% 25% 14%14% 21% 100%100% Grand TotalTotal, 18%1 3%. 31%31%. 29% 10%1 0%. 11% 100%1 00%.

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 188 Appendix B

2. Protect working farms and farmlandsfarmlands Yes, even with more taxes Yes, but no more taxes Same as Now Less than NowNow NoHo Answer Grand Total LivedLived inin Athens: 1 to 5 years 23% 37% 28% 5%5%. 7% 100%100%. 111 1 to 20 years 23% 37% 29% 6%6% 5% 100% 21 to 30 years 14% 42% 27% 7%7%. 10% 100% 31 to 40 years 30% 34% 27% 7%7% 2% 100% 41 to 50 years 19%19% 48% 15% 7%7%. 11%11% 100%100%. 51 to 60 years 14% 28% 41% 7% 10% 100% 6 to 101 0 years 16% 37% 34% 6% 6% 100% 61 to 70 years 11% 22% 22% 22%22% 22% 100% 71 to 80 years 9% 36% 18% 9%9%. 27% 100%100%. 8131 to 85 years 0% 40% 20% 20% 20% 100% NoMo Answer 17% 31% 21% 14%14% 17% 100% Grand Total 19% 36% 27% 8%3% 9% 100%

3. Further develop Riverfront Park Yes, even with more taxestaxes Yes, but no more taxes Same as Now Less than NowNow No Answer Grand Total LivedLived inin Athens: 1 to 5 years 30% 35% 18% 7% 10% 100% 1111 to 20 years 24% 45% 20% 7% 4% 100% 21 to 30 years 14% 47% 25% 8%3% 5% 100% 31 to 40 years 23% 27% 25% 16%16% 9% 100% 41 to 50 years 22% 41% 22% 7% 7% 100% 51 to 60 years 24% 28% 21% 21%21% 7% 100% 6 to 101 0 years 22% 43% 22% 3% 9% 100% 61 to 70 years 0% 33% 22% 22% 22% 100% 71 to 80 years 9% 55% 27% 9% 0% 100% 8131 to 85 years 0% 0% 30%80% 0% 20% 100% No Answer 19% 32% 17% 14%14% 19% 100% Grand Total 21% 38% 22% 10%10% 9% 100%

10.10. Expand economic development activities Yes, even with more taxestaxes Yes, but nono more taxestaxes Same as Now Less than NowNow NoHo Answer Grand Total LivedLived inin Athens: 1 to 5 years 10% 42% 30% 8%3% 10% 100% 1111 to 20 years 14%14% 52% 23% 2% 9% 100% 21 to 30 years 14%14% 41% 22% 12%12% 12%12% 100% 31 to 40 years 14% 34% 30% 14%14% 9% 100% 41 to 50 years 26% 41% 15% 7% 11% 100% 51 to 60 years 17%17% 38% 24% 14%14% 7% 100% 6 to 101 0 years 15%15% 40% 22% 7% 15%15% 100% 61 to 70 years 0% 33% 22% 22%22% 22% 100% 71 to 80 years 18% 18% 36% 9% 18%13% 100% 8131 to 85 years 20% 40% 40% 0% 0% 100% No Answer 15%15% 33% 20% 11%11% 21% 100% Grand Total 15% 40% 24% 9% 13% 100%

15. Create an industrial park Yes, even with more taxes Yes, but no more taxes Same as Now Less than NowHow NoHo Answer Grand Total LivedLived inin Athens: 1 to 5 years 3% 22% 23% 37%37%. 15%15% 100%100%. 111 1 to 20 years 10%10% 32% 32% 19%19% 7% 100% 21 to 30 years 12% 3131%% 20% 25%25% 12% 100% 31 to 40 years 11% 20% 25% 30% 14% 100% 41 to 50 years 11%11% 26% 22% 15%1 5%. 26% 100%100%. 51 to 60 years 14%14% 28% 17% 21% 21% 100% 6 to 101 0 years 7%7% 22% 22% 37% 10% 100% 61 to 70 years 11% 11% 11% 33% 33% 100% 71 to 80 years 0% 55% 27% 0%0%. 18%13% 100%100%. 81 to 85 years 0% 20% 40% 20% 20% 100% NONo Answer 7%7% 30% 20% 20%20% 23% 100% Grand Total 9% 27% 24% 25%25% 15% 100%

10. Would you be inin favor of spending public funding for the following? 1. Protect open spaces Yes, even with more taxestaxes Yes, but no more taxes Same as Now Less than NowNow No Answer Grand Total My Age is:is: Under 30,30 20% 20% 40% 10%10% 10% 100% 30's3Q's 28% 25% 38% 6% 3% 100% 40's 28% 25% 31% 11%11% 5% 100% 50's 18%18% 33% 28% 10%10% 13%1 3% 100% 60's60'S 19% 35% 32% 11%11% 2% 100% 70's7Q'S 11% 38% 27% 10%10% 14% 100% 80's30's 0% 50% 36% 5% 9% 100% 90's 33% 0% 33% 0% 33% 100% No Answer 9% 18% 18% 16%16% 40% 100% Grand Total 18% 31% 29% 10%10% 11% 100%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 189 Appendix B

2. Protect working farms and farmlands Yes, even with more taxestaxes Yes, hotbut no more taxes Same as Now LessLess than Now No Answer Grand Total My Age is:is: Under 30 30% 40% 20% 0% 10% 100% 30's30 'S 25%.25% 41%41 %. 25%.25% 9% 0%0%. 100%100%. 40's4Q's 27% 33% 2121%% 13%13%. 6% 100% 50's50 'S 16% 42% 30% 3% 9% 100% 60's60'S 20% 32% 35% 10%10% 2% 100% 70's70'S 16%16%. 35%35%. 24%.24% 8%8%. 17%17%. 100%100%. 80's8Q's 5% 55% 32% 5% 5% 100% 90's90 'S 33% 0% 67% 0% 0% 100% No Answer 11%1 1 %. 29%29%. 20%.20% 9% 3131%%. 100%100%. Grand Total 19%19%. 36%36%. 27%.27% 8%8%. 9%9%. 100%100%.

3. Further develop RiverfiRiverfront ont ParkParh Yes, even with more taxestaxes Yes, hotbut no more taxes Same as Now Less than Now No Answer Grand Total My Age is:is: Under 30 10% 50% 10% 10%10% 20% 100% 30's30 'S 25% 41% 9% 22% 3% 100% 40's40'S 27%.27% 34%34%. 23%.23% 9% 6%6%. 100%100%. 50's 27% 36% 2121%% 9% 8%3% 100% 60's60 'S 17% 51% 22% 7% 3% 100% 70's70'S 21% 30% 24% 14%14% 11% 100% 80's80 'S 9%9%. 55%55%. 32%.32% 0%0%. 5%5%. 100%100%. 90's9Q's 0% 0%0% 33% 0% 67% 100% No Answer 9% 31% 22% 7% 31% 100% Grand Total 21% 38%33% 22% 10%10% 9% 100%

10. Expand economic development activities Yes, even with more taxestaxes Yes, hotbut no more taxes Same as Now LessLess than Now No Answer Grand Total My Age is:is: Under 30 10% 60% 0% 20% 10% 100% 30's30'S 16% 38%33% 28%23% 9% 9% 100% 40's40'S 17% 45% 21% 11%11% 6% 100% 50's50 'S 19%19%. 39%39%. 23%.23% 7% 13%13%. 100%100%. 60's 14% 45% 2121%% 10%10% 9% 100% 70's70'S 13% 33% 25% 14%14% 14% 100% 80's80 'S 9% 41% 36% 0% 14% 100% 90's90'S 0%0%. 33%33%. 67%67%. 0%0%. 0%0%. 100%100%. No Answer 4% 29% 29% 2% 36% 100% Grand Total, 15% 40% 24%24%1 9% 13% 100%

15. Create an industrial park Yes, even with more taxestaxes Yes, but no more taxes Same as Now LessLess than Now No Answer Grand Total My Age is:is: Under 30 10%10%. 40%40%. 20%.20% 30%30%. 0%0%. 100%100%. 30's 9% 25% 22% 34% 9% 100% 40's4Q's 12% 24% 18%13% 36% 11% 100% 50's50 'S 9% 27% 23%28% 23% 13% 100% 60's60'S 9%9%. 27%27%. 23%.28% 27% 8%3%. 100%100%. 70's7Q's 10% 30% 22% 16%16% 22% 100% 80's 5% 45% 27% 5% 18%13% 100% 90's,90 'S 0% 0% 33% 33% 33% 100% No Answer 2%2%. 22%22%. 18%13%. 18%18%. 40%40%. 100%100%. Grand Total 9% 27% 24%24%, 25% 15% 100%

Town and VillageVillage of Athens Comprehensive Plan, VolumeVolume II Page 190

TOWN AND VILLAGE OF ATHENS

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

VOLUME III

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS

FINAL ADOPTED SEPTEMBER, 2007

Table of Contents

Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey Section 1

Athens Buildout Analysis Section 2

Route 9W Corridor Study Section 3

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Page i

Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

A Community Image Survey was developed. This effort was undertaken to gain a clear understanding of the desired future appearance and character of the Town and Village. The purpose of this effort was to articulate the residents‟ impression of the present community image and to build consensus for its future character. Residents of the Town and Village of Athens were invited to participate in the image and written survey and a total of 41 residents completed the survey.

This effort included two parts: a written survey that explored resident‟s opinions about Athens‟ visual character, and a visual image survey that explored resident‟s opinions about preferred visual character of buildings, streets, landscapes, and development patterns in general. The image survey asked participants to view a series of slides that show what people typically see along streets, sidewalks, and public spaces. The slides illustrated such aspects of the community such as building form, density, setbacks, scale, massing, architectural style, colors, textures, materials, landscaping, road types, etc. People were asked to numerically rate images as to their acceptability in Athens. This section provides the results of the written survey along with a summary of the visual image survey.

Community Image Survey Questionnaire

1. How would you rate the overall visual character of the Village of Athens? (Please circle one number below that best describes your rating.)

Worst Best 0 1 2 3 4 5

2. How would you rate the overall visual character of the rest of the Town of Athens (outside the Village)? (Please circle one number below that best describes your rating.)

Worst Best 0 1 2 3 4 5

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 1 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

3. Please list up to FOUR words that describe the positive visual character of the Village of Athens? a. b. c. d.

4. Please list up to FOUR words that describe the positive visual character of the rest of the Town of Athens (outside the Village)? a. b. c. d.

5. Where is the most positive and visually pleasing location in the Village? Why?

6. Where is the most positive and visually pleasing location in the town outside of the Village in the Town of Athens? Why?

7. Where is the most negative and visually unpleasing location in the Village? Why?

8. Where is the most negative and visually unpleasing location in the town outside of the Village? Why?

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 2 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

9. Please use the attached map to identify the general location of town where you live. Please choose a number from the map below 1 2 3 4  . .I do not live in Athens, but I own land in the Town or Village

10. How long have you lived in the Town or Village of Athens? ______years

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 3 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

Community Image Survey Questionnaire Results Summary

As part of the public outreach process, a Community Image Survey was developed. Residents of the Town and Village of Athens were invited to complete the survey. A total of 41 residents competed the survey.

Q1. How would you rate the overall visual character of the Village of Athens?

Rate the overall visual character of the Village of Athens

5 0% 1 0 2 5% 4 0% 10% 33%

3 Worst Best 52% 0 1 2 3 4 5

Respondents were asked to rate the overall visual character of the Village of Athens on a scale of 0 (worst) to 5 (best). According to the responses received, more than half of all respondents (52%) rated the overall visual character of the Village of Athens as a “3”. More than one-third of all respondents (33%) rated the Village as a “4”. Another 10% rated the Village‟s visual character as a “2”. No respondents rated the Village‟s visual character as being the best or the worst.

Q2. How would you rate the overall visual character of the rest of the Town of Athens (outside the Village)?

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 4 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

Rate the overall visual character of the rest of the Town of Athens (outside the Village) 4 5 0 1 23% 0% 0% 3% 2 26%

Worst Best 3 0 1 2 3 4 5 48%

Respondents were asked to rate the overall visual character of the rest of the Town Athens (outside the Village) on a scale of 0 (worst) to 5 (best). According to the responses received, almost half of all the respondents (48%) rated the overall visual character of the Town of Athens (excluding the Village) as a “3”. About 26% of respondents rated the Town (outside the Village) as a “2”, while 23% rated it as a “4”. No respondents rated the visual character of the Town outside the Village as being the best or the worst.

Q9. Identify the general location of town where you live?

23%

10% 10%

54%

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 5 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

Respondents were asked to indicate where in the Town of Athens they lived. Options included the Village of Athens, the Town - West of Thruway, the Town - East of Thruway, and the Sleepy Hollow Area. More than half of all respondents (54%) indicated that they live in the Village. About 23% reside in the Sleepy Hollow Area, while 10% live west of the Thruway and another 10% live east of the Thruway.

Q10. How long have you lived in the Town or Village of Athens?

How long have you lived in the Town or Village of Athens?

< 5 14% 6 -10 30+ 14% 40%

11 - 19 20 - 30 14% 18%

Respondents were asked to indicate how long have they lived in Athens. A high percentage (40%) of respondents indicated that they have lived in the community for more than 30 years. About 18% of respondents have lived in the community between 20 and 30 years. The percentage of resident respondents who have lived in Athens less than 5 years, between 6 and 10 years, and between 11 and 19 years each equals approximately 14%.

Final Open - Ended Questions Results

Q3. Describe the attributes that contribute to the positive visual character of the Village of Athens.

• Aesthetics (Architecture/Scenic) - Architectural Pride, Architecture (6), Picturesque, Elegant, Charming houses, Charming, Scenery, Scenic (4) • Historical Resources - Historic (16), Historic homes (2), Stewart House Area, Lighthouse

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 6 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

• Community Character – Cleanliness/Neat (4), Rural Visibility, Charming, Comfortable, Quaint (7), Little, Cute, Small Town Look (4), River town, Country (2), Authentic, Cozy, Friendly (3), Consolidated, Growing, Homely, Colorful, Varied, Unspoiled, Nice, Size, Could grow • Waterfront/River resources/Recreation -Waterfront (8), Riverside (9), River view (3), Boat Dock/Boat Launch (2), Recreational, Children Park, Athens pool and other recreational facilities • Location/Infrastructure & Accessibility - Location, Village Setting and streets, Buildings, Accessibility Natural Resources – Flowers, Trees (2), Streetscape, Gardens Business and Industry - Old Business, Older Buildings Others - Timeless

Q4. Describe the attributes that contribute to the positive visual character of the rest of the Town of Athens (outside the Village).

• Scenic View/ Beauty – Country Vistas/Vistas (2), Scenic (4), Views/View shed (4), Riverview, View of Mountains (8) Riverfront/Recreation – River (2), Waterfront, Sleepy Hollow Lake, Lakes (2) Housing – Well kept property, Some Beautiful Homes Community Character – Countryside (3), Rural (11), Quaint (2), Family, Uncluttered, Clean (2), Varied, Friendly, Undeveloped Space/ Open (4), Green (2), Spacious, Colorful, Residential • Natural Resources - Farm lands animals/Farms/Agricultural/Farm-Oriented (12), Wildlife, Mountains (2), Catskill, Hills, Nature, Open Land/Open Space (2), Pastoral/ Woods/Trees/Rural landscape (5) Landscapes • Transportation - Railroad Tracks, Access to roads • Others -Industrial, Little Suburban Sprawl, Can be built up, Location

Q5. Where is the most positive and visual pleasing location in the Village?

nd • Franklin St. - S. Franklin St. (3), Intersections around 2 St. and Franklin and Washington, Lower Franklin St., South Franklin St. homes remind us of the successful past life in the Village, Triangle Park (Franklin and 5th Street) • Roads - Union St., Water Street (3), Second Street/Main Street, Route 385 North of the Village - around Vosburghs, River Street, S. Washington Street between 2nd and 3rd • Library

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 7 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

Nursery Lighthouse/Standing on the road and looking towards the lighthouse (4) Riverfront/Waterfront Views/Recreation - View of Hudson, River view/ Waterfront view (5), Riverfront/Waterfront– great combination of views, homes, and businesses, Riverfront – natural beauty of the river valley, Waterfront – the riverfront view stops at the Island Blocking the City of Hudson (10), Hagar’s Harbor (2), Access to the river, Boat launch - Great place to enjoy creek and river - south end is nice but distant from river and power lines • Architecture - Entire lower historic district because of the incredible array of historic architecture, Stewart House, Historic homes/Beautiful houses (4), Southern entrances to the Village, Well kept homes • Local Parks - Village Park (2), Riverfront Park/Waterfront Park/Riverside Park/ River Park with a great view of the 2nd street and some of the nicest buildings in the Village (8), Walking Southside by Park • Agrarian/Farmland – Wonderful view of the farmland/woods • Others – Comfortable, Quiet

Q6. Where is the most positive and visually pleasing location in the town outside of the Village in the Town of Athens?

• Leeds Athens Rd. - Intersection of Leeds - Athens Road and Howard Hall Road – Looking west, Leeds Athens Road – East of Train Tracks, Leeds Athens Rd. – Beautiful Vistas • Route 385 - Route 385 – north and south of the village (2), Route 57 and Route 385 – views of the mountains, Route 385 – scenic - north of Coxsackie, High on Schoharie Trpk. - where you can view the natural beauty of hills, fields, and mountains, North of the Village – Route 385 - where you can see Hudson River to east and Catskills mountains to the west • Farm to Market Road east and west (2), Small Park off Union St. east of farm to market, Farm to market – mountain views • Vosborgh’s Nursery - Wonderful view of the river/farmlands/woods, Route 385 North – near Vosborgh’s nursery - views over river and towards Catskills are spectacular as are near by open fields, Route 385 - North of the Village around Vosburghs, Vosburghs Scenic Riverview • Riverfront/Lake - Green Lake (7) – Lake and Mountain Views, Hudson Valley, Boat launch • Town Park - Town Park – only park in the town • Roads - Sandy Plains road, Winding roads, Flats Road (2)

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 8 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

Natural Resources/Character - Rural, Country, Open (2), Undeveloped (2) Green space, Agriculture, Farms, Lots of wildlife (2) Scenic View/Mountains - Great views of the Catskills, High Hill Road view (2), Great sunrise and sunset, Very quite and river views, View of mountains/Views of nature and mountains (3) • Housing - Variety of housing styles, Sleepy Hollow Lake Community (2) • Others - Underground utilities

Q7. Where is the most negative and visually unpleasing location in the Village? Why?

• Rt. 385 - Rt. 385 – service stations with junkyards, Rt. 385 – Midtown (2), Rt. 385 between Market and Goodrich (Peckham Tanks), Rt. 385 between northern entrances to ridiculously huge out of place Village down to Market Street, Entry into Village South and on Rte 385, Intersection of Route 385 – market stewards and sewage treatment plant • Peckham and Septic System for Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow Sewer Plant, Old barges and Peckham tanks, Sewer Plant – Peckham industries, Waste water treatment facility – detracts from the Water St. ‘Luster”, Peckham Industries – It is an ugly blight on the Village and riverfront, Peckham Industries – spoils the river (2), Sunken barges north of Peckham, Oil Tanks, Village sewage plant, Peckham – located on Rt. 385 looks like industrial and wasted riverfront, Top of brick row and Rt. 385 – Sleepy Hollow Lake Waste Water (sewage) Plant – bad smell • Washington St. - North Washington St. by the garages, Washington St. and around corner of Water St. • Second St. - Lower Second St. uncared for buildings, Second St. – many homes need some renovation, 2nd St – no character – oil tanks on the river River Street – Beautiful park but street is very cluttered north of park Unkempt property – the Tin Church Brunner clean fill site Waterfront/ Riverfront - Waterfront North, Upper Village along the river - not the businesses but the mess on the river, Riverfront – north of the park, unkempt looking (photos in your slide show of riverfront) • Trash Removal/Cleanup – Dirty streets, Auto Junkyards, the wood pallet fences – looks junkie • Structures - Buildings run down, Old dated buildings and property, Amos Post • Tanks/Trucks - Tanks and Trucks

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 9 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

• Others - I am sorry but I don’t generally view things as negatives as I make my way around Town. I am happy for the positives and I know I am in the minority when I say I actually appreciate those dreaded “Barges”, Top of Opera House, Overall,

Q8. Where is the most negative and visually unpleasing location in the town outside of the Village? Why?

• Sleepy Hollow Treatment Plant - The Sleepy hollow treatment plant – it is unpleasing to the eyes and nose • Athens Generating Plant - Athens Gen./Generating Plant – nasty industrial site (3), Electric Generating Plant – unsightly, US Gen. and Power Station on Leeds Athens, Power Plant - ridiculously huge out of place (2) • 9W - Bear Lodge 9W – don’t like Strip malls, 9W car (junk yard), 9W – used car lots, Rt. 9W Power Plant, 9W – North and South car dealerships or both ends, 9W Corridor, 9W needs something to detract from this ugly property, 9W is not very appealing for a State Highway • Schoharie Tpk. - Industrial Park on Schoharie Tpk. (2), Auto Junkyards on Schoharie Tpk. by Green Lake Road (Junk yard), Junkyard – corner Schoharie road and Route 49, Mauers Junkyard – rundown housing along with junk all around yard - Located on the corner of the Green Lake and Schoharie Tpk., Schoharie Tpk. from Union St. to 9W, Schoharie Tpk. around the railroads tracks - ugly construction, Corner of Schoharie Tpk. and Greenlake Rd., Schoharie Tpk. near the tracks from the Foundry to the tracks • Vosberg Florist – Vosberg Florist - It is a broken down dirty building. It is not a nice welcoming sign to Athens • Foundry Building - Former Foundry Building, Abandoned Wormuth Foundry - Symbol of Pre-zoning spot building and obvious visual detriment, Empty buildings • Roads - Roads not maintained, Lime Street, Entrance north of U. Hage, Rt. 28 – east and west of RR Tracks I Others - Run down homes (2), Not having small shopping means, Rusty Water Tank by Industrial Zone, Junkyards

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 10 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

The 25 Most Positive Images

2.05 (Average Response)

2.10

2.14

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 11 Section 1: Town and VillageVillage of Athens Community Image Survey

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan,Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 1515 Section 1: TownTown and VillageVillage of Athens Community Image Survey

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan,Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 1717 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

3.36

3.43

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 18 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

3.43

3.52

Common Features of Positive Slides

Rural landscape scenes showing farmland, farms, very low density/scattered residences Two story residences Peaked roofs Lack of obvious garages, and not vehicle-oriented Buildings set close to the road (shallow setbacks) Green landscaped areas, lots of street trees Traditional downtown images Commercial buildings that look residential Buildings constructed of traditional-looking materials (wood, brick) Rural country roads, with narrow lanes, and roadside trees Building architecture with porches, porticos, shutters, dormers Small signs made of wood or wood-looking Residential streets have sidewalks

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 19 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

The Top 25 Most Negative Images

-1.21 (Average Response)

-1.31

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 20 Section 1: TownTown and VillageVillage of Athens Community Image Survey

--1.331.33

S't trCff* "4" fi

--1.371.37

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan,Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 21 Section 1: TownTown and VillageVillage of Athens Community Image Survey

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan,Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 22 Section 1: TownTown and VillageVillage of Athens Community Image Survey

•7

--1.741.74

--2.312.31

--2.362.36

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan,Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 23 Section 1: TownTown and VillageVillage of Athens Community Image Survey

4m ST*.1

--2.382.38

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--2.432.43 &•»

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan,Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 24 Section 1: TownTown and VillageVillage of Athens Community Image Survey

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan,Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 26 Section 1: TownTown and VillageVillage of Athens Community Image Survey

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan,Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 27 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

-3.02

Common Features of Negative Images

Flat topped buildings One story buildings (commercial) Minimal trees and landscaping Large and complex signs – tall and variable in color Buildings set far off street with paved areas/parking lot areas between road and building Franchised architecture Wide streets with no street side trees Neighborhoods 1960+ era subdivision No sidewalks Residential streets with no street trees More noticeable utility wires Buildings not placed on lot in traditional village-like manner (buildings perpendicular to street, angled, off of parking lots, etc.)

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 28 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

Common Features of Images Receiving Mostly Positive, but More Mixed Reactions

These include the newer subdivisions showing houses closer together (narrow streets, more landscaping, sidewalks or alleys, porches

Franchises with alternative architecture (such as the Lake Placid Price Chopper and Saratoga Springs Dunkin Donuts, below)

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 29 Section 1: Town and Village of Athens Community Image Survey

Commercial buildings attempting to emulate more traditional styles, below

New commercial areas designed to emulate a more traditional downtown, below

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 1 Page 30

Athens Buildout Analysis

A general explanation of the process

A build-out analysis is an exercise designed to estimate the amount of development that can possibly occur if all developable land in a town/Village/County is built according to that municipality‟s current land use regulations. This buildout analysis applies current Town and Village of Athens land use regulations, considers environmental constraints that would limit development in certain areas, and calculates the total residential density allowed at full buildout of the Town and Village. It does not predict when this would occur, at what rate it would occur, or where it would occur first. It only predicts the possible end result. The general process followed to calculate full buildout conditions is:

1. Identify areas that already have residential development and therefore would not allow new development 2. Identify properties subject to conservation easements, or are owned by government entities not likely to allow development 3. Identify areas in the town having environmental constraints that would not support new residential development 4. Calculate the amount of new residential development allowed by Otsego’s current land use regulations in the remaining undeveloped areas of the Town.

These steps are outlined in greater detail on the following pages. A geographic information system (GIS) software program was used to conduct the analysis. In essence, the analysis calculates the total land base of the town and Village, subtracts all lands having environmental constraints and completely built areas, and then applies the various development rules to calculate the number of allowable new residences. For purposes of this analysis, the buildout assumes that all new development would be single-family homes. Note that the results of all of these calculations are only estimates. The GIS layers used are not exact replicas of what is actually found in the real world, only representations of what is there. The processing of the data also introduces a certain amount of error, and can increase the inaccuracy of the data layers. The only way to get an accurate count of allowed residential uses on a particular property is to do an on-site survey of existing conditions.

The buildout starts with the Tax Parcel data obtained from Greene County Real Property Tax Department. Other GIS layers were also used, such as roads, water features, wetlands,

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 2 Page 1 Section 2: Town and Village of Athens Buildout Analysis soils, and topography. Extra information is added to the parcel data layer throughout the process.

The first step is to identify the existing uses for each parcel. Existing residential uses are identified by using the Property Class code found in the table accompanying the GIS parcel layer. Generally, any property with a property class code in the 200 range is a residential use. Some commercial uses, such as mobile home parks and apartment buildings are also essentially residential uses, and considered as such for purposes of the Buildout calculations. These are shown on the Existing Residential Use map using a small green dot placed on the parcel. The dot does not indicate the exact location of the building on the property; it only indicates there is a residential building on it.

The Zoning layer determines the allowed density in each district. A column in the attribute table carries the minimum lot size for each zoning district. In both the Town and the Village, some districts allow for a variety of lot sizes depending on whether the new homes will or will not have municipal water and sewer hookups. The final buildout calculations were done twice to show the difference in buildout between these two scenarios.

The “fully built” parcels are identified by using the Property Class code found in the table accompanying the GIS parcel layer, calculating the total area of the parcel, and comparing it with the minimum lot size required in the district where the parcel is located. For example, an existing residence on a 7 acre parcel in the Town‟s Open Space/Conservation (OS) district is designated as fully built. The property cannot be subdivided into two conforming 5 acre lots. Further inspection using the Aerial Photographs identified more parcels that were developed in a way that would not allow further subdivision. Houses placed in the middle of a large lot would be one example. Some intensively developed non-residential uses were also removed. State owned lands, cemeteries, and churches are also removed after inspection of the aerial photos. What‟s left after subtracting the fully built parcels is a layer showing the buildable parcels in the municipality; those that can potentially be further subdivided and/or built upon.

The next step is to identify any environmental features that would prevent development. Two categories of constraints are usually identified. Absolute constraints, such as open water and streams, wetlands and flood plains are considered Major Environmental Constraints. Other areas such as the land within 100 feet of the water and wetland features, and slopes over 15% were included in a second constraints layer. These constraint layers are merged into a new layer, and used as a sort of “cookie-cutter”, removing these constraints from the already identified buildable parcels.

The result of all of these operations is a layer showing the developable area within the buildable parcels found in the municipality. This is the layer the final computations are made on. The formula used is:

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 2 Page 2 Section 2: Town and Village of Athens Buildout Analysis

((Remaining developable area x 0.85) / Zoning Density) – Any Existing Residential Uses

The 0.85 multiplication factor is used to allow room for new roads, and any other infrastructure needs. The Zoning Density will vary according to the district each parcel is located in. Parcels that span districts are split along the district boundary into separate parcels. This final calculation gives the potential buildout for the entire municipality based on current zoning regulations.

Specific Steps:

1. Assemble municipal boundaries and parcel boundaries, edit so they are coincident 2. Clean up parcel layer by identifying missing information, and updating by comparing it with aerial photos where possible 3. Add a field to the parcel layer that identifies existing residential uses for each parcel (Map 1: showing Existing Residential Uses) 4. Assemble zoning district boundaries, edit so they coincide with parcels to the extent possible 5. Add minimum lot sizes/density requirements to the zoning layer (Map 2: showing Zoning Districts) 6. Union the parcel layer and the zoning district layer A. Clean up the union by identifying slivers, and either deleting them or merging them with adjacent polygons 7. Identify fully built parcels by comparing building status with each parcels zoning requirements A. Parcels with existing residences that cannot be further subdivided B. Commercial/Public uses that are not likely to be developed C. Properties with conservation easements that restrict further development D. Properties owned by government agencies that are not likely to be developed (Map 3: showing Fully Built Parcels) 8. Identify buildable parcels remaining (Map 4: showing Buildable Parcels) 9. Clip constraint layers to municipality’s extent A. Water and streams B. 100 foot buffer of water and streams C. Wetlands, DEC, Federal, and/or hydric soils D. 100 foot buffer of wetlands

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 2 Page 3 Section 2: Town and Village of Athens Buildout Analysis

E. Flood Hazards F. Steep Slopes (Map 5: showing Environmental Constraints) 10. Merge all constraints into a single “cookie-cutter layer (Map 6: showing Environmental Constraints Merged) 11. Remove the constraints layer from the Buildable Parcel layer to produce a Buildable Area layer (Map 7: showing remaining Buildable Area) 12. Perform the buildout calculations on the Buildable Area layer (Maps 8 and 9: showing the total potential New Residential Uses at full buildout)

Historic buildout patterns (Decade 2000 is projected by doubling the 2000 to 2004 data. This data is from the GIS database, and may not correlate with other data sources used in the comprehensive plan.)

# New Buildings Decade Built Town/Village Zoning District 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Town Agriculture 1 1 2 1 Highway Commercial 7 5 1 1 Light Industrial 2 1 1 Open Space/Conservation 5 1 4 1 1 Recreation Residential 4 12 69 95 59 Rural Residential 90 110 73 84 35 Town Total 107 130 149 184 96* Village Commercial 3 2 2 Industrial 1 Low Density Residential 12 7 3 10 8 Medium Density Residential 26 47 25 18 4 Open Space Conservation 1 1 3 Recreational Residential 4 26 33 19 Waterfront 1 1 Village Total 42 61 57 62 35 Grand Total 149 191 206 246 131*

*Estimate based on 2000 to 2004 trends

The table above, and the following charts outline where new residential uses have been developed in each decade since 1960. The GIS parcel layers used in the buildout only

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 2 Page 4 Section 2: Town and Village of Athens Buildout Analysis include information up to 2004. Therefore, the numbers for this decade were doubled to provide a reasonable comparison for the other full 10 year time spans.

The charts show a fairly stable, but slightly declining development pattern in the Town‟s Rural Residential district, and a strong and steady increase in the number of new homes being built in the Town‟s Recreational Residential district (the Sleepy Hollow development).

The Village data shows a similar increase in development in its Recreational Residential district, with a slow decrease of development in the Medium Density Residential district, with a corresponding increase of development in the Low Density Residential District.

These charts depict the data in the historic buildout table on the previous page.

New Residences in Each Town Zoning District by Decade

140

120

100 Agriculture Highway Commercial 80 Light Industrial Open Space/Conservation 60 Recreation Residential

New Residences New Rural Residential 40

0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Decade

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 2 Page 5 Section 2: Town and Village of Athens Buildout Analysis

New Residences in Each Village Zoning District by Decade

120

100

Commercial 80 Industrial Low Density Residential 60 Medium Density Residential Open Space Conservation Recreational Residential

New Residences New 40 Waterfront

0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Decade

These charts outline the numbers obtained from the full buildout calculations. These numbers correlate with the buildout maps showing the small red dots that identify potential new residential uses at full buildout.

Athens Buildout Analysis Tables

Projected full buildout without new water and sewer hookups Town/Village Zoning District Total Town Agriculture 26 Highway Commercial 47 Open Space/Conservation 74 Recreation Residential 318 Rural Residential 2,009 Town Total 2,474 Village Commercial 10 Commercial Residential 7 Low Density Residential 68 Medium Density Residential 516 Recreational Residential 207 Village Total 808 Grand Total 3,282

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 2 Page 6 Section 2: Town and Village of Athens Buildout Analysis

Projected full buildout with all new water and sewer hookups

Town/Village Zoning District Total Town Agriculture 26 Highway Commercial 47 Open Space/Conservation 74 Recreation Residential 756 Rural Residential 3,015 Town Total 3,918 Village Commercial 10 Commercial Residential 7 Low Density Residential 1,424 Medium Density Residential 516 Recreational Residential 760 Village Total 2,717 Grand Total 6,635

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 2 Page 7 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W Corridor Study

ROUTE 9W CORRIDOR STUDY

TOWN OF ATHENS , NEW YORK 2006 Labergeg ENGINE E RING ARC KM CThRE SUAVENING PLANNING II Community Planning & 1 CorrOsEts Dm* KW • AIDS!. New YOH. 17205 www.looergegroup.corn II Environmental Associates

Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Table of Contents Purpose of Corridor Study ...... 1

Local & Regional Setting ...... 1 Greene County: Route 9W Corridor Study, 1991 ...... 3

Existing Conditions of the Corridor ...... 4

Physical Roadway Conditions of the Corridor ...... 4 Existing Land Uses for the Corridor ...... 6 Existing Zoning for the Corridor ...... 10 Signage Regulations ...... 12 Streetscape Assessment ...... 13

Corridor Constraints ...... 16

Environmental ...... 16 Historical & Archeological ...... 17 Economic Profile of the Corridor ...... 19

Socio-Economic Profile ...... 19 Analysis of Consumer Spending Patterns ...... 20 Economic Development Opportunities ...... 25

Route 9W Corridor Recommendations ...... 27

Transportation ...... 29 Land Use & Zoning ...... 34 Economic Development ...... 38

List of Tables & Graphs Table 1: Physical Characteristics of Route 9W ...... 5 Table 2: Average Annual Daily Traffic of Route 9W Athens, 1996-2004 ...... 5 Table 3: Travel Time To Work Comparison, 2000 ...... 6 Table 4: Properties Bordering the Route 9W Corridor ...... 8 Table 5: Retail Goods and Services Expenditures ...... 22

List of Graphs Graph 1: Athens Average Spending Potential Index ...... 21 List of Figures Route 9W Corridor Regional Location Map ...... 2 Route 9W Corridor Adjoining Parcel Property Class ...... 9 Route 9W Corridor Current Zoning Map ...... 11 Route 9W & Schoharie Tpke. Existing Conditions & Recommendations ...... 14 Route 9W & Leeds Athens Rd Existing Conditions & Recommendations ...... 15

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page i Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W Corridor Environmental Constraints ...... 18 Route 9W Photo simulation ...... 28 Example Recommended Access Design Improvements ...... 31 Route 9W Corridor Conceptual Zoning Districts ...... 37

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page ii Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Purpose of Corridor Study

The purpose of the Route 9W Corridor Study is to analyze the roadway within the context of the community, the corridor, and the regional market that it serves. It is equally important to understand both the physical corridor and how it relates to the soci-economic issues that are influenced by the roadway.

The functionality of the Corridor is a critical element, along with traffic volumes, operating speed, type of terrain, development density and land use. Each is considered as part of this study to ensure the planning and design of the Corridor produces not only a safe and efficient transportation system, but also provides economic development opportunities. Athens recognizes the local and regional value of Route 9W as a transportation corridor, and through proper planning, hopes to capitalize on the economic opportunities it affords.

Local & Regional Setting

The Route 9W Corridor bisects the Town of Athens and is functionally classified as a Minor Rural Arterial by New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Route 9W provides regional access as a connecting arterial to the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87). Route 9W begins in Albany near the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) and terminates in New Jersey near Interstate 95. Route 9W provides direct access to Interstate 87 ten miles north of the Town (Exit 21B) and five miles south of the Town (Exit 21). Through use of these routes, NY City and the greater Northeast Region of both the U.S. and Canada are easily accessible from Athens.

As a major non-interstate transportation corridor, Route 9W carries a significant amount of commercial, commuter and local traffic for the Town and Village residents. The Route 9W Corridor generally facilitates the economical movement of people, goods and services throughout the region. Therefore, a well-planned and designed Corridor is important to the economic integrity of both the Town and Village of Athens.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 1 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W Corridor Regional Location Map

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 2 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Greene County: Route 9W Corridor Study, 1991

The Greene County Planning Board performed a countywide study of Route 9W in 1991. The purpose of the study was to develop design standards and an action plan that would assist the local municipalities in planning for better development. The study included background information such as existing land use, population, physical features and regulations, circulation, business and industry.

The study provided numerous recommendations, many of which have not been implemented for the length of the entire Corridor. It has been nearly fifteen years since Greene County‟s Route 9W Corridor Study was completed. The Study provided numerous recommendations specific to site development standards and regulatory items for the local communities to implement the Study. These recommendations included specifics with respect to the following:

Site Layout Roadway Setbacks

Conservation Setbacks Height of Structures

Property Access Landscaping and Buffering

Signage Gateways

Zoning Subdivision Regulations

Other Laws and Regulations

Although the Study was for all of Greene County, many of these specific recommendations remain relevant today for Athens. Many of these recommendations are included as part of this Corridor Study to continue to emphasize their importance.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 3 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Existing Conditions of the Corridor

The following section provides an inventory and analysis of the existing conditions of the Route 9W Corridor. The analysis examines the existing roadway conditions, land uses, zoning regulations, and signage regulations.

A field investigation was completed in August 2006 to verify, through visual assessment, the conditions reported in this section. The visual assessment is used to determine existing property uses and conditions within the Route 9W Corridor. Together, these existing conditions influence the development pattern along the Corridor and its economic opportunities. The visual assessment also evaluated the consistency and effectiveness of the application of local regulations as they relate to zoning, land use, and general property conditions.

Physical Roadway Conditions of the Corridor

Route 9W mainly consists of two undivided travel lanes and paved shoulders with a posted speed limit of 55 MPH. The terrain is rolling with several horizontal and vertical curves, often limiting the available sight distance.

Along this Corridor in Athens, Route 9W has two major intersections with east – west routes; the first is with the County Route (CR) 28 (Schoharie Turnpike) and the second is with CR 74 (Leeds Athens Rt. 9W & Schoharie Turnpike Road). CR 28 (Schoharie Turnpike) provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders and has a reduced speed limit of 45 MPH. Traffic at the intersection of Route 9W/CR 28 is controlled by a signalized traffic light. CR 74 (Leeds Athens Road) provides two undivided travel lanes with no paved shoulders and has a speed limit of 55 MPH in the Town. Traffic at the intersection of Route 9W/CR 74 is controlled by a warning traffic light for those traveling on Route Rt. 9W & Leeds Athens Road 9W.

Traffic counts and road condition data were obtained for the Route 9W Corridor from the 2003 NYSDOT Highway Sufficiency Ratings. Table 1 compares the conditions of Route 9W near the Town of Athens/Coxsackie boundary line to the physical conditions of Route 9W near the Town of Athens/Catskill boundary line. Traffic volumes were slightly greater for the Route 9W Corridor in north Athens than the south. However, the percent of truck traffic was slightly greater in the south near the Athens/Catskill boundary.

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Table 1: Physical Characteristics of Route 9W North Route 9W South Route 9W Athens/Coxsackie Boundary Athens/Catskill Boundary AADT 7,010 Vehicles 6,910 Vehicles Truck Traffic 5% 7% Pavement Width 30 feet 30 feet Shoulder Width 2 feet 2 feet Surface Condition 6 – Fair, distress is clearly visible 7 – Good, distress symptoms are (isolated alligator cracking) beginning to show

The field investigation indicated that the existing surface of Route 9W was recently repaved by NYSDOT. Shoulder space along Route 9W continues to be extremely limited (two feet) and does not afford sufficient space in many areas for a vehicle to pull-off. At the time of the field survey, the shoulder pavement was not graded flush with the adjacent off-road properties. This unsupported pavement edge creates a road hazard for vehicles attempting to pull-off along Route 9W.

Route 9W in Athens has experienced a slight rise in traffic volumes over the past ten years. Table 2 compares the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) from 1996 to 2004 for the section of Route 9W between Schoharie Turnpike and the intersection of Route 23 in the Town of Catskill. This information was obtained from the 2004 Traffic Data Report for New York State prepared by the NYSDOT.

Table 2: Average Annual Daily Traffic of Route 9W Athens, 1996-2004

Year 1996 1999 2002 2004

AADT 6,650 6,450 6,900 7,200*

* Estimated by NYSDOT based upon 2003 AADT traffic count of 7,010.

The Route 9W Corridor serves as a major connecting arterial for Athens and the neighboring communities. As noted earlier, Route 9W provides direct access to the NYS Thruway with exits just north and south of Athens‟ border. As a result of this direct and convenient access, many commuters have taken up residency in Athens. The Route 9W Corridor experiences more than

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 5 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

7,010 average vehicles per day. Heavy vehicles and truck traffic contribute to the Corridor‟s traffic volume. The Athens Generating Plant is just one destination within the Corridor.

Recent commuting trends demonstrate that people are willing to commute greater and greater distances to work. As a result, it is anticipated that the Route 9W Corridor will increasingly be utilized for commercial activity, as well as a main arterial route for commuters. As noted in Table 3: Travel Time to Work Comparison, 2000 of the Comprehensive Plan, it was estimated that approximately 62.3% of Village and 57.5% of Town residents had a commute time of less than 25 minutes. Approximately 7.5% of the Village residents averaged between 25 and 34 minutes to get to work. This figure was comparatively higher for the Town with 12.4%. While the total residents of the Village and Town commuting between 35 and 60 minutes was 20.2% and 21.9% respectively.

Table 3: Travel Time To Work Comparison, 2000

Workers 16+ by Athens Village Town of Athens Greene County New York State Means of Transportation to Total % Total % Total % Total % Work < 10 minutes 108 15.4% 210 11.6% 3,699 19.3% 899,306 11.3% 10 - 24 minutes 330 46.9% 832 45.9% 7,147 37.4% 2,990,431 37.5% 25 - 34 minutes 53 7.5% 224 12.4% 3035 15.9% 1,458,072 18.3% 35 - 44 minutes 64 9.1% 148 8.2% 1,332 7.0% 544,033 6.8% 45 - 59 minutes 78 11.1% 248 13.7% 1,739 9.1% 806,556 10.1% > 60 minutes 70 10.0% 149 8.2% 2,178 11.4% 1,265,649 15.9% Total (Employed Commuters) 703 100.0% 1,811 100.0% 19,130 100.0% 7,964,047 100.0% Mean Travel Time 27.3 27.8 29.1 31.7 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

Existing Land Uses for the Corridor

Land use patterns are a result of historic settlement characteristics coupled with modern building codes, zoning ordinances, and subdivision regulations. The development pattern along the Route 9W Corridor reflects such influences. Land uses along the Route 9W Corridor include a mix of commercial, residential, community services, and agricultural uses. According to land use information derived from real property tax data, the Town of Athens is comprised of 1,920 parcels, with 105 parcels sharing a border with Route 9W.

New York State Real Property Type Class Code is used to categorize the land use information for each parcel. Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) data, a detailed land use map

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 6 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study was created to illustrate the existing land uses for each parcel along the Route 9W Corridor (see Figure 2: Route 9W Corridor Adjoining Parcel Property Class).

Agricultural – Property used as a part of an operating farm that does not have living accommodations and is used for the production of crops and/or raising of livestock.

Commercial: Property used for hotels, restaurants, automobile services, storage, retail, banks, offices, funeral homes, etc.

Community Services: Property used for schools, libraries, places of worship, cultural facilities, welfare services, hospitals, clinics, government, police, armed forces, correctional facilities, shelters, cemeteries, etc.

Industrial: Property used for the production and fabrication of durable and non-durable goods, mining, quarrying, etc.

Mixed Use/Multi-Purpose: Property used for more than one purpose, such as downtown row type housing, converted residences, mini-marts, etc.

Mobile Home/Mobile Home Park: Property used for one (1) individual mobile home or an area where mobile homes are owner occupied, but land and facilities are leased or rented.

Multi-Family Residential: Property used for apartments, and all types of residential dwellings that have more than two dwelling units.

Public Facilities and Utilities: Property used for electric or gas power generation or transmission, public drinking water and water treatment facilities, communications, train, plane, and bus terminals, canals, waste disposal sewer treatment, etc.

Recreation & Entertainment: Property used for parks, theaters, racetracks, bowling centers, health spas, beaches, campgrounds, etc.

Single–Family Residential: Property used for one-family, year round residence.

Two–Family Residential: Property used for two-family, year round residence.

Vacant Lands: Property that is not in use, in temporary use, or lacking permanent improvement.

Of the total parcels, only 26 parcels (or 1.4% of the total uses) are currently assessed as commercial property in the Town. Of these parcels, only 12 parcels share a border with Route

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9W (see Table 4: Properties Bordering the Route 9W Corridor). The commercial properties generally consist of permitted uses in accordance with the Town‟s Zoning Ordinance. Some of the commercial uses observed along the Corridor included auto services, antiques, motels, animal hospital services, heating and cooling supplies, and plumbing repair services.

Table 4: Properties Bordering the Route 9W Corridor Property Class Number of Parcels Acres Agricultural 1 116.8 Commercial 12 61.2 Community Services 2 3.2 Recreation and Entertainment 1 0.7 Residential 55 270.9 Vacant Land 34 667.8 Grand Total 105 1120.5

Property in the Town of Athens is most commonly used for residential purposes. The Town has 1,082 residential parcels or 56.4% of its total parcels are assessed as residential property. The land use pattern for the Route 9W Corridor follows this development trend. The Corridor has 55 residential parcels bordering Route 9W, which is 52.4% of the total uses in the Corridor. The residential properties generally consist of a variety of residential units as permitted by the Town‟s Zoning Ordinance. Residential dwelling units observed along Route 9W primarily consist of single-family, two-family, and mobile home units.

Community services generally include land uses for cemeteries, government, cultural, and recreational uses. Land used for community services is typically limited to only a few parcels in each community, as is similarly experienced in the Town of Athens. Of the total twelve parcels in the Town, two of these parcels have access onto Route 9W.

Land used for agricultural purposes typically involves large tracts of land but generally includes fewer overall parcels. As a result, land use percentages are often distorted. Of the total parcels, only 22 parcels (or 1.1% of the total uses) are currently assessed as agricultural property in the Town. However, agricultural uses are the second largest land use in the Town and utilize 11.5% of the total land. There is only one parcel (116.8 acres) used for agricultural purposes with access onto Route 9W.

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Route 9W Corridor Adjoining Parcel Property Class

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 9 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

In general, the Corridor can be described as a mixed-use corridor with segments that have distinct commercial, industrial, and residential characteristics. Properties vary in parcel size. There is also a wide variation in intensity of use, ranging from small homes converted to businesses with small parking areas in front or in existing driveways, to large-scale buildings with large parking areas, to intensive industrial uses. Residential uses are dispersed throughout the Corridor. The commercial development pattern is typified by buildings setback further from the street with parking in the front.

Existing Zoning for the Corridor

Zoning regulations are intended to control, to some degree, development patterns. The level of detail and flexibility of Athens‟ zoning ordinance has varied over the years due to numerous factors including, but not limited to changes in administration and policies. Therefore, the development pattern along the Corridor appears inconsistent in places. Existing zoning districts along the Corridor allow a broad range of land uses over an extensive area.

The Town of Athens currently has six zoning districts: Open Space/Conservation (OS), Agriculture (Ag), Recreation Residential (Rr), Rural Residential (Ru), Highway Commercial (HC), and Light Industrial (LI). Figure 3 illustrates the location of each existing zoning district within the Town of Athens. Two of these districts are located along the Route 9W Corridor, including Highway Commercial (HC) and Light Industrial (LI). The minimum front yard setback for the HC district is 40 feet, whereas the LI district requires a minimum of 50 feet. This front yard setback requirement is generally consistent along the Route 9W Corridor.

The Route 9W Corridor is the only land area in the Town of Athens that is designated within the Highway Commercial (HC) district. The district begins at the northern boundary of Athens, and continues along both sides of Route 9W, to just south of the intersection with CR 28 (Schoharie Turnpike). At this point the district continues south along Route 9W, but only on the west side of the Corridor. From a point just north of the intersection with CR 74 (Leeds Athens Road), the HC district continues south on both sides of the Corridor to the southern boundary of the Town. The HC district is the only commercial district in the Town and according to the Zoning District Objectives, this district is intended to control commercial development along Route 9W. Design objectives for the district include minimizing traffic hazards and prevention of deterioration of existing commercial areas. The area‟s character and beauty are to be preserved by careful building design, landscaping, building setbacks, under-grounding utilities and sign control.

The Town of Athens has one large section of land designated as the Light Industrial (LI) district which is designed to concentrate any future industrial growth in this area. The Route 9W Corridor includes a stretch of the LI district along the eastern side of Route 9W between the HC district.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 10 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W Corridor Current Zoning Map

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 11 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Permitted uses are subject to all the requirements of the pertinent zoning district. Additional uses are allowed by Special Permit granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as accessory uses customarily and necessarily incidental to the foregoing uses. However, the special permit uses are not clearly defined in the zoning ordinance for each district. Site Plan Review is required for all proposed buildings except one and two family residential structures. The following are the permitted uses identified for each zoning district along the Route 9W Corridor in Athens:

Highway Commercial (HC) District

Permitted Uses:

1. Retail sales 2. Personal service establishments 3. Laundromat, dry cleaning or laundry pick-up 4. Sit-down eating or drinking establishment 5. Bank 6. Professional, governmental or business office 7. Medical clinic or office 8. Auto service station 9. Auto body or major repair shop 10. Trailer rental 11. Auto, boat, mobile home, trailer or RV sales/rental 12. Drive-in restaurant 13. Motel 14. Car wash 15. Single-family dwelling (permitted but discouraged)

Light Industrial (LI) District

Permitted Uses:

1. Industrial

Signage Regulations

All signage in the Town of Athens is required to be in compliance with §180-19 of the Zoning Ordinance. Signage regulations vary by use of the property and/or by the size of buildings. For example, in residential districts nameplate and identification signs may be of no more than two square feet announcing the name, address or profession or home occupation of the occupant.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 12 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

However, businesses are permitted greater flexibility in how signage is designed and incorporated.

Each business is permitted two signs, one freestanding sign and one attached to the building. The size of permitted signage is required to be in proportion to the land use, lot and building size, and in no case exceed ½ square feet per linear foot of lot frontage. Freestanding signs are permitted to a maximum size of 50 square feet, while signage on a building is permitted to a maximum size 100 square feet. Therefore, each business may have a total of 150 square feet for the two signs.

Streetscape Assessment

There is little or no landscaping in front of many of the buildings along the Corridor and parking lot space is often underutilized and often lacks landscaping altogether. Multiple curb cuts make the traffic pattern hazardous to drivers. No sidewalks were present to accommodate pedestrians. The only street lighting provided is at the two intersections. This lighting is not pedestrian friendly and is provided only as a traffic safety mechanism. No other streetscape improvements were noted.

The following two figures highlight the visual assessment completed for the Corridor with emphasis on the two major intersections along the Route 9W Corridor.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 13 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W & Schoharie Tpke. Existing Conditions & Recommendations

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 14 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W & Leeds Athens Rd Existing Conditions & Recommendations

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 15 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Corridor Constraints

Environmental

The Route 9W Corridor has an abundance of vacant parcels available for development. However, development of many of these parcels may be constrained by environmental features such as steep slopes, wetlands, and/or hydric soils. Figure 6 illustrates the environmental constraints/features of the Route 9W Corridor.

The Route 9W Corridor divides two distinct topographical ranges, the fairly level terrace flanking the Hudson River and the Kalkbergs (Dutch for “limestone mountain”). The terrace is mostly level and ranges in elevation from 150 to 200 feet. The Kalkbergs is a range of low hills parallel to and at the west margin of the Hudson River terrace. The range is less than a mile wide and varies in altitude from 200 to 350 feet. As a result of this divide, a narrow band of very steep slopes (over 45%) is seen on the edge of the Kalkbergs or the western parcels of Route 9W. Overall, there are relatively few areas within the town that are constrained by steep slopes.

Pursuant to New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 24 Parts 662 and 663, New York State protects freshwater wetlands larger than 12.4 acres and enforces a 100-foot protective buffer encompassing such wetlands. Smaller wetlands may also be protected under federal regulations and are not subject to the 100-foot buffer restrictions. The Freshwater Wetlands Act, aimed at preventing wetlands being filled or drained, regulates activities within or adjacent to designated wetlands, including the buffer area. A permit issued by the NYSDEC for regulated activities is required. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has jurisdiction over all wetlands not administered by the NYSDEC. Permits need to be secured prior to any filling, alteration, or construction in or adjacent to any wetlands.

Wetland mapping shows many regulated wetlands in Athens, mostly in the mid-portions of the Town and east to the Hudson River, including the Route 9W Corridor region. Most of the wetlands near the Route 9W Corridor are associated with, and found along creeks and streams. According to available wetland mapping, the wetlands appear to be located several feet behind many of the parcels with fronting 9W. Hydric soils are soils characterized by excessive moisture or water. According to hydric soil mapping, the hydric soils near Route 9W Corridor tend to correlate with the wetlands. As a result, there will be some development limitations on many of these parcels. A wetland survey should be required of all development along the Route 9W to ensure potential impacts to wetlands are avoided and/or minimized.

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Historical & Archeological

According to the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Route 9W Corridor has a potential for historical and archeologically significant resources. The entire length of the Corridor is identified as an archeologically sensitive area. In addition, the Flint Mine Hill Archeological District, listed on the National Historic Registry, includes all parcels along the Route 9W Corridor from the intersection of Schoharie Turnpike north into the Town of Coxsackie. All future development along the Route 9W Corridor should be required to complete a Phase 1 Archaeological Investigation to ensure potential impacts to these resources are avoided and/or minimized.

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Route 9W Corridor Environmental Constraints

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 18 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Economic Profile of the Corridor

As a major non-interstate transportation corridor, Route 9W serves as a main connection for commercial, commuter and local traffic for the Town and Village. The Route 9W Corridor is essential to the movement of people, goods and services throughout the region.

The assessment of existing conditions strives to answer the following questions:

• What are the demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle characteristics of existing and potential consumers?

• What trends are likely to influence consumer-spending patterns in and around the Route 9W Corridor?

• What are the spending habits of local and regional area residents?

• What are current retail sales in and around the corridor and surrounding trade area?

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the economy?

• What is the market potential for various types of businesses in and around the corridor?

Socio-Economic Profile

According to US Census estimates and population projections from ESRI Business Analyst Online (BAO), between 2006 and 2011 the population for the Town and Village of Athens is projected to experience a growth rate of 2.8% and 3.2%, respectively. This projected growth is very much dependent upon several factors, including economic expansion, environmental capacity, housing suitability, varying needs within age cohorts, and overall regional desirability.

As detailed in the Demographic Profile of the Comprehensive Plan, the population for the Town and Village has been on the rise since 1990, reflecting the community as a whole offers a desirable quality lifestyle. The largest age group in Athens is comprised of residents between the ages of 35 – 54 years. Generally, this age group is characterized as stable and typically settled into a region due to family and/or employment. Overall, the population of Athens can be characterized as generally aging, however, the younger generation is not being replenished. This is a major national trend known as the “graying of America” due to the aging of the vast baby- boomer generation.

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Analysis of Consumer Spending Patterns

In an effort to identify how residents may be underserved locally by existing businesses, and in order to learn about the spending patterns of Athens residents, a Retail Goods and Services Expenditure report was obtained from ESRI Business Analyst Online (BAO) for both the Town and Village of Athens. Business Analyst Online (BAO) provides reports and maps to businesses to help them understand the lifestyle and buying behaviors of the households in a particular market in order and to find optimal sites for new store locations. BAO combines Geographic Information technology with extensive demographic, consumer, and business data to deliver more than 50 reports and maps over the Web. BAO uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics‟ (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys to identify baseline-spending patterns. Data from additional surveys, including the weekly Diary Survey for daily purchases and quarterly Interview Survey for general purchases, are used to refine the spending estimates. BAO integrates data from both surveys to provide a comprehensive database on all consumer expenditures.

Many communities across the country have researched consumer-spending behaviors to understand local trends. In general, consumers prefer to shop for everyday items close to home. These items include goods and services such as groceries, home cleaning supplies, personal care items, alcohol, cigarettes, automobile repair, beauty salon services, and restaurants. In contrast, consumers are willing to travel farther from home for larger ticket items such as furniture, furnishings, appliances, electronics, clothing, entertainment, automobiles, recreational vehicles and medical services. Finally, consumers are willing to take longer day trips from home in search of specialty shopping experiences that may include dining, entertainment, and recreation.

The Retail Goods and Services Expenditure report details the spending habits of Athens residents which can be compared to the existing business along the Route 9W Corridor. Evaluating where local and regional consumers spend their money is important, because it reflects the dollars that could be spent along the Route 9W Corridor, if the right mix of stores was available to accommodate the demand.

The Spending Potential Index (SPI) is household-based, and represents the amount of money spent for a product or service relative to a National average of 100. Analysis of this data helps businesses identify important changes and significant trends in consumer spending and buying habits within a particular market, and helps identify the best areas to market specific products and services. These figures are not meant to represent annual expenditures made within Athens. Rather, the figures represent the potential total annual expenditures of Town and Village residents as might be spent both within and outside of Athens. While local spending habits are compared to a National average, the expenditure outlays are not corrected for regional inflation. Therefore, that a given community spends less on specific goods or services may reflect one of

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 20 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study several things: (1) local residents are able to obtain the desired goods or services at a cheaper cost; (2) local residents‟ interests in such goods and services falls short of the National average or the goods and services are not easily available, or (3) local residents have less disposable income to spend on such items.

According to the SPI, for every $1 spent nationally on retail goods and services, Town of Athens residents spend between $0.62 and $1.23, while the Village of Athens residents spend between $0.83 and $1.20. Graph 1: Athens Spending Index compares the residents‟ average spending potential index for each category in the Village and Town of Athens. Table 5: Retail Goods and Services Expenditures provides an expanded summation, with subcategories, of the spending potential index for each category. As a whole, the consumers of this area spend slightly less than the national average on most goods and services with a few exceptions. Overall, Athens consumers spend close to the national average on items such as health, insurance, home, and transportation services.

As seen in Graph 1, the top two categories by expenditures for Athens are Health (Village – 111 and Town – 106) and Insurance (Village – 103 and Town – 101). The category with the lowest average expenditure ranking is Financial (Village – 87 and Town – 81).

Graph 1: Athens Average Spending Potential Index

r• 111 106 cpe 61' 102 103101 102 98 OP96 96 97 Cb97 93 94 95 91 92 91 tritt 90- 11 92 It86 III87 87 88 86

83 81 Average Spending Potential Index

_0. ,,, .cp ‘,0436 i0" e ce I s'. . 00 e osf, ,,,,p , s i? Food cf ,44 „J.. - ' ks •ZHealthsla 'ZHome° 4 cs e ,, , _0* •CTravel eFinancial Insurance Computers cs ke-- W Cr e 63 \,, s ,c 2r .1' N.93. ,b • .(43 MiscellaneousTransportation aC la seC s •.,* ON Apparel and Services \* •zsoHousehold Operations „.6-- ,+<• Village of Athens 0-Entertainment & Recreation k .(s ■ Town of Athens •ZsHouseholdc) Furnishings and Equipment

Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions (ESRI BIS). Expenditure Data area derived from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data was updated in September of 2003 based on Consumer Expenditure Surveys from 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 21 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

The average amount spent per household on each of the goods and service subcategories is comparable in both the Village and Town. However, the Village spends slightly more per dollar in each subcategory. The following are the subcategories with the highest and lowest spending potential index for both the Village and Town.

Village: Highest Spending Potential Index (S.P.I.) Town: Highest Spending Potential Index (S.P.I.) 1. Recreational Vehicles & Fees (123) 1. Recreational Vehicles & Fees (120) 2. Prescription Drugs (120) 2. Prescription Drugs (118) 3. Maintenance & Remodeling Materials (114) 3. Lawn & Garden (109)

Village: Lowest Spending Potential Index (S.P.I.) Town: Lowest Spending Potential Index (S.P.I.) 1. Investments (69) 1. Investments (62) 2. Child care (82) 2. Child care (73) 3. Admission to Movie, Theatre, Opera, Ballet 3. Moving, Storage, Freight Express (74) (83) 3. Admission to Sporting Events, excel Trips (83)

Most of the retail goods and services that residents are willing to spend more per dollar on, are not provided along the Route 9W Corridor. Indicating that residents are finding these services elsewhere. Recapturing even a portion of sales currently spent elsewhere represents a significant market opportunity. Achieving this vision will require establishing a critical mass of quality retail and service businesses throughout the Corridor to enhance the area‟s drawing power and consumer spending potential.

Table 5: Retail Goods and Services Expenditures, indicates the spending habits of the Athens residents, as compared to a nationwide standard.

Table 5: Retail Goods and Services Expenditures Village Town Spending Average Total Average Spending Total Spent Potential Spent per Spent per Spent per Retail Goods & Services Categories Potential per Year Index Household Year Household Index (Town) (S.P.I.) (Village) (Village) (Town) Apparel and Services 93 $2,559.14 $1,888,647 86 $2,373.49 $4,075,281 Men's 95 $495.07 $365,365 88 $460.19 $790,150 Women's 93 $841.59 $621,096 86 $775.79 $1,332,028 Children's 94 $406.99 $300,361 88 $379.67 $651,899 Footwear 89 $447.74 $330,434 83 $417.92 $717,571 Watches & Jewelry 96 $241.09 $177,924 89 $223.20 $383,231 Apparel Products and Services 87 $126.65 $93,467 80 $116.72 $200,402 Computer I 911 1 I 83F F

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 22 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Village Town Spending Average Total Average Spending Total Spent Potential Spent per Spent per Spent per Retail Goods & Services Categories Potential per Year Index Household Year Household Index (Town) (S.P.I.) (Village) (Village) (Town) Computers and Hardware for Home Use 90 $223.39 $164,863 82 $202.74 $348,101 Software and Accessories for Home Use 92 $26.99 $19,916 83 $24.40 $41,891 Entertainment & Recreation 98 $3,059.01 $2,257,547 92 $2,865.67 $4,920,351 Fees and Admissions 87 $524.48 $387,066 78 $473.26 $812,587 Membership Fees for Clubs 91 $149.21 $110,118 83 $135.60 $232,822 Fees for Participant Sports, excl. Trips 89 $102.54 $75,678 80 $92.41 $158,672 Admission to Movie/Theatre/Opera/Ballet 83 $121.30 $89,519 75 $108.59 $186,444 Admission to Sporting Events, excl. Trips 90 $50.18 $37,032 81 $45.23 $77,656 Fees for Recreational Lessons 83 $101.25 $74,719 75 $91.43 $156,993 TV/Video/Sound Equipment 96 $991.12 $731,445 90 $924.67 $1,587,652 Community Antenna or Cable Television 100 $551.02 $406,654 95 $523.77 $899,311 Color Televisions 91 $104.56 $77,166 84 $95.88 $164,629 VCRs, Video Cameras, and DVD Players 91 $34.44 $25,415 81 $30.58 $52,511 Video Cassettes and DVDs 94 $38.51 $28,418 85 $34.75 $59,674 Video Game Hardware and Software 90 $30.48 $22,495 81 $27.60 $47,395 Satellite Dishes 103 $3.04 $2,243 98 $2.88 $4,945 Rental of Video Cassettes and DVDs 89 $55.94 $41,286 80 $50.17 $86,143 Sound Equipment 94 $167.58 $123,671 86 $153.93 $264,300 Rental and Repair of TV/Sound Equipment 91 $5.55 $4,097 83 $5.09 $8,744 Pets 106 $374.06 $276,055 102 $359.14 $616,651 Toys and Games 95 $193.04 $142,462 89 $181.12 $310,977 Recreational Vehicles and Fees 123 $413.17 $304,919 120 $401.14 $688,764 Sports/Recreation/Exercise Equipment 95 $209.71 $154,767 91 $199.85 $343,138 Photo Equipment and Supplies 96 $138.41 $102,147 88 $127.26 $218,506 Reading 97 $215.02 $158,686 90 $199.23 $342,076 Food 96 $7,628.27 $5,629,663 91 $7,174.03 $12,317,814 Food at Home 98 $4,642.53 $3,426,190 93 $4,400.39 $7,555,465 Bakery and Cereal Products 98 $691.85 $510,585 93 $655.39 $1,125,305 Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs 97 $1,230.51 $908,119 93 $1,175.33 $2,018,035 Dairy Products 99 $510.79 $376,965 94 $483.75 $830,605 Fruit and Vegetables 95 $792.38 $584,779 90 $750.83 $1,289,182 Snacks and Other Food at Home 99 $1,416.99 $1,045,742 94 $1,335.08 $2,292,338 Food Away from Home 94 $2,985.74 $2,203,473 88 $2,773.65 $4,762,349 Alcoholic Beverages 90 $461.14 $340,323 82 $419.52 $720,310 Nonalcoholic Beverages at Home 101 $398.91 $294,398 95 $376.90 $647,131

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 23 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Village Town Spending Average Total Average Spending Total Spent Potential Spent per Spent per Spent per Retail Goods & Services Categories Potential per Year Index Household Year Household Index (Town) (S.P.I.) (Village) (Village) (Town) Prescription Drugs 120 $645.65 $476,489 118 $634.33 $1,089,137 Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses 105 $89.92 $66,362 98 $84.19 $144,546 Home 102 96 Mortgage Payment and Basics 94 $7,487.20 $5,525,552 88 $7,001.02 $12,020,746 Maintenance and Remodeling Services 97 $1,533.07 $1,131,408 92 $1,443.18 $2,477,937 Maintenance and Remodeling Materials 114 $369.20 $272,468 107 $344.19 $590,980 Utilities, Fuel, and Public Services 101 $4,216.57 $3,111,831 96 $4,013.49 $6,891,168 Household Furnishings and Equipment 94 87 Household Textiles 94 $119.04 $87,850 87 $109.38 $187,808 Furniture 89 $543.45 $401,065 82 $501.53 $861,125 Floor Coverings 93 $73.03 $53,897 87 $67.95 $116,664 Major Appliances 101 $274.74 $202,756 95 $258.92 $444,564 Housewares 97 $92.41 $68,197 91 $87.06 $149,476 Small Appliances 100 $35.21 $25,985 93 $32.69 $56,123 Luggage 85 $9.06 $6,683 76 $8.07 $13,853 Telephones and Accessories 94 $48.78 $36,003 88 $45.67 $78,421 Household Operations 95 88 Child Care 82 $344.36 $254,140 73 $306.90 $526,939 Lawn and Garden 113 $473.21 $349,226 109 $458.93 $787,985 Moving/Storage/Freight Express 85 $43.06 $31,780 74 $37.91 $65,097 Housekeeping Supplies 101 $681.13 $502,671 95 $643.12 $1,104,231 Insurance 103 101 Owners and Renters Insurance 109 $453.62 $334,769 106 $438.34 $752,625 Vehicle Insurance 100 $1,296.12 $956,538 94 $1,229.03 $2,110,239 Life/Other Insurance 107 $676.51 $499,267 102 $647.96 $1,112,542 Miscellaneous 97 90 Personal Care Products 96 $389.55 $287,490 90 $362.08 $621,687 School Books and Supplies 86 $97.83 $72,197 77 $86.88 $149,175 Smoking Products 109 $540.97 $399,236 103 $512.23 $879,501 Transportation 102 97 Vehicle Purchases (Net Outlay) 104 $5,817.86 $4,293,577 99 $5,521.78 $9,480,888 Gasoline and Motor Oil 105 $1,935.65 $1,428,511 100 $1,844.83 $3,167,572 Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs 98 $1,011.66 $746,607 92 $949.06 $1,629,535 Travel 92 86 Airline Fares 88 $356.62 $263,186 81 $327.03 $561,517 Lodging on Trips 97 $386.80 $285,455 91 $363.36 $623,887 Auto/Truck/Van Rental on Trips 88 $43.50 $32,105 80 $39.78 $68,303 Food and Drink on Trips 96 $432.21 $318,969 90 $402.93 $691,839

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 24 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Economic Development Opportunities

Infrastructure

Municipal water and sewer is often one of the key amenities used to attract new businesses and industries. Extending municipal water and sewer to the Route 9W Corridor would create enormous economic development opportunities for the Town.

The Town of Athens does not have its own municipal water supply or municipal sewer. However, municipal water and sewer is provided to a majority of properties within the Village of Athens. The source of the public water supply is Hollister Lake located along Schoharie Turnpike in the northwestern part of the Town of Athens. Water is then piped along the Schoharie Turnpike through its intersection with Route 9W. Due to the Corridor‟s proximity to the watermain, the Town should investigate the feasibility of connecting to the Village‟s water supply and extending it to limited areas along the Route 9W Corridor.

Creating a sewer extension would be a different task altogether, as existing sewer mains are not in proximity to the Route 9W Corridor. In addition to the lengthy sewer pipe extension, the Village wastewater treatment plant would require significant improvements and upgrades in order to accommodate waste from the Route 9W Corridor. The cost for such an extension may not immediately be economically feasible. However, the Town should consider future opportunities to share the burden with developers of Route 9W. The expansion of municipal water and/or sewer to the Corridor would ultimately serve as a catalyst for economic development.

Empire Zone Program

Empire Zones (EZs) are designated areas throughout the State that offer special incentives to encourage economic and community development, business investment and job creation. Businesses located within an EZ are eligible to receive significant tax credits and benefits. The Empire Zone Program is an important initiative to implement forward-looking growth policies and programs to encourage the expansion of private sector businesses in the county.

New York State recently designated a new EZ in Greene County, which includes 167 acres of privately-owned land in the Town of Athens. Parcels along the Route 9W Corridor were not included in this designation; however, Route 9W will serve as the primary access route to these EZ properties. As a result, the Route 9W Corridor has the potential to be a magnet for the EZ and create additional economic opportunities.

Through marketing and good planning efforts, the Town may be able to create attractive incentives for new businesses, mixed-uses, and industries to the area. Many businesses are

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 25 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study seeking immediate available space. In order for the Town to take advantage of these businesses, sites should be “shovel-ready”. Priority sites often are served by municipal water and sewer. Although, municipal water and sewer is not currently available such an extension may be feasible in the future.

In order to establish “shovel-ready” sites, the Town should prepare a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for all properties along the Route 9W Corridor and the Schoharie Turnpike to the EZ properties. The GEIS would evaluate the potential impacts associated with the future development of these sites, the potential impacts of a water and/or sewer expansion, and identify the necessary improvements to mitigate any associated impacts. The completion of a GEIS helps to alleviate the obstacles associated with developing land. “Shovel-ready” sites eliminate the unknowns associated with developing property and allow the Town to market to future businesses not only within the EZ, but also the Route 9W Corridor.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 26 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W Corridor Recommendations

Introduction

The Town and Village of Athens are poised for redevelopment and rediscovery of its identity and importance. Opportunities exist to reinvigorate the area‟s economy by capitalizing on the strengths of the Route 9W Corridor. Strengths of the Route 9W Corridor include its central location within the Town, ample vacant land, proximity to a traditional village design, and recreational opportunities, and access to transportation opportunities.

Athens is unique with many natural, historic, and cultural themes while also sharing similar themes with the regional area. Coordinated efforts and sharing of resources can enable the Town to establish a destination for travelers. These efforts cannot only make the area an interesting place to visit, but can improve the quality of life for permanent residents as well. The Route 9W Corridor can be transformed into a thriving transportation corridor – a place where residents and visitors will feel comfortable driving, biking, walking, shopping, working, and living.

This section presents general recommendations for the 9W Corridor as a whole, divided into three major topics: Transportation, Land Use and Zoning, and Economic Development. A successful transportation corridor promotes safe driving, with clear signage, separate pedestrian and bicycle corridors, and attractive streetscapes. To visually represent the recommendations, two existing conditions photographs were altered to provide a visual simulation of “tomorrow‟s” Route 9W Corridor.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 27 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W Photo simulation

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 28 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Transportation

Many of America’s roadside communities are experiencing the growth of vehicular and pedestrian usage, and are looking to provide proper planning and interaction between motorized and non-motorized users. At the same time, local communities need to protect and enhance the rural persona and historical significance of the area, while maintaining a positive image and safe place where pedestrians, motorists, and non-motorist users can coexist.

Based upon information provided by the Athens Comprehensive Planning Committee (ACAC), the public, and stakeholders there is a general awareness that improvements are needed for the Corridor in order to create a sense of identity and attract new businesses. It is the vision of Athens to create interesting places and linkages for motorist, pedestrians and bicyclists visiting the Route 9W Corridor to warrant the transportation improvements and amenities. It is important that Athens continues to have the foresight towards implementing this vision to create the Route 9W Corridor of tomorrow.

The following are the transportation recommendations for the Route 9W Corridor:

Access

A permit is required from NYSDOT for all driveway and curb cut access onto Route 9W. As a result, numerous individual property access points line the Corridor for all land use types. Shared access to multiple properties is permitted and encouraged, however it is uncommon along Route 9W.

• Reduce the number of driveways along Route 9W to eliminate motorist conflicts. New development should be coordinated so that ingress and egress points can be combined to decrease access points along Route 9W. Shared access should be encouraged between property owners to reduce the overall number of curb cuts.

• Enforce driveway design standards for both residential and commercial driveways to ensure vehicular, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety. Standards should take into consideration but are not limited to, driveway width, sight distance, and surface material.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 29 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

• As future developments are proposed along the Corridor, the Planning Board should analyze the need for road widening, the addition of right and left turn lanes, a wider shoulder, sidewalks and/or a minimum landscaping buffer strip. The current minimum setback requirements for the HC and LI districts may need to be increased in order to accommodate roadway widening, or where appropriate, to provide a conservation setback to preserve the semi-rural character of the Corridor.

• Consider requiring the construction of secondary access roads and interconnections of parking lots as part of any future development to further decrease access points along Route 9W.

• Require that developers conduct a Traffic Impact Analysis for all developments that are proposed to add 100 cars or more per day along the Route 9W Corridor. The study should take into consideration various potential uses, as well as types of potential vehicular traffic (i.e. automobile versus heavy truck traffic versus pedestrian traffic). The Traffic Impact Analysis will be utilized to determine any improvements and mitigation necessary to offset the traffic impacts to the Route 9W Corridor.

• As future developments are proposed along the Corridor and traffic increases, work with NYS DOT to lower the speed limit from 55 MPH to something more appropriate for the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 30 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Example Recommended Access Design Improvements

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 31 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Parking Standards

Vehicular parking along the Route 9W Corridor is limited to the parking lots owned by private businesses. In most locations, parking spaces are delineated by pavement markings. Although parking striping is often provided, the markings are also often faded, causing vehicles to park haphazardly. No on-street parking is available and is not encouraged due to the traffic speeds along the Corridor. Landscaping and streetscape amenities should be encouraged and incorporated in the site layouts for each parking area along the Corridor.

• Incorporate landscaping requirements into parking design standards. Landscaping may be used to screen parking areas, visually break-up parking aisles, and to create an attractive streetscape. Where appropriate, berms should be used to screen industrial uses.

• Encourage business owners and developers to design site plans with shared parking areas.

• Encourage future parking to the side and rear of buildings to create and protect the streetscape along the Route 9W Corridor.

Pedestrian & Bicycle Access Improvements

The Route 9W Corridor does not provide any pedestrian or bicycle safety elements. No sidewalks were noted along the Route 9W Corridor to enable pedestrians to safely walk between businesses.

I Encourage vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle safety throughout the Corridor through the provision of bike lanes, sidewalks, pedestrian signage, etc. To the extent practical, all developments should encourage the separation of vehicular traffic from pedestrian traffic by creating separate rights-of-ways, and well-defined pedestrian routes.

• Coordinate with neighboring communities and NYSDOT to establish a regional bike path along the Route 9W Corridor.

• Coordinate with property owners to develop snow removal plans to ensure future pedestrian elements are accessible throughout the year.

• Require pedestrian and bicycle elements to be incorporated as part of any future development and included in the overall transportation system. This includes adding pedestrian elements along secondary streets connecting to Route 9W.

Infrastructure

• Coordinate the replacement of any aging infrastructure with the NYSDOT to coincide with any planned reconstruction or improvements to the Route 9W Corridor.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 32 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

• Work cooperatively with the Village of Athens to implement a long-term program for expanding the water and/or sewer infrastructure to the Route 9W Corridor. Any future expansions of the water and/or sewer should be limited to the “commercial nodes” which are further discussed in the following Land Use and Zoning Recommendations. This concept is intended to avoid the creation of a continuous commercial strip along 9W. The commercial nodes include the areas around the intersections Schoharie Turnpike and Leeds Athens Road. Expansions south of Leeds Athens Road, as well as east and west along Leeds Athens Road should be discouraged.

• Consider future opportunities to share the burden with developers for the expansion of municipal water and/or sewer to the Route 9W Corridor.

Street Lighting

• Provide ornamental street lighting along Route 9W to improve the visual character. Street lighting should be provided within each of the commercial nodes and along the section of Route 9W connecting the two commercial nodes.

• Increased lighting levels should be considered where pedestrian activity or improvements are provided.

Streetscape

• Coordinate with the NYSDOT to design a landscaping scheme for the Route 9W Corridor that includes a variety of street-tree species of differing size, leaf color and flowering ability to add to the aesthetic beauty of the Corridor.

• Select street trees to meet the climatic conditions, spatial requirements, and urban stresses of the propose planting location. The small brochure Recommended Urban Trees: Site Assessment Selection for Stress Tolerance Planting should be consulted prior to choosing any tree species.

• Preserve existing, healthy mature trees. If determined that such trees must be removed, they should be replaced with appropriate native species.

Utilities

• Relocate overhead lines, where practicable, underground to improve the visual character of the area.

• Require the placement of empty conduit underground whenever the ground is opened (i.e. as part of development, construction, improvements, etc.) for the future lighting and fiber optic cable.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 33 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Land Use & Zoning

As noted previously, the Route 9W Corridor contains the Highway Commercial (HC) district, the only commercial district in the Town. The Route 9W Corridor is intended to control and contain existing and future commercial development. Design objectives for the district include minimizing traffic hazards, preventing a deterioration of existing commercial areas, and maintaining a balance with adjacent uses. In conjunction with these objectives, the Town is additionally seeking to improve upon the land development patterns, preserve architectural diversity, and creating a stronger sense of place throughout the Corridor. The Town should respect the planning efforts of the Village to ensure uses along the Route 9W Corridor enhance, rather than compete with the economic climate of the Village.

As signage along the Route 9W Corridor is permitted to vary by the size of building, it is difficult to have a consistent appearance along the Corridor. A variation to the permitted quality of signage has also affected the Corridor’s appearance. Large billboards were observed along the Corridor, often detracting from the visual character of a Corridor.

Setback requirements for signage also varied throughout the Corridor. Some signs were very close to the road, while others setback much further. Some freestanding signs were elevated on poles while other signs were leaning against objects on the ground. Over the years, a range of signage approvals, with respect to quality, location and design have had a visual impact on the Corridor.

The following land use and zoning recommendations apply to the Route 9W Corridor:

Land Use Pattern & Design

• Enforce the vision established in the Comprehensive Plan for the Route 9W Corridor. This vision will assist the Planning Board during all future site plan reviews to ensure the Corridor is developed appropriately. The Route 9W Corridor Study should be used to organize and define the land uses along the Corridor to create distinct “commercial nodes”. The Town should require all future developments to provide lighting, landscaping, streetscaping, right- of-ways, etc to ensure the Corridor is developed as envisioned. Such elements will only be

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 34 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

implemented through gradual enforcement, which will ultimately change the overall look of the Route 9W Corridor.

I Develop an overall set of specific, detailed architectural and site design guidelines, in accordance with the Community Image Survey, to govern future commercial and industrial development along the Corridor.

• Work with developers to build attractive architecture with character unique to Athens, abundant landscaping, and appropriate signage. Architectural recommendations should reflect the results from the Community Image Survey.

• Ensure that the size and scale of new commercial, residential, and industrial development is sensitive to all historic, cultural, and natural resources. As a general principal, heights should not exceed 45 feet for commercial or industrial sites, and 35 feet for residential structures. Archeological and wetland surveys should be required to ensure these resources are protected.

• Ensure adjoining uses are compatible and avoid conflicts with areas identified as properties of importance or significance.

• Develop “gateway” entrances for the Route 9W Corridor. Utilize landscaping, lighting, artwork, and signage that are unique and attractive to Athens. Incorporate existing buildings and natural features when developing the gateway image. Each gateway should be planted with vegetation that will withstand harsh winter and drought conditions, as well as planted with seasonal flowering perennials and annuals.

Zoning

• Revise the boundaries of the Highway Commercial (HC) zoning district to encourage more dense commercial activity in designated commercial nodes and create a mixed-use environment along the remainder of the Corridor. The large area along the Corridor between the intersections of Schoharie Turnpike and Leeds Athens Road should be amended to a new mixed-use district. Light industrial uses could continue to be permitted in the mixed-use district through special permit procedures.

• Amend the zoning code to address the uses permitted along the Route 9W Corridor. As the available commercial land is limited, single-family dwellings should not be a permitted use in the revised Commercial District. However, the revised Commercial District should permit residential uses, community services, and health services as part of a mixed-use structure.

• Define all light industrial uses to ensure future uses are in character with the Corridor.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 35 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

• Review and update existing regulations, where needed, to encourage the use of aesthetically pleasing architectural design, signage, landscaping, setbacks, and parking for all commercial and industrial areas along the Corridor.

• Determine the types and size of uses for each of the zoning districts along the Route 9W Corridor that will serve to enhance both the Town and Village’s economic efforts.

Signage

• Revise signage regulations to create a consistent appearance for the Route 9W Corridor. A professional design firm may be retained to create a prototype sign, specifying a range of colors, size, lettering style and sign positioning, so that the signage in the Corridor has a coordinated appearance.

• Revise signage regulations to eliminate billboards along the Route 9W Corridor. Billboards often negatively alter the visual character of a roadway.

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 36 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Route 9W Corridor Conceptual Zoning Districts

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Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 37 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

Economic Development

The following recommendations for economic development are designed to position the Route 9W Corridor as a vibrant corridor offering a mix of store, restaurants, and essential services to local residents and regional visitors. Achieving this vision will require establishing a critical mass of quality retail and service businesses throughout the Corridor to enhance the area’s drawing power and consumer spending potential. Recapturing even a portion of sales currently spent elsewhere represents a significant market opportunity.

Components of the economic revitalization strategy include recommendations for business recruitment, marketing and promotion, organization, and lastly design and beautification.

Business Friendly Environment

S Establish procedures to simplify review and permitting processes for business development and/or expansion. Procedures that streamline development will encourage new businesses to locate in the Route 9W Corridor. Such procedures may include special meetings for commercial development and/or supplemental information to assist developers through the planning process.

• Develop an entrepreneur assistance program that assists existing and new business ventures in developing effective marketing programs. Assist existing businesses in identifying and pursuing appropriate funding and grant opportunities, as well as advising businesses on local regulations, and providing other types of assistance.

• Retain and improve existing businesses along the Route 9W Corridor. Identify local business needs to create local growth opportunities that provide businesses the ability to continue to serve the Town and Village of Athens.

• Develop proactive measures to foster improved communication between the Town and businesses along the Route 9W Corridor. A Town staff person could be appointed to act as a Town-business liaison. Responsibilities could include advising small businesses and local

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 38 Section 3: Route 9W Corridor Study

entrepreneurs on local programs and services, as well as assisting with state and county agencies.

Business Incentives

• Develop incentives for existing business to improve their signs, parking areas, or landscaping.

• Develop a pro-active business attraction program. The Town should focus on (1) identifying how it wants to be perceived; (2) preparing appropriate marketing and promotion materials; and (3) pursuing businesses that correlate with its future vision.

• Create a Commercial Development Grant/Loan Program. Such a program may include but is not limited to: a 50/50 grant/loan façade improvement program and/or a micro-enterprise low-interest loan pool. Funds can be awarded or given as incentives to businesses that improve the aesthetic appearance of the community. This can be used to encourage new acquisition of currently vacant structures. In addition to façade improvements, monies can be used for rehabilitation activities such as upgrades to a building’s heating, electrical or structural systems. Develop additional methods by which the Town can assist small business owners.

• Consider local tax incentives to encourage redevelopment and reinvestment. Section 485b of the New York State Real Property Tax Law establishes a schedule for property tax abatements for new commercial, business, or industrial projects. This exemption is a local option.

Community Image & Marketing

• Use banners and signage to give visitors a sense of place along the Route 9W Corridor. Additionally, Athens should consider creating a tourism information kiosk/welcome center, as the Route 9W Corridor is the primary entrance to Athens for many visitors. This location can be used to post flyers about events and activities as well as information about local resources.

• Utilize the Greene County website, to provide interested individuals with a one-stop connection to Greene County government, Greene County Planning and Economic Development, and to Greene County Tourism. The website can be used to attract and retain business to the Route 9W Corridor and to promote county and State economic development programs available to new and existing businesses.

• Coordinate marketing efforts with the GreeneBusiness Partnership and the Coxsackie Area Chamber of Commerce to promote the development of light industrial, commercial, and warehousing as well as computer and high tech businesses to the Route 9W Corridor. In

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addition to providing quality employment opportunities, these businesses also benefit local taxpayers by supporting the local economy.

Create Development Opportunities

• Work with Greene County to expand the Empire Zone to the Route 9W Corridor.

• In order to establish “shovel-ready” sites, the Town should consider the preparation of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for all properties along the Route 9W Corridor and the Schoharie Turnpike to the Empire Zone (EZ) properties. The GEIS would evaluate the potential impacts associated with the future development of these sites, the potential impacts of a water and/or sewer expansion, and identify the necessary improvements to mitigate any associated impacts. The completion of a GEIS helps to alleviate the obstacles associated with developing land. “Shovel-ready” sites eliminate the unknowns associated with developing property and allow the Town to market to future businesses not only within the EZ, but also the Route 9W Corridor.

• Create an inventory of developable resources. The inventory should provide detailed information on vacant buildings and vacant lands, including the gross floor area of the building or size of the parcel, selling price, contact information, and development constraints (zoning or other).

Town and Village of Athens Comprehensive Plan, Volume III Section 3 Page 40