Comprehensive Plan Body
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TOWN OF SOMERSET COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE October 2012 Adopted November 2012 Town of Somerset Town Board Town of Somerset Planning Board TOWN OF SOMERSET COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SECTION I Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 Purposes of Planning ......................................................................................................................................... 1 SECTION II Background Analyses/Existing Conditions................................................................................................... 3 A. The Regional Setting ................................................................................................................. 3 B. The Natural Environment .......................................................................................................... 4 Topographic Features- Steep Slopes ................................................................................. 4 Natural Drainage ................................................................................................................... 4 Generalized Soil Characteristics ......................................................................................... 6 Woodlands .............................................................................................................................. 9 Coastal Zone ........................................................................................................................... 9 C. The Cultural Environment ....................................................................................................... 10 Population and Housing ..................................................................................................... 10 Existing Land Use Analysis ................................................................................................... 12 Land Use Controls ................................................................................................................ 13 Subdivision Regulations ......................................................................................... 13 Zoning ....................................................................................................................... 14 Other Codes ............................................................................................................ 14 Transportation ....................................................................................................................... 15 Community Facilities ........................................................................................................... 15 Parks & Recreation ................................................................................................. 16 Fire Protection ......................................................................................................... 17 Police Protection .................................................................................................... 17 Administrative Facilities ......................................................................................... 18 Public Library ........................................................................................................... 18 Educational Facilities ............................................................................................. 18 Water Supply and Distribution ............................................................................. 19 Sanitary Sewer Service .......................................................................................... 19 Storm Sewers ........................................................................................................... 19 Refuse Collection and Disposal ........................................................................... 19 SECTION III Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................................................... 21 SECTION IV Findings and Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 25 SECTION V Implementation Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 35 A. Target Areas ............................................................................................................................. 35 October 2012 Page i TOWN OF SOMERSET COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE B. General Implementation Actions ........................................................................................ 39 C. Other Implementation Items ................................................................................................. 39 D. Vision Plan ................................................................................................................................. 41 SECTION VI Environmental Analysis .................................................................................................................................. 43 APPENDICES Appendix A: Applicable Components of 2004 Plan Appendix B: Somerset Power Plant Multiple Use Plan Appendix C: Meeting Information Appendix D: Regional Plan Information Appendix E: Barker Chemical Report List of Maps Map 1: Regional Setting Map 2: Environmental Features Map 3: Agriculture Districts and General Soils Map 4: Aerial Imagery Map 5: Existing Land Use Map 6: Existing Zoning Map 7: Transportation Map 8: Community Features and Infrastructure Map 9: Vision Plan October 2012 Page ii TOWN OF SOMERSET COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The preparation of the Somerset comprehensive Plan Update was recognized as an essential project and directed by the Town Council. It was made possible through the efforts of: Somerset Planning Board Jon L. Hotaling Brian L. Carmer Chris Czelusta Gary W. Few James C. Hoffman Norman Jansen Somerset Town Council Daniel M. Engert - Supervisor Randall J. Wayner - Councilman Gary R. Alt - Councilman Robin R. Jansen - Councilwoman Jeffrey M. Dewart - Councilman Special Thanks for Their Valuable Contributions Morgan Jones – Town Counsel Rebecca A. Connolly, MMC/RMC – Town Clerk Project Consultants Andrew C. Reilly, PE, AICP – WENDEL Ellen L. Parker, AICP – WENDEL And the Citizens and Public Officials of the Town of Somerset TOWN OF SOMERSET COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE SECTION I INTRODUCTION Somerset prepared its first Comprehensive Plan for the Town in 1972. In 2003, the Town adopted an Update to the Comprehensive Plan that incorporated previous planning efforts while integrating more current planning concepts. The 2003 document was useful for the Town for nearly a decade. However, in recent years, a number of changes to the community necessitated a fresh look at planning for the Town. One of the most critical issues was the bankruptcy of the AES Somerset power plant in 2012. The power plant is the largest tax payer in the Town and County, as well as a major source of employment and economic development for the region. This update refines the 2003 plan, while addressing new issues, such as economic development, that are important to the Town. This revised Comprehensive Plan provides general direction to guide future growth and development in the Town of Somerset. It provides an update of information and data affecting the Town of Somerset. The effort of preparing this update entailed a hard look at the Town’s goals and objectives, and the goals have been modified, including the addition of a new goal addressing economic development. The revised Comprehensive Plan should be viewed as a summary of the policies and priorities of the people of the community at this time to help guide decision-making, especially regarding land use in the Town. This document is a guidebook for achieving the community's visions. It provides a variety of tools and options that can be used immediately or in the future. Implementation of the revised comprehensive plan is the responsibility of elected officials and appointed boards serving the Town of Somerset. The Implementation Section provides a range of recommended actions that the Town could undertake, including zoning and other land use codes; capital improvements; economic development activities and other actions. PURPOSES OF PLANNING A comprehensive plan carefully assesses strengths and opportunities inherent in the community in order to develop a rational basis for proposed policies, codes and other activities. In New York State, the right to zone land is premised on having a comprehensive plan for the community. Land development is strongly influenced by zoning, public investment, and availability of infrastructure and transportation access. A comprehensive plan addresses all of these issues. In order to develop a meaningful and useful comprehensive plan, many sources of background information must be provided. This strong basis in data helps local legislative and administrative boards determine where growth should take place and how it should be phased. These background elements comprise an updated inventory of planning data and mapping of various features, followed by careful analysis of trends and issues. Based upon the findings of these basic elements, along with significant input from Town residents, goals and objectives are developed to guide future development. Then specific recommendations