Section 2: Inventory and Analysis A. Overview estled in the historic Mid-Hudson Valley, with some seven miles of shoreline along the magnificent river that gives the valley its name and character, the western portion of the Town of Red Hook is an area of unique natural and man-made beauty. NThis natural beauty has been admired for centuries and has inspired many from all walks of life to settle here and leave their stamp upon the landscape. The first recorded Native American group were the Munsee, a northern segment of the Lenni Lenape or Delaware tribe, which itself was part of the larger Mohican Nation. Native Americans inhabited the Hudson Valley, following the retreat of the North American glaciers, for an estimated 130 centuries before Europeans arrived. Their legacy exists primarily in their archaeological remains and a few first person accounts recorded by early European settlers. The first western explorers were Henry Hudson and his crew aboard the Half-Moon, which sailed the river in search of the Northwest passage. The earliest European settlers were Dutch, followed by Palatine farmers and businessmen who built sturdy farmhouses. They were followed by financial magnates who oversaw the construction of large riverfront estates with extensive landscaped grounds in the romantic style. Active farms with open and wooded areas, the beauty of historic buildings in portions of Barrytown and Annandale hamlets, large estates bordering the river and views of the majestic Hudson River and Catskill Mountains have all long been recognized as worthy of preservation. Together, these magnificent features have given rise to the state and national significance of Red Hook’s Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA). Historically the Town of Red Hook has been a rural area intermixed with some more intensive residential and commercial activity focused in and around the Villages of Red Hook and Tivoli. For more than 25 years, the Town of Red Hook has been devoted to protecting its farms, and farming is one of the most important industries in the community. Farms devoted to vegetable and fruit growing, flowers, raising of cattle and other livestock, dairy production, other livestock products, wine, beer, cider and distilled spirits production, farm- to-table dining, and horse breeding are important features in the economic life of the town. VERSION 1B II-1 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Many farms have established sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic farming, and niche products like cranberries, currants, hemp, heirloom fruits and vegetables, and wild or cultivated exotic mushrooms which can be found at farm stands and farm markets. In addition to the economic and food security benefits of local farms, the visual and scenic appeal of these farms provides a sense of desirable openness and well-being to residents, business people and tourists. Until recently, the town was on the periphery of other areas in the Hudson Valley where major development had occurred. Largely because of economic activity spurred by the success and expansion of IBM in the Kingston area, Poughkeepsie and southern Dutchess County, residential and commercial growth had centered in those areas. While the Kingston- Rhinecliff Bridge brought increasing numbers of people to and through the town beginning in the 1960s, growth in the Town of Red Hook was relatively slow. IBM’s Kingston facility employed thousands until the early 1990’s, and the town was able to meet many of the residential needs of IBM’s area employees. When IBM closed its Kingston facility in 1992, Red Hook experienced a short exodus that lasted until the early 2000’s. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC, Red Hook saw an influx of new residents looking for a quieter place to live. According to the US Census Bureau, the population of the town including the Villages of Red Hook and Tivoli increased from about 7,550 in 1970 to 8,350 in 1980, and in 2017, estimates are of a total town population of 11,220. Since 1970, the population of the Village of Red Hook increased steadily from 1,680 to 1,961 in 2010, an increase of 281 persons (or 17 percent increase) over a 40 year period. In Tivoli, the population growth has been greater than the Village of Red Hook’s with 739 residents in 1970 growing to 1,118 residents in 2010 for an increase of 51 percent. The bulk of the growth in Red Hook has been in the unincorporated areas of the town, which experienced more intense development pressures than the villages, where a lack of undeveloped land exists. In the past, conventional subdivisions outside of the Waterfront Revitalization Area proliferated due to the relative ease of converting prime farmland to residential uses. However, beginning in 2004, Red Hook formed an Intermunicipal Task Force with its two villages and began in earnest to find innovative techniques to protect its exceptional farmland. Working with its farmers, Red Hook embarked on a planning and zoning effort that has been ongoing since then. VERSION 1B II-2 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Agriculture is of great economic importance to the community, and one-third of the town’s land area is devoted to farming. The town’s innovative farmers continue a tradition that dates back centuries, but are challenged by economics, a steady competition for use of their lands, and markets for their crops. Farm stands featuring local produce dot Red Hook’s countryside, and families can enjoy "pick-your-own" apples and other produce at many of Red Hook’s orchards. New ventures including specialty crops, organic farms and wineries, breweries and distilleries have been established, especially since the town placed a renewed emphasis in 2004 on protection of agriculture. Protection of Red Hook’s rural quality, agricultural character, and its natural environment clearly stand out as major goals for residents of the town. When asked on a public opinion survey for the Town’s Comprehensive Plan how important certain issues were, the highest priorities for protection were agricultural lands, scenic vistas and roads, wildlife habitats, all water resources including the Hudson riverfront and its tributaries, wetlands, forests, historic and archaeological sites. These qualities are what residents value most and want to protect. Other priorities for residents are to “preserve and enhance the quality of life,” “maintain and protect rural character,” and “continuation and diversification of agriculture.” Many of the potentially negative developments highlighted in the 1995 LWRP document are no longer of concern. These included a county landfill that could have impacted the Stony Kill and Tivoli North Bay, expanded programming at the county fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, a coal port in Kingston, a Hudson River water skimming plan, a proposed Consolidated Edison power plant and a hazardous waste disposal facility. A new concern related to the Hudson River includes the United States Coast Guard’s proposal to establish anchorage grounds in the river. In 2016, the Coast Guard published a Proposed Rule detailing establishment of new anchorage grounds in the Hudson River from Yonkers, NY to Kingston, NY. The Rule would, if adopted, establish 10 new anchorage grounds for 43 commercial vessels and their attending tugs, tows or pushboats. The Proposed Rule received more than 10,000 comments from agencies and the public. The Coast Guard suspended action on the proposed Rule in 2018 after receiving and reviewing more than 10,000 comments. Among them were comments from the Town of Red Hook as detailed in Town Board Resolution No. 92 of 2016. VERSION 1B II-3 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Fortunately, Red Hook has a rich history of citizens and officials caring about their community. Since the 1970's, several groups have been formed, studies have been undertaken and efforts have been made to preserve and enhance the natural and man-made resources of Red Hook. Adjacent towns and other municipalities in the Mid-Hudson Valley responded in a coordinated manner to what were considered development pressures and threats to the area's scenic, historic and environmental resources. A list of these groups, studies and efforts are included in the Appendix under Major Initiatives Undertaken. The preparation of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Update represents the latest in this series of steps. In addition, since the 1995 LWRP was adopted, Red Hook committed to protection of its natural and cultural resources through voter initiatives and official actions. On October 7, 2003, the voters of the Town of Red Hook approved the Farmland Protection Program to preserve important agricultural resources. Voters approved a proposition authorizing the expenditure of $3.5 million for the acquisition of interests or rights in real property for the preservation of farmland in the town, pursuant to § 247 of the General Municipal Law. The Farmland Protection Program Guidelines and Criteria describing funding procedures and standards are attached to Resolution # 15 adopted on July 8, 2003. Approximately $2.2 million was invested in the program. In 2006, the New York State Legislature amended Article 4 of the New York State Town Law by adding a new Section 64-h to authorize the Red Hook Town Board to establish, through a local referendum, a Community Preservation Fund supported by revenues from a two (2) percent real estate transfer tax on amounts over and above the Dutchess County median home price. This legislation allowed the Town of Red Hook to protect its farmland, open space, environmental and cultural resources, which are all vital to the future social, economic and environmental health of the town. The Community Preservation Fund supplements the Town of Red Hook Farmland Protection Program, established for the purpose of purchasing development rights and acquiring conservation easements on agricultural lands in the town.