City of Olean Comprehensive Development Plan 2005-2025 Adopted by City Council August 9, 2005 Table of Contents
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City of Olean Comprehensive Development Plan 2005-2025 Adopted by City Council August 9, 2005 Table of Contents Part 1: Introduction • Chapter 1.1: Comprehensive Planning Process • Chapter 1.2: Issues Facing the Community • Chapter 1.3: A Vision for Olean 2025 Part 2: Existing Conditions and Trends • Chapter 2.1: Land Use, Zoning, and Public Policy • Chapter 2.2: Community Facilities and Recreation • Chapter 2.3: Socioeconomic Conditions • Chapter 2.4: Historic Resources • Chapter 2.5: Visual Character • Chapter 2.6: Transportation and Infrastructure • Chapter 2.7: Natural Resources • Chapter 2.8: Environmental Concerns Part 3: Goals and Objectives • Chapter 3.1: Community Goals and Objectives Part 4: Implementation • Chapter 4.1: Implementation Plan TOC-1 CITY OF OLEAN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Part 1: Introduction • Chapter 1.1: Comprehensive Planning Process • Chapter 1.2: Issues Facing the Community • Chapter 1.3: A Vision for Olean 2025 Part 1 of the City of Olean Comprehensive Plan provides an initial overview of the planning process and discusses the critical issues facing the community. This discussion of key assets and challenges leads to a long term vision of a vital and dynamic Olean in the year 2025. Articulating a vision of the City’s future provides an important frame of reference for the more in-depth exploration of trends and conditions and the goals, objectives and actions that are outlined in subsequent chapters. 1 CHAPTER 1.1 COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROCESS PURPOSE AND INTENT Comprehensive planning activities play a critical role in directing the future development of a community. The comprehensive planning process helps a community to identify its needs and establish its goals and objectives for future development and preservation. Developing and implementing a comprehensive plan is an effective way of achieving meaningful and desired change in a steady, incremental manner and identifying those resources the community wishes to preserve and enhance. Furthermore, the comprehensive plan serves to identify changes or trends that are desirable or undesirable in the community. Another reason for preparing a comprehensive plan is to obtain public input which will be used to guide future government actions. The comprehensive plan also provides an important legal foundation for many of the community’s land development laws and regulations, including zoning. In addition, preparing a comprehensive plan will help the community to qualify for state and federal grant monies to implement projects and policies recommended in the plan. ORGANIZATION OF THE PLAN The Comprehensive Plan is divided into four sections: Introduction, which identifies the major issues facing the community and articulates a long term vision; Existing Conditions and Trends, a gathering of relevant information on Olean’s current situation; an identification of Community Goals and Objectives, which outlines priority issues and directions; and an Implementation Plan, which suggests the actions and programs that will be necessary to achieve the goals and objectives and, ultimately, realize the vision. PLAN UPDATES It is important for the City to maintain an up-to-date comprehensive plan, which reflects the current needs of the community. The City should regularly review the Plan (at least on an annual basis) utilizing the implementation matrix provided in Chapter 4, “Implementation Plan,” reprioritizing its action strategies as necessary. 2 CHAPTER 1.2 ISSUES FACING THE COMMUNITY The City of Olean’s comprehensive plan will be an important tool for guiding the city’s development and governance. To be both effective and useful, the plan should have a strong strategic base. That is, it should build upon Olean’s key strengths and assets and seek to position the city to pursue viable opportunities for enrichment and growth. Those assets and opportunities form the basis of Olean’s vision of its future, the overarching goal which the community is collectively seeking to achieve. OLEAN’S CORE STRENGTHS Like any community, the City of Olean is blessed with a wide array of assets, ranging from its citizens to its institutions to its natural setting. However, certain core strengths stand out as the potential foundation for a community that can grow and prosper over the coming decade. Downtown Downtown Olean is a traditional business district with distinctive architecture that includes a number of turn-of-the-century buildings. Several recent new developments have reinvigorated the central business district (CBD) including the new Jamestown Community College campus, the renovation of the historic Post Office and the new Hampton Inn. Olean’s central business district features several historic buildings in a traditional downtown setting. Educational Resources St. Bonaventure University, Jamestown Community College, Olean Business Institute, the City of Olean school system, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services and the close proximity of Alfred University, Alfred State College, Houghton College, and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford put Olean in the middle of an educational system that is quite extensive for a region of this size. The faculty, students and researchers at each of these institutions offer existing and potential employers access to a talented workforce. The institutions also offer the potential for partnerships and technical support, and they represent a market as well as an economic development opportunity. The new Jamestown Community College campus in downtown Olean. 3 Transportation Interstate 86 provides a major east-west link for tourism and commerce. Routes 16 and 219 provide north-south access, and the prospect for an upgrade to Route 219 may represent an opportunity. A short line railroad, that links the City to major railways, is utilized by a number of businesses and could potentially be taken advantage of by additional industries. Olean’s accessible location at a major transportation crossroads has significant implications for economic and tourism development. Natural and Scenic Resources Olean’s distinctive natural assets include the Allegheny River, which forms the southern border of the City, and Olean Creek, which branches off from the River running north-south through the City. The Allegheny Mountains offer panoramic views to the southwest of Olean, and the rolling hills of the City and its surroundings provide scenic vistas from several points in the City. Olean sits in a beautiful location adjacent to rivers, mountains and major natural assets such as Allegany State Park and Portville’s Pfeiffer Nature Center. Abundant water supplies are a major asset for both economic development and recreation. Economic Development Although the local economy has had ups and downs, like the rest of upstate New York, Olean’s economy is differentiated by a relatively large industrial base, with a healthy degree of local ownership, including one large manufacturing company. Local company decision-makers have a stronger interest in the community, and although this does not guarantee that every decision will be in Olean’s favor, it does provide a better opportunity for collaboration in resolving economic challenges. Portions of Olean, including the downtown, are in the Cattaraugus Empire Zone (EZ), which offers numerous incentives for businesses. Two large brownfield sites—equipped with utilities, convenient highway access and enough space to accommodate large industrial and commercial users—have excellent economic development potential. Recreation and Tourism The City has a multitude of recreational assets including an excellent park system, the William O. Smith Recreation Center (which includes the Robert S. Matthews Ice Arena, an outdoor pool and skateboard park), the John J. Ash Community Center for senior citizens, and a new YMCA. The Allegheny River Valley Trail provides residents and visitors with a means to enjoy the natural scenery in and around the city, as well as an alternative transportation route. The Allegheny River provides residents of Olean an important recreational and natural resource. 4 Numerous special events—including the Santa Claus Lane Parade, River Regatta, and the Rally in the Valley motorcycle event—bring thousands of people to Olean each year. Olean provides a gateway to regional draws such as Ellicottville, with its nationally known ski areas (30 miles) and Allegany State Park, the largest state park in New York (20 miles). Small City Attributes Olean’s smaller size is indeed an asset. The city has a desirable “small town character” that contributes to the quality of life. Smaller cities are manageable and governable, and they have a better record of growth and success in New York in recent years. Health Care Olean General Hospital and the regional health care network provide first class care to the people of Olean. More importantly, they are a magnet that attracts people from throughout the Southern Tier. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, this network will play a more vital role in Olean’s economic future. CHALLENGES The strengths outlined above represent a solid basis for a comprehensive plan, but there are also some challenges that need to be considered if the plan is to be realistic. Housing The housing stock in the City is older than surrounding suburban communities. This may be perceived as an asset (i.e., unique housing stock including historic homes) or a liability (i.e., need for housing improvements for neglected properties), but in either case it must be factored into decisions on neighborhoods and