COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SCHENECTADY COUNTY, NEW YORK April 22, 2021 Town of Duanesburg Comprehensive Plan Town of Duanesburg Vision Statement The Town of Duanesburg is a proud community of strong heritage and rural character. We encourage the preservation of our attractive and cultural landscape. We provide economically vibrant commercial and retail zones, and a variety of quality housing, cultural and recreational options. We are committed to sustaining our valuable economic and natural resources, particularly agricultural land use, open spaces, natural habitats, and fresh watersheds. We support thoughtful growth and development that enable affordable taxes, enhances the character of commercial and residential zones, improves our schools, and provides local business and employment opportunities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Duanesburg Town Board Roger Tidball, Supervisor John Ganther, Deputy Supervisor and Council Member Francis R. Potter, Council Member Jeff Senecal, Council Member William Wenzel, Council Member Town Planning Board / Comprehensive Plan Update Committee Phill Sexton, Planning Board Chair and Comprehensive Plan Update Chair Jeffery Schmitt, Planning Board Vice Chair John Ganther, Deputy Town Supervisor Elizabeth Novak, Planning Board Member Michael Harris, Planning Board Member Joshua Houghton, Planning Board Member Martin Williams, Planning Board Member Thomas Rulison, Planning Board Member Nelson Gage, Zoning Board Chair Dale Warner, Town Planner and Building Inspector Terresa Bakner, Town Counsel 3 Table of Contents Introduction .......... ........................................................................................................................ 6 Town of Duanesburg Vision Statement ....................................................................................... 6 Previous Plans .............................................................................................................................. 6 Why update the Comprehensive Plan? ......................................................................................... 6 What is a Comprehensive Plan? ................................................................................................... 6 The Comprehensive Planning Process ......................................................................................... 7 How is the Plan Implemented? ..................................................................................................... 7 Flexibility Within the Plan ........................................................................................................... 8 A Brief History of Duanesburg .................................................................................................... 8 Duanesburg Today......................................................................................................................... 9 Physical Characteristics ................................................................................................................ 9 Physiography, Geology and Soils ................................................................................................ 9 Water Resources............................................................................................................................ 9 Flora & Fauna .............................................................................................................................. 12 Utilities ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Broadband ................................................................................................................................... 18 Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 19 Historic Resources ....................................................................................................................... 19 Police, Fire and Ambulance Services ......................................................................................... 20 Public Parks and Recreation Facilities ....................................................................................... 22 School District ............................................................................................................................ 24 Population Characteristics .......................................................................................................... 25 Population Changes and Projections .......................................................................................... 25 Regional Population Growth........................................................................................................ 25 Town Population & Projections................................................................................................... 26 Development Trends .................................................................................................................. 28 Housing/Household Characteristics ........................................................................................... 29 Land use ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Natural & Manmade Hazards ..................................................................................................... 31 Natural Hazards ........................................................................................................................... 31 Manmade Hazards ....................................................................................................................... 31 Agriculture ................................................................................................................................. 31 Economic Development ............................................................................................................. 37 Household Survey Results ......................................................................................................... 37 Goals, Objectives and Recommendations ................................................................................... 38 Land Use..................................................................................................................................... 38 Housing ...................................................................................................................................... 39 Commerce and Industry ............................................................................................................. 40 Community Development .......................................................................................................... 42 Natural Resources ...................................................................................................................... 46 Administration ............................................................................................................................ 50 Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................. 50 Land Use Plan ............................................................................................................................ 51 Implementation ........................................................................................................................... 55 4 List of Tables Table 1. Town Population Change (1980-2040) ............................................................... 25 Table 2. Primary School Age Population (5-19 yrs.) ........................................................ 25 Table 3. Travel Time to Work (Percent of Residents) ....................................................... 26 Table 4. Population Distribution by Age Group (2000) .................................................... 26 Table 5. Land Use (Number of Parcels & Assessed Value) ........................................... 29 List of Figures Figure 1. Conservation Subdivision Example .................................................................. 43 Figure 2. Watercourse Buffer .......................................................................................... 45 List of Maps Map 1. Water Resources ................................................................................................. 11 Map 2. Sewer Districts .................................................................................................... 15 Map 3. Delanson/Duanesburg Reservoir Watershed … .................................................. 16 Map 4. Historic Resources ............................................................................................. 20 Map 5. Parks/Open Space ............................................................................................... 22 Map 6. Agricultural District ........................................................................................... 34 Appendices Appendix A. Household Survey Results ........................................................................ 55 Appendix B. Summary of Public Feedback and Public Hearing Comments ................... 64 Appendix C. Maps of Vulnerable Man-made and Natural Hazards ................................. 95 5 INTRODUCTION Town of Duanesburg Vision Statement The Town of Duanesburg is a proud community of strong heritage and rural character. We encourage