Agricultural Black Creek VVViiillllllaaagggeee aaannnddd TTTooowwwnnn ooofff BBBeeerrrgggeeennn CCCooommmppprrreeehhheeennnsssiiivvveee PPPlllaaannn July 2016 July 2016 i CONTENTS Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Purpose............................................................................................................................ 2 Legal Basis ...................................................................................................................... 2 Process of Preparing the Plan ......................................................................................... 2 Plan Organization ............................................................................................................ 4 How to Use this Plan ........................................................................................................ 5 Monitoring and Updating the Plan .................................................................................... 6 Plan Implementation ........................................................................................................ 6 Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................... 1 Land Use Overview ............................................................................................ 1 Goals ................................................................................................................................... 2 Existing Conditions ............................................................................................................. 2 Regional Orientation ........................................................................................................ 2 Existing Land Use ............................................................................................................ 4 Relevant Plans, Programs and Regulations ..................................................................... 8 Land Use Regulations and Building Codes ..................................................................... 8 Zoning Regulations .......................................................................................................... 8 Administration and Enforcement of NYS Codes ............................................................ 15 Genesee County Smart Growth Plan ............................................................................. 15 Land Use Plans of Neighboring Municipalities ............................................................... 15 Issues and Opportunities ................................................................................................. 16 Key Issues ..................................................................................................................... 16 Architectural Design Standards ..................................................................................... 17 Coordinate Infrastructure Improvements with Land Use Goals ..................................... 17 Community Survey Results ............................................................................................ 18 Future Land Use Plan ...................................................................................................... 23 Future Land Use Categories – Village ........................................................................... 26 Future Land Use Categories - Town .............................................................................. 28 Recommended Actions .................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 2 Natural Resources ............................................................................................. 31 July 2016 i Goals ................................................................................................................................. 32 Existing Conditions .......................................................................................................... 32 Topography .................................................................................................................... 32 Woodlands ..................................................................................................................... 32 Watercourses and Drainage Basins .............................................................................. 32 Wetlands ........................................................................................................................ 32 Bergen Swamp .............................................................................................................. 35 Mineral Resources ......................................................................................................... 36 Aquifers .......................................................................................................................... 36 Relevant Plans, Programs and Regulations .................................................................. 36 State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) ....................................................... 36 Black Creek Watershed Management Plan ................................................................... 36 Green Genesee / Smart Genesee ................................................................................. 37 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Stream Classifications and Impaired Waterbodies List ............................................................................................................ 38 Wetlands Regulations .................................................................................................... 38 Flood Protection Regulations ......................................................................................... 38 Tree City USA ................................................................................................................ 39 Issues and Opportunities ................................................................................................ 39 Key Issues and Findings ................................................................................................ 39 Community Survey Results ........................................................................................... 41 Recommended Actions ................................................................................................... 42 Chapter 3 Farmland and Agriculture ................................................................................. 43 Goals ................................................................................................................................. 44 Existing Conditions .......................................................................................................... 44 Agricultural Soils ............................................................................................................ 44 Active Farmland ............................................................................................................. 46 Farm Operations ............................................................................................................ 46 Economic Impact ........................................................................................................... 46 Markets for Farm Products ............................................................................................ 47 Relevant Plans, Programs and Regulations .................................................................. 48 Agricultural District Program .......................................................................................... 48 Genesee County Farmland Protection Plan .................................................................. 48 I‐ii VILLAGE & TOWN OF BERGEN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Issues and Opportunities ................................................................................................. 49 Key Issues and Findings ................................................................................................ 49 Community Survey Results ............................................................................................ 50 Tools and Techniques ...................................................................................................... 51 Zoning Restrictions on New Residential Development .................................................. 51 Subdivision Regulations ................................................................................................. 51 Local Right to Farm Law ................................................................................................ 51 Private, Voluntary Conservation Easements ................................................................. 52 Public Purchase of Development Rights ........................................................................ 52 Private Land Trusts ........................................................................................................ 52 Infrastructure Management ............................................................................................ 52 Tax Relief Programs ...................................................................................................... 53 Public Education ............................................................................................................ 53 Recommended Actions 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