TOWN OF ALABAMA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE FINAL - OCTOBER 2017 Town of Alabama Comprehensive Plan Update TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement 1.0 Executive Summary 2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 2.1 Regional and Local Setting ...................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Reasons for Preparing a Comprehensive Plan ..................................................................... 4 2.3 How the Plan Will be Utilized .................................................................................................... 5 3.0 Goals and Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Public Input ................................................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................................... 9 3.2.1 Town of Alabama Updated Goals and Objectives ........................................... 10 4.0 Existing Conditions of the Communities .......................................................................................... 15 4.1 Existing Land Use ...................................................................................................................... 15 4.1.1 Farmland and Agriculture ...................................................................................... 18 4.2 Land Use Regulation ............................................................................................................... 20 4.2.1 Zoning ........................................................................................................................ 21 4.3 Natural Environment ............................................................................................................... 25 4.3.1 Topography and Steep Slopes .............................................................................. 25 4.3.2 Hydric Soils ................................................................................................................ 25 4.3.3 Stream Corridors and Watersheds ........................................................................ 25 4.3.4 Flooding and Wetlands .......................................................................................... 27 4.3.5 Wildlife Conservation Areas and Significant Wildlife Habitats .......................... 28 4.3.6 Scenic Resources ..................................................................................................... 29 4.3.7 Historic and Archaeological Resources ............................................................... 30 4.4 Demographics and Socioeconomic Conditions ............................................................... 30 4.4.1 Existing Population Characteristics and Projections .......................................... 30 4.4.2 Household Characteristics ..................................................................................... 32 4.4.3 Housing Characteristics .......................................................................................... 34 4.4.4 Employment Statistics ............................................................................................. 34 4.4.5 Income ...................................................................................................................... 35 4.5 Transportation .......................................................................................................................... 35 4.5.1 Roadways and Highway Access .......................................................................... 35 4.5.2 Railroad Service ....................................................................................................... 37 4.5.3 Public Transportation Services ............................................................................... 37 4.5.4 Pedestrian and Bicycle Routes .............................................................................. 38 i Town of Alabama Comprehensive Plan Update 4.6 Utilities .................................................................................................................................... 38 4.6.1 Water Supply ............................................................................................................ 38 4.6.2 Wastewater Disposal ............................................................................................... 38 4.6.3 Solid Waste Management ..................................................................................... 39 4.7 Community Facilities ............................................................................................................... 39 4.7.1 Parks and Recreation .............................................................................................. 39 4.7.2 Schools ...................................................................................................................... 40 4.7.3 Emergency Services ................................................................................................ 40 4.7.4 Government Facilities ............................................................................................. 40 4.7.5 Smart Growth Areas ................................................................................................ 40 5.0 Findings 5.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 42 5.2 Findings/Opportunities/Constraints ...................................................................................... 42 6.0 Recommendations 6.1 Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 52 6.2 Vision Plan ................................................................................................................................. 63 6.2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 63 6.2.2 Overall Regional Impacts ....................................................................................................... 67 7.0 Environmental Review 7,1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 68 7.2 Environmental Setting ............................................................................................................. 68 7.3 Potential Significant Adverse Environmental Impacts ....................................................... 69 7.4 Adverse Environmental Impacts that cannot be Avoided .............................................. 75 7.5 Growth Inducing Aspects of the Plan .................................................................................. 75 7.6 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................ 75 7.7 Evaluation of Alternatives ...................................................................................................... 81 8.0 Annual Review .................................................................................................................................... 82 Glossary Appendices . Publicity / Public Meeting Minutes . Public Survey Results List of Figures & Charts ii Town of Alabama Comprehensive Plan Update Page Figure 1: Town of Alabama Land Use Percentages 2004 ........................................................... 16 Figure 2: Town of Oakfield Land Use Percentages 2014 ............................................................ 17 Figure 3: Town of Alabama Zoning Districts and Permitted Uses .............................................. 21 Figure 4: Population: Town of Alabama and Genesee County ................................................ 30 Figure 5: Population: Alabama Trends .......................................................................................... 30 Figure 6: Age Distribution Graph .................................................................................................... 31 Figure 7: Household Growth: Town of Alabama and Genesee County .................................. 32 Figure 8: Household Makeup: Town of Alabama ........................................................................ 32 Figure 9: Employment Distribution: Town of Alabama ................................................................ 34 Figure 10: NYS Route Traffic Counts ................................................................................................. 35 iii Town of Alabama Comprehensive Plan Update List of Maps Mapping for the Town of Alabama Comprehensive Plan Update was derived from maps utilized as part of the 2004 Oakfield/Alabama Comprehensive Plan, the 2015 Green Genesee/Smart Genesee Plan, and the 2017 Town of Alabama Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. Following Page: Map 1: General Location Map ...................................................................................................... ? Map 2: Town of Alabama Map ...................................................................................................... ? Map 3: 2003 Land Use .....................................................................................................................