TOWN OF OTEGO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Adopted December 14, 2016 Town of Otego Municipal Building ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This Comprehensive Plan was prepared by The Town of Otego Planning Board. Assistance was provided by the agencies, organizations, and individuals listed below. Town of Otego Planning Board Town of Otego Town Board Stephen Butler, Chair Emeritus Joseph R. Hurlburt, Town Supervisor Kate Lawrence, Chair Terry Brown Marla Calabro David Sheldon Roberto Romano Barbara Stanton Elizabeth Callahan Mark Dye Planning Board Secretary: Teresa DeSantis Agencies/Organizations Otsego County Planning Department Otsego County Conservation Association New York Department of Conservation New York Department of Transportation VISION STATEMENT The citizens of the Town of Otego, wish to protect our rural natural landscapes and enhance open spaces. We respect our traditions and history and wish to preserve the Town’s historic architecture and character. Agriculture will continue to be part of the Town’s economy and character. We encourage new development to honor the ways our town has looked through its long history. Hence, we promote careful design and placing of new buildings to complement and harmonize with those already here. Residents are committed to involvement in the Town’s future and are proud of our strong community identity. We foresee the future of the Town of Otego as continuing to have a clean environment, while maintaining our rural character. There is a commitment to carefully managing growth and development in order to maintain access to our natural areas so as to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for our families. We envision our residents and visitors enjoying increased year-round recreational and cultural opportunities such as biking, hiking, and walking trails with ample access points to the Susquehanna River. Our goal is to have sustainable economic growth and diverse year-round businesses that serve both residents and visitors. We would like to see low-impact, family-owned small businesses flourish. It is important to have the Town of Otego encourage the construction of affordable housing for our work force, as well as for our families and seniors. We foresee amenities for our youth, families, and seniors such as improved transportation and activity centers. Our desire is to have all homes, businesses and neighborhoods to be safe and well maintained. Traffic volume and speed should be controlled for the safety of our citizens, and roads should be well built and maintained. We foresee high-quality schools with a well-managed budget and a Town government that works to provide the best possible public services and reasonable taxes. The Town of Otego citizens look forward to working with other Towns and Villages to promote our common good. This is our vision for the future. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. i INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1 COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING FOR OTEGO .......................................................................... 1 What is a Comprehensive Plan? .................................................................................. 1 Comprehensive Planning in Rural Areas ..................................................................... 2 Background of Otego’s Comprehensive Plan .............................................................. 2 PART I: COMMUNITY RESOURCES THE TOWN OF OTEGO ................................................................................................ 3 REGIONAL SETTING .......................................................................................................... 3 HISTORY ........................................................................................................................... 4 DEMOGRAPHICS ................................................................................................................ 6 NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY ...................................................................... 8 LAND USE & COVER ......................................................................................................... 9 AGRICULTURAL SOILS & ENTERPRISES .......................................................................... 13 ERODIBILITY, SEPTIC & SLOPES ..................................................................................... 17 GEOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 25 HABITAT & ECOSYSTEMS ............................................................................................... 31 WATERSHED, FLOOD ZONES & AQUIFERS ...................................................................... 33 SURFACE WATER & WETLANDS ...................................................................................... 37 CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS .................................................................. 41 LAND USE ...................................................................................................................... 41 DESCRIPTION OF LAND USES .......................................................................................... 42 LAND USE INVENTORY ................................................................................................... 44 DEVELOPMENT OF LAND USE ORDINANCE .................................................................... 45 HOUSING ........................................................................................................................ 48 HOUSING INVENTORY .................................................................................................... 48 RESIDENTIAL TAX-BASE ................................................................................................. 49 HOUSING CONDITIONS AND REHABILITATION NEEDS .................................................... 49 COMMUNITY SERVICES & RESOURCES ............................................................. 50 EDUCATIONAL ................................................................................................................ 52 RECREATIONAL .............................................................................................................. 52 ECONOMIC ..................................................................................................................... 52 CULTURAL ...................................................................................................................... 53 RELIGIOUS ...................................................................................................................... 55 PUBLIC ........................................................................................................................... 55 Town Government ...................................................................................................... 55 Fire and Emergency Services ..................................................................................... 56 COMMUNITY SERVICES ................................................................................................... 57 TRANSPORTATION ..................................................................................................... 57 HIGHWAY AND ROAD NETWORK ................................................................................... 57 RAILROAD SYSTEM ........................................................................................................ 59 SUSQUEHANNA RIVER .................................................................................................... 59 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ............................................................................................ 59 AIR TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................................. 59 PART II: GOALS, RECOMMENDATIONS & ACTION PLAN GOALS & RECOMENDATIONS ................................................................................ 60 ADDENDICIES .............................................................................................................. 66 Introduction Comprehensive Planning for the Town of Otego What is a Comprehensive Plan? A comprehensive plan is an overall vision for future planning and community decisions. It serves as a local government's guide to community physical, social, and economic development. Comprehensive plans provide a foundation and rationale for local planning and land use decisions. Chapter 209 of the New York State Laws of 1993 amended the zoning- enabling statutes to define a "comprehensive plan" and provide an optional process for adopting one. Under these provisions a comprehensive plan: “....means the materials, written and /or graphic, including but not limited to maps, charts, studies, resolutions, reports and other descriptive material that identify the goals, objectives, principles, guidelines, policies, standards, devices and instruments for the immediate and long-range protection, enhancement, growth and development of the town located outside the limits of any incorporated village or city.”1 Early zoning-enabling laws were fashioned to balance community needs with individual property rights. Thus, drafters of the law required the actual regulations to be based on a logical and “comprehensive plan” for the betterment of the whole community. The comprehensive plan was to provide the means to connect the circumstances