Hartford, New York Comprehensive Plan Draft for Public Comment (14 Jan 2010) Section 1. Introduction 1.1 INTRODUCTION Purpose of the Plan Plan must have at least a 20-year time horizon, even though it should be reviewed at least every 10 years This Comprehensive Plan is the principal statement and updated as conditions in the town change. By of policy for the Town of Hartford. It presents a taking this long view, Hartford will be able to pursue vision for the town’s future, and a series of recom- strategies that over time will achieve its vision. mendations for achieving that vision. It is intended that this plan guide the town’s efforts in land use planning, development review, the provision of pub- lic facilities and services, environmental protection, Planning Process economic development and land conservation. This Hartford has been engaged in planning for its future plan will be implemented through various town laws, for a number of years. This most recent update of its through town participation in state and federal regu- Comprehensive Plan began in 2008. The first step latory processes and through the town’s approach to was to hear from Hartford’s residents and proper- raising and spending public funds. ty owners; this was accomplished through a public opinion survey distributed to all taxpayers and a se- A comprehensive plan should state the town’s aims ries of three planning workshops. The Comprehen- in terms broad enough to allow application to a wide sive Plan Committee relied upon the results of the range of situations, yet with sufficient detail to serve survey and public meetings to revise this plan. as a guide to the refinement of local laws and other implementation tools. A town is made up of a great many dimensions or factors. The plan must provide Reading the Plan a central theme that unites these factors, yet must This plan is divided into four sections – Our People, recognize that efforts to enhance the various factors Our Community, Our Land, and Our Future. The may come into conflict. The plan should allow for first three sections provide an inventory of current flexibility and creativity in its application in order to conditions in the town with analysis of issues affect- accommodate competing objectives. ing the community. The final section, Our Future, outlines goals to strive for and objectives that will A Comprehensive Plan must be based on a long-term move the town towards its desired future as ex- vision for the future of the community. This vision pressed in the vision statement in Chapter 1.2. will not be achieved in five or even ten years. Rather, it is something for which the town will strive for sev- eral decades. For this reason, this Comprehensive Hartford, New York • Comprehensive Plan • 2010 to 2030 1 Draft for Public Comment (14 Jan 2010) Section 1. Introduction 1.2 VISION STATEMENT Hartford’s character is a direct result of our agricul- Housing development will be carefully sited to pre- tural heritage and the continued productive use of serve our most productive land and sensitive natural our land. We are eager to improve our quality of life, resources. Enjoyment of nature and recreation op- attract new businesses and residents, and expand portunities will be enhanced, attracting visitors and opportunities for future generations – but only in a preserving residents’ connections to the land. We manner that complements our rural way of life and will maintain our clean air, water and soil by pre- preserves the characteristics of this place that we venting polluting industries and land use practices. value. We want growth in housing to be balanced by job It is our vision that Hartford will remain an agri- growth so that Hartford does not become primarily cultural community, with a diverse farming economy a bedroom community for nearby regional centers. that is not reliant on a single product. Other non- Small businesses and clean, light industries will pro- farming industries – such as tourism, processing, en- vide jobs and diversify the town’s tax base. Residents ergy production and support businesses – will fur- will have access to basic goods and services locally, ther strengthen the economic vitality of agriculture. including the ability to purchase locally grown foods and related products. We envision that residential development will pro- ceed in a controlled manner, providing quality, af- Our sense of community and civic engagement fordable housing opportunities for residents at all should be strengthened so that neighborliness and stages of life and of varying income levels. Historic small-town character are not lost as new people buildings will be preserved and traditional hamlets move into town. Community gathering places, will be revitalized. events and organizations will maintain the connec- tions between residents, while enhancing the quality of life in Hartford. 2 Hartford, New York • Comprehensive Plan • 2010 to 2030 Draft for Public Comment (14 Jan 2010) Section 2. Our People 2.1 POPULATION Facts & Discussion Key Issues Current Population. Hartford is a rural town in a 1. The rate of growth in Hartford and rural county. The town’s population in 2009 was ap- Washington County has slowed. proximately 2,300 people. Hartford is the seventh smallest town in Washington County (out of 17 2. Hartford's population is growing older. municipalities) in terms of population and its resi- 3. Very few young people raised in Hartford dents comprise only 3.7 percent of the county’s total stay here. population. 4. The percentage of residents living on a farm continues to decline. Recent Growth Rates. Hartford, which like many agricultural communities in the Northeast had been experiencing population decline since the mid- Population growth was the strongest during the 1880s, began a period of rapid population growth in 1970s and slowed during the ‘80s and’90s. In the the 1960s. During the past several decades, the town 2000s, it appears that the town’s growth rate has saw steady growth at rates significantly higher than slowed significantly as compared to the previous county averages. Since 1960, the number of people four decades. Hartford’s population has been grow- living in town has more than doubled. Hartford’s ing by 20 to 30 people annually in recent years, ac- population has not exceeded the peak level of the cording to best available estimates. early 1800s, however. Population Projections. Population projections Figure 1: Hartford’s Population prepared by the Cornell University Program for Ap- 2,500 plied Demographics in 2008 for Washington Coun- 2,279 ty suggest a very slow rate of growth for the county over the next 25 years. Projections prepared for 2,000 1,989 Hartford in 2009 based on the town’s current demo- 1,742 graphic profile indicate a continuation of the slower growth rates experienced over the past decade. 1,500 1,398 Projection models assume past trends and condi- 1,058 1,000 tions will continue into the future. Significant chang- 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 es in regional economic conditions could spur people Source: US Census to move in or out of the area in numbers that cannot be anticipated by mathematical projection models. Figure 2: Comparison of Population Growth and Average Annual Growth Rates 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s #%#%#%#%#% Hartford 340 2.8% 344 2.2% 247 1.3% 290 1.4% Washington County 1,332 0.8% 2,070 0.4% 4,535 0.8% 1,712 0.3% New York State 1,952,112 0.8% -678,895 -0.4% 432,383 0.2% 986,002 0.5% Source: US Census Hartford, New York • Comprehensive Plan • 2010 to 2030 3 Draft for Public Comment (14 Jan 2010) Section 2. Our People Figure 3: Population Projections Actual Projection Growth 2000-2035 1990 2000 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 # % Hartford 1,989 2,279 2,496 2,623 2,776 2,905 3,024 3,124 845 0.9% Washington County 59,330 61,042 62,332 62,357 62,057 61,328 60,136 58,553 -2,489 -0.1% New York State 17,990,455 18,976,457 19,617,941 19,876,073 20,112,402 20,299,512 20,415,446 20,460,301 1,483,844 0.2% Source: US Census (actual); Cornell University Program on Applied Demographics (county & state projections); PlaceSense (town projection) One such change on the horizon is the computer Age Profile. The median age of Hartford residents chip manufacturing plant under construction in was 35.5 years according to the 2000 Census. While Malta, approximately 40 miles southwest of Hart- Hartford’s population continues to be slightly ford, which is anticipated to directly employ 1,400 younger than the county average, trends suggest people and create significant additional spin-off de- that the median age of town residents will increase velopment. This economic growth will generate resi- over the next several decades. Baby-boomers, those dential development in nearby communities, but it people born between 1946 and 1964, are the largest remains to be seen how much of an effect it will have segment of Hartford’s population. on more distant towns like Hartford. If the Malta project generates business growth in communities It was largely young, baby-boomer couples moving closer to Hartford, the likelihood of increased resi- into Hartford that drove the town’s rapid growth dential development in town will be greater. during the 1960s and ‘70s. These couples then start- ed families, with births driving the town’s population growth in the 1980s. This “echo baby boom” ended Figure 4: Age Profile in the 1990s as the baby boom generation passed out Hartford County of their childbearing years.