TOWN OF CHERRY VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ~ 2007 TOWN BOARD REVIEW DRAFT Submitted by the Cherry Valley Comprehensive Plan Committee for Town Board Review April, 5th 2007 Town of Cherry Valley Comprehensive Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................5 Vision Statement – Town of Cherry Valley .............................................................................................. 6 Citizen Input/Public Participation.......................................................................................................... 7 Executive Summary............................................................................................................................. 8 Preface ............................................................................................................................................ 16 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 17 What is a Comprehensive Plan?...................................................................................................... 17 Why Prepare a Comprehensive Plan? ............................................................................................. 17 Elements of a Comprehensive Plan.................................................................................................. 19 Comprehensive Planning in Rural Areas ......................................................................................... 19 The Town of Cherry Valley................................................................................................................. 21 The Regional Setting ..................................................................................................................... 21 History ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Climate........................................................................................................................................ 27 Geology........................................................................................................................................ 29 Population Profile ......................................................................................................................... 30 Critical Environmental Areas / Water Resources.................................................................................... 33 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 33 Groundwater................................................................................................................................33 Streams........................................................................................................................................ 35 Wetlands...................................................................................................................................... 36 Floodplains .................................................................................................................................. 37 Steep Slopes ................................................................................................................................. 37 Issues, Goals and Recommendation................................................................................................. 39 Natural Resources............................................................................................................................. 40 Soils............................................................................................................................................. 40 Issues, Goals and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 42 Woodlands ................................................................................................................................... 44 Issues, Goals and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 45 Extractive (Mining) Resources........................................................................................................ 46 Issues, Goals and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 47 Historical, Cultural & Aesthetic/Visual Resources.................................................................................. 48 Background.................................................................................................................................. 48 Comprehensive Plan ~ Final Draft for Board Review 4/5/07 2 Town of Cherry Valley Comprehensive Plan Architectural/Historic Structures and Sites ...................................................................................... 48 Issues, Goals and Recommendations (Archeological) ......................................................................... 49 Issues, Goals and Recommendations (Architectural) .......................................................................... 49 Cultural Resources/Cultural Institutions/Cultural Events.................................................................. 52 Natural Aesthetic/Visual Resources................................................................................................. 53 Issues, Goals and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 53 Land Use ......................................................................................................................................... 55 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 55 Land Use Classifications ................................................................................................................ 55 Growth Trends ............................................................................................................................. 58 Growth Patterns ........................................................................................................................... 59 Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 60 Issue, Goals and Recommendations................................................................................................. 61 Housing........................................................................................................................................... 63 Issues, Goals and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 64 Economic Conditions......................................................................................................................... 65 Income......................................................................................................................................... 65 Employment................................................................................................................................. 66 Taxes........................................................................................................................................... 67 Commuting Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 67 Businesses .................................................................................................................................... 68 Issues, Goals and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 68 Community Resources ....................................................................................................................... 69 Churches ..................................................................................................................................... 69 Education..................................................................................................................................... 70 Governmental And Related Services ..................................................................................................... 72 Town Government ........................................................................................................................ 72 Issues, Goals and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 73 Police, Fire and Emergency Services ............................................................................................... 73 Library........................................................................................................................................ 74 Open Space and Recreational Lands ............................................................................................... 74 Health Care.................................................................................................................................. 74 Day Care.....................................................................................................................................