Acknowledgements Town Board Gerald F. Summe, Supervisor David L. Cummings, Councilman Thomas George, Councilman Joan M. Glor, Councilwoman Harold Finger, Councilman Village Board Michael F. Charles, Mayor Barbara H. Burke, Trustee Peter Forrestel, Trustee Carl E. Patterson, Trustee Charles P. Yaeger, Trustee Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Gerald Summe, Chair Robert Anderson Barbara Burke Kathy Capan David Cummings Peter Forrestel Terry Janicz John Potera Consultant peter j. smith & company, inc. Buffalo, NY and Fort Erie, Ontario Town of Newstead and Village of Akron Combined Comprehensive Plan Table of Contents Town of Newstead and Village of Akron Combined Comprehensive Plan PAGE 1.0 The Plan.......................................................................................................................7 1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................7 1.2 The Comprehensive Plan Defined...........................................................................7 1.3 What the Plan Can Accomplish...............................................................................9 1.4 How the Plan Can Be Used....................................................................................10 1.5 Adopting the Comprehensive Plan........................................................................11 1.6 Preparation of the Plan............................................................................................12 1.7 Goals, Policies and Actions ....................................................................................14 2.0 The People ................................................................................................................49 2.1 Population Characteristics ......................................................................................49 2.1.1 Recent Changes in Population.........................................................................49 2.1.2 Population Projections and Trends .................................................................50 2.1.3 Specific Characteristics of the Population......................................................51 2.2 Housing ......................................................................................................................65 2.2.1 Existing Characteristics.....................................................................................65 2.2.2 Housing Cost and Affordability.........................................................................68 2.2.3 Recent Housing Trends.....................................................................................70 2.2.4 Cost of Housing ..................................................................................................72 2.2.5 Housing Programs and Suppliers....................................................................73 3.0 The Land....................................................................................................................77 3.1 Land Use ...................................................................................................................77 3.1.1 Agricultural (or Fallow).......................................................................................78 3.1.2 Residential...........................................................................................................78 3.1.3 Commercial.........................................................................................................79 3.1.4 Industrial ..............................................................................................................80 3.1.5 Park and Recreation..........................................................................................83 3.1.6 Community Service............................................................................................84 3.1.7 Public Service .....................................................................................................84 3.1.8 Forest/Wild/Open Space...................................................................................85 3.1.9 Vacant ..................................................................................................................85 3.2 Future Land Use.......................................................................................................86 3.2.1 Future Land Use Projections ............................................................................86 3.2.2 Vision Map...........................................................................................................92 peter j. smith & company, inc. 1 Pratt & Huth Associates, LLP Town of Newstead and Village of Akron Combined Comprehensive Plan 3.3 Environment..............................................................................................................97 3.3.1 Geology................................................................................................................97 3.3.2 Soils....................................................................................................................102 3.3.3 Topography .......................................................................................................103 3.3.4 Natural Gas Deposits.......................................................................................104 3.3.5 Watersheds .......................................................................................................104 3.3.6 Groundwater .....................................................................................................104 3.3.7 Surface Water ...................................................................................................107 3.3.8 Wetlands............................................................................................................111 3.3.9 Woodlands.........................................................................................................114 3.3.10 Air Quality..........................................................................................................114 3.3.11 Noise ..................................................................................................................115 3.3.12 Hazardous Waste .............................................................................................116 3.4 Agriculture ...............................................................................................................119 3.4.1 Town of Newstead and Village of Akron.......................................................119 3.4.2 Farms within Zip Code 14001 ........................................................................120 3.4.3 Agricultural Districts Encompassing Newstead and Akron........................128 3.4.4 Erie County........................................................................................................130 3.4.5 Agricultural Support and Farmland Protection Programs ..........................131 3.4.6 Agricultural Agencies and Organizations .....................................................135 4.0 The Community......................................................................................................137 4.1 Community Facilities and Services .....................................................................137 4.1.1 Schools ..............................................................................................................137 4.1.2 Library ................................................................................................................144 4.1.3 Emergency Services........................................................................................145 4.1.4 Health Care and Social Services...................................................................147 4.1.5 Community Centers and Organizations........................................................148 4.1.6 Other Municipal Services ................................................................................150 4.1.7 Historic Resources ...........................................................................................151 4.1.8 Archeological Resources ................................................................................152 4.2 Recreation ...............................................................................................................152 4.2.1 Municipal Recreational Facilities ...................................................................152 4.2.2 Commercial Recreation Facilities..................................................................156 4.2.3 Recreation Programs.......................................................................................158 4.3 Municipal Services .................................................................................................159 4.3.1 Water System ...................................................................................................159 4.3.2 Sanitary Sewer .................................................................................................166 4.3.3 Storm Drainage.................................................................................................171 4.4 Transportation System ..........................................................................................173 4.4.1 Vehicular System .............................................................................................173 4.4.2 Public Transit ....................................................................................................182