HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 - Comprehensive Plan - DraftTown of Cortlandville
Comprehensive Plan
Prepared for the
Cortlandville Town Board
December 2020
Town of Cortlandville, NY December 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
Acknowledgements
The Town of Cortlandville would like to thank the Comprehensive Plan committee for their efforts
and hard work during the preparation of this important document. The Town would also like to thank
Town officials and employees who willingly answered questions and provided data.
John Proud, former Town Board Member who served as the Town Board liaison during his tenure and
remains as a technical advisor to the Committee deserves special recognition. His willingness to
answer questions, provide additional information or direct the committee to additional information
sources and his deep knowledge of the Town has been an asset to the Committee.
Town Board
Tom Williams, Supervisor
Ted Testa
Jay Cobb
Doug Withey
Jeff Guido
Prior Town Board
Richard Tupper
John Proud
Randolph Ross
Comprehensive Plan Committee
Nasrin Parvizi, Chair
Forrest Earl
Ann Hotchkin
Pam Jenkins
David Yaman
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Table of Contents
Page
Executive Summary E-1
Chapter 1 Introduction
Comprehensive Plan Process 1-1
Legislative Authority 1-3
Public Participation 1-3
Chapter 2 Cortlandville Today
Historical Background 2-1
Present Day 2-2
Where Are We?2-4
Previous Planning Activities 2-6
Chapter 3 Cortlandville’s Vision
Vision 3-1
Goals and Objectives 3-2
Chapter 4 Plan Recommendations
Growth Management and Land Use 4-1
Infrastructure 4-8
Transportation & Mobility 4-11
Resource Conservation 4-13
Community Resources & Facilities 4-14
Sustainability & Fiscal Health 4-15
Chapter 5 Action Plan
Action Plan Matrix 5-3
Chapter 6 Inventory and Analysis
Land Use and Zoning 6-1
Topography and Soils 6-9
Surface and Groundwater 6-10
Wetlands and Floodplains 6-12
Transportation 6-15
Infrastructure 6-22
Open Space and Recreation 6-23
Community Facilities and Services 6-27
Cultural Resources 6-28
Population and Housing 6-29
Economic Status 6-31
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Figures
Figure 2-1 Project Location
Figure 4-1 Future Land Use
Figure 4-2 Land Conservation
Figure 6-1 Existing Land Use
Figure 6-2 Planning Areas
Figure 6-3 Existing Zoning
Figure 6-4 Wellhead Protection Zones
Figure 6-5 Full Build-Out
Figure 6-6 Steep Slopes
Figure 6-7 Agricultural Soils
Figure 6-8 Aquifer & Stream Systems
Figure 6-9 Wetlands and Floodplains
Figure 6-10 Average Annual Daily Traffic
Figure 6-11 Water & Sewer Lines
Figure 6-12 Community Resources
Figure 6-13 Building Permit Locations
Appendices
Appendix A Survey and Public Workshop Information
Appendix B Conservation Subdivisions and Design Guideline Examples
Appendix C Lateral Restriction Guidelines
Appendix D Additional Transportation Information
Abbreviations
Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan AG Plan
Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan LWRP
1978 Development Plan for Cortlandville 1978 Plan
NYS Route 281/13 Land Use & Aquifer Protection Plan Aquifer Protection Plan
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NYSDEC
Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA
Federal Aviation Administration FAA
New York State Department of Transportation NYSDOT
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program STIP
Cultural Resource Information System CRIS
United States Army Corps of Engineers USACE
New York State Route SR
Critical Environmental Area CEA
Conservation Residential CR
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Executive Summary
The Town of Cortlandville’s most recent “Comprehensive Plan” the Development Plan for
Cortlandville was adopted in 1978. Although the Town is still characterized by agricultural and open
lands, much has changed since that time.Significant commercial and industrial activity as well as
residential growth have occurred since that time which led to the decision to update the Plan.
This comprehensive planning process provides Cortlandville and its residents the opportunity to think
about how it will look and function now and, in the future,and to create a guide to help the Town
systematically reach these goals.It represents an expression of goals and recommended actions to
achieve those goals,providing a framework for land use regulation and other town policies and plans.
The implementation of this Plan, starting with its adoption and proceeding with recommendations
such as amendments to the zoning ordinance, provides the legal authority to direct development in a
beneficial and sustainable manner.
Comprehensive Plan Process
The Town Board appointed a five member steering committee charged with guiding the development
of the plan. The committee represents a broad cross-section of Town residents.The committee held
a series of working meetings,two public workshops and conducted a community survey.
An inventory and analysis of the Town’s natural, built and community resources was completed to
identify opportunities and constraints for future land use. In addition, the Town conducted a
community survey through the Survey Research Institute at Cornell.
Public input and the inventory and analysis provided the information necessary for the
Comprehensive Plan Committee to develop the vision,goals and objectives,recommendations,and
action items outlined in this document.
At the completion of the draft Plan, the Town Board held a public hearing. The Plan was adopted at
the (Month Day, Year)Town Board Meeting.
Inventory and Analysis
One of the earliest tasks to be completed was an inventory of the Town’s natural and built
environment. This information was used to identify opportunities and constraints for future land use.
The inventory provides the basis for many of the plan recommendations.The following resources
were evaluated in this document (Chapter 6).
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·Land Use and Zoning
·Topography and Soils
·Surface and Groundwater
·Wetlands and Floodplains
·Transportation
·Infrastructure
·Open Space and Recreation
·Community Facilities and Services
·Population and Housing
·Economic Status
Vision
The Vision which serves as the guiding principle to this planning process is as follows:
The Town of Cortlandville envisions itself as a place where people of all ages and walks
of life can live, work and play.It is a community that protects all its resources: natural,
agricultural, historic, and the built environment.It is a Town that promotes and provides
social, economic, educational, cultural and recreational opportunities, enabling families
to make this their home now and for future generations.
As goals and objectives were developed, each was reviewed to ensure that it met the intent of the
Vision. Within that same context,each recommendation that followed was reviewed to ensure they
supported one or more goals and objectives. And finally,each item in the Action Plan was tied to the
appropriate recommendations. This helped to maintain the focus of the Plan on the issues that had
been identified as important to the community.
Recommendations
The Plan Recommendations are presented by general topic covering growth management and land
use;infrastructure, transportation and mobility, resource conservation, community resources and
facilities, and sustainability and fiscal health.
Growth Management and Land Use
The regulatory and policy framework surrounding growth management and land use is the most
significant contributor to the way a community develops and grows and,as such,resulted in the
largest number of recommendations.
As they are intertwined, the topics of Land Management, Town Character and Housing and
Community were all grouped in this category. Key recommendations include the following:
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Land Management
·Adoption of land use and district boundary changes in the Agricultural Zone
·Review of Wellhead Protection and Aquifer Protection Districts
·Adoption of Critical Environmental Area designations for Wellhead Protection Areas 1A and
1B,as well as other important natural resources,as noted on the Resource Conservation Map
·Creation of new zoning districts to include Conservation Residential Zoning, Mixed-Use Zoning
and Incentive Zoning for Business Districts
·Changes to allowable uses in Industrial Districts including the adoption of performance
standards
Town Character
·Enact Zoning, subdivision and site plan changes to protect visual quality
·Develop gateways that welcome and introduce visitors to the Town at key Town entrances
Housing and Community
·Reinvest in and protect existing neighborhoods
·Identify housing needs
·Develop a Town Center for community events and gatherings
·Maintain and improve recreational opportunities
Infrastructure
The availability and location of sewer, water,and stormwater utilities have a direct impact on
development pressure.Recommendations include the preparation of a Utility Master Plan to identify
both the appropriate location of utility extensions and their timing.Central to this is the
documentation of areas where utilities will be extended and where utilities will not be extended.
Successful implementation of a utilities Master Plan will require that the Town maintains adequate
Town water supplies and wells free from contamination.
Other recommendations include responsibly developing and effectively regulating renewable energy
sources (solar, wind, geothermal) and continuing to work towards Town wide broadband coverage.
Transportation and Mobility
The focus of the transportation and mobility recommendations is to ensure that the transportation
system is readily available and safe for all users and modes of transportation.Recommendations
include the use of “Complete Streets” design criteria and the development of a multi-modal facilities
plan that addresses roadways, public transit facilities, sidewalks,and bike lanes,as well as off-road
multi-use paths and trails.
Resource Conservation
The recommendations for resource conservation seek to recognize and conserve the Town’s natural
features.Primary recommendations include protecting the aquifer from contamination and over
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withdrawal, developing public access to the Tioughnioga River and participating in Cortland County’s
effort to complete the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP),and protecting and enhancing the
Lime Hollow Nature Area. Protecting streams from erosion by requiring buffer areas from the “top of
bank” and limiting/prohibiting development on steep slopes, wetlands and floodplains are also
recommended.
Community Resources and Facilities
The intent is to protect and celebrate historic buildings and sites at the national, state and local level
by using buffers, setbacks and design features. Additionally,the Town should support efforts of local
cultural venues and the groups that operate/maintain them.
Sustainability and Fiscal Health
Any action that protects and enhances a community for future generations can be considered
sustainable-therefore nearly all the recommendations in this Plan contribute to the Town’s
sustainable future.
In addition to these actions, pursuing “Climate Smart Community” certification through New York
State will allow the Town to evaluate all its programs and procedures through the lens of increased
efficiency, energy savings, and conservation of open space among others. Earning this certification
can also result in increased access to State funding sources.
Finally, sustainable development relies on the involvement of residents and businesses. Supporting
these businesses and working to attract additional community minded businesses is vital to the fiscal
health of the community.
Action Plan
The Action Plan identifies the tasks and strategies to implement the Plan Recommendations and
prioritizes them to meet the community’s most urgent needs.The most urgent actions should be
initiated immediately upon the adoption of this Comprehensive Plan and be completed within one
year. Several other high priority actions were identified as short term and should be initiated and
completed within 2 years of Plan adoption.
Actions to be initiated immediately upon Plan adoption include:
·Review of Wellhead Protection Areas and Aquifer Protection District (Articles 1A and 10) as it
relates to allowable uses and lot coverage to ensure that the aquifer is adequately protected.
As part of this,a Critical Environmental Area designation should be mapped and adopted
through the NYSDEC. Additional areas as mapped on the Resource Conservation Map should
be included in the CEA boundary.
·Update the AG zoning district boundaries and allowable uses as recommended in the
Farmland and Agricultural Protection Plan (AG Plan)adopted in 2018.
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·Adopt Conservation Residential (CR)zoning to provide a transition between rural and more
highly developed areas to protect the integrity of both farmland/open space and the more
highly developed residential or business areas from the impacts of incompatible land uses.
Short term actions (completed within two years of Plan adoption)include:
·Develop a Business District Overlay Zone to incentivize the development of underutilized and
infill parcels.
·Review allowable uses in both the Light Industrial and General Industrial Zones to identify
inappropriate uses that may conflict with existing development patterns. Create performance
standards to minimize land use conflicts between the varying land uses along New York State
(SR)Route 281.
·Adopt Mixed-Use zoning along Tompkins Street and the US Route 11 corridor north of the
City of Cortland to encourage a mix of retail, small business,and residential uses.
Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
Introduction
The Town of Cortlandville’s most recent “Comprehensive Plan” the Development Plan for
Cortlandville was adopted in 1978 (1978 Plan). Although the Town is still characterized by agricultural
and open lands, much has changed since this time.Significant commercial and industrial activity has
occurred west and southwest of the City of Cortland along the New York State Routes (SR)281 and 13
corridors over the last 10-15 years while in some locations commercial centers have been impacted
by closures and are underutilized. The population has continued to grow,driving pressure for new
housing and on undeveloped lands including farmland.
This comprehensive planning process provides Cortlandville an opportunity to think about how it will
look and function now and in the future;the opportunity to identify those attributes it values and
wishes to maintain including attributes it would like to improve or develop more fully.This process
will assist the Town to visualize what the Town wishes to be in the future and create a guide to help
the Town systematically reach these goals.It is the chance to think big.
A Comprehensive Plan is an expression of goals and recommended actions to achieve those goals.
The Comprehensive plan provides the framework for land use regulation and other town policies and
plans. The implementation of this Plan, starting with its adoption and proceeding with
recommendations such as amendments to the zoning ordinance, provides the legal authority to direct
development in a beneficial and sustainable manner.
Cortlandville is in a unique position to create a roadmap directing its future development and land
use policies.A bird’s eye view of the Town indicates that development has generally occurred along
and emanated from the south and west borders of the City of Cortland and along key transportation
routes. It has largely avoided the leap-frog style development that requires the extension of the
utilities and/or roadways through swaths of undeveloped and open lands,characterizing so many
towns across the region and state.
Comprehensive Plan Process
The Town Board appointed a five member Steering Committee charged with this task representing a
broad cross-section of Town residents from government, the agricultural community, the
development community, business owners and other residents of varying backgrounds and interests.
Their participation was key in developing this Plan through consultation, public outreach,
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brainstorming, and articulation of the goals and recommendations that are included in the
Comprehensive Plan.
These members should be recognized for their time and commitment to their community and its
future:
Nasrin Parvizi, Chair
Forrest Earl
Ann Hotchkin
Pam Jenkins
David Yaman
The process began with a review of existing conditions including the built and natural environment
and community services.Understanding existing conditions was critical in determining areas of
strength and weakness (areas in need of improvement)related to land use, infrastructure, and
housing. The identification of these issues and opportunities led to broader discussions,which in turn
resulted in the formation of a draft vision.
A community vision is a general statement that describes long range aspirations and provides the
framework to identify goals and finally action items to accomplish the vision over time.It is purposely
expansive,intending to paint a picture of what a community wishes to become over a 10 to 20-year
time frame.
Goals, while more specific than the Vision Statement,are still purposely broad.The
Recommendations that follow represent the series of steps or strategies necessary to achieve the
goals.Often a recommendation supports more than one goal, emphasizing the importance of
developing a broad framework within which to develop specific actions.
Finally,the Recommendations were prioritized and presented in an Action Plan to provide the Town
with guidance regarding time frames to accomplish these actions.For
example,there are numerous recommendations that may require changes
to the Town zoning code. Land use recommendations that are supported by
appropriate changes in the zoning regulations will likely have the most
significant impact on accomplishing the Town’s goals and objectives. For this
reason,zoning changes have generally been prioritized as immediate and
short term actions.As with any plan, this document should be reviewed on a
regular schedule to address changes in conditions and priorities within the Town.
The Vision, Goals and Objectives;Recommendations;and Action Items outlined in this document are
the result of substantial and thoughtful deliberation by the Steering Committee of the input from
residents and property owners, municipal officials, community organizations and others with a vested
interest in the future of the Town.
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These discussions covered a myriad of topics for example:
v What areas can accommodate development? What areas should be protected?
v What types of business does the Town wish to attract?
v How should the Town protect the aquifer?
v Are there enough parks and recreational opportunities?
v Is there adequate housing? If not,what types are needed and where should housing be
located?
v What about agriculture?How can these lands be protected and sustained?
Legislative Authority
The New York State legislature grants the authority for Towns to adopt a comprehensive plan.
Although adoption of a comprehensive plan is voluntary, New York State statutes require that all land
use regulations be in conformance with a comprehensive plan.This consistency provides legal
protection for these regulations.Upon adoption of a comprehensive plan, a community should
undertake a systematic review of its zoning and other land use regulations and policies to ensure this
consistency.Other governmental agencies must also take the plan into consideration when capital
projects occur on lands that are included in the own comprehensive plan.
Public Participation
Public participation was encouraged in several ways: public
workshop meetings, a community survey and at the Public Hearing.
Public Workshop Meetings
Public workshop meetings were held on the following dates:
December 5, 2018
February 13, 2020
The timing of these meetings was intentional. The first was held
during the collection of existing information (the inventory) and
prior to any discussion or development of a vision, goal or other plans and was attended by
approximately 14 community members with members of the Steering Committee assisting.An
overview of the Comprehensive Planning process was provided prior to attendees breaking into 3
groups. Each group was provided a series of maps that identified key features of the built and natural
environment and were instructed to discuss the following topics specific to Cortlandville:
Strengths
Weakness
Opportunities
Constraints
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The second public workshop was held once the Committee had developed both the draft plan
recommendations and the corresponding action items. Approximately 11 members of the community
attended with members of the Steering Committee assisting.A brief overview of the plan status was
provided along with the presentation of key recommendations. Participants were then invited to
react to the recommendations by visiting one or all of four themed stations. Each station was
supplied with the draft Action Plan, Future Land Use Map and Resource Conservation Map and was
staffed by one of the committee members. The themes were as follows:
Growth Management and Land Use
Infrastructure
Transportation
Resource Conservation
In addition, the public had the opportunity to identify which five (5) actions in the Draft Action Table
they deemed most important by placing stickers next to the actions deemed most important.
A summary of both meetings can be found in Appendix A.
Community Survey
The Survey Research Institute (SRI)at Cornell University was contracted to design, mail, and perform
data entry for one scannable questionnaire about the Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan. The
purpose of the survey was to solicit opinions and sentiments of town residents, business owners, and
landowners on various topics to gain a better understanding of the Towns’ valued assets and areas
where improvement is needed. This information was used to advise the Steering Committee’s goals
and objectives.
The survey sample was restricted to randomly selected residences and businesses in the Town of
Cortlandville, New York.The mailing consisted of a cover letter and the paper questionnaire booklet,
as well as a postage-paid business reply envelope. These questionnaires were sent to 500 randomly
selected property owners on March 13th, 2019. In addition, the survey was advertised in the Cortland
Standard and made available on the Town website.
Of the 500 surveys mailed, 211 surveys were completed.Fifty-eight additional surveys were
completed on-line through the Town website.Individuals 56 years or older completed 167 of the
surveys.A brief overview of these results is included in Chapter 2.A copy of the survey instrument
with the results tallied is included in Appendix A.
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held on the draft Comprehensive Plan by the Town Board on (Month, day, year).
Website postings
Prior to the February 2020 Public workshop, the following draft information was made available on
the Towns website:
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Vision, Goals and Objectives
Plan Recommendations
Action Items
Inventory and Analysis
The entire draft Comprehensive Plan was made available on the Town website prior to the (Month,
day, year)Public Hearing. The Final Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the Town Board at its
(Month, day, year)Town Board meeting. The Plan can be found on the Town’s website at
https://www.cortlandville.org/under the “News” tab.
Chapter 2
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Chapter 2
Cortlandville Today
Historical Background
Located in the western portion of Cortland County, Cortlandville is situated at the junction of the
eastern and western branches of the Tioughnioga River. While Cortlandville and the surrounding area
is a much different place than it was after the Revolutionary War, it is important to understand this
historical context as consideration is given to future policies and land use. The 1978 Plan provided an
excellent overview of Cortlandville’s origins and the paragraphs below have relied on that
information.
The Town of Cortlandville is within the former Central New York Military Tract established at the end
of the Revolutionary War and was set aside to compensate New York’s soldiers after their
participation in the Revolutionary War. John Miller and his family first settled the area in 1792 at
Lorings Crossing.
Cortland County was formed in 1808 from Onondaga County by an act of the State Legislature.It
included the original survey of several townships including Homer which encompassed Cortland, Port
Watson and Cortlandville.What was then the Village of Cortland was designated the county seat in
1810.Both Cortland and Port Watson thrived as governmental and commercial centers attracting
families and businesses. As a result of this growth,the Town of Cortlandville was formed in 1829 and
embraces the southern half of the original township of Homer, and a small portion of the township of
Virgil.The Town, 47 square miles, includes the Village of McGraw (This Plan does not include the
Village of McGraw).
By 1792 when the first settlers arrived in what is now Cortlandville, there were no Native American
villages remaining in the County, however there is much evidence that tribes had lived in the area.
Several Native American trails have been found and one of the largest Native American camps in
Cortland County was located at the fork of the Tioughnioga River. Central New York was also the
home of the Iroquois tribe and Hiawatha, the legendary Onondaga Chief,and his people were known
to have hunted in the Cortlandville area.
Initially Cortlandville grew slowly because the land,although very fertile, was made up of primarily
timberland.The agricultural economy expanded through agri-businesses such as cheese factories and
the production of fertilizer and lime.Grist mills,sawmills and carding mills developed on both sides of
the Tioughnioga River in the area known as Blodgett Mills.
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These small industries were important to the Town’s economy;however, it was the initiation of the
construction of the Erie Canal in 1810 that spurred industrial and commercial activity in the Town.
The Tioughnioga River could be used as a commercial highway to the south but was not navigable to
the north towards Syracuse. When the Erie Canal opened in 1825,goods were transported by animal
teams to Syracuse and from there shipped on the canal.Trade increased considerably as did the
population and the existing plank roads and canals were no longer sufficient to meet transportation
needs. In 1854 a railroad connecting the cities of Syracuse and Binghamton was completed,enabling
goods to be moved quickly everywhere. The railroad resulted in considerable commercial and
industry activity as well as population growth in Cortlandville
Activity slowed during the 1860’s, a result of the Civil War.As the Town entered the “machine age”,
the combination of its agricultural resources and its new manufacturing resources resulted in a well-
rounded economy and population again grew rapidly during the period of 1860 through 1880.
The location of the City of Cortland entirely within borders of the Town resulted in a centralized urban
area surrounded by a predominately agricultural or rural area. Development pressures within the City
resulted in growth in Cortlandville near the City edges particularly along SR 13, 281 and 222.
The first Planning and Zoning
Commission was formed,and the first
Town Zoning Ordinance adopted in 1951.
The water district was formed in 1957
followed by the sewer district in 1959.
Examples of some of the important
industries in the 1950’s are Smith
Corona, Newton and Cortland Line
Companies, Trinity Equipment
Corporation,McGraw Box Company,
Edlund Machinery Company and
Overhead Door.
Present Day
Cortlandville is situated approximately 30 miles south of Syracuse, 20 miles northeast of Ithaca and 45
miles north of Binghamton (Figure 2-1). Interstate 81 (I-81)provides a convenient link between
Syracuse and Binghamton for the movement of goods and people,and as a result it has had a
significant impact on growth in the Town. This Interstate coupled with local highways including US
Route 11 and SR 13, 281, 222 and 41 makes Cortlandville easily accessible from many locations.
While large areas of Cortlandville remain in agricultural use or otherwise undeveloped, significant
business, commercial, industrial and residential development has occurred.During the past ten to 15
years the community has seen more than 500,000 square feet of commercial and industrial
Photo credit:Cortland Standard 2012
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development on more than 150 acres.While most development has not been related to agriculture,
one exception is Byrne Dairy’s Greek yogurt production facility in the Finger Lakes East Business Park
along SR 13.A sports field complex adjacent to the business park is also currently under construction.
Several manufacturing companies are also located in Cortlandville.Pall Corporation is an international
fluid clarification company has operated in Cortlandville since 1961 with both manufacturing and
research and development facilities.A newer manufacturing company, Pyrotek Corporation
specializes in the manufacturing of furnace refractory linings and providing engineering and design
expertise to the aluminum and foundry industries.
Most large-scale business/retail development has occurred along several of the major thoroughfares
including SR 13, 281 and to a lesser extent along SR 222 and US Route 11. This development has
brought tax revenues and jobs to the Town but has also raised concerns related to traffic, aquifer
protection, and pedestrian safety.
Figure 2-1 Project Location Map
Industry and businesses are well served in Cortlandville due to its close proximity to Cornell
University, Syracuse University, Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland and Tompkins Cortland Community
College.
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According to the Cortland County Business Development Corporation1, major employers in the
County include educational institutions such as SUNY Cortland and local K-12 districts, medical
facilities such as Guthrie Cortland Medical Center and Crown Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation,
government entities such as Cortland County and the City of Cortland. Examples of private companies
include Marietta Corporation, Pall Trinity/Danaher, Intertek Testing Services, J.M. Murray Center,
Cortland Asphalt/Suit Kote, Greek Peak Ski Resort, and Gutchess Lumber.
Although development includes numerous commercial, business and industrial pursuits,agriculture
operations still remains a significant land use and economic in the Town and region. Cortlandville’s
soils represent some of the richest agricultural lands in the State. Its topography is generally rolling
hills with deep narrow and very fertile valleys in between. Lands designated as active agricultural by
the New York State property classification code encompass more than 11,000 acres and an
approximately 8000 additional acres are classified as vacant agricultural land.
Cortlandville has the highest population of the County’s 15 towns. The 2010 population was 8,5092
and the County population was 49,336.Estimates from the 2012-2016 Community Survey indicate
that the population has dropped slightly to 8,3593.Town residents value education,as nearly 45%of
the population 25 years or older have at least an Associates degree, while nearly 93%have at a
minimum a high school education4.This education attainment is reflected in the Town’s median
household income of $65,7085.
The population is predominantly Caucasian, almost 97% of residents are white. The remaining
population includes individuals of black or African American, Asian or Hispanic or Latino Heritage.6
The median age is 43 years;over 1700 or 20% of residents are age 65 or older.7
This aging population continues to increase the demand for specialized housing and services. Senior
housing can take a variety of forms from smaller single story units on smaller lots and apartments, to
specialized housing that offers “continuous care”–facilities that include independent living,assisted
living and nursing home resources on one site.The Town will need to consider and develop strategies
to allow its older residents to continue to live in the community they call home. Equally important to
the Town’s ability to thrive and grow is to attract and retain young adults and families.This requires
reasonably priced housing and available jobs, as well as quality educational opportunities and
community amenities.
Where are we?
The paragraphs above present some history and facts,however perceptions and input from the
community regarding Cortlandville is also an important driver of the actions recommended in this
1 https://cortlandbusiness.com/doing-business-here/major-employers/June 27, 2018.
2 U.S.Census Bureau-2010 Census
3 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Demographic and Housing Estimates
4 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Educational Attainment
5 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Selected Economic Characteristics
6 U.S. Census Bureau-2010 Census Summary File 1, Profile of General Demographic Characteristics:2000
7 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Demographic and Housing Estimates
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Comprehensive Plan.The public workshops and community survey revealed valuable information
regarding the current state of the Town.
Residents value Cortlandville as a place of natural beauty dominated by the rural landscape of fields
and forest. Its unique and valuable resources are many including productive agricultural lands,the
Otter Creek/Dry Creek Aquifer (part of the Cortland-Homer-Preble sole source aquifer)which supplies
abundant and clean water to homes and businesses.Areas such as the Lime Hollow Nature Preserve
provide residents the opportunity to observe some of these unique features firsthand including
wetlands, kettle bogs and marl ponds.The Town should be vigilant to potential threats and take
additional steps as necessary to protect these resources.
While the rural atmosphere is highly valued,the towns people do support appropriately located
development. These areas included SR 13 from Lowes to Byrne Dairy,the Exit 10 (Intertek area)to the
Village of McGraw,and Tompkins Street from the city line to SR 13 and 281 intersection.Nearly all
the non-residential development types listed in the survey received a level of support worth noting
with manufacturing, medical/dental services and the expansion of wireless infrastructure receiving
the highest level of support. Big box retailers and hotels also received support,however the number
of survey responses indicating these uses are undesirable was high enough to validate the
controversy that often surrounds these types of projects.
Residents seem content with the Town’s physical size and population.Although the area is rural,
residents recognize its central location and vehicle accessibility as strengths and indicated the Town
should continue to maintain and improve its transportation network to include bus and other public
transit options.While the roadway system is a positive, non-motorized vehicle and pedestrian
options were noted as limited.Residents would like a better network of trails, multi-use paths and
sidewalks.
The condition of the housing stock was noted as in good or excellent condition,however a sizable
number of responses indicted the condition of housing stock as fair. Residents expressed a desire for
greater housing variety in the areas of price point,size and style of homes and lots, and physical
setting to meet the needs of all residents -seniors, young adults,individuals with special needs and
families.Neighborhoods should be connected when possible; to each other and to recreational
facilities and points of interest in Town.
In response to a different question identifying desirable residential development,single family homes
and senior housing were the only residential types that receive strong support.
Townhomes/condos/cluster homes,as well as apartment complexes of four or more units,received
mixed support.These seemingly conflicting responses related to the desire for more diverse housing
opportunities on one hand but limited support for this variety on the other,indicates the Town may
have work to do both educating residents and ensuring the quality of both design and construction.
Large scale student housing and low-income housing were generally viewed unfavorably.
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When presented with a list of topics that should be emphasized in the Comprehensive Plan,the
following all received more than 100 responses and are listed in descending order:
·Employment opportunities
·Protection/preservation of the aquifer
·Increase in City,Town and county shared services
·Neighborhood preservation
·Energy conservation measures
·Improvement in commercial and residential streetscapes
·Natural resource/open space protection/protection of Tioughnioga River
·Zoning or land use management
·Protection of historic building and sites
The Comprehensive Plan Committee studied these topics,and as a result the Plan includes
recommendations related to nearly all of them.Actions include both review and potential changes to
regulations and policy.Measuring the progress of certain actions towards accomplishing goals and
objectives is easier in certain instances than others. For example, the Plan recommends that the
Town take several actions to protect and preserve the aquifer,including the review and identification
of potential amendments to Article 1A Wellhead Protection Areas and Article X Aquifer Protection
District regulations. The Plan also recommends the Town designates Wellhead Protection Areas 1A
and 1B including areas that extend south and west to the Town borders as a NYSDEC Critical
Environmental Area (CEA).Any resultant changes in legislation or to the zoning map as a result of
these actions will be easily identified.
In the area of increasing employment opportunities,however,the Town cannot simply legislate its
way to additional opportunities. It will require a variety of actions on the Town’s part along with
collaboration with local business owners, state and local agencies,public education and marketing
that all work to maintain and attract potential businesses and employers.Action items such as
creating a business overlay zoning district and adopting a mixed use zoning district will set the table.
Success however may hinge on actions related to relationship building,and regular and meaningful
communication with all the entities listed above that help the Town promote itself.
Previous Planning Activities
The Town’s first Comprehensive Plan was dated 1966, and later updated in 1978.In implementing the
recommendations of the 1978 Plan,the Town introduced the concept of an exclusive zoning district
for agricultural uses and another district for both agricultural and non-agricultural uses. The Plan also
introduced the concepts of “transfer of development rights” and “clustering” as techniques for
preserving farmland,as well as participation in the State’s Agricultural District program enacted by
law in 1971.
The Cortland County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan (1998)was prepared by the Cortland
County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board. The County’s Plan was based in part on data
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collected from the 1992 Census of Agriculture and a survey of farmland owners in Cortland County.
During the 20-year period between the 1992 Census and the most recent 2012 Census,the number of
farms increased from 478 to 518, but the amount of land in farms decreased from 138,620 acres to
115,024. The average size of farms in the County also decreased from 290 acres in 1992 to 222 acres
in 2012.In October 2018,the Town adopted its own AG Plan to guide land use decisions that will
preserve and protect farmlands and meet the needs of residents, property owners and businesses.
In 2002,the Town supplemented its 1978 Plan with the NYS Route 281/13 Corridor Land Use and
Aquifer Protection Plan (Aquifer Protection Plan)which provided further guidance on encouraging
suitable forms of land use development primarily in the western portion of the Town that overlies the
Otter/Dry Creek Aquifer. The aquifer is a sole source aquifer that provides public drinking water to
Cortlandville and the City of Cortland. It is part of the larger Cortland Homer Preble Sole Source
Aquifer System in Cortland County.Although the Land Use and Aquifer Protection Plan is focused
mostly on the commercial and industrial corridors in Cortlandville, it encourages the use of clustering
and the Purchase and/or Transfer of Development Rights to maintain open spaces and protect natural
resources including prime agricultural soils.
Business District Design Specifications were adopted in 2005 to enable the Town to achieve several
objectives including promoting compatible development and redevelopment, reducing the visual
impact of large parking areas, creating a pedestrian scale environment that is a safe and attractive
physical environment along the S 281/13 corridor and encouraging high quality design for all
development with the Town’s Business zoning districts.
Recognizing both the potential and importance of the US Route 11 corridor,the Village of Homer,
Town of Cortlandville, and City of Cortland collaborated on the preparation of the Route 11 Corridor
Study which was completed in June 2013.The report outlined recommendations to rehabilitate and
redevelop a number of properties in all three municipalities. An overarching recommendation is to
improve greenspace and add landscaping as part of all projects in the corridor.Recommendations
also call for a linear park along the Tioughnioga River that would create a pedestrian use, recreational
use and a strong link between the three communities.Recommendations for specific buildings and
sites generally were on properties within the City and the Village.
As it relates to the Cortland County Airport, two draft reports entitled Master Plan Update were
prepared in 2016. Based on existing and future use projections of airport facilities, the draft report
identified a series of airport improvements to address Federal Aviation Administration safety
requirements. The current Master Plan was completed in 2005, the status of the 2016 draft Master
Plan referenced above is unknown at this time.
More recently work to prepare the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP)for the Tioughnioga
River, has been reinvigorated. The City of Cortland has been awarded a grant to complete this
important plan,as the Tioughnioga River in Cortland County flows through 12 local towns,three
villages and the City of Cortland.Municipalities within the County had worked on this document
previously,but a plan was never adopted.
Chapter 3
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Chapter 3
Cortlandville’s Vision
Vision
To establish the goals and objectives that will lead to plan recommendations and finally to action
items, a community must have an idea of how it wants to look and function now and in the future.
This picture is referred to as a community’s “Vision” and is expressed in the Vision Statement. It is
purposely broad in articulating a community’s aspirations. The Vision will be used as a guide to
manage its resources and implement land use policies over the next 10-20 years.
Cortlandville is blessed with natural beauty most notably its rolling vistas of agricultural, open space
and forested lands. Its central location and strong transportation system make it an attractive place
to do business.Its natural beauty,established neighborhoods, proximity to institutions of higher
learning,and job opportunities all combine to make this a Town in which people are proud to live.
Perhaps its most important asset is its residents.
As with many small Towns throughout New York State –it must be ever vigilant in maintaining
existing businesses,attracting new economic opportunities, providing housing options for various
demographics and income levels, all while protecting and enhancing its natural resources-agricultural
soils, water quality and open space -as these represent the very things that many residents value
most about the Town.
It is important that the ensuing goals and objectives support the overall intent of the Vision. Goals
that are not consistent with the Vision statement will result in the Vision becoming unachievable. If a
community finds that during the development of its goals and objectives that they are consistently
contrary to the Vision, the Vision should be reevaluated to determine if it accurately reflects the
community’s values.
Recognizing the key to a prosperous community is balance and that the wise use and protection of
natural assets, economic opportunities and a strong community are not mutually exclusive,the Town
has developed the following vision:
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The Town of Cortlandville envisions itself as a place where people of all ages and walks
of life can live, work and play.It is a community that protects all its resources: natural,
agricultural, historic, and the built environment.It is a Town that promotes and provides
social, economic, educational, cultural and recreational opportunities, enabling families
to make this their home now and for future generations.
Goals and Objectives
The Goals identified below represent the end game;they provide focus for the efforts to maintain
and/or improve the community. The objectives are more specific and provide a framework for how to
achieve the stated goals.
1.0 Growth Management
Goal –Develop a land use plan that mitigates the impacts of sprawl development and discourages
future sprawl. Limit land use conflicts by directing development to desired locations with adequate
services that protects and enhances natural resources.
Objectives:
1.1 Adopt zoning to reflect the recommendations of the 2018 AG Plan.
1.2 Promote development in appropriate areas of the Town that can be served by public services
and community infrastructure.
1.3 Encourage redevelopment of underutilized sites and infill development in areas served by
adequate infrastructure and utilities.
1.4 Identify locations for residential development near existing population centers and business
activity proximate to the City of Cortland to limit the need for the expansion of local roads, public
water and public sewer.
1.5 Develop policies on the extension of public sewer and water to identify areas where
extensions may be appropriate and areas where extensions should be prohibited.
1.6 Identify priority lands for preservation (agricultural lands, open space and natural resources)
and work with landowners and organizations to identify tools, financing and administrative processes
to accomplish the necessary protections.
1.7 Collaborate with adjacent municipalities regarding zoning and land use to avoid land use and
zoning conflicts at municipal boundaries.
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2.0 Town Character
Goal-Preserve and enhance the Town’s natural areas, agricultural identity and overall visual quality of
the Town’s built environment.
Objectives:
2.1 Act on the recommendations outlined in the 2018 AG Plan (See Chapter 4, Plan
Recommendations).
2.2 Review the Town’s Business and Design Standards (2005) to identify any necessary updates.
2.3 Promote community identity through signage and landscaping at key locations such as SR 13
and 281.
2.4 Incentivize infill development and rehabilitation.
2.5 Protect and enhance natural buffers to minimize land use conflicts.
2.6 Identify important views at Town gateways and other key locations.
2.7 Preserve topographic features.
2.8 Consider locations where the potential for the creation/development of a Town Center or
Community Center would be an asset.
3.0 Land Use and Zoning
Goal-Create a land use plan that results in balanced development that allows for a range of land uses
in desired locations, affording opportunities for a variety of housing types,business,and commercial
uses. This plan shall also protect agricultural lands,open space and natural areas and allow for the
smooth transition between land uses and densities to prevent incompatible use and abrupt changes
in neighborhood character.
Objectives:
3.1 Identify areas that can accommodate increased density based on availability of services,
utilities and surrounding land use.
3.2 Being mindful of existing land use patterns, encourage higher density land use closest to the
City and along major transportation routes, transitioning to lower density uses towards more rural
areas.
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3.3 Prioritize/encourage redevelopment and infill development along commercial and industrial
corridors and residential areas where adequate utilities and services are available.
3.4 Identify areas where mixed use may be appropriate (particularly in areas closest to the City)
and encourage the development of mixed housing types and mixed uses to promote walkable,
connected neighborhoods.
3.5 Identify areas for economic development that will provide local employment opportunities
that can be serviced without creating undue burden on local budgets or undo development pressure
in areas not properly zoned.
3.6 Implement the 2018 AG Plan adopted by the Town Board in October 2018.
4.0 Housing
Goal-Provide for a mix of residential types and settings to provide housing options at various price
points to meet the needs of existing residents and potential residents in all stages of life. Maintain
and protect the integrity and attractiveness of existing neighborhoods and residential properties.
Properly plan for and locate housing based on density and need to take advantage of existing and
future community services, transportation options and recreational facilities.
Objectives:
4.1 Encourage homeowners, potential buyers and developers to maintain and improve existing
housing stock through rehabilitation and reinvestment.
4.2 Increase the housing diversity to meet the needs of all Cortlandville residents and potential
residents by considering all age groups, physical abilities, first-time buyers, income levels and seniors.
4.3 Identify gaps in the housing market as it relates to the above and take steps to incentivize it.
4.4 Provide a variety of settings from rural to suburban to urban by identifying appropriate
locations for varying densities based on zoning, surrounding land use, utilities and natural features.
5.0 Infrastructure
Goal-Ensure the long-term safety,reliability and resiliency of the Town’s municipal infrastructure
including water, sewer,and stormwater systems to meet current and future needs and ensure that
these systems are adequate to support future development in accordance with Town’s Land Use Plan.
Objectives:
5.1 Continue implementation of the Aquifer Protection Plan.
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5.2 Protect the aquifer from over withdrawal by continuing to monitor capacity and recharge and
withdrawal rates,while working with surrounding municipalities that also rely on the aquifer to do
the same.
5.3 Identify potential areas for future water and/or sewer line extensions based on the future land
use plan and subsequent zoning. Identify locations where future water line extensions would conflict
with future land use goals (i.e. fragmentation of agricultural lands).
5.4 Maintain the working relationship with the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant to ensure that
sewer connections and all sewer infrastructure within Town boundaries meet regulatory standards.
5.5 Identify areas of persistent localized flooding and identify potential solutions.
5.6 Review the existing Town stormwater management regulations and update as necessary with
special attention paid to the incorporation of green infrastructure techniques in site design and
retrofits.
5.7 Ensure stormwater management techniques address the “higher intensity” storm events that
are occurring with increased frequency.
5.8 Encourage the responsible development and use of renewable energy sources such as,but not
limited to,solar and wind energy.
5.9 Take steps to encourage the expansion of broadband service to all areas of the Town.
6.0 Natural Resources and Open Space
Goal-Preserve and protect important natural and open space resources that contribute to the
diversity, character, aesthetics, and general health and welfare of the community. Resources such as
the Otter/Dry Creek aquifer, the Tioughnioga River and its watershed, Lime Hollow Natural Area;as
well as agricultural areas,woodlands,streams, wetlands, floodplains, and ravines are all important for
their contribution to drainage, water supply, aesthetics, recreation and wildlife habitat.
Objectives:
6.1 Protect and enhance the Tioughnioga River recognizing its value as an untapped community,
recreational and open space resource.
6.2 Work with the County and City to jump start the abandoned LWRP process with the goal to
identify a long-term vision for opportunities along the River, foster partnerships with various
organizations and assist with the identification of funding sources to accomplish the vision.
6.2 Take steps to enhance public access to the Tioughnioga River.
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6.3 Protect and enhance the Lime Hollow Natural area recognizing its value as both a unique
natural area and as an educational and recreational resource by assisting and cooperating with the
Lime Hollow Board of Directors.
6.4 Establish stream corridor setbacks to limit the impacts of sedimentation resulting from
disturbance and vegetation removal and to allow for the movement of wildlife between habitats.
6.5 Minimize habitat fragmentation through a variety of methods including maintaining existing
wildlife corridors (stream and wetland systems), connecting important natural habitats, creating
buffer zones around important habitats, or utilizing conservation easements.
6.6 Prohibit/limit development in wetlands and floodplains and on slopes in excess of 15%
6.7 Map important natural resources Town-wide to include wetlands, floodplains, steep slopes,
stream, wellheads and other important open space (Lime Hollow Natural Area) areas to assist with
land use decisions.
6.8 Ensure that zoning and land use policies provide sufficient natural buffer and transition areas
to reduce land use conflicts and provide adequate protections for open space.
7.0 Transportation and Mobility
Goal-To provide safe and efficient transportation options for residents of all abilities,and for
businesses and visitors.To encourage the development of multi-modal routes throughout
Cortlandville to promote connectivity and improve the availability of public transportation to reduce
reliance on vehicles.
Objectives:
7.1 Actively engage with the NYSDOT, County, and Town highway departments to promote
Complete Streets design during the design phase for roadway improvements within the Town
boundaries.
7.2 Maintain and improve safety on highway corridors by continuing to utilize the vehicle access
management and parking techniques outlined in the Aquifer Protection Plan.
7.3 Limit curb cuts on high volume highways in favor of shared access, the use of cross-access
easements, and the use of service roads.
7.4 Identify additional roadways that should be subject to the vehicle access management design
standards.
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7.5 Review key intersections including Luker Road/SR 281, SR 281/SR 222,SR 281/Mc Lean Road,
SR 13/281 to determine necessary steps to improve intersection safety for motorized,non-motorized
vehicles and pedestrians.
7.6 Provide safe passage for pedestrians across roadways, access driveways, and within parking
areas by collaborating with the NYSDOT and Cortland County Highway Department.
7.7 Conduct a study to determine potential locations and types of multi-modal facilities
(protected bike lanes, sidewalks, shared roadways, off-road multi-use paths and trails).
7.8 Collaborate with the County, City and the Villages of Homer and McGraw to identify potential
new public transit routes or improved service along existing routes.
7.9 Continue to work with the County Highway Superintendent and the NYSDOT in identifying
roads where lower posted speed limits could improve safety.
7.10 Maintain a dialogue with the County regarding Cortland County Airport operations and future,
recognizing both its role as a community asset and its potential impact to the existing adjacent
residential neighborhood in its current footprint
8.0 Recreation
Goal-Continue to provide and expand youth, adult and family active recreational opportunities for all
ages and abilities through additional programming and improved facilities.
Objectives:
8.1 Continue to work with the City of Cortland Youth Bureau to provide comprehensive
programming to area residents.
8.2 Maintain and improve the system of Town Parks and recreational facilities.
8.3 Determine if existing facilities and programs meet the needs of all residents.
8.4 Provide public access to the Tioughnioga River through the development a trail system and
river access along the Tioughnioga River that will ultimately connect to the Finger Lakes Trail system.
8.5 Develop a system of trails and bike paths throughout the Town and educate the community
as to access point and locations.
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9.0 Community Facilities and Services
Goal-Continue to encourage and provide community services at appropriate levels including fire and
emergency services, solid waste management, police protection, educational facilities, and
recreational services at appropriate levels.
Objectives:
9.1 Create a process for sharing of information between the Town and school districts to improve
communication and coordinate planning efforts.
9.2 Work with community leaders and service providers to ensure that community service levels
keep pace with planned levels of development.
9.3 Routinely include fire and emergency personal in the review of development projects to
ensure that these developments can be adequately served.
9.4 Work with the County Solid Waste/Recycling Department to continue to support and improve
the program strategies identified in the Cortland County Solid Waste Management Plan.
9.5 Work with the County Solid Waste/Recycling Department to identify effective recycling
programs that could include compost programs, and food waste reduction programs.
9.6 Collaborate with adjacent municipalities including Cortland County regarding the potential for
shared services.
10.0 Cultural Resources
Goal-Protect and enhance the Town’s historic and cultural resources.
Objectives:
10.1 Educate residents on the historical and public resources available in the Town and regionally
through schools and community programs.
10.2 Develop land use regulations and incentives to protect historic and archeologically sensitive
areas and/or resources.
10.3 Expand the Town’s cultural resource base through the support of art museums, galleries,
studios and performance venues.
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11.0 Sustainability and Resiliency
Goal-All land use decisions will be made with the charge to “meet the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Current and future land
use plans and the subsequent regulatory and policy frameworks will protect and enhance the natural
and built environment.
Objectives:
11.1 Develop land use regulations and policies flexible enough to provide necessary protections but
also allow and encourage innovation and opportunity.
11.2 Focus on attracting a diversity of businesses to strengthen the overall business climate and
increase its ability to adjust to and weather changes in the economic climate.
11.3 Focus on development that benefits the Town, its citizens and businesses by providing
desirable and necessary function and services that focus on the long term not just the short term.
11.4 Encourage infill development and rehabilitation in areas best served by roads, utilities and
other services rather than developing green sites.
11.5 Encourage the responsible development and use of renewable energy sources.
11.6 Take steps to expand broadband service to all parts of the Town.
11.7 Allow for the smooth transition of land uses and densities to prevent incompatible use, abrupt
changes in neighborhood character, and pressure on undeveloped and open space areas.
11.8 Provide appropriate training opportunities for all Town employees, Board members,
committee members and other volunteers for them to competently carry out their responsibilities.
11.9 Encourage site design that emphasizes the maintenance/planting of trees, native plants, green
roofs,and green infrastructure to aid in the absorption of CO2, reduce the heat island effect and
improve the visual quality of projects.
12.0 Fiscal and Economic Health
Goal-Promote sustainable economic development that benefits the Town’s tax base for the long
term, without negatively impacting the health, safety and welfare of the community,and the desired
community character as expressed in the vision statement.
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Objectives:
12.1 Act on the recommendations in the AG Plan regarding agri-businesses.
12.2 Foster job growth by retaining existing opportunities and attracting new businesses
12.3 Focus on attracting a diversity of businesses to strengthen the overall business climate in the
Town.
12.4 Identify areas for economic development to provide local employment opportunities that can
be serviced without creating undue burden on local budgets or undo development pressure in areas
not properly zoned.
12.5 Actively participate with Cortland County in the recently launched New York State Department
of State new County Wide Shared Services Initiative program to identify and implement effective
shared service programs.
12.6 Establish regular communications/meetings with representatives of nearby communities and
the County to review potential opportunities for shared services and cost savings.
12.7 Actively seek funding opportunities through state and federal programs and via public/private
partnerships to accomplish the Town’s goals advanced in this Comprehensive Plan and other Town
planning documents,including the implementation of the resultant projects.
Chapter 4
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Chapter 4
Plan Recommendations
In order to develop Plan Recommendations that reflect the Town’s vision for the future,the
Comprehensive Plan Committee evaluated a number of planning tools in the area of growth
management and land use, infrastructure, transportation and mobility, resource conservation,
community resources and facilities and sustainability and fiscal Health.Many of these
recommendations have broad,Town-wide applications, however,certain recommendations reflect
more specific issues or geographic concerns.
1.0 Growth Management and Land Use
Land Management
The regulatory and policy framework surrounding land use is perhaps the most significant contributor
to the way a community develops or grows. The most common growth management tool is zoning,
which typically identifies distinct districts and outlines parameters including density, setbacks,and
allowable uses. To be most effective,zoning regulations should conform to a municipality’s
comprehensive plan and other planning documents.
To ensure that Cortlandville’s land use reflects the Vision, both existing land use and the Town’s
zoning map were reviewed within that context. The Future Land Use Map (Figure 4-1) and the
recommendations that follow set the general direction for land use within the Town by identifying
broad categories of land use. This is not a zoning map; however, the zoning map must follow the
direction set forth in the Comprehensive Plan in accordance with Town Law §272-a. The zoning
ordinance is typically the regulatory document that addresses densities, area, bulk, and specific
permitted uses.
The Future Land Use map identifies several changes discussed in the Recommendations below
including the addition of Conservation Residential land use, the addition of Mixed Use zoning, and the
creation of a CEA to protect some of the Town’s important natural resources including its water
supply. These boundaries are intentionally non-precise as more defined boundaries will be developed
during any rezoning process.
Service Layer Credits: Esri, HERE, Garmin,(c) OpenStreetMap contributors
V i l l a g eofHomer
GROTONV I R G I L SOLONV i l l a g eofMcGraw
C i t yofCortlan d
Futur e Study:Blodgett MillsNeighborhood PlanPotential Town Center Location
Route 11Mixed Use Corridor
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Future Critical EnvironmentalArea Designation
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F i g u r e 4 -1Future L a n d U s e M a pMarch 2 0 2 0
C O R T L A N D V I L L EComprehensive P l a n
Legend
Potential Future Growth BoundaryFarmland ConservationConservation Residential
Residential Medium DensityResidential Medium - High DensityResidential High Density/Multi FamilyNeighborhood BusinessHighway CommercialPlanned CommercialLight Industrial, Office, Business ParkGeneral IndustrialPlanned Unit Development
0 1 2 3 40.5
Miles
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The remaining land use categories mapped on Figure 4-1 generally reflect existing zoning however
the Recommendations outline a number of improvements to the land use requirements (and
subsequently to zoning) to meet the Vision and Goals of the plan. One recommendation identifies the
potential for a Business District Overlay Zone that would impact portions of the business districts.
Another recommendation is to review both allowable uses and the requirements in the Industrial
Zone to reduce land use conflicts with adjacent land uses and ensure the integrity of the aquifer.
There are some differences in the terms used to describe residential land uses in the Future Land Use
map and the Zoning map. Although the Future Land Use Map is not a zoning map the land use
categories generally reflect the density in the Town’s existing zoning districts as follows:
Proposed Land Use Map Existing Zoning Map Residential
lot size
Medium Density Residential Low Density Residential (R-1)30,000 SF
Medium-High Density Residential Low Density Residential (R-2)10,000 -30,000 SF*
Residential High Density/multi-family High/Multifamily (R-3)6,000 -9,000 SF
Farmland Conservation Agricultural District (R-1)1 Acre
Conservation Residential Agricultural District (R-1)1 Acre
*Depending on availability of utilities
As part of the development of plan recommendations,the committee also reviewed the
recommendations outlined in the Ag Plan;the 2013 Route 11 Corridor Study Area for the Village of
Homer, Town of Cortlandville and City of Cortland (Route 11 Corridor Plan);Aquifer Protection Plan
and the 1978 Plan.
1.1 Update the Town’s zoning code to reflect the zoning recommendations outlined in the AG
Plan and as refined by this Comprehensive Plan.
The key recommendation of the Ag Plan was the identification of a buffer or transition area that
provides protection for farmland while providing significant land area for growth opportunities for all
other uses.This boundary has been refined through this Comprehensive Plan process based on the
review of existing land uses and zoning, the availability of utilities,physical features and tax parcel
boundaries.
The limitation of allowable uses in the AG zone to only agricultural uses will require consideration of
the one-time exception discussed in the AG Plan to allow farmers who sell their land and wish to
remain in their homes a one-time subdivision (1-5 acres). In addition, the zoning code should be
reviewed to ensure that the definition of agricultural uses or operations is adequate.
The Comprehensive Plan Committee reviewed all lands mapped in the AG Plan within the transition
area to identify potential zone changes for these areas.This evaluation considered if parcels should
be incorporated into an adjacent zoning district or if a newly created district(s) should be developed
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and adopted.Techniques such as Rural Design Guidelines or Open Space and Incentive Zoning were
also considered.
As a result of this review, the Committee refined the transition area boundary proposed in the AG
Plan.Large areas of lands in neighborhood 5c near I-81 and 5b in the vicinity of the Tioughnioga River
originally proposed to be in the transition area were placed back in the AG district due to physical
constraints such as steep slopes.Other adjustments were made so that the transition area
boundaries generally followed parcel boundaries or physical boundaries.All remaining lands within
the transition area are designated as Conservation Residential on Figure 4-1, Future Land Use.
The Committee recognized that there are important farmlands and farmland operations within the
areas designated as Conservation Residential. The Town should take steps to identify priority
farmlands in this area for the consideration of voluntary land conservation measures such as
permanent conservation easements, transfer of development rights,purchase of development rights,
and incentive zoning.
1.2 Conservation Residential Zoning & Illustrated Rural Development Design Guidelines
The refined transition area from the AG Plan is recommended for rezoning to Conservation
Residential (CR), a new zoning district that would require clustering to preserve agricultural lands and
open space and further designed in a manner consistent with rural design guidelines. The rural
design guidelines should be developed concurrently with the new CR zoning language and should
focus on measures to increase the amount and quality of open space within the project, as well as
focusing on design features that help to maintain the area’s rural character.This resource-based
process protects agricultural and natural resources and promotes quality design in development
projects.The use of this technique can provide the “transition” between the higher development
densities towards the interior of the Town, along the major highways,and the agricultural lands
outside the transition zone boundary. Effective transition areas protect community character and can
reduce development pressure (Appendix B).
1.3 Use incentive zoning to protect lands zoned Conservation Residential
Incentive zoning is a regulatory technique that can be used to obtain certain desirable land use results
in exchange for various incentives, the most popular of which is an increase in development density.
Voluntary incentives could be built into the CR zoning that would allow the developer to increase the
number of housing units up to a pre-determined maximum in exchange for a dollar amount per
housing unit that would go into a dedicated open space fund or the establishment of a permanent
conservation easement on a desirable parcel of open space.This is a less complex method of
achieving a transfer of development rights program and can be evaluated on a case by case basis and
it provides the monetary option that allows the Town to build an open space fund and begin
negotiating permanent easements with willing landowners. Although this is a regulatory tool, it is
very much an optional or voluntary program. The developer is not required to take the incentive and
landowners are not required to accept permanent easements through purchase of development
rights regardless of the interest in their land for conservation (Appendix B).
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1.4 Incentivize underutilized and infill development parcels within certain districts
Incentive zoning can also be applied as an overlay within certain business districts to encourage
redevelopment of underutilized or infill parcels. This would occur within areas of the Town that can
support additional density without significant impacts to infrastructure or adjacent land uses.
Below are some examples of the form the incentives could take:
v Direct development to infill and underutilized parcels to reduce impacts to infrastructure
(service extensions)and thereby overall costs on services such as roadways, public water and
public sewer.Applicants may realize lower development costs while the Town may see lower
costs related to water and sewer services or road maintenance.
v Allow increased densities in return for desirable amenities (specialized housing, trail
connections).
v Development of incentive zoning to encourage redevelopment of infill parcels and areas such
as the vacant K-mart, Big Lots Plaza, and the Groton Avenue Plaza.
1.5 Review Articles 1A (Wellhead Protection Areas) and (Article X) (Aquifer Protection District)
regulations
The Town should complete the required steps to have at a minimum Wellhead Protection Zone 1a
and 1b listed as CEA as defined by the NYSDEC and recommended in the Aquifer Protection Plan. This
will provide an additional level of protection to the critical water source during reviews of projects
that occur within the Wellhead Protection Zone. The Villages of Homer and McGraw,as well as the
City of Cortland,all have CEAs identified to protect the water supply as it relates to the Otter-Dry
Creek Aquifer.
Lands to the south and west of the of Wellhead Protection Zones 1a and 1b also contribute to aquifer
recharge and include important features such as the Natural Area,Chicago Bog,and marl ponds. As a
result, this area is also recommended to be designated as a CEA.During the CEA designation process,
it should be determined if a separate CEA should be designated for the Wellhead Protection Zone and
the Lime Hollow Natural Area.
There has been some controversy related to allowable uses and lot coverage in lands that fall within
both the Wellhead Protection Areas (Article 1A) and the Aquifer Protection District (Article X). All
allowable zoning uses that fall within the areas regulated under these Articles should be evaluated to
determine if these uses present risks to water quality and/or quantity to the aquifer and if these risks
can be effectively managed.
Town staff should continue regular monitoring of aquifer water levels to maintain an understanding
of sustainable yield. The Town could reach its NYSDEC permitted withdrawal limit of 1 million gallons
per day (MGD) between 2023 and 2028 (this assumes full build-out of the Bryne Dairy project).
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However, the combination of the Terrace Road and the Lime Hollow wells could sustainably produce
in excess of this 1 MGD with changes in well design.
1.6 Review and amend as necessary the General Industrial District (I-2) Zone to avoid land use
conflicts
The I-2 Districts southwest of the City in the vicinity of SR 13 and SR 281 are located in one of the
most densely developed areas of the Town and surrounded by a variety of land uses from residential
to business to commercial. It is likely that many of the land uses in the I-2 zone predate most of the
non-industrial uses in the area;however,its proximity to large residential areas may be problematic
in the future. Although the area appears to be functioning adequately and with limited conflicts,this
could change as uses and properties change hands. Several options to be considered include,but are
not limited to:
v Downzoning the I-2 zone to Light Industrial, Office, Business Park (I-1). This would result in
most of the existing uses currently operating to be deemed non-conforming but
grandfathered until such time that new uses are proposed.
v Elimination of certain allowable uses that may result in conflicts with surrounding land uses
such as “sanitary waste management facilities” and “energy generation facilities”. Energy
generation facilities are too broad a term and could include a cogeneration facility. Sanitary
landfills and the resultant truck traffic and potential for odors is not appropriate in proximity
to residential areas.
v Development of performance standards or an overlay district for the I-1 zoned lands in the SR
13 and SR 281 area to ensure site design that address common impacts related to industrial
uses such as noise, odor, poor visual quality, contaminants, hazards, etc.
1.7 Identify areas that could benefit from the application of mixed use zoning
Mixed use zoning endeavors to blend residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, and
entertainment uses.Based on development patterns,proximity to the City, transportation access,
and available utilities, the Future Land Use Map identified both the US Route 11 Corridor and
Tompkins Street (SR 13)as future mixed-use areas. The opportunity to reside in proximity to goods
and services, entertainment,civic space,jobs and public transportation can work together to create a
sense of place to these corridors.A more detailed land use and design evaluation should occur within
these neighborhoods/corridors to better define the desired mix of uses for new development and
redevelopment including adjacent residential areas,and to address mobility issues.
1.8 Collaborate with Adjacent Communities and Governmental Units
Collaboration and communication across municipal boundaries (adjacent municipalities and Cortland
County,as well as the City of Cortland and Villages of McGraw and Homer) can reduce land use
conflicts at municipal boundaries,as well as improve service offerings.This could be accomplished
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though regularly schedule joint meetings and regular sharing of planning and development
documents.
Town Character
1.9 Review existing Town regulations and policies including zoning, subdivision and site plan
regulations to identify regulations and policies that do not protect or promote visual quality
and that may inadvertently result in conflicts between existing land uses. Changes to
regulations or policies may include:
v Encourage the use of natural buffers such as topography, stream corridors, forested
areas, meadows,and farm fields to the maximum extent possible. This would also
include landscaping and site design to provide adequate transitions between varying
land uses and densities.
v Promote and require the planting of trees on new and redeveloped project sites to the
maximum extent practicable.
v Review existing parking requirements in business and industrial districts to identify
opportunities to reduce impervious surfaces.
v Limit or prohibit development on lands with slopes in excess of 15%, wetlands and
floodplains.
1.10 Promote and develop gateways at key Town entrances
Gateways serve as both a welcome and introduction to a place. Landscaping, signage,and
connections to public resources such as trails and the River should be emphasized as appropriate.
Possible locations could be:
v SR 13 at as it enters the City of Cortland from the north and south. The City is currently
undertaking a design process for gateway treatment at I81 Exit 11 within the City
which includes Clinton Avenue (SR 13).
v US Route 11 entering the Town from the south.
v US Route 11 at I81 Exit 12.
v US Route 11 at the City line. Coordination with the City could result in gateway
treatment on both sides of the River.
v SR 13 at Tompkins County boundary.
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1.11 Identify important views from public right of ways
The topographic relief in Cortlandville and surrounding area provides natural vistas that add much to
the visual character and natural beauty of the Town.Important views can be mapped and
incorporated into documents such as rural design guidelines that will help to protect these views by
informing both project design and project review.
Housing and Community
1.12 Reinvest in existing residential areas
The Town should identify older residential areas, survey existing conditions and create an action plan
to provide both amenities and complete necessary maintenance to strengthen and renew these
areas.This will increase the desirability of these neighborhoods thereby retaining residents and
maintaining or increasing property values.
The Town should continue to pursue grant funding including Community Development Block Grants
(CDBG) grants to assist homeowners in making critical improvements to their homes as well as to
address certain community needs in the areas of infrastructure or economic development.
1.13 Identify Housing Needs
A review of existing housing stock is an important step to identify housing gaps related to housing
types, location and prices.Once needs are identified,the Town can take steps to incentivize desirable
housing options.
1.14 Protect Neighborhoods from incompatible land use
Potential future land use conflicts can be addressed through updates to the Town’s zoning, site plan
and subdivision regulations. The use of techniques such as conservation subdivisions,and rural design
guidelines,particularly in transition areas,can reduce these conflicts. In more developed areas,the
use of landscape and hardscape buffers, site access and layout are key to reducing land us conflicts.
1.15 Explore the potential for a “Town Center”
The establishment of a Town Center would provide a community space for Town sponsored and
other community events. This could include a community building or other facilities and open space
to accommodate outdoor activities such as festivals, farmers markets and celebrations.A highly
developed location such as in the vicinity of Town Hall would provide a strong connection between
government services and community identity.
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1.16 Maintain and improve recreational opportunities
The Town currently partners with the City of Cortland through annual funding and facility use
agreements to provide recreational programming to both Town and City residents through the
auspices of the City of Cortland Youth Bureau.This cooperation allows both Town and City residents
to access a wider array of programming and facilities than if the services were offered independently
by each municipality.It is important to maintain and solidify this relationship in order to provide the
best possible service to residents of both municipalities.
The Town should continue to maintain all its recreational facilities-indoor, outdoor, active and
passive at their highest levels to ensure opportunities and safety for all users now and in the future.
Regular review of facility usage will also allow the Town to determine if demand continues to meet
resident needs or if expansions or new facilities are needed.
1.17 Prepare a Neighborhood Plan for Blodgett Mills
The development pattern in Blodgett Mills with its unique mix of uses and its location near the
Tioughnioga River should be strengthened and reinforced through the preparation of a Neighborhood
Plan.This could address such issues as buffers and transitions to protect both residential and non-
residential uses, potential changes in land use to promote a more cohesive development pattern and
potentially provide neighborhood services to the Hamlet and surrounding area and improvements to
the existing river access.Other important considerations in this plan include the potential for
municipal water (See also Utilities Master Plan, Recommendation 2.1) and the evaluation of localized
flooding issues.Blodgett Mills should also be a part of the LWRP process in Cortland County.
2.0 Infrastructure
2.1 Develop a Utility Master Plan
A Utilities Master Plan will identify potential areas for future water and/or sewer line extensions
based on the future land use plan and subsequent zoning. Identifying the location and timing of utility
expansion will allow the Town to make sound fiscal decisions regarding these extensions.The Town’s
existing sewer and water Geographic Information System database will be useful tool in preparing
this document.
It is important that types of land use and density be driven by land use goals not driven by the
presence of utilities alone.The presence of utilities,particularly sewer,typically creates or heightens
development pressure. The development of a Utility Master Plan to identify the location and timing
of utility extensions will support both land use recommendations in this Comprehensive Plan and the
allowable uses and densities in the Zoning regulation. It will also allow the Town to plan for and make
sound fiscal decisions regarding these extensions.A central element of this type of Plan is
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documenting areas where utilities will be extended and areas where utilities will not be extended.
Identifying these lands is key to avoiding fragmentation of farmland, critical natural areas and wildlife
habitat.The Utility Master Plan will be guided by the land use recommendations of this
Comprehensive Plan.
The Utility Master Plan should also address the concept of lateral restrictions. Guidance from the NYS
Department of Agriculture and Markets regarding lateral restrictions indicates only existing structures
present at the time of the utility construction, or parcels or structures that have been previously
approved,may connect to any proposed water or sewer line proposed within a New York State
Agricultural District.Existing and future agricultural operations may connect to proposed water or
sewer lines (see Appendix C for guidelines).
2.2 Ensure that stormwater management systems function properly
A properly functioning stormwater management system is critical to safeguarding public and private
property.Regular maintenance and inspections such as clearing debris form culverts and drainage
ditches,especially after storm events is important to proper function.
Several areas of persistent localized flooding have been noted in the Town including for example
Kellogg Road and Starr Road.The Town should review its stormwater management facilities to
identify areas of persistent localized flooding by completing a Culvert Study to verify if culverts are
functioning as designed,if they are properly sized and if they require other maintenance.In areas
where the system is not functioning properly,replacement and improvement activities should be
implemented prioritizing the worst areas.
Existing stormwater management regulations should be updated to incorporate the use of green
infrastructure techniques in both new and redeveloped sites.Techniques may vary depending on the
size of the site and the type of development.During site design an applicant should be required to
identify and evaluate potential green infrastructure techniques.On larger sites it may be as simple as
reducing the amount of impervious surface and preserving more of the natural landscape. On smaller
sites these practices may include the use of green roofs, pervious pavement, rain gardens, vegetated
swales, planters and stream buffers. Often these techniques are less expensive to implement than
installing drainage pipes and water treatment facilities. Maintaining more natural vegetation or
utilizing pervious surfaces can also result in aesthetic improvements, urban cooling and energy
savings.
2.3 Protect the Town’s wells from contamination and/or over withdrawal
As noted in the recommendations under Land Management, the Town should complete the required
steps to have at a minimum,Wellhead Protection Zone 1a and 1b listed as CEA’s as defined by the
NYSDEC and recommended in the Aquifer Protection Plan.
Both the Wellhead Protection Areas (Article 1A)and the Aquifer Protection District (Article X)should
be reviewed,focusing on allowable uses and lot coverage to determine if these uses present risks to
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water quality and/or quantity to the aquifer and if these risks can be effectively managed (See Land
Management recommendations)
Town staff should continue regular monitoring of aquifer water levels to maintain an understanding
of sustainable yield. The Town could reach its NYSDEC permitted withdrawal limit of 1 million gallons
per day (MGD) between 2023 and 2028 (this assumes full build-out of the Bryne Dairy project).
However, the combination of the Terrace Road and the Lime Hollow wells could sustainably produce
in excess of this 1 MGD with changes in well design.
2.4 Maintain the Town’s working relationship with the City of Cortland’s Wastewater
Department
Currently, the Town wastewater is processed through the City Wastewater Management Plant. This
this can be accomplished through regular communications regarding new service areas and
connections and operations and maintenance activities.
2.5 Renewable energy sources
The Town should promote the responsible development of renewable energy sources. To be
prepared to take advantage of renewable energy, the Town should develop and update as needed
the regulatory frameworks for solar, wind power and other sources as they become available or in
demand. The landscape of renewables is growing rapidly and is reflected in the numerous
applications to develop solar farms since the Town adopted its first solar regulation in 2018.Based on
the strong interest and number of applications for solar development that occurred during the
preparation of this Plan, the Town should closely monitor both its regulatory structure and completed
projects to identify and address the potential for land use conflicts, impacts to visual character and
community character and impacts to the farming community. This could include for example: limits
on parcel coverage, limits on the conversion of agricultural lands, regulation of operations, facilities
orientation and buffers, and decommissioning requirements.
Examples and guidance for local laws related to solar can be found at the NYS Department of State
website (https://locallaws.dos.ny.gov/).
2.6 Promote the expansion of broadband
Internet access is critical for residents and businesses to take full advantage of today’s economy,
employment and educational opportunities.Beyond identifying its expansion as a goal in planning
documents,there are several additional steps the Town can take to promote broadband access
including mapping existing coverage areas;coordinating and promoting technology training events
with local entities such as schools, libraries and business associations;and ensuring local regulations
do not create barriers to infrastructure expansion.
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The Town can also ensure that its website platform is easily accessible to the public and includes up
to date regulations and policies and other materials a resident or business may need (on-line
applications)
The Town should pursue funding to expand broadband throughout Cortlandville. This could include
pursuing funding through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural e-Connectivity Pilot
Program (https://www.usda.gov/broadband)and compelling broadband providers to pursue funding
through the FCC’s Connect America Fund and New York Broadband Program Office.
3.0 Transportation and Mobility
3.1 Actively promote and insist on Complete Street design
As noted on the NYSDOT website, a Complete Street is a roadway planned and designed to consider
the safe, convenient access and mobility of all roadway users of all ages and abilities including
pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation riders, motorists,children, the elderly, and persons with
disabilities.Examples of Complete Street roadway design features include sidewalks, lane striping,
bicycle lanes, paved shoulders suitable for use by bicyclists, signage, crosswalks, pedestrian control
signals, bus pull-outs, curb cuts, raised crosswalks, ramps and traffic calming measures.
The Complete Streets Act which was signed into law in 2011 requires all state, county and local
agencies to consider the convenience and mobility of all users when developing transportation
projects that receive state and federal funding.
Although projects that are 100% locally funded are not subject to this Act, many local jurisdictions in
New York State have adopted their own Complete Streets policies.As a first step, the Town should
prepare and adopt its own Complete Streets Policy.
To ensure the best design possible for the community, the Town should proactively participate with
State, County and local departments during the design phase of any roadway improvements in the
Town,including existing roadways and new roadways.
3.2 Complete a Multi-modal facilities plan
This plan will identify the potential type and locations of
facilities such as shared roadways, protected bike lanes,
sidewalks and off-road multi-use paths and trails.This plan
will provide valuable information when improvements to the
existing roadway network are made and will inform and
support Complete Streets design.
Beyond roadways, the preparation of the Multi-modal
facilities plan should include off-road multi-use paths and trails. This off-road system should
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incorporate and connect to existing trails such as those that are part of the Lime Hollow Natural
Area, consider connections to proximate trails such as the Finger Lakes Trail and consider future trails
such as the Peacemaker Trail planned to traverse the City of Cortland and a section of Cortlandville on
US Route 11. This Plan developed by the Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board
envisions a trail system that connects Cayuga, Oswego, Onondaga, Madison and Cortland Counties.
3.3 Access Management and Intersection Safety
The Aquifer Protection Plan recommended access management standards along SR 281/13 within the
Study Area. These standards address in part the number of curb-cuts and their location, shared access
driveways and parking areas through cross access easements,and service roads in order to maintain
safe, efficient circulation patterns on busy roadway corridors.
The Town should review key corridors including US Route 11, SR 222 and McLean Road in the vicinity
of SR 281 and Luker Road to determine if these areas should also be subject to the access
management standards.Another possibility is to determine if these standards should apply to all
lands in the following zoning districts: B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2.As the existing standards have been in place
for several years, these standards should also be reviewed to determine if adjustments should be
made.
The Town should also review important intersections including Luker Road/SR 281, SR 281/SR 222
and SR 13/281 to assess intersection safety for motorized and non-motorized transportation including
pedestrians. The selection and application of the appropriate complete street design techniques will
result in improved intersection function for all modes of travel.
The application of Complete Street design and access management techniques directly support the
Town’s stated objective to provide safe passage for pedestrians across roadways,driveways and
within parking areas.
3.4 Public Transportation
Public transportation is often challenging in suburban and rural areas as the population can be spread
out over large geographic regions;however,the Town should take every opportunity to maintain and
improve the system.Regular meetings with the County, City and Villages of McGraw and Homer to
review ridership on existing routes and the potential demands for additional routes.A study in
conjunction with the municipalities and Cortland Transit could be considered to identify stakeholders,
define the need,and cost associated with additional service corridors and routes.
3.5 Continue to actively work with the NYSDOT regarding speed limits on certain State
Highways
The Town has successfully petitioned the NYSDOT to have the speed limit lowered on several roads in
Town,increasing safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.The Town should continue to pursue
this by identifying and prioritizing roadway segments that should be considered and working with the
NYSDOT to achieve the appropriate speed reduction.
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3.6 Cortland County Airport
The Town should maintain a dialogue with the County regarding airport operations, expansion and
both short and long-range plans to balance the needs of nearby residents with the airport. This can
take the form of formalized communications or meetings on a regular schedule.
4.0 Resource Conservation
Important natural resources within Cortlandville are delineated on the Land Conservation Map
(Figure 4-2).This map should be used as a tool during project review to ensure that important
resources are protected.Although they are subject to various levels of protection from State and
federal regulations as well as physical limitations, it is important to clarify the steps necessary to
protect and enhance these features.
4.1 Protect the Town’s wells from contamination and/or over withdrawal
The Otter Creek/Dry Creek Aquifer is the sole water source for several municipalities in the County. In
Cortlandville over 4,000 Town residents and a number of businesses are connected to the Town’s
wells.As noted under Infrastructure, the Town should complete the necessary steps to have the
wellhead protection zones listed as a CEA on the NYSDEC website.Town regulations including Article
1A,Wellhead Protection Areas and Article X, Aquifer Protection District should be reviewed to
determine if these regulations provide the adequate protections for the municipal water source.This
should include a review of allowable land uses, setbacks and lot coverage.
The Town should continue to follow the recommendations outlined in the Water Supply Assessment
prepared by the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District (2013) related to water
withdrawals and water conservation.This report indicates that based on historical growth, it could
take decades for increased demand to adversely impact the aquifers ability to provide safe and
adequate water. The report does however recommend continued monitoring and water conservation
methods.
4.2 Protect and enhance the Tioughnioga River
There have been several initiatives to elevate the Tioughnioga River as a natural and recreational
resource over the years. A LWRP prepared by Cortland County with funding from the City of Cortland
in December 2006. This LWRP was never adopted;however,the City of Cortland in partnership with
other riverfront communities,was awarded funding in 2018,through the Environmental Protection
Fund,to update and adopt the plan. The Town should actively participate with the County to support
this planning effort. This update should rely on previous work to the extent practicable such as the
Tioughnioga River Draft Trail & Public Access Point Location Map which identifies potential public
access points in the Towns of Cortlandville, Homer and Virgil.
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4.3 Protect and enhance the Lime Hollow Natural Area
The Lime Hollow Natural Area and its programming is a local gem.The approximately 474 acres
owned or managed by the not-for-profit Lime Hollow organization provide numerous opportunities
for outdoor educational and passive recreational activities including the unique Lime Hollow Forest
Preschool.
Properties adjacent to the Lime Hollow Natural Area
are zoned for Light Industrial and Commercial uses;
therefore,it is critical that natural buffers are
maintained and enhanced to protect this
environmentally sensitive area. A review of these
zoning districts should be completed to determine if
protections are adequate.
The Town should continue to support the Lime
Hollow Natural Area mission and programming by
assisting with identification of funding and
resources,advertising and community outreach to
ensure that residents appreciate the significance of
this environmentally sensitive resource.
4.4 Protect stream and wildlife corridors
Buffers provided along streams and wetlands limit sedimentation and erosion and provide for the
movement of wildlife between habitats.New York State regulated wetlands have a regulated 100
foot buffer, referred to as the Adjacent Area, within which uses are regulated and prohibited to
protect the wetland.However, streams that are not located within State regulated wetlands
(majority of streams within the Town) and wetlands not regulated by the State do not have regulatory
buffers and are unprotected from encroachment up to their banks or wetland boundaries.Protecting
these resources with buffers is important to ensure good water quality for future generations and to
supply the wildlife habitat and corridors necessary for healthy ecosystems. This can be accomplished
by requiring a minimum of 30 feet of buffer from the “top of bank” with the first 10 feet remaining a
natural buffer.The remining 20 feet can be maintained as a lawn or landscaped area but may not
contain permanent structures, impervious areas or septic systems.These are minimum buffers.The
appropriate width may need to be larger to address the resource, such as steep ravines, known areas
of localized flooding,locations of sensitive habitat, and the like, determined on a project by project
basis.
4.5 Prohibit/limit development on steep slopes
Limiting development on steep slopes protects against the impacts of soil erosion and sedimentation
and can reduce the removal of natural vegetation. Maintaining the topography of the land protects
the scenic vistas of rolling hills, forests and farmlands found throughout the Town.
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While the development of a Conservation Residential zoning district,as noted under Land
Management,is one method to protect steep slopes from development, development on steep
slopes should be limited in all zoning districts of the Town. Natural resources may be less at risk in
more developed areas;however,the potential for property damage to adjacent parcels increases in
more developed areas.
5.0 Community Resources and Facilities
5.1 Protect important historic buildings and sites
The Town should protect sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as locally
important historical sites and resources through buffers, setbacks and design features.Locally
important historical resources should be added to the Resource Conservation Map and/or the
Community Resources Map (sites on the National Historic Register are already included).
5.2 Review and update as needed the “Welcome to
Cortlandville” pamphlet
This pamphlet provides an interesting and succinct
history of the Town and its community resources.This
could be updated through collaboration with the Town or
County historian.The pamphlet should be made available
on the Town website and paper copies available in the
Town Hall.Another option is to include a separate tab on
the Town website that includes details about the Town’s
historic, cultural and community resources. This can
serve as a great introduction to the Town for new
residents and visitors.
5.3 Support cultural venues such as galleries, studios, art museums, and performance venues
The Town can assist community groups directly to secure space for shows and performances
including the use of Town owned facilities or facilitating connections to potential partners that may
also assist in securing facilities.The Town can also provide free advertising of events on its website
and at Town Hall.
5.4 Collaboration and communications with community groups and agencies
Standard flow of information between community leaders and service providers provides the best
opportunity for collaboration on projects to ensure that the community can be adequately served,
and that development does not put undue pressure on the very service organization the community
relies upon.The Town should designate a specific person or department responsible for this
coordination.
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v Reach out to the four (4)school districts serving the Town to identify a point of contact to
share development plans with and gather input.
v Formalize a process to routinely include fire and emergency personnel in the review of
development projects.
v Maintain regular and routine communication with the County Solid Waste Management
Department regarding landfill operations and recycling programs and assist with informing the
public of program or regulatory changes. Always take a seat at the table in identifying and
implementing new and innovative recycling programs.
v Maintain regular communications with County government and surrounding municipalities
regarding the potential to share services, equipment or personnel.
v Maintain regular communications with the appropriate agencies and municipalities to address
common goals and issues for example: communications with the City of Cortland regarding
ongoing shared recreation programs and facilities, and communications between Cortland
Transit and local municipalities regarding public transportation opportunities within the
County.
v Maintain regular communications and collaboration with groups such as but not limited to the
Cortland County Business Development Corporation (BDC) and Cortland County Industrial
Agency (IDA), and Chamber of Commerce.
6.0 Sustainability and Fiscal Health
6.1 Earn certification as a “Climate Smart Community”
Adopt the Climate Smart Communities Pledge and actively work towards certification as a New York
State Climate Smart Community (CSC) to mitigate and adapt to climate change. There are numerous
benefits to becoming a Climate Smart Community such as:
v Better scores on grant applications for some State funding programs including CSC grants
v State-level recognition for each community’s leadership
v Robust framework to organize local climate action and highlight priorities
v Streamlined access to resources, training, tools and expert guidance
v Networking and sharing best practices with peers
Implementing certification actions,could result in a number of benefits:
·Cost savings through greater efficiency
·Greater energy independence and energy security
·Improved air quality resulting from switching to clean energy
·Healthier, more walkable urban centers through smart growth
·Conservation of green spaces for recreation and biodiversity
·Reduction of future flood risk through climate change adaptation strategies
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·Investment in an economy that supports sustainability and green businesses
·Greater community engagement with residents
Links and more information about these programs including the listing of participating and certified
communities can be found on the NYSDEC website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/65494.html.
6.2 Actively Seek Funding Opportunities
Many of the programs outlined in this document will require funding to accomplish. The Town should
actively research and take advantage of funding opportunities such as the funding programs available
through New York State’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA),as well as federal, regional and
local programming.The annual CFA grant cycle generally has a July deadline. Many but not all State
grants use the CFA portal;therefore,reviews of funding opportunities should take place on a monthly
basis.
New York State has recently launched a County Wide Shared Services Initiative, a program to identify
and implement effective shared services programs. The Town should actively work with the City and
villages to identify opportunities to improve services and reduce costs for residents and businesses
(https://www.ny.gov/programs/shared-services-initiative).
6.3 Support and attract Community minded businesses
Sustainable development requires the involvement of residents and businesses that are committed to
the community. While there are always risks associated with owning and operating a business,
providing support and incentives to locally owned businesses and businesses with a history of strong
community partnerships will strengthen the business community and attract like-minded businesses.
Actively seeking and encouraging a diversity of businesses may serve to mitigate impacts of economic
downturns of specific business sectors.
The Town can also encourage economic development by identifying parcels or areas that are
appropriate for business development that are served or can be served by utilities and the
transportation network.This can be accomplished in part through collaboration with the Cortland
County IDA to identify parcels and target the types of development they wish to attract. These are
typically parcels with attributes such as transportation access, utilities and limited constraints.
Proactively marketing sites and targeting desirable industries or businesses is vital step to attracting
high quality development.
Chapter 5
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Chapter 5
Action Plan
The Comprehensive Plan is not intended to be an end in and of itself. Instead, the plan seeks to
establish a clear course of action to implement the community’s vision, expressed as an Action Plan
(Table 5-1).The Action Plan identifies the tasks and strategies that will implement the
recommendations provided in Chapter 4 and prioritizes them to meet the community’s most urgent
needs.
The timeframes associated with initiating actions are shortest for the highest priority actions. Certain
priority actions will take longer than others to complete (for example completing all the necessary
zoning reviews and specific changes in the zoning language). It is important however to embark on
this action and tackle the most pressing topics first.
As the Town moves forward with the implementation of its Plan, it recognizes that time, money, and
opportunity are important factors in determining which actions are given the highest priority.
Priorities and actions may be adjusted based on an unanticipated change in circumstance or an
unexpected opportunity arises.
The Action Items have been prioritized as follows:
•Immediate –the highest priority actions that should be initiated within one year of Plan adoption.
Measures identified as immediate are viewed as critical to implementation of the Plan.
•Short Term –these represent high priority actions that should be initiated within 2 years from Plan
adoption. Such activities are important to the Plan, but do not need to be addressed immediately.
•Medium Term –these actions should be initiated within 2-5 years of Plan adoption
•Long Term –these are a lower priority activity that should be initiated within 5-10 years from Plan
adoption.
•Ongoing –Certain action items whether immediate, high, medium, or low priority are also
identified as ongoing.They may be activities that the Town is currently carrying out and should
continue, policies that should be initiated and continued, or otherwise should be addressed
throughout the duration of the Plan.
Each action identifies the specific recommendation(s) outlined in Chapter 4 that support the
proposed action.Many actions are supported by a singular recommendation. Others are supported
by multiple recommendations highlighting the interconnectedness of many of the recommendations
Town of Cortlandville, NY December 2020
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and goals and objectives.In all cases,a review of the referenced recommendation(s) in Chapter 4
provides additional background and direction to accomplish the specified action.
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Table 5-1 Cortlandville Action Plan
Action Priority Correlation to Recommendations
(Chapter 4)
Review and Update Zoning Code
This action should be initiated immediately and be completed in 1-3 years. The Town may consider advancing priority rezoning actions
independently to facilitate task completion as noted below.
a.Wellhead Protection Areas and Aquifer Protection District (Articles 1A and
10)–map and adopt CEA and review/update aquifer protections
Immediate Recommendations 1.5 1.6, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.3
b.A-R zoning District –update district boundaries and district language
including allowable uses.
Immediate Recommendations 1.1, 1.2
c.Conservation Residential (CR) District –create a new zoning district that
provides a transition between rural and more highly developed areas
Immediate Recommendations 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.11, 4.2, 4.3
d.Solar Energy Law-review and update the 2018 law to ensure the
responsible development of solar energy and protection of agricultural
resources, and the community and visual character of the Town
Immediate Recommendation 2.5
e.Business District Overlay –create a new overlay zoning district to
incentivize development of underutilized and infill parcels
Short Recommendations 1.4, 2.1
f.Industrial districts -update I-1 district to include performance standards,
review I-2 districts regarding uses and district boundaries.
Short Recommendation 1.6
g.New Mixed-Use District –consider areas on Routes 11 and 13 near the City
to encourage retail, small business, residential mix
Short Recommendation 1.7
h.Stormwater Management –conduct a culvert study and review stormwater
Management and Erosion and Sediment Control regulations (Article XVI)
(see Recommendation 2.2 for details). This work could also be
incorporated into the Utilities Master Plan (see below).
Medium Recommendations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.5
i.Stream Corridor Overlay-require minimum buffers from stream banks and
wetlands (this could also be incorporated into Article XVI)
Medium Recommendations 4.4, 4.5
j.Visual character-update zoning and site plan regulations to address
buffers, development on steep slopes and important views from public
right-of-way
Medium Recommendations 1.9, 1.11
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Prepare and Adopt Utilities Master Plan
a.Identify location and timing of sewer/water line extensions including areas
where utilities will not be extended
Medium Recommendations 2.1, 2.4
b.Develop lateral restrictions language in AR District and CR District areas Medium Recommendations 1.1,1.2, 2.1
Prepare a Multi-modal Facilities Plan encompassing all transportation modes
a.Identify existing and future transportation facilities including shared
roadways, bike lanes, sidewalks, off-road paths and trails and connections
Medium Recommendations 3.1, 3.2,3.3, 5.4
b.Include complete streets criteria incorporating public transportation
facilities
Medium Recommendations 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Expand use of Access Management Standards
a.Review existing standards and update standards outlined in the aquifer
Protection Plan
Medium Recommendations 3.3, 3.4
b.Apply access management standards to the following segments: US Route
11, SR 222, Mclean Road (SR 281/Luker Road vicinity) or apply standards to
all B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 districts.
Medium Recommendations 3.3, 3.4
c.Review Luker Road/SR 281, SR 281/SR 222 and SR 13/281 intersections for
application of complete street techniques
Medium Recommendations 3.3, 3.4
Protect/strengthen Blodgett Miles Hamlet
a.Prepare a Neighborhood Plan to address issues and opportunities Long Recommendations 1.17, 4.2
Protect/Reinvest in Neighborhoods
a.Conduct a Housing and Neighborhood Conditions Survey to identify needs
and incentives to attract desirable housing options
Medium/long Recommendations 1.12, 1.13, 1.14,1.15
b.Update Town regulations to implement appropriate transitions between
land uses focusing on the transition between residential and none-
residential uses
Short* (Review &
Update Zoning
Code)
Recommendation 1.2,1.12, 1.14, 1.6
c.Continue to pursue grant funding including CDBG funding and other
appropriate sources
Ongoing Recommendation 1.12, 6.2,
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Protect/enhance Tioughnioga River
This action is identified as ongoing as the City of Cortland was awarded a grant in late 2018 to complete the LWRP grant process. Other action items may
result from the completion of that document.
a.Actively participate in the recently reinitiated LWRP preparation Ongoing Recommendations 1.17,4.2, 4.4
b.Work to implement public access locations identified through the LWRP
process
Medium/Long Recommendations 4.2, 1.17
c.Protect riverbed and banks from erosion, sedimentation, pollution Ongoing (Review
& Update Zoning
Code)
Recommendations 4.4, 4.5
Protect Lime Hollow Nature Center
a.Review adjacent zoning for conflicts focusing on buffers between adjacent
land uses
Short* (Review &
Update Zoning
Code)
Recommendation 4.3
b.Assign Town liaison to facilitate communications/cooperation Short Recommendation 4.3
Land Conservation
a.Continually update Land Conservation Map included in the Comprehensive
Plan as a resource for all Town agencies during project review and
issuance of permits
Ongoing Recommendations 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
b.Update Site Plan regulations to prohibit/limit development in wetlands
and floodplains and on slopes greater than 15%
Medium Recommendations 1.9, 4.4, 4.5
c.Incorporate minimum buffers from “top of bank” for wetlands and
streams into zoning and site plan regulations
Medium (Review
& Update Zoning
Code)
Recommendations 1.9, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5
Sense of Place
a.Identify gateway locations and develop guidelines Medium/Long Recommendation 1.10
b.Identify location for a Town Center/community center Medium/Long Recommendation 1.15
c.Assist community groups to secure space for shows and performances and
facilitate connections to potential partners (see Collaboration and
Communication)
Ongoing Recommendation 5.3
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d.Update -Town materials including the Welcome to Cortlandville Pamphlet
identifying historic, cultural and community resources and venues
Ongoing Recommendations 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
Collaboration and Communication
a.Schedule regular meetings/communications with adjacent municipalities
and County
Ongoing Recommendation 1.8, 5.4
b.Build/maintain/enhance relationships by scheduling regular
communication with agencies, community groups and the public
Ongoing Recommendation 5.3, 5.4, 3.5, 3.6
Recreation
a.Maintain/improve town owned park facilities Ongoing Recommendations 1.16
b.Maintain partnership with City of Cortland Ongoing Recommendations 1.16, 5.4
Sustainable Community
a.Promote the expansion of broadband:
·Map existing coverage/identify gaps
·Pursue funding for expansion
·Promote technology training events
Ongoing Recommendations 2.6
b.Promote responsible development of renewable energy sources through
the preparation of the appropriate regulatory frameworks.
Ongoing Recommendation 2.5
c.Collaborate with adjacent municipalities, Cortland Transit, Seven Valleys
Health Coalition and others to improve public transportation system and
facilities
Ongoing Recommendation 3.4
d.Collaborate with adjacent municipalities and agencies to identify the
potential for shared services
Ongoing Recommendation 6.1,6.2
e.Earn Climate Smart Community certification Medium/Long Recommendation 6.1
f.Continue actively seeking funding opportunities through regional, state
and federal sources.
Ongoing Recommendation 6.2
g.Actively work to support existing and attract community minded
businesses to support a resilient economy and community
Ongoing Recommendation 6.3
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Regarding the action items listed above, it should be noted that while accomplishing all the tasks
would result in the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, these actions may require
up to 10 years to complete. Therefore, the actions were prioritized to identify those that would have
the most significant and immediate impact on accomplishing the Town’s goals. As it relates to the
Comprehensive Plan’s stated vision,goals,and objectives,regulatory changes, specifically the review
and update of the Town’s Zoning Regulations will have the most significant beneficial impact on land
use. This task alone will require both commitment and focus to complete within 1-2 years and should
be initiated by the Town immediately upon adoption of the Plan. The Town may find it easier to
undertake specific areas one at a time beginning with the existing Wellhead Protection Areas and
Aquifer Protection District Regulations.Prioritized and systematic changes in the Zoning will help to
prevent unintended conflicts in other sections of the Town’s regulations.
In addition to the above, there are several actions that while accomplished individually may not have
a large impact on the overall success of the Plan but piggybacked or accomplished in tandem with
other actions may have a significant positive impact on the Plan’s success and overall quality of life in
the Town. Many of these actions could be initiated immediately and continued into the foreseeable
future,as they may have a high return for a relatively small investment of time. In some cases, they
actions may require little in dollars spent but are more likely to succeed with public support of the
Town. These include actions that fall within the categories of sustainable community, sense of place
and communication and collaboration. More specifically these actions include maintaining and
establishing regular meetings or sharing of information with various governmental units and
community groups. The value of an engaged citizenry is immeasurable, resulting in increased
volunteerism, community pride, and opportunities that may not be possible if driven by government
and regulations alone.
Imagine working with a local garden club to beautify a public space or holding competitions to
encourage property beautification in both business and residential neighborhoods, securing a
permanent spot for a local farmers market, assisting with publicizing of activities or even finding
locations for events such as craft fairs,concerts, and other cultural activities. These types of events
build on community –they create ownership, build trust and the willingness of residents to assist and
to do even more to make their Town the best it can be.
This regular communication with governmental units, local school districts, or emergency services will
allow the Town to more effectively utilize shared resources,accomplish projects more efficiently,
generate support for or support beneficial projects and achieve more than working alone. The Town’s
participation in the renewed Tioughnioga River LWRP process is one example of the power of
cooperation and collaboration.
Chapter 6
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Chapter 6
Inventory and Analysis
Land Use & Zoning
In order to characterize land use within the Town, a combination of a windshield survey, aerial maps,
Cortland County mapping,and Cortland County real property data was consulted.
Land Use
Existing land use in Cortlandville is a diverse mix of agriculture, residential, open space (active and
passive),commercial and industrial uses (Figure 6-1).Since the preparation of the 1978 Development
Plan agricultural operations continue to be significant;however,the Town has continued to grow as it
transitions from a rural to a more suburban community.Non-residential land use has generally
occurred along important highway corridors, particularly SR 281 and 13 southwest of the City of
Cortland and to a lesser extent north of the City,as well as along US Route 11.Over the last decade
more than 500,000 square feet of commercial and industrial development on over 150 acres of land
has occurred.Sewer and water services are available in many of the areas closest to the City where
the intensity of development is highest.
The remainder of the Town’s land area consists of agriculture, residential subdivisions,and large lot
(rural) residential, designated open spaces,and undeveloped lands.Apartments and smaller lot
residential subdivisions are generally connected to sewer and water and are located proximate to
major roadways and to the City of Cortland.There is a significant amount of open or undeveloped
land associated with agricultural properties.For the most part, Cortlandville has not been impacted
by sprawl style development where lands are developed a distance from available public utilities
thereby requiring an extension through the intervening undeveloped areas.
In order to provide additional focus to the land use discussion,the Town was divided into five-
character areas or neighborhoods based on development patterns, infrastructure and physical
features (Figure 6-2). These areas are discussed in more detail below.
v Planning Area 1 -State Route 13 South
The SR 13 South Corridor begins at the Town Boundary with Virgil, including parcels east of SR 281
and terminating at the City of Cortland.This corridor is perhaps the most densely developed area in
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Com mercial
Com munity Services
Industrial
Recreation & Entertainment
Multi-Family R esidential
Single Family Residential
Two Fam ily R esidential
Three Family Residential
Undeveloped Land Uses (2018)
Agr icultural
Forested
Vacant
0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles
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2
3
4
5b
5c
5a
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the Town and is dominated by commercial and industrial uses.Development proximate to the City
includes a variety of commercial and retail uses such as movie theatres, car rental, eateries, personal
service, and specialty sales (equipment, cars),many located in strip malls and plazas.Although non-
residential development dominates the area north of Lime Hollow Road, there are several apartment
complexes,a mobile home park,and residential subdivisions in this Corridor.Vacant land is limited in
the area north of Lime Hollow Road;however,there are under-utilized parcels that could present
redevelopment opportunities.This area includes the SUNY Cortland athletic facilities and a forested
area associated with Otter Creek.
South of Lime Hollow Road are several
large shopping plazas anchored by big
box retailers such as Walmart and
Lowe’s,as well as the Cortlandville
Crossing shopping plaza. There are a
number of businesses situated on
individual lots including Tractor Supply
Company, Pyrotek,and Byrne Hollow
Yoghurt Plant. Immediately adjacent to
the Bryne Hollow Yoghurt Plant is the
site of the Gutchess Lumber Sports
Complex currently under construction.
It is anticipated that upon completion,
this 100-acre sports complex will be utilized for large-scale regional tournaments and competition in a
variety of sports. As one travels away from the City, there are more undeveloped parcels and those
that are developed include more greenspace.
A residential subdivision is located behind the Walmart Supercenter with access to Bennie Road and
another is located just south of the City in the area of Starr road and Owego Street. Walden Place,a
senior living facility,is also located off Bennie Road
near Walmart.Both Town Hall and the Cortlandville
Fire Department are situated off Terrace Road in a
triangle of land between SR 281(West Road)and SR
13.
The entire area is auto oriented; pedestrian and
non-motorized vehicle accommodations are limited.
Sewer and water lines extend into this area along a
number of roadways.The Terrace Road well is
located within this Planning Area.
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v Planning Area 2 -State Route 222 /Luker Road Area
Adjacent to the SR 13 corridor, the SR 222/Luker Road Area
also includes substantial commercial, retail, industrial and
business development. Development on parcels
immediately west of SR 281 near its intersections with Luker
Road and SR 281 is industrial and warehouse in scale with
large expanses of parking and limited green space.Large
scale commercial and industrial development continue
further to the south on Luker Road and SR 281 with slightly
more green space.
Residential subdivisions and residential uses on individual lots are located on both sides of Fairview
Drive and south of McLean Road.Apartments are situated north of McLean Road and west of West
Road.The Cortland County Airport also represent significant land use in this corridor.This corridor is
also auto-oriented with limited accommodations for pedestrians or non-motorized vehicles.
v Planning Area 3 -State Route 281/State Route 13 North
This small area is bisected by four important north-south
roadways including SR 281 representing the western
boundary,I-81 bisects the interior with direct access to
US Route 11 via Exit 12 and SR 13.Homes on individual
lots and the Cortland Country Club line SR 281. Homes
as well as highway commercial uses and small businesses
are located along US Route 11 and Fisher Avenue.
Commercial activity is generally to automotive repair,
outdoor utility storage areas, gas stations and fuel
storage areas.Sewer and water lines are located along a
number of roadways between SR 281 and US Route 11.
The Cortland County Fairgrounds and the Central New York Living History Center in the former AB
Brown Department Store are also found in this Planning Area.Between I-81 and Route 13 land use
consists almost exclusively of forested areas dotted by agricultural fields with the exception of
properties lining SR 13. Land uses are quite varied, ranging from the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison
County BOCES, a music park,two campgrounds, automotive service related businesses and several
residences. Undeveloped areas on SR13 consist primarily of mowed fields.
v Planning Area 4-Route 11
This area includes the area often referred to as Polkville and is bounded generally by I-81 and the
Tioughnioga River and includes a number of large industrial land commercial uses including Polkville
Crushed Stone,Suit-Cote Corporation, Marvin Windows, CNY Power Sports, Cazenovia Equipment
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Company, Microbac Laboratories, and Penske Truck Rental.The area also includes gas and retail
convenience stores along US Route 11.
There are some residential lots located between the City
boundary and I-81 and extending slightly south along US
Route 11.Generally,lands between US Route 11 and I-81
remain undeveloped.Municipal sewer and water
services are available on US Route 11 to the vicinity of
Polkville Road and extending to SR 41.
v Planning Area 5 -Agricultural and Rural Areas
As noted, existing development generally emanates
from the City along key transportation corridors.
Agricultural and rural land uses remain the dominant
land use in Cortlandville,as illustrated in the
accompanying and later in Tables 6-1 and 6-2.
Approximately 78% of Cortlandville’s land area can be
categorized as agriculture, forest, vacant and rural
residential.
Agricultural lands are generally cohesive,consisting of farms, homes on larger lots along county
roads, and other undeveloped forested and field areas. These areas are not served by municipal
utilities.
Recognizing the importance of agricultural operations and businesses to both the economy and the
Town’s identity,the Town prepared an AG Plan with funding from the NYS Department of Agriculture
and Markets. The AG Plan was adopted by the Town Board in November 2018 and includes a series
of recommendations to promote and maintain a strong agricultural sector in the Town.
The central recommendation was to adopt what is referred to as the Buffer Development Scenario.
This recommendation creates a buffer or growth boundary that encompasses both existing, non-
agriculturally zoned areas, and additional adjacent Agriculturally (AG) zoned lands that would be
available for development.This scenario provides significant area for future growth, while protecting
roughly 19,400 acres of agricultural lands including most but not all lands designated in Cortland
County Agricultural District # 1. As noted in Chapter 4 Recommendations, these boundaries were
refined by the Steering Committee and will result in approximately 22,780 acres designated as
Farmland Conservation. The Future Growth Boundary is reflected on Figure 4-1,Future Land Use. The
complete AG Plan is on file with the Town Clerk and is available on the Town website at
https://www.cortlandville.org/.
10807
1244
6450
4723
6460
Agricultural/Rural Land Use (Acres)
Agriculture
Forested
Vacant
Rural
Residential
All other uses
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Agricultural District #1 totals approximately 19,409 acres within
the Town of Cortlandville,the majority but not all agricultural
operations in Cortlandville are mapped within the Agricultural
District.Agricultural operations include dairy, field crops, cattle,
and other livestock as indicated by New York State Property Class
Codes.Approximate acreages include:
Livestock (including dairy and cattle)2,941 acres
Field crops 8,321 acres
Vacant Agricultural land 8,347 acres
While this provides a general sense of the extent of agricultural
lands in Cortlandville it should be noted that farmland is
sometimes coded as vacant when it is in use as a hayfield or
pasture and as residential when the use is predominately
agricultural.In order to provide additional focus to the extensive agricultural land use,Planning Area
5 has been subdivided into three areas on Figure 6-2.
5a-West
The highest concentration of active farmlands
can be found in the West Planning Area.
Although there are both livestock and field crop
operations in this area, livestock operations are
more predominant.This area has also been the
subject of the highest concentration of
residential building permits over the time
period from 2007 to 2017.Residential
structures are located on lands that include
farm operations or on single lots. Lands along
the adjacent eastern boundary with the Town
of Groton reflect similar uses.
The limited number of non-farming or residential land uses include several churches, and small
businesses.In addition, the Lime Hollow Nature Center, portions of the Elm Tree Golf Course,and the
Tunison Aquatic Science Lab and Cortlandville Sand and Gravel are in this Planning Area.Finally, the
Lime Hollow well field is located south of Lime Hollow Road in the vicinity of the former Lehigh
Railroad.
5b-South Central
There are also large concentrations of agricultural operations in the south Central planning area.This
area appears nearly evenly split between field crops and livestock operations. As in the West area,
land use consists generally of farming operations and residential uses on individual lots.Two Golf
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Clubs are located in this area the Willowbrook Golf Club and Walden Oaks Country Club.A similar
agricultural rural character exists on lands to the south in the Town of Virgil.
The Hamlett of Blodgett Mills Road
is also located within the Planning
Area in the vicinity of Blodgett Mills
and Kellogg Road intersection and
the Tioughnioga River. The Hamlett
is characterized by several older
commercial, industrial land uses
closest to the River and US Route 11
and homes on small lots as the hill
climbs towards Kellogg Road and
beyond.Blodgett Mills Park is
located within the Hamlet on
Kellogg Road and boat access to the Tioughnioga River including a small parking area is located on the
south side of Main Street.
5c-East
Although agricultural uses remain significant, there is
a lower concentration of active agricultural operations
in the East Planning Area. Similar to the other
Agricultural and Rural areas, with the exception of the
Village of McGraw, roadways and residential
development are limited.Residential units on single
lots dot SR41 and County Route 116 (Spring Street).
Lands appear to be open fields either in crops or
recently mowed,as well as forested. The County
Landfill is located on Town Line Road in the northeast
corner of the Town.
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v Summary of Town-wide Land Uses
Table 6-1 below provides a break down by acreage and parcel of land uses within the Town utilizing
2018 New York State Land Classification Property Codes on a town-wide basis.
Table 6-1 Existing Land Use Summary in Cortlandville*
Land Use Category Number of
Parcels Total Acres Percent of
Town Coverage
Average
Acres/Parcel
Agriculture 112 10,427 36.85%93.09
Forested & Conservation 18 1,245 4.16%69.18
Vacant 687 6,179 20.65%8.99
Single Family Residential 2,231 8,423 28.15%3.78
Two Family Residential 41 58 0.19%1.42
Three Family Residential 8 25.63 0.09%3.20
Multi-Family Residential 32 121.86 0.41%3.81
Commercial 243 585.1 1.96%2.41
Industrial 26 513.69 1.72%19.76
Community Services 73 1322.48 4.42%18.12
Recreation/Entertainment 25 712.81 1.90%28.51
No Land Use Code 21 303.78 0.01%14.47
Totals 3,517 29,918 100.00%8.51
*Discrepancies in parcel and acreage totals between Tables 6-1 and 6-2 are attributable to minor differences in
data sets and parcel mapping.
Zoning
Chapter 178 of the Town Code establishes Cortlandville’s Zoning Ordinance.The primary zoning
districts include: AG Agricultural; R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential; B-1, B-2 and B-3 Business and
Commercial; I-1 and I-2 Industrial; and Planned Unit Development.Non-residential zoning districts,
similar to existing land use patterns tend to be located along principal arterials, several of the major
collector roadways and in proximity to the City of Cortland.A vast majority of lands within the Town
are currently zoned for Agriculture (Figure 6-3).
Commercial and Industrial zoning is located primarily along SR 13, SR 281 and Luker Road southwest
of the City and US Route 11 southeast of the City.At this juncture,existing zoning in the Town
generally reflects the land use within a specific zoning district.Lands not zoned AG are generally
served by municipal water and sewer.Sewer and water lines do not serve the majority of lands zoned
AG,however there are several instances where utilities encroach or are adjacent to AG zoning.
Three Wellhead Protection Zones are located within the Town associated with the municipal wells in
the Town (Terrace Road and Lime Hollow Road). The City of Cortland’s wells are located just within
the City’s border on Broadway. The Wellhead Protection Zones overlap with business and industrial
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Zoning Designations
AG - Agricultural
R-1 Residential
R-2 Residential
R-3 Residential
B-1 - Neighborhood Business
B-2 - Highway Com mercial B us iness
B-3 - Planned Comm ercial Business
I-1 - Light Industrial, Office, Business Park
I-2 - General Industrial
PUD - Planned Unit D evelopment
0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-8
zones,which at times results in conflicts between the requirements and allowable uses outlined in
these zones.
The official version of the Town’s Zoning Map was prepared and is maintained by the Cortland County
Planning Department and includes boundaries of the Town’s Wellhead Protection Zones. This
information is delineated on Figure 6-4.
The Town’s Zoning Ordinance can be accessed at http://ecode360.com/8478426.A breakdown of
zoning districts in the Town including acreage, coverage and parcels is included in Table 6-2 below.
Table 6-2 Town of Cortlandville Zoning Summary
Zoning District
Total Acres in
District
(including
ROW)
Percent of
Town
Coverage
Number
of Parcels
Total Parcel
Acreage
(excluding
ROW)
Average
Acres/Parcel
Agricultural 25,055 80.0%1,332 24,188 18.16
R-1 Residential 2,878 9.2%918 2,633 2.87
R-2 Residential 672 2.1%689 615 0.89
R-3 Residential 123 0.4%52 112 2.15
B-1 Business 113 0.4%5 129 25.80
B-2 Business 575 1.8%261 439 1.68
B-3 Business 511 1.6%185 439 2.37
I-1 Industrial 316 1.0%23 315 13.70
I-2 Industrial 724 2.3%71 702 9.89
PUD (Planned Unit
Development)313 1.0%129 291 2.26
Totals 31280 100.0%3,665*29,863*8.15
*Note: Discrepancies in parcel and acreage totals between Tables 6-1 and 6-2 are attributable to slight
difference in data sets and parcel mapping.
Opportunities and Constraints
The Town has experienced significant growth particularly along highway corridors over that last 10-15
years.Generally, development has radiated outward from the City of Cortland along highway
corridors such as SR 13, 281 and to a lesser extent US Route 11.Although agricultural,forested and
vacant lands still account for nearly 62% of the land within Town borders, if the Town were to
experience full build-out according to the existing zoning regulations it would be unrecognizable.Each
red dot on Figure 6-5 represents a home that could be constructed in the AR zone based on current
regulations. Steep slopes and wetlands were excluded from developable areas as well as the lands
that are part of the Lime Hollow Nature Center. While full build-out is unlikely in the foreseeable
future, this figure demonstrates its potential.
The opportunity to study and amend zoning and land use policies to meet the goals of sustainable
land use that protects important resources and meets the needs of residents and businesses remains
6-4Wellhead Protection Zones
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RunwayProtectionZones
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Legend
Runway Protection Zone
Sewer Mains
Water Mains
!
Home onDevelopable 1 Acre Lot
Zoning Designations
R-1 Residential
R-2 Residential
R-3 Residential
B-1 - Neighborhood Business
B-2 - Highway Commercial Business
B-3 - Planned Commercial Business
I-1 - Light Industrial, Office, Business Park
I-2 - General Industrial
PUD - Planned Unit Development
0 1 2 3 40.5
Miles
F i g u r e 6 -5 F u l l B u i l d -O u tDecember 2 0 1 9
C O R T L A N D V I L L EComprehensive P l a n
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-9
viable.Land use policies that direct development to appropriately zoned areas with adequate services
and incentivizing infill and rehabilitation in these areas rather than greenfield development will
provide opportunities for growth and limit “leap-frog” development.One method to accomplish is
the implementation of the “Development Buffer” as recommended in the Town’s AG Plan. The intent
of the buffer or growth boundary is to direct development inside the growth boundary and limit
development outside the boundary. This scenario also addresses the extension of sewer and water.
The complete document is located on the Town’s website at https://www.cortlandville.org/.
Directing development to infill sites can also limit the impacts of projects that are on the “edge” of a
zoning district such as a large non-residential project located adjacent to a residential neighborhood.
Transition (step down) zoning could be considered to reduce these impacts. Projects proposed at the
edge of a zoning district should be carefully reviewed to reduce potential conflicts related to layout,
screening, traffic movement, and the intensity of the proposed use.
Zoning and other land use policies,by design,constrain development and at times may conflict with
goals of individual landowners.A carefully conceived growth management plan will provide
opportunities for land development and resource protection and is essential to a sustainable future
for the Town and its residents.
Topography and Soils
Topography in Cortlandville can be characterized as varied; ranging from nearly level to undulating to
steep (Figure 6-6).Elevations generally slope from northwest to southeast towards the City of
Cortland and then rise in the same direction to the Town’s southern boundary with Virgil and eastern
boundary with Solon. The highest point is approximately 2,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL)at
Cortlandville’s boundary with Virgil near Pendleton Street Extension and the lowest elevation appears
to be 1150 MSL in the area of the Cortland County Club.
Much of the Town is marked by undulating topography with numerous small hills and valleys.
Although steep slopes in excess of 15% occur in locations throughout the Town, they are more
prevalent to the east of I-81 and south of the City of Cortland,often associated with the various
stream systems.In general, slopes of less than 15%percent are considered developable. Slopes in
the range from zero to 10 percent generally occur in the vicinity of transportation corridors.Many of
these relatively flat areas adjacent to important transportation corridors have already undergone
considerable development.
Nearly the entire Town consists of Prime Agricultural Soils and farmland of Statewide Importance
(Figure 6-7),generally coinciding with level and gently sloping topography. Prime farmland soils are
also concentrated along roadways such as I-81,US Route 11,SR 13,281 and 222 and other level areas
within the Town.These high quality,moderately sloping to level soils already cleared of trees are also
desirable for construction and development activities.This has led to the construction of the many
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F i g u r e 6 -6Steep S l o p e sDecember 2 0 1 9
C O R T L A N D V I L L EComprehensive P l a n
Legend
Steep Slopes >15%
0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles
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F i g u r e 6 -7Agricultural S o i l sDecember 2 0 1 9
C O R T L A N D V I L L EComprehensive P l a n
0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles
Legend
Prime farmlandFarmland of statewide importancePrime farmland if drainedOther soils
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-10
roadways noted above and the subsequent conversion of prime farmlands to other uses in recent
decades.
Farmland of Statewide importance cover the remainder of the Town with the exception of soils
associated with stream systems and several small areas south of the City.Farmland of Statewide
Importance east of I-81 and south of the City are disrupted by steep slopes with greater regularity
than in the western part of Town.These soils also display attributes similar to Prime Agricultural Soils
that make them attractive for development.
Opportunities and Constraints
The varied topography combined with the agricultural and undeveloped lands provides an
aesthetically pleasing environment. Projects designed in harmony with existing topography will limit
impacts to the aesthetic quality of the Town and limit the potential for soil erosion and
sedimentation.Limiting development of steep slopes will protect streams from potential water
quality impacts caused by erosion and run-off since many of the steep slopes in Town are associated
with streams.
The majority of the Town features soils that are favorable for both agriculture and development
activities. The challenge to the Town is to determine the proper balance between these activities as
discussed under land use and zoning.
Surface and Groundwater
Significant water features are depicted on Figure 6-8. The Tioughnioga River is an important regional
watershed and a NYS Designated Inland Waterway; it includes the East and West Branches that
combine to form the main body of the Tioughnioga River in the City of Cortland. From the City it flows
south to its confluence with the Chenango River in Broome County.The Tioughnioga River is part of
the Susquehanna River Watershed and as such is part of the upper Chesapeake Bay watershed, the
largest estuary in the United States.Other water important features include Trout Brook, Blue Creek,
Dry Creek, Mosquito Creek and Otter Creek.
Figure 6-8 also includes the NYSDEC water quality classification used for the purposes of regulating
discharges into these water bodies in accordance with the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (SPDES).These classifications refer to the suitability of a given water feature (lake, pond,
river, stream) for human use.
Classifications include water supply designations (AA-S, A-S, AA) and normal designations ranging
from A (suitable for most uses) to D (unsuitable for primary contact).Each water quality classification
carries with it a set of discharge limitations designed to protect or improve the water quality.A "T"
modifier is used for those streams that have or could have a trout population.Effluent limitations on
the demand for oxygen are more stringent, since high oxygen content is essential for trout
survival.In addition, the ecology and geomorphology of streams with a classification of C(T) or higher
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CB
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CCCCB
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F i g u r e 6 -8Aquifer&S t r e a m S y s t e m sDecember 2 0 1 9
C O R T L A N D V I L L EComprehensive P l a n
Legend
Stream
Primary/Principal Aquifers
Wellhead Protection Zone 1A
Wellhead Protection Zone 1B
Wellhead Protection Zone 2
0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-11
are protected/regulated pursuant to Article 15 of the NYS Environmental Conservation Law and its
implementing regulations (6 NYCRR 608).
The NYSDEC also regulates work occurring in the bed and banks of these streams and requires a
permit from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).In addition to State
regulations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulates all waters of the U.S.Therefore,
almost any water body (streams, ponds, and lakes) falls under federal jurisdiction.The extent of
regulatory involvement depends on many factors.In general, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
regulates the discharge of dredged or fill materials into all waters of the U.S.Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act (federal program granted to the State) regulates the quality of the discharge, which can
include discharges from erosion.Section 10 of the 1899 Rivers and Harbors Act regulates most
activities in navigable waterways.
The Town is underlain by the Otter-Dry Creek Aquifer, a highly productive glacial-outwash aquifer
identified by the NYSDEC as a primary aquifer.This important water supply is also designated as a
sole source aquifer by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as part of the
Cortland-Homer-Preble Aquifer system.This aquifer supplies the municipal water system and
individual wells within the Town. As a result of considerable commercial and industrial growth, a
Water Supply Assessment for the Town was completed by the Cortland County Soil and Water
Conservation District in 2013 (on file at Town Hall)to assess the water availability and plan for future
water use. The report reviewed the natural recharge rates within the aquifer to determine the
sustainable yield of municipal wells currently operated by the Town. This assessment also considered
the impacts Town water supply withdrawals might have on natural resources and other water users.
Combined with other users of the aquifer (private residential wells, municipal systems, and
businesses) the withdrawal rate in 2013 was estimated to be 3 to 4 MGD which is well below the
natural recharge rate for the aquifer (estimated to be 20 MGD).
Lands within the wellhead protection zones (Figure 6-4) are subject to regulations established in
Article IA Wellhead Protection Areas and Article X Aquifer Protection District in the Town of
Cortlandville Zoning Ordinance. These regulations outline requirements and limitations for certain
activities such as outdoor storage, storage and disposal of chemicals,and greenspace.
Opportunities and Constraints
Water is an essential resource for any community. As part of the Chesapeake Bay estuary it is
important to recognize the potential impact that activities along the Tioughnioga River and tributaries
could have on the Susquehanna River, the Chesapeake Bay and ultimately the ocean.As such
maintaining its overall health is critical to Cortlandville and any community within this watershed.
Protection of the Otter-Dry Creek Aquifer, as the sole water source for residents and businesses
within the Town and region,is an important consideration during the review of development
projects. This water source is plentiful; capable of supporting additional water demand.Ensuring its
protection may result in limiting certain development.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-12
The Tioughnioga River also represents an
untapped recreational and open space resource.
It’s designation by New York State as an Inland
Waterway provides the opportunity for the Town
to work with other communities along the River
to prepare and adopt a Local Waterfront
Revitalization Plan (LWRP). These plans establish a
long-term vision for development,establish
partnerships and help create funding
opportunities for waterfront communities.It is
worth noting that work on a LWRP had been
initiated in the past, but the adoption process was
never completed locally.
Streams including the Tioughnioga River also provide important wildlife corridors that allow
movement between habitats,while avoiding conflicts with people or the built environment.
Wetlands and Floodplains
Wetlands
NYSDEC and National Wetland Inventory (NWI) mapped wetlands, as well as floodplains mapped by
FEMA are depicted on Figure 6-9.
State regulated wetlands are limited to several areas in the southwestern portion of the Town; an
area bordering the Town of Groton and areas in the vicinity of Gracie Road and Lime Hollow Road.
Federal wetlands under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)are scattered
throughout the Town, especially in low-lying areas along the Tioughnioga River, Dry Creek and Otter
Creek.
A wetland of note east of Gracie Road known as
Chicago Bog is a NYSDEC Class II wetland representing
one of the few intact kettle bogs in the Finger Lakes
Region. This unique ecosystem is on lands owned by
Byrne Hollow Farm and is accessible from Bryne Hollow
Crossing off of SR 13 as well as the Lime Hollow Nature
Center.
Located to the south of Lime Hollow Road and mapped
as NWI wetlands, are several ponds identified as Marl
Ponds. These unusual features, also called kettle ponds
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C O R T L A N D V I L L EComprehensive P l a n
Legend
NWI Wetland
NYS DEC Wetland
100 Year Floodplain
0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-13
were formed by glaciation. The ones in Cortlandville are spring fed and are typically bleached white in
late summer with most of the spring water evaporated. Marl is a clay-like substance rich in lime that
was used on agricultural fields in the 1800’s.
The USACE has jurisdiction over all waters of the United States, including wetlands and is responsible
for enforcing Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the 1899 Rivers and Harbors Act.
Most wetlands within the Town, including State regulated wetlands, are subject to Section 404
regulations that are limited to the discharge of dredged or fill materials into federal wetlands and
other waters of the U.S.Federally regulated wetlands are defined by USACE as:
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration
sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.Wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs, and
similar areas (33CFR 328.3).
The actual identification of federal wetlands and their boundaries requires a wetland delineation,
usually conducted on a case by case basis due to the cost and time limitations placed on jurisdictional
determinations.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses aerial photography to identify potential wetland areas through
a process referred to as photo-interpretation.Figure 6-9 identifies numerous potential wetland areas
based on the NWI.
New York State regulates all wetlands that are 12.4 acres (5 hectare) or greater in size pursuant to the
Freshwater Wetlands Act (Article 24 of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) of 1975).These
wetlands are mapped and classified by the NYSDEC.State classifications are based on variations in
cover type, ecological associations, special features (critical or fragile resources), hydrological and
pollution control features, and distribution and location that affect wetland benefits (6 NYCRR
664.5).The highest classification is I and is afforded the greatest amount of protection; the lowest is
IV.
A 100-foot buffer zone is extended from the wetland boundary to protect the wetland from
encroaching development and other impacts.Any work occurring within the buffer zone or wetland
would require a permit from NYSDEC.
Floodplains
Floodplains also exist along numerous waterways (Figure 6-9);the most extensive located adjacent to
the Tioughnioga River. The ravines associated with many stream systems within Cortlandville limits
the extent of the 100-year floodplain. Critical to floodplain management is the identification and
protection of the floodway, the portion of the floodplain that is regularly flooded during most storm
events. Encroachment into the floodway, as well as the floodplain, reduces the flood storage area and
increases the potential for higher flood elevations upstream.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-14
Although the extent of the 100-year floodplain is limited within the Town, several areas of localized
flooding were identified by the Steering Committee, Municipal Officials and the public.Some of these
areas include Kellogg Road,SR 13 near Loring Crossing,Starr Road, and Luker Road.This could be the
result of increased development and/or inadequately sized culverts at road crossings and may require
additional field work and review of the Town’s stormwater management regulations.
Opportunities and Constraints
Wetlands and floodplains are limited within Town boundaries;however,these resources still must be
protected.Protection of the floodway is critical to floodplain management as encroachment on the
floodway reduces the flood storage area and increases the potential for higher flood elevations.
Cortlandville participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and has developed regulations in
the Town’s zoning law to protect the floodway.
100 year and 500-year floods are defined by FEMA as events that have a one in 100 or one in 500-
chance of occurring each year. In many parts of the country, significant flooding events (100-year or
500-year)have been occurring in greater frequency than statistics would indicate as normal.
Although the extent of 100-year FEMA floodplain is limited in Cortlandville, localized flooding does
occur with greater frequency in several areas of the Town. This impact can become more significant if
proper stormwater management techniques are not utilized or if existing stormwater management
facilities need maintenance or are inadequate.
Protection of wetlands assists with flood storage and provides water quality benefits,as well as
providing habitat for numerous wildlife species. The Lime Hollow Nature Center and its unique
ecosystem represents an excellent opportunity to protect these features but also to educate the
public on their value.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-15
Transportation
The transportation system within the
Town of Cortlandville consists of a
network of roadways that are used by
all modes of travel, including cars,
freight, transit, pedestrians and
bicyclists.Of the working population,
approximately 94% of work-based trips
made by Town residents are by
automobile (83% drive alone and 11%
carpool).Alternative work-based trips
utilize walk/bike (2%) or transit (<1%)
modes.The remaining 3% of the
working population are home-based.
The average travel time to work for
Town residents is 18.7 minutes.1 Table
6-3 shows a comparison of the Town’s work-based travel characteristics to Cortland County and
statewide trends. The Town’s reliance on the roadway network as a primary means of travel is
consistent with the Town’s rural context.
This section provides a brief summary of the modes that collectively comprise the Town of
Cortlandville’s transportation system including highways and streets, transit operations, and facilities
for nonmotorized travel.A more detailed description of the Town’s transportation characteristics
including traffic volumes, roadway capacity, and pavement conditions is included in Appendix D.
Roadways
The Town of Cortlandville is comprised of a network of roadways that include an interstate, U.S.
Routes, State Routes, County Routes and local (Town) roads.
v Federal Routes
I-81 is a major north-south corridor through the Town that has three interchanges; Exit 12 with US
Route 11 and I-81, Exit 11 with SR 13, in the City of Cortland, and Exit 10 with SR 41 and US Route 11.
I81 is a 4-lane divided roadway with a posted speed limit of 65 mph.I81 carries the highest average
annual daily traffic (AADT) volumes in the Town (Figure 6-10).
US Route 11 travels only a short distance in the Town, from the southern boundary of the Village of
Homer to the northern boundary of the City of Cortland, before it flows through the main City streets,
1 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2012-2016, U.S. Census Bureau
Table 6-3
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State Route
County Route
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-16
leaving the City on Port Watson Street at the bridge over the Tioughnioga River. From this point, it
follows the river southeast to the southern Town line and southward, paralleling the I-81 highway.
v State and County Routes
The state system consists of SR 281, 222, 215, 41, and 13.SR 13 heading southwest from the City of
Cortland and SR 281 between SR 13 and the Village of Homer carry the highest number of vehicles.
The AADT for State and County routes are depicted on Figure 6-10.
Most of the County Routes in Cortlandville are two lane asphalt roadways with shoulders that vary
from 2 feet to 8 feet. The following routes in Cortlandville are part of the County system:
Table 6-4 County Routes
Kinney Gulf Road (111)McLean Road (120)
Lighthouse Hill Road (112)East Holl Road (120A)
Loring Crossing (112A)Starr Road (120B and 120C)
Albany Street 112B Starr Road Extension (120D and 120E)
Locust Avenue (113)Kellogg Road (121)
East River Road (114)Page Green Road (122)
Fisher Avenue (115)South Cortland Virgil Road (123)
McGraw Marathon Road (116)Old Groton Road (200)
Sears Road (119)
All other roads in the Town are local roads. The local roads are generally two-lane asphalt roadways
with no medians and shoulders that vary between 0 and 5 feet.Dependent on jurisdiction,roads are
maintained by either NYSDOT, Cortland County or the Town. As noted in Table 6-5, the Town is
responsible for approximately 72 centerline miles of roadway.
Table 6-5 Centerline Mileage by Maintenance Jurisdiction
Maintenance Jurisdiction Centerline Miles Percentage
NYSDOT 29.75 23%
County 28.00 22%
Town 71.70 55%
Other State Agencies 0.57 0%
Total 130.02 100%
"Other State agency" includes Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Dept. of Environmental Conservation;
Office of General Services; and others.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-17
Public Transportation
Cortland Transit provides public transportation for Cortland County.Buses operate Mondays through
Fridays between the hours of 6AM to 6PM. All bus routes currently hub at the County Office Building
(COB) in the City of Cortland. Regional rides via Greyhound and Trailways buses can be accessed here
also.
Cortland Transit operates five fixed routes within Cortland County.Routes 1-4 primarily travel within
the City of Cortland, the Village of Homer, and the Town of Cortlandville. They leave the COB on the
hour and the half hour. Route 5 includes bus runs in the morning and in the afternoon travelling from
the COB to the more rural areas of the eastern portion of the County (Cincinnatus and Willet). While
there are some bus shelters located throughout Cortland
County, it is primarily a "hail the bus system."
Route 6 is one of two inter-county bus routes and travels
to TC3 and the Village of Dryden, in Tompkins
County.Presently there are two morning runs, one at
noon, and two later afternoon runs.The Route 7 bus
travels to Cornell, also in Tompkins County, once in the
morning and once in the evening and primarily
accommodates Cornell students and employees.
Persons can ask for a Route Deviation of within 3/4 of a
mile from Routes 1-4 at the top of the hour runs.Dial-a-
Ride, a curb to curb service within 3/4 of a mile of a fixed
route, is available but must be scheduled with Cortland
Transit.
Source:https://www.way2gocortland.org/local-transit
Buses feature bike racks to integrate bicycle and transit services and expand the accessibility of these
modes. Within the Town, bus shelters exist at 823 SR 13 (JM Murray) and 4059 West Rd (SR 281) (JM
Murray Employment Connection).
Taxi service is available within the County, including some that can provide wheelchair accessible
transportation. Uber and Lyft drivers do cover the county,but their numbers are currently limited.
v Rail
The New York Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) provides freight service between Newark,
NJ and Syracuse, NY. The NYSW railroad tracks extend from the southeast of the Town of
Cortlandville / Town of Virgil boundary and run parallel with I81 through the City of Cortland to the
Cortlandville / Homer Town Lines.There are at-grade crossings with SR 281 and McLean Road (CR
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-18
120)that feature rail warning signals and gates.In the vicinity of its crossing with CR 120, the line
appears to be abandoned.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
v Pedestrian Facilities
Walkability is an important aspect of a transportation system and is often accommodated using
shoulders and/or sidewalks.Shoulders or sidewalks are provided along most of the Town’s
commercial routes, including SR 13, SR 222 and SR 281, which provides pedestrian connectivity
between the commercial district at Munson’s Corners (Tompkins street/Starr Road/McLean Road
intersection)and the City of Cortland.
There are also several crosswalk locations, with some including pedestrian signals and pushbuttons.
There are 2 crossing locations on SR 13 that are more than 1 mile apart,and 3 crossings of SR 281
which range from less than ½ mile to nearly 1 mile apart.While frequent crossings reinforce
walkability with the potential to fuel greater demand,implementing a crosswalk should be based on
multiple factors, including land uses, present and future demand, traffic volumes, pedestrian
compliance, speed, safety, and crash history.
v Bicycle Facilities
Bicycles share the road with the vehicular traffic. There
are no special provisions for accommodating bicyclists in
the Town.In cooperation with the City of Cortland and
Village of Homer,the Town has launched LimeBike, a
service that provides “grab-and-go” style bike rentals for a
small fee. LimeBike employs a dockless system where
riders unlock bikes to ride then leave them at their
destination.
v Multi-use Trails
Multi-use trails can accommodate both bicycle and pedestrian travel. A multi-use trail is
predominantly recreational but can also be used for community and other travel needs. The Town of
Cortlandville does not have any Town-owned/operated multi-use trails at this time.
Photo credit: Katelyn Hession/Cortland Voice
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-19
Cortland County Airport
Chase Field located on SR222 is a public use airport
owned by Cortland County and operated by the County
Highway Department. It is a general aviation airport with
a single 75 X 3400-foot runway, three main hangars, 40
single engine T-hangars and 4 Twin Engine T-Hangers. It
also features 20 tie downs on an asphalt tarmac.
As required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
the County must maintain and periodically update its
Airport Master Plan in order to receive Federal funding.As of Spring 2020, the Cortland County
website indicated that once the FAA provided concurrence the final copy of the Master Plan would be
available.
Other Planning Documents
Both the 1978 Plan and the Aquifer Protection Plan outlined a number of recommended
transportation improvements. The Tables 6-6 and 6-7 below summarizes the proposals and their
status. Recommendations that have not been implemented should be reevaluated to determine
future status.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-20
Table 6-6: Recommended Improvements –Previous Town Planning Documents
1978 Comprehensive Plan
Recommendation Status: Y= Yes, N=NO,
P= Partial
U=Unknown
Address acute angle and crossing of Starr Road (CR 120) and SR 13
including:
Channelization of traffic, illumination, control signals, warning lights
P
Realign Lighthouse Hill Road (CR 112) and SR 13 with Loring Road
(CR112A) and SR 13
N
Widen/realign McLean Road (CR 120)Y
Extend Ames Road east to Phelps Road and McGraw North Road N
Realign Blue Creek Road at right angle with SR 281 directly across from
Fisher Avenue (CR) 115 to eliminate “dogleg”
N
Construct 4-lane, limited access highway parallel to SR 13 to enhance
traffic movement form Tompkins County to I81
N
Circumferential route to west and south of City including several new
roads
N
Table 6-7: Recommended Improvements –Previous Town Planning Documents
Route 281/13 Land Use & Aquifer Protection Plan
Recommendation Status: Y= Yes, N=NO,
P= Partial U=Unknown
Enable trucks to bypass SR 281 to limit potential aquifer impacts related
to vehicle spills of hazardous potential/toxic materials
N
Construct sidewalks on SR 281 to increase walkability & safety P -ends at Fisher
Avenue
Realign Blue Creek Road at right angle with SR 281 directly across from
Fisher Avenue (CR) 115
N
Increase capacity of SR 222 and SR 281 to reduce use of residential
streets McLean Road to Fairview Lane as shortcuts.
Y -additional lanes
constructed SR 281
Address left turn movement to proceed north from businesses on West
side of SR 281; construct small road at Madison Street
P –additional lanes
constructed SR 281 and
Murray Center Drive
Extend spur lines from Pall Trinity to Luker Road N
Study operations at Starr Road and Tompkins Street U
Develop service roads to rear of Smith Corona and other industrial sites
onto Lime Hollow Road
Y
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
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Transportation Improvement Plan
Each state is required to develop a statewide transportation improvement program (STIP) covering a
period of at least four years. The STIP is a staged, multi-year, statewide intermodal program of
transportation projects, consistent with the statewide transportation plan and planning processes, as
well as metropolitan plans, transportation improvement programs (TIPs), and planning processes that
are proposed to receive federal funding.
The STIP was developed by the NYSDOT in consultation with local officials in non-metropolitan areas
and in cooperation with Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in urbanized areas.The STIP
includes highway, transit and non-motorized projects as well as urban and rural projects. The most
recent STIP for New York State was formally approved on October 21, 2016 and is for the four federal
fiscal year period of 2017-2020.
The STIP includes a number of projects programmed for the Town ranging from pedestrian safety,
bridge repair, bridge painting and guide rail replacement.
Opportunities and Constraints
Adequate highway transportation,both within the Town and to points beyond Town boundaries,
provides opportunities for future development. A future land use plan that directs development to
areas with good transportation facilities will allow the Town to preserve and improve the function of
its road network.
Previous plans have outlined a number of considerations for transportation enhancements. The
development of this Comprehensive Plan provides the opportunity for the Town to review the
recommended actions that have not been completed to date and determine if they remain relevant
and provide new recommendations where warranted.
The Town may wish to identify other corridors in addition to SR 281/13 that would benefit from
access management techniques such as corridors zoned for mixed uses including business,
commercial and residential development.
The development of a plan to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists would provide additional
transportation options for both “commuters” and recreational users by providing sidewalks, bike
facilities and trails at appropriate locations.Prior work that has been pursued related to a River Trail
along the Tioughnioga River and the LWRP should be incorporated into any recreational trail plan as
appropriate.
The Airport represents both an opportunity to provide convenient transportation access to the area
and a land use conflict due to its location in a residential area, limiting opportunities to expand.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-22
The Town has limited public transportation available. Improved and expanded service would benefit
residents and businesses in the Town and City. A study in conjunction with Cortland County and the
City of Cortland could be considered to identify potential service corridors and routes.
Infrastructure
Municipal sewer and water services are generally located in close proximity to the City of Cortland
and along heavily traveled transportation corridors of SR 281 and 13 and US Route 11. The extent of
both sewer and water lines are mapped on Figure 6-11.The municipal water system serves
numerous businesses along these corridors along with approximately 4,000 Town residents.The
approximate breakdown of water connections is as follows:1,328 residential connections,243
commercial connections and two industrial connections.
Two of the Town’s wells are located south of Lime Hollow Road and the third located off Terrace Road
which are permitted to withdraw up to 1 million gallons per day (MGD)2.According to the 2013
Water Supply Assessment for the Town, the Town pumped an average of 0.64 GPD in 2012. At the
time Byrne Dairy had not yet come online;however, the approved project at full buildout (10+year
timeframe) was estimated to remain below the permitted capacity of 1 MGD.As of October 2018,
the average water pumped and treated is between 0.78 and 0.825 MGD.As of October 12, 2018,
water storage capacity includes two, 1 million-gallon pre-stressed concrete tanks; one located along
SR 215 and one on Blue Creek Road.
Other significant withdrawals from this aquifer include the City of Cortland with three municipal
supply wells, and private well withdrawals by Pall Trinity,Gutchess Lumber, Tunison Laboratory of
Aquatic Science,and more recently Bryne Dairy. Residents who are not connected to the municipal
system rely on private wells.
The Assessment also indicates that the Town may meet the Health Department projection of 1.2
MGD at some point during the years 2023-2028, however there is likely adequate capacity in the
existing wells to meet additional demand up to 1.5 MGD. The Study also discusses the potential for
water sharing between Cortlandville, the City of Cortland,and the Village of Homer. A number of
connections currently exist between the three municipalities.
Based on the NYSDEC Environmental Remediation list, the Smith Corona trichloroethylene (TCE)
plume is the only known groundwater contaminant that persists in the critical area of Otter-Dry Creek
Aquifer.While there is a low likelihood that the TCE plume will be significantly altered by an increase
in pumping of these municipal wells, as the Town increases pumping within the aquifer, it is
recommended that this plume be monitored.
2 Water Supply Assessment Town of Cortlandville, Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District, October 2013.
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F i g u r e 6 -1 1Water L i n e s&S e w e r L i n e sDecember 2 0 1 9
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Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
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Municipal sewer is generally located along the same roadways as municipal water however the
service area is limited, serving approximately 1,233 customers.Municipal wastewater treatment is
provided by the City of Cortland Wastewater Treatment Facility located on the Tioughnioga River.
Conversations with City staff indicated the facility treats an average of nearly 5.5 million gallons daily
(MGD)and is designed to treat up to 9 MGD.3 In wet weather conditions it has handled flows of up to
30 MGD.Records from the years 2016 and 2017 indicate that Cortlandville contributed approximately
0.63 MGD to the treatment facility. At this time there are no allotments assigned to municipal users,
however this could change in the future.
While the last major upgrade was completed in 1995, a major upgrade was nearing completion in
2018 to bring the facility into compliance with the most recent Chesapeake Bay nutrient removal
requirements.This upgrade also included the construction of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
project to accommodate the needs of Byrne Dairy.
Potential future improvements are related to sludge disposal which is currently transported to the
Cortland County landfill.Two pilot projects that would divert sludge from the landfill are under
consideration and include vermi-composting and sludge drying.
Opportunities and Constraints
Connections to sewer and water are generally available in areas zoned for non-residential use along
key transportation routes. This encourages development and redevelopment in areas that are
properly zoned and have available utilities.At this time there does not appear to be limitations
related to water and sewer capacity.As development projects are reviewed however,the Town
should continue to be aware of and consider available capacity within these systems.An important
component of land use decisions is protection of the aquifer.
The extension of utilities into areas not currently served should be carefully deliberated as to their
location, distance to existing utilities, surrounding land use,and existing zoning.If new water and or
sewer lines bisect areas intended to remain in agriculture,remain undeveloped,be developed at low
densities or as low impact uses, the presence of utilities will increase pressure for more intense uses.
Limiting these extensions may constrain certain types and intensities of development.
Effective stormwater management protects both the built and natural environment. Proper
application of the stormwater management regulations and maintenance of these systems is central
to these protections. Areas frequently experiencing localized flooding are less desirable places to live
and conduct business.
Open Space and Recreation
Previous discussions have noted that the development in Cortlandville is concentrated along a
number of key roadways and in proximity to the City of Cortland. This development pattern in
3 Telephone conversation, Bruce Adams, Chief Operator, Cortland Wastewater Treatment Facility, November 7, 2018
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-24
combination with the numerous agricultural properties both active and inactive,has resulted in
significant amounts of undeveloped lands or open space. Agricultural parcels and fields, meadows
and forested areas all play an integral role in the rural nature and character of the Town.These broad
expanses of open space combined with the rolling topography provides excellent scenic vistas.
These lands are generally in private ownership;as such there is no guarantee that these lands will
remain open indefinitely. This is illustrated by the number of “for sale” signs scattered throughout the
Town on large parcels of land.
Town Parks
There are a number of Town-owned recreational parks and facilities. There are no County or State
park or recreation facilities in Cortlandville.Town facilities are described below and shown on Figure
6-12, Community Resources.
v Blodgett Mills Park -Approximately 5.7 acres including a pavilion with seating for about 120,
grills, basketball court,swings,toy riders,horseshoe pit, one ballfield,and restroom
facilities.Located on Kellogg Road.
v Small Park-Approximately 0.4 acres. Located on Clute Road in the Hamlet of Blodgett Mills.
v Lamont Circle Park-Approximately 1.4 acres and includes a playing field, small pavilion, and
basketball court. There are no public restrooms.Located on North Lamont.
v Testa Park-Approximately 16.2 acres with two regulation Little League fields, one regulation
soccer field, one multi-purpose field,concession and public restrooms.Located on Starr Road.
v Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex-This 100+ acre recreation facility is currently under
construction and will be developed in phases. The Town acquired
this land via a land swap with Gutchess Lumber and this property
is restricted to park development. Upon completion it will
comprise multiple playing surfaces capable of accommodating
large-scale regional tournaments and competitions.The facility is
planned to include lighted ball fields, multi-use soccer, men’s and
women’s lacrosse, football fields, stadium field, a comfort station
that includes concessions, restrooms, play area, covered seating,
parking, walking trails, passive play area, sand volleyball and a
playground.Located on SR 13.
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National Register Historic Site
School DistrictCortland
Dryden
Homer
McGraw
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1 Cortland County Music P ark Campground
2 Yellow Lantern Kamp GroundsCemetary
3 St. Mary's Cemetary4Cemetary
5 CemetaryReligion
6 Believe Chapel
7 Berean Bible Church
8 Blodgett Mills Baptist Church9Church of the Redeemer
10 Faith Baptist Church
11 First United Methodist Church
12 Grace Christian Fellowship
13 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
14 The Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints15Ukrainian P entecostal ChurchFire
16 Cortlandville Fire Department Station 1
17 Cortlandville Fire Department Station 2
18 Homer Fire DepartmentGolf
19 Cortland Country Club20Elm Tree Golf Course
21 Walden Oaks Country Club
22 Willowbrook Golf ClubPark
23 Blodgett Mills P ark
24 Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex25Lamont Circle P ark
26 Small Park
27 Ted Testa P ark
Other
28 CNY Living History Museum
29 Cortland County Airport30Cortland County Solid Waste Facility
31 Lime Hollow Nature Center
32 Local Fairgrounds
33 SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex
34 Town Hall
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-25
Recreational Programming
The City of Cortland Youth Bureau provides recreational programming for Cortlandville residents
through its inter-municipal agreement. Over 120 recreational programs are offered annually including
youth sports,adult leagues, swim lessons, tennis lessons, drama, music lessons,a skate park, summer
playground programs, special events, festivals, holiday programs, teen center, field trip programs,
camps, art and crafts, youth and adult tournaments,to name a few.In 2017 nearly 2,450 people
participated in programming offered through the Youth Bureau; 22% or just over 535 participants
were residents of Cortlandville.Through July 23,2018 a total of approximately 1,530 people had
participated in programming, over 378 are residents of Cortlandville.
Additional Recreational Opportunities
A broad variety of recreational opportunities exist beyond the Town parks in Cortlandville.SUNY
Cortland’s athletic facilities including its football stadium are located in the Town proper on SR281
adjacent to the City’s western boundary.
Two campgrounds were identified within Town boundaries.For music lovers, the Cortland County
Music Park and Campgrounds is located off SR 13 near the Town’s northern border.This facility is run
by a volunteer non-profit organization and provides camping sites, an outdoor stage, an Opry Barn
and museum,as well as other amenities.The second facility is the Yellow Lantern Kampground
consisting of approximately 40 acres and is located on the site of the former Graham Farm off of SR
13.
The Cortland County Junior Fair was formed in 1953 to provide
children an opportunity to exhibit projects and show animals in
order to move on to the State Fair competition in Syracuse. The
event is held annually at the Cortland County Junior
Fairgrounds in conjunction with Cortland County Cornell
Cooperative Extension.
The JM McDonald Sports Complex is located on Fairgrounds
Drive just east of the Fairgrounds. This non-profit facility
provides family-oriented programming including youth and
adult sports leagues, camps,and classes as well as childcare.
The facility houses an ice-arena, a large turf field, a small
boarded turf field,as well as meeting/conference rooms and
event space.
In addition,there are several privately-run golf courses including Willow Brook,Walden Oaks and the
Cortland Country Club located within the Town.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-26
Lime Hollow Nature Area is a unique area
encompassing approximately 447 acres owned and
managed by a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit
organization.This important recreational and nature
preserve was officially founded in 1993 to protect an
unusual assemblage of marl ponds, peat bog, and
kame-and-kettle topography in the area known as
Lime Hollow proximate to McLean and Gracie Roads.
It is adjacent to but does not include the Chicago Bog.
The facility includes a visitor center and 12 miles of
walking trails, including snowshoe and cross country
ski trails. It hosts education programs and summer camps for school-aged children, numerous public
programs,as well as operating a pre-school and providing research opportunities for high school and
college students.The Cortland County Planning Board has designated the area as a rare and valuable
ecosystem,and it is part of the 2016 NYSDEC Open Space Plan for protection and preservation
purposes.
Opportunities and Constraints
The Town’s ongoing relationship with the City of Cortland provides residents of the Town and the City
a varied array of recreational programming and events. This relationship should be maintained and
strengthened.
Upon completion of the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex, the Town appears that it will have more
than adequate facilities for active recreational uses.
The Lime Hollow Nature Area represents an important passive recreational asset.Trails and multi-use
paths are generally limited within the Town,with the exception of the trails in the Lime Hollow
Nature Area and walking paths that are part of the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex.The
development of a Trails and Open Space plan for the Town will allow it to systematically grow its trail
system and promote connectivity to existing and planned trail systems both within the Town and
regionally.
The Town has significant open space due to its viable agricultural industry that complements the
surrounding communities.The best and most cost-effective way to maintain Cortlandville’s rural
character is to protect and support farming, which is the intent of the Town’s newly adopted AG Plan.
The agricultural community is much more than open space. It is also an industry and working
landscape.Some activities on farms could be considered industrial in nature as it can produce
impacts associated with industrial activities including dust, odors, and noise. The choice to live near
farms should be made with the full knowledge that work is being performed and the hours of
operation start before the sun rises and sometimes long after the sun sets.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-27
Current AG zoning allows residences on one-acre lots. Zoning of this nature encourages sprawl
development that consumes large areas of land and incrementally eliminates agricultural land and
other open spaces.To avoid this,the Town should consider prioritizing lands to be protected either
through zoning, easements or incentive programs as outlined in the Town’s AG Plan.During review of
projects in these areas, consideration should be given to adjacent land uses focusing on the continuity
of agricultural and rural land uses.
Community Facilities and Services
The Town is served by the Cortlandville Fire Department with the headquarters located on NYS Route
13 adjacent to Town Hall and an additional station located at 3757 US Route 11. As of August 2018,
this department had approximately 70 members with 42 members certified to fight interior fires.
Contact with the fire commissioner indicated that the membership level provides excellent coverage
and service to the Town.At this time,both equipment and facilities are adequate to meet the Town’s
fire protection needs.To ensure maximum protection,Cortlandville Fire Department has mutual aid
agreements with nearby fire companies including Cortland and McGraw.
Police protection is provided by the County Sheriff and State Police.Cortland County is part of State
Police Troop C with the closest barracks located in Homer.The Cortland County Sheriff and the
Emergency Response and Communication facility are both located in the City on Greenbush Street. At
this time a new County public safety complex and jail is under consideration within Town boundaries,
slated to be located on SR 13.
Ambulance service is provided by private companies.There are several medical facilities including the
Guthrie Cortland Regional Medical Center and Family Health Network Health Center in the City.
The Cortland County Solid Waste facility is located on Town Line Road which also encompasses land
in the Towns of Solon and Homer.It is the only active landfill in the County and accepts in-county
waste only.It recently began accepting recyclables.The Town does not provide municipal collection.
Residents transport waste to the facility or hire private carriers to remove municipal solid waste or
recyclables.There are no facilities for yard waste composting within the Town; residents must
transport yard waste to the City.
Four School Districts serve the Town including the Cortland City School District,and Homer, McGraw
and Dryden Central School Districts.All four districts were contacted. McGraw,Homer and Dryden
Central School districts provided information.McGraw currently has approximately 588 students
(2018-2019) and projects 546 students in the 2023-2024 school year. The district noted that it had a
spike in enrollment over the last two years that was a result of new families moving into the district
that has not been predicted. In November 2018 a $10 million referendum was passed to include
safety and security upgrades to all facilities, new roofs on several of the district facilities, new
windows, and a new classroom addition for STEM activities.
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-28
In 2018-2019 approximately 1840 students were enrolled in the Homer School District. Enrollment is
anticipated to grow slightly over the next five years based on a small increase in live births. At the
time of this Plan, there are no capital improvements projects underway.The district was reviewing
the buildings condition survey to determine the need and timing for future projects.
Dryden has approximately 1600 students enrolled for the 2018-2019 academic year in three
elementary schools and a Middle School/High School building. The district is currently undergoing a
$38.8 million capital improvement project to upgrade district buildings and athletic facilities.
The State University of New York College at Cortland Campus is located within the City limits,
however some facilities including athletic fields and stadium as well as the West Campus are within
Town boundaries. There are numerous institutions of higher learning located close by,such as
Tompkins-Cortland Community College, Ithaca College,Cornell University and the many institutions
located in the Cities of Syracuse,Binghamton and their environs.
Libraries are located in nearby McGraw,Homer and Cortland.There are senior centers are located in
the Village of McGraw, Homer and the Cortland County Office building.
Opportunities and Constraints
Community services in the Town appear to be generally sufficient to meet the needs of the Town and
its residents. Maintaining open lines of communication between the Town, police, fire, the County
landfill, and the school districts is essential to maintaining appropriate service levels in the future.
Cultural Resources
According to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation online Cultural
Resource Information System (CRIS) a large area of Cortlandville extending along US Route 11 in
association with the Tioughnioga River is considered archeologically sensitive.A number of other
smaller areas located in the vicinity of SR 281 as well as the site of the proposed County Safety
complex on SR 13 are also identified as archeologically sensitive. An additional area is located in the
vicinity of Otter Creek and SR 215.
Riverview Farm (former Cortland County Poor Farm)
and Randall Farm are both listed on the National
Register of Historic Places as of June 2000.The
Cortland County Poor Farm is one of the last intact
poor farms in New York State.The CRIS map did not
identify any additional structures or properties listed
on the National Register however a number of
resources significant to local history exist in the
Town.
Jerry & Roy Klotz, MD-own work, CC By-SA 4.0
https://commons.wikimedia.org/
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-29
Harmony Grange No. 372 in Blodgett Mills was the first grange chartered in Cortland County in 1876
and is still active today. A portion of that building served as a school for Virgil and Cortlandville in the
early 1800’s.Other structures of interest include the Blodgett Mills Baptist Church and the Cortland
Country Club. Figure 6-12 includes the locations of these resources.
The Town is also rich in cultural resources that,while not listed on the National or State Register of
Historic Places,have local importance. Examples include the First Baptist Church of Blodgett Mills and
Harmony Grange #372, and the grounds of the of the Cortland County Junior Fair, used by the Army
during the Civil War as a training ground for 76th volunteers.
Opportunities and Constraints
Aside from the two properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and areas identified as
archeologically sensitive,there are also a number of structures and properties significant to local
history. These structures and areas should be protected and enhanced whenever possible Educational
programming at school and community events provides the opportunity to engage and educate the
public which can build pride and support for these resources.
Maintaining the integrity of these resources may result in development constraints; however
innovative site design and adaptive reuse of these structures and properties can enhance both these
resources and proposed development.
Population and Housing
In 2010, Cortlandville was the most populated of the 15 Towns in the County with a population of
8,509 and despite a slow decline,remains the most populated Town in Cortland County today. The
gradual decline is noted in tables in both the 2012-2016 American Community Survey (83594) and in
the July 2017 QuickFacts estimate (8,175 5).The information presented herein excludes the Village of
McGraw and the Village of Homer.
The population is nearly evenly divided between males and females.As is typical of many Upstate
New York communities, the population is aging. Over 20% of the population is 65 years or older while
only 18% is younger than 18. These numbers are similar throughout both the County level and New
York State.The median age for the period 2012-20166 (American Community Survey) was estimated
at 43.The population is decidedly Caucasian at nearly 93%, typical of many rural upstate
communities.
The population is well educated-more than 92% of the population over age 25 has earned a high
school diploma and over 31% of the population over age 25 has earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
4 US Census Bureau American Factfinder American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Demographic and Housing
Estimates, Table DP05
5 https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/cortlandvilletowncortlandcountynewyork, May 30, 2018.
6 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Demographic and Housing Estimates
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-30
The close proximity of numerous institutions of higher education,both public and private,have likely
allowed some residents to aspire to a higher education while remaining in the area. The median
household income in Cortlandville (2016 dollars) was $65,708, higher than both the County and New
York State.Although the median household income is relatively high, approximately 7% of the
population falls below the poverty line.
In regard to housing, the median value of owner occupied housing in 2016 was $137,600. Monthly
owner costs (owners with a mortgage) was $1,324. The median gross rent was approximately $750.
Building permit data provided by the Town indicates that 77 residential building permits were issued
during the ten-year period from 2008 to 2017 covering just over 600 acres. Just 27 building permits
were issued from 2014 to 2017.
Housing stock is generally single family (over
70%)with several apartment complexes of
varying sizes located in the SR 13 South and
SR 281/222 corridors.Cortland Estates,the
only mobile home community in the Town,is
located at SR 13 and Starr Road.
Approximately one-third of the housing stock
was built prior to 1939.7 As noted in the
adjacent table,construction of new homes
has been very limited since 2010.
Senior housing within Town boundaries is
limited to Walden Place on Bennie Road that provides assisted living and Alzheimer’s care to its
residents.Several other senior care communities are located within the City of Cortland, Village of
Homer and the Village of McGraw.Additional options are located to the north in Syracuse.
The small number of building permits issued from 2008-2017 and the limited residential construction
during that same period is reflected in the gradual decline in population since the 2010 census.This
relatively limited change since 2010 provides the Town an opportunity and the time to carefully
consider its future as it defines its land use policies and future direction without the intense pressure
that many Towns face as they grow faster than available resources (both built and natural) can
accommodate.
Opportunities and Constraints
The small number of residential building permits issued in the last ten years could imply that existing
housing meets the demand. The significant population over age 65 however may indicate a need for
senior housing.Senior housing can take a variety of forms from smaller single story units on smaller
lots and apartments,to specialized housing that offers “continuous care”-facilities with independent
living assisted living and nursing home resources on one site. To provide additional options many
7 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Demographic and Housing Estimates
Table 6-8
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
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areas have studied the potential for Accessory Dwelling Units or “Granny Pods”. These can be small
apartments that are attached to an existing residence or separate units in the backyard of a
residential lot specifically for adult family members with special needs including older family
members.
Additionally, attracting young people is one way to stabilize/grow the population but this requires
both reasonably priced housing and available jobs.Housing that ranges from apartments to
townhouses and single family homes in a variety of locations can help to meet this need.
Collaboration with the City of Cortland could benefit both communities by improving housing options
for various populations and income levels; thereby increasing opportunities for residents to remain in
the region and attracting new residents to live and work in the region. The availability of quality
housing stock in the Town and City will strengthen both communities economically and socially.
Economic Status
The Town’s median income is a relatively high $65,7088, which may be reflected in the educational
attainment of its residents.Nearly 45% of the population 25 years or older have at least an Associate
degree, while nearly 93% have at a minimum,a high school education.
According to the Cortland County Business Development Corporation9, major employers in the
County include educational institutions such as SUNY Cortland and local K-12 districts, medical
facilities such as Guthrie Cortland Regional Medical Center and Crown Center for Nursing and
Rehabilitation, government entities such as Cortland County and the City of Cortland. Examples of
private companies include Marietta Corporation, Pall Trinity/Danaher, Intertek Testing Services,
Pyrotek,J.M. Murray,Cortland Asphalt/Suit Kote, Greek Peak Ski Resort,Byrne Dairy and Gutchess
Lumber.
Although its median income is relatively high,approximately 7.2%10 of the population falls below the
poverty line.The highest percentage of the population for whom poverty status has been determined
is between the ages of 18-34 years at approximately 16.6%.
The unemployment rate for the population 16 years or older is approximately 4.6%11. Occupations
vary,however educational services, health care and social assistance represents 37% of the work
force. Manufacturing is a distant second at 14.9%.Interestingly only 0.2% or 8 individuals listed
agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting or mining as their occupation.
8 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Selected Economic Characteristics
9 https://cortlandbusiness.com/doing-business-here/major-employers/June 27, 2018.
10 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Selected Economic Characteristics
11 U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Selected Economic Characteristics
Town of Cortlandville, NY September 2020
Comprehensive Plan Draft
6-32
Opportunities and Constraints
The Town has been successful in retaining and attracting new businesses in part by leveraging CDBG
and similar funding sources.The Town should continue to market its strengths and focus on attracting
diverse businesses that may shield it from the ups and downs of the economy and a specific business
sector.The nearby higher educational institutions can provide a steady influx of educated workers
with innovative ideas.
The existing road and infrastructure system combined with good soils,will continue to provide
opportunities for growth.Targeting the type of businesses and services and appropriate locations for
this growth will benefit the Town,its residents,and the business community and can lead towards a
sustainable future for all.Engaging landowners, developers, private and public agencies in these
efforts will allow the Town to improve its economic base while limiting the potential impacts of
unplanned development and infrastructure extensions.
Appendix A
Appendix A
Public Engagement
Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan Survey
The Survey Research Institute at Cornell University (SRI) was contracted to design, mail, and perform
data entry for one scannable questionnaire about the Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan. The
purpose of the survey was to gauge the opinions and sentiments of town residents, business owners,
and land owners on topics such as what they value in the town and what they think could be improved,
in order to advise the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee’s goals and objectives.
The survey sample was restricted to randomly selected residences and businesses in the Town of
Cortlandville, New York.
The mailing consisted of a cover letter and the paper questionnaire booklet,as well as a postage-paid
business reply envelope. These questionnaires were sent to 500 property owners on March 13th, 2019.
Survey Overview
Project initiated February 19th, 2019
Mode of data collection Mailed paper questionnaire &
Web survey
Data collection started March 13th, 2019
Data collection completed April 10th, 2019
Total surveys completed N=263
Data delivered April 15th, 2019
Mail Timeline
Date n
Mailing 1 (survey)March 13th, 2019 500
Mailing 1 (re-send)March 15th, 2019 500
Total 1,000
Mail Response Outcomes
Outcome n
Complete 211
Refused 3
Bad Address –No Update 9
Total 223
1. Within the town of Cortlandville, are you a (please check all that apply):I. ABOUT YOUTOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SURVEYHomeownerRenterBusiness Owner*If you are NOT a Cortlandville resident, please skip to question 92. How many people live full time in your household?1234567+11. If you are employed, where do you primarily work? (Please check only ONE box)City of CortlandCortlandville areaOther Cortland County communitySyracuse areaIthaca areaBinghamton areaWork from homeOther (specify):3. What is your gender?MaleFemalePrefer not to say4. What is your age?5. Are there any children under the age of 18 who live with you?YesNo6. Excluding you, is anyone is your household age 65 or older?YesNo7. How many years have you lived in the Town of Cortlandville?Less than 1 year1‐5 years6‐10 years11‐20 years21‐30 years30+ years8. What, besides a residence, is your property used for? (please check all that apply):DaycareCommercialHome businessYear‐round rentalSeasonal homeCollege student housingOther (specify):Only used as a residence9. What influenced you to live or have your business in Cortlandville? (please check all that apply):Born or raised in areaSmall city atmosphereNearness to I‐81Rural characterJob opportunityLow crime rateSurrounding natural beautyCollegeClose to workCost of housingQuality of schoolsProximity to relatives or friendsOther (specify):10. What is your employment status? (Please check only ONE box)EmployedUnemployedSemi‐retiredRetired*If you are NOT currently working, please skip to question 1312. If you are employed, how do you primarily travel to work? (Please check only ONE box)Public TransportationRide a bikeWalkI drive my own carCarpoolI work from homeOther (specify):22. Which issues should be given special emphasis during the Cortlandville comprehensiveplanning process? (please check all that apply):Employment opportunitiesSidewalks and traffic circulationHousing opportunitiesProtection/conservation of aquiferZoning or land use managementNeighborhood preservationEnergy conservation measuresMore city, town, and county shared servicesPublic recreational facilities and trailsNatural resource and open space protection/protecting Tioughnioga RiverOther (specify):Protection of historic buildings and sitesCounty airportImprovement of commercial and residential streetscapes23. Are there any other ideas you would like to share? In particular, what's your vision for Cortlandville over the next 20 years?18‐2526‐3536‐4546‐5556‐6465+Prefer not to say
16. Please tell us if you think the following Cortlandville conditions and services are poor, fair, good, or excellent:ExcellentGoodFairPoorSmall town atmosphereParks/recreational activitiesCortland/Homer/Dryden schoolsLocal governmentHousing conditionsWater and sewer system and serviceRoute 13 South (near Lowe's) characterAppearance of commercial developmentSidewalksCode enforcementHospital/medical servicesPublic transportationTraffic and roadsPedestrian/bicycle friendlinessRoad maintenance/snow removalGarbage/recycling serviceNoOpinionII. COMMUNITY PREFERENCES AND CHARACTER13. On average, how often do you purchase goods or services (including dining out) within the Town of Cortlandville? (Please check only ONE box).DailyOnce a weekA few times per weekA few times per monthOnce a monthLess than once a monthNever14.Where do you do most of your grocery shopping? (Please check only ONE box).15.Where do you do most of your shopping for other goods? (Please check only ONE box).Inadequate housing opportunitites17. Which of these factors, if any, would likely cause you to leave Cortlandville? (please check all that apply):Area becoming overdevelopedArea not being developed enoughLack of employmentLack of cultural opportunitiesDeteriorating properties/streetscapeQuality of schoolsInadequate parks/recreationTaxesInadequate community servicesLoss of community characterOther (specify):None of the aboveIII. LAND USE MANAGEMENT18. What housing issues concern you the most in Cortlandville? (please check all that apply):Not enough quality rental housingHigh purchase pricesInsufficient housing for young couplesSubsidized housingProperty taxesProperty maintenance/housing conditionsInadequate housing for single peopleInadequate senior citizen housingNot enough homes in moderate price rangeHousing is fine the way it isOther (specify):19. Where should Cortlandville concentrate its development/redevelopment efforts? (please check all that apply):Route 13 South (Lowe's to Byrne Dairy area)Route 13 North (near BOCES)Exit 10 (McGraw to Intertek area)Tompkins Street (City line to Route 13)Route 281Residential neighborhoods (specify):Other (specify):20. What types of development would you encourage or discourage in Cortlandville?StronglyEncourageProbablyEncourageProbablyDiscourageStronglyDiscourageLarge (big box) retailers and officesNeighborhood retailers and officesHotelsSmall inns/bed and breakfastsRestaurantsMedical/dental servicesManufacturing companiesWireless internet infrastructureArts/theaterSingle‐family residencesApartment complexes (4 or more units)Townhouses/condos/cluster homesLow‐income housingHome businessesLarge scale student housingOther (specify):NoOpinionSenior housing21. Do you think that Cortlandville should require new commercial and residential development to incorporate energy cvonservation measures in future development?YesNoNo opinionCortlandvilleCity of CortlandIthaca areaSyracuse areaBinghamton areaOther (specify):CortlandvilleCity of CortlandIthaca areaSyracuse areaBinghamton areaOther (specify):
Note
My vision for Cortlandville in the future is just to enjoy the beauty and share it with grandkids, family. Good luck
finding a nicer place to live in New York state or the United States. The Cortlandville people I have had to deal
with were very professional and kind. God bless those who work hard to maintain it.
I Don't plan on being here another 20 years!
To improve conditions of housing & streets & get more well paying industry jobs. Protect the aquafier (sic ).
Less Turning old historic & beautiful homes into student housing SUNY system supply more dorms
Target
Wegmans
Expanding and taking over the Village of McGraw-where opportunities are very limited-Small business do not
survive the area. Code officer does not enforce village laws. Property taxes are very high-Village pays
Cortlandville taxes-now-it would eliminate village taxes.
Strongly recomment (sic ) more development from Exit 10-Intertek.
More public transportation- for elderly/low income families.
Rural neighborhoods are much larger than urban--often several hundred yards to a mile. Zoning should account
for that and avoid stark contrasts from one zone to the other, such as an R-1 adjacent to an R-4 or R-5.
My daughter lives in a group home (for people with a mental health diagnosis) in Binghamton. I would like to see
housing for those with a mental health diagnosis in Cortlandville. They need access to public transportation, day
treatment facilities, and medical care also.
Stop piggy-backs (large) trucks form trundling on 13!
Cayuga Medical not Cortland Hospital is great!
No Claudia Tenney!!!
No shale (gas oil) fracking!!
Build solar array
Invest or encourage high technology industry loc meg (sic )
All fast food locations with drive-thru windows should have (long neck) garbage cans on either side of drive up
windows.
I would like to see a 55 plus active adult community development with single homes where the HOA takes care
of mowing and snow removal. Such communities generate a lot of taxes and add no additional children to the
local schools.
Need sidewalks on Rt 13 between Starr RD. and Walmart or Lowes area
also Rt 11 Cortland to Polkville: Many walking day and night. Not a good mix walking on should of roads, all year
round.
You need more senior housing at a good price????
1) Poor decision to make industrial park on best farm land south of Lowes.
2) Poor decision not to make companies "reclaim" land they mined-now open pits filled with water.
3) Be more progressive & move towards solar & green energy for business, college & housing.
4) Restructure tax base!
Neighborhood housing development that is updated with trails to promote neighbor relations and community
pride. This will help bring in more tax base and maybe future growth of community. More shops Better quality
stores. Improve on quality living and community pride,
Thanks for the prepaid envelope
The management of the Town of Cortlandville is excellent. The mis-management of the County adversely affects
the town. The county takes too much tax revenue from the town. The county has proven time & time again that
the legislative body as a whole is inept. Until the county & city are run responsibly the towns will continue to
suffer.
We were not sent self addressed-stamped envelope. We feel this area is the best there is. Close to all we
require. We have to think about conserving & protecting land and water or upcoming generations will not have
all beauty & the living will be much harder for them.
A few more franchise restaurants - Red Lobster, Chick-fil-a, Outback Steakhouse
A couple more fine dining restaurants.
Safe bike paths - esp. 281
New residential community housing w/ parks & rec. activities.
Get rid of the (Kathy, Nick etc.) Planning Board and Dave Plew he is an idiot! Watch it grow after that
Cortland, Cortlandville, Homer and other villages and towns need to share common services - Fire Protection,
Police/Sheriff, School superintendents Snow removal - any and most all other services.
We need tax relief and fewer "chiefs", fewer elected officials. Cortland County's population (49,000) is the same
as some small cities - yet we have a redundancy of paid officials.
We need more housing for households who want to downsize.
We need adequate public transportation.
I would love to see continued development of Lime Hollow Nature Center trails, Rails to Trails, etc.
I also strongly oppose the building of County Jail on Route 13 South where tourist business is flourishing and
trails and recreation for community use are being built.
Need to lower costs/taxes
Encourage clean-up of "rougher areas"
Encourage work/business for people using public services
Maintain open spaces around city and neighboring lands (curb urban sprawl)
Utilize areas of town vacant/run down before building new/expanding
Again, costs/taxes ↓
Better roads!
We long to be able to stay here, and our kids, and grand children to come. Looking at debt and the growth of
government jobs instead of industry jobs it appears that the direction of our town is in trouble. Spending money
on more government employees does not help our tax situation. We love this community. We have kids set to
graduate soon and we long to keep our business in this area. We cannot do that with the threat of higher taxes.
The jail does not belong on Route 13. It belong son previously developed property. We need services for drug
addicted people so we are not constantly housing them in jail and paying to put them back through the justice
system. Sometimes developing town services only costs the taxpayer in the end. The
highway dept. being responsible for upkeeps of new park facility on 13 is an example.
We need to be business friendly. I don't see that here. What can we do to be business friendly here?
Developing low income housing does not draw people here who can sustain themselves.
Taxes are way too high compared to most of New York State and they are no longer a significant impact on Fed
employment taxes. Property values are gonna fall - No one will want to pay high taxes - Gonna fix my house up &
get rid of it ASAP
continue growth
More High Task Manufacturing - Research & Development
Lower Tax to Keep & Entice Family to Stay
Cortlandville is a great place. Some areas (aforementioned) just need some improvement. Taxes are definitely a
factor.
Taxes - Trying to hang on to a farm that has been in the family for 3 generations.
Light industry
No more college suite type tenements
Moderate growth
Maintain its rural atmosphere
Have more opportunities for education & entertainment
I see Cortlandville (Rt 281 Corridor and Rt 13 South Serving as nothing more than a catch all for those commuting
to Ithaca & Syracuse. Cortlandville very little to offer except car dealerships a big box dept. store which sells
inferior merchandise and attracts its fair share of shop lifters and other undesirables. It should not surprise
anyone that people in my age bracket are leaving the area. We are giving it serious consideration.
Re: #14. We buy most of our groceries in town due only to the fact that the two primary grocery stores are
close.However, when time permits and weather is good we shop at Wegmans in Ithaca, a far superior
supermarket than anything Cortland has to offer
Affordable Sr. Housing, transportation availability, jobs
Reduce taxes. Other states have Low Taxes compared to what I pay. Push for state not to mandate programs
unfunded.
I love living here. But if I Leave, it will be because the school/property taxes finished me off. Apart from the
obscene taxes (New York State), Cortlandville is one of America's loveliest locations.
none
Ms. Cynthia J. Premo owns home on 3600 Terrace Rd. Cortland, NY 13045. Phillip S. Premo - deceased
07/13/2011 Send info to me!
With all the business in Cortlandville work on lowering taxes.
I think the town of Cortlandville and the City of Cortland should join together & become a single entity thereby
eliminating redundant costs and sharing equally resources and responsibilities.
Cortlandville lacks condos/townhouse complex's (sic ) designed to meet the needs of senior citizens (over 55)
who want to downsize from single family residences to convert lower maintenance housing and remain living in
the town. That housing niche is noticeably absent from the town, particularly along the rte 281 corridor. Future
planning/zoning needs to take that into consideration.
I would like to see more large scale companies take initiative to come to Cortland County. This would help with
employment & tax revenue for the City & County.
Cortland has beautiful homes in decline in the city. "Urban homesteading" policies that encourage tax incentives -
that is, reducing taxes for those who fix up their homes - might bring back the city's original character and
beauty. Strong limitations on suburban expansion need to be enforced. Our farmland should be protected and
more "open" lands turned into protected areas, when sold by families. Farmers naturally want to sell off to clear
themselves of tax obligations. Rational planning must assist our county decisions and maintain the natural
beauty of the majority of Cortlandville and the county for decades to come.
Real estate taxes affordable for retired people.
No low income housing
No duplex or multiple family living
I think that the city and Cortlandville are missing opportunities for income from tourism. Our location right off
the Interstate should be more than a place for drug trafficking!! A dog park could be very attractive to travelers
passing through (to say nothing of residents!) and they would likely spend $ at restaurants and possibly motels
Numerous people have commented on how we all would LOVE to see a WEGMANS in Cortlandville. Currently
Cortland residents take our business to Ithaca where we have more grocery options. Re-develop old K-Mart area
and where Staples used to be. Looks like an abandoned town at times. Core Life Eatery would be a much
appreciated addition for healthier restaurant options. Panera Bread would be great too.
As far as I can see, the more we develop, the higher the taxes get. I like having a quiet street "without" street
lights. It tends to be safer against intruders and I sleep better at night. I also don't want sidewalks here since the
shoveling becomes an issue. Evenly share services don't let development ruin our area. People can work in
Syracuse or Ithaca etc. Keep it simple!
Stop using mid 1900's safety - Today's safety requirements would lead to more in Cortland SAFELY.
Encourage building senior units!
Cortlandville needs more Resteraunt (sic ) opportunities. Cortlandville need to lower taxes by whatever means
possible.
We love Lime Hollow! Please continue to support their efforts to preserve and expand their facilities.
All are important issues, I can't pick one.
I think the area has good "quality of life" and strikes a pretty good balance. More job opportunities and less
vacant buildings would be nice. Avoid commercial sprawl.
Stop letting neighborhoods decline by not enforcing codes! The picture included are just two of the "little gems"
on Lamont Circle that zoning codes are not enforced despite many complaints by multiple homeowners and
several plans. Why are they allowing the rapid decline of this neighborhood?
We are in a position to benefit from our proximity to Rt. 81 more than we are currently. A dog park, for example
would attract people traveling on Rt 81. If they stopped to exercise pets, they would likely purchase food and
perhaps stay in local motels.
We strongly do not want the developer Leonidas building a multi housing unit behind our property on Parti Dr.
When we moved up on the hill many years ago that open area behind us was a major deal breaker. I think when
we put people into office they should hear and work for the people of this community. That properly houses the
dear, turkey, ground hogs and many other animals. I think the town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Planning
Committee should be more considerate of Gods (sic ) creatures (animal and humans) when deciding going
forward. Cortlandville used to be a great place to grow up. It is becoming more city than country. What a shame.
Clean up abandoned residential & commercial properties.
To be more like the (main st.) City used to be. Have stores and restaurants to use right here in our town. To
become the town people want to live in, instead of moving away from.
I can honestly say that I will relocate as soon as possible for no other reason then (sic ) how high property taxes
are. The high cost of taxes also keep home values from appreciating. I will never get out of my home what I put
into it and that is the 1st time I will have lost money on a home. I've lived in 4 states and have owned 7 homes
and can't begin to express my disgust with the tax/housing situation in Cortlandville.
Would like to see better shopping & dining.
I would like to see the sewer line extended on Sleepy Hollow Rd.
Continued economic development
Focus on recreation options along with the arts.
The decision to not allow development of the former Willcox property was in my opion (sic ) wrong. Due to the
technology existing at this time, fuel tanks pose little danger of leakage. This area could have benefitted from
letting this property be developed in the proposed way.
End corruption
Cortlandville should be a nice suburban area without abandoned stores
N/A
At 80, we are not looking that far ahead :)
Could sure use pick up of leaves and yard waste.
?? *There wasn't a prepaid envelope enclosed!
Cortlandville fire dept. you need to lower CAP. I'm (sic ) sure like me I listen to scanner two thirds of call in my
area come from Main Station
Station 2 is over Rated
I think more restaurants are needed. Also I would like more single family ranch houses built.
Do NOT Expand Airport!!
Welfare needs to have drug test done in order to get services.
County government needs to be re-organized. A true lack of real leadership exists. Perhaps a county [illegible]
would help to provide leadership and put the county in the right direction. Overall taxes are too high for a rural
area of New York.
Better walking/Bike paths
Better restaurants
Dog Park
Children recreation areas
Traffic congestion consideration
Our town is a nice quaint town.I would be very unhappy if this turned into a city like Ithaca. I would move for
sure. If development is eminate (sic ) do it away from the current town and city. Go north of Homer out to Tully.
We love our town as it is - don't ruin it
Question #21 NYS energy code probably covers everything.
Sidewalks along RT13 to 281 would be a good investment.
Hopefully more businesses, employment and housing for mid-class people. Also more stores and restaurants.
Probably, people wouldn't go to Ithaca or Syracuse.
*Note, we live in McGraw (the Village) and it is hard to answer some of these questions because our answers
about McGraw might not match to all of Cortlandville…it's not specific enough.
The problem is that Cortlandville and Cortland County (as a whole) is set so far back in their times,
(technologically). That opportunities that I see in places like Ithaca or bigger cities seem so much more
appealing. All I see opening up here is bars, liquor stores, and dollar stores. Economically, it may seem like
revenue that is positive, however it only feeds into the poverty problem that we already have. It would be good
to see something new come into town that would increase the demand for other quality facilities and
restaurants. People are going to continue to settle for mediocre because that is all they know. If they realize that
there are better, they will work harder for it, rather than settle for inferior goods only to have extra cash to
spend on liquor/bars/etc. because there is nothing else to do. The Senior population is rising and the young
people are leaving because of the lack of opportunities for them. Every year, thousands of college students come
here, why not build the things that would entice them to stay and become part of the productive population
needed to sustain our economy.
Bike paths
Keep the theatre, another 20 years people need a place to relax, entertainment for all.
Keep area stable. Don't overcrowd or over populate.
I would like to see more emphasis on manufacturing in Cortlandville. Also, I would like to see better
governmental representation in State government.
Leave Ag districts alone. Don't build a new Jail on Rt 13. No more chain restaurants. Keep taxes down & help the
city of Cortland when possible.
more jobs, keeping
hometown charm
elevate community
Increase density in commercial corredores (sic )
First, I appreciate the opportunity to contribute my thoughts - thank you. My wife and I remained in this area
after graduating from C-state because we felt it was a great place to raise a family - good schools and good
people. Obviously the economic lot of the area has changed dramatically. However, C-ville must never forget
that a family-friendly area is still a strength. That should not be wasted by an "any business is good business"
attitude. Reference the City of Cortland as an example of this attitude/poor planning. How C-ville appears is very
important to prospective residents and businesses. More dollar stores and empty retail space reflects badly. My
vision: C-ville will be a place where couples will still come to raise their children and there will be appropriate
lodging for the grandparents! Thanks again.
I'd like to see the return of a home-town look and feel. Some big names have taken over, pushing out some of
our local retail. It would also be nice to be able to connect more with the college, plays, concerts etc. with a
shuttle. Parking puts most things out of reach for many people at the bottom of the hill-especially seniors.
I urge expansion of green space around Lime Hollow Nature Center. Protecting our aquifer should remain a top
priority. In addition, I would strongly urge the Town of Cortlandville's continued support of Lime Hollow Nature
Center.
→ Try to renovate/develop vacant sites to usable, taxable real estate
→ Why would you ever consider putting a jail next to a park? And why would you consider putting us in such
debt for so long?
Retirement homes complex with ranch style 2-3 bedroom low cost, affordable who people want to stay in N.Y. &
want to downsize.
More choice of restaurants in South Cortland - Olive garden diner in Polkville
Unfortunately without NYS doing something about taxes and job opportunities and extremely high housing
market/land, not much can be done to help smaller communites (sic ) like ours to keep people here and promote
possitive (sic ) growth or change.
Residenital (sic ) and commercial properties to increase 50%.
Draw in more manufacturing, tech jobs, higher salaries.
Raise taxes 2% to give grants to draw in more jobs.
Cortlandville historically encourages new and outside business to relocate here + expand instead of helping
business that already exist in the community. IE: Leachs Trash lawsuit; Cortlandville Sand + Gravel expansion
permitting Byrne Dairy gas station at former Willcox tire.
more local business, less franchise
less drugs
more manufacturing
less grants to undeserving local or gratuates (sic )
updated movie theatre
Would like to see more of Cortlandville connected to sewer and have more options for high speed internet
In my area I would like to see sidewalks and playgrounds. I would like to see easier access to family friendly
activities.
It is important to protect neighborhood areas without looking for multi-building housing units that will
negatively impact street traffic and comfort of housing that predates proposed build. I.E. traffic, storm runoff,
noise, other quiet neighborhood feel.
Wegmans would be great. More restaurants, (Italian, Thai, Panera,…)
Close the landfill quit wasting money
More Job opportunities
Improved sharing of resources with other communities
Develop a mission statement for Cortlandville that would be the foundation for the towns future strategic
planning
Cortlandville needs to create better connection opportunities. For example - sidewalks developed in the Rt 281
Corridor should connect down McLean Road→Starr Rd & Residential areas of Abdulla, Levydale→etc. C-ville
should enhance transportation opportunities collaboratively with Cortland County to increase bus lines ands
hours of operation to include nights & week-ends; this will bring more people into C-ville for employment,
shopping, dining out of recreation. C-ville needs to strongly encourage development of affordable,integrated
accessible housing. This will keep more citizens in the community, instead of having to move into Cortland or
nursing homes. Lastly, C-ville should recruit more & better eating establishments. Therefore, keeping revenue in
C-ville; for example: Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesdays, ChicFila; Outback Steakhouse. etc.
P.S. C-ville should create more community events - comparable to Homer's "Holiday in Homer" or Cortland's
various community events - for example "Art in Park"; Taste of Down-town. Maybe collaborate something with
Byrne Dairy? Enhance interest in C-ville.
Need more places to shop & eat. There was no prepaid return envelope included.
Avoid green field development. Focus on improving the blighted areas that are already in decay & can be
revamped. Ex area between Cortland and Homer near the hospital is in great need of a facelift and major
overhaul.
none at this time.
Plowing great. Street cleaning needs improvement. Kids can't use sidewalks bottom of Page Green Rd. They walk
in the road b/c plants grow over & weeds get waist-high. Street sweeper should also be used.
Badly need over head street lights in Polkville!!
Taxes need to be lowered if businesses are going to be interested in coming here. The money spent on "plans"
for new Jail - "Rediculous." (sic ) New York State has many Jails in the State why wouldn't plans work from one of
recently built Jails?
Public Workshop
December 5, 2018
Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan
The first public workshop was held early in the Comprehensive Plan process. The focus of this workshop
was to introduce the Comprehensive Plan Process and gather public input from using a SWOT (strength,
weaknesses, opportunities, threats)analysis format.Participants were divided into four groups led by a
committee member and provided a series of maps that delineated physical features, zoning, land use
and cultural and historical features. The session was intended to be a brainstorming session to assist
the committee in identifying big picture items that would require further study during this process.
The following materials are included:
Agenda
List of attendees
SWOT results
PowerPoint Presentation
Town of Cortlandville
Comprehensive Plan Meeting
Public Workshop
December 5, 2018-6:30 PM
Cortlandville Fire Department Building
Agenda
1.Welcome and Meeting Agenda
2.Project Overview
3.Small Group Session
4.Small Group Reports
5.Next Steps
6.Questions
Public Workshop
December 5, 2018
Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan
Summary of SWOT
Strengths
·Easy access in and out of Town
·Existing transportation –corridors?
·Centralized Location
·Airport
·Size-town and population (Geographic size and population are desirable)
·Colleges –educational institutions
·Colleges
·Natural beauty-the landscape
·Natural beauty-Lime Hollow
·Wildlife-preserve openness
·Green Space-forest, ag lands, parks, Gutchess
·Outdoor recreation
·Water –abundant and clean
·Clean and abundant Water
·Clean Water
·Clean Air
·Productive soils
·Excellent Agricultural base
·Community volunteerism and activism
·Community Cohesion
·Workforce
·Low Crime
·Low Crime
·Housing stock
·Established, strong residential neighborhoods
·Cost of living
Weakness
·Lack of good housing opportunities in the City (entices people into Town)-
·Lack of housing options within the Town
·Lack of Public Transportation
·Lack of Public Transportation
·Access Roads
·Not pedestrian friendly-lack of sidewalks and trails-lack of code enforcement (maintenance-
snow removal)
·Lack of sidewalks, bike paths and trails
·Airport-landlocked –cannot expand-immediately adjacent to residences
·Airport location in residential area
·Welfare families
·Drug Use
·Citizen Apathy
·Town communication to residents
·Lack of broadband choice
·Urban Sprawl
·Zoning is out of date-results in development pressure
·Lack of code enforcement and lack of consistency in enforcement
·Codes need to be updated
·Too many special permits in sensitive areas (aquifer)
·Vulnerability of Aquifer
·Flooding -localized
·Air quality issues (Suite Cote –concern with particulates and wastewater treatment plant)
·Topographical restrictions
Opportunities
·Housing-location and intensity (various lot sizes and settings)
·More quality housing options-empty nesters and seniors
·Location of development
·Location of development-(opportunity to identify appropriate locations/types)
·Building lot sizes -preserve open space
·Protect existing undeveloped land
·City of Cortland –(develop relationship, strategize on land use and zoning)
·Share services with city and villages
·Municipal reorganization -consolidate services
·Tioughnioga River-develop public access and trails
·Tioughnioga River-River recreation, river trail
·Walking, biking trails, sidewalks
·Connect to Finger Lakes Trail
·Protect Aquifer -designation as Critical Environmental Area
·Clean water
·Control water flow (use to protect water supply
·Location-Close proximity to neighboring towns
·Windfarm at the landfill
·Allow residential wind and solar (individual homes/lots)
·Update codes
·Improve site plan review
·Adopt a snow removal ordinance (once sidewalks are installed there is no enforcement
mechanism to keep clear or maintained)
Threats
·Increase in spot zoning-need to address
·Planned development zones (PDD’s)
·Development (sprawl)-focus on redevelopment to limit sprawl
·Allowing commercial uses in areas not properly zoned
·Transportation threatens rural character (too many vehicles, too many new roads?)
·Gas stations and petroleum services in sensitive areas
·Farms being subdivided (financial issues for farmers)
·NIMBY policies-
·Climate change
·Solar farms/wind turbines
·Anaerobic digesters-
·Over population –lack of growth management
·New Residential developments in Cortlandville impacts housing in the City and Villages
·Aquifer-(water quality)-revisit existing regulations
·Stormwater management (localized flooding)
·Requests for property tax re-assessment
·Need additional law enforcement –sheriff
SWOT analysis overview
Strengths
Highlights: Natural resources including farming, physical location & transportation access, community
cohesion, established neighborhoods.
Every group spent time discussing the Town’s natural beauty and resources.The Town’s natural beauty
marked by the landscape, agricultural lands and openness were all noted.Unique features such as Lime
Hollow were also discussed.The aquifer is also recognized as a significant asset as it provides an
abundant and clean water supply.Agricultural lands and productive soils were also identified as an
important strength.Clean air
The Towns central location and good transportation access were also noted as a strength.Its size (not to
big, not to small) is viewed as s strength.
In regard to the cultural and social construct comments centered on the strength of community
(engaged, cohesion), low crime, strong workforce (this may tie into the close proximity of several
institutions of higher learning which were also noted).
Established residential neighborhoods, housing stock (in good condition), cost of living are all viewed as
strengths.
Weakness
Highlights:Non-motorized vehicle options virtually non-existent,Codes and regulations outdated and
not effective, lack of housing options.
Transportation-beyond motorized vehicles transportation options are limited. Very little bus/public
transportation options. There are no protected bike lanes, no multi-use paths in the Town. Lack of
sidewalks and existing site layouts do not protect/encourage increased pedestrian activity in commercial
areas.The airport is a conundrum. It is located adjacent to residences; therefor it cannot expand.
Zoning/town codes are out of date resulting in (unintended) development pressure.In regard to the
Aquifer Protection Zone, too many special permits are granted in this sensitive area which threatens
aquifer water quality. The dated codes have allowed urban sprawl.
Although housing stock was noted as a strength, the lack of housing options was noted as a weakness.
Opportunities
Highlights:Large areas of intact contiguous undeveloped lands remain, opportunity to direct land uses
to appropriate location through regulatory updates and policy updates, public access and trails along
Tioughnioga River, collaboration with City
Large areas of undeveloped land in the Town remains; the Town has the opportunity to diversity its
housing options including location, setting (density)and audience (empty nesters, seniors, first time
buyers). This would allow the Town to identity how and where to develop to accomplish the goals to
increase housing options and protect the visual quality, rural atmosphere of the Town.
As a result of the percentage of undeveloped land in Town, codes and regulations can be updated to
direct development to locations with the ability to handle increased development, thereby allowing
protection as appropriate (ag lands, floodplains and wetlands, water supply, other unique features).
The Tioughnioga River represents an untapped resource for public access and water related recreational
activities. Trails and river access points and connection to the Finger Lakes Trails are all opportunities.
Explore the potential and process to allow individual wind and solar on residential lots.
As Cortlandville completely surrounds the City actions by both communities can have beneficial as well
as negative impacts on each other. There is a unique opportunity to develop a stronger relationship with
the City in order to collaborate on land use and zoning as well as improving upon and sharing services.
Collaboration on land use and zoning could provide opportunities to encourage revitalization in the City
thereby accomplishing the goal to protect rural areas in the Town.
Threats
Highlights: Overdevelopment, poorly located development, climate change, property assessments.
The threats identified were generally related to growth management issues -the desire to maintain the
Towns natural beauty and open space and avoid overdevelopment. Concerns were related to spot
zoning, planned development districts, commercial uses in areas not properly zoned, inappropriate land
uses in sensitive areas (gas stations in aquifer protection zones).
Lack of affordable housing, and poorly maintained and abandoned housing stock in the City also affects
the Town. This leads to homelessness and abandoned housing primarily in the City however due to
shared boundaries, this problem also affects Cortlandville (See opportunities above).
The siting of anaerobic digesters, solar farms, windfarms is a concern. What locations are appropriate?
For digester locations near residences and business, or on top of the aquifer should be avoided. The
potential for siting at the landfill should be considered. Solar and windfarms-size and siting issues.
The threat of climate change (increased # and intensity of storms, higher average temperatures,
increased temperature variation in weather temperatures (higher highs, lower lows), impact on farming
activities (food production) should be considered throughout the document.
Concern regarding property value assessments: 1) Requests for reassessments-when a property
requests and is granted a lower property assessment-the reduced tax payment is now a burden on the
remaining properties in the tax district. 2) concerns for the process and timing of town wide
reassessments. Are all properties assessed on a regular basis or only upon a “sale”? (note-this is more
likely a town board/tax assessor issue that should be passed on. The Comprehensive Plan will be
focused on land use and related policies.
Noted conflicts
Strong housing stock –lack of good housing options in Town
Good Air quality versus localized air quality issues (particulates) also Suite Cote and wastewater
treatment plant.
Engaged citizenry vs citizen apathy
Topographical restrictions are noted as a weakness –however topography is partly responsible for
scenic beauty.
SWOT analysis overview
Strengths
Highlights: Natural resources including farming, physical location & transportation access, community
cohesion, established neighborhoods.
Every group spent time discussing the Town’s natural beauty and resources.The Town’s natural beauty
marked by the landscape, agricultural lands and openness were all noted.Unique features such as Lime
Hollow were also discussed.The aquifer is also recognized as a significant asset as it provides an
abundant and clean water supply.Agricultural lands and productive soils were also identified as an
important strength.Clean air
The Towns central location and good transportation access were also noted as a strength.Its size (not to
big, not to small) is viewed as s strength.
In regard to the cultural and social construct comments centered on the strength of community
(engaged, cohesion), low crime, strong workforce (this may tie into the close proximity of several
institutions of higher learning which were also noted).
Established residential neighborhoods, housing stock (in good condition), cost of living are all viewed as
strengths.
Weakness
Highlights:Non-motorized vehicle options virtually non-existent,Codes and regulations outdated and
not effective, lack of housing options.
Transportation-beyond motorized vehicles transportation options are limited. Very little bus/public
transportation options. There are no protected bike lanes, no multi-use paths in the Town. Lack of
sidewalks and existing site layouts do not protect/encourage increased pedestrian activity in commercial
areas.The airport is a conundrum. It is located adjacent to residences; therefor it cannot expand.
Zoning/town codes are out of date resulting in (unintended) development pressure.In regard to the
Aquifer Protection Zone, too many special permits are granted in this sensitive area which threatens
aquifer water quality. The dated codes have allowed urban sprawl.
Although housing stock was noted as a strength, the lack of housing options was noted as a weakness.
Opportunities
Highlights:Large areas of intact contiguous undeveloped lands remain, opportunity to direct land uses
to appropriate location through regulatory updates and policy updates, public access and trails along
Tioughnioga River, collaboration with City
Large areas of undeveloped land in the Town remains; the Town has the opportunity to diversity its
housing options including location, setting (density)and audience (empty nesters, seniors, first time
buyers). This would allow the Town to identity how and where to develop to accomplish the goals to
increase housing options and protect the visual quality, rural atmosphere of the Town.
As a result of the percentage of undeveloped land in Town, codes and regulations can be updated to
direct development to locations with the ability to handle increased development, thereby allowing
protection as appropriate (ag lands, floodplains and wetlands, water supply, other unique features).
The Tioughnioga River represents an untapped resource for public access and water related recreational
activities. Trails and river access points and connection to the Finger Lakes Trails are all opportunities.
Explore the potential and process to allow individual wind and solar on residential lots.
As Cortlandville completely surrounds the City actions by both communities can have beneficial as well
as negative impacts on each other. There is a unique opportunity to develop a stronger relationship with
the City in order to collaborate on land use and zoning as well as improving upon and sharing services.
Collaboration on land use and zoning could provide opportunities to encourage revitalization in the City
thereby accomplishing the goal to protect rural areas in the Town.
Threats
Highlights: Overdevelopment, poorly located development, climate change, property assessments.
The threats identified were generally related to growth management issues -the desire to maintain the
Towns natural beauty and open space and avoid overdevelopment. Concerns were related to spot
zoning, planned development districts, commercial uses in areas not properly zoned, inappropriate land
uses in sensitive areas (gas stations in aquifer protection zones).
Lack of affordable housing, and poorly maintained and abandoned housing stock in the City also affects
the Town. This leads to homelessness and abandoned housing primarily in the City however due to
shared boundaries, this problem also affects Cortlandville (See opportunities above).
The siting of anaerobic digesters, solar farms, windfarms is a concern. What locations are appropriate?
For digester locations near residences and business, or on top of the aquifer should be avoided. The
potential for siting at the landfill should be considered. Solar and windfarms-size and siting issues.
The threat of climate change (increased # and intensity of storms, higher average temperatures,
increased temperature variation in weather temperatures (higher highs, lower lows), impact on farming
activities (food production) should be considered throughout the document.
Concern regarding property value assessments: 1) Requests for reassessments-when a property
requests and is granted a lower property assessment-the reduced tax payment is now a burden on the
remaining properties in the tax district. 2) concerns for the process and timing of town wide
reassessments. Are all properties assessed on a regular basis or only upon a “sale”? (note-this is more
likely a town board/tax assessor issue that should be passed on. The Comprehensive Plan will be
focused on land use and related policies.
Noted conflicts
Strong housing stock –lack of good housing options in Town
Good Air quality versus localized air quality issues (particulates) also Suite Cote and wastewater
treatment plant.
Engaged citizenry vs citizen apathy
Topographical restrictions are noted as a weakness –however topography is partly responsible for
scenic beauty.
1Town of CortlandvilleComprehensive PlanPublic Workshop December 5, 2018
2WELCOME •Comprehensive Plan Committee:Nasrin Parvizi, Chair Alan GandelmanDavid Yaman Ann HotchkinForrest Earl Pam Jenkins•CHA ConsultantsJean Loewenstein, AICP, Principal PlannerChris Einstein, AICP, Associate Vice President•John Proud Town Board Liaison
3TODAY’S AGENDA•Welcome/Meeting Purpose•Project Overview•Small Group Session•Small Group Reports•Next Steps•Questions
4MEETING PURPOSE•Provide the community with information on the Comprehensive Plan Process•Gather community input to help guide land use & policy decisions over the next 10 years.Insert photoInsert photo
5PROJECT OVERVIEW•Comprehensive Plan•A tool to identify community goals & aspirations for future land use & development, transportation, community facilities, utilities, recreation, & open space•All land use regulations must be consistent with Comprehensive Plan•Guide policy decisions, guidance documents•Existing Comprehensive Plan dated 1978.
6PROJECT OVERVIEW•Comprehensive Plans steps •Inventory & Analysis (Existing Conditions)•Community Vision•Goals and Objectives•Plan Recommendations/Actions•Implementation
7Inventory•Key Assets & Resources •Development Patterns•Agricultural Lands•Otter‐Dry Creek Aquifer•Tioughnioga River•Recreation Resources•Transportation Systems
8Development Patterns108071244645047236460Agricultural/Rural Land Use (Acres) AgricultureForestedVacantRural ResidentialAll other uses•Mix of land uses dominated by agricultural lands & undeveloped lands•Non‐residential land use concentrated along highway corridors•Higher density proximate to City
9Development Patterns
10Agriculture Operations •Important to local & regional economy•Agricultural District #1‐19,400+ acres•Lands zoned AG‐24,000+ acres•Productive farmland soils present few development limitations•Visual identity
11Otter Creek-Dry Creek Aquifer •Part of the Homer‐Cortland‐Preble Aquifer •Highly productive sole source aquifer •Municipal system andprivate wells rely on aquifer for water •Protection of water qualityand quantity critical
12Tioughnioga River•Part of Susquehanna River Watershed & Chesapeake Bay Watershed•Wildlife corridor & habitat•Limited public access •Untapped recreational resourcePhoto credit: Panaramio.com
13Recreation Resources•Town Parks•Lime Hollow Nature Area & Center•Cortland County Fairgrounds•Private Campgrounds •Private Golf Courses
14Transportation Systems •Easily accessible via roadway system‐Federal, State & County Routes•Public Transit‐provided by Cortland County–Fixed routes & Dial‐a‐Ride service•Freight service NYSW Railway connecting New York City & Syracuse –Bulk transfer facility located in Cortland
15Transportation Systems •Airport–Public use airport‐Updated Airport Master Plan currently FAA review•Non‐motorized systems–Sidewalks located in some commercial areas–no bike paths or protected bike lanes •No multi‐use trails within the Town
16Breakout Session•Groups of 5‐8 people•Identify a note taker •Discuss–Strengths…what should the Town keep doing?–Weaknesses…what needs to be improved?–Opportunities…the Town should take advantage of…–Threats…what physical, social, or policy hurdles must be overcome?•Report back to group
17Next Steps•Develop Vision•Prepare Draft Goals and Objectives•Develop Plan Recommendations•Implementation –Action Plan
18Wrap Up/QuestionsThank you for your input!
Public Workshop
February 13, 2020
Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan
The second public workshop was held once the Committee had developed both the draft plan
recommendations and the corresponding action items. Approximately 11 members of the community
along with 3 members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee assisting. A brief overview of the plan
status was provided along with the presentation of key recommendations. Themes included growth
management and land use, infrastructure, transportation and resource conservation. Participants were
then invited to react to the recommendations by visiting one or all of four themed stations. Each station
was supplied with the draft action table, Future Land Use Map and Resource Conservation Map and was
staffed by one of the committee members.In addition, the public had the opportunity to identify which
five (5) actions in the Draft Action Table they deemed most important by placing stickers next to the
actions deemed most important. This information was used as a check by the Committee for actions
they had prioritized in the Action Plan.
The following material are included:
Agenda
List of Attendees
Prioritization results
PowerPoint presentation
Town of Cortlandville
Comprehensive Plan
Public Workshop
February 13, 2020-6:30 PM
Cortlandville Fire Department Building
Draft Agenda
1.Welcome and Meeting Agenda
2.Project Overview & Status
3.Presentation of Key Recommendations
4.Wrap up and Next Steps
5.Questions
6.Small Group Sessions
Place a sticker next to the 5 Action Items you feel are most important
February 13, 2020 Public Workshop-Sticker Tally
Zoning/Regulatory Actions
1.Review and update Article 1A-Wellhead Protection Areas and Article X-Aquifer
Protection District Zoning 4
2.Revise Agricultural district to limit uses to primarily agriculture and reduce residential
development potential in this district 0
3.Develop Conservation Residential District regulations to protect open space &provide
transition between rural and developed areas, protect visual character 5
4.Create a Business Overlay Zoning District to incentivize development of underutilized
and infill parcels 3
5.Create performance standards and review allowable uses and district boundaries in the
Industrial Districts to properly locate high intensity and high impact businesses away
from non-industrial uses 0
6.Adopt Mixed-Use Zoning to encourage retail, small business, residential mix on Routes
11 and 13 near the Cortland/Cortlandville municipal boundary 2
7.Adopt a Stream Corridor Overlay District -protect stream banks and wetlands including
the Tioughnioga River and provide wildlife corridors 2
Utilities
8.Prepare and Adopt Utilities Master Plan addressing sewer,water and stormwater 2
9.Update stormwater management regulations to include green infrastructure techniques
0
10.Conduct a culvert study to identify and address localized flooding issues 0
11.Encourage responsible development of renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal)3
12.Actively promote and encourage the expansion of broadband 4
Place a sticker next to the 5 Action Items you feel are most important
Resource Conservation
13.Participate in the preparation of Cortland County’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan
for the Tioughnioga River to in part improve public access to Tioughnioga River 5
14.Protect and enhance the Lime Hollow Nature Center 7
15.Designate Wellhead Protection Zones 1A and 1B and adjacent areas as a Critical
Environmental Area 8
Transportation
16.Prepare a Multi-modal Facilities Plan encompassing all transportation modes including
trails, sidewalks, bike lanes and public transit 2
17.Expand the application of access management standards to potentially include all
Business and Industrial zones 0
18.Expand public transportation options 1
Community
19.Conduct a town wide housing survey -identify and address housing needs 0
20.Prepare a neighborhood plan for Blodgett Mills Hamlet 0
21.Identify public spaces to include a town center and gateways 2
22.Recreation-Maintain and improve existing recreation facilities and programming 3
23.Protect historic and cultural resources (national, state and local) through site design
(e.g.preservation, buffers and setbacks)2
February 13, 2020 Public Workshop –summary of small group discussions.
The goal of the workshop was to receive input/reaction to the draft recommendations presented at the
meeting that focused on land use, resource conservation, transportation and mobility, and
infrastructure.Participants were then able to visit themed stations covering the topics listed above to
ask questions and provide input.
The following information was offered by community members:
Concern:Increase the boundaries of the proposed CEA to include additional important natural features
in the vicinity of Lime Hollow that includes wetlands, marl ponds and Chicago Bog.
The Comprehensive Plan Committee determined that the proposed CEA will include these additional
areas.
Concern:Change industrial zoning in area of Chicago Bog
As presented at the meeting the Draft recommendations include a review of existing industrial zoning
particularly along State Route 13 and Route 281 to evaluate this type of conflicting land use.
Concern:Lands along Kinney Gulf with near-surface groundwater and prime farmland in active
agriculture should remain in agriculture. If developed limit development in areas prone to flooding, and
where groundwater is near-surface. If developed, low density housing with large buffers from creek and
wetland which runs through. Maintain the natural habitat along this creek.
As presented at the meeting the intent of the Conservation Residential land use is to protect these
resources including agricultural lands.In addition, the Draft Plan proposes a Stream Corridor Overlay
that will include minimum buffers from stream banks and wetlands.The Future Land Use map proposes
the area north of Kinney Gulf Road for Conservation Residential Development.
Concern: Aquifer protection
The recommendations include a review of both the Aquifer Protection District and the Wellhead
Protection Areas regulations to ensure they are protective of the aquifer. In addition the Plan includes a
recommendation to establish a CEA covering wellhead zones 1a and 1b.
1
Town of Cortlandville
Comprehensive Plan
Public Workshop
February 13, 2020
2
Welcome
•Comprehensive Plan Committee:
Nasrin Parvizi, Chair Ann Hotchkin
David Yaman Pam Jenkins
Forrest Earl Alan Gandelman
•CHA Consultants
Jean Loewenstein, AICP, Principal Planner
Chris Einstein, Associate Vice President
•John Proud
Town Board Liaison (through 12/19) &Technical Advisor
3
Today’s Agenda
•Welcome/Meeting Purpose
•Project Overview & Status
•Draft Recommendations
•Next Steps
•Questions
•Themed stations
4
Meeting Purpose
•Present key draft
recommendations
•Gather community input
Insert photo
Insert photo
5
Project Overview
•Comprehensive Plan
•Identify community goals for land use,
infrastructure, transportation, natural resources,
recreation & community resources
•Land use regulations, guidance documents, policy
decisions –consistent with Comprehensive Plan
•NYS Town Law requires land use regulations be
consistent with Comprehensive Plan
6
Project Status
•Comprehensive Plans steps
•Inventory & Analysis (Existing Conditions)
•Community Vision
•Goals and Objectives
•Plan Recommendations
•Implementation/Action Items
7
Community Vision
The Town of Cortlandville envisions itself as a place
where people of all ages and walks of life can live, work
and play. A community that protects all its resources:
natural, agricultural, historic, and the built
environment. A Town that promotes and provides
social, economic, educational, cultural and recreational
opportunities, enabling families to make this their
home now and for future generations.
8
Draft Recommendations
•Over 40 Draft Recommendations
•Growth Management and Land Use
•Infrastructure
•Transportation and Mobility
•Resource Conservation
•Community Resources and Facilities
•Sustainability and Fiscal Health
9
Key Recommendations
Land Management
•Update zoning to meet recommendations in
2018 Farmland Protection Plan
•Limit Allowable uses in AG zone
•Changes to AG district boundaries (refined in
Comprehensive Plan)
10
Recommendations
•Develop Conservation Residential zoning &
rural development guidelines
11
12
Recommendations
•Incentivize underutilized and infill parcels
•Review Wellhead Protection & Aquifer Protection
Regulations
•Identify areas for and adopt mixed-use zoning
•Review allowable uses in industrial zones and adopt
performance standards
13
Recommendations
Town Character
•Protect & promote visual quality
•Develop gateways at key Town entrances
14
Recommendations
Housing and Community
•Identify and address housing needs
•Protect neighborhoods from incompatible uses
•Develop a “Town Center”
•Maintain/improve recreational opportunities
•Blodgett Mills
Neighborhood Plan
15
Recommendations
Infrastructure
•Develop a Utility Master Plan
•Ensure proper function of stormwater management
systems
•Protect municipal wells
•Encourage responsible development of renewable
energy sources
•Expand broadband coverage
16
Recommendations
Transportation and Mobility
•“Complete Streets” Design
•Multi-modal facilities plan
•Expand use of access management techniques
•Expand public transportation
17
Recommendations
Resource Conservation
•Aquifer -Town wells
•Tioughnioga River
•Lime Hollow Nature Area
•Streams, wetlands and
wildlife corridors
•Steep slopes
18
19
Next Steps
•Finalize recommendations and action plan
•Public Hearing
•Changes as needed
•Adoption by Town Board
20
Break out session
•Four Themed Stations
–Growth management/land use
–Infrastructure
–Transportation
–Resource Conservation
•Prioritization station
•Spend time at all four stations
21
Questions?
Thank you for your input!
Appendix B
Appendix B
Conservation Residential Zoning and
Design Guideline Information
Page 1 of 2
Draft: November 11, 2004
Proposed New Zoning Definitions
[To support the proposed new Town of Clifton Park zoning codes:
Conservation Residential (CR); the Hamlet Residential (HR); the
Hamlet Mixed-Use (HM); and the Open Space Incentive Zoning]
Definitions.
BASE DENSITY: Measurement of the capacity of a parcel or parcels to support
the creation of lots or development sites as expressed in dwelling units (lots) per
acre which is calculated by subtraction of the constrained land acreage from the
total acreage of the parcel(s).
BENEFIT AREA: General vicinity of the Permanent Open Space.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The 2003 Town of Clifton Park Comprehensive Plan
Update.
CONSERVATION-BASED DESIGN: An approach to land conservation and
development planning and design that emphasizes the protection of important
natural and cultural resources as a way to preserve these resources to the
maximum extent practicable as land becomes developed.
CONSERVATION SITE: a parcel or parcels that will be the location for the
establishment of a community benefit of Permanent Open Space through this
section of the Town of Clifton Park zoning ordinance. The Permanent Open
Space may be accomplished on a conservation site through either outright fee
simple land purchase/donation or purchase/donation of development rights.
Proof of perpetuity is required to be documented in writing to the Town of Clifton
Park Town Board.
CONSTRAINED LAND: A parcel’s acreage that includes surface water bodies,
NYS DEC regulated freshwater wetlands, federally-regulated wetlands, 100-year
floodplains, floodways, and lands with slopes 20% or greater (measured over a
50-foot horizontal distance).
INCENTIVE SITE: All or part of a parcel or parcels that will be allowed an
increase in density through this section of the Town of Clifton Park zoning
ordinance
Page 2 of 2
INCENTIVE ZONING: The system by which specific incentives are granted,
pursuant to § 261-b of the Town Law and the provisions of this chapter, on
condition that specific physical, social or cultural benefits or amenities would
inure to the community.
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT: Including the protection of soil and water
resources as part of development projects, such as provision for vegetative
buffers along drainage courses.
OPEN SPACE PLAN: the Clifton Park Open Space Plan 2003
PARCEL: Any tax parcel, contiguous tax parcels under single ownership or
contiguous tax parcels proposed to be developed as a unit. For the purposes of
this section, each tax parcel shall be identified on the tax map of the Town of
Clifton Park dated November 1, 2004, and single ownership shall be determined
by deed as filed on November 1, 2004.
PERMANENT OPEN SPACE: The area within a parcel that is established for
conservation of natural and cultural resources in perpetuity.
REVIEW: A preliminary, nonbinding review by the Town Board of an application
for use of incentive zoning to determine the merits of applying the incentive
zoning concept to a particular project.
SEQRA: The State Environmental Quality Review Act, Article 8 of the New York
State Environmental Conservation Law, as amended, and the regulations
promulgated hereunder.
UNCONSTRAINED LAND: A parcel’s remaining acreage after constrained land
is subtracted. Unconstrained land shall be the basis for calculating maximum
allowable density.
WESTERN CLIFTON PARK: the area of Clifton Park consisting of the study
area as described in the Western Clifton Park GEIS, and as comprised of the
following zoning districts: Conservation Residential (CR), Hamlet Mixed-Use
(HM), and Hamlet Residential (HR) zoning districts.
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 1 of 14
Draft: November 12, 2004
Conservation Residential (CR) District
Proposed for the Town of Clifton Park, NY
Purpose and Objectives.
The district is established to provide and maintain land area to promote and support ongoing
open space and agricultural uses and activities to sustain the rural character of this
predominantly natural, agricultural and low-intensity residential setting. The purpose of the
Conservation Residential (CR) Zoning District is to protect and enhance the rural character, the
natural and scenic qualities of open space, the agricultural heritage, while providing for well-
planned new development that complements the traditional settlement pattern, and protects the
health, safety, economic base and quality of life in western Clifton Park for all of its residents.
Objectives:
1. New development should complement and harmonize with the traditional, open,
rural, wooded, agricultural, natural and environmental resources, low-intensity
residential and hamlet landscapes, agricultural lands and working landscapes, and
scenic views and resources as valued by the community in Western Clifton Park.
2. The district includes lands and resources that the community supports for permanent
conservation and protection as agricultural lands and open space lands identified in
the public planning process of the Clifton Park Open Space Plan, the Clifton Park
Comprehensive Plan, and the Western Clifton Park GEIS. Development projects in
this district should contribute to the network of town-wide, permanently protected
open space areas and habitat corridors, both within large parcels of land and among
parcels throughout the town in accordance with the open space vision and criteria
set forth in the Clifton Park Open Space Plan, the Clifton Park Comprehensive Plan,
and the Western Clifton Park GEIS. Thus, these agricultural and open space lands
would be included as town-wide priorities for conservation including the application of
open space amenity zoning initiatives.
3. Development should be sited and laid out using conservation-based design and low-
impact design in support of creative solutions to minimize impacts to open space
lands and agricultural lands.
4. Development should support uses compatible with surrounding land uses and to
provide and design for adequate buffering of adjoining properties, particularly
between agricultural and residential uses.
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 2 of 14
Applicability.
This Conservation Residential zoning district applies to all parcels as shown located within the
bounds of said district on the Town of Clifton Park Zoning Map.
No parcel as shown on the tax map of the Town of Clifton Park an in existence as of November
1, 2004 may be changed or reconfigured for the purposes of avoiding the provisions of this
chapter of the zoning code.
Permitted Uses.
Planned Unit Development Districts are not permitted in the Conservation Residential
District.
Allowable on Unconstrained Land:
The following uses are the permitted, principal uses within the CR district except within the
Permanent Open Space:
Agricultural and Forestry Uses
• Farm Operations,
• Any form of agriculture or horticulture, provided that such operations are consistent with
§150 and 308 of the Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New York, including the
storage, processing and sale of farm products except for as noted.
• The keeping of livestock or poultry, such as hogs, cows, horses, goats or chickens with a
lot of a minimum of five acres.
• Commercial greenhouses only with a minimum of five acres.
• Roadside stands or other structures for the sale of farm products with a minimum of five
acres. Such facilities shall be consistent with the customary activities and operations
normally associated with a farm.
• Forestry uses for timber harvesting. No clear cutting.
• Commercial greenhouses only with a minimum of five acres.
• Odors, noises, and agricultural implements or chemicals associated with approved best-
agricultural-environmental management practices shall be permissible.
Residential Uses
• One-family dwelling and its accessory buildings
Open Space Uses
• Open space land
• Conservation easements: permanent easements and term easements for agricultural,
historic, or open space conservation
Recreation Uses
• Passive recreation
• Active recreation if the lands are municipally owned
• Off-road pedestrian and bicycle trails and paths
Utility and Other Types of Potentially Necessary Uses for CR District
• Public utility structures
• Emergency service facilities if and only as long as these facilities are under contract to
the Town of Clifton Park to provide general health services to the town
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 3 of 14
• Radio installations, amateur (HAMSs) as defined in §208-95A.
• All other telecommunication towers on shared sites as defined in §208-95B
Allowable on the Permanent Open Space.
Within the CR district, the following uses are the permitted, principal uses allowed on any lands
designated as Permanent Open Space. When the principal uses of preserving the open space
or a part thereof is the protection/buffering of natural resources such as freshwater wetlands,
aquifers, steep slopes, mature forests, wildlife habitats or stream corridors, open space uses
shall be limited to those which are no more intensive than passive recreation for that
approximate portion of open space which warrants protection/buffering.
Agricultural and Forestry Uses
• Any form of agriculture or horticulture, provided that such operations are consistent with
§150 and 308 of the Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New York, including the
storage, processing and sale of farm products except for as noted
• Lands reserved for agricultural purposes but not in active production. Such lands may
be required to be maintained using best agricultural / environmental management
practices.
• The keeping of livestock or poultry, such as hogs, cows, horses, goats or chickens with a
lot of a minimum of five acres.
• Forestry uses for timber harvesting. No clear cutting.
• Odors, noises, and agricultural implements or chemicals associated with approved best-
agricultural-environmental management practices shall be permissible.
Nature Preserve Uses
• Conservation of water, plant, or wildlife habitat
• Nature preserve, wildlife habitat, open space lands for no active human use
• Off-road pedestrian and bicycle trails and paths
Park Uses
• Passive recreation area
• Active recreation area if lands are municipally-owned, dedicated public active recreation
fields; (no active recreation facility buildings)
• Off-road, multi-use pedestrian and bicycle trails and pathways, accessible for disabled,
otherwise non-motorized uses, located within the development and creating connections
(or leaving opportunities for connections) to existing or proposed pathways or trails in the
Clifton Park Open Space Plan and the Clifton Park Trails Master Plan.
• Public building for environmental educational uses, restrooms, visitors center, with a
maximum of a 2,000 square feet building footprint.
Special Use Permit Approval Required.
Agricultural Uses
• Temporary uses and structures, pursuant to Section 208.96
• Large concerts, festivals, events with potential to attract more than 1,000 people in one
day
• Commercial stable;
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 4 of 14
• Commercial greenhouses on less than 5 acres
• Animal clinic/veterinary clinic/office/animal hospital
• Tack shop
• Private, public building open to the public for agricultural education purposes, restrooms,
visitors center, with a maximum of a 2,000 square feet building footprint.
Residential Uses
• Dwelling, Two-family attached or semi-detached
Other Uses
• Roadside sales, non-agricultural, under the provisions of Section 208-100
• Home occupation
• Bed-and-breakfast facilities.
• Day-care as home occupation, for children or for adult day-care.
• Excavation and removal of stone, sand and gravel.
• Accessory use of a building for non-agricultural uses
Community/Institutional Uses
• School
• Church or other place of worship
• Cemeteries
Utilities
• Electrical substation, gas district governor station, telephone exchange or other public
utility building, structure or use, except a business office, storage yard, or repair shop,
and subject to the provisions of §208-79E(2).
• Storage of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas in excess of 1,100 gallons.
• Telecommunication facilities
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 5 of 14
Standards.
The following minimum standards shall apply to all parcels in the CR district.
1. Base Density. The maximum allowable dwelling units that may be built within the
CR district shall be a calculated based on the acreage of unconstrained land
included in the development parcel(s). The base density of the parcel (the maximum
allowable number of units) is the result of dividing the unconstrained land acreage by
maximum development density set forth herein. Applicants may round down
fractional units of 0.5 or less, and round up fractional units greater than 0.5.
2. Development options:
a. Development on less than 10 acres. A parcel consisting of less than 10 acres
may be developed at a maximum density of one dwelling unit per three acres of
unconstrained land. A parcel which is less than three acres but larger than
20,000 feet may be developed with one dwelling unit.
b. Development on 10 acres or more. A parcel consisting of 10 acres or more may
be developed at a density of one residential dwelling unit per 10 acres provided
there is at least one acre of unconstrained land available to accommodate a
residential use including any required well and septic system. In lieu of
development at said density, such parcel may be developed at a density not to
exceed 0.33 units per acre of unconstrained land provided 50 percent of the area
of the development site is designated as permanent open space pursuant to the
other conditions set forth herein. For example, if an applicant owns a 70-acre
parcel, and 10 acres are identified as constrained, the maximum allowable
density with a 50 percent open space set aside 20 dwelling units. This example
is calculated as follows: 70 acres minus 10 constrained acres equals 60 acres of
unconstrained land. This 60 acres multiplied by 0.33 results in a maximum
allowable base density of 20 units. These 20 units must be placed on the
unconstrained 60-acre portion of the site in this example.
c. A one time single-lot exception is allowed, meaning a subdivision of one parcel
as it existed as of January 1, 2005 into a maximum of two lots to be used for
single family residential purposes only shall not be required to follow the
conservation approach, although it is highly encouraged to be protective of the
natural and cultural resources of the community. This shall only be permitted for
parcels greater than ten acres and shall only be allowed if the both newly created
lots will be initially owned by family members, at the discretion of the Planning
Board. The newly created lot shall be a minimum of two acres and all principal
buildings shall have a minimum setback of fifty feet from all property lines.
3. Minimum permanent open space (land area).
a. Where permanent open space is proposed, it must include a minimum of 25% of
the unconstrained land of the parcel.
b. For any permanent open space, the fee simple title to the permanent open space
may be held privately, but for all permanent open space, the area shall be
designated on the site and subdivision plat as applicable and shall be so
designated on the zoning map of the Town of Clifton Park.
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 6 of 14
c. Permanent open space may be held in private ownership, or if proposed for
public ownership, shall be dedicated to the Town of Clifton Park. (See section on
proof of preservation in perpetuity of permanent open space.
4. Conservation-based development design.
a. Development of any parcels in the CR district shall comply with the requirements
of this code (Conservation Design Layout) along with the development guidelines
in the, “Western Clifton Park Design Guidelines” attached hereto by reference.
5. The minimum land area (lot size) per dwelling.
a. With municipal water and sewer: 10,000 square feet
b. With municipal sewer only: 20,000 square feet
c. With municipal water only: 30,000 square feet
d. With no municipal water and sewer: 40,000 square feet
6. Minimum floor area: 960 square feet for a dwelling unit.
7. Minimum width of lot at front building line: 80 feet
8. Minimum front yard as is applicable to road character except as required per
Section 208-98:
a. A local traffic, subdivision road: 25 feet
b. All other town or county roads: 75 feet
c. A state highway: 125 feet.
9. Minimum rear yards: 25 feet
10. Minimum side yards, each: 10 feet.
11. Maximum permitted height: For each foot the height of a building or other
structure exceeds 35 feet, the width of each side yard shall be increased by one foot.
12. Minimum distance for environmental features consisting of Land Conservation
(LC) Zoning District conservation lands, floodplains: no residential dwelling
units or on-site wastewater disposal systems, shall be located within the bounds of
these environmental features. No residential dwelling or wastewater disposal system
shall be placed within 50 feet of a wetland meeting federal jurisdictional
requirements.
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 7 of 14
Conservation Design Layout
Criteria and Design Process for Establishing the Permanent Open
Space and Siting Development on a Parcel
The following text outlines the procedures for conducting a conservation-based design and
layout for site plans and subdivision plans in the Conservation Residential zoning district. The
conservation design layout procedure is as a four-step process designed to assist the applicant,
the planning board and the public in preparing and analyzing the materials for site plan and
subdivision applications within the Conservation Residential (CR) zoning district.
The conservation design layout’s four-step resource analysis procedure is as follows:
1. Develop an existing resources and site analysis plan of the natural, cultural, and
scenic features.
2. Conduct a conservation analysis and develop the conservation concepts.
3. Demonstrate a proposed layout of the development concept that works with and
complements the conservation concepts.
4. Prepare a summary preliminary plan that shows the synthesized conservation
and development concepts.
The purpose of conducting such a resource analysis is for the applicant to demonstrate
significant application and incorporation of the community resource values for Western Clifton
Park as developed and presented in the Town of Clifton Park Open Space Plan, the Town of
Clifton Park Comprehensive Plan, the Western Clifton Park GEIS.
Step 1. Develop an Existing Resources and Site Analysis Plan of
the Natural, Cultural, and Scenic Features.
The purpose of this step is to analyze the unique features of the subject parcel.
An Existing Resources and Site Analysis Plan shall be prepared by the applicant
to provide the applicant and the Planning Board with a comprehensive analysis
of existing conditions including the natural, cultural and scenic resources, both on
the site in detail as set forth below and describe in more general manner land
uses, road systems, and natural and cultural resources within 500 feet of the
perimeter of the proposed development site. The applicant and the planning
board must identify the existing site conditions and conduct a site analysis to
understand the unique landscape features of the parcel and the relationship of
the parcel to the adjoining lands as a basis for advancing any proposed
permanent open space and proposed development area concepts for the
Planning Board to consider.
The Existing Conditions and Site Analysis process shall include analyses of
physical and environmental resources, forest resources, agricultural resources,
historic and cultural resources, and potential as passive and recreational
resources. The analysis may take the form of several maps and layers of data
presented in a meaningful way to the Planning Board for its review and decision-
making in conjunction with the applicant.
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 8 of 14
The following resources must be mapped and illustrated for the review of the
Planning Board:
a. All contiguous land owned or under option by the owner and/or applicant.
b. Contour lines at a minimum of two-foot intervals to United State Geological
Survey datum within the parcel.
c. Slopes in excess of 20% or more, measured over a 50-foot horizontal
distance.
d. Ridgelines, hills, geologic formations including but not limited to rock outcrops
and other important land features based on available published information or
more detailed data obtained by the applicant
e. Watershed boundaries shall be identified.
f. Groundwater aquifers and/or recharge areas as mapped on the town’s
Official Aquifer Protection Map.
g. Lakes, ponds, regulated streams, streams, and natural drainage swales
h. Field delineation and survey of both NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation Freshwater Wetlands and their associated 100-foot Adjacent
Areas, and federal jurisdictional wetlands as regulated by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers.
i. Watercourses, streams and other drainage corridors as classified pursuant to
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Stream
Classification System and as mapped on the Town of Clifton Park’s Official
Stream Protection Map.
j. The Town of Clifton Park land conservation (L-C) zones.
k. Flood hazard areas (from a Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) flood insurance rate map, or site-specific flood elevation
determination data if none is available otherwise through FEMA.
l. Vegetative cover conditions on the property according to general cover type,
including cultivated land, permanent grass land, old field, hedgerow,
significant forest areas, woodlands, wetlands, isolated trees or small groups
of trees with a caliper in excess of 12 inches, the actual canopy line of
existing trees and woodlands. Vegetative types shall be described by plant
community, age and condition.
m. Any designated Critical Environmental Area, and other important unique
environmental areas.
n. Habitat areas of rare, threatened or endangered species.
o. Agricultural lands: active farmland within a New York State certified
agricultural district in Saratoga County, lands within 500 feet of a New York
State certified agricultural district, or soils classified as soils of Statewide
Significance and Prime Farm soils as mapped by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the Saratoga County
Soil Survey.
p. Lands and parcels enrolled in the Town of Clifton Park’s term open space,
agricultural, or historic resources term conservation easement program.
q. Lands identified along scenic road corridors as defined in the Town of Clifton
Park Open Space Plan, Town of Clifton Park Comprehensive Plan, and the
Town of Clifton Park Western Lands GEIS.
r. As located on the site, the location and dimensions of all existing and
proposed utilities and utility right-of-ways, existing streets, paved and
unpaved roads and paths, buildings, agricultural barns, silos and any other
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 9 of 14
agricultural structures, utilities, remains of buildings and structures,
stonewalls, fences, and other man-made improvements.
s. Historic resources. Locations of all historically significant sites, or structures
on the site and on any abutting site within 500 feet of the site’s property
boundary, including but not limited to those sites and parcels identified as
locally important historic resources in the Town of Clifton Park Open Space
Plan, the Town of Clifton Park Comprehensive Plan and the Town of Clifton
Park Western Lands GEIS, and according to the New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Resources, State Historic Preservation Office
that tracks sites, buildings and parcels identified with state register or federal
register historic designation.
t. A viewshed analysis showing the location and extent of views into the
property from public roads and from navigable waterways, public parks,
public forests, other public lands, lands with term conservation easements,
and lands with permanent conservation easements.
u. Proximity to nearest hamlet or other existing or proposed neighborhood.
v. Trails: existing and potential trails, bikeways and pedestrian that are in public
use or are proposed conceptually in the Town of Clifton Park Open Space
Plan, or specifically on the Town of Clifton Park Town-wide Trails Master Plan
Map, on the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, or other routes of town, state,
federal, or Saratoga County significance.
w. Recreation. Lakes, ponds, active public parks, town park district lands, or
other town, county, state recreational areas, or opportunities or sites
designated in the Town of Clifton Park’s Comprehensive Plan.
x. All other boundaries of environmental or other areas to be left undisturbed
and/or protected through deed restrictions, conservation easements or other
agreements and encumbrances of property which are or have been filed of
record with the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office shall be shown on the plan.
Step 2. Conservation Analysis and Prioritizing of Conservation
Concepts.
Once the site analysis has been accomplished and reviewed with the Planning
Board, the applicant may develop concepts for prioritizing what of the existing
resources should be conserved and for what proposed future conservation use.
Only after this step has been taken may the concepts for development be
factored in to the site layout.
Below are the key conservation principles for Western Clifton Park to assist in
prioritizing conservation concepts within the CR district:
Conserve the scenic, rural landscape character – the unique setting of
this parcel as it contributes to the unique setting of Western Clifton Park.
Conduct creative site planning that maintains residential and pastures
and rural character allowing for direct visual access to open land,
woodlots, farms, scenic views, etc.
Protect farms and agricultural lands and uses; protect the core
agricultural areas of Western Clifton Park; protect prime farm soils
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 10 of 14
Permanent protection of larger contiguous areas of significant open space
resources which are visible to the general public including farmlands,
woodlands, and other ecological and natural wildlife habitats and
corridors.
Buffer and protect existing protected open space resources: [Design that
respects and buffers existing term conservation easements, permanent
conservation easements and other permanently protected lands and
resources, such as not but not limited to the Grooms Tavern Site, the
Vischer Ferry Historic and Nature Preserve including the remains of the
Erie Canal, the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway]
Conserve and protect the town-identified open space, natural and cultural
resources that are priorities for future conservation,
Conserve and design with respect to the existing hamlet settlement
patterns, existing neighborhoods and existing residences. Buffer existing
residences and public views from new development.
Preserve natural water features, watersheds and provide for connected
water habitats
Protect natural landforms and conserve open lands habitat
Conserve woodland areas and connected woodlands habitats
Support the restoration and adaptive reuse of previously developed
landscapes, including the adaptive reuse of farm structures that
preserves the agricultural setting and uses such as the farmstead and
barns and surrounding fields.
Connect people to the special resources. Provide trail connections within
neighborhoods and link to regional paths.
Protect dark, night-time skies for the whole community.
Step 3. Development Concept.
Once the proposed conservation lands have been identified in Step 1, and
prioritized in Step 2, this Step 3 is to identify the area for development (primarily
within the unconstrained land and protective of the priority conservation area(s))
the remaining land area of the site may be focused on for siting the access,
circulation for streets and pedestrian paths, and locating the proposed number of
residential units and other development.
Step 4. Summary Preliminary Plan of Development and
Conservation Concepts.
The proposed subdivision application must follow applicable subdivision
regulations as outlined in ____ regarding the submission, timing, review process,
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 11 of 14
etc. This step involves formalizing the “drawing in” of the lot lines and the
preparation on a plan meeting requirements for concept submission pursuant to
Chapter 179 of the town code, Subdivision of Land.
Proof of preservation in perpetuity of Permanent Open Space
for sites in private ownership.
1. Perpetuity. For all required, dedicated permanent open space, the open space
restrictions must be in perpetuity and shall be so noted on any plat or plan submitted
for approval to the town.
2. Type of Proof Required. A deed restriction or a permanent conservation easement
must be placed on the parcel and/or lot(s) with Permanent Open Space.
3. The proof of such restriction of open space land in perpetuity is required and shall be
supplied to the Town of Clifton Park Planning Board, and filed prior to the final plat
approval of a site plan or subdivision plat.
4. The Town of Clifton Park Planning Board may not grant final approval to any site
plans or subdivision plats that require Permanent Open Space, until the planning
board receives the proof of the restriction on the open space land - of a permanent
conservation easement.
5. The Planning Board may not approve a final plat until the proof is presented at a
planning board meeting.
6. A perpetual conservation easement and/or other rights to property which have the
minimum effect of restricting development of the open space land and allowing use
only for agriculture, forestry, active or passive recreation, watershed protection,
wildlife habitat or other open space use and prohibiting residential, industrial and/or
commercial use of such open space land, pursuant to Section 247 of the General
Municipal Law and or ____ of the Environmental Conservation Law, shall be granted
to the Town of Clifton Park, or to a qualified, not-for-profit land conservation
organization or land trust as may be acceptable to the organization, municipality and
to the Planning Board.
7. The type of conservation easement may be site-specific and customized according
to the proposed use of the open space land, and selected from the following options:
open space conservation easement environmental conservation easement,
agricultural conservation easement, or historic resources conservation easement.
8. The aforesaid conservation easement instrument shall describe the open space land
of a parcel in metes and bounds and by a property survey, and shall bear the
statement: "This tract or parcel of land is open space land with a permanent
conservation easement subject to the provisions of the Town of Clifton Park Zoning
Law substantially restricting its use."
9. Open space created by the use of this article must be clearly labeled on the final plat
and site plan as to its use, ownership, management, method of preservation and the
rights, if any, of the owners of the subdivision to such land, and to the general public.
The plan or plat shall clearly show that the open space land is permanently reserved
for open space purposes and shall not be platted for building lots and shall indicate
the liber and page of any conservation easements or deed restrictions required to be
filed to implement such reservations.
10. Such proposed conservation easement or other rights shall be reviewed and
approved by the Town Attorney’s office and be required as a condition of plat or plan
approval.
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 12 of 14
11. Said conservation easement shall not be amendable to permit commercial, industrial,
or residential development and shall be recorded in the Saratoga County Clerk’s
office prior to filing an approved final site plan or final subdivision plat in the CR
zoning district.
Ownership and maintenance of open space land and
common facilities.
The Planning Board must find the form of ownership of any open space land adequate to fulfill
the purposes of this article. The following methods may be used either individually or in
combination, for ownership of open space land (exclusive of its conservation easement) and
common facilities. The appropriate form of ownership shall be based upon the purpose of the
permanent open space reservation as stated above in Section __. Ownership methods shall
conform to the following:
1. Open space land may be held in private, non-common ownership.
a. The required open space land may be included within one or more large
conservancy lots that are entirely open space land, provided the open space is
permanently restricted from future development, except for those uses listed
above in Section _____. This option may be preferable for open space land that
is intended for agricultural use.
b. The applicant shall provide the Town of Clifton Park with a written description
and proof of instrument of the use restrictions of the open space land.
2. Open space land may be held in private, common ownership by a Homeowners
Association (HOA).
a. Open space land and common facilities may be held in common ownership by a
homeowners’ association subject to all of the provisions for homeowners’
associations as set forth in New York State regulations and the General Business
Law.
b. The open space restrictions must be in perpetuity.
c. The applicant shall provide the Town with a description of the organization of the
proposed homeowners association, including its bylaws, and all documents
governing ownership, maintenance, and use restrictions for common facilities.
d. Such a homeowners’ association shall be established by the owner or applicant
and shall be operating (with financial subsidization by the owner or applicant, if
necessary) before the conveyance of the first lot in the development.
e. The HOA must be responsible for liability insurance, local taxes, and the
maintenance of any open space land and any other common facilities.
f. Membership in the homeowners’ association shall be mandatory for each
property owner within the subdivision and successive owners in title with voting
of one vote per lot or unit, and the subdivider’s control, therefore, passing to the
individual lot/unit owners on sale of the majority of the lots or units.
g. Each lot or unit owner, must be required by recorded covenants and restrictions
to pay fees to the HOA for taxes, insurance and maintenance of open space, and
as applicable, any private roads and any other common facilities.
h. Property owners must pay their pro rata share of the HOA costs as listed above
in (e) and the assessment levied by the HOA must be able to become a lien on
the property.
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 13 of 14
i. The bylaws shall confer legal authority on the association to place a lien on the
real property of any member who falls delinquent in his or her dues. Such dues
shall be paid with the accrued interest before the lien may be lifted.
j. The HOA must be able to adjust the assessment to meet changed needs.
k. The applicant shall make a conditional offer of dedication to the Town of Clifton
Park, binding upon the HOA, for all open space to be conveyed to the HOA.
Such offer may be accepted by the town, at the discretion of the Town Board,
upon failure of the homeowners’ association to take title to the open space from
the applicant or current owner, upon dissolution of the association at any future
time or upon failure of the HOA to fulfill its maintenance obligations or to pay its
property taxes.
l. Ownership shall be structured in such a manner that real property taxing
authorities may satisfy property tax claims against the open space lands by
proceeding against individual owners in the HOA and the dwelling units they
each own.
m. Written notice of any proposed transfer of common facilities by the association or
the assumption of maintenance for common facilities must be given to all
members of the association and to the Town of Clifton Park no less than 30 days
prior to such event.
n. The association shall have adequate resources to administer, maintain, and
operate such common facilities.
o. The Town Attorney’s office shall review and find that the HOA documents
presented as part of the application satisfy the conditions outlined above and
such other conditions that the Planning Board shall deem necessary.
3. Open space land may be offered fee simple dedication to the town or an open
space or park district controlled by the town, provided that:
a. There is no substantial cost of acquisition to the town
b. The town agrees to and has access to maintain such open space
c. Such facilities for public use shall be accessible to residents of the town.
4. Open space land may be offered for conveyance, or for sale as fee simple
dedication to the county or state governments, a nonprofit land trust or other
land conservation organization.
5. Maintenance and monitoring standards for open space land.
a. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring standards shall be established,
enforceable by the town against an owner of open space land as a condition of
site plan or subdivision approval, to assure that the open space land is used for
the purposes intended in this chapter and specifically pursuant to the approval of
the project rendered by the town and to ensure the use of the open space land
does not detract from the character of the neighborhood context. Such
maintenance standards may include the obligation to mow open fields to
maintain their scenic character, and to maintain dedicated trails.
b. If the Town Board finds that the open space land is being maintained in such a
manner as to constitute a public nuisance or otherwise not in conformance with
standards established herein, ii may, upon reasonable written notice to the
owner, enter the premises for necessary maintenance or other action necessary
and appropriate, and the cost of any such maintenance by the town shall be
assessed ratably against the owner, or the in the case of an HOA, the owners of
Conservation Residential (CR) District Page 14 of 14
properties within the development and shall, if unpaid, become a tax lien on said
properties.
c. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Town of Clifton Park Planning Board, the cost
and responsibility of maintaining of open space and facilities shall be borne by
the private owner, the homeowner’s association, the conservation organization or
land trust, or in the case of lands and facilities deeded to the Town of Clifton
Park, the municipality. Likewise, if any lands restricted “open space land” are
deeded to the county or the state, these respective municipal governments would
be responsible.
Open Space Incentive Zoning Option. (See Chapter § __)
In exchange for the protection of an equivalent acreage of permanent open space under the
provisions of Chapter § ____, Town of Clifton Park, Open Space Incentive Zoning, a parcel or
parcels greater than 10 acres in area may be developed at a density of up to one residential unit
per 1.5 developable acres or 0.66 units per acre, provided that development also meets the
following conditions and limitations.
a. Increases in dwelling unit density shall not exceed allowable base density by more
than 100 percent.
b. Community open space benefits or amenities may only be located within the CR
district.
For example, if the base density of a 100-acre site in the CR district is 33 dwelling units, than
the maximum density that can be potentially achieved by applying for open space incentive
zoning is 66 dwelling units.
Application for Open Space Incentive Zoning must be done prior to or in conjunction with an
application for subdivision approval to the Planning Board.
Site Plan and Subdivision Review.
All building and zoning permit applications in the CR district shall be processed by the Planning
Board subject to site plan and subdivision review and approval. Applications will be considered
and processed by the Town of Clifton Park Planning Board in accordance with §278 of Town
Law, and Article ___ Site Plan Review and Approval, and the Town of Clifton Park Design
Guidelines. As part of that process, the Town of Clifton Park Planning Board shall, at a
minimum, apply the limitations and conditions of this article.
1
DRAFT: November 11, 2004
HAMLET MIXED USE (HM) DISTRICT
Outline:
1. Purpose
2. Permitted Uses
3. Space and Bulk Standards
4. Mixed-Use Buildings
5. Density Bonuses (Amenity Zoning)
6. Site Plan Review (procedure)
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Hamlet Mixed-Use (HM) District in Western Clifton Park is to
provide primarily for focused business development to serve adjacent residential hamlets
and neighborhood areas and to allow for a creative mix of commercial and
complementary residential uses. However, the district may remain primarily commercial
uses, such as a mix of offices and retail uses. The allowance for residential uses is
intended to foster the creation of places within town where one could walk from home to
work to neighborhood businesses. In addition, the HM district is intended to allow for
development that generates a low-traffic impact. Finally, the site layout and related
designs for development within the HM District should be in a manner that respects and
enhances the traditional hamlet context of the proposed project within the specific HM
district location.
In general, development should:
- Enhance existing, unique, traditional hamlet settlement patterns within Western
Clifton Park
- Restore, conserve and enhance the “sense of place” of the hamlet of Rexford
through complementary, compact, new development, infill development and
redevelopment layout and design
- Support a primarily business and residential setting within the HM District that
connects and transitions to nearby Hamlet Residential District to the south and the
rest of the hamlet of Rexford
- Foster pedestrian-friendly, walkable environments
- Utilize area master planning, and site plan layouts and architectural styles
consistent with the form of traditional hamlet of Rexford
- Support connections within the hamlet of Rexford and vicinity both within the
hamlet and outside of the hamlet,
- Create access and connections such as to the Mohawk River waterfront and to the
Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, and other existing and proposed town-wide and
regional pathways and trails
This section is further intended to support the protection of town-identified open space
within Western Clifton Park with the provision of potential density incentives and
transfer of development from town-identified open space areas to the HR zone as is
applicable.
2
2. Permitted Uses
Business Uses
General business offices P
Medical and dental offices and clinics, excluding overnight occupancy by patients. P
Attorneys' offices P
Offices for licensed professionals, for example, architects, accountants, engineers,
psychologists, optometrists and chiropractors. P
Insurance offices of independent or general agents, including regional or district
offices of individual companies. P
Mortuaries or funeral homes. P
Center for the day care of children. P
Real estate offices P
Banking institutions P
Financial services, e.g., investment counseling and tax services P
Animal hospital/veterinary offices, with the exclusion of outdoor runs and
commercial kennels. P
Mixed-use buildings, with combination of commercial uses on ground floor with
residential units on upper floors * P
Home occupation P
Day-care home P
Bed-and-breakfast facilities S
Facilities for the sale and/or consumption of farm- and country-related edible and
nonedible products at farm markets. Such facilities shall be consistent with the
customary activities and operations normally associated with a farm S
Animal-care facilities, provided that any structure or area used for such purposes,
including pens or exercise runs, shall be at least 100 feet distant from any residential
district P
Bank or savings-and-loan association P
Boardinghouse P
Bowling alley P
Convenience food store P
Day-care center P
Dry-cleaning establishment, where not more than five persons are employed and
where no flammable cleaning fluids are used P
Personal service establishments P
Restaurant; or barroom, provided that no portion of the portion of a building
occupied by such uses shall be located within 300 feet of the boundary line of any
residential district P
Commercial recreation facility, subject to the provisions of § 208-94 S
Municipal Uses
Private schools, excluding business, dancing, trade or any other commercially
oriented school P
Nonprofit institutions for charitable, religious, cultural or community purposes. P
Emergency ambulance facilities if and only as long as these facilities are under
contract to the Town of Clifton Park to provide general health services to the Town P
Public utility structures. P
3
Radio installations, amateur (HAMS). See § 208-95A P
Electrical substation, gas district governor station, telephone exchange or other public
utility building, structure or use, except a business office, storage yard, or repair shop,
and subject to the provisions of § 208-79E(2). S
Federal, state, county or Town municipal building P
All other telecommunication towers as in § 208-95B. [Added 12-9-1996 by L.L. No. 11-
1996] P
Cemeteries S
Church or other place of worship P
Section 208-96, Temporary uses and structures. S
Public library S
Residential Uses
One-family dwellings P
two-family dwellings P
Community residences P
Dwelling, two-family and/or semidetached P
Accessory Structures: buildings accessory to the above which are an integral part of
any of the above uses and are not in conflict with the purposes of this article as set
forth above, which determination shall be made by the Planning Board P
P=permitted
S=pursuant to § 208-79 et seq (Special Permits)
*see "mixed-uses” (section 4 below)
3. Space and Bulk Standards
A. One-family detached dwellings – Limited to no more than 25% of a parcel’s total
potential density
Base density: 1 unit per acre
Minimum lot size: 6,000 square feet
Minimum lot width: 50’
Minimum lot frontage: 50’
Front yard: 5’
Rear yard: 25’
Side yard: 5’ (20’ adjacent to commercial units)
Maximum building height: 35’
Maximum impervious surface lot coverage: 60%
B. Commercial uses and two-family, semi-detached, and multi-family dwellings –
Limited to no more than 25% of the parcel’s total potential density.
Base Density:
Office uses: 4,000 gross square feet (gsf) per acre
Retail uses: 2,000 gsf per acre
Two-family, semi-detached and multi-family dwellings: 3,000 gsf per acre
4
For example, a project that includes 4,000 gsf of office space, 2,000 gsf of retail
space, and 3,000 square feet of multi-family space would require three (3) acres of
unconstrained land.
Minimum lot size: 12,000 square feet
Minimum lot width: 80’
Minimum lot frontage: 50’
Front yard: 10’
Rear yard: 30’
Side yard: 0’ (20’ adjacent to residential uses)
Maximum building height: 40’
Maximum impervious surface lot coverage: 60%
4. Mixed-Use Buildings (residential uses may be allowed above commercial uses)
Buildings in the HM District may include residential units as subordinate use to primary
ground floor commercial use subject to the following provisions:
i. Residential units shall not be permitted over an auto service station, or
establishments storing or retailing flammable or fume producing goods.
ii. The habitable area of each residential unit shall be at least five hundred (500)
square feet.
iii. Each residential unit shall be a separate dwelling unit with provisions for
complete living including sanitary and sleeping facilities for year-round use by
one (1) family.
iv. Residential units shall not be located on the first floor of the building and each
apartment shall contain all services for safe and convenient habitation meeting the
New York State Fire, Building, Health and Environmental Codes.
v. Residential units shall have access to the outside of the building which must be
distinct from the access to uses on the first floor.
vi. Each residential unit shall meet all applicable Town of Clifton Park off-street
parking requirements.
5. Density Bonus (through Open Space Incentive Zoning provisions)
A. Residential Bonus
Applicants may propose and seek Town approval for an increase in the density of
residential units within the Hamlet Mixed-Use (HM) zoning district per
§(number) Open Space Incentive Zoning upon securing the required applicable
development rights to town-identified open space parcels within Western Clifton
Park.
B. Office and Retail Bonus
Applicants may propose and seek Town approval for an increase in the density of
gross square footage of commercial units within the Hamlet Mixed-Use (HM)
zoning district per §(number) Open Space Incentive Zoning upon securing the
required applicable development rights to town-identified open space parcels
within Western Clifton Park.
5
6. Site Plan Review
All building and zoning permit applications in the HM District shall be subject to site
plan approval. Applications will be considered by the Planning Board in accordance with
Article XVI Site Plan Review and Approval and the Western Clifton Park Design
Guidelines.
1
DRAFT: November 11, 2004
HAMLET RESIDENTIAL (HR) DISTRICT
Outline:
1. Purpose
2. Permitted Uses
3. Space and Bulk Standards
4. Density Bonuses (through Open Space Incentive Zoning)
5. Site Plan Review
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Hamlet Residential (HR) District is to prevent adverse impact to the
character of Western Clifton Park and to the hamlet of Rexford and to ensure that future
growth is consistent and complementary to the existing hamlet settlement patterns. New
development within the HR district shall adhere to the guidelines and standards set forth
in the Western Clifton Park Design Guidelines. In general, development should:
- Enhance existing, unique, traditional hamlet settlement patterns within Western
Clifton Park
- Restore, conserve and enhance the “sense of place” of the hamlet of Rexford
through complementary, compact, new development, infill development and
redevelopment layout and design
- Support a primarily residential setting within the HR that connects and transitions
to nearby Hamlet Mixed-Use Zone to the north in the rest of the hamlet of
Rexford
- Foster pedestrian-friendly, walkable environments
- Utilize area master planning, and site plan layouts and architectural styles
consistent with the form of traditional hamlet of Rexford
- Support connections within the hamlet of Rexford and vicinity both within the
hamlet and outside of the hamlet,
- Create access and connections such as to the Mohawk River waterfront and to the
Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, and other existing and proposed town-wide and
regional pathways and trails
This section is further intended to support the protection of town-identified open space
within Western Clifton Park with the provision of potential density incentives and
transfer of development from town-identified open space areas to the HR zone as is
applicable.
2
2. Permitted Uses
Residential Uses
One-family dwellings P
Two-family dwellings, attached or semi-detached S
Community residences S
Accessory Structures: buildings accessory to the above which are an integral part of
any of the above uses and are not in conflict with the purposes of this article as set
forth above, which determination shall be made by the Planning Board S
Home occupation P
Day-care home S
Bed-and-breakfast facilities S
Facilities for the sale and/or consumption of farm- and country-related edible and
non-edible products at farm markets. Such facilities shall be consistent with the
customary activities and operations normally associated with a farm. S
Municipal Uses
Emergency ambulance facilities if and only as long as these facilities are under
contract to the Town of Clifton Park to provide general health services to the Town P
Public utility structures. P
Radio installations, amateur (HAMS). See § 208-95A P
Electrical substation, gas district governor station, telephone exchange or other
public utility building, structure or use, except a business office, storage yard, or
repair shop, and subject to the provisions of § 208-79E(2). S
Federal, state, county or Town municipal building P
All other telecommunication towers as in § 208-95B. [Added 12-9-1996 by L.L. No.
11-1996] P
Cemeteries S
Church or other place of worship S
Section 208-96, Temporary uses and structures. S
Public library P
P=permitted
S=pursuant to § 208-79 et seq (Special Permits)
3. Area and Bulk Standards
A. Residential uses
Base Density: 0.33 units per acre
Minimum lot size: 6,000 square feet
Front yard: 50’
Rear yard: 25’
3
Side yard: 5’ (10’ adjacent to commercial units)
Maximum building height: 35’
Maximum impervious surface lot coverage: 60%
4. Density Bonus (through Open Space Incentive Zoning provisions)
A. Residential Bonus
Applicants may propose and seek Town approval for an increase in the density of
residential units within the Hamlet Residential (HR) zoning district per §(number)
Open Space Incentive Zoning upon securing the required applicable development
rights to town-identified open space parcels within Western Clifton Park.
5. Site Plan Review
All building and zoning permit applications in the HR District shall be subject to site plan
approval. Applications will be considered by the Planning Board in accordance with
Article XVI Site Plan Review and Approval and the Western Clifton Park Design
Guidelines.
Page 1 of 6
Draft: November 11, 2004
Open Space Incentive Zoning
Purpose and objectives
A. It is the purpose of this article to empower the Town Board to grant incentives to the
private sector engaged in the land development process to advance the town's specific
policies in accordance with the Town’s GEIS for the Western Lands of Clifton Park, the
2003 Comprehensive Plan Update, the 2003 Open Space Plan, and in coordination with
other community planning mechanisms or land use techniques.
B. This authority may be used by the Town Board to assist the following objectives from the
town's GEIS for the western lands, Comprehensive Plan, and Open Space Plan:
(1) To protect wildlife nature preserves, watersheds and water quality, highly valued
ecological resources and environmentally sensitive areas.
(2) To protect active farm operations.
(3) To ensure that all development occurs in an ecologically sound manner.
(4) To preserve important open spaces, develop a comprehensive trails and pathway
system; preserve scenic roads, cultural resources, and historic and archaeological
resources.
(5) To protect wetlands and stream corridors for their benefits to wildlife habitat, flood
and stormwater control, groundwater protection, erosion control, and recreation.
(6) To preserve open space for ecological, aesthetic, and recreational purposes.
(7) To preserve and enhance the existing diverse residential, rural, and historic character
of Clifton Park and to provide for a diversity of housing.
(8) To allow for an increase in density on a given site providing the overall density of the
Western Lands of Clifton Park is balanced.
(9) To establish permanent easements on town-identified open space parcels to prevent
further development.
(10) To allow for an increase density of both commercial and residential development
within the HM zone to create a more viable, walkable hamlet community.
Authority
In accordance with § 261-b of the Town Law of the State of New York, the Town Board is
empowered to provide for a system of zoning incentives as the Town Board deems necessary
and appropriate, consistent with the purposes and conditions set forth herein.
Applicability
This chapter applies only to Western Clifton Park zoning districts: Conservation Residential CR,
Hamlet Residential HR, and Hamlet Mixed Use HM districts in the Town of Clifton Park, as shown
on the Town of Clifton Park Zoning Map.
Permitted incentives
The Town Board may grant the following specific incentives within the procedures set forth in this
Section:
Incentive A. Single-family residential incentives: increases in single-family dwelling unit
density beyond the base density within the HM, HM, or CR districts.
Page 2 of 6
Incentive B. Commercial, two-family, semi-detached, and multi-family residential incentives:
Increases in commercial uses and two-family dwelling, semi-detached dwelling,
and multi-family dwelling unit density only in the HM district.
Community benefits or amenities.
A. The following community benefits or amenities may, at the discretion of the Town Board,
be accepted in exchange for an incentive as provided in “Permitted Incentives” above.
These community benefits or amenities may be either on or off the site of the subject
application and may involve one or more parcels of land. Community benefits or
amenities may only be located within the CR district.
(1) Permanent conservation easements: agricultural conservation, open space,
scenic, ecological, historic or other types of permanent conservation easements
would be acceptable, on town-identified open space parcels within Western Clifton
Park. Proof of perpetuity (signed purchase contract or easement title) is required in
writing to the Town of Clifton Park Town Board prior to approval of an open space
incentive zoning proposal.
(2) Permanent protection of land in fee simple for conservation and other community
benefit purposes on town-identified open space parcels within Western Clifton Park.
Proof of perpetuity (executed purchase contract or transfer of ownership of title) is
required in writing to the Town of Clifton Park Town Board prior to approval of an
open space incentive zoning proposal.
(3) Cash in proportionate, equal value to the protection of the required acreage of
unconstrained land that is commensurate with the incentive requested, that
would be paid to the Town of Clifton Park’s dedicated open space fund account
for utilization by the town exclusively for the permanent protection of open
space and farmland in Clifton Park. Proposed cash must be placed in an escrow
account to be held by the town and documented in writing to the Town of Clifton Park
Town Board prior to approval of an open space incentive zoning proposal.
(4) Any combination of the above-listed community benefits or amenities.
B. These amenities will be in addition to any other mandated requirements pursuant to other
provisions of the Town of Clifton Park Code and any other applicable law or regulation.
Special conditions.
A. All proposed amenities to be provided by the applicant must show a demonstrable benefit
the benefit area.
B. Where Incentive A (increase in single-family residential density) is sought, the Town
Board shall only receive amenities per the following conditions:
(1) The incentive granted will be in a one-to-one proportion to the development potential
of the unconstrained land, as described in the table below and determined by the
Town Board at the time of application.
Table: Determination of amenity land required for single-family dwelling unit incentive
Density increase Amenity land required
Single-family residential 1 unit 3 acres unconstrained land
Page 3 of 6
(2) Residential unit density increases will be granted in increments according to the table
above, of double the original base density, or in other words, not to exceed a 100%
increase of the original base density for the incentive site.
C. Where Incentive B (increase in commercial, two-family, semi-detached, and/or multi-
family residential density) is sought, the Town Board may only receive amenities per the
following conditions:
(1) The incentive granted will be in proportion to the development potential of the
conservation site provided in terms of unconstrained land, as outlined in the table
below and determined by the Town Board at the time of application
Table: Determination of amenity land required for commercial, two-family, semi-
detached, and multi-family dwelling incentives
Density increase Amenity land required
Office 1,000 gsf 2 acres unconstrained land
Retail 1,000 gsf 4 acres unconstrained land
Two-family, semi-detached,
and multi-family apartments
over commercial or retail
ground floor space
One equivalent
dwelling unit
2 acres unconstrained land
For example, a project that is seeking a density increase of 2,000 sf of
office, 2,000 sf of retail space, and 2,000 sf of residential space beyond
the base density would be required to provide 24 acres of unconstrained
land as a conservation site.
(2) Commercial and two-family, semi-detached, and multi-family residential density
increases will be granted in increments equal to the development potential of the
amenity land provided per the above table, of triple the original base density, or not to
exceed a 200% increase of the original base density for the incentive site.
Criteria and procedure for approval.
A. Optional pre-application review. It is recommended that the applicant meet informally with
town planning staff prior to completion of an application for purposes of gathering
information for the proposed amenity/incentive exchange. The applicant is advised to
review the GEIS, the Comprehensive Plan, the Open Space Plan, and any other
materials the town may have on file regarding the open space incentive zoning program.
B. Applications requesting incentives in exchange for providing community benefits will be
submitted to the Town Board in accordance with adopted procedures for requests to
amend this chapter. The application will include the following information:
(1) The requested incentive.
(2) The proposed amenity.
i. The location of the proposed conservation site must be demonstrated.
The proposed conservation site should be one of the priority open space
lands identified in the Land Conservation Plan in the Western Clifton
Park GEIS and the Town of Clifton Park Open Space Plan.
ii. The site’s constrained land and unconstrained land must be mapped,
and submitted as part of the application. The proposed unconstrained
land area that is the basis for the requested incentive must be
specifically identified and highlighted on the map.
Page 4 of 6
iii. The base density calculation must be provided that is the basis for the
proposed exchange for incentives.
iii. The proposed conservation site proposed for permanent protection must
include this unconstrained land area and may include constrained land.
Any proposed subdivision of land related to the efforts to obtain control of
land for the incentive zoning proposal, must be approved by the Town as
applicable.
(3) The estimated cash value of the proposed amenity.
(4) A narrative which demonstrates the following:
(a) The benefits to the community, including the benefit area, from the proposed
amenity
(b) Consistency with the goals and objectives of the town's Comprehensive Plan,
Open Space Plan, and western lands of Clifton Park GEIS
(c) The relative importance and need for the amenity.
(d) That there is adequate sewer, water, transportation, waste disposal and fire-
protection facilities in the zoning district in which the proposal is located to handle
the additional demands the incentive may place on these facilities beyond the
demand that would be placed on them if the district were developed to its fullest
potential.
(e) That all conditions and other applicable requirements of the law are met.
(5) Any other information or support materials as needed or requested by the Town
Board.
C. Review by Town Board. Within 45 days of submission of an application, pursuant to
Subsection B herein, the Town Board will prepare a brief response to the proposal,
outlining in writing the Town Board's determination on whether the proposal is worthy of
further consideration and the basis for that determination. The Town Board may engage
a consultant to assist in review of the application, the cost of which will be borne by the
applicant. Suggested modifications to the proposal may also be provided by the Town
Board to the applicant. At this point, the Town Board reserves the right to deny the
project. However, with a supporting determination, the proposed application will be
transferred to the Planning Board for review.
D. Advisory referral to Planning Board.
(1) The application will be submitted to the Planning Board for its nonbinding advisory
opinion to the Town Board. The review at this stage is intended to obtain the input of
the Planning Board for the subject land use decision. It is not intended to serve as a
site or subdivision review, which would only occur after a decision by the Town Board
on the incentive zoning request.
(2) The Planning Board will schedule a public workshop on the application, which may
be conducted as part of its regularly scheduled meeting. The intent of the workshop
is to share information between the applicant, the Planning Board and interested
members of the public. The workshop will not supplant the formal hearing which will
be conducted by the Town Board later in the review process.
(3) Within 45 days of receipt of the application from the Town Board, the Planning Board
will prepare an advisory report to the applicant and the Town Board. The Planning
Board's report will describe the beneficial aspects of the proposal and make
recommendations for the amelioration of any adverse aspects of the proposal. The
Planning Board's report and the application will then be transferred back to the Town
Page 5 of 6
Board for its final decision on the application. The Planning Board reserves the right
to deny the project, and describe why in its findings back to the Town Board.
E. Compliance with SEQRA.
(1) Every decision by the Town Board concerning an application for use of incentive
zoning on a particular project will fully comply with the provisions of SEQRA.
(2) The applicant will submit a Long Form Environmental Assessment, Part 1, to the
Town Board after the referral by the Planning Board.
(3) The Town Board will establish itself as SEQRA lead agency for all applications
submitted pursuant to this article.
F. Public hearing by Town Board. Prior to its final decision and in conjunction with its
SEQRA review, the Town Board will conduct a public hearing in accordance with the
standard procedures for adoption of an amendment to the zoning ordinance or local law.
At least five days' notice (14 days if a draft environmental impact statement or
supplemental environmental impact statement was required) of the time and place of the
hearing will be published in the official newspaper of the town.
G. Findings and final decision.
(1) Following the public hearing and completion of the SEQRA process, the Town Board
will approve, approve with modifications or conditions or deny the proposed incentive
zoning application. A written statement of the findings will be prepared by the Town
Board documenting the basis of its decision. The findings will include, but not be
limited to, the following:
(a) SEQRA. That all requirements of SEQRA have been met, including the required
findings under that law.
(b) Development capacity. That the proposed project, including the incentive, can be
adequately supported by the public facilities available or provided as a result of
the project, including but not limited to sewer, water, transportation, waste
disposal and fire protection, without reducing the availability of such facilities for
projects permitted as of right under the Town of Clifton Park Code.
(c) Public benefit. That the public benefit realized by the amenity provided by the
applicant is commensurate with the incentive granted by the Town Board and
that there is specifically a demonstrable benefit to the incentive area.
(d) Project quality. That the project is in harmony with the purpose and intent of this
article and with the stated objectives and will promote the purposes herein, that
the project is sufficiently advantageous to render it appropriate for grant of an
incentive and that the project will add to the long-term assets of the Town of
Clifton Park.
(e) Comprehensive Plan. That the use of incentive zoning for the particular project is
consistent with the GEIS, Comprehensive Plan, and Open Space Plan
(2) The Town Board may impose conditions on a project to ensure that the above
findings are ensured through the subsequent plan review and construction phases of
the project.
Page 6 of 6
H. Plan review. Following the receipt of a favorable decision by the Town Board, an
application for approval may be submitted pursuant to the applicable provisions of the
Town of Clifton Park Code.
14
15
The following design guidelines are provided to assist the planning board, applicant
and public during review of building and zoning applications within the Hamlet Mixed
Use (HM) and Hamlet Residential (HR) Districts. Specifically, the Planning Board
shall use this section of the design guidelines to review all projects within the HM and
HR districts required to comply with the town’s site plan approval process.
The hamlet design guidelines further elaborate on the goals and objectives of the HM
and HR districts and provide guidance on broad issues such as overall hamlet design,
concepts for infill and integrating new development into existing hamlet areas as well
as specific standards regarding pedestrian amenities, site layout and design, and
architecture and architectural treatments. The broad principles/recommendations,
discussed within this section, are as follows:
- Commons or squares of anywhere between 10,000 to 60,000 square feet in size should be
considered in the hamlet. The common should be located in a prominent
- Buildings should be designed at a human scale and all buildings should be organized and
designed in such a way that the front of the structure addresses and enhances the public
realm.
Finish materials and colors should harmonize with the materials and colors of the adjacent
buildings and positively
contribute to the overall theme
of the Hamlet. The use of
constants between the main
color theme and an accent color
are recommended (e.g., dark vs.
light); however, the number of
colors should be kept to a
minimum.
Additional material and color
concepts that should be
incorporated into building design
are:
- Subtle accents in the plane
of the façade, created
through the use of secondary
materials such as rough
textured materials or
decoration (such as brickwork patterns), are encouraged but should not be used as a
primary theme.
- Wood or cement clapboard and brick or stone are the preferred material for new
construction.
- In commercial areas, materials such as bricks, stone and cement or wood clapboard
which are smaller in scale should be used in pedestrian areas instead of metal or glass
panels.
A.
B.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
Town of Clifton Park, NY
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Chapter 208. Zoning
Article VB. Open Space Incentive Zoning
[Added 5-9-2005 by L.L. No. 5-2005]
§ 208-43.10. Purpose and objectives.
It is the purpose of this article to empower the Town Board to grant incentives to the
private sector engaged in the land development process to advance the town's specific
policies in accordance with the Town's GEIS for the western lands of Clifton Park, the
2003 Comprehensive Plan update, the 2003 Open Space Plan, and in coordination with
other community planning mechanisms or land use techniques.
This authority may be used by the Town Board to assist the following objectives from the
Town's GEIS for the western lands, Comprehensive Plan, and Open Space Plan:
To protect wildlife nature preserves, watersheds and water quality, highly valued
ecological resources and environmentally sensitive areas.
To protect active farm operations.
To ensure that all development occurs in an ecologically sound manner.
To preserve important open spaces; develop a comprehensive trails and pathway
system; preserve scenic roads, cultural resources, and historic and archaeological
resources.
To protect wetlands and stream corridors for their benefits to wildlife habitat, flood
and stormwater control, groundwater protection, erosion control, and recreation.
To preserve open space for ecological, aesthetic, and recreational purposes.
To preserve and enhance the existing diverse residential, rural, and historic
character of Clifton Park, and to provide for a diversity of housing.
To allow for an increase in density on a given site, providing the overall density of
the western lands of Clifton Park is balanced.
To establish permanent easements on Town-identified open space parcels to
prevent further development.
To allow for an increase density of both commercial and residential development
within the HM Zone to create a more viable, walkable hamlet community.
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A.
B.
A.
(1)
(2)
(3)
§ 208-43.11. Authority.
In accordance with § 261-b of the Town Law of the State of New York, the Town Board is
empowered to provide for a system of zoning incentives as the Town Board deems
necessary and appropriate, consistent with the purposes and conditions set forth herein.
§ 208-43.12. Applicability.
This article applies only to Western Clifton Park zoning districts: Conservation Residential
CR, Hamlet Residential HR, and Hamlet Mixed Use HM Districts in the Town of Clifton Park,
as shown on the Town of Clifton Park Zoning Map.
§ 208-43.13. Permitted incentives.
The Town Board may grant the following specific incentives within the procedures set forth in
this article:
Incentive A. Single-family residential incentives: increases in single-family dwelling unit
density beyond the base density within the HM, HR, or CR Districts.
Incentive B. Commercial, two-family, and semidetached residential incentives: increases
in commercial uses and two-family dwelling and semidetached dwelling unit density only
in the HM District.
[Amended 9-20-2010 by L.L. No. 7-2010]
§ 208-43.14. Community benefits or amenities.
The following community benefits or amenities may, at the discretion of the Town Board,
be accepted in exchange for an incentive as provided in "Permitted Incentives" above.
These community benefits or amenities may be either on or off the site of the subject
application and may involve one or more parcels of land. Community benefits or
amenities may only be located within the CR District.
Permanent conservation easements: agricultural conservation, open space, scenic,
ecological, historic or other types of permanent conservation easements would be
acceptable, on Town-identified open space parcels within Western Clifton Park.
Proof of perpetuity (signed purchase contract or easement title) is required in writing
to the Town of Clifton Park Town Board prior to approval of an open space incentive
zoning proposal.
Permanent protection of land in fee simple for conservation and other community
benefit purposes on Town-identified open space parcels within Western Clifton
Park. Proof of perpetuity (executed purchase contract or transfer of ownership of
title) is required in writing to the Town of Clifton Park Town Board prior to approval
of an open space incentive zoning proposal.
Cash in accordance with the Special Conditions below, paid to the Town of Clifton
Park's dedicated open space fund account for utilization by the Town exclusively for
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(a)
[1]
[2]
[3]
(b)
(c)
[1]
[2]
[3]
(4)
B.
A.
B.
the permanent protection of open space and farmland in Clifton Park. Proposed
cash must be placed in an escrow account to be held by the Town and documented
in writing to the Town of Clifton Park Town Board in accordance with the following
schedule of payments:
[Amended 9-20-2010 by L.L. No. 7-2010]
For total projects greater than five lots:
One-third (33%) of the total payment is due at the Town Planning
Department within 30 days of Town Board approval by Town Board
resolution. At the time of the first payment, at the first building permit,
either a bond, cash, or letter of credit is required to cover the balance of
the remaining amount. The bond, cash, or letter of credit instrument may
be reduced as payments are received.
An additional 1/3 (33%) of the total payment is due at the Town Planning
Department within 30 days of the date of the building permit granted upon
completing 20% of the project's units.
The final 1/3 (33%) of the total payment is due at the Town Planning
Department within 30 days of the Town engineering inspection letter
verifying that the project is 80% complete or within 60 months of the
original approval by the Town Board; whichever is first will trigger payment.
For total projects of five lots or less: The entire payment is due at the time of or
before the issuance of the date of the first building permit.
For projects that received Town Board approval of their open space incentive
zoning proposals prior to March 15, 2010, the following payment plan shall
apply:
One-third (33%) of the total payment is due at the time of the first building
permit authorization.
One-third (33%) of the total payment is due within 30 days of the date of
the building permit granted upon completing 20% of the total project units.
The final 1/3 (33%) of the payment is due at the Town Planning
Department within 30 days of the Town engineering inspection letter
verifying that the project is 80% complete.
Any combination of the above-listed community benefits or amenities.
These amenities will be in addition to any other mandated requirements pursuant to
other provisions of the Town of Clifton Park Code and any other applicable law or
regulation.
§ 208-43.15. Special conditions.
All proposed amenities to be provided by the applicant must show a demonstrable
benefit to the benefit area.
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(1)
(2)
C.
(1)
(a)
(b)
Where Incentive A (increase in single-family residential density) is sought, the Town
Board shall only receive amenities per the following conditions:
The incentive granted will be in a one-to-one proportion to the development
potential of the unconstrained land, as described in the table below and determined
by the Town Board at the time of application.
Determination of Amenity Required for Single-Family Dwelling Unit Incentive
Development Density Increase Amenity Required
Single-family residential 1 unit 3 acres of unconstrained
land
OR
Single-family residential 1 unit $30,000
Residential unit density increases will be granted in increments, according to the
table above, of double the original base density, or in other words, not to exceed an
increase of 100% of the original base density for the incentive site.
Where Incentive B (increase in commercial, two-family, and/or semidetached residential
density) is sought, the Town Board may only receive amenities per the following
conditions:
[Amended 9-20-2010 by L.L. No. 7-2010]
Determination of incentive.
The incentive granted will be in proportion to the development potential of the
conservation site provided in terms of unconstrained land, as outlined in the
table below and determined by the Town Board at the time of application.
Determination of Amenity Land Required for Commercial, Two-Family,
and Semidetached Dwelling Incentives
Development Density Increase Amenity Required
Office 1,000 gross square feet 1 acre of unconstrained
land or $20,000
($20/gross square foot)
Retail 1,000 gross square feet 1.5 acres of
unconstrained land or
$30,000 ($30/gross
square foot)
Two-family,
semidetached, and
apartments over
commercial or retail
ground floor space
One equivalent dwelling
unit
2 acres of unconstrained
land or $20,000
For example, a project that is seeking a density increase of 2,000 square feet
of office, 2,000 square feet of retail space, and two residential units beyond the
base density would be required to provide nine acres of unconstrained land as
a conservation site. Alternatively, $140,000 could be paid to the Town's open
space fund.
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(2)
A.
B.
(1)
(2)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(3)
(4)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Commercial and two-family and semidetached, residential density increases will be
granted in increments equal to the development potential of the amenity land
provided per the above table, of double the original base density, or not to exceed
an increase of 100% of the original base density for the incentive site.
§ 208-43.16. Criteria and procedure for approval.
Optional preapplication review. It is recommended that the applicant meet informally
with Town planning staff prior to completion of an application for purposes of gathering
information for the proposed amenity/incentive exchange. The applicant is advised to
review the GEIS, the Comprehensive Plan, the Open Space Plan, and any other
materials the Town may have on file regarding the open space incentive zoning
program.
Applications requesting incentives in exchange for providing community benefits will be
submitted to the Town Board in accordance with adopted procedures for requests to
amend this chapter. The application will include the following information:
The requested incentive.
The proposed amenity.
The location of the proposed conservation site must be demonstrated. The
proposed conservation site should be one of the priority open space lands
identified in the Land Conservation Plan in the Western Clifton Park GEIS and
the Town of Clifton Park Open Space Plan.
The site's constrained land and unconstrained land must be mapped, and
submitted as part of the application. The proposed unconstrained land area
that is the basis for the requested incentive must be specifically identified and
highlighted on the map.
The base density calculation that is the basis for the proposed exchange for
incentives must be provided.
The proposed conservation site proposed for permanent protection must
include this unconstrained land area and may include constrained land. Any
proposed subdivision of land related to the efforts to obtain control of land for
the incentive zoning proposal must be approved by the Town as applicable.
The estimated cash value of the proposed amenity.
A narrative which demonstrates the following:
The benefits to the community, including the benefit area, from the proposed
amenity.
Consistency with the goals and objectives of the Town's Comprehensive Plan,
Open Space Plan, and western lands of Clifton Park GEIS.
The relative importance and need for the amenity.
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(e)
(5)
C.
D.
(1)
(2)
(3)
E.
(1)
(2)
(3)
That there are adequate sewer, water, transportation, waste disposal and fire-
protection facilities in the zoning district in which the proposal is located to
handle the additional demands the incentive may place on these facilities
beyond the demand that would be placed on them if the district were developed
to its fullest potential.
That all conditions and other applicable requirements of the law are met.
Any other information or support materials as needed or requested by the Town
Board.
Review by Town Board. Within 45 days of submission of an application, pursuant to
Subsection B herein, the Town Board will prepare a brief response to the proposal,
outlining in writing the Town Board's determination on whether the proposal is worthy of
further consideration and the basis for that determination. The Town Board may engage
a consultant to assist in review of the application, the cost of which will be borne by the
applicant. Suggested modifications to the proposal may also be provided by the Town
Board to the applicant. At this point, the Town Board reserves the right to deny the
project. However, with a supporting determination, the proposed application will be
transferred to the Planning Board for review.
Advisory referral to Planning Board.
The application will be submitted to the Planning Board for its nonbinding advisory
opinion to the Town Board. The review at this stage is intended to obtain the input
of the Planning Board for the subject land use decision. It is not intended to serve
as a site or subdivision review, which would only occur after a decision by the Town
Board on the incentive zoning request.
The Planning Board will schedule a public workshop on the application, which may
be conducted as part of its regularly scheduled meeting. The intent of the workshop
is to share information between the applicant, the Planning Board and interested
members of the public. The workshop will not supplant the formal hearing, which
will be conducted by the Town Board later in the review process.
Within 45 days of receipt of the application from the Town Board, the Planning
Board will prepare an advisory report to the applicant and the Town Board. The
Planning Board's report will describe the beneficial aspects of the proposal and
make recommendations for the amelioration of any adverse aspects of the
proposal. The Planning Board's report and the application will then be transferred
back to the Town Board for its final decision on the application. The Planning Board
reserves the right to deny the project, and describe why in its findings back to the
Town Board.
Compliance with SEQRA.
Every decision by the Town Board concerning an application for use of incentive
zoning on a particular project will fully comply with the provisions of SEQRA.
The applicant will submit a long form environmental assessment, Part 1, to the
Town Board after the referral by the Planning Board.
The Town Board will establish itself as SEQRA lead agency for all applications
submitted pursuant to this article.
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F.
G.
(1)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(2)
H.
Public hearing by Town Board. Prior to its final decision and in conjunction with its
SEQRA review, the Town Board will conduct a public hearing in accordance with the
standard procedures for adoption of an amendment to the zoning ordinance or local law.
At least five days' notice (14 days if a draft environmental impact statement or
supplemental environmental impact statement was required) of the time and place of the
hearing will be published in the official newspaper of the Town.
Findings and final decision.
Following the public hearing and completion of the SEQRA process, the Town
Board will approve, approve with modifications or conditions or deny the proposed
incentive zoning application. A written statement of the findings will be prepared by
the Town Board documenting the basis of its decision. The findings will include, but
not be limited to, the following:
SEQRA: that all requirements of SEQRA have been met, including the required
findings under that law.
Development capacity: that the proposed project, including the incentive, can
be adequately supported by the public facilities available or provided as a result
of the project, including but not limited to sewer, water, transportation, waste
disposal and fire protection, without reducing the availability of such facilities for
projects permitted as of right under the Town of Clifton Park Code.
Public benefit: that the public benefit realized by the amenity provided by the
applicant is commensurate with the incentive granted by the Town Board, and
that there is specifically a demonstrable benefit to the incentive area.
Project quality: that the project is in harmony with the purpose and intent of this
article and with the stated objectives and will promote the purposes herein, that
the project is sufficiently advantageous to render it appropriate for grant of an
incentive and that the project will add to the long-term assets of the Town of
Clifton Park.
Comprehensive plan: that the use of incentive zoning for the particular project
is consistent with the GEIS, Comprehensive Plan, and Open Space Plan.
The Town Board may impose conditions on a project to ensure that the above
findings are ensured through the subsequent plan review and construction phases
of the project.
Plan review. Following the receipt of a favorable decision by the Town Board, an
application for approval may be submitted pursuant to the applicable provisions of the
Town of Clifton Park Code.
§ 208-43.17. Sunset provision.
[Added 9-20-2010 by L.L. No. 7-2010]
Should the project not start construction within 60 months from the date of the open space
incentive zoning approval by the Town Board, or if construction should start and not be
continued without substantial interruption, then the open space incentive zoning approval for
any additional density will be extinguished and the zoning shall revert to its existing zoning
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status as it appeared in the Clifton Park Town Code on the date of such approved by the
Town Board. Any remaining bond, cash escrow or letter of credit held for the open space
incentive zoning, will be extinguished upon the sunset of the project's open space incentive
approval.
§ 208-43.18. (Reserved)
§ 208-43.19. (Reserved)
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Appendix C
Appendix C
Lateral Restriction Guidelines
Revised 12/8/2010
Lateral Restriction -Conditions on Future Service
The _________________________________(name of municipality)imposes the
following conditions, as warranted or recommended on the management of water/sewer
lines located along _________________________________________________(name
of roads or location of water/sewer lines)within an agricultural district:
(1)The only land and/or structures which will be allowed to connect to the proposed
waterline or sewer within an agricultural district will be existing structures at the
time of construction, future agricultural structures, and land and structures that
have already been approved for development by the local governing body prior to
the date of filing of the Final Notice of Intent by the municipality.
Land and structures that have been approved for development refer to those
properties/structures that have been brought before a local governing body
where approval (e.g., subdivision, site plan, and special permit)is needed to
move forward with project plans and the governing body has approved the
action.If no local approval is required for the subdivision of land and/or the
construction of structures, the municipality accepts the limitation under Public
Health Law §1115 that defines a “subdivision,” in part, as “any tract of land which
is divided into five or more parcels.” Water and/or sewer service will not be
provided to more than a total of four residences, buildings and/or structures on
any tract of land which has been divided into parcels after the date of filing of the
FNOI by the municipality,where no local approval is required and the land is
located within a county adopted, State certified agricultural district.
(2)If a significant hardship can be shown by an existing resident, the lateral
restriction to the resident’s property may be removed by the municipality upon
approval by the Department. It is the responsibility of the resident landowner to
demonstrate that a hardship exists relative to his or her existing water supply or
septic system and clearly demonstrate the need for public water or sewer
service. The municipality shall develop a hardship application to be filed with the
municipality, approved by the County Department of Health, and agreed to by the
Department of Agriculture and Markets.
(3)If it can be demonstrated to the Department’s satisfaction that the landowner
requested the county to remove his or her land from an agricultural district at the
time of district review and the county legislative body refused to do so, lateral
restrictions may be removed by the municipality if the Department determines
that the removal of the restriction for the subject parcel(s) would not have an
unreasonably adverse effect on the agricultural district.
(4)If land is removed from a county adopted, State certified agricultural district and
the district has been reviewed by the county legislative body and certified by the
Commissioner for modification, lateral restrictions imposed by the municipality
are no longer in effect for the parcels of land that have been removed from the
agricultural district.
Appendix D
Appendix D
Additional Transportation Information
1
Appendix D Additional Transportation Information
The transportation system within the Town of Cortlandville consists of a network of roadways
that are used by all modes of travel, including cars, freight, transit, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Of the working population, approximately 94% of work-based trips made by Town residents are
by automobile (83% drive alone and 11% carpool).Alternative work-based trips utilize
walk/bike (2%) or transit (<1%) modes.The remaining 3% of the working population are home-
based.The average travel time to work for residents of the Town is 18.7 minutes.1 The table
below shows a comparison of the Town’s work-based travel characteristics to Cortland County
and statewide trends. The Town’s reliance on the roadway network as a primary means of
travel is consistent with the Town’s rural context.
This section provides a
summary of the modes that
collectively comprise the
Town of Cortlandville’s
transportation system
including highways and
streets, transit operations,
and facilities for
nonmotorized travel.It also
describes the division of
travel among these modes
and the capacity of the
roadways.
Roadway Classification and Jurisdiction
Functional classification is a system utilized by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for
grouping streets and highways into classes based on roadway characteristics and intended
services. Functional classification defines the extent to which roadways provide for through
travel versus the extent to which they provide access to land parcels.table 1 illustrates the
functional classification system. The functional classification is further designated as rural or
urban, as each have fundamentally different characteristics as to density and types of land use,
density of street and highway network, nature of travel pattern and the way in which all these
elements are related.
Interstates are the highest classification of Arterials and were designed and constructed with
mobility and long-distance travel in mind, whereas local roads provide limited mobility and are
1 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2012-2016, U.S. Census Bureau
2
the primary access to residential areas, businesses, farms, and other local areas.The Town of
Cortlandville is served by a network of federal, state, county and local roads.
Figure 1: Functional Classification of Roadways
Source: FHWA
As shown in Table 1, the majority (60%) of the Town’s roads are local roads, with 40%
designated as rural local and 20% designated as urban local. Interstates comprise about 5% of
the Town’s centerline miles, while other principal arterials comprise 7% of centerline miles.
There are more rural centerline miles (57%) than urban centerline miles (43%), which reflects
the rural land mass compared to urban developed land.Table 1 provides a breakdown of
Cortlandville centerline mileage (total length of roadway)by functional classification.
Table 1: Centerline Mileage by Functional Classification
FC Description Centerline Miles Percentage
1 Rural Principal Arterial Interstate 3.95 3%
4 Rural Principal Arterial Other 0.03 0%
6 Rural Minor Arterial 0.34 0%
7 Rural Major Collector 10.49 8%
8 Rural Minor Collector 7.13 6%
9 Rural Local 51.94 40%
11 Urban Principal Arterial Interstate 3.15 2%
14 Urban Principal Arterial Other 8.73 7%
16 Urban Minor Arterial 4.36 3%
17 Urban Major Collector 21.32 10%
18 Urban Minor Collector 1.12 1%
19 Urban Local 26.46 20%
3
NYSDOT, Cortland County, and the Town of Cortlandville are responsible for maintaining and
operating roadway facilities in the Town of Cortlandville.Table 2 summarizes the mileage and
percentage of roadways by their respective jurisdiction. Over half of the roadway centerline
miles fall under the jurisdiction of the Town, with the remaining jurisdiction being almost
equally split between the NYSDOT and the County.
Table 2: Centerline Mileage by Maintenance Jurisdiction
Maintenance Jurisdiction Centerline Miles Percentage
NYSDOT 29.75 23%
County 28.00 22%
Town 71.70 55%
Other State Agencies 0.57 0%
Total 130.02 100%
"Other State agency" includes Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Dept. of Environmental
Conservation; Office of General Services; and others.
The 1978 Comprehensive Plan reported that there were about 125 miles of roads in the Town
of Cortlandville. New York State owned 30.3 miles, Cortland County owned 28.2 miles and the
Town owned 66.53 miles. The mileage measurements have increased slightly except for the
roads owned by the County and Other State Agencies.
National Highway Network
National Highway System (NHS) roadways in the Town of
Cortlandville include I-81, US Route 11, SR 281, SR 41 and SR
13. The NHS includes two categorical designations:
Qualifying Highway and Access Highway.
A National Network Highway or Qualifying Highway is a
highway designated as part of the Surface Transportation
Assistance Act (STAA) of 1982 which allows STAA vehicles
(tractor trailers combinations greater than 65 feet, tractor
with 28-foot tandem trailers, maxi-cubes, triple saddle
mounts, stinger-steered auto carriers and boat
transporters) and 53’ trailers to use that highway and any
other highway within one linear mile of the Qualifying highway.
An Access highway is a highway designated for use by STAA vehicles and 53-foot trailers. Unlike
a Qualifying Highway, these vehicle combinations may not travel off the access highway for any
distance.
National Highway System
Roadways in Cortlandville
Qualifying Highways
I-81
Access Highways
US 11
SR13
SR 41
SR 281
4
Roadways
v Federal Routes
Interstate 81 (I-81) is a federally aided highway that is on the National Highway System (NHS) as
a Qualifying Highway. I-81 is a major north-south corridor through the Town that has three
interchanges; Exit 12 with US Route 11 and I-81, Exit 11 with NYS Route 13, in the City of
Cortland, and Exit 10 with NYS Route 41 and US Route 11. I-81 is a 4-lane divided roadway with
a posted speed limit of 65 mph.
US Route 11 travels only a short distance in the Town, from the southern boundary of the
Village of Homer to the northern boundary of the City of Cortland, before it flows through the
main City streets, leaving the City on Port Watson Street at the bridge over the Tioughnioga
River. From this point, it follows the river southeast to the southern Town line and southward,
paralleling the Interstate 81 highway. US Route 11 from SR 13 (Junction of Port Watson Street
and Church Street to the I-81 Exit 10 southbound exit ramp in the City of Cortland and the Town
of Cortlandville is an Access highway.
v State Routes
The state system consists of New York State Routes (SR) 281, 222, 215, 41, and 13. State Route
281 enters the Town from the north at the Village of Homer boundary line and travels south,
passing through the northwest corner of the City of Cortland, re-entering the Town and
traveling southwest to its junction with SR 13, where it ends. SR 281 (West Homer Road and
West Road) is an Access Highway.
SR 222 originates at US Route 11 in the City of Cortland and continues westbound and
intersects with SR 281, continues westerly to the Town of Cortlandville town line. This route
continues east past the County Airport and crosses Route 281, before entering the western part
of the City on Groton Avenue.
SR 215 extends from the City of Cortland southerly to the Cortlandville Town line and continues
southerly through the Town of Virgil.
SR 41, coming south from Skaneateles, meets US Route 11 in Homer and from there they are
contiguous until SR 41 leaves US Route 11 at Polkville, interchanges with Interstate 81, then
runs eastward through the Village of McGraw, leaving Cortlandville at its eastern boundary line.
From here, Route 41 runs southeastward towards Chenango County. SR 41 from US 11 to the
Town boundary is an Access Highway.
SR 13,traveling south and west from Cazenovia, enters Cortlandville from the Town of Homer
northeast of the City of Cortland and is classified as an Urban Minor Arterial. It is a two-lane
roadway with a posted speed limit that ranges from 55 mph, at its northern limit to 40 mph as
it enters the City of Cortland. After entering the City in its northeastern corner, the route
travels over some of the major City streets and exits from the southwestern corner of Cortland
5
on Tompkins Street, continuing in a straight line until it joins State Route 281. At this point, it
turns to follow the straight-line projection of State Route 281 and bends south and west as it
leaves Cortlandville on its way to Ithaca in Tompkins County. This section of NYS Route 13,
from the City of Cortland to where it leaves Cortlandville is classified as an Urban Principal
Arterial Other with 2 lanes of travel in each direction and a posted speed limit of 45 mph. SR 13
from US 11 / SR 11 (Port Watson Street)/(Cortland) to junction of North Meadow Street and
North Fulton Street (Ithaca) in the Cities of Cortland and Ithaca and the Town of Cortlandville is
an Access Highway.
NY 930Q is a two-lane Access Highway located at the northern boundary of Town connecting SR
281 (West Road)to I-81 Exit 12 in the Village of Homer.
v County Routes
The county system consists of the following routes: Kinney Gulf Road (111), Lighthouse Hill
Road (112), Loring Crossing (112A),Albany Street 112B, Locust Avenue (113), East River Road
(114), Fisher Avenue (115), McGraw Marathon Road (116), McGraw North Road (116A), Sears
Road (119),McLean Road (120), East Holl Road (120A), Starr Road (120B and 120C), Starr Road
Extension (120D and 120E),Kellogg Road (121), Blodgett Mills Road (121A), Page Green Road
(122), South Cortland Virgil Road (123), Gracie Road (124), and Old Groton Road (200).Of these
county routes, the following are federal aid eligible roads:
·CR 111 from SR 281 to north of Hoy Road
·CR 112 from SR 13 to the Homer Village line
·CR 113 from the City of Cortland to CR 112 & 122B
·CR 120 from the Cortland County line to SR 28
·CR 120B from SR 281 to SR 13
·CR 120C from SR 13 to SR 215
·CR 120D from SR 215 to CR 122
·CR 120E from CR 122 to S. Pendleton St
·CR 121 from UAB to the City of Cortland
·CR 122 from the Cortland Town Line to the City of Cortland
Most of the County Routes are two lane asphalt roadways with shoulders that vary in width
from 2 feet to 8 feet.
All other roads in the Town are local roads. The local roads are generally two-lane asphalt
roadways with no medians and shoulders that vary between 0 and 5 feet.
Functional class and jurisdiction are important not only in relation to operational and
maintenance responsibility, but also in how roadway improvement projects can be funded.
Funding eligibility limitations include:
6
·FHWA National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) can be used only on the National
Highway System, which comprises the Interstates, all other Principal Arterials, and all
designated NHS Connectors.
·FHWA Surface Transportation Programs (STP) can be used on any facility except Local
Roads and Rural Minor Collectors; thereby excluding 66% of the Town roads.
·FHWA Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) can be used to address safety
problems on any public road.
·New York State Dedicated Fund can be used only on State owned facilities.
Roadway Characteristics
NYSDOT has completed the second phase of the reconstruction of SR 281 which consists of
widening 1.4 miles of road, including adding turning lanes and double lanes for easier motorist
travel in the city and town limits, the replacement of the bridge over Dry Creek, installation of a
closed drainage system, intersection improvements including the replacement of 5 traffic
signals and additional sidewalks along both sides of SR 281.
v Traffic Volume
Annual Average Daily traffic (AADT) is the number of vehicles that would be assumed counted
on a typical day of the year. Based on established formulas, a measured traffic count is
factored to an AADT by adjusting it for seasonality and vehicle classification. The AADT
provided for the roads in the Town were obtained from data compiled from NYSDOT and
included on their Traffic Data Viewer map, the 2016 Pavement Data Report, and the NYSDOT
County Road listing.Table 3 and Figure 2 summarizes the AADT for the major federal, state and
county roads in Cortlandville.
v Heavy Vehicles
As noted above, the major federal and state routes in the County are I-81, US Route 11, SR 281,
SR 222, SR 215, SR 41, and SR 13.Table 3 shows the percentage of daily truck traffic on each of
these roadways, except for I-81, ranges from 4% to 7%, which are typical values for these types
of roadways. I-81 truck traffic ranges from 12% to 16%, which is also consistent with other
Interstate routes.
v Speed
The 85th percentile speed is defined as the operating speed that only 15% of the motorists
exceed during off-peak hours. The 85th percentile speed is used to identify the design speed of a
road, which is used to determine the various geometric design features for the Road. The 85th
percentile speed is also used as a guide to set the speed limit of the road.
Table 3 provides the posted speed limits for the various roads within the Town as well as the
85th percentile speed, where such data exists. The data is limited with only 11 locations
provided. Eight of the locations showed that the 85th percentile speed and the posted speed
7
limits were consistent. The three locations where they differed include SR 13 from the Cortland
County Line to SR 281, SR 41 from Route 81 in Polkville to the start of the SR 11/SR 41 overlap,
and CR 113, Locust Avenue.
With both SR 13 and CR 113, the 85th percentile speed was approximately 15 mph higher than
the posted speed limit while SR 281 had an 85th percentile speed that was nearly 10 mph less
than the posted speed limit. The difference in these speeds indicates that the speed at which
people drive is inconsistent with the posted speed limit.
v Roadway capacity
The ratio of traffic volume on a road to its design capacity (V/C), is a typical measure of traffic
mobility and congestion. A V/C value of 1.00 represents a condition where traffic volume on a
road is at its design capacity. V/C values less than 1.00 represent conditions where traffic is
below design capacity, and a V/C value greater than 1.00 signifies that the road is carrying more
traffic than it was designed to handle. The V/C ratios presented in Table 3 are from the
NYSDOT’s Pavement Data Report,2016, which is based upon 2015 AADT volumes for State
routes.Table 3 shows that the majority of the State roads have available capacity, with a V/C
ratio of less than 0.6. A section of SR 222 from SR 281 west of Cortland to the Cortland City Line
is at a V/C ratio of 0.76.
v Pavement Condition
Keeping pavements in a state of good repair helps mobility and safety. Pavement condition is
measured in two ways in New York. The first is surface condition, as measured through a visual
scoring methodology and provides valuable information on underlying pavement problems.
The second measure is rideability, as measured by the International Roughness Index (IRI).
NYSDOT uses both methods to evaluate State highway system pavements.Table 3 summarizes
pavement condition for the State routes in the Town.
Using the visual scoring method, pavement is rated on a scale between 1 and 10 where “1” is
the worst pavement condition and “10” is the best. According to the pavement conditions
inventory, most of the pavement was “Fair” (rating equal to “6” indicating clearly visible surface
distress) to Good (rating equal to “7” or “8” indicating surface distress beginning to show)
condition. Two locations were identified as having a “5” to “6” rating indicating Fair to Poor
pavement conditions, which was US Route 11 from SR 392 in Messengerville to Rt 81
Connection and SR 215 from the City of Cortland to SR 392 Virgil. A few locations of I-81 and SR
222 were identified as having a rating of K which is the best rating; equivalent to a “10”. One
section of SR 281 from SR 13 Cortland County to SR 222 was not rated (“U”) due to ongoing
work.
Since 2014, the IRI has been collected annually in the primary direction on all NYS Touring
Routes and Reference Route system highways and collected in the reverse direction only on
NHS highways every 2 years. By convention, data is collected in the right-hand travel lane.
According to FHWA, an IRI of less than 95 inches / mile is considered “Good ride quality” and an
8
IRI between 96 and 170 inches/mile is considered acceptable ride quality. According to the
rideability rating the majority of the state roads were considered to be acceptable. A few
sections of I-81 and a SR 222 roadway segment between JCT Highland Road and SR 281 west of
Cortland had ratings above 170.
9
Table 3: Roadway Characteristics
Route Name Location (From)Location (To)Functional
Classification
Centerline
Miles
Posted
Speed
Limit
(mph)
85th %tile
speed
(mph)1
Number of
Lanes
Paved
Shoulder
Width 2
Pavement
Width 2, 3
AADT 1
(2015)V/C 2 %
Trucks
Pavement
Type 2,4
Surface
Rating IRI
I-81 81I Town of Virgil/Town of
Cortlandville Exit 10 sign 1 2.78 65 NA 4 10 24 19,595 NA 16 O 7 80-87
I-81 81I Exit 10 sign Rt 41 Under 11 1.29 65 NA 4 10 24 19,595 NA 16 O K 99-129
Ramp I-81 Exit
10 I 81 northbound off SR 41 eastbound on 1 0.28 NA NA 1 NA NA 1,079 NA NA O NA NA
Ramp I-81 Exit
10 SR 41 eastbound off I-81 northbound on 11 0.35 NA NA 1 NA NA 1,514 NA NA O NA NA
Ramp I-81 Exit
10 I 81 southbound off Diverge to SR 11 11 0.12 NA NA 1 NA NA 1,668 NA NA O NA NA
Ramp I-81 Exit
10 Merge from US 11 I 81 southbound on 11 0.47 NA NA 1 NA NA 1,129 NA NA O NA NA
I-81 81I Rte 41 Under City of Cortlandville 11 1.86 65 NA 4 10 24 20,148 NA 12 O K 87-221
I-81 87I Cortland CL/Corltandville
TL Exit 12 Ramp Over 1 0.84 65 NA 4 10 24 28,039 NA 12 O K 90-92
Ramp
(930Q)
I-81 Exit
12 I 81 northbound off 930Q (on)1 0.80 NA NA 1 NA NA 1,892 NA NA O NA NA
Ramp
(930Q)
I-81 Exit
12 930Q (Off)I-81 northbound on 1 0.70 NA NA 1 NA NA 3,061 NA NA O NA NA
Ramp
(930Q)
I-81 Exit
12 I 81 southbound off 930Q (on)1 0.28 NA NA 1 NA NA 3,098 NA NA O NA NA
Ramp
(930Q)
I-81 Exit
12 930Q (off)I-81 southbound (on)1 0.43 NA NA 1 NA NA 2,170 NA NA O NA NA
930Q
NY 281 / I-
81
Connection
NY 281 Ramps to Rt 81I End
Rt 930Q 14 0.65 55 58.9 EB /
58.3 WB 4 8 24-48 9,579 0.14-
0.35 5 O K / 6 109-348
Exit 12 I-1
Under Acc Merge to Rte 930Q Rte 930Q eastbound
to I-81 1 0.2 NA NA 1 NA NA 936 NA NA NA NA NA
US 11
Cortland CL / Cortlandville CR 115 Fisher Ave 16 0.19 35-30 NA 2 0 40 7,404 0.49 4 O 7 120
NY 41 (Start 11/41 OLAP)City of Cortland 14 1.32 55-40 NA 2 10 24 9,337 0.38 5 O 7 65-90
Rt 81I Connection NY 41 (Start 11/41
OLAP)14 0.26 40 NA 4 10 48 5,398 0.12 5 O 6-7 86-112
SR 392 Messengerville Rt 81I Connection 7,17 7.57 40-55 62.1 NB /
61.4 SB 2-4 9-10 24-48 1,634 0.05-
0.10 7 O 5-6 71-146
SR 13
Cortland County Line /
Cortlandville TL CR 500 16,6 2.04 55-40 NA 2 7 20 4,176 0.17-
0.18 4 O 6 98-124
SR 281 City of Cortland 14 1.24 45 NA 4 9 52 16,013 0.24 6 A 7 82-95
Cortland County Line SR 281 4,14 3.39 45
59.4 NB /
60.3 SB
(2014)
2-4 3-10 24-52 11,312 0.2-0.4 5 O/A 6-7 75-128
SR 281 West Road
Cortland CL/ Cortlandville ACC RT 81I Town
of Cortlandville 14 1.06 45 NA 2 8 22 14,443 0.6 5 O 7 71
4 SR 222 City of Cortland 14 0.48 35 41.5 NB /
39.1 SB 3-2 0-8 52-22 17,531 0.59-
1.17 5 O 6-7 144-80
SR 13 Cortland Co SR 222 14 1.64 35-45 NA 4 48 0 14,955 0.26-
0.49 5 A 7/U 68-79
SR 41 ACC RT 81I Polkville Start 11/41 OLAP 14 0.31 55 44.0 NB /
44.3 SB 2 8 35 7,860 0.35 5 O 6 57-60
10
CR 116 McGraw Rd ACC RT 81I
Polkville 16 1.12 55 NA 2 6 24-35 5,851 0.27 4 O 6-7 63-69
Route Name Location (From)Location (To)Functional
Classification
Centerline
Miles
Posted
Speed
Limit
(mph)
85th %tile
speed
(mph)1
Number of
Lanes
Paved
Shoulder
Width 2
Pavement
Width 2, 3
AADT 1
(2015)V/C 2 %
Trucks
Pavement
Type 2,4
Surface
Rating IRI
SR 215 City of Cortland Cortlandville TL 8,17 2.47 55 62.6 NB /
58.3 SB 2 3 18 1,820 0.10 8 A 5 122-156
SR 222
SR 281 W OF Cortland Cortland City Line 16 0.26 30 NA 2 9 22 11,888 0.76 4 A K 146
JCT Highland Rd SR 281 W OF
Cortland 17 1.09 50 NA 2 9 22 5,203 0.19 4 A 7 72-185
Tompkins /Cortland Co. line JCT Highland Rd 7,17 2.22 50-55 NA 2 9 22 3,056 0.12-
0.13 7 A K 63-67
CR 111 Kinney
Gulf Rd SR 281 UAB 17 1.32 40 48.8 EB /
49.8 WB 2 4 22 1,905 NA NA A NA NA
CR 112 Lighthouse
Hill CR 112B & CR 113 SR 13 7 1.07 NA 2 4 24 1,427 NA NA A NA NA
CR 113 Locust Ave Clinton Ave City Line 7 1.01 35 51.7 NB /
50.2 SB 2 4 22 1,937 NA NA A NA NA
CR 120 McLean
Rd
Stupke Rd SR 281 17 1.06 NA 2 8 24 4,819 NA NA A NA NA
Lime Hollow Rd Stupke Rd 7 1.01 NA 2 8 24 6,445 NA NA A NA NA
Cortland CL Lime Hollow Rd 7 0.83 55 58.7 EB /
58.7 WB 2 6 24 7,109 NA NA A NA NA
CR120B McLean
Rd Ext SR 281 SR 13 16 0.41 40 39.7 EB /
43.1 WB 2 6 24 7,171 NA NA A NA NA
CR120C Starr Rd SR 13 SR 215 17 0.89 NA 2 4 22 4,360 NA NA A NA NA
CR120C Starr Rd
Ext SR215 CR 122 17 0.51 45 39.9 EB /
43.5 WB 2 6 22 4,024 NA NA A NA NA
CR120D Saunders
Rd CR 122 S. Pendleton St 17 0.38 40 NA 2 4 22 2,584 NA NA A NA NA
CR 121 Kelloggg
Rd CR 121A City of Cortland LN 17 0.75 NA NA 2 4 20 692 NA NA A NA NA
CR 122 Page Green
Rd
Town Line CR 120D & 120E 7 2.10 55 NA 2 4 22 964 (2016)NA NA A NA NA
CR 120D & 120E City of Cortland 17 0.27 35 NA 2 4 22 1,412 NA NA A NA NA
A= Asphalt (flexible), O=Overlay (Asphalt over Concrete)
1 2015 AADT volumes and 85th%tile speed contained on NYSDOT’s Traffic Data Viewer map:https://gis3.dot.ny.gov/html5viewer/?viewer=tdv
2 V/C ratio, pavement width, paved shoulder width, Surface Rating and IRI as contained in NYSDOT’s Pavement Data Report, 2015.
3 Pavement width is the sum of the width of all travel lanes in both directions, and the width of all turning lanes and acceleration/deceleration lanes. Not included are the paved shoulder width and/or median width.
https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/technical-services-repository/pavement/2016%20pdr%20statewide.pdf
4 This data is prior to the Phase 2 reconstruction of SR 281 from Luker Road to Fisher Avenue to alleviate traffic and provide traffic safety improvements for both motorists and pedestrians.
Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE,DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp.,
Phelps R
dLoring Xing
Pendleton StB e n n i e R d
Sears Rd Highland RdTompkins StC i t yofCortlan d Vi l l a g eofMcGraw SOLONV I R G I L
Vi l l a g eofHomer
Owe
g
o
S
t
S Cortland Virgil Rd
Davinci Dr
11Fairview DrWest RdB l u e C r e e k R d
Luker RdCarr Hill RdB l o d g e t t M i l l s R d
Page Green RdS t a r r R d
Kinney Gulf Rd E River RdM clean R d
11
11
81
81
81
13
281
41
222
215
13
112B
121A
120B
112A
115
120C 120E
112
120D
123
113
120
119
120A 122
116A
116
124
121
114
111
281
F i s h e r Av e Locust AveAmes Rd
11
Lighthouse Hill Rd
222
13GROTO
NF u n c t i o n a l C l a s s i f i c a t i o nof R o a d sSeptember, 2 0 1 8
C O R T L A N D V I L L EComprehensive P l a n
0 1 2 3 40.5
Miles
Legend
Functional Class
RURAL
URBAN
(01) Rural Principal Arterial Inters tate
(04) Rural Principal Arterial Other
(06) Rural Minor Arterial
(07) Rural Major Collector
(08) Rural Minor Collector
(09) Rural Local
(11) U rban Principal A rterial Interstate
(14) Urban Principal Arterial Other
(16) Urban Minor Arterial
(17) Urban Major Collector
(18) Urban Minor Collector
(19) Urban Local
#
#
State Route
County Route
Figure 2
11
v Public Transportation
Figure 3: Dial-A-Ride Service Area
Cortland Transit provides public transportation for
Cortland County. There are 7 fixed routes within
Cortland County and a Dial-A-Ride service. The
primary transit routes are between the City of
Cortland and Dryden (Tompkins County) or within
the City of Cortland itself. All Cortland Transit
buses feature bike racks to integrate bicycle and
transit services and expand the accessibility of
these modes. Within the Town, bus shelters exist
at 823 SR 13 (JM Murray) and 4059 West Rd (SR
281) (JM Murray Employment Connection).
Dial-A-Ride is a curb-to-curb service that operates
in certain parts of the County.Figure 3 shows the
area where this service is available.
Source: https://www.way2gocortland.org/local-transit
v Rail
The New York Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) provides freight rail service between
Newark, NJ and Syracuse, NY. The NYSW railroad tracks extend from the southeast of the Town
of Cortlandville / Town of Virgil boundary and run parallel with I-81 through the City of Cortland
to the Cortlandville / Homer Town Lines. In the City of Cortland, the NYSW rail lines split just
south of US Route 11 and SR 41 overland, running easterly and crossing Pendelton Street, CR
122, SR 215 and SR 13 in the City, and continuing into the Town of Cortlandville where there are
at-grade crossings with SR 281 and CR 120. Both of these crossings feature rail warning signals
and gates.The line in the vicinity of its crossing with CR 120 appears to be abandoned.The rail
lines continue south and west, essentially paralleling SR 13 to the Cortland/Tompkins County
Line.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
v Pedestrian Facilities
Walkability is an important aspect of a transportation system and is often accommodated
through the use of shoulders and/or sidewalks. Sidewalks can provide a convenient way for
walking moderate distances to schools, community facilities and local shopping areas while
providing some separation from the vehicular travel. The Town of Cortlandville does not
12
maintain a GIS database of the sidewalks in the Town. Sidewalks are provided along most of
the commercial routes, including SR 13, SR 222 and SR 281, which provides pedestrian
connectivity between the commercial district at Munsons Corners and the City of Cortland. The
locations of these sidewalks are listed in Table 4.
Table 4: Sidewalk Locations
Roadway From –To Side of Road
SR 13 (Town of Cortlandville)
to SR 281 Lime Hollow Rd –McLean Rd west
SR 281 McLean Rd –just north of SR 222 east
SR 281 Luker Rd –Fisher Ave both
SR 222 Intersection of SR 281 –City of Cortland north & south
SR 13 NE boundary of City of Cortland –Town of
Homer east
US 11 City of Cortland -Town of Cortlandville/Town
of Homer east & west 1
Green Page Road CR 120C -City of Cortland east
CR 121, Main Street Gailor Rd –Maple St north & south
1 The sidewalk on the west side terminates just north of N Homer Ave
There are several locations where crosswalks are provided with many of these locations
included pedestrian signals and pushbuttons as summarized in Table 5. As shown in Table 5,
there are 2 crossing locations on SR 13 that are more than 1 mile apart, there are 3 crossings of
SR 281 which are less than ½ mile and nearly 1 mile spacing between the crossings. Frequent
crossings reinforce walkability and have the potential to fuel greater demand. However, the
application of a crosswalk should be based on multiple factors, including land uses, present and
future demand, traffic volumes, pedestrian compliance, speed, safety, and crash history.
Table 5:Crosswalk and Pedestrian Signal locations
Roadway Leg of
Intersection Roadway crossing
Distance
between
crossings (ft.)3
SR 13 at Bennie Rd north SR 13 -
SR 13/Lamont Circle & SR 281 1 west Lamont Circle -
SR 13 at McLean Rd (CR 120)All legs SR 13,McLean Rd, Starr Rd 6,815
SR 281 at McLean Rd (CR 120)All legs SR 13 and McLean Rd 2,135
SR 281 at Lankler Dr 1 east Lankler Dr -
Lankler Dr at Stratton Dr 1 south Stratton Dr -
SR 281 at Luker Rd west and south Luker Rd and SR 281 5,015
SR 41 at Albany International
Corporation 1
Midblock
Crossing SR 41 -
1 No pedestrian signals and pushbuttons exist at this location.
2 Upon completion of Phase 2 of SR 281 reconstruction, additional crosswalk and pedestrian
accommodations are expected to exist.
13
3 Distances provided are from SR 13/Bennie Rd to SR 13/McLean Rd, from SR 13/McLean Rd to SR
281/McLean Rd and from SR 281/McLean Rd to SR 281/Luker Rd.
Pedestrian accommodations beyond the extents of the sidewalk network are provided on the
roadway shoulders. Pedestrians are permitted to use the shoulders of most State highways,
with the exception of interstates, parkways, and other similar controlled-access highways
where they are specifically prohibited. Roadways shoulders can also serve pedestrians in a
much broader area than can be provided with sidewalks. However, shoulders must be paved
and of adequate width to accommodate pedestrians. Vehicular and pedestrian volumes,
location of pedestrian generators, ability to cross the road safely and whether pedestrians are
expected to walk facing traffic or may walk in either direction are considerations for the
appropriate use of a shoulder.
v Bicycle Facilities
Bicycles share the road with the vehicular traffic. There are no special provisions for
accommodating bicyclist in the Town.The Town is exploring a partnership with LimeBike, a
company that provides “grab-and-go” style bike rentals for a small fee. LimeBike employs a
dockless system where riders unlock bikes to ride than and leave them at their destination.
v Multi-use Trails
Multi-use trails can accommodate both bicycle and pedestrian travel. A multi-use trail is
predominantly recreational but can also be used for community and other travel needs. The
Town of Cortlandville does not have any multi-use trails.
Cortland County Airport
Chase Field located on New York State Route 222 is a public use airport owned by Cortland
County and operated by the County Highway Department. It is a general aviation airport with a
single 75 X 3400-foot runway, three main hangars, 40 single engine T-hangars and 4 Twin
Engine T-Hangers. It also features 20 tie downs on an asphalt tarmac.
As required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a requirement for Federal funding
the County must maintain and periodically update its Airport Master Plan.An update to this
Plan was submitted to the FAA in 2018; to date (December 2019) the FAA had not completed its
review.
Other Planning Documents
The Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan, 1978 and the Route 281/13 Land Use & Aquifer
Protection Plan, June 2002 were reviewed. The improvements recommended by these Plans
and their current implementation status is discussed.
14
v 1978 Comprehensive Plan
The 1978 Comprehensive Plan recommended several highway improvements. The
improvements are as follows:
·Addressing the acute angle crossing of Starr Road (CR 120) with SR 13. Among the
improvements was channelization of traffic, better illumination, control signals and
warning lights, with many of these improvements implemented since the 1978
Comprehensive Plan.
·Realigning Lighthouse Hill Road (CR 112) and SR 13 with the intersection of Loring
Crossing Road (CR 112A) and SR 13. This 1978 recommended improvement has not
been implemented as these two intersections remain separate and distinct.
·Extending Ames Road to the east to intersect with Phelps Road and McGraw North
Road. This 1978 recommended improvement has not been implemented.
·Realigning Blue Creek Road with Fisher Avenue (CR 115) and eliminating the “dogleg” at
the intersection. This 1978 recommended improvement has not been implemented.
·Constructing a 4-lane, limited access roadway that would parallel existing SR 13 to
enhance traffic movements from Tompkins County to I-81. Turn eastward behind the
Cortlandville Mall, follow the ridge line south of Starr Road and terminate at Polkville,
with interchanges at Bennie Road and Page Green Road (CR 122). This 1978
recommended improvement has not been implemented.
·Creating a circumferential route to the west and south of the City of Cortland (the 1978
recommended improvements below have not been implemented).
o A new road constructed between Page Green Road (CR 122) at Blodgett Mills W.
Road to Owego Street (CR 215)at Bennie Road such that an east-west
connector would extend from SR 11 to SR 13.
o A new road from the intersection of SR 13 and Bennie Road northerly to Lime
Hollow Road to an intersection with McLean Road in the vicinity of Stupke Road.
This circumferential route would make an easterly swing to align itself with the
Highland Road/Sweeney Road corridor. The route would proceed northward to
connect with SR 90 in the Town of Homer. This new route would open a large
portion of the Town to development and would provide a circulation route for
traffic to avoid SR 13, SR 281 and SR 90.
o An alternative to the east-west route between CR 122 and CR 215 was to
construct a new road from Saunders Road near Pendleton Street Ext. to Kelloggg
Road (CR 121)
v Route 281/13 Land Use & Aquifer Protection Plan
The Route 281/13 Land Use & Aquifer Protection Plan, 2002 noted that the SR 281 portion of
the SR 281/13 highway corridor through Cortlandville was tentatively scheduled for
reconstruction by the NYSDOT in 2005–2006 with the reconstruction including the addition of
new travel lanes, turning lanes and related drainage improvements.Most of these
improvements have been completed.Need to add language identifying work that has been
completed
15
A variety of transportation related issues along the corridor were identified. Issues of a more
general nature consisted of the following:
·Need to enable trucks to bypass SR 281 in Cortlandville, particularly as it relates to the
potential impacts along the corridor, threatening the aquifer due to the possibility of a
spill from vehicles that transport hazardous/toxic materials.
·Building sidewalks along SR 281 to increase walkability and safety but without increased
liability and maintenance.
·Concern of increased development along the highway and the potential impacts of
increased local and through traffic on SR 281 by non-residents of the area.
More specific issues and opportunities within the Town were identified and those that may not
have been resolved are summarized as follows:
·Line up Blue Creek Road at a right angle to SR 281 directly across from Fisher Avenue
·McLean Rd to Fairview Dr. used as a shortcut to SR 222 and SR 281, which impacts
residential neighborhoods
·Turning left from businesses and roads on the west side of SR 281 to go northbound is
an issue. Locations identified include Eckerd’s Drug Store at SR 222 and from the
Commons Area. Consider small road at Madison St to alleviate problem
·Possible extension of spur lines such as from Pall Trinity to Luker Rd
·Study operations at Starr Rd and Tompkins St
·Review operations and safety for the intersection of SR 215 (Owego St) and Starr Rd and
the intersection of Saunders Rd and Page Green Rd
·Develop service roads near the Smith Corona site and to the rear of other industries
onto Lime Hollow Rd
Reconstruction of SR 281 was modified from the initial design alternative considered at the
time of the Route 281/13 Land Use & Aquifer Protection Plan as follows:
·SR 13 to Lime Hollow Road consists of a flush turn lane /center median as opposed to a
raised center median;
·Fisher Avenue north to the I-81 access road consists of one travel lane in each direction
but does not include a continuous center turn lane.
·A sidewalk exists on the west side of SR 281 between SR 222 and Commons Avenue as
opposed to being provided on both sides of the road.
Transportation Improvement Plan
A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the policy board of an organization created and
designated to carry out the metropolitan transportation planning process. MPOs are required
to represent localities in all urbanized areas (UZAs) with populations over 50,000, as
determined by the U.S. Census.Each MPO is required to develop a Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP)—a list of upcoming transportation projects—covering a period of
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at least four years. The TIP must be developed in cooperation with the state and public transit
providers and should include capital and non-capital surface transportation projects, bicycle
and pedestrian facilities and other transportation enhancements. Since the Town of
Cortlandville and Cortland County have populations of less than 50,000, according to the US
Census, neither the Town or County is part of a metropolitan planning organization. Therefore,
there is no MPO TIP for the Town.
Each state is required to develop a statewide transportation improvement program (STIP)
covering a period of at least four years. The STIP is a staged, multi-year, statewide intermodal
program of transportation projects, consistent with the statewide transportation plan and
planning processes, as well as metropolitan plans, transportation improvement programs
(TIPs), and planning processes that are proposed to receive Federal funding.
The STIP was developed by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in
consultation with local officials in non-metropolitan areas and in cooperation with Metropolitan
Planning Organizations (MPOs) in urbanized areas.The STIP includes highway, transit and non-
motorized projects as well as urban and rural projects. The most recent STIP for New York State
was formally approved on October 21, 2016 and is for the four federal fiscal year period of
2017-2020.
The STIP was reviewed to identify the projects programmed for the Town of Cortlandville.
Table 6 summarizes the projects programmed for the Town.
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Table 6: 2017-2020 TIP
Project
PIN Agency Description Fund
Source FFY 1
30PS02 NYSDOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, Implementation Program
Phase 1, Systemic treatments. Contract 2.HSIP 2019
350173 NYSDOT I81 Ground Mounted and Overhead Sign Structure
Replacement Project, Broome CL to Onondaga County NHPP 2017
350181 I-81 Over Ridge Road Bridge Replacements, BINS
1031351 &1031352
350183 NYSDOT I-81 Recessed Pavement Markings NHPP 2020
380619 NYSDOT
Regional small culvert rehabilitation, I-81, Town of
Cortlandville, Multiple locations on Federal Aid System,
Improve Highway Drainage Systems
NHPP 2018
380658 NYSDOT
Regional bridge deck and joint repair project, multiple
locations on federal aid system, preventative maintenance
of bridges to extend service life
NHPP,
STP
Flex
2018
380666 NYSDOT
SAFETAP Project Routes 281, 41, 11, 26, 13 and 90,
Cortland County, Guiderail, signs, drainage improvements
to improve safety
STP
Flex
2017,
2018,
2019
380734 NYSDOT Traffic signal project, Cortland County, multiple locations
on and off Federal Aid System, Highway Safety
NHPP,
STP
Flex
2018,
2019
380736 NYSDOT
Bridge painting project, Towns of Cortlandville, BIN
4021800, Cyclic Highway Maintenance to extend service
life
NHPP 2017
380746 NYSDOT
Regional guide rail replacement project, multiple locations
on and off Federal Aid System Cortland County, Highway
Safety
NHPP,
STP
Flex
2018,
2019
380749 NYSDOT
Regional bridge deck and joint repair project, Cortland and
Oswego Counties, 17 locations on Federal Aid System,
Preventative Maintenance of bridges to extend service life.
NHPP 2017,
2018
3M1604 NYSDOT
Bridge job order contract, multiple locations on Federal
Aid System Cortland County, Maintenance, Regionwide,
Extend service life of bridges
STP
Flex
2017,
2018
1 Federal fiscal year in which funding for each phase is obligated
Opportunities and Constraints
An efficient and safe transportation network within the Town and beyond provides
opportunities for future development. A future land use plan that directs development to
areas where services such as roadways, transit and other multi-modal transportation systems
can accommodate this growth will allow the Town to preserve the function of its transportation
network.
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The Town may wish to identify other corridors in addition to Route 281/13 that would benefit
from access management techniques. Corridors zoned for mixed uses including business,
commercial and residential could benefit.
The development of a plan to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists would provide additional
transportation options for both “commuters” and recreational users by providing sidewalks,
bike facilities and trails at appropriate locations.
The Airport represents both an opportunity to provide convenient transportation access to the
area and a constraint as its location in a residential area limits its ability to expand and
represents a conflicting land use.
The Town has limited public transportation available. Improved and expanded service would
benefit residents and businesses in the Town and City.