HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-Comprehensive-Plan1The Town of Enfield
Comprehensive Plan
Approved December 12, 2001
Motion made by Councilman Stevenson, seconded by Councilman Gumaer that the Town Board
of the Town of Enfield approve the adoption of the Town of Enfield Comprehensive Plan as
proposed.
Discussion
Vote — Supervisor Owens aye. Town Councilmen Stevenson and Roach aye. Town
Councilwoman Gumaer aye.
TOWN OF ENFIELD
TOWN BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2001
6:30 P.M.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Planninz Board Members
Rick Chase
Virginia Bryant
Darrel Clark
Susan Lewis
The members of the Enfield Town Planning Board would like to extend their
sincerest thanks to the Enfield residents who participated in public meetings -for
the purpose of developing this comprehensive plan. Without their goodwill
towards and concern for the community as a whole, this document could not have
come into existence. It is based on the many excellent ideas put forward and
developed during those public meetings.
We would like to thank Nancy Potter of the Cooperative Extension Service for -
her perseverance, professionalism, and good humor in acting as facilitator for all
public meetings. She kept everyone on track and was instrumental in identifying
the "Areas of Interest' as they arose and in helping participants sort and clarify
the "Goals" and "Objectives" within each area.
A big thanks to Robin Carlisle -Peck, Town of Enfield's Planning Clerk, for
providing the invaluable service of taking minutes during the public meetings.
Without her expert help, many ideas may have been overlooked.
Karen Flores, Tompkins County Planning Department Circuit Rider Planner, also
helped us greatly with the organization of the comprehensive plan itself.
Melissa Carino and Leslie Schiff, both Cornell University graduate Planning
students, aided the Planning Board enormously by conducting background
research and by organizing all of the information and meeting minutes into a draft
of the comprehensive plan.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction p• 3
Background Overview
History p. 4
Population p. S
Description of Existing Conditions p. 6
Community Vision Statement p. 6
Areas of Interest p• 7
Historic Preservation
p. 7
Town Beautification
P. 9
Agriculture
P. 10
Environmental and Natural Resources
P. 11
Recreational Assets
p. 12
Public Utilities, Infrastructure and Transportation
p. 13
Community Facilities and Programs
p. 14
Housing
p- 15
Economic Development
p. 17
Land Use
p. 18
Appendices p..19
Town of Enfield Windshield Survey of Housing Structures
Various Land Use Maps
1 Maps can be viewed in full-color at the Town Hall.
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Town of Enfield
Comprehensive Plan
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive plan is the product of Enfield residents, who came together in
a community effort to define the needs and desires of the Town of Enfield'. Over
the course of eight months, eleven public meetings were held in which residents
delineated and discussed in detail a broad range of topics of concern. Through
regularly mailed flyers, all Enfield residents were invited to participate in this
process.
A comprehensive plan serves the community by giving residents a voice .in the
decision-making process, and as a working document, enables the Town to apply
for county, state, and federal funding to achieve community -defined goals, and
objectives. It also facilitates cooperation between Town and governmental
agencies in the planning and implementation of capital projects.
2 The Town of Enfield's Comprehensive Pian Public Meeting Minutes are available for viewing at
the Town Hall.
3
BACKGROUND OVERVIEW
History
Located in the rural, west central portion of Tompkins County, the Town of
Enfield encompasses 36 square miles. The Town is bordered on the east by the
Town of Ithaca, on the north by the Town of Ulysses, on the west by the Town of
Hector in Schuyler County, and on the south by the Town of Newfield. Enfield
Center runs along Enfield Main Road from Route 79 to Harvey Hill Rd. Enfield
Center is approximately five miles west of the City of Ithaca. This is a very small
residential area that holds the Town Hall, the Highway Department, the
Community Building, the Grange Hall, the Fire Department, and several churches
(see Appendix #9, Map of Enfield Center).
The Enfield area was first settled in 1804 by John Giltner. It first registered to
become a township in November 1820, and was officially registered with the
State of New York on March 16, 1821. The Town formed from thirty-six lots of
the southern portion of Military Township lot No. 22, Ulysses.
Agriculture was a way of life for most residents. By 1865, 80% of the Town's
land was used for farming. By 1866, five sawmills operated on Five Mile Creek.
After the Civil War, the Federal Government encouraged the establishment of
farmers' organizations. Thus, the Enfield Valley Grange No. 295 was founded.
In 1925, local residents built a grange hall and meeting space. By 1995, it was -the
only Tompkins County Grange Hall still officially functioning.
Enfield Falls lies in the southeastern part of Enfield, within Robert H. Treman
State Park. Named in honor of Robert H. Treman, who presented the land to New
York State in 1920, Treman Park is a local natural and recreational area aswell as
a tourist attraction. The Grist Mill located in the park was constructed in 1838-39
and was in use until 1916. Today tours of the building are offered when the park
is open.
Over the years many businesses have thrived in Enfield. The list consists of
general stores, boot and shoemakers, coopers, blacksmiths, seamstresses, broom
makers, saw and gristmills, car repairs, taverns, and motels. Presently the only
store in Enfield, Valley Korners sits on the site where Mrs. Coons operated a
general store in 1926.
Enfield's government operates like that of most other small New York towns.
Space for officers and employees of the Town is provided in the Enfield Town
Hall, built in 1966 in the Enfield Center. Throughout its history, Enfield has
enjoyed a dynamic community feeling, rich in the tradition of rural America.
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Population
1990 Statistics
Population trends in Enfield point to steady growth during the last 20 years.
Between 1980-1990, the Town grew by 29%, from 2,375 to 3,054 people.
Enfield experienced the largest growth in Tompkins County during this ten-year
period. This growth was largely due to the influx of mobile homes into the
community and did not represent economic growth or building construction.
During this period, population density in Enfield was 82 persons per square mile.
In 1990, the population of Enfield included residents from the following
race/ethnicity groups: 2,963 Caucasians, 44 Blacks, 6 American Indians, 6
Asians, and 35 of Hispanic origin.
Enfield's population was found to be one of the poorest of all 16 municipalities in
Tompkins County, with the second highest percentage of low-income .persons.
According to the 1990 Census, 46% of Town residents qualified as low-income.
Families living below the poverty line numbered 9.7%, almost 2% above the
county average.
2000 Statistics
Census 2000 data indicate that Enfield's population has increased by 10% since
1990, to a total of 3,369 people. Population density in Enfield, then, has also
increased, to 92 persons per square mile.
The 2000 Census shows that the population of Enfield includes residents from the
following race/ethnicity groups4: 3,149 Caucasians, 63 Blacks, 15 Asians, 17 of a
race other than those categorized in Census, 68 of two or more races, and 57 of
Hispanic or Latino origin.
Families constitute 67.4% of Enfield households, and 49.3% of these family
households are married couples. The average household size is 2.55 people, and
the average family size is 3.02 people. Almost half of Enfield's population is 25-
54 years of age, indicating that most residents are of working -age.
3 More detailed income distribution information from the long form of Census 2000 will be
available in 2002.
4 Census 2000 offered new race/ethnicity categories, including "race -other (than categories listed)"
and "two or more races." The total number of people derived from adding all racial/edmic groups
selected by Enfield residents exceeds the Census 2000 population total of Enfield. This
discrepancy may be due to residents identifying themselves as belonging to multiple racial/ethnic
groups.
5
Description of Existing Conditions
The Town of Enfield is rich in natural areas, environmental resources, and historic
sites and structures. The community is and wants to remain closely tied to its
agricultural roots. It also seeks to improve its economic position. Presently,
Enfield has very few commercial enterprises, no industry other than farming, and
lacks public sewer and water systems.
The population of Enfield has the. second lowest income level in Tompkins
County and has a higher than average poverty rate when compared to the rest ,of
the county. Housing is being improved, but the majority of housing units in
Enfield are classified as being at least moderately substandard (see Appendix #1,
Town of Enfield Windshield Survey of Housing Structures, 1999).
Community Vision Statement
The Enfield Comprehensive Plan is a community effort to retain the unique
qualities of the Town of Enfield as well as plan for its future growth and
improvement. The goals of the community of the Town of Enfield are to preserve
its open rural character and its recreational assets, as well as the historical
character of its churches, grange hall, its main street, and buildings on outlying
roads. The quality of its water supply and natural resources must also be
protected for sustainable growth in a wholesome, small-town atmosphere. We
want to preserve the welcoming, socially diverse nature of our community, and to
strengthen ties among community groups.
Additional community goals seek the further development of our rural township.
We envision a community in which residents collaborate and cooperate to
improve health and safety, effectively enforced. We want to provide a safe,
affordable housing stock, including housing for seniors. We want to enhance
youngsters' quality of life through a balance of community group programs and
social and economic development. The Town seeks to promote small-scale
economic development and the improvement of community services and
facilities. We want the Enfield school to become a community resource for
residents of all ages; we also want to investigate the possibility of an Enfield
school district and encourage the development of an Enfield Post Office. The
township seeks appropriate representation in County government as an undivided
political identity. We desire to create, through education, a greater awareness of
conservation, the environment, resources, and ecosystems. And finally, we seek
to beautify our historic town center and facilities.
Gol
AREAS OF INTEREST
The following ten Areas of Interest were defined by residents who participated in
the planning forums for the Enfield Comprehensive Plan: (1) Historic
Preservation; (2) Town Beautification; (3) Agriculture; (4) Environmental and
Natural Resources; (5) Recreational Assets; (6) Public Utilities, Infrastructure,
and Transportation; (7) Community Facilities and Programs; (8) Housing; (9)
Economic Development; and (10) Land Use.
Historic Preservation
Background Overview
Enfield has a number of historic structures and areas that the community has an
interest in preserving. These fall into three categories: structures, including
churches, school buildings, the mill, Enfield Town Hall, Enfield Town Barn,
Enfield Valley Grange, Harvey -Teeter Hall (Brown Home), and the Newhart-
Wright-Wortman Store/Hall; farms, including barns, out buildings, and fields; and
cemeteries.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Create awareness ofEnfield's history.
• Obiective 1: Increase public education about and appreciation for local
historic sites by utilizing the knowledge of the town historian and historical
society as well as providing printed materials to residents to identify historic
sites.
• Obiective 2: Provide residents with access to historical books and documents.
Goal 2: Identify and preserve Town -owned historical structures and areas
• Obiective 1: Preserve the Town's character and the history of the area by
taking advantage of county and state programs.
• Obiective 2: Improve the structural integrity and appearance of the Town's
historic sites.
• Obiective 3: Protect Town records and documents using preservation
techniques.
VA
Goal 3: Protect historic buildings within the Town from damage,
destruction, and neglect.
• Obiective 1: Anticipate pressures on historic sites, and protect them from
natural and man-made degradation.
• Obiective 2: Increase linkage to local historic resources (Historic Ithaca, State
Historic Preservation Office, Tompkins County Museum).
Town Beautification
Background Overview
The residents of Enfield have determined that Town beautification. is a necessary
step toward achieving a sense of community pride and would greatly help reach
all other goals in the plan. The community has already begun to implement these
goals and has plans for future beautification of the Town..
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Develop an identifiable town center in Enfield.
• Obiective: Build a sense of community among Enfielders and develop a
unique community identity that is visible to visitors. Proposed initiatives
include:
a) paving and/or improving sidewalks in town center;
b) improving town center street lighting;
c) increasing signage, including a "Welcome to Enfield" signs;
d) placing flower boxes around town center;
e) putting in plantings at town center; and
f) posting regulatory roadside signs (anti -littering, building codes,
etc.).
Goal 2: Improve code enforcement to ensure the health and safety of the
community and land.
• Objective 1: Seek, adopt, and enforce codes for solid waste disposal as well as
promoting public participation in clean-up days and junk car removal.
• Objective 2: Enforce existing codes, such as NYS health law, junk car
ordinance, littering, building and electrical codes. This can be achieved by:
a) improving training of code enforcement personnel;
b) publicizing codes to inform citizens about code requirements;
and
c) coordinating public service departments (sheriff, fire
department, and highway department) to make enforcement
more uniform and efficient.
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Agriculture
Background Overview
As it has been historically, agriculture remains the dominant industry in Enfield.
Farms constitute the majority of land use within the municipality, and the Enfield
Grange continues as an official entity. Enfield would like to maintain its
agricultural heritage and considers this an important part of its rural character.
Agricultural land use in the area has declined by 51.5%, from 22,272 acres in
1978 to 10,810 acres in 2000. In the last 22 years, farmers have struggled to
make farming a profitable economic choice. This has been especially true in the
dairy industry, where most farms in Enfield have gone out of business. As of
2001, the Town of Enfield has a total of 7,283 acres of active agricultural land.
From this total of active agricultural land, 5,108 acres are owned and another
2,175 acres are rented.5
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Preserve open space and farmland by making farming an
economically viable activity.
• Obiective 1: Investigate agricultural tax -exemption regulations relative to
opportunities for small farm and co-op businesses.
• Obiective 2: Review "Local Right to Farm" state regulations.
Goal 2: Promote alternative farming techniques by fostering
environmentally sustainable agriculture conducive to a healthy
environment.
• Obiective 1: Research organic farming techniques.
• Obiective 2: Research local market possibilities for non-GMO (genetically
modified organism) produce and non-BGH (bovine growth hormone) dairy
products.
5 Cornell Cooperative Extension Study on Agricultural Districts, 2000. Active agricultural land is
defined and assessed by the county as agricultural land that makes at least a profit of $10,000
annually.
M011
Environmental and Natural Resources
Background Overview
Enfield has an abundance of natural resources, including land located within
Robert H. Treman State Park, land trust areas, a potential supply of natural gas,
and its own water aquifer. The municipality is sited in the Cayuga Lake
Watershed. In addition, Enfield is primarily an agricultural area with beautiful
views and vistas.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Start environmental and agricultural education programs to
encourage environmental practices, such as composting and
recycling, and appreciation for local natural resources and areas.
Goal 2: Track emerging natural resource issues in order to keep Enfield
citizens informed about natural resource use and any changes that .
may affect them.
• Obiective 1: Research the impact of natural resource improvement and natural
resource depletion on the land, the Town, and its people.
• Obiective 2: Disseminate information about present and future natural
resource use, such as potential natural gas drilling in Enfield/Finger Lakes
Natural Forest.
Goal 3: Protect the water supply and decrease erosion by improving Town
and county highway road department's drainage methods.
Goal 4: Learn more about Enfield's aquifer and its preservation.
• Obiective l: Use data from ongoing study of the aquifer to determine water
quality, measures for protecting the aquifer, and any Enfield areas that need to
be preserved.
• Obiective 2: Research Brooktondale aquifer issues.
Goal S: Decrease the drainage of organic and inorganic contaminants into
Cayuga Lake and wetlands.
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Recreational Assets
Background Overview
Less than ten miles from Ithaca, Trumansburg and Watkins Glen, the Town of
Enfield offers easy access to hiking, camping, boating, car racing, music festivals,
and winery touring. Enfield also includes much of Robert H. Treman State Park
and is in close proximity to Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. Golfing in Enfield is also
available at Hiilendale Golf Course.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Preserve recreational and natural areas.
• Objective 1: Attract more people to Enfield by publicizing its convenient
access to recreational sites.
• Objective 2: Encourage Eco -Tourism.
Goal 2: Increase the use of recreational areas within the Town.
• Objective 1: Work with state and county agencies to increase the availability
of recreational areas, for example: reinstate camping at Upper Treman Park,
and provide shuttle service from Enfield Center to Lower Treman swimming
area.
• Objective 2: Increase the usage of and extend Finger Lakes Trails by:
a) documenting current trail usage (Cayuga Trails Club);
b) researching issues of private property easements; and
c) encouraging State Park funding for camping and swimming
areas.
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Public Utilities, Infrastructure and Transportation
Background Overview
The major transportation routes through the township are State Route 79
(Mecklenburg Road) and State Route 327 (Enfield Falls/Enfield Main Road).
There are 11.79 miles of state road and 24.49 miles of county road in Enfield.
The 44.45 miles of Town road are laid out in a grid pattern, reflecting the
agricultural history of the community. The Enfield Highway Department is
responsible for all maintenance of Town roads and, during the winter, for an
additional 17 miles of county roads. There are no public sewer or water systems
in any area of Enfield.
Goals and Objectives
Goal l: Move the Enfield Highway Department facility to a larger site
outside of Enfield Center.
• Objective 1: Improve public safety by removing sand, gravel, and cinder
supplies from Enfield Center.
• Objective 2: Increase the attractiveness of Enfield Center.
• Objective 3: Improve the efficiency of the department (present space is
inadequate for departmental operations and cannot reasonably be expanded).
• Objective 4: Apply for DEC grants available to update public storage systems
for sand, gravel, and cinders.
Goal 2: Improve and maintain Town roads and their safety.
Goal 3: Increase accessibility to public transportation.
• Objective 1: Increase the mobility of Enfield community members as well as
the Town's accessibility to visitors.
• Objective 2: Work with the Conservation Corps to build bus stops with
funding from TCAT.
Goal 4: Pursue study of municipal water and sewer for designated areas of
Enfield.
• Objective 1: Improve the health of the community.
• Objective 2: Increase the appeal of Enfield to new businesses and new
residents.
Goal S: Encourage the development of an Enfield Post Office.
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Community Facilities and Programs
Background Overview
The Enfield community would like to create new and develop existing public and
community facilities to offer residents accessible spaces in which to congregate,
learn, and grow. Presently, community facilities are clustered into the Town Hall,
Grange Hall, and Community Building, and do not accommodate all community
needs. Because of custodial fees, Enfield School is not an affordable option for
most community groups and meetings. The Community Building's 'septic system
is undersized and cannot be enlarged to accommodate community events and
programs, so for example, there is no place for youth activities to be held.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Establish/construct a multi -use community center that includes the
Town Hall. Some of the proposed uses for the center . are
environmental education, reading room, library, youth programs,
senior programs, and community meetings.
• Obiective 1: Create a public space/resource that all community members can
use and enjoy.
• Obiective 2: Foster community feeling and connection.
• Objective 3: Improve the education and literacy levels of community members
by connecting with programs already in existence in Ithaca and bringing them
to the Enfield Community Center.
Goal 2: Create a town square or park at the site of the existing Town -
buildings cluster, which consists of the present Community
Building (the old fire hall), church, pond, playground, the Grange
Hall, and the Town Hall/Highway Department Building. an
Public Utilities, Infrastructure, and Transportation, above, it is
proposed that Highway Department operations be moved to a site
outside Enfield Center.)
• Obiective 1: Improve the existing buildings to comply with New York State
Building Codes.
• Obiective 2: Make all buildings handicapped accessible and compliant to the
American Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Obiective 3: Construct playground, pavilion, and plant gardens at site.
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Housing
Background Overview
In 2000, there were 1,432 housing units in Enfield, which is an 8.2% increase
from 1990, when there were 1,182 units. Of 11323 occupied housing units in
Enfield, 75% were owner -occupied, and the other 25% were rental housing. The
percentage of owner -occupied homes increased by 4% between 1990-2000 and
rental units increased by 2%.
The Town has a density of 39 homes per square mile, an increase of 7 homes per
square mile since 1990. The 2000 Census shows 109 vacant housing units in
Enfield (7.6% of the housing stock). This is an increase of 1.2% since 1990. In
1990, there were 344 mobile homes in the Town, or 34% of the housing stock.
The majority of housing units in Enfield are classified as being at least moderately
substandard (see Appendix #2, Town of Enfield Windshield Survey of Housing
Structures, 1999). According to a 2000-2001 windshield survey' conducted by
Better Housing of Tompkins County, of the 988 structures observed as a sample
of all Enfield Town structures, only 224 were standard units.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Improve the status of housing and the quality of life for Enfield
residents, providing safe and affordable homes for ALL community
members.
• Obiective 1: Identify/provide low-cost loans for people to build and/or own
homes. This can be furthered by doing the following:
a) Inform the public of county and state programs, such as First Time
Home Owners Loans;
b) Promote rent -to -own programs; and
c) Conduct workshops on home financing.
Obiective 2: Replace old mobile homes with low-cost alternatives. Such goals
to pursue in order to meet this objective include:
a) Conduct a mobile home survey in Enfield's mobile home parks;
b) Identify the total number/percentage of mobile homes in Enfield's
total housing supply;
6 More detailed information on housing structures from the Census 2000 long form will be
available in 2002.
The scores of this survey were based on the following conditions of the home: roofs,
foundations, windows, chimneys, and siding. No internal conditions were observed through this
survey.
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c) Investigate state and federal housing programs; and
d) Investigate successful local low-cost housing projects, such as
Linderman's Creek, recently constructed on Rte 79.
• Obiective 3: Identify/provide low-cost loans to individual homeowners for
building rental units in which tenants will be charged less than market value
for a pre -determined period of time. This objective can do the following for
Enfield's housing supply:
a) Increase rental opportunities for households; and
b) Increase the number of low-cost rental units in Enfield and
integrate them within the Town.
• Obiective 4: Continue the rehabilitation of existing owner -occupied homes
through HUD programs.
Goal 2: Explore the development of senior housing.
Goal 3: Continue to attract new resident in order to increase community
diversity and economic viability, while still preserving the Town's
rural character.
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Economic Development
Background Overview
Economic development is the key to achieving the goals and objectives defined in
this comprehensive plan and to maintaining and improving Enfield. A very large
percentage of Enfielders are classified as low-income. Farming operations are the
major industry, and many farms are failing. Because there is no commercial or
non-farm industrial base within the Town, most residents work in the Ithaca urban
area.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: The Enfield community would like to broaden its economic base by
promoting small-scale commercial enterprise, increasing the
number of small businesses.
• Objective 1: Apply for federal and state economic development funds.
• Objective 2: Investigate the possibility of municipal water and sewer.
• Objective 3: Obtain a small business survey of existing businesses in Town.
• Objective 4: Create a local business directory.
• Objective 5: Promote local businesses.
• Objective 6: Conduct workshops on business development.
• Objective 7: Research USDA Rural Development small business loans.
• Objective 8: Increase the possibilities for local employment.
Goal 2: Improve the personal incomes of households in Enfield by
increasing the employable skills of community residents.
• Objective 1: Research existing state and local job -training programs.
• Objective 2: Develop Enfield -based employment programs.
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Land Use
The Town of Enfield includes the unincorporated hamlet area of Enfield Center.
This is a very small residential area that holds the Town Hall, the Highway
Department, the Community Building, the Grange Hall, the Fire Department, and
several churches. The Town has eight mobile home parks, one convenience store,
and one elementary school. Farms constitute the majority of land use in the
Town, and there are no other significant industrial uses. Present land uses and
designations in Enfield are depicted in maps included as appendices (see
Appendices # 2-8, Land -Use Maps).
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Conduct a Town land -use survey, including greater detail than is
currently available.
Goal 2: Create a large-scale, detailed map of the Town, including all
relevant information contained in the appendices and new
information from the Town land -use survey.
Goal 3: Use the detailed Town map and land -use data to make informed
decisions relative to all of the preceding Areas of Interest included
in this comprehensive plan.
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APPENDICES
1. Town of Enfield Windshield Survey of Housing Structures, 1999.
2. Land Use and Land Cover, Town of Enfield, 2001.
3. Tax Parcels 2000, Town of Enfield, 2001.
4. Agricultural Districts, Town of Enfield, 2001.
S. Parks and Preserves, Town of Enfield, 2001.
6. Unique Natural Areas, Town of Enfield, 2001.
7. Water and Watersheds, Town of Enfield, 2001.
8. Wetlands, Town of Enfield, 2001.
9. Enfield Center, Town of Enfield, 2001.
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Town of Enfield WindshieldSurvey Results Summary
1 I I I Number % like structruresl % both categories]
Houses: 0 (standard): 1 201 28.3% 20.0%1
1(moderately substandard): 191 26.9% 19.3%1
2(severely substandard): 148 20.8% 15.0%1
3(Dilapidated): 170 23.9% 17.2%1
1 1
Total Houses: 710 100.0% 71.9%1
1 1
Mobile 0(standard): 23 9.2% 2.3%
Homes:
1(moderately substandard): 55 21.9% 5.6%
2(severely substandard): 47 18.8% 4.8%
3(Dilapidated): 126 50.2% 12.3%
Total Mobile 251 100.0% 25.4%
Homes:
not able to be 27 n/a 2.7%
scored-
total
cored:totaI a I I 988 100.0% 100.0%
structures:
About Windshield Surveys: A "windshield survey" is a method used to assess housing
conditions based on the external conditions that can be observed, usually through the window of
a car. This survey was conducted in such a method and the structures were scored based on the
observable external conditions of the home, such as roofs, foundations, windows, chimneys, and
siding. No internal conditions were observed through this survey.
Notes: 988 structures were observed as a sample of all structures in town; 988 is not
total structures. Mobile homes in parks were not scored, only mobile homes on
private lots. Apartment buildings (structures that were clearly apartment
complexes) were also not scored.
Definitions: Standard: Housing that is in standard condition, has no major structural
defects, have adequate plumbing facilities, appearance does not create blighting
influence. No more than observable, normal maintenance is required.
Moderatelv substandard: Housing that has only one or two major defects
and can be restored to a standard condition for a reasonable cost. (Up to about
$5,000)
-three.
Severelv substandard: Housing or rental units that have trwor more
critical defects and can be restored' to standard' condition for a reasonable cost.
(up to about $20,000)
Dilapidated: Housing that is severely substandard to a degree requiring
clearance, or buildings which have three or more critical deficiencies that cannot
be repaired to a standard condition for a reasonable amount.
(Over $25,000)