Agriculture and Farmland

Transcription

GOALS:
A.
Promote the continued economic viability of agriculture.
B.
Attract and retain agricultural support businesses such as
suppliers and processors.
C.
Preserve a large, contiguous area of high quality farmland
to ensure a viable land base for continued agricultural production in the Town.
D.
Reduce the potential for conflict between farmers and
non-farming neighbors.
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Relevant
Plans and Programs
Agricultural District Program
The New York State Agricultural
District Program was created by
State legislation in 1971. The program encourages owners of productive agricultural land to form districts
within the County. Districts should
consist of predominantly "viable
farmland." The Districts are reviewed, and may be renewed, in 8year cycles. Inclusion in an Agricultural District denotes a commitment
on the part of the County and the
landowner to retain the use of such
land for agriculture.
Background Information
Overview of Agriculture in Batavia
Agriculture is the biggest industry in Genesee County. In 2002, the
market value of agricultural products sold was $124.9 million. Genesee County ranks 4th in New York State in the value of agricultural
products sold.
The leading products sold were dairy and vegetables. The following
table summarizes the market value of leading products.
Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold
Genesee County -2002
% of Total
State Rank
$58.514
47
7
Vegetables
$33.953
27
2
Cattle & Calves
$15.874
13
2
The Agricultural District Program
includes the following provisions to
protect farmers:
Grains & dry beans
$8.953
7
7
Hay & other crops
$2.933
2
15
• Agricultural use value assessments: Land is assessed at
its value for agricultural production, rather than at its full market value. If land that was receiving the agricultural exemption is
sold for non-farm purposes, the
landowner must repay the
amount of property taxes saved
over the life of the District, up to
8 years.
Other products
$4.711
4
Total:
$124.938
• Protection from local regulations that would restrict farm
practices
• Protection from public acquisition of farmland through
“eminent domain.” Before a
local or county government may
undertake a project that affects
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Product
2002 Sales
($ million)
Dairy Products
4
SOURCE: 2002 Census of Agriculture
The 2002 Census of Agriculture reported a total of 70 farms located
in the Batavia zip code (14020). This represents 12% of all farms in
Genesee County. Of these farms, 52 reported sales of less than
$50,000 and 6 reported sales of $250,000 or more. A total of 26
farms were less than 50 acres in size while four were larger than 1,000
acres.
The types of farms reported for the Batavia zip code are representative of those in Genesee County as a whole. As shown in the following table, Batavia farms sold grains, vegetables, hay and other crops as
well as dairy products, cattle and calves, horses and other livestock.
Town of Batavia Comprehensive Plan
The “Agricultural Parcels” map depicts the location of parcels classified by the Town Assessor as agricultural.
Relevant Plans and
Programs
Agricultural District Program
(Continued from page 2)
Farms by Size
5.7%
37.1%
1 to 49 acres
50 to 999 acres
57.1%
1,000+ acres
Farms by Value of Products Sold
8.6%
Less than $50,000
17.1%
land within an Agricultural District,
it must submit a "Notice of Intent"
to the County Agricultural and
Farmland Protection Board and
the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for consideration of the impacts on agriculture.
• Protection from nuisance
suits (right-to-farm provisions) A person who buys property within an Agricultural District
must be notified about the possible presence of noise or odors
associated with farm practices and
acknowledge receipt of this notice
in writing..
$50,000 to
$249,999
$250,000 or more
Western NY Land Conservancy
74.3%
The Western NY Land Conservancy
is a private, non-profit land trust
based in Buffalo that provides for
land conservation and stewardship.
The Land Trust accepts donations
of property or development rights
and works with individual landowners and community leaders to protect land resources.
ADOPTED: March 2007
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Genesee County Farmland Protection Plan Recommendations
The Farmland Protection Plan sets forth eleven recommendations that lead, ultimately, to the creation of
"Enhanced Agricultural Districts" and a County-Wide Purchase of Development Rights Program. The plan
includes background information on Agricultural Land Preservation in New York, an analysis of farmland
protection techniques and case studies of best practices. The following narrative summarizes the 11 recommendations.
1. Refine the Strategic Farmland Map and incorporate it into the Smart Growth Plan. The
map itself should become a companion to the Smart Growth Plan and be used with it to inform town
decision-making on land use and infrastructure issues.
2. Reaffirm the importance of existing agricultural districts, especially with regard to water
and sewer extensions. The decision of one or more towns to allow lateral access without extenuating circumstances could create a precedent that endangers agricultural district integrity as well as
other farmland protection measures throughout the county.
3. Conduct an ‘audit’ of each town's zoning and subdivision provisions and recent past development patterns to help the towns understand the potential impact on maintaining a
critical mass of farmland - Once the audits are conducted, the County Planning Department and
the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board should host a summit of all town officials to present
results and discuss alternatives.
4. Consider the designation of an ‘agricultural production zone’- The concentration of large,
highly-productive farms in Genesee County as well as smaller farms clustered together may lend themselves to a designation of a zone to protect the land's ‘highest and best use’ – production agriculture.
5. Consider use of incentive zoning as a mitigation tool - Take the opportunity with incentive
zone to leverage protected land or protection funds when upzoning land within the Smart Growth
Development areas.
6. Develop new funding sources specifically for a farmland protection fund - See farmland protection as avoidance of future infrastructure costs.
7
Create ‘Enhanced Agricultural District Program’ for mid-term protection of Farmland Involves a voluntary commitment to restrict non-farm development for a period of 10 years, with
automatic re-enrollment, in exchange for annual payments and priority in Genesee County's participation in the state's PDR program.
8. Prepare to Purchase Development Rights - Set an acreage goal, develop dedicated revenue
sources, refine the selection components, and position Genesee County, with its exceptional resources to make maximum use of increasing State PDR funding.
9. Integrate a farmland protection component into the County's public education efforts
about agriculture.
10. Conduct periodic estate planning seminars for farmers and professionals.
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11.
Advocate for implementation of the Agriculture Development Plan.
The Agricultural Development Plan identifies six key focus areas:
•
Economic Development
•
Business Development
•
Policy and Planning
•
Work Force Development
•
Public Outreach and Education
•
Regulation and Legislation
The Agricultural Development Plan was prepared at the County level. Implementation actions are assigned
to County agencies such as the County Planning Department, Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural
and Farmland Protection Board. However the following recommendations may be relevant to the Town’s
planning process:
Retain, expand and recruit agribusiness. Emphasize Genesee County’s comparative advantages in distribution, production, processing and support services. Focus on the County’s two most prominent sectors:
dairy and vegetables. The Town of Batavia should work with the GCEDC to implement this recommendation.
Support Improvements to Rural Utilities. The Town should support public and private efforts to extend
high speed internet service and reduce electricity costs.
Integrate County Plans, Policies and Programs. Utilize the County’s Smart Growth Plan as an underlying
policy document for land use/ development decisions.
Direct Consistent and Supportive Land-Use Policies. Improve comprehensive planning and investigate the
use of incentive zoning, agricultural production zoning and use of performance criteria in granting special
use permits.
Advocate for Appropriate Infrastructure Development. Identify needed transportation and water improvements.
ADOPTED: March 2007
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Highlights
from Roundtable Discussion
A roundtable discussion on agricultural issues was held on July 26,
2006 as part of the Batavia Comprehensive Plan Committee meeting.
Farmers in attendance included Jeff
Thompson, Nate Call and Gordon
Offhaus. The following issues were
raised during the discussion:
• Costs rise while prices for products fall.
• Difficult to attract good labor
Issues and Opportunities
Agriculture and related industries are important to the regional economy. Assets include excellent access to transportation, fresh water
and high quality agricultural soils.
The following narrative identifies issues and opportunities relating to
farmland and agriculture.
Economic Viability of Agriculture
Agriculture and agribusiness are a significant industry in the Town of
Batavia and Genesee County, generating millions of dollars in sales
each year.
Infrastructure
• High quality soils
The industry requires well-maintained roads to facilitate transport of
goods. Public water also is an asset to many farm operations.
• Nearby support businesses
Markets for Farm Products
• Town should update zoning regulations
The O-At-Ka dairy processing plant provides a local market for agricultural producers.
• Town should support Hispanic
farm workers who are present in
the community
The closing of the Birdseye processing plant would eliminate a significant local market for farm products.
• Concern about safety of workers
driving farm machinery along
roads
New ethanol plants that are being constructed in the region, including
one that is planned for the Town of Shelby in Orleans County, may
provide additional nearby markets for farm products. Although these
plants will import corn from a large area, the proximity is expected to
reduce transportation costs for local corn growers.
• Closing of Birdseye plant limits
options for vegetable sales
Economic Diversification
• Agriculture is an important resource in Town of Batavia
Farmers may seek to operate secondary businesses, such as farm markets, agri-tourism or small scale manufacturing. Such “value added”
businesses promote diversification and may increase income.
Such businesses may change the character of the land from agricultural
to commercial or industrial. It may be appropriate for the Town to
develop a review process to ensure that such businesses are consistent with the surrounding neighborhood and incorporate sufficient
setbacks and/or buffers. Other agricultural communities have established special use permit criteria for home-based businesses that require large minimum lot sizes and setbacks as well as annual inspections.
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Immigrant Labor
As many farm operations rely on imported or migrant labor, community acceptance of workers and their
families from Mexico and other central American countries helps to ensure that high quality labor will continue to be available.
Neighbor Conflicts
Residential development in agricultural areas may lead to conflicts between farmers and non-farm neighbors.
Despite the notification required by the Agricultural District law, people who buy property within agricultural districts are frequently unaware of the potential impacts of agriculture. These include spraying of pesticides, late night use of farm equipment, slow moving equipment on roads, truck traffic and odors. Although complaints are not frequent, they can be disruptive to farmers.
Retention of Farmland
Conversion of Farmland to Development
New residential or commercial development has the potential to convert high quality farmland to nonfarming uses. Such conversions may result in increased neighbor conflicts in addition to the loss of land for
farming. The land that is most suitable for development is typically the same well-drained land that is best
for agriculture.
Farm-neighbor conflicts become more frequent when new residential development is constructed adjacent
to active farmland. In addition, efficiency of farming is affected when the subdivision of farmland reduces the
amount of contiguous land available for farming.
In the Town of Batavia, land that is subject to flooding, such as large areas within the Tonawanda Creek
floodplain, may be most suitable for agriculture. This land is highly productive and development opportunities are limited due to the risk of flooding.
Landowner Equity
Frequently, retiring farmers will sell land for residential development in order to finance their retirement, as
the price paid by developers is often higher that what the land is worth for farming. From the farmland
owner’s perspective, any alternative to selling land for development would need to offer a similar financial
return.
Programs such as the purchase of development rights are designed to compensate farmland owners for
placing a conservation easement on their property that restricts future development. The land may be sold
with the restriction in place. The owner would receive the value of the land when sold for agricultural use
in addition to the value of the development rights. (See “Tools and Techniques” section of this chapter.)
Competition for land
Retention of farmland is especially challenging in those areas of the Town that are experiencing development
pressures. Land that is close to the NYS Thruway interchange, in particular, has good potential for highintensity industrial, commercial or other economic development uses. Individual landowners may choose to
convert land to a more intensive use rather than pursue techniques that would preserve the land for continued agricultural use.
ADOPTED: March 2007
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Tools and Techniques
Several tools and techniques are available to local governments, individual landowners and private organizations to help meet the goal of retaining farmland and encouraging the continued viability of agriculture.
Land Conservation Through Conservation Easements
Private, voluntary conservation easements
Landowners may place farmland under a permanent conservation easement to be held and monitored by a
private land trust or other non-profit organization. The donation of easements may be helpful to some
families in estate planning as the value of the easement can be claimed as a tax deduction. The Finger Lakes
Land Trust is active in Seneca County and holds easements to agricultural parcels elsewhere in the region.
The American Farmland Trust also holds easements to farm properties.
Public purchase of development rights
Purchase of Development Rights (also referred to as “Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements”
(PACE)) is a program which compensates owners of farmland in exchange for an agreement to keep land
from being developed. The value of development rights is calculated as the difference between the value of
the land for agricultural purposes and its value for development. A temporary or permanent easement restricts development on the parcel. Placing an easement on a property does not affect the ownership of the
parcel. The owner may continue to farm the parcel, and/or sell it. The easement holder is responsible for
monitoring the property to ensure that it is not developed.
Conservation easement programs have the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
•
Protects agricultural land on a permanent basis (or for a specified period of time).
•
Participation among landowners is voluntary
Disadvantages
•
High cost
•
Time and administrative work involved in purchasing easements
•
Requires on-going monitoring by the easement holder
Zoning Techniques
Agricultural Protection Zoning
Agricultural Protection Zoning involves the creation of a zoning district that designates farming as the primary, preferred land use. Such a district targets the most productive soils and large contiguous areas of
active farms. The minimum lot size is based on the size of the smallest viable farm unit -- such as 25 to 40
acres.
Regulations for this district typically limit non-agricultural development. Such a district may allow farmrelated businesses and home-based businesses. Agricultural zoning districts may incorporate “density aver60
aging” or “sliding scale” provisions to limit the number of dwellings permitted. The regulations may also
specify maximum (as well as minimum) lot sizes for non-farm development.
Agricultural protection zoning may be combined with purchase of development rights, transfer of development rights or incentive zoning. This technique has the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
•
Effective in limiting non-farm development and reducing conflicts between agriculture and non-farm
neighbors.
•
Can protect large areas of farmland at no cost to the public
Disadvantages:
•
May reduce the market value of land.
•
Is not permanent. Zoning can be changed by the Town Board.
•
Limits resale options for farmland owners
Density averaging
Density averaging allows residences to be built on smaller lot sizes than typically permitted by zoning, provided that the average density of the original parcel is not increased. For example, if zoning requires a
maximum density of 1 dwelling per 10 acres, a farm of 100 acres would be entitled to develop up to 10
dwelling units. If the 10 dwellings were built on a total of 20 acres of the parcel (with an average lot size of
2 acres), 80 acres would remain open.
The smaller lots should be sited in locations that are least suitable for farming, and that offer the most appealing views of open space and natural resources. The design of a proposed clustered subdivision should
include buffers between the new residential development and the remaining farmland. A conservation easement would be placed on the remaining 80 acres to prevent future development.
Density-averaging subdivisions have the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
•
Relatively simple to administer through the subdivision review process
•
Provides for permanent protection of farmland or open space
•
Landowner retains full development potential (number of building lots)
Disadvantages
•
Results in non-agricultural development in close proximity to farming.
•
May be more appropriate for open space preservation and retention of rural character than for retention of agricultural land.
Incentive zoning
Incentive zoning may be used to encourage the private acquisition of agricultural conservation easements
(development rights) or to collect money toward a public fund to purchase such easements. Municipalities
must designate an area or areas in which higher densities or more intensive uses may be permitted, proADOPTED: March 2007
61
vided that the applicant offer certain amenities that would meet specified community needs. Acceptable
amenities may include conservation easements on farmland or cash to be used in a purchase of development rights program. Advantages and disadvantages include:
Advantages
•
Flexibility in administration
•
Can result in permanent protection of farmland if agricultural easements are provided as an amenity in
exchange for higher density of housing
•
Allows conservation easements to be purchased privately
Disadvantages
•
Requires designation of an area within which higher densities can be sustained.
Local “Right to Farm” Law
Several municipalities in New York State have passed local “Right to Farm” laws. Such laws typically establish a town policy in support of farming, define “generally accepted agricultural practices,” and affirm a farmers right to employ such practices. The laws also include a requirement that purchasers of property within
the town be notified of the policy of encouraging farming, and that farm practices may include odors, noise
and other activities.
A “grievance” procedure is established to resolve complaints between farmers and non-farm neighbors. A
local grievance committee may be formed to hear and resolve complaints. Such a committee would include
local farmers and may include non-farm representatives. Municipalities may appoint an existing committee,
such as the Conservation Advisory Council or Planning Board, to act as the Grievance Committee. In
some counties, the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board may take on the responsibility of handling
local grievances under the “Right to Farm” law.
A new committee would need to follow the requirements of the NYS Open Meetings Law and schedule
and advertise its meetings in advance.
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Recommended Actions
1. Work with landowners, private land trusts and governmental agencies to purchase land, place conservation easements or acquire the development rights to large areas of farmland. Target land that would
result in the preservation of large areas of contiguous, high-quality farmland, such as the Agricultural
Protection areas identified in the Future Land Use Map.
2. Revise zoning regulations to permit farm-related businesses, such as farm markets and craft manufacturing, to be established on farm property in conjunction with agricultural operations.
3. Encourage agriculture-related businesses, such as suppliers and processors, to utilize Genesee County’s
revolving loan fund for economic development.
4. Work with County and State economic development agencies to attract and retain agricultural support
businesses.
5. When residential subdivisions are proposed that abut active farmland, require effective buffers to be
incorporated into the subdivision design.
6. Encourage the preservation of farmland under conservation easement in conjunction with the subdivision review of residential development in designated rural/ agricultural areas of the Town.
7. In conjunction with the revision of zoning regulations, establish a committee that includes farmland owners to identify effective agricultural protection mechanisms that would result in the long-term retention
of farmland within the Agricultural Protection areas identified in the Future Land Use Map. Revise the
Town’s zoning regulations to include effective provisions to encourage the retention of high quality
farmland for continued agricultural use.
ADOPTED: March 2007
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Map 12
Town of Batavia Comprehensive Plan Update - 2007
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Map 14
Agricultural Soil
Suitability
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Housing and Residential
Development
GOALS:
1. Accommodate a diversity of housing types in the town in appropriate areas as shown on the Future Land Use Map.
2. Promote high quality design of new housing developments.
3. Maintain a high quality of life in residential neighborhoods
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Housing and Residential Development
Existing
Plans and
Programs
NYS Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
Existing Housing and Trends
The Town of Batavia has a variety of housing types and residential
neighborhoods. These include single family housing developments,
farm houses on large lots, manufactured home parks and apartment
buildings.
Of the 2,447 dwelling units in the Town in 2000, approximately 63%
were single-family dwellings, 24% were manufactured homes, and 2%
were in apartment buildings.
Building construction standards are
governed by the New York State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Comprehensive revisions
to the Code were adopted by New
York State in 2002.
The US Census estimates that there are 593 manufactured homes in
the Town. Most of these are located in the following manufactured
home parks:
•
Batavia Mobile Home Park, and Dreamland Trailer Park on the
south side of West Main Street Road
The Code includes additional requirements related to property
maintenance, including storage of
junk cars and refrigerators, and
lawn maintenance. Local provisions
that are more strict than those
specified in the State Code must be
approved by the NYS Department
of State. Enforcement of the Uniform Code is the responsibility of
the Town Code Enforcement Officer.
•
Country Meadows on Clinton Road;
•
Genesee West on the south side of Clinton Road;
•
Apple Grove and Ridgewood Village Mobile Home Parks on Pratt
Road.
A total of 45 dwelling units were in buildings with 10 or more units in
the building (2000 Census). Apartment complexes in the Town include:
•
Apartments intended for Genesee Community College students,
located on Batavia-Stafford Town Line Road
•
Batavia Meadows on West Main Street Road
Other apartment buildings are located on Seven Springs Road; West
Main Street Road at Mill Road; in East Pembroke; and on Alexander
Road.
Trends in Residential Development
The number of housing units in the Town increased by 10% from
2,226 in 1990 to 2,447 in 2000. (2000 Census) During the same period, the population declined slightly. The average number of persons
per household decreased from 2.65 in 1990 to 2.53 in 2000.
A total of 1,932 (83%) of the occupied housing units were owneroccupied, and 17% were renter-occupied. The 2000 Census reported
5 seasonal or recreational dwellings and 108 vacant units. Of the vacant units, 6 were for rent and 68 were for sale at the time of the
Census (April 1, 2000).
The median value of an owner-occupied dwelling was $92,300 The
72
Number of Units in Structure
Town of Batavia
Units in Structure
1, detached
1, attached
2
3 or 4
5 to 9
10 to 19
20 to 49
50 or more
Mobile home
Boat, RV, van, etc.
Total:
Genesee
County
City of Batavia
#
%
#
%
%
1,505
29
203
72
0
37
8
0
593
0
2,447
61.5%
1.2%
8.3%
2.9%
0.0%
1.5%
0.3%
0.0%
24.2%
0.0%
3,798
148
1251
567
428
173
141
383
35
0
6,924
54.9%
2.1%
18.1%
8.2%
6.2%
2.5%
2.0%
5.5%
0.5%
0.0%
68.3%
1.4%
10.5%
6.0%
3.2%
1.1%
1.2%
1.6%
6.5%
0.0%
24,190
Source: US Census Bureau
Vacancy and Tenure
Town of Batavia
#
2,334
Total Housing Units
2334
Occupied
1,932
Owner occupied
402
Renter occupied
113
Vacant
6
For rent
68
For sale only
34
Rented or sold, not occupied
For seasonal, recreational, or
5
occasional use
0
For migrant workers
0
Other vacant
Genesee
County
City of Batavia
%
#
%
%
95.4%
82.8%
17.2%
4.6%
5.3%
60.2%
30.1%
6,924
6,457
3,578
2879
467
253
48
37
93.3%
55.4%
44.6%
6.7%
54.2%
10.3%
7.9%
94.1%
72.9%
27.1%
5.9%
35.6%
17.0%
10.4%
4.4%
0.0%
0.0%
51
0
78
10.9%
0.0%
16.7%
17.2%
1.2%
18.7%
Occupied Housing Units by Tenure
90%
80%
70%
60%
Tow n
50%
City
40%
County
30%
20%
10%
0%
Ow ner occupied
ADOPTED: March 2007
Renter occupied
73
Existing
Plans
and
Programs
Town Zoning Regulations
The AG-R Agricultural Residential District covers most of
the Town. Permitted residential
uses include one- and two-family
dwellings, mobile homes on
20,000 sq. ft. lots (16,000 where
public water is available). Multifamily dwellings, residential care
facilities and boarding houses are
permitted with a special use permit.
median monthly rent was $416. (Source: US Census).
Approximately 539 of the housing units in the Town (22%) were
built before 1940, with approximately 300 of these constructed
prior to 1900. Older housing is located in the historic hamlet of
East Pembroke and along major roads. Residential development
during the 1940s and 1950s continued along existing roads. Construction within new residential subdivisions occurred during the
1960s through 2005.
Map 15 depicts the patterns of development over time.
The AG Agricultural zoning
district is located in the southwestern portion of the Town. This district permits one- and two-family
dwellings and mobile homes on
85,000 sq. ft. lots.
The R Residential District is
designed to accommodate primarily residential uses on lots with a
minimum of 20,000 sq. ft., or
16,000 sq. ft. if public water is
available. Animal housing and the
storage of manure are prohibited
within the R-Residential zoning
district and within 500 feet of the
R District.
Clustered residential development
may be permitted in the AG-R or
R Districts.
Residences are not permitted in
the Commercial, Industrial or Industrial Park districts.
74
Residences by Year Built
Town of Batavia
Year Built
1999 to March 2000
1995 to 1998
1990 to 1994
1980 to 1989
1970 to 1979
1960 to 1969
1950 to 1959
1940 to 1949
1939 or earlier
Genesee
County
City of Batavia
#
%
#
%
22
89
230
364
358
436
274
135
539
2,447
0.9%
3.6%
9.4%
14.9%
14.6%
17.8%
11.2%
5.5%
22.0%
10
77
151
267
750
673
819
664
3,513
6,924
0.1%
1.1%
2.2%
3.9%
10.8%
9.7%
11.8%
9.6%
50.7%
%
0.8%
2.6%
5.0%
8.7%
12.3%
11.3%
10.1%
6.5%
42.7%
24,190
Value of Owner-Occupied Housing
Town of Batavia
Less than $40,000
$40,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $59,999
$60,000 to $69,999
$70,000 to $79,999
$80,000 to $89,999
$90,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $124,999
$125,000 to $149,999
$150,000 to $174,999
$175,000 +
Median Value
Genesee
County
City of Batavia
#
%
#
%
7
52
27
102
157
207
155
219
130
71
48
1,175
0.6%
4.4%
2.3%
8.7%
13.4%
17.6%
13.2%
18.6%
11.1%
6.0%
4.1%
91
97
332
637
628
436
308
287
114
107
181
3,218
2.8%
3.0%
10.3%
19.8%
19.5%
13.5%
9.6%
8.9%
3.5%
3.3%
5.6%
$92,300
%
2.5%
3.0%
7.4%
14.5%
17.5%
16.2%
12.7%
13.5%
6.2%
3.2%
3.5%
12,601
$77,200
$83,200
Monthly Contract Rent
Town of Batavia
Monthly Rent
Less than $250
$250 - 349
$350 - 449
$450 - 549
$550 - 649
$650+
No cash rent
Total:
Median Rent
ADOPTED: March 2007
#
%
33
82
88
67
68
12
45
395
$416
8.4%
20.8%
22.3%
17.0%
17.2%
3.0%
11.4%
City of Batavia
#
376
421
642
723
422
135
143
2862
$438
Genesee
County
%
%
13.1%
14.7%
22.4%
25.3%
14.7%
4.7%
5.0%
11.7%
14.3%
24.1%
25.7%
12.2%
3.7%
8.2%
$434
75
Highlights of
Residential Focus
Group Meeting -
Demand for future residential development
July 12, 2006
The following speakers identified
issues associated with residential
development:
•
Gary McWethy, developer of
Meadowbrook Estates Subdivision
•
Jim Weller of the proposed
Weller Subdivision on Seven
Springs Road
•
Dana Stringham of Stringham
subdivision
Moderate demand for new residential development may be anticipated
during the planning period (10-15 years). Future development is expected to continue trends that have been evident in recent years.
Future residential development can be expected to occur as expansions of existing subdivision development, expansion of manufactured
home parks or possibly new manufactured home parks, scattered single-family home development along rural roads, and townhouses or
apartments in areas where both sewer and water service are provided.
Sufficient land is designated in the Future Land Use Map to accommodate a diversity of housing types in sufficient quantity to meet demand.
The speakers discussed concerns
relating to financing, infrastructure
development and market conditions.
The up-front costs to establish a
new residential subdivision include
land acquisition, design and engineering, and construction of roads,
utilities and other infrastructure.
Developers may find it difficult to
obtain sufficient financing.
The return on the investment may
take several years, depending on
the market for new housing. Recently, the market has been relatively slow.
Some of the participating developers expressed support for the City
of Batavia’s practice of paying for
road construction and other infrastructure. This practice reduces the
upfront cost of developing a subdivision and leads to reduced housing
costs.
76
Recommended Actions
1. Rezone land in accordance with the Future Land Use Map in order to accommodate a range of
residential development.
2. Maintain current minimum lot sizes for single– and two-family detached housing units.
3. Encourage townhouse, apartment and other housing types where such development is compatible with
infrastructure availability, transportation capacity and surrounding development.
4. Encourage “clustered” subdivision designs where appropriate to preserve woodlands, open space and
sensitive environmental areas.
5. Design new residential areas to eliminate vehicular thru-traffic within neighborhoods, and to avoid direct access from single lots onto major streets.
6. Preserve the quality and character of existing housing through code enforcement.
7. Encourage residential development to occur within designated Development Areas in accordance with
Genesee County’s Smart Growth Plan by restricting water hook-ups in areas outside of such areas.
8. Revise zoning to incorporate appropriate setback requirements for accessory buildings.
ADOPTED: March 2007
77
Map 15:
Pre-1900
1900—1939
1940—1959
78
78
Building Construction by Time Period
1960—1969
1970—1989
1990—2005
79
79
Business and Economic
Development
GOALS:
A.
Concentrate future industrial, commercial and other business development in areas
that have adequate infrastructure and are accessible to residents of the Town and beyond.
B.
Promote a high quality of design in commercial, industrial and other business areas.
C.
Promote the continued economic viability of agriculture (See Farmland and Agriculture chapter).
81
Existing
Plans and
Programs
Empire Zones
A total of four Empire Zones are located either wholly or partially within
the Town of Batavia:
Area 1—City and Town of Batavia comprises 527 acres located in
both the Town and the City of Batavia. In the Town of Batavia, this area
includes the Chapin International
manufacturing building, O-AT-KA Milk
Products Cooperative facilities and
acreage for an agri-business park just
east of O-AT-KA.
Area 2— Med & Tech Park includes 65.32 acres of the new Med &
Tech Park located adjacent to the
main campus of Genesee Community
College on R. Stephen Hawley Drive.
Area 3— Batavia Gateway Corporate Park, Gateway II and
surrounding area includes 239.26
acres located just north of the Batavia
Interchange (Exit 48) of the New
York State Thruway. The area encompasses the original Batavia Gateway
Corporate Park, Gateway II Corporate
Park and the surrounding area along
the east side of Route 98 and south
side of West Saile Drive.
Area 4— Batavia Industrial
Park includes 88.49 acres located
south of Pearl Street (Route 33) in
both the City and Town of Batavia
and encompasses all of the Batavia Industrial Park. This park has
shortline rail service operated by
Genesee Valley Transportation
with access to the CSX mainline.
82
Existing Conditions
As depicted on the Existing Land Use Map (See Map 2), approximately
109 commercial and industrial properties are located in the Town of
Batavia.
Commercial Development
Existing commercial development is located in the following areas:
•
Northwest of the City of Batavia along Park Road, Lewiston Road
and Veterans Memorial Drive. This area includes a Holiday Inn
and other hotels along Park Road west of the Thruway interchange, a Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and other retail along Veterans
Memorial Drive, the Batavia Downs parking lot and smaller commercial businesses along Park Road.
•
West of the City along West Main Street Road. This area includes
a mix of automotive, motels, restaurants and retail establishments.
•
East of the City along East Main Street Road. This area includes
motor vehicle dealerships, small shopping plazas and restaurants.
•
Rt. 98 and Saile Drive north of the Thruway. Businesses in this
area include a Harley-Davidson dealership on West Saile Drive, a
veterinarian and retail.
Smaller concentrations of commercial development are located:
•
At the intersection of Clinton Street and Batavia-Stafford Town
Line Road
•
In the Hamlet of East Pembroke
•
In the Hamlet of West Batavia
Commercial recreational facilities include the Batavia International
Speedway, located on Harloff Road in the northwestern portion of the
Town. In addition, a portion of the Batavia Downs harness racing and
Off-Track Betting facility is located on Park Road in the Town of Batavia.
Industrial Development
Industrial development in the Town of Batavia includes:
•
O-At-Ka Milk Products, a dairy cooperative located partially in the
Town southeast of the City of Batavia, manufactures butter, dried
milk and a variety of canned and bottled products.
Business and Economic Development
•
Hansen Aggregates, located south of the City of Batavia, mines
sand and gravel mining and manufactures “ready-mix” concrete.
•
(Kistner) Concrete products facility located southeast of the Hamlet of East Pembroke
In addition, several smaller manufacturing operations as well as storage, distribution and warehousing facilities are located in the Town.
Town Workforce
Approximately one-half of all employed Town residents work within
Genesee County, predominantly at businesses and institutions located
in the City and Town of Batavia.
Place of Work for Employed Town Residents
Town of Batavia
Worked in the Town or City of Residence
Worked elsewhere in Genesee County
Worked in Rochester
Worked elsewhere in the Rochester MSA
Worked outside of the Rochester MSA (1)
Total Employed Residents
729
1,488
122
269
353
2,961
24.6%
50.3%
4.1%
9.1%
11.9%
City of Batavia
3,924
1,245
420
819
630
7,038
55.8%
17.7%
6.0%
11.6%
9.0%
Genesee
County
28.8%
32.1%
8.3%
16.5%
14.3%
29,042
(1) Includes Monroe, Livingston, Orleans, Ontario and Wayne Counties
Major employers located in the City and Town of Batavia include:
Company
Employment
O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative
320
Chapin Manufacturing
250
Automotive Corporation
109
Agway Feed & Fertilizer
75
Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.
74
Hodgins Engraving
60
Holiday Inn
55
CH Wright Distribution Corp.
54
Genesee Precision
51
ADOPTED: March 2007
83
Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC)
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), previously known as the Genesee County Industrial Development Agency, is a public benefit corporation established by in 1970 under New York's General Municipal Law. GCEDC is an autonomous organization, separate from Genesee County, which is governed by a
seven-member board of directors.
Targeted Industries
The GCEDC has identified the following “targeted industries” as a focus to its economic development efforts:
•
Agribusiness, including product distribution and packaging, food production and processing, farm equipment
manufacturing and agri-tourism.
•
Distribution/Warehouse Facilities
•
Rural Healthcare/Telemedicine
•
Manufacturing
These industries are well-suited to take advantage of Genesee County’s location, access to the Thruway, workforce and other assets. Agribusiness can build from a network of established agricultural production, processing
and support businesses. Medical technology business can network with the new Medical Technology Park at
Genesee Community College.
Programs
The Sale Lease Back (SLB) Agreement provides financial benefits to commercial, industrial, manufacturing
and service oriented firms that make capital investments and create new jobs. Eligible projects include the construction or purchase of land, buildings, machinery and equipment and related technology infrastructure. Benefits
of the SLB include:
•
•
•
60% average property tax abatement over 10 years
Elimination of State (4%) and local (4%) sales tax
Elimination of 1.25% County mortgage tax
Since 1985, the GCEDC has operated the Genesee County Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). The RLF provides
gap financing loans to Genesee County business owners for the acquisition of machinery and equipment and limited working capital for use by manufacturing, distributing and limited service industries.
The GCEDC issues taxable or tax-exempt industrial development or revenue bonds (IDB or IRB) to
finance capital investments of at least $1 million for industrial or qualified non-industrial projects. Eligible projects
include construction, acquisition and renovation of real property, and the purchase of machinery and equipment.
Small Cities funds may be used to finance capital investments that will result in the creation or retention of at
least 7 new jobs. Funds may be in form of low interest loan or grant.
The Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation
The Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC) is a not-for-profit 501-c3 Corporation established by the GCEDC in 2004. The GGLDC focuses on real estate development, building re-development, emerging market opportunities and is responsible for the development of Gateway I and II business parks.
84
The Town of Batavia has numerous advantages to offer commercial
and industrial businesses. The following narrative summarizes the
Town’s strengths and weaknesses with regard to economic development.
Strengths
Thruway interchange. Access to the Thruway offers the potential for huge distribution and transportation cost savings for companies.
Location. Genesee County is centrally located between Buffalo and
Rochester and is easily accessible to southern Ontario. The Town’s
location adjacent to the City of Batavia provides a ready market for
commercial development.
Airport. The Genesee County Airport is a full service airport facility with a recently extended runway, measuring 5,500 ft., that is capable of handling most business jet aircrafts.
Railroads. Access to rail transportation to obtain supplies and to
ship goods is an important consideration for certain companies.
Industrial Parks. Gateway and Gateway II provide “shovel-ready”
sites for businesses seeking sites for industrial or other businesses.
Recreation/ Tourism. Commercial recreation facilities in and
near Batavia attract customers from throughout the region who utilize businesses in the Town.
Weaknesses
Lack of sewer and water. Sites for new industrial and commercial development are limited to those that are served with public water as well as sewers.
Natural constraints. A significant amount of land in the Town is
constrained from development due to natural features such as wetlands and floodzones.
High costs. The high cost of electricity, as well as taxes and sewer
and water costs, may discourage businesses from locating or remaining in Genesee County and New York State.
Opportunities
Highlights of
Focus Group
Discussion
On June 28, 2006, the Comprehensive Plan Committee hosted a focus
group of economic development specialists and business representatives.
Steve Hyde from the Genesee
County Economic Development Corporation stated that the GCEDC was
formed in 1970. GCEDC offers financial incentives to developers to
create jobs and for capital investments. He noted that 44% of every
dollar spent on projects turns into
assessed value. The GCEDC created
the Genesee County Gateway Local
Development Corp. to carry out retail
and commercial development projects.
Tony Mancuso stated that Mancuso
Development started in 1958. The
company acquires old buildings, renovates them and rents them to small
businesses. They only handle commercial and industrial properties.
Both participants agreed that Genesee County’s biggest strength is access to the NYS Thruway. Other
assets include the County Airport and
access to rail transportation. Concerns include high taxes, high costs
for utilities (especially electric) and
water supply, in sufficient sewer and
water capacity, and the lack of housing in the $100,000-$150,000
range.
Mr. Mancuso stated that the Land
Use Plan should be somewhat flexible and suggested that certain areas
should be designated for both commercial and light industrial.
Land adjoining the City of Batavia is in demand for commercial development. Areas west of the City are served by both public water and
ADOPTED: March 2007
85
sewer and have access to State highways. Commercial development
projects that are currently proposed include a 357,000 square foot
retail center along the southeast side of Veterans Memorial Drive.
The development of Gateway I provided for the development of a
new hotel, manufacturing and commercial development east of
Route 98 north of the Thruway interchange. The completion of
Gateway II, located south of Saile Drive, will accommodate additional industrial and commercial development.
Other pending development includes the proposed Med-Tech Park
located adjacent to Genesee Community College. This facility is
intended to provide space for companies that design and manufacture sophisticated medical devices, telemedicine technology, and
related biomedical goods and services.
86
Recommended Actions
1. Rezone land for commercial, industrial and other business uses as depicted in the Future Land
Use Map.
2. Work with the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) to support existing
businesses located within the Town and to establish sites for new businesses to locate in the
Town.
3. Improve and extend infrastructure as needed to support existing and future commercial and
industrial development.
4. Support the provision of additional accommodations to encourage visitors from outside Batavia
to stay and patronize businesses within the Town.
5. Assist small businesses to obtain grant funding for façade and other business improvement projects.
6. Work with business operators to institute programs to promote business development.
ADOPTED: March 2007
87
Transportation and
Utilities
GOALS:
A.
Maintain Town roads in good condition.
B.
Improve traffic circulation between the eastern and western areas of
the Town and access to the Thruway interchange at NYS Route 98.
C.
Relieve congestion along NYS Routes 5, 63, and 98.
D.
Provide public water and sewer service to areas that have inadequate on-site supply or disposal capacity.
E.
Provide public water and sewer service to accommodate economic
development and residential growth as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan.
F.
Cooperate with other governmental entities to carry out transportation, water and sewer system improvements.
G.
Improve management and oversight of private utilities and the use of
road rights-of-way.
H.
Accommodate the use and generation of alternative and sustainable
energy.
89
Transportation and Utilities
Existing
Plans and
Programs
The 1967 Batavia Area Master Plan
proposed a major east-west highway
south of the Thruway from College
Road to Kelsey Road, as well as a
north-south connector west of Lewiston Road extending southerly to Pearl
Street Road.
The 1993 Town of Batavia Comprehensive Master Plan recommended
the following roadway improvements,
some of which were initially proposed
in the 1967 Plan. The current status
of these recommendations are indicated in italics.
•
Extend Woodland Drive northwesterly to South Main Street
Road. This has been completed
in conjunction with new residential
development.
•
Construct a new east-west road
north of the airport to connect
NYS Route 98 to State Street
Road. Extend to Bank Street
unless a southwest-northeast airport runway is constructed. The
relocation of State Street Road
was completed.
•
North of the Thruway, construct a
new east-west road between NYS
Route 98 and Lewiston Road
(NYS Route 63) to serve the
GCIDA Corporate Park. This was
completed in conjunction with the
development of Gateway I.
•
Construct a bridge over Tonawanda Creek to provide a direct
link into the Veterans Memorial
Drive/ Pratt Road corridor.
90
Existing Conditions
Roadways
Roads within the Town of Batavia include nine miles of interstate
highway, 23 miles of State highway, 25 miles of County highways and
47 miles of Town roads.
Interstate 90 (the New York State Thruway) extends across the
town in an east-west direction. Thruway Interchange 48 is located at
the immediately north of the City of Batavia at NYS Route 98.
State highways include:
•
NYS Route 5 (Main Street Road). This major east-west arterial passes through the City of Batavia and across New York
State.
•
NYS Route 33 (Pearl Street Road west of the City and Clinton Street Road east of the City). This major east-west arterial connects Batavia with both Rochester and Buffalo.
•
NYS Route 98 (Oak Orchard Road north of the City and
Alexander Road south of the City). This major north-south
arterial links Batavia with Elba and Albion to the north and
with Alexander, Attica and Arcade to the south. It also connects with the NYS Thruway at Exit 48.
•
NYS Route 63 (Lewiston Road northwest of the City and
Ellicott Street southeast of the City). This diagonallyoriented arterial links Batavia with Oakfield and NYS Route
77 to the northwest and with Geneseo and I-390 to the
southeast.
All four State highways converge in the City of Batavia’s central business district.
The table on the following page lists the County highways located
within the Town.
Town Line Road
CR 26
Saile Drive/ Airport Road
CR 46
College Drive
CR 48
Pratt Road
CR 32
Bank Street Road
CR 13
Batavia-Stafford Town Line Road
CR 19
Kelsey Road (portion)
CR 32
Slusser Road
CR 30
Putnam Road
CR 38
Old Creek Road
CR 1
Wortendyke Road (northern portion)
CR 37
Hartshorn Road/ Wilkinson Road
CR 5
The Town of Batavia maintains 48 miles of Town roads. (up from 36
miles in 1980 due to new subdivision development.) The Town plows
during the winter and mows and chip-seals roads during the summer.
•
Extend Donahue Road north from
Pearl Street to South Main Street
Road. (Depicted as “Proposed
Road” in Map 16.)
•
Extend College Road westward to
State Street Road, southwest behind the BOCES complex to Gateway Drive. (Depicted as
“Proposed Road” in Map 16.)
Construct a new east-west roadway from Rose Road eastward
from Alexander Road (NYS Route
98) along an abandoned railroad
grade to Tonawanda Creek, then
eastward adjacent to an electric
utility right-of-way to the BataviaStafford Town Line Road. Segment from Creek Road eastward
to Town line is depicted as
“Proposed Road” in Map 16.
•
Bridges
Bridges along Town and County roads that cross water are maintained
by the Genesee County Highway Department. The NYS Thruway
Authority is responsible for the maintenance of bridges across the
NYS Thruway. The NYS Department of Transportation maintains
bridges that are part of State highways.
Railroads
Genesee Valley Transport and CSX maintain railroad tracks within the
Town of Batavia.
Public Transportation
Batavia Bus Service (BBS) provides public transportation within Genesee County. BBS operates a fixed route service within the City of Batavia and to Genesee Community College, a route between the City
of Batavia and the Village of LeRoy, and demand-responsive service
throughout the County.
ADOPTED: March 2007
91
Existing Plans
and Programs
County-Wide Water Project
In 1999, Genesee County developed
a county-wide water supply strategy.
The strategy has resulted in the integration of County resources with the
regional water supply systems of the
Monroe County Water Authority
(MCWA) and the Erie County Water
Authority (ECWA) along with continued long term use of the Village of
LeRoy water treatment plant and
temporary use of the City of Batavia
water treatment plant.
The initial phase of the County's water supply strategy involved the construction of approximately 32 miles
of water main in Genesee and Erie
Counties along with four pump stations and two water storage tanks.
Funding for this $27 million project
was provided by Genesee County and
State and Federal grants/loans.
Phase II of the project will include
connections to the MCWA system in
Chili as well as system extensions in
Genesee County to the Villages of
Elba, Alexander, and Corfu and the
Towns of Bethany and Alabama. The
Phase II connections to the MCWA in
Chili will allow for the discontinued
use of the City of Batavia water
treatment facilities, although this is
not expected to occur for many
years.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
The Town maintains five miles of sidewalks. Town personnel plow
the sidewalks during the winter.
The Town currently has no designated bicycling facilities.
Water
Public water service is available to most residents of the Town. Map
16 shows the location and sizes of existing water lines in the Town, as
well as the locations of water lines that are currently proposed for
construction. The Town maintains 40 miles of water lines.
The Town of Batavia purchases water from Genesee County. Current usage is approximately 500,000 gallons per day on average. The
Town purchases water from the County at the wholesale rate of
$2.47/ 1000 gallons and sells it to Town customers at a rate of $4.03/
1000 gallons. The difference is utilized for Operation and Maintenance as well as capital reserves.
Sanitary Sewer
Sanitary sewer service is available in areas located northwest of the
City of Batavia, between Route 98 and West Main Street Road, east
of the City, along both sides of Routes 5 and 33 and north to the
Thruway, and in the Gateway Park areas. The Town maintains 11
miles of sanitary sewer mains and 7 lift stations.
Sanitary sewage collected within the Town of Batavia sewer districts
is transported to the City of Batavia wastewater treatment ponds for
processing. The Town partnered with the City of Batavia to construct the wastewater treatment facility.
Town sewer districts generate 250,000 gallons/ day of sanitary waste.
The Town has an agreement with the City of Batavia for the processing of up to 350,000 gpd of wastewater from Town customers.
The Town pays a bulk rate of $2.67/ 1000 gallons for the use of the
City’s collection system and for processing at the City’s sewage treatment ponds. The rates charged to customers within the Town’s
sewer districts are:
Sewer District #1
$5.03/ 1000 gallons
Anticipated project benefits include:
Sewer District #2
$5.03/ 1000 gallons
•
•
•
Gateway Corporate Park I
$5.03/ 1000 gallons
Improvements in water quality
Enhanced system reliability
Enhanced economic development opportunities
Genesee County’s Smart Growth Plan
limits hookups into the County water
92
Natural Gas
National Fuel distributes natural gas to properties in the Town of Batavia.
National Fuel offers business development rates, Empire Zone rates
and grants for new economic development projects
Cable TV/ Internet
Time Warner provides cable television and broadband internet service
to customers in most areas of the Town.
Time Warner has a franchise agreement with the Town of Batavia to
provide service. Time Warner pays an annual fee to the Town.
Broadband internet service is also available through T-1 lines along
Saile Drive and at the Genesee County Airport. Empire Telephone
also offers broadband internet service to its customers. Verizon maintains fiber optic lines and offers broadband internet service.
system outside of designated
“Development Areas.”
Genesee County Sewer Study
Genesee County is in the process of
preparing a study of the County’s
wastewater system and needs. The
study will address economic development potential and health concerns related to inadequate residential and municipal wastewater
systems.
Major issues identified in the first
phase of the study include:
•
Inflow and infiltration, which
consists of rain or groundwater
that enters a municipal sewer
system, exceeds normal in several municipalities and reduces
the system’s treatment capacity.
•
Topography and soil characteristics limit development potential
in areas without public sewer.
In many areas, shallow bedrock
and clay layers require nonstandard techniques for on-site
wastewater treatment.
Telephone
Telephone service is provided by Verizon and Empire Telephone.
Cellular telephone towers are located on Pratt Road (Verizon and
Sprint) and at Genesee Community College (Verizon.)
Electricity
Electrical service is provided by National Grid.
The study will :
ADOPTED: March 2007
•
recommend areas within Genesee County to receive sanitary
sewer services and will identify
appropriate types of collection
and treatment systems
•
predict the demand for sewer
service over the next 20 years.
•
assess the options for providing
public sewer to identified development areas in each municipality
•
evaluate the potential capital
costs and the impact to each
municipality on a per-unit basis.
93
Roads
Traffic circulation improvements are needed to improve access between the major transportation corridors in the Town. The “spoke
and wheel” highway configuration, centered in the City of Batavia, as
well as the railroads that pass through the City, make connections between the major State highways difficult.
Map 17: Existing and Proposed Roads depicts the potential locations
of road improvements that would alleviate congestion and improve
access to areas in the Town that are suitable for more intensive development.
Water
The Town has access to sufficient water supply to accommodate anticipated future needs. The quality and quantity of water supply provided by Genesee County through the treatment plant in the City of
Batavia is satisfactory.
Several areas of the Town are not served by the Town’s public water
supply system and depend upon private wells. While private systems
serve many residents in these areas adequately, other households have
experienced problems with insufficient supplies and poor quality of
water. The Town of Batavia has held public informational meetings to
determine which areas of the Town have the greatest need for public
water extensions.
Projects that are currently in the planning stage are located along:
•
Portions of Wilkinson Road and Pearl Street
•
Putnam and Shepard Roads
Genesee County’s Countywide Water Project included recommendations for several “Phase II” improvements that would be located in the
Town of Batavia. Some of these Phase II projects have already been
constructed, including Hopkins Road and Pearl Street Road. The following segments will be constructed as funding is obtained:
94
•
Alexander Road (Route 98) south to the Village of Alexander
•
Oak Orchard Road (Route 98) north to the Village of Elba
•
College Road east to the Town line
•
Ellicott Street Road (Route 63) and Batavia-Stafford Town Line
Road south to the Town of Bethany
In addition, Phase II recommended connecting the East Pembroke supply to West Pembroke to interconnect with the Erie County system
and improve fire protection. This project is currently in the planning
stages.
Planned and future water lines are depicted in Map 16.
Several water districts were consolidated during the late 1980s and
early 1990s in order to facilitate administration. The establishment of
a single Town-wide water district may provide additional efficiencies.
Sanitary Sewer
The wastewater treatment facility located in the City and Town of
Batavia is expected to provide sufficient treatment capacity to accommodate foreseeable demand from development in the Town. The
Town partnered with the City to construct the treatment facility,
which is an innovative design that utilizes a series of ponds to treat
wastewater. The facility has been working well and is expected to
continue to serve the Town’s needs into the foreseeable future.
Upgrades to improve capacity are planned for Sewer District #1,
which will serve Genesee Community College and the proposed
Medical Technology Park along the south side of College Road.
Sewer extensions are needed to accommodate economic development as well as new residential development. Areas under consideration for sewer extensions include:
•
Wortendyke Road and Pearl Street Road
•
West Main Street Road
•
Brookwood Estates
The Town needs to obtain approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to connect households located within a
designated floodplain to the sanitary sewer system.
Upgrades to the sanitary sewer conveyance system are expected to
be identified in Genesee County’s plan and will be incorporated into
the Comprehensive Plan.
Natural Gas
Some areas of the Town do not have natural gas service. Extension of
service would provide additional fuel options for households.
ADOPTED: March 2007
95
Existing
Plans and
Programs
Regional Rights-of-Way Preservation Action Plan—
Abandoned Railroads
In 2005, the Genesee Transportation Council prepared an inventory
and plan for abandoned rights-ofway within the 9-county Genesee/
Finger Lakes Region. The plan
identifies key preservation opportunities and presents coordinate,
achievable, and cost-effective preservation/ acquisition strategies to
secure these opportunities.
The Plan included recommendations for local governments to preserve or acquire high-priority railroad corridors:
•
Include a section on rights-ofway preservation in the transportation element of the local
comprehensive plan
•
Provide adequate resources
for rights-of-way planning,
preservation, and acquisition
•
Arrange for funding in a timely
fashion when the opportunity
to purchase a right-of-way
presents itself.
•
Include all public and interested parties in any discussions.
The Plan identified four corridors
as priorities for acquisition or preservation:
•
96
Former Erie RR-Attica Line
Broadband Internet
Many areas of the Town do not have access to broadband internet
service. Lack of high-speed internet is a “quality of life” concern and
limits opportunities for home-based and other businesses. It has been
difficult to persuade Time Warner to extend cable service to sparsely
populated areas.
There may be an opportunity for the Town to work with governmental or private entities to establish wireless internet service. A joint
Town/ City of Batavia Committee is in the process of investigating
alternatives and costs to implement Townwide high-speed wireless
internet service.
Alternatives to cable internet include T-1 lines and DSL, which is provided by telephone companies.
Telephone
Telephone service is frequently of poor quality. Inadequate quality of
service to the airport is a concern. Telephone lines in certain areas
need to be upgraded to improve quality of service.
Electricity Generation
The Town does not have regulations in place to govern wind-energy
generation facilities. Regulations should address acceptable locations
for wind energy facilities as well as criteria and procedures for reviewing proposed projects.
Right-of-Way Management
The Town of Batavia has franchise agreements with several private
utility companies, including National Grid, National Fuel Gas, Inteligis,
and Empire Telephone. These agreements allow the utilities to install
service lines within the Town’s road rights-of-way.
The franchise agreements need to be stronger. Issues include:
•
Utility companies do not always remove abandoned lines from
rights-of-way. When contractors mark existing lines, they may
mark the abandoned line and subsequently cut through the active
line.
•
A work permit and fee should be required for utility companies
to work within Town road rights-of-way.
New technology may utilize sewer and water lines as conduits for
lines that transmit digital data.
Abandoned Railroad Corridors
Abandoned railroad corridors present opportunities for trails as well
as roadways. Such corridors have been developed for hiking/ bicycle
and equestrian trails in other areas.
Genesee County has not acquired right-of-ways for future trail use.
There is no funding in County budget for trail development. Some
segments have been purchased by adjoining land owners. Current
ownership of abandoned railroad corridors is depicted in Map 18.
Three trail projects were recommended in the Regional Trails Initiative (see sidebar to right):
•
7.2 mile trail to connect the City of Batavia and the Village of
Alexander. (Near-term implementation).
•
14.3 mile trail from the City of Batavia east to LeRoy (Mid-term
implementation)
•
12.7 mile trail from the City of Batavia west through the Town of
Darien to the Genesee/ Erie County line. (Long-term implementation)
Implementation of these projects would require the following steps:
•
Identify routing alternatives and property acquisition needs
•
Develop cost estimates for construction, operation and maintenance
•
Involve citizens and key stakeholders in the planning and development of the project
•
Identify potential funding sources
The Genesee Transportation Council’s Regional Rights-of-Way Preservation Action Plan—Abandoned Railroads (see sidebar to left) identified
several abandoned railroad corridors were also identified as priorities for acquisition. Map 18 depicts the ownership of property along
the rights-of-way of these former railroad corridors.
from the City of Batavia to
Telephone Road in the Town
of Alexander
•
The former Erie RR-Attica Line
from the City of Batavia to
North Street in the Village of
LeRoy
•
The former Lehigh Valley RR
Main Line
•
New York Central Peanut Line
from the City of Batavia to the
Village of LeRoy.
Regional Trails Initiative
The Regional Trails Initiative, prepared by the Genesee Transportation Council in 2003, recommends
the development of the following
three trails within the Town of Batavia:
•
a 7.2-mile trail along the former Erie-Attica Railroad corridor to connect Alexander and
Batavia. The trail would connect with the existing Groveland Secondary Trail that extends through the Towns of
Alexander
and
Bethany.
(“Near Term” implementation.)
•
a 12.7-mile trail along the former NYC Peanut Line railroad
corridor from the City of Batavia west through the Town of
Darien to the Genesee/ Erie
County line. (“Long Term”
implementation.)
•
a 14.3-mile trail along the former Erie Railroad - Attica Line
corridor from the City of Batavia east to LeRoy. (“Mid-
Trails in Conjunction with New Development
Recreational facilities may be incorporated into development plans
for corporate parks. For example, there may be opportunity for
trails around wetlands near Gateway II.
ADOPTED: March 2007
97
Alternative and Sustainable Energy Sources
Alternative and sustainable energy sources include wind power, solar, biomass and other methods of generating power. Energy generation may take place on a large scale to be sold to power companies, or on a small scale to provide power to individual sites.
The Town of Batavia has above average wind speeds (see illustration below) and may be approached by wind energy companies to
develop large or small-scale wind energy generation facilities. Agricultural production and processing operation may seek to utilize
crops or by-products for energy generation. Energy production
facilities may seek to locate in the Town.
The location of energy-generation facilities should not conflict with
pre-existing land uses, including residential and agricultural. The
presence of the Genesee County Airport may limit the ability to
site wind energy generation towers.
Average Wind Speed Density at 50 Meters
98
Recommended Actions
Roadways
1. Obtain funding and construct the following new roads (See Map 17):
• Extend Pratt Road east to Route 63
• Extend Donahue Road north from Pearl Street Road to West Main Street Road, with a
connection east to Edgewood Drive
• New east-west road to connect Creek Road and Batavia-Stafford Town Line Road, with
a connection north to East Main Street Road
• Extend College Road west to State Street Road, with a new connection west to the
BOCES campus
• Extend Commercial Drive west to Lewiston Road
• Connect R. Stephen Hawley Drive south to Garden Drive in the City of Batavia
•
Connect Park Road to Veterans Memorial Drive
2. Repair Park Road and address safety issues on Town roads.
3. Identify and implement land use/ access management improvements along major transportation
corridors in the Town. Address traffic circulation issues along Saile Drive, College Drive, Batavia-Stafford Town Line Road and other roads impacted by the increase in traffic that will result
from new development in the northern part of the Town. Consider turning lanes or new traffic
signals.
4. Prepare a comprehensive traffic modeling study that incorporates growth projections.
5. Continue to require new roads to be built to a high enough standard to reduce future maintenance costs. For example, require a minimum 8” thick surface. Change number of road classifications in the Town’s Highway Code to eliminate the “minor” road category.
6. Establish a permit process to manage the use of Town road rights-of-way for private utilities
7. Require a permit and a fee for oversize loads to travel along Town roads.
8. Work with public safety entities to incorporate emergency management considerations into
plans for road maintenance and improvement.
ADOPTED: March 2007
99
Bicycle and Pedestrian
9.
Work with governmental and private entities to establish bicycle paths along former railroad
rights-of-way.
Public Sewer and Water Services and Stormwater Management
10.
Establish accurate GIS based mapping and record keeping of the Town’s water distribution
and sanitary sewer collection system features.
11.
Extend public water and sanitary sewers in areas of the Town that will carry sufficient density to make such improvements affordable, and to areas that will promote the protection of
surface and groundwater resources.
12.
Develop a long-term capital improvement program based on asset management.
13.
Implement a townwide stormwater drainage program.
Private Utilities and Rights-of-Way
15.
Establish a work-permit requirement for private utilities to work within Town road
rights-of-way.
16.
Work with the Public Service Commission to improve telephone service in areas
with poor quality service.
17.
Work with governmental and private entities to improve and extend broadband
internet service, wireless internet and other communications services to underserved areas of the Town.
Alternative and Sustainable Energy
18.
100
Revise zoning to accommodate the establishment of alternative and sustainable energy facilities, including, but not limited to, wind, solar, biomass, biodiesel and ethanol, while protecting the quality of life of residential neighborhoods and the viability
of existing businesses, including agriculture.
Map 16
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Map 18
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Proposed Roads
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Corridors: Current
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Government and Community
Services
GOALS:
A. Maintain and improve government facilities to meet the needs of
Town residents in a cost-effective manner.
B.
Work with governmental and private entities to increase the
number and enhance the quality of recreational opportunities
available to Town residents.
109
Government and Community Facilities
Existing Conditions
Town Government Facilities and Services
The Batavia Town Hall and Highway Garage is located on an 8.4-acre
parcel located on West Main Street Road. The facility contains the
offices of the Supervisor, Clerk, Assessor, Code Enforcement Officer,
Engineer and Highway Superintendent.
The Supervisor oversees and provides direction to all Town department heads. In addition, the Supervisor is responsible for Town finances and for providing fiscal and budgetary oversight and control.
The Highway Superintendent is responsible for maintaining and improving the Town’s road system, including road surfaces, street lights,
signs and culverts. The Town Engineer oversees the Town’s water
and sewer facilities.
The Town Clerk’s office has responsibility for providing the following
services to the public:
•
Receiving Town and County property tax payments and permit
fees
•
Issuing birth and death certificates and certificates of residency
•
Issuing permits, including handicapped parking and transfer station
permits
•
Issuing marriage, hunting / fishing and dog licenses
•
Maintaining and storing Town records and responding to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests
The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for issuing zoning and
building permits and inspecting construction projects to ensure compliance with local zoning regulations as well as the Codes of New
York.
The Town Assessor is responsible for maintaining the real property
tax roll and periodically assessing the market value of each property
within the Town. The tax roll is used by the Town, County and the
various School Districts to levy property taxes and to determine the
amount of tax for each parcel of land.
Town Court
The Town Court is located in the Batavia Town Hall. The Town employs two Town Justices and two Court Clerks. Town Court is held
110
on Monday evenings beginning at 5:00 pm and Wednesday afternoons
at 1:30 pm.
Recycling and Refuse Disposal
The Town of Batavia operates a transfer station. Permits for refuse
disposal are available at the Town Hall. The transfer station and recycling center are open on Wednesdays from 3 pm to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
Emergency Fire and Medical Services
Fire protection services are provided within the Town of Batavia by
the Batavia and East Pembroke Fire Districts. Map 20 depicts the service areas for the respective fire districts. Dispatching for all emergency service agencies is centralized and provided by the Genesee
County 911 center.
Educational Facilities
Portions of six public school districts include land within the Town of
Batavia: Batavia, Pembroke, Elba, Oakfield-Alabama, Alexander and
Byron-Bergen (see Map 21).
The only public school facility located within the Town of Batavia is
the Genesee Valley Board of Cooperative Educational Services
(BOCES) Batavia campus located at 8246 State Street Road. The
Genesee Valley BOCES is composed of twenty two individual school
districts that are located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben Counties. BOCES provides technical and career education for
high-school aged students, special education and adult education.
The Genesee Community College (GCC) campus is located on 240
acres in the Town of Batavia northeast of the City of Batavia. Genesee Community College is a two-year college that is part of the State
University of New York (SUNY) system. The college has approximately 6,000 full- and part-time students. GCC offers on-campus
housing.
Animal Shelter
The Genesee County Animal Shelter is located at 3841 West Main
Street Road in the Town of Batavia. The Shelter houses stray dogs
and cats and sponsors adoptions.
Community and Cultural Resources
Town residents utilize cultural and community facilities located in the
City of Batavia. These include the post office, public library, Holland
Land Museum and others.
ADOPTED: March 2007
111
Tools and
Techniques
Grant Programs
Various grant programs administered by New York State make funding available for parks and other
recreational facilities. Grant programs are competitive and each has
specific limitations on the type of
facility funded. Below is a list of
possible grant sources.
Environmental Protection Fund
and Clean Water / Clean Air
Programs -These grant programs
are administered by the NYS Office
of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (OPRHP). Municipal
grant recipients are required to provide a local match equal to the
amount of the grant award. The
local match may be in the form of
force-account (in-kind) labor provided by the municipality and/or labor and/or materials donated from
private sources. The value of land
acquired for a project may also be
applied toward the local match.
Recreational Facilities
The Town of Batavia owns and maintains Kiwanis Park, located on
the south side of West Main Street Road. The park includes playground equipment, picnic facilities and athletic fields.
Genesee County maintains two County Parks—the
County Park in Bethany and the DeWitt Recreation Area in
the City of Batavia
The Genesee County Fairgrounds is located south of
East Main Street Road.
The Terry Hills Golf Club is a public 27-hole golf course located in
the eastern part of the Town. The original course was established in
1930 with nine holes. In addition to the golf course, the facility contains a full-service restaurant and banquet facility and a miniature golf
course. The restaurant and banquet facility operate year round.
The privately-owned Area 51 motocross park is located on
Harloff Road. The facility sponsors eight competitive races
per year, as well as motocross school and track rentals.
Other activities include snow tubing in the winter.
A network of snowmobile trails provides recreational opportunities to Batavia residents and others. The trails are maintained by local snowmobile clubs.
Map 21 depicts the locations of public parks and private recreational
facilities in the Town.
Legislative Initiatives—NYS Legislators are often able to obtain appropriations for special projects
within their respective districts.
There are no local match requirements.
112
The Town Hall is not sized to accommodate both Town administrative offices and the Town Court. A larger facility may be needed.
Separating the Town Hall from the Town Court would reduce the
number of Court-related phone calls and in-person inquiries that are
handled by Town staff.
A location closer to the NYS Thruway may make it easier for State
Police to attend court. It may be appropriate to coordinate with the
potential relocation of the State Police barracks from Saile Drive to
City-owned property near the County Sheriff and Thruway Interchange. A site on Park Road, near the new County Sheriff’s building,
may have potential.
In addition, the Town needs more room for records storage. As the
building does not have a basement, which was included in the original
building design, records storage space is limited.
The Town continues to seek more effective and efficient ways to
provide services to residents, Inter-municipal cooperation and coordination has the potential to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Parks and Recreation
Private Park on Route 98
A private park on 68 acres along Route 98 is for sale and has the potential to meet some of the recreational needs of area youth. The
parcel includes four recreation fields for soccer, lacrosse and other
sports. The front portion has been subdivided into residential lots
on paper only. The rear portion of the lot is in the floodplain.
Great Lakes Motorsports Park
A private group has expressed interest in building a 2,200-acre motorsports park – potentially to replace Watkins Glen. The target
area is north of Galloway Road to the Townline Road. The group is
seeking $120 million in financing to develop the facility.
Potential Fairgrounds Improvements
The Genesee County Agricultural Society, which operates the
County Fairgrounds, has approached the Town in regards to constructing a skating rink and public pool. The facilities would be located near the racetrack at the fairgrounds and the Gravel Pit.
ADOPTED: March 2007
Parks and Recreation Focus Group
Meeting
On September 13, 2006, Comprehensive Plan Committee sponsored
a discussion regarding recreational
opportunities.
Paul Osborn of the Genesee
County Parks Department reported
on Genesee County’s two parks—
the County Park in Bethany and
DeWitt Recreation Area in the City
of Batavia. Issues include the increasing cost of fuel and materials
needed to maintain the parks and
problems with vandalism.
Mr. Osborn also encouraged the
Town to develop recreation areas in
conjunction with development of
corporate parks.
Michael Sabatino described a
68-acre private park that he developed on Alexander Road (NYS
Route 98).
Chris Mosier discussed the activities at Area 51, a moto-cross park
which offers competitive racing,
track rentals and motocross school.
Future improvements may include a
pro shop and pavilion.
William Bastuk and Mark
Scarborough of Great Lakes Motorsports Park are seeking a site for
a 2200-acre motor sports park.
Such a facility may generate 134
full-time and 116 part-time jobs
and draw people from up to 250
miles away. The area north of Galloway Road has been targeted.
113
A large professional sports arena may be developed in the future in
association with the YMCA and Genesee Community College. The
facility would be located at GCC and may include 3 soccer fields, 2
basketball courts. The potential cost is approximately $15 million.
114
Recommended Actions
1. Investigate opportunities to acquire additional land for recreational purposes.
2. Obtain funding and construct larger facilities for the Town Court.
3. Establish additional space for records storage.
4. Expand and improve Town facilities as needed.
5. Cooperate with other governments to address municipal needs on a cost-effective manner.
ADOPTED: March 2007
115
Map 20
RD
EE
T
ST
R
OAK ST
STATE S
TREET R
D
VINE S
T
EL
LI
CO
TT
k
Fire Stations
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
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ST
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N
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INT
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RD
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D
k
EL
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EAST RD
East Pembroke Fire District
E MA
IN ST
CEDAR ST
BANK
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k
EAST A
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N ST
PU
T
WA
LN
U
L ST
PEAR
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ST
W
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R
DONAHUE RD
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PIKE RD
BA
NK
OAK ORCHARD RD
R
PA
RK
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MO
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AL
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UPTON RD
LEAR RD
ROSE RD
RD
LOVERS LANE RD
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PEA
WORTENDYKE RD
HARTSHORN RD
RD
RD
WILKINSON RD
READ RD
T
STREE
N
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HOPKINS
BROWN RD
W MAIN STREET RD
HART S
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DR
k
D
COLLEGE RD
EN
MAIN RD
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Fire Protection
Districts
Batavia Fire Protection District
RD
GA
POWERS RD
PRATT RD
RAMP
RD
RI
AL
D
I 90
RD
D
KIEFFER R
N
TO
IS
I 90 HARLOFF RD
E SAILE DR
RD
W
LE
KELSEY RD
GALLOWAY RD
TS
T
MACOMBER RD
TOWN
BATAVIA STAFFORD
RE E
T RD
March 2007
ST
R
EE
T
RD
0 0.25 0.5
1
Miles
±
Map 21
School Districts
RD
School Districts
Alexander CSD
Batavia CSD
Byron-Bergen CSD
Elba CSD
Oakfield-Alabama CSD
RD
ET
Pembroke CSD
ST
NU
TS
T
E MAIN
WA
L
EL
L
IC
O
ST
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IN ST
REE
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RD
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March 2007
D
KR
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PIKE RD
IC
O
TT
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RD
0 0.25 0.5
1
Miles
PU
TN
AM
RD
EAST RD
Alexander CSD
BROWN RD
ST
R
OAK ST
ST
TO
E
TR
NS
RD
WORTENDYKE RD
UPTON RD
L
PEAR
EDGEWOOD DR
Batavia CSD
Byron-Bergen CSD
IA
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RD
VALLE DR
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W MAIN
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HOPKINS
WILKINSON RD
VE
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W
LEAR RD
COLLEGE RD
W MAIN STREET RD
LOVERS LANE RD
POWERS RD
Pembroke CSD
MAIN RD
READ RD
RD
LD
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I 90
PRATT RD
AN
GM
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STATE S
TREET R
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RD
HARLOFF RD
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KIEFFER R
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E SAILE DR
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I 90
KELSEY RD
Oakfield-Alabama CSD
RD
OAK ORCHARD RD
GALLOWAY RD
BA
NK
MACOMBER RD
EE
T
TOWN
BATAVIA STAFFORD
Elba CSD
±
Map 22
Recreation Plan
k
N
RD
I 90
STRINGHAM DR
SEVEN SPRINGS RD
BANK
ST
ST
ST
CEDAR ST
WA
LN
UT
S
T
RI
VE
R
VINE S
T
TT
Public Golf Course
Racetrack
County Fairgrounds
EL
L
PIKE RD
SHEPARD RD
LEAR RD
Potential to utilize floodplain
and abandoned RR corridor
EAST RD
RD
Privately-owned
Athletic Fields
IC
O
TT
ST
RE
ET
RD
Potential park/ open space
to encompass DEC wetland
RD
BROWN RD
Existing Recreational Facilities
Town Park
IC
O
PU
TN
AM
UPTON RD
ROSE RD
E MAIN
Dewitt Recreation Area
ST
EL
L
StateWetlands
Floodplains
ST
K
EE
CR
WILKINSON RD
k
L
PEAR
ST
S SWAN ST
D
ET R
STRE
L
R
PEA
WORTENDYKE RD
HARTSHORN RD
RD
HOPKINS
READ RD
Potential open space/ trail along
Tonawanda Creek and floodplain
DR
MA
IN
RD
k
VAL
LE
AL
EX
AN
DE
R
RD
MAIN
W
DONAHUE RD
T RD
STREE
W MAIN
S MAIN STREET RD
DR
k
LOVERS LANE RD
D
NR
MA
Abandoned Railroad Corridors
Terry Hills
Golf Course
OAK ST
MILLER RD
G
STE
Town Park
EN
RD
GA
POWERS RD
PRATT RD
Proposed Conservation
Potential Opportunities
COLLEGE RD
PA
RK
D
KIEFFER R
Recreation Plan Features
I 90
STATE S
TRE
RD
Area 51-Motocross
HARLOFF RD
E SAILE DR
W SAILE DR
ET RD
TO
IS
W
LE
KELSEY RD
SLUSSER RD
GALLOWAY RD
OAK ORCHARD RD
BA
NK
ST
RE
ET
k
RD
k
March 2007
0 0.25 0.5
1
Miles
±
Implementation Strategy
Summary of Recommendations
Land Use
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
1. Rezone land as needed in accordance with the Future Land Use map.
Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
GOALS:
A. Protect water quality and the natural flow of streams.
B. Protect significant natural features such as woodlands, wetlands, stream corridors and wildlife
habitats.
C. Reduce the potential for groundwater contamination associated with failing septic systems.
1. Work with public and private entities to reduce flood hazards, consistent with Genesee
County’s Hazard Mitigation Plans.
2. Apply appropriate standards to new development to minimize erosion and sedimentation
associated with new construction.
3. Utilize the subdivision and site plan review process to preserve significant natural and scenic
resources as part of the design of new development.
4. Establish recreational facilities in conjunction with natural features.
GOALS:
A. Promote the continued economic viability of agriculture.
B. Attract and retain agricultural support businesses such as suppliers and processors.
C. Preserve a large, contiguous area of high quality farmland to ensure a viable land base for
continued agricultural production in the Town.
D. Reduce the potential for conflict between farmers and non-farming neighbors.
1. Work with landowners and private land trusts to purchase land, place conservation easements
or acquire the development rights to large areas of farmland. Target land that would result in
the preservation of large areas of contiguous, high-quality farmland , such as the Agricultural
Protection areas identified in the Future Land Use Map.
2. Revise zoning regulations to permit farm-related businesses, such as farm markets and craft
manufacturing, to be established on farm property in conjunction with agricultural operations.
3. Encourage agriculture-related businesses, such as suppliers and processors, to utilize Genesee
County’s revolving loan fund for economic development.
4. Work with County and State economic development agencies to attract and retain agricultural
support businesses.
5. When residential subdivisions are proposed that abut active farmland, require effective buffers
to be incorporated into the subdivision design.
6. Encourage the preservation of farmland under conservation easement in conjunction with the
subdivision review of residential development in designated rural/ agricultural areas of the Town.
7. In conjunction with the revision of zoning regulations, establish a committee that includes
farmland owners to identify effective agricultural protection mechanisms that would result in the
long-term retention of farmland within the Agricultural Protection areas identified in the Future
Land Use Map. Revise the Town’s zoning regulations to include effective provisions to
encourage the retention of high quality farmland for continued agricultural use.
124
GOALS:
A. Accommodate a diversity of housing types in the town in appropriate areas as shown on the
Future Land Use Map.
B. Promote high quality design of new housing developments.
C. Maintain a high quality of life in residential neighborhoods
1. Rezone land in accordance with the Future Land Use Map in order to accommodate a range of
residential development.
2. Maintain current minimum lot sizes for single– and two-family detached housing units.
3. Encourage townhouse, apartment and other housing types where such development is
compatible with infrastructure availability, transportation capacity and surrounding development.
4. Encourage “clustered” subdivision designs where appropriate to preserve woodlands, open
space and sensitive environmental areas.
5. Design new residential areas to eliminate vehicular thru-traffic within neighborhoods, and to
avoid direct access from single lots onto major streets.
6. Preserve the quality and character of existing housing through code enforcement.
7. Encourage residential development to occur within designated Development Areas in
accordance with Genesee County’s Smart Growth Plan by restricting water hook-ups in areas
outside of such areas.
8. Revise zoning to incorporate appropriate setback requirements for accessory buildings.
ADOPTED: March 2007
125
GOALS:
A. Concentrate future industrial, commercial and other business development in areas that have
adequate infrastructure and are accessible to residents of the Town and beyond.
B. Promote a high quality of design in commercial, industrial and other business areas.
C. Promote the continued economic viability of agriculture (See Farmland and Agriculture chapter).
1. Rezone land for commercial and industrial and other business uses as depicted in the Future
Land Use Map.
2. Work with the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) to support existing
businesses located within the Town and to establish sites for new businesses to locate in the
Town.
3. Improve and extend infrastructure as needed to support existing and future commercial and
industrial development.
4. Support the provision of additional accommodations to encourage visitors from outside Batavia
to stay and spend within the Town.
5. Assist small businesses to obtain grant funding for façade and other business improvement
projects.
6. Work with business operators to institute programs to promote business development.
126
GOALS:
A. Maintain Town roads in good condition.
B. Improve traffic circulation between the eastern and western areas of the Town and access to
the Thruway interchange at NYS Route 98.
C. Relieve congestion along NYS Routes 5, 63, and 98.
D. Provide public water and sewer service to areas that have inadequate on-site supply or disposal
capacity
E. Provide public water and sewer service to accommodate economic development and residential
growth as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan.
F. Cooperate with other governmental entities to carry out transportation, water and sewer
system improvements.
G. Improve management and oversight of private utilities and the use of road rights-of-way.
H. Accommodate the use and generation of alternative and sustainable energy.
Roadways
1. Obtain funding and construct the following new roads (See Map 17):
•
Extend Pratt Road east to Route 63
•
Extend Donahue Road north from Pearl Street Road to West Main Street Road, with a
connection east to Edgewood Drive
•
New east-west road to connect Creek Road and Batavia-Stafford Town Line Road, with a
connection north to East Main Street Road
•
Extend College Road west to State Street Road, with a new connection west to the BOCES
campus
•
Extend Commercial Drive west to Lewiston Road
•
Connect R. Stephen Hawley Drive south to Garden Drive in the City of Batavia
•
Connect Park Road to Veterans Memorial Drive
2. Repair Park Road and address safety issues on Town roads.
ADOPTED: March 2007
127
3. Identify and implement land use/ access management improvements along major transportation
corridors in the Town. Address traffic circulation issues along Saile Drive, College Drive,
Batavia-Stafford Town Line Road and other roads impacted by the increase in traffic that will
result from new development in the northern part of the Town. Consider turning lanes or new
traffic signals.
4. Prepare a comprehensive traffic modeling study that incorporates growth projections.
5. Continue to require new roads to be built to a high enough standard to reduce future
maintenance costs. For example, require a minimum 8” thick surface. Change number of road
classifications in the Town’s Highway Code to eliminate the “minor” road category.
6. Establish a permit process to manage the use of Town road rights-of-way for private utilities.
7. Require a permit and a fee for oversize loads to travel along Town roads.
8. Work with public safety entities to incorporate emergency management considerations into
plans for road maintenance and improvement.
Bicycle and Pedestrian
9. Work with governmental and private entities to establish bicycle paths along former railroad
rights-of-way.
Public Sewer and Water Services and Stormwater Management
10. Establish accurate GIS based mapping and record keeping of the Town’s water distribution and
sanitary sewer collection system features.
11. Extend public water and sanitary sewers in areas of the Town that will carry sufficient density to
make such improvements affordable, and to areas that will promote the protection of surface
and groundwater resources.
12. Develop a long-term capital improvement program based on asset management.
13. Implement a townwide stormwater drainage program.
Private Utilities and Rights-of-Way
14.
Establish a work-permit requirement for private utilities to work within Town road rights-ofway.
15.
Work with the Public Service Commission to improve telephone service in areas with poor
quality service.
16.
Work with governmental and private entities to improve and extend broadband internet
service, wireless internet and other communications services to underserved areas of the Town.
128
Alternative and Sustainable Energy
18.
Revise zoning to accommodate the establishment of alternative and sustainable energy facilities,
including, but not limited to, wind, solar, biomass, biodiesel and ethanol, while protecting the
quality of life of residential neighborhoods and the viability of existing businesses, including
agriculture.
GOALS:
A. Maintain and improve government facilities to meet the needs of Town residents in a costeffective manner.
B. Work with governmental and private entities to increase the number and enhance the quality
of recreational opportunities available to Town residents.
1. Investigate opportunities to acquire additional land for recreational purposes.
2. Obtain funding and construct larger facilities for the Town Court.
3. Establish additional space for records storage.
4. Expand and improve Town facilities as needed.
5. Cooperate with other governments to address municipal needs on a cost-effective manner.
ADOPTED: March 2007
129

Agriculture and Farmland

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