Lewis County NEW YORK COMPREHENSIVE P October 6, 2009 · Lewis County NEW YORK COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN October 6, 2009 High Priority Guidebook POLICY AREA 1: TOURISM & RECREATION

HIGH PRIORITY GUIDEBOOK FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLANLewis County

N E W Y O R K

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INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this High Priority Guidebook is tosummarize the vision, policy areas and high-priorityaction items in the 2009 Lewis County ComprehensivePlan and identify key areas where Plan concepts canbe used at the local level. It is not intended to be astand-alone document, but rather a companion quick-reference guide to the Comprehensive Plan.

In 2008 and 2009, Lewis County developed aComprehensive Plan to identify the community’s shortand long-term needs and tie together broad ideas withspecific and targeted activities that will guidecommunity decision-making in the county over thenext 10 to 15 years. The purpose of the Plan is toaddress various topics of inter-community interest withcounty-wide impacts and to develop strategies toprotect, enhance and encourage orderly growth anddevelopment. The Plan development included inputfrom a multitude of sources, including an analysis ofexisting conditions data, Steering Committee meetings,public meetings and stakeholder group meetings.

The Comprehensive Plan should be reviewed andrevised every seven years, per New York State GeneralMunicipal Law 239-d 10. A revision should include anupdate to relevant existing conditions data, verificationof stated vision and policies, a summary of completedaction items and those underway, and the addition ofother relevant implementation steps based on thechanging needs of the county.

ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK

The framework of the Plan, which includes Policies,Objectives and Action Items, is designed to support theVision Statement for the county. The Plan has four keyelements, which are described below:

Vision StatementA general statement about the future condition orstate of the community; it is the end toward whichall actions are aimed.

Policy StatementPolicies are narrower in scope and tend to target aspecific area or topic. They imagine what thecommunity should have or become.

ObjectiveA statement of measurable activity to beaccomplished in pursuit of the policy. They considerbroad actions or aspirations, and include words suchas increase, develop, or preserve.

Action Item*A specific proposal to do something that relatesdirectly to accomplishing an objective, which usuallytakes the form of a plan, activity, project, or program.

*Note: Only high priority Action Items are listed in thisGuidebook. Refer to the full Comprehensive Plan for a list offunders and partners and all other action items. Action Itemnumbers are taken directly from the Comprehensive Plan.

The plan development included input from a multitudeof sources, including:

Meetings with county staff and elected officialsCommunity Meetings open to the publicReview of current and past planning efforts, both atthe county and local level

VISION OF LEWIS COUNTY

In Lewis County, we take pride in our small town culture, pristine landscape, tremendous recreationopportunities, rich farming and forestry heritage, vast energy resources, and overall quality of life. Aswe protect and enhance these assets, we will work to be the premier rural county in New YorkState. To achieve this, we will:

Encourage economic growth by supporting existing businesses, attracting new employers,fostering emerging industries, and revitalizing our downtowns;Explore opportunities that will improve our standing as a leader in renewable and sustainableenergy;Adhere to sustainable policies that address environmental stewardship, economic health, andgovernment operations;Develop strategic partnerships between government, citizens, and leaders in the fields ofeducation, industry, agriculture and forestry, health and human services, housing, and tourism toachieve a vibrant community;Enhance and expand our extensive recreational opportunities in a manner that balances tourisminterests with environmental impacts;Employ a strategic and cooperative approach to the provision of infrastructure and other scarceresources; andBe governed by officials that are mindful of the quality of life enjoyed in Lewis County and arefully equipped to enforce all of these values and priorities.

POLICY AREAS

The Objectives and Action Items are categorizedaccording the following seven Policy Areas. Subtopicsdemonstrate the coverage of each area:

Tourism and RecreationOrganizational and leadership capacityMarketing and promotionsServices and infrastructure

Economic DevelopmentSustainable and renewable energyBusiness and workforce developmentIndustrial development

Infrastructure and TransportationTransportation networkPublic infrastructure (water, sewer, gas, electric)Telecommunications

Community Resources and HousingEducationHousingVillage revitalization

Agriculture and ForestryFarming and agri-tourismForestry and maple industries

Natural Resources and the EnvironmentEnvironmental protectionRural character preservation

Regional CoordinationIntermunicipal coordination and efficienciesLand use planning

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Lewis CountyN E W Y O R K COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

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POLICY AREA 1: TOURISM & RECREATION

Policy Statement

Lewis County has a unique and attractive ruralcharacter, which makes it a wonderful place to visitand explore. The region abounds with recreationopportunities that attract visitors from great distances.We will build upon these existing attractions with astrategic approach to branding and marketing. We willseek to balance economic success with impacts on theenvironment and the peaceful nature of ourcommunities. Coordinated efforts betweengovernment agencies, not-for-profits, and localbusinesses will make Lewis County a renowned touristdestination for generations.

Objectives and Action Items

The following objectives and action items provideguidance for county-level policy and decision makingrelated to tourism and recreation.

Objective A: Create the organizational and leadershipcapacity to develop and market tourism.

High Priority Action Items

1. Establish a tourism entity, such as a departmentor Visitor's Bureau, to coordinate and collaboratetourism and recreation development. An initialeffort of this entity should be to create a unifiedpolicy and action document from existing regionaland resource plan that summarizes all major itemsin a single location.

2. Create a tourism committee as a standinglegislative committee to take on the role ofcoordinator of tourism activities.

4. The County Government should make fundingfor tourism and recreation efforts a high priority.

Objective B: Enhance promotional and marketingefforts, including materials that bolster support fortourism and recreation investments at the county level.


1. Develop a tourism management plan.Components should include: branding andidentity, targeted marketing plan, strategy forforming strategic alliances within the industry,strategy for acquisition of new lands, and animplementat ion schedule with roles ,responsibilities and time frames.

2. Develop a County recreation master plan.

3. Create a brochure for placement within publicbuildings, tourist destinations, highly traffickedbusinesses, and public spaces displaying locationswithin Lewis County where travelers can purchaselocally produced foods, crafts, and wood products.

6. Hire a website developer to create a single-source tourism-related website, complete withstrategic links to other websites, state of the art tripplanning tools, and a comprehensive list ofdestinations and events.

7. Develop a web-based calendar of events thatpromote large- and small-scale events andlocations.

9. Ensure that agri-tourism is part of a coordinatedtourism program.

10. Create a presentation on the benefits oftourism for both the public and local officials.

11. Develop an updated fiscal impact study ontourism and recreation.

13. Update the Tug Hill Recreation Guide toreflect new destinations/features, new guidelines/restrictions for use of public lands, and changingtarget audiences.

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TOURISM & RECREATION, CONTINUED

Objective C: Expand tourism strategies to increase year-round visitation.


1. Maintain the existing trail development programand ensure that it also enhances planning for multi-use and non-motorized trail uses.

5. Encourage the development of recreationrelated businesses such as boat livery, tackle shops,and sporting goods along the Black River.

7. Continue to pursue rails-to-trails and rails-with-trails opportunities on the abandoned rail linesbetween Lowville and Carthage and betweenLowville and Croghan.

Objective D: Provide additional infrastructure andtraining to enhance the recreation and tourismnetwork.


1. Develop county-wide and coordinated signage,to be installed at important gateways, crossroads,and destinations.

4. Conduct a market and product gap analysis fortourist-oriented goods and services, includinglodging, within Lewis County, then developtechnical assistance and workshop training sessionsthat will assist businesses in diversifying and fillingthese gaps.

10. Focus on the creation of additional publicpassive and active recreation infrastructure that willimprove the health of the community.

Objective E: Ensure that recreation and tourismactivities are designed to protect the environment andmaintain rural community character.

No high priority action items.

Objective F: Increase available funding sourcesdedicated to recreation and tourism.


1. Maintain the bed tax and ensure that funds fromthis source are dedicated to tourism and recreationdevelopment that serve both residents and tourists.

2. Evaluate methods to initiate a fee system formotorized trail use. Fees should go to trailmaintenance and development of new recreationalopportunities.

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The following objectives and action items provideguidance for county-level policy and decision makingrelated to economic development.

Objective A: Leverage the assets and momentum of therenewable and sustainable energy industry to provide asolid foundation for the county’s economic growth.


2. Work with SUNY ESF or other consultant ondeveloping an action plan that will support theemergence of woody biomass production andprocessing within Lewis County.

3. Develop a comprehensive database andconceptual network of feedstocks and wasteproducts for all industries. Examine opportunitiesfor strategic links in that network that will furthersustainability goals while boosting the localeconomy.

6. Continue to support the development of ananaerobic digestion facility that will utilize localorganic waste to generate heat and power, andinvestigate the use of by-products by end-user.

7. Investigate the potential for an industrial parkwith an agriculture-based business focus thatprovides tenants with low cost power via wind,geothermal, biomass, anaerobic digesters, etc.

9. Conduct a county-wide energy assessment ofpotential supply and production capacity for non-fossil fuel and renewable energy sources.

10. Develop a marketing strategy that highlights theavailable resources, infrastructure, and existingbusinesses within the alternative energy industry toattract additional investment.

POLICY AREA 2: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Policy Statement

It is the policy of Lewis County to support existingbusinesses and encourage the attraction of newbusinesses that meet the needs of residents andvisitors. The economic vitality of the communitydepends on having locally supported businesses andsustainable employment opportunities. The countywill build upon existing assets and growing economicsectors such as recreation, health care, and value-added agricultural and forestry products. Additionally,we will place a particular emphasis on growing therenewable and sustainable energy sector, which willhave positive impacts both locally and regionally. Asthese sectors are expanded, we will strengthen ourability to retain and attract young people to live, work,and raise a family in Lewis County.

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Objective C: Provide the infrastructure necessary forindustrial operations to expand in or relocate to LewisCounty.


3. Conduct a site assessment and feasibility studyfor the location of ‘shovel ready’ industrial sitesand/or parks within Lewis County.

6. Continue efforts towards the development of amaple syrup bottling and/or co-bottling facility andthe enhancement of the maple syrup productsindustry within Lewis County.

7. Leverage the presence of the county's fiber opticnetwork to attract new businesses.

Objective B: Establish the necessary training,networking, and organizational capacity to improve thecounty’s labor pool and enhance its existing businesses.


5. Create a "Brain Gain Commission" in partnershipwith area schools, colleges, universities, businesses,and municipalities that is charged with developingan action plan for retaining and recruiting youngprofessionals.

7. Partner with regional education providers andrelevant businesses to develop training programssuch as skilled manufacturing, forestry, animalhusbandry, crop production, alternative energy,and electric and instrumentation technical skills,and foster the development of energy focuseddegrees, concentrations, and certificationprograms.

8. Develop and support a county-wide microloanprogram for the establishment of new business andthe expansion of existing businesses within thecounty.

9. Conduct a feasibility study for an on-line/distance learning and training center for centralLewis County to take advantage of the OpenAccess Telecom Network Point of Presence in theVillage of Lowville.

11. Expand efforts to brand locally made productsas "Pride of NY" and "Made in Lewis County, NY."

The Development Authority of the North Country’s (DANC) OpenAccess Telecom Network provides the North Country with a high-bandwidth, state-of-the-art telecommunications network with severalPoints of Presence (yellow dots) throughout the region. The POPsallow for a direct connection for high-bandwidth users such as datacenters, hospitals, and more, improving the competitive advantageand economic opportunities for regional businesses.

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POLICY AREA 3: INFRASTRUCTURE &TRANSPORTATION

Policy Statement

Lewis County must promote a purpose-driven regionalapproach to enhancing its infrastructure systems.Assets such as road and rail networks, sewer and watersystems, and energy systems are critical components tothe health of our people and our economy. Thecounty will provide guidance to towns and villagesrelated to growth patterns, infrastructure investment,and other vital systems. This guidance will engagelocalities in a county-wide strategic perspective,ensuring that existing assets are maintained andadditional investments are sound.


The following objectives and action items provideguidance for county-level policy and decision makingrelated to infrastructure and transportation.

Objective A: Ensure the transportation networkpromotes economic development, is consistent withsmart-growth policies, and enhances the overall qualityof life in the county.


6. Continue coordinating transportation efforts asrecommended in the County CoordinatedTransportation Plan. The Plan should be reviewedand updated within the next five years.

8. Encourage all municipalities to develop a long-range plan for maintenance and improvements toroads and bridges.

9. Encourage all municipal entities to create capitalbudgets to optimize equipment replacement andpurchasing.

Objective B: Enhance and expand public infrastructureand services in a manner that maximizes investmentand supports the land use and economic goals of thisPlan.


2. Complete "Last Mile" of telecommunicationsinfrastructure, including connections to LewisCounty General Hospital, Lewis County PublicSafety Building, Maple Ridge Wind Farm, andthrough the southern end of the county to Utica.

4. Implement the recommendations of the county-wide water study.

5. Encourage adjacent towns and villages toconsider consolidating water and sewer operations.

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POLICY AREA 4: COMMUNITY RESOURCES &HOUSING

Policy Statement

It is the policy of Lewis County to have communityresources that enhance our quality of life and improveour economic standing. These resources includeaffordable and quality housing, community centers,parks, education, and public safety systems. Werecognize that these components are intertwined andtherefore must be approached from a holisticperspective. The county will actively support agencies,municipalities, and individuals as they seek to enhancethese resources. Such partnerships will ensure thatfuture generations will continue our heritage of prideand investment in our communities.


These objectives and action items provide guidance forcounty-level policy and decision making related tocommunity resources and housing.

Objective A: Restore villages as centers of commerce,community, and civic life.


1. Develop a listing of grant and funding resources,complete with contact information, recurringdates, and eligible activities for use by Countymunicipalities to enhance streetscapes, facades,historic structures and other community assets.This should be followed up with regularlyscheduled primers and ‘how-to-apply’ sessions inadvance of funding due dates.

2. Improve and expand sidewalk networks in thevillages.

5. Promote existing and encourage new specialevents such as farmers’ markets and festivals toincrease foot traffic and activity in the county’svillages and hamlets.

7. Identify key sites and structures in village centersfor rehabilitation and redevelopment including site/building condition and suitability for use/reuse;pursue funding these projects.

11. Continue to support façade improvementprograms so commercial building owners canreceive matching grants for renovations, consistentwith context-sensitive design guidelines.

12. Pursue redevelopment of the vacant LowvillePlaza, an important and underutilized site on thesouthern edge of the Village of Lowville.

Objective B: Enhance educational facilities andprograms to better serve the needs of children andadults in the community.


5. Strive to create partnerships with educationalfacilities to increase the availability of specialty andhigher education opportunities within the county.

Objective C: Encourage the provision of safe,affordable, and diverse housing options for countyresidents.


1. Identify priority sites for development/redevelopment of affordable housing units.Priority should be given to existing buildings andinfrastructure, such as buildings in a village corewith upper story apartments.

5. Investigate the demand for and opportunities toprovide ‘enriched’ housing options for the elderly.

13. Continue to support the Snow Belt HousingCompany in its development and delivery ofhousing programs, including housing rehabilitationand first-time home buyers programs, and theefforts of the Housing Task Force.

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POLICY AREA 5: AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY

Policy Statement

It is our policy to actively support the county’s vastagricultural and forestry resources. From the Tug HillPlateau to the Black River Valley to the AdirondackFoothills, these assets represent our heritage and ourfuture. Policies and actions at the county level will bedesigned to preserve and enhance these industries,including emerging sustainability-based practices. Thecounty will support economic development initiatives,land use policies, and strategic alliances that willbolster the farming and forestry industries as they facea myriad of challenges in the 21st century.


The following objectives and action items provideguidance for county-level policy and decision makingrelated to agriculture and forestry.

Objective A: Expand programs and policies thatstrengthen the dairy, maple and forest productindustries.


1. Update and implement the County AgriculturalEnhancement Plan (AEP) and investigate thecreation of an entity or partnership between thecounty and other ag-related agencies to lead andmanage its implementation.

3. Continue support for the Cornell CooperativeExtension, Lewis County Soil and WaterConservation District, and other ag-related effortsincluding the "Regional Come Farm with Us"program.

5. Investigate the benefits of partnering withJefferson County Agricultural DevelopmentCorporation to enhance the health of farming inthe region.

9. Continue to support the process of revising theLewis County soil survey maps.

Objective B: Improve education and outreach toindustry, organizations, municipalities, and the generalpublic regarding important issues pertaining toagriculture, forestry, and the environment.


2. Work with the Lewis County IDA to place moreemphasis on support of farm businesses and ag-related business development.

3. Develop an agricultural clearinghouse websitefor guidance, education, assistance, forms, andother relevant information in support of thecounty's agricultural objectives.

5. Work with the forest products industry tostrengthen the marketing of wood resources andproducts within Lewis County, including programsthat encourage low-grade wood use.

Objective C: Promote programs and policies thatdevelop value-added, niche, alternative, and agri-touristoriented farming activities.


1. Establish programs that promote theredevelopment of existing farms for non-traditionalfarming uses and provide best practices and modelreuse scenarios.

2. Coordinate with the Cornell CooperativeExtension and other organizations on thedevelopment and implementation of programs thatpromote and market locally grown foods.

5. Continue to promote a branding campaign forproducts grown or produced in Lewis County.

8. Work with Fort Drum personnel and decisionmakers to expand marketing at the base for localproducts.

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POLICY AREA 6: NATURAL RESOURCES & THEENVIRONMENT

Policy Statement

Lewis County has an abundance of natural resources,including water, wind, soils, and wildlife. Togetherwith our citizens, they form a unique ecosystem thatmust be preserved and sustained for futuregenerations. These assets are the foundation for thequality of life we enjoy and play a major role inpeople’s decisions to live in or visit Lewis County. Thecounty will provide leadership in their preservation bypromoting sound development practices, supportingstrategic land use planning, and communitystewardship initiatives to reduce or eliminate thedegradation of these resources.


The following objectives and action items provideguidance for county-level policy and decision makingrelated to natural resources and the environment.

Objective A: Preserve and protect critical environmentalresources, including agricultural soils, hydrology, openspaces, woodlands, and wildlife habitats.


4. Implement water quality improvementrecommendations contained in the Black RiverWatershed Management Plan.

Objective B: Preserve and protect the rural character ofLewis County.


2. Encourage municipalities to support andpromote nodal growth and in-fill developmentpatterns within hamlets and villages to protectcritical agricultural and environmental areas.

5. Promote comprehensive planning and thedevelopment of zoning regulations at the town andvillage level.

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POLICY AREA 7: REGIONAL COORDINATION

Policy Statement

Lewis County will be a leader in Upstate New York forinter-governmental cooperation and strategicpartnerships. The county has a large geographic areawith low population densities and some communitieslack the critical mass to support all the desired servicesof its residents. Therefore, we must leverage ourcollective assets rather than compete or existindependent of one another. We recognize thatconstrained budgets at every level of governmentrequire us to make difficult choices. As such, we willengage in meaningful dialogue across municipalboundaries, and continue to engage entities withregional significance such as the Tug Hill Commission,Adirondack Park Agency and Fort Drum. Theseefforts, both formal and informal, will result inincreased efficiencies, improved health and well-being,and benefits that are irrespective of physicalboundaries.


The following objectives and action items provideguidance for county-level policy and decision makingrelated to regional coordination.

Objective A: Investigate the benefits of shared and/orconsolidated municipal services.


1. The County should work with towns and villagesto investigate the benefits of municipalconsolidation and shared service agreements.

2. Continue to investigate opportunities forimproved coordination of transportation services.

4. Investigate a cost of services analysis bymunicipality to benchmark municipal servicedelivery costs.

5. Investigate the options presented within the NYSReal Property Tax Administration ImprovementGrant Study. Further evaluation of a county-wideassessment program or other options forconsolidated assessment should be explored andimplemented if determined beneficial tomunicipalities and residents.

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Website homepage for DANC.

Objective B: Improve education and outreachprogramming regarding municipal options forcooperation, consolidation, and shared services.


2. Develop and facilitate educational andconsultation panels to jointly discuss coordinationand service consolidation with interestedmunicipalities; panels to be composed of teams ofexperts, including legal, financial, and land use.

3. Create an educational presentation on theimportance and impacts of the real propertyassessment process.

Objective C: Develop partnerships and agreements toleverage the efforts of county-wide agencies andorganizations.


1. Continue to work closely with DANC andFDRLO to improve opportunities for spill-overeffects from investments at Fort Drum.

Objective D: Provide models, best-practices andimproved education and outreach on issues pertainingto land use planning and zoning.


1. Develop model code language andrecommended best practices regarding land useregulations to address resource extraction, outdoorfurnaces other relevant nuisance issues.

2. Develop an educational series that will improvethe public's understanding and perceptions ofplanning and zoning, and disseminate tools andinformation regarding the development ofcomprehensive plans and zoning codes.

3. Develop model code language to provideconsistent subdivision regulations regarding lotsizes and roadway access management to protectrural and agricultural character.

6. Develop educational/guidance programs to assistmunicipalities on 239-L, 239-M, and 239-N reviewprocedures and other relevant training sessions inlocations throughout the County.

7. Assist in the development and dissemination ofliterature and educational materials on theformation of joint planning and zoning boards.

Objective E: Investigate opportunities for regionallyapplied planning efficiencies and improvements.

No high priority action items.

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Lewis CountyN E W Y O R K

July 2009Map 13

Character Area Plan

TOWNSTOWNS

ADIRONDACK PARK BLUE LINE

Interstates

State Roads

County Roads

Local Roads

Active RRCharacter Areas

Farmland

Forest

Lakefront Living

Rural Living

Village Living

Village Transition

Village Center

Industry

Fort Drum

kj Hamlets & Crossroads

Riparian Buffers*

Consists of a 100-foot bufferon either side of a creek,river, lake, or pond.

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COUNTY CHARACTER AREA PLAN

The Lewis County Character Area Plan (CCAP)provides a blueprint for growth, preservation, and landuse management at both the county and local level forthe following land use categories:

ForestFarmlandRural LivingHamlets & CrossroadsLakefront LivingVillage CenterVillage LivingVillage TransitionIndustry

The CCAP provides recommendations for land usepatterns from a county-wide perspective. Theserecommendations are not enforceable at the locallevel, as each town or village retains the local controlto pursue land use regulations at their discretion.However, it is recommended that each communityconsider these recommendations, and work closelywith the Lewis County Department of EconomicDevelopment and Planning, Tug Hill Commission,Adirondack Park Agency, and other relevant agenciesto develop a sound land use plan. A coordinated andcollaborative approach across municipal boundarieswill ensure important natural and community resourcesare preserved and that growth and investment arefocused in appropriate locations.

The purpose of the CCAP is to:

Delineate areas of common identity and character,similar to a generalized existing land use map;Identify areas recommended for futuredevelopment, including residential, commercial,and mixed-use areas;Provide guidance on issues relevant to eachcategory, such as revitalizing Main Street orprotecting farmland; andEstablish a common starting point for Future LandUse Plans at the Town or Village level.

The development of the CCAP involved analyzing avariety of geospatial data, including existing land use,Agricultural Districts and public land, prime farmlandand hydric soils, topography, waterbodies, publicinfrastructure and zoning districts.

This information was used to identify existing land usepatterns and limitations or incentives affecting futuredevelopment. A town or village may choose to adoptthe CCAP, as it pertains to its community, as its localland use plan. It may also use the plan as a startingpoint subject to modification and additional level ofdetail. Ideally, each town and village in the countywould engage in a land use planning process consistentwith the CCAP, providing for a cohesive and strategicapproach to managing the ever-changing landscape ofLewis County.

The CCAP consists of an overall map, shown on thenext page, and extensive narratives for each category,which are summarized on subsequent pages.

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FOREST CHARACTER AREA

Forest is the largest character area within LewisCounty, comprising more than half of its land area.Approximately 95 percent of the area designated asforest is comprised of some form of conservationdesignation, including state and county lands and landwithin the Adirondack Park. Still, forest fragmentationand the subdivision of viable forestland into smallerparcels is a primary concern in Lewis County. Thesubdivision of timberland inhibits efficient logging andharvesting of wood resources by increasing themobilization and labor costs associated with relocatingoperations between smaller plots of land.

The retention of forest access easements, linkages, androadways between timber stands is crucial tomaintaining a viable timber harvesting industry.Municipalities should consider requirements for accessretention during site plan review, as well as guidelinesand standards for the design of physical siteimprovements. Municipalities should encouragelimitations on the amount of clearing permitted alongroad frontages for site development projects to protectthe visual and spatial characteristics unique to forestareas, such as the sense of enclosure, restrictedviewsheds, and the vertical delineation of space alongroadway corridors.

Trail development in forested areas provide a low-impact use while preserving the integrity of the land.Conservation easements, which limit futuredevelopment rights in exchange for reduction inproperty taxes, allow traditional uses of the land, suchas forestry, agriculture and recreation, as long as theycontinue to meet property conservation goals.

FARMLAND CHARACTER AREA

Farmland is the second largest character area withinLewis County, accounting for more than one-quarter ofthe land area. The quality soils and rural landscape offarmland contribute to the economic, cultural, andhistoric character of Lewis County. A challenge forcommunities in Lewis County is to find a balancebetween the protection of farm and forest lands andthe ability of land owners to realize a reasonable returnon their property.

Local land use regulations should emphasize theimportance of maintaining farmlands and agriculturalactivities. Design and policy considerations in theFarmland Character Area should promote newdevelopment that minimizes impacts on farmland andfarm activities. Development in these areas must avoidfragmentation of farmlands, preserve the mostproductive soils, and reduce nuisance conflicts—all ofwhich are noted in the Comprehensive Plan as criticalissues to Lewis County farmers.

The majority of development in Lewis County over thepast two decades has been the subdivision of frontagelots from large parent parcels in rural areas. Thispractice can degrade the rural character of the countyand cause a loss of valuable natural resources overtime. While there is no single solution to this issue, thefollowing tools may help to strike a balance betweenfarmland preservation and land development:

Site Plan ReviewSubdivision RequirementsFrontage RequirementsAccess ManagementSite Design Guidelines/StandardsInfrastructure ManagementConservation Easement DesignConservation and Cluster SubdivisionsLocal ‘Right-to-Farm’ LawLease of Development Rights (LDR)

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HAMLETS & CROSSROADS CHARACTER AREA

Hamlets and Crossroads in Lewis County are smallpopulation clusters that range from a collection of afew dozen frontage lots along state highways to moreformalized small, residential neighborhoods. Mosthamlets formed at the junction of two roadways.Hamlets have their own distinctive character and senseof place within the rural setting.

Design considerations for Hamlets and Crossroadsshould maintain and enhance existing areas throughsmall incremental improvements such as improvedsignage, striping and shoulders which enhance thesense of place for motorists and provide forewarning totravelers as they approach hamlets.

Town planning and zoning boards should strive toretain the historic character and settlement pattern thatseparates hamlets from rural living areas and suburban-style development. This can be done by:

Maintaining consistent street setbacksRetaining consistent building heights along streetfrontagesSiting parking lots in rear or side yardsOrienting entrances to primary streetsConnecting entrances to sidewalksRequiring that construction materials be consistentwith traditional buildings materials found in thehamletRequiring that new development includesignificant landscapingRetaining mature treesUsing only native or hearty species in landscaping

RURAL LIVING CHARACTER AREA

Rural Living represents the transitional area betweenfarmland/forest and village/hamlet areas whereresidential development is spread out but not linked toagricultural activities. Future development shouldpreserve the remaining rural, historic and agriculturalcharacter in this area by minimizing the visual impactfrom public roadways and protecting importantenvironmental features. Land uses should includeresidential dwellings mixed with commercial and retailfarm support, religious, public and recreational uses.

Design considerations should aim to maintain smalltown rural character by reducing sprawl and negativetraffic impacts and agricultural/forest lands. Existingvegetation and topography can be used to buffer andscreen new buildings. Buildings can be grouped inclusters or tucked behind tree lines or knolls. Cut andfill earthwork should be minimized to limit impacts onthe environment and its visual character. Site planreview, subdivision, zoning and other local building lotlaws can all be used to incorporate good rural designprinciples.

Throughout the comprehensive planning process,participants indicated there is a need to educatenewcomers to Lewis County about living in a rural areain order to set reasonable expectations about the typesof public services and amenities that can be provided.For example, many local roads are gravel and will notbe paved. Public water and sewer systems are limitedto the areas around villages, and homeowners shouldbe aware of their responsibility to provide for theirown individual water and waste treatment on theirproperty. Also, electrical, telephone, cellular andinternet services may be unavailable or may notoperate at urban standards. The county and itsmunicipalities should partner with local realtors to helpeducate potential home buyers on this issue.

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RIPARIAN BUFFERS

Riparian Buffers are lands adjacent to a body of waterthat serve as an interface with the surrounding uplandareas. Riparian land protects and improves waterquality by trapping soil and sediments and reducingthe amount of siltation and nutrients moving upslopeinto a given water body. They also regulate watertemperature through shading, and provide food, cover,and corridors for movement and refuge duringdroughts or fire to native plants and animals.

The majority of these buffer areas in Lewis County arelocated on the Tug Hill Plateau and in the AdirondackFoothills, however the most significant buffer is alongthe Black River.

Municipalities should strive to retain a 100-foot bufferof no disturbance around water bodies to protectwater quality.

LAKEFRONT LIVING CHARACTER AREA

The Lakefront Living Character Area includes the areassurrounding Brantingham, Chase and Beaver Lakes,and Lake Bonaparte. Nearly all the uses in these areasare single family detached structures that are used forpermanent or seasonal residences, with occasionalsmall scale convenience retail or services.

The recent national real estate boom brought about adramatic increase in new development and theredevelopment of lakefront properties. This drove upproperty prices significantly over the last decade, and,as a result, property assessments have negativelyimpacted the tax requirements for long-time residents.The increase in prices and assessments also increasedthe municipal tax base.

Primary design considerations for the Lakefront Livingcharacter area include provision of public access to thewaterfront, where feasible, and the protection of waterresources. Municipalities should work with willinglandowners to develop public access plans for theseand other small lakes and ponds to ensure accessibilityfor future generations of residents and visitors. ChaseLake and its shoreline is completely developed andcontrolled by a resident’s association, thereforeproviding public access is not recommended for thislocation. However, other opportunities may arise thatwould permit public access to water resources, andthese opportunities should be further investigated.Additionally, municipalities should investigate aging,undersized and failing septic systems. A consortium oftowns could seek funding to repair and replace thesesystems without burdening individual property owners.

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VILLAGE LIVING CHARACTER AREA

The Village Living Character Area contains single andmulti-family residences and are well-definedneighborhoods that offer a diversity of housing choiceswithin short walking distance to Village Centers.Residential streets in these areas are lined withsidewalks, trees and sometimes street lighting. Narrowstreet widths promote slower vehicular speeds.

In-fill and redevelopment projects should becomplementary to existing development patterns andarchitectural character, and should improveconnectivity and housing diversity within villages.Communities can develop design guidelines to ensureconsistency or to protect historic districts.

The most important design considerations for VillageLiving character areas are density, buildingarrangement, streetscape design, and access to publicspaces. Density creates a close-knit feeling throughproximity to neighbors and provides the economies ofscale necessary to supply services and infrastructure ina cost- effective manner. Shallow setbacks on narrowlots create a sense of enclosure to the street. Frontporches connected to a sidewalk network improve thesocial atmosphere by allowing residents to interact withone another. The quality of the streetscape andconnectivity to public spaces form a unique characterand sense of place for each street.

VILLAGE CENTER CHARACTER AREA

Village Centers, also referred to as “Main Street,”“Downtown,” or the “Central Business District,” play amajor role in defining the image and quality of life oftheir respective villages and surrounding towns.

Design strategies for Village Centers should considerthe relationship between buildings and the street.Consistency of building height and massing is critical,as well as pedestrian-friendly designs and developmentpatterns.

Two key opportunities to revitalize and preserve villagecenters are (1) promoting infill development on vacantlots and (2) using a form-based code to createpredictable public spaces with a lesser focus on landuse. Form-based codes regulate the form, appearance,and relationship of structures to each other and publicspaces. They are prescriptive, in that they say whatyou want rather than what you don’t want, and theywork well in established communities because theydefine and codify a neighborhood’s existing buildingtypes.

Example: Before Infill Development Example: After Infill Development

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INDUSTRY CHARACTER AREA

Industry Character Areas include a mix of olderindustry that played an important role in the growth ofvillages and newer businesses driven by the forestproducts and alternative energy sectors of theeconomy. One of the primary design considerationsfor industrial uses is mitigating visual and noiseimpacts. Future development in these areas shouldinclude a combination of berms, landscaping, andfencing to mitigate visual and psychological impacts.

Where possible, primary entrances to office spaceshould be linked via sidewalks to parking areas andpublic streets. Building materials for facades frontingprimary streets should be high quality materials such asbrick, stucco or stone. Parking areas should be locatedat the side or rear of the structure, where practical.Buildings should be located close to the street line,unless the business activity prevents this fromhappening due to noise, odor, or traffic.

The expanding alternative energy industry is thebiggest growth sector in Lewis County’s economy, andmunicipalities should encourage the use of passive andactive solar energy, wind energy, geothermal, biomass,and biogas in new industrial and manufacturingdevelopments.

VILLAGE TRANSITION CHARACTER AREA

The Village Transition Character Area is a transitionalzone between urbanized areas and surroundingfarmlands, forests and rural residential areas. It issomewhat suburban in nature, with larger,predominantly single-story buildings on large parcelswith greater setbacks from the road and increaseddistances between adjacent properties. Mostproperties are designed exclusively for access byautomobile.

Design considerations should focus on the interactionof pedestrians and vehicles, as well as the design ofnew development, access management and visualimpact. Municipalities should extend existing sidewalknetworks and encourage sidewalk connections fromprincipal building entrances to the sidewalk system toimprove corridor connectivity, safety and appearance.Access management should be improved by limitingcurb cuts, promoting shared access, parking and crossaccess between adjacent parcels. Reducing thenumber of vehicular trips on public and private driveswill lead to a decrease in the number of accidents.The placement of buildings and parking areas isimportant to the visual appeal of the corridor forpedestrians and motorists. Buildings should be close tothe corridor right-of-way and parking should beencouraged to the sides and rear of buildings.

Shared parking lots withlandscaping

Shared driveways

Relationship to road helps providegood structure to roadway

Cross access with adjacentdevelopment

Landscaping along roadwayfrontage

Preferred Development Scenario for Village Transition Areas

Produced by:

Lewis County NEW YORK COMPREHENSIVE P October 6, 2009 · Lewis County NEW YORK COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN October 6, 2009 High Priority Guidebook POLICY AREA 1: TOURISM & RECREATION

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