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Draft Goals
The Citizens Planning Advisory Group has developed four draft goals that it will propose to the Town Board as a starting point for developing strategies and action steps that will be part of an updated comprehensive plan. These proposed goals are based on community input obtained through public meetings and the community survey. They also use information obtained through in depth interviews with local elected and appointed officials and further research by three task forces of the Citizens Planning Advisory Group.
Summary
The following paragraphs summarize the four draft goals:
Preserve and protect rural character and environmental quality of the town. The things that make New Baltimore special to people who live here can be protected in ways that are consistent with encouraging appropriate development and protecting individual property rights. Suggested actions include developing tools to regulate major subdivisions, encouraging housing that preserves open space, restricting multi-unit development to certain parts of town, appropriately regulating development on lots where environmental limitations exist, and inventorying and seeking opportunities to protect special places and resources. To see more detail about this goal, including how it is supported by the community survey, click here.
Encourage agricultural and protect farmland. Agriculture is important both to enhance prosperity and to protect the things that make New Baltimore special. The Greene County Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection Plan clearly demonstrates why this is true and provides well thought out goals and initiatives to encourage agricultural development. The Town should participate in these initiatives as appropriate to encourage and support agricultural activity in New Baltimore. To see more detail about this goal, including how it is supported by the community survey, click here.
Promote and encourage business development that is consistent with the rural and historic character of the town and that contributes to the town tax base. Business and commerce should be encouraged to provide economic prosperity so that New Baltimore is an affordable place to live. Actions could include concentrating development in appropriate areas, providing developers with clear expectations about what the community requires of quality development, promoting home based businesses, and assuring that administrative processes are thorough, prompt and effective. To see more detail about this goal, including how it is supported by the community survey, click here.
Advance the administration and understanding of local laws and ordinances. Suggested ways to advance the administration of local laws and ordinances can include information sharing to residents of what local laws and ordinances exist, common or frequent violations and misconceptions; and review of wording and legal enforceability of local laws to give code enforcement personnel the tools needed for effective enforcement; and provide for adequate staffing and training. To see more detail about this goal, including how it is supported by the community survey, click here.