(6) COMPLETE AN HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY

As this Plan indicates, the Town of Crawford has a long and interesting history. Many historic resources of high value exist within the Town, yet they are poorly identified and not widely known among the population. Opinion surveys placed a high priority on the identification of this resource, and it is the policy of this Plan that the resource be surveyed and publicized. Grants that are available to complete an historic resources survey should be pursued. The resulting information can be shared through the Town Cultural Center, and can be used to promote historical tourism. The Town should encourage and promote the preservation of historic structures.

(7) RESEARCH METHODS TO MAXIMIZE VALUE FROM THE STATE SCENIC BYWAYS DESIGNATION OF ROUTE 302

The agricultural and scenic streetscape of New York State Route 302 north of Bullville has long been recognized by Crawford's residents, who in the late 1980's pursued its designation as a local and regional Scenic Road. After these local efforts, the roadway was designated as a New York State Scenic Byway, one of a few such designated roadways in the State. The viewshed of the Scenic Byway contains not only dramatic views of the Shawangunk Mountains, but also a patchwork of woodlots, houses, farm fields and buildings typical of the region. This Plan identifies the critical need to protect the characteristics of the existing viewshed along the Scenic Byway. Without such protection, the entire resource could become so degraded as to lose its designation. It is the goal of this Plan to find creative means of enhancing and protecting the Route 302 viewshed, which also forms a key gateway into and out of Town and the hamlet of Pine Bush. This complements other goals of the Plan regarding historic resources, tourism, and community character.

Grant funds are available for visual improvements and printed material; these should be pursued by the Town. The Town should also join with its Ulster County neighbors in advancing the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway project.

(8) INITIATE A COOPERATIVE EFFORT WITH THE PINE BUSH CENTRAL SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATION TO INSURE RATIONAL GROWTH IN AND AROUND CENTRAL SCHOOL FACILITIES

The Pine Bush Central School District is a key employer in the town and locus of economic and community activity in the hamlet of Pine Bush. As noted in other goals of this Plan, the Town strongly supports this role and advocates its continuation. At the same time, the Town also recognizes that the school facilities create challenges for traffic flows and adjoining properties. The Town is uniquely placed to promote cooperation among leading public agencies and to pursue policies and grants such as the Quality Community grants from New York State Department of State now available to help resolve these.

(9) SUPPORT PINE BUSH AS THE CORE, CENTRAL HAMLET OF THE TOWN

It has been a long-established goal of the Town to support Pine Bush as its primary growth area, consistent with its historic role for roughly 150 years. Central sewer and water services, municipal and community facilities, and major transportation routes all serve Pine Bush, which has the Town's greatest concentration of population. The beauty and charm of the Main Street area has been highlighted by Main Street revitalization efforts, which this Plan supports. These efforts should continue, with the support of updated Town land use policies that support a complementary mix of land uses and appearance. Boniface Drive should be a locus for increased commercial activity that should not conflict with Main Street.

(10) BETTER DEFINE THE FUTURE ROLES AND NEEDS OF THE SMALLER HAMLETS IN THE TOWN, INCLUDING SEARSVILLE, BULLVILLE, THOMPSON RIDGE, AND COLLABAR

The Town's many hamlets and their historic roles are described in this Plan. Though the passage of history and changes in land use have changed these areas from vital community centers to quiet settlements, they retain a distinct identity and remain an important part of the Town's special, rural character. The hamlets contain a concentration of historic buildings and resources, and efforts should be made to address the unique needs of these special areas of the Town. The Town should encourage and promote the preservation of historic structures.

(11) RESEARCH PROSPECTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OFFICE/LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PARK

Establishing an office/light industrial park can be an effective means of managing both the location and the design of new commercial development, and this has proven successful in nearby locations. Particularly in areas of the Town where access to high-speed data lines or other resources is available, such parks can serve as incubators for economic development while presenting an attractive, coordinated appearance. The Town should consider expediting reviews for potential sites. This goal was identified in the opinion survey as a means of enhancing the Town's non-residential tax base, while still protecting the Town's character and appearance.

(12) SUPPORT AN APPROPRIATE MIX AND DESIGN OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE ROUTE 17K AND ROUTE 52 EAST CORRIDORS

Unique opportunities exist for business location in these corridors due to the imminent availability of high-speed data lines. The Town should address these opportunities pro-actively in a way that is consistent with the Plan in anticipation of marketplace trends and pressure for business location in these corridors. Such development should carefully consider compatibility with neighborhood uses and design. Like the preceding item, this was identified as a priority goal in the opinion survey.

(13) SUPPORT AN APPROPRIATE ROLE OF HOME OCCUPATIONS AND BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN WHILE INSURING THEIR COMPATIBILITY WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHILE MAINTAINING THE CRITICAL ECONOMY OF THE TOWN'S BUSINESS AREAS

The advent of home computers makes greater opportunities available for residents to work at home, and telecommuting workers or other home-based businesses may play a critical role in the area's future economy. However, the Town must proceed carefully in considering the appropriate role of home occupations and businesses. It is important to recognize that there is a "critical mass" of businesses needed to foster a healthy support of the Town's existing business areas. If the Town is to sustain a strong and active business community, there needs to be a clear line drawn between what is an acceptable home occupation. Furthermore, as the community grows, many business uses that once took place in conjunction with residences on large open lots without creating community character issues, now result in conflict and complaints. Town land use regulations must be carefully re-evaluated in regard to other-than-residential uses in residential areas.

(14) IDENTIFY AND PROTECT THE IMPORTANT GATEWAYS INTO THE TOWN OF CRAWFORD

"Gateways" are key transition points within the Town, either at the edges of the Town's key hamlets or at the boundary of the Town itself. Travelers and residents form their first impressions of the Town and its settlements from the appearance of these gateways. Therefore, the appearance and design of development at these gateways, notably along Routes 52, 302 and 17K, is critically important. Town land use code and policies should encourage gateway enhancements- particularly when new development is proposed.

(15) INSURE THAT TOWN GOALS ARE ECONOMICALLY EFFICIENT

Taxes were a priority identified in the opinion survey, yet the major component of property taxes are school taxes in a rapidly growing school district. Because Pine Bush Central School District includes parts of several towns in three different counties, land use decisions outside of Crawford impact school population and costs. This underscores need for intermunicipal cooperation as well as cooperation with School District itself, as addressed in complementary goals of this Plan.