A. New growth should be guided in such a manner as to preserve and protect the existing character of the Town. To help accomplish this goal, selected areas of scenic beauty should be protected. The present character of the Town and this Plan indicates that growth should continue in the hamlets of Pine Bush and Bullville. However, the development of a major urban core is not anticipated, as Crawford will continue to encourage small, family-owned businesses as well as residential and agricultural activities that should minimize impacts on the existing rural streetscape and community character.
B. Pine Bush should continue as the center of Town activity. Municipal offices, the Pine Bush Central School system, and most other public and quasi-public activities as well as most commercial activities should continue to be centered in this portion of the Town, because this is the area of the Town served by public water and sewer systems as well as the area that is best served by major transportation links.
Major growth should be tied into a sewer district or districts designed to provide tertiary treatment. Particularly in the Bullville area, new treatment technologies for reducing wastewater volumes may be appropriate.
The Town would encourage the creation of central sewer systems where the same would be employed to maintain the existing character of an area of a suitably sized and located development outside the hamlet areas. However, the Town should ensure that such a facility is acceptably designed, constructed, and maintained, and that appropriate administrative arrangements are made so that the public welfare is protected.
C. Every effort should be made to minimize the need for capital expenditures at all levels of government, while maximizing the resource use efficiency. To accomplish this goal, several key factors must be taken into consideration. For example, existing major connector and collector roads (typically State and County roads) should be of primary importance in the location of any major developments. At the same time, the functional capacity of existing collector and collector roads should be protected, and the Town should discourage a proliferation of curb cuts.
To ensure adequate and safe ingress and egress, projects containing more than fifty dwelling units should have direct access to connector or collector roads.
Second, as the Town's growth centers develop, selected Town roads should be upgraded. The Town should discourage an excessive proliferation of cul de sacs, and should pursue suitable opportunities for new collector and collector roads. This effort must not lag behind completed development, as a viable system of streets and highways must be completed. Conditions on existing state highways should not be neglected: New York State Department of Transportation should be encouraged to investigate safety, widening and sight distance improvements to Route 302 at the Thompson Ridge intersection, and between Thompson Ridge and Pine Bush.
Third, if the opportunity presents itself and it is in the Town's best interest, consideration should be given to joining a regional sewer and/or water district.
Fourth, where possible, private and public funds should be combined to make capital improvements. This is especially true for the municipal sewer district and municipal water supplies in Pine Bush, and road improvements adjacent to the growth centers.
D. The Town should provide for an appropriate mix in residential housing by size, type, and cost in order to fulfill the needs of all citizens. High density residential areas should be located where they can be served by municipal facilities.
E. Residential densities should relate to the character and density of surrounding developed areas, topography and natural features, utilities, and other community services and facilities, while incorporating natural features and open spaces. Measures should be taken to protect the rural appearance of the Town's streetscape.
F. Commercial and industrial growth should be encouraged in or adjacent to existing and proposed growth centers. The Town of Crawford encourages this type of development as a means of creating a balanced socio-economic atmosphere. Commercial/industrial parks should be centralized around adequate sewage, water, and transportation facilities and not be allowed to grow in a strip pattern. Their layout and appearance should be regulated so that it presents an attractive face that is consistent with the community, avoiding cookie-cutter design and large, windowless boxes.
G. Adequate recreational facilities to serve all ages and incomes should be developed. In acquiring and developing additional recreational facilities and parkland, attention should be paid to the Town's active recreational needs as well as passive recreational uses.
