TOW releases survey results: Comp Plan says smaller is better

WASHINGTON — At midnight on Friday, May 6, the survey pertaining to the Town of Washington’s (TOW) Comprehensive Plan (CP) closed. It was distributed on Monday, April 11.

Brief history

The questionnaire was conducted online via Survey Monkey. It garnered responses from 690 residents: 486 from the TOW and 184 from the Village of Millbrook (VOM). Another 14 paper surveys were deposited at Town Hall.

A group of local volunteers served on the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee (CPRC). The committee worked with professional consultants from Regrowth  Community Planning & Environmental Associates (RCPEA).

Two focus groups manned by local resident volunteers helped determine the main issues regarding amending the CP.

On Friday, Feb. 26, the CPRC hosted an Open House at the Millbrook firehouse to share what had been discussed thus far, what its consultants had proposed and for residents to share their concerns and ask questions.

On Wednesday, May 25, the CPRC’s findings were submitted. They’re at www.washingtonny.org.

Survey results

Survey respondents were made up of 81% full-time residents and 15% part-time residents; 81% were business owners/operators in the TOW; 56% were business owners/operators in the VOM.

Village residents were more open to new development, as 77% favored amending the CP; only 61% of TOW residents were OK with amending the CP.

Hospitality uses

A total of 412 people said the TOW should update the CP to develop more hospitality venues with certain conditions;  210 respondents disapproved of the TOW doing so.

Location,

location, location

Asked where appropriate locations for additional hospitality uses in the TOW should be permitted, three areas were identified: Within the VOM; within Washington Hollow; and just outside of the VOM.

Fifty-one percent of respondents said hospitality uses would be “appropriate” in the VOM; 24% responded it would be “only possibly appropriate”; and 24% responded it would “not be at all appropriate.”

Washington Hollow was deemed “appropriate” by 48% of respondents; the area just outside of the VOM was deemed “appropriate” by 42% of respondents.

The eastern area of the TOW, the northeast area, northwest area, southwest area and southeast areas were declared the “least appropriate” locations for hospitality uses (43 to 45%).

The hamlet of Mabbettsville received mixed reviews, with 33% of respondents rating it as “inappropriate”; 29% rated it “somewhat appropriate”; and 38% rated it “appropriate.”

The CPRC said the most important factors in determining if a specific location would be appropriate for  hospitality uses included the following data: 84% of respondents said hospitality uses must avoid disturbing sensitive environmental areas; 83% said the architectural scale/character must be compatible with the rural setting in which they are located; 80% said the size of venue/number of guest rooms must be appropriate and in-scale; and 74% said the use must fit in and be in-line with the location.

Respondents noted they would prefer hospitality uses “blend in with the environment around it”; most also wanted “natural resources protected.”

Written comments

Written comments noted “architecture that blends [well] with the surrounding character,” and “the preservation of natural resources” were desired traits for new hospitality uses in the TOW.

The consensus was that four to 10 rooms is “appropriate” (73 to 60%, respectively); 20 rooms was considered “very appropriate,” “somewhat appropriate”  to “not appropriate at all” (30 to 36 to 27%).

Larger venues (30, 40 and 50 or more rooms) were not seen as appropriate, especially venues with 40 to 50 or more rooms, which only received 71 to 81% approval, respectively.

The size of the venue’s property was important, as were other factors that could draw customers to the area to help generate tax dollars and possibly create more job opportunities.

Drawing visitors, and problems

Some survey respondents were more interested in whether adding hospitality uses to the CP would mean Millbrook and the TOW could accommodate more tourists and increase its cultural offerings for residents as well, which respondents said could benefit existing buildings and local resources.

Some fears that were raised centered on added traffic, the loss of the area’s “charm and quaintness” and of its rural character.

There were also concerns expressed about protecting local resources and dealing with issues affecting municipal water and sewer, road maintenance and emergency services.

Others were worried about noise, light and environmental pollution and whether such venues would be priced so locals would be able to enjoy their benefits as well. The possibility of an uptick in crime was also raised, as were concerns about village parking becoming even more scarce than it is now.

Residents were generally in favor of how local restaurants, bars, shops and other businesses would benefit, including outdoor recreational and sporting venues, including spas and equestrian farms, wineries and other hot spots known in the Millbrook area.

However,  condominiums, camping/glamping and/or other types of lodging and on-site residences were strongly opposed by the majority of respondents. Opinions on short term-rentals were mixed.

Final comments reiterated that residents want to preserve the town and village’s rural character and charm, cultural offerings, increase entertainment venues and refrain from developing large-scale resorts.

One concept that resulted from the survey was that more non-hospitality commercial uses, such as restaurants, recreation and entertainment venues (i.e. a movie theater), would be beneficial to the TOW.

Some respondents stressed the town needs to create affordable housing to draw new residents from different income brackets, and it must protect the local environment and open spaces before they are lost forever. To see the survey results, go to www.washingtonny.org.