East Fishkill Master Plan

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March 2, 2002

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BEGIN MASTER PLAN
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Town of East Fishkill, NY June 2001 Buckhurst Fish & Jacquemart, Inc. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Acknowledgements Town Board Peter Idema, Supervisor Ethel Walker, Deputy Supervisor Richard Ferland Donald Way Peter Cassidy Master Plan Steering Committee John Koch Edmund Newhard Michael Donnelly Beverly Ferland Paul Pesavento GIS Coordinator Jennifer Cox ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dedication to Beverly Ferland This Master Plan is dedicated to the memory of Beverly Ferland, long-time resident of East Fishkill and Planning Board Secretary. As the Town moves forward with a new Comprehensive Plan, we remember with fondness her participation and involvement with our community. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE i Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY v 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Purpose of the Plan 1 1.2 Master Plan Process 1 1.3 Organization of the Master Plan 3 2.0 HISTORICAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT 4 2.1 History 4 2.2 Regional Context and Development Patterns 6 2.3 Regional and County Plans 8 3.0 POPULATION 12 3.1 Growth 12 3.2 Households 14 3.3 Race and Ethnicity 14 3.4 Homes 15 3.5 Income and Education 16 3.6 Place of Work 16 3.7 Conclusions 17 4.0 LAND USE 19 4.1 Land Use and Zoning 19 4.2 Development Potential 24 5.0 ENVIRONMENT 28 5.1 Slopes 28 5.2 Surface Water, Wetlands, and Floodplains 28 5.3 Soils 31 5.4 Groundwater Resources 32 5.5 Environmental Summary 35 6.0 TRANSPORTATION 36 6.1 Introduction 36 6.2 Existing Roadway System and Traffic Volumes 36 6.3 Park and Ride Lots 40 6.4 Safety and Circulation Issues 41 6.5 Safety Improvements 44 6.6 New Roadway Segments 46 6.7 Functional Classification of Future Roadway System 49 6.8 Public Transportation 51 6.9 Pedestrian Policy 55 6.10 Bicycle Policy 56 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE ii 7.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES 58 7.1 Town Government 58 7.2 Library 58 7.3 Police Protection 60 7.4 Fire Protection 60 7.5 School Facilities 61 7.6 Recreation 63 7.7 Cultural Resources 67 7.8 Water and Sewer Districts 70 8.0 MASTER PLAN 77 8.1 Findings and Goals 77 8.2 Future Land Use Plan 82 8.3 Elements of the Plan 85 8.4 Design 88 8.5 Conclusion 98 9.0 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 100 9.1 Official Town Map 100 9.2 Zoning / Subdivision Regulations l00 9.3 Natural Resource Protection 104 9.4 Capital Improvements Program / Land Transaction 105 9.5 Real Estate Tax Inducements 107 9.6 Private Development and Philanthropy 107 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE iii List of Figures Figure 1.1 Photographs of Public Workshop 2 Figure 2.1 Historic Map of East Fishkill 5 Figure 2.2 Regional Context Map 7 Figure 2.3 Regional Plan Association's Greensward Map 10 Figure 2.4 Directions' Land Use Map 11 Figure 3.1 Population Pyramid 13 Figure 3.2 Commuter Patterns 18 Figure 4.1 Existing Land Uses 21 Figure 4.2 Zoning Map 23 Figure 4.3 Developable Land 26 Figure 5.1 Slopes 29 Figure 5.2 Water Resources 30 Figure 5.3 Soils 33 Figure 5.4 Aquifer 34 Figure 6.1 Traffic Volumes 38 Figure 6.2 Accident Locations 42 Figure 6.3 Future Roadways within Hopewell Junction 48 Figure 6.4 Future Roadway Classification 50 Figure 6.5 Local Bus Service 52 Figure 6.6 Regional Rail and Trail Network 53 Figure 6.7 Local Rail and Trail Map 54 Figure 6.8 Bicycle Trails and Pedestrian Routes 57 Figure 7.1 Public Facilities Map 59 Figure 7.2 School Districts and Facilities 62 Figure 7.3 Recreation Facilities 64 Figure 7.4 Historic Structure Location Map 69 Figure 7.5 Water Systems 71 Figure 7.6 East Fishkill Central Water Systems and Phases 72 Figure 7.7 Dutchess County Central Utility Corridor Water Supply Project 73 Figure 7.8 Sewer Systems 76 Figure 8.1 Future Land Use Plan 83 Figure 8.2 Active Farm Overlay Tax Parcels 84 Figure 8.3 Traditional Subdivision 90 Figure 8.4 Cluster Subdivision 91 Figure 8.5 Cluster Subdivision Principals 92 Figure 8.6 Existing Conditions in Hopewell Junction 95 Figure 8.7 Photographs of Hopewell Junction 96 Figure 8.8 Hopewell Junction Proposed Improvements 97 Figure 9.1 Floor Area Ratio Description 103 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE iv List of Tables Table 3.1 Population Figures 12 Table 3.2 Number of Residential Building Permits Issued for New 15 Homes, 1990-2000 Table 3.3 Residential Sales Statistics, Jul-Dec, 2000 16 Table 4.1 Existing Land Uses, 1981-2001 20 Table 4.2 Zoning Acreage 22 Table 4.3 Development Potential of Vacant Land 27 Table 6.1 County Functional Road Classification 37 Table 6.2 High Intersection Crash Locations (1995-1998) 41 Table 6.3 High Crash Location Clusters 43 Table 6.4 Bus Routes 51 Table 6.5 Recommended Bicycle Road Improvements 56 Table 7.1 School District Enrollments 58 Table 7.2 Local School Characteristics 60 Table 8.1 Future Land Use Plan Distribution 77 List of Charts Chart 3.1 Racial and Ethnic Composition, 1990 & 2000 14 Chart 3.2 Number of Residential Building Permits for New Homes Issued 15 by Towns in SW Dutchess County as a Percentage of All County Towns Chart 4.1 Residential Zones by Intensity of Use 24 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE v Executive Summary In 1996, the Town Board of East Fishkill initiated the preparation of a new Master Plan for the Town. The previous Master Plan was adopted back in 1982. The 2001 Plan represents the culmination of work that includes the creation of a Master Plan Steering Committee, meetings with Town department heads, a survey, and a series of public workshop meetings. The purpose of the new Master Plan is to assess the changes that have occurred in the Town over the past 20 years and to present a framework for future land-use decisions. The following tables highlight some of the changes to the Town over the past 20 years. Population History* 1980 18,091 1990 22,101 2000 25,589 * US Census Bureau Existing Land Uses, 1981-1999 2001 1981 LAND USES ACRES PERCENT PERCENT Percent Change, TOTAL TOTAL 1981-2001 Residential 5,450 41.9% 29.9% 60.3% Commercial 350 0.9% 0.4% 143.0% Industrial 1,050 2.8% 2.0% 64.8% Public/Institutional 500 1.4% 0.6% 220.9% Parks/Recreational 3,450 9.4% 3.3% 156.4% Agricultural 4,100 11.1% 17.5% -27.4% Vacant 9,400 25.5% 46.2% -36.8% Roads 2,550 6.9% N/A Total** 36,850 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Source: 1980 numbers from Raymond Amhold, Town Planner; BFJ, May 1981. 2001 numbers from East Fishkill GIS Department ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE vi After more than 20 years many of the recommendations of the 1982 plan have been implemented. A new library was built in 1988 and expanded in 2000, the Appalachian Trail corridor was protected, an historic structure survey completed, design regulations were implemented, and a cluster subdivision ordinance was adopted, as were protections for wetlands. Other issues, however, remain current and have been incorporated into the 2001 Master Plan, including: a bypass road for Hopewell Junction and continued purchase of open space/agricultural lands. Chapter One provides a general introduction to the Plan - its purpose, process, and organization. Chapter Two offers an historical synopsis, providing a framework for the Town's development patterns, as well as a view of East Fishkill as part of Dutchess County and the greater New York City region. Chapter Three updates the local demographic figures. Chapter Four discusses the different land uses within East Fishkill, the distribution of uses within the Town, zoning, and future build-out under existing conditions. Chapter Five presents the Town's environmental heritage - steep slopes, wetlands, soils, and groundwater. Chapter Six analyzes the transportation network. This chapter reviews the traffic patterns of the different roads and makes recommendations to improve circulation within East Fishkill. Chapter Seven examines the existing Town services. Chapter Eight summarizes the Master Plan findings and states future goals for the Town. Chapter Nine presents strategies that the Town can utilize to implement the individual components of the Plan. The strategies in the Plan do offer choices for a different future for East Fishkill than under present conditions. The following table indicates that adoption and mapping of the proposed residential zones, together with additional restrictions on development of environmentally sensitive lands, would reduce the buildable number of homes in Town by approximately 1,700. Total Developable Current Proposed Proposed # Homes Acres Acres Development R 1.5 Zone* R-3 Zone* Reduced Potential* Active Farm 3,260 3,260 2,450 homes 1,635 homes N/A 815 Overlay Zone Mountain/ 7,980 4,250 1,900 homes N/A 1,000 homes 900 Watershed Zone TOTAL 4,350 homes 1,635 homes 1,000 homes 1,715 *Current Development Potential equals (Developable Acres-10% roads) multiplied by the existing underlying zoning **Proposed Development equals (Developable Acres-(environmentally sensitive lands/2)-10% roads) multiplied by the proposed underlying zoning ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose of the Plan The 2001 Master Plan for the Town of East Fishkill serves as a guide for future land use decisions, traffic circulation patterns, environmental conservation, and public facilities in the Town. This Master Plan represents the culmination of efforts begun in 1996 by the Town of East Fishkill to review the 1982 Plan and to prepare a new master plan. The Town Board held a series of workshop meetings in 1999 that were attended by a cross-section of municipal officials and members of the public. The purpose of this plan is to change and adjust the existing plan and to respond to new development issues that have occurred within the Town since 1982. These issues include increased development pressures, rising population, transportation issues caused by new subdivisions, and the need to examine the adequacy of local facilities and services including public water and sewer. The Town of East Fishkill is changing and rapidly evolving. Therefore, the Master Plan must provide a framework to proactively address foreseeable changes so as to minimize any negative impacts threatening the Town's quality of life. This plan seeks to preserve the best features of the Town's built and natural environments by offering goals and objectives to channel future growth to the areas of East Fishkill that can best accommodate it. The Plan is general in nature, examining demographic and growth trends and their potential long- range impacts. The Master Plan contains an inventory of existing conditions in the community, followed by a set of goals and objectives that serve as a policy guide for future decision-making regarding East Fishkill's physical development. Many of the goals and objectives from the 1982 Plan have been met and now, after 20 years, it is time to review those prior goals and to consider new ones. For instance, the town adopted a cluster-zoning ordinance to allow for more creative developments and it completed an historic structures survey. The Town has also finished a rezoning study of the industrial land within East Fishkill and, based on the 1982 Master Plan, rezoned many parcels to residential uses. Other goals of the 1982 plan have not yet been completed, including some transportation improvements such as the creation of a service road around Hopewell Junction. Each chapter in the new report discusses existing conditions and current data in order to lead up to the recommendations for changes to existing policies or alternative actions in Chapters 8 and 9. It is then up to the Town Board to turn the policy recommendations into substantive and specific regulatory laws that support and implement the Master Plan. 1.2 Master Plan Process Preparation of the master plan should be viewed as an on-going planning process. The plan should be periodically evaluated given shifts in demographics, market conditions, and time. All evaluations should focus on the goals and recommendations of the plan. Are the goals still valid? Are the recommendations appropriate to the existing conditions? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 2 [Figure 1.1 Photographs of Public Workshop] These photos were taken during the public meetings to involve town citizens in the planning process. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 3 Preparations for a new master plan began with the creation of a Steering Committee. The purpose of the committee was to oversee and assist the process of crafting a new master plan. To initiate the master plan process the town undertook a public opinion survey. As the planning process moved forward, the findings of the public opinion survey were presented at a public workshop in May, 1999, at the East Fishkill Town Hall (Figure 1.1). The primary purpose of the workshop was to obtain citizen input regarding transportation, land use, and environmental concerns confronting the community. Focus groups were formed to discuss the various topics and each group presented their findings at the end of the evening. The Steering Committee then provided direction and guidance when discussing the various issues raised at the public forums. Specific plan chapters were then prepared for the various functional elements of the Plan: such as open space, housing, transportation, and community facilities. 1.3 Organization of the Master Plan The 1982 Master Plan was organized according to regional context, environmental conditions, and land use studies. From these general topics for the 1982 Master Plan derived three major principles: centers, clusters, and conservation. This Master Plan continues to support the center, clusters, and conservation principles. The new plan also provides a comprehensive examination of the many current forces shaping and changing the physical development of East Fishkill. The various elements that affect the town have been given their own chapter (regional context, population, land use, environment, transportation, and community services) to allow a fuller description of each one. After a discussion and analysis of the information, we present a number of goals and objectives that the town can then work to carry out. The final chapter, plan implementation, discusses some of the short-term policy changes that will address some of the goals and objectives while at the same time outlining those that will require incremental changes and represent longer-term policies. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 4 2.0 HISTORICAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT East Fishkill's current land use patterns, local infrastructure, and economic base are the results of private- and public-sector decisions made over many years. Having an understanding of the town's past provides a context for the present and direction for the issues to be addressed in the Master Plan. This section provides an overview of East Fishkill's place in the region: its history, development patterns, and demographic trends. 2.1 History The political boundary of the Town of East Fishkill dates back to 1849 when East Fishkill formally separated from Fishkill; but, as a part of Fishkill, the known history of the region reaches to the 17th century. Originally, East Fishkill and the surrounding towns were the territory of the Wappinger Indians. The Town Historian reports that there may have been an Indian settlement just to the southwest of Wiccopee (which, like Shenandoah, has retained its native American name). By 1685, three New York City residents had obtained land grants to the region. English and Dutch settlement of the area began, encouraged by the valuable timber and game found here. The name Fishkill derives from the Dutch words 'vis' or "fish" and 'kill' meaning "stream". The original colonial settlement was centered at Old Hopewell, opposite the Hopewell Reformed Church, the oldest church in Town. The Verplanks, Rombouts, Van Wycks, Storms, Brinckerhoffs, and Pecks are just a few of the family names that survive to this day. As more and more settlers arrived, trapping and timber cutting gave way to a more domesticated economy consisting of farming and orchards. Agriculture came to dominate the town's economy and to imbue the town with the rural character that many residents still want to continue and to preserve. During the last half of the 19th century there was significant change in East Fishkill. A new town center developed next to the railroad station, Hopewell Junction. This new center adopted the station name, reflecting the growing importance of the railroad and the significance of the transfer station to the local and state economy. The railroad provided easy connections to New York City and by the first half of the 20th century many City residents had bought land and built summer cottages around the lakes and in the Town's southern hills. This transient population, however, did not alter the town's essentially rural character. The older place names still exist in the town: Hopewell Junction, Stormville, Wiccopee, and Pecksville. In 1984, the Town mapped and identified all the remaining historic properties. Groups of these older remaining homes in these hamlets attest to the more rural period of East Fishkill's past. In 2001 the Town will update the historic structures survey. The map on the following page illustrates East Fishkill in the second half of the 19th century. Note the prevalent historical land use pattern of concentrated neighborhoods with open space and agricultural land between them. The railroad diversified the local economy and created the town center that we see today, yet East Fishkill remained a rural community of only a thousand people. More significant change would come to the town a century later, in another transportation form, the interstate highway. Today the town does not have any railroad service, but the construction of Interstate-84 and the Taconic Parkway has resulted in residential, commercial, and industrial subdivisions that have transformed the landscape and the town's population. While many acres have been transformed from farms and orchards to houses and backyards, perhaps the greatest evidence of this growth can be seen on the region's roads on a daily basis with increased car and truck traffic. East Fishkill now strives to achieve a balance between its rural past and its suburban present. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 5 [Figure 2.1 Historic Map of East Fishkill]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 6 2.2 Regional Context and Development Patterns Regional Context The Town of East Fishkill is located in the southern part of Dutchess County, at the northernmost edge of the New York City Metropolitan Area. New York City is 75 driving miles distant to the south. During the past decade, new employment centers in Westchester County and New York City have appeared. Most of these automobile-dominated centers in Westchester provide easy commuter access to East Fishkill, fueling the potential for suburban development. The resurgence of jobs in the NYC metropolitan area has made Metro North study the feasibility of providing new commuter rail stations in the suburbs; however, a recent study concluded that there are not enough customers to justify the expense of expanded service into East Fishkill. Development Patterns Historically, Dutchess County's development has been shaped by the county's close proximity to New York City and its abundant natural features and resources. From the time the county was settled in the 1700s to the late 19th-century, agriculture formed the center of the County's economy, supplying the metropolitan New York City area with its produce, meat, and dairy goods. As the population grew in nearby New York City, Dutchess County also became known as a resort area, due largely to its natural and scenic beauty. Vacation cottages and lakeside developments were built throughout the county. Housing, shopping, services, and industries were concentrated, in ascending order of importance, in small hamlets; towns along the railroad, the Hudson River and older highways; and Poughkeepsie - the county seat and principle city. Following World War II, the entire metropolitan area began to change as a new generation sought housing in the suburbs. Spurred by low-interest loans, new highways, and inexpensive transportation costs, development accelerated throughout the region. At first, Dutchess County's location at the northern edge of the metropolitan region minimized its value for suburban housing. As the communities closer to New York City filled in, however, demand was pushed farther out. The building of I-287, I-684 and I-84 increased mobility across the region and further spurred development away from the City. At the same time, jobs have been decentralized throughout the area, most notably IBM's plant in East Fishkill. As a result of increased mobility and diversified employment centers, developers have found a vibrant housing market in East Fishkill and southwest Dutchess County. In addition to the aforementioned economic factors of transportation, employment, and housing costs, the natural beauty of the area also serves to encourage development. People are drawn to the area because of the numerous lakes, rolling hills, open spaces, scenic vistas, and overall close proximity of nature. A portion of the Appalachian Trail passes through East Fishkill, offering residents additional recreational opportunities. Development pressure, however, threatens the natural assets that East Fishkill currently enjoys. Already the roads are becoming congested with traffic and open space is rapidly being converted to housing developments. Additional residential and employment centers are planned for the area, further stimulating demand and straining the existing resources of the area. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 7 [Figure 2.2 Regional Context Map]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 8 In summary, East Fishkill and Dutchess County are changing from a rural community of farmers and vacationers to an employment center and bedroom community of commuters. The many lakes, farms, parks, and preserves that attract people exist side-by-side with an increasing suburban development pattern. While many people are attracted to the community because of its rural image, the increased population and new sub-divisions are altering the rural perception and changing the physical landscape. Balancing the preservation of the environment and open space on the one hand, and development on the other, is an important challenge. 2.3 Regional and County Plans Regional agencies have prepared recommendations for the region's future development. These plans are advisory. They provide insight as to how East Fishkill could fit into the region as development pressures change the physical and social forms of existing communities. Plans prepared by the Regional Plan Association and Dutchess County Department of Planning are described briefly below. In 1996, the Regional Plan Association (RPA) prepared its third plan for metropolitan New York City, including parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Dutchess County, located at the northern edge of the metropolitan region, is a part of this 31-county, tri-state area. RPA's plan, 'A Region at Risk', seeks to enhance the quality of life for all residents of the region. For the Dutchess County area, it advocates limiting suburban sprawl, retaining farmland and open space, and supports innovative developments that will reduce transportation congestion and support existing centers. As Figure 2.3 shows, RPA views Dutchess County as separated from the New York area by the "greensward" of the Hudson Highlands. It recognizes East Fishkill as a mix of suburban and agricultural densities. RPA serves only as an advisory role in regional government and its plan has no direct effect on land use or development. RPA seeks to build consensus among various constituents and influence local decision-making. In 1987 the Dutchess County Department of Planning identified over 200 policies to control quality of growth in the countywide plan 'Directions: The Plan for Dutchess County'. The plan has been recognized by the County Planning Board as an official advisory policy document. The Town of East Fishkill has officially endorsed the plan. As can be seen in Figure 2.4, East Fishkill is seen as a combination of suburban development (principally in the western part of the town) and rural development. The policies outlined in 'Directions' seek to reinforce the County's existing cities, villages, and hamlets as well as to protect its environmentally sensitive and valuable areas. Issues addressed include community values, land use, natural resources, water supply and waste disposal, transportation, housing, community facilities, recreation/open spaces, historic/ cultural resources, and energy and site planning. In 2000, the Hudson River Valley Greenways Community Council approved 'Greenway Connections: Greenway Compact Program and Guides for Dutchess County Communities'. The Greenway Compact Program encourages intermunicipal cooperation of projects with regional significance. East Fishkill became a voluntary member of the Greenway Compact in 2000. The Greenway Compact Program keeps land-use decision-making at the local level, but it encourages municipalities to promote design controls to enhance building design, landscaping, streetscapes, and pedestrian connections. The Greenway Compact Program is a "Smart Growth" strategy. It provides guidelines for communities to make decisions that retain local character, enhance their physical surroundings, and coordinate individual actions into a regional strategy to support Dutchess County as a whole. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 9 The policy goals and recommendations that are most relevant for East Fishkill include: - Preserve and maintain the quantity and quality of the County's surface and ground water resources. - Protect the County's soils, prime agricultural lands, steep slopes, and significant natural areas, and preserve the health and usefulness of the county's forests. - Insure adequate long-term supplies of clean, reasonably priced water and environmentally sound disposal of wastes. - Promote land use patterns that strengthen existing centers, protect natural resources, maintain an efficient transportation network and provide for economical services and facilities. - Provide housing alternatives for all residents, which ensure quality in construction and environment, variety, affordability, and accessibility. - Meet the recreation needs of all County residents in a way that fulfills community goals, maximizes accessibility, and minimizes public costs. All of these regional plans strive to reconcile the rural and suburban character of the County. They recommend continued development onto land that is suitable for development from an access and environmental point of view. Where they are specific, they recommend development in northern East Fishkill and preservation in southern East Fishkill. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 10 [Figure 2.3 Regional Plan Association's Greensward Map]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 11 [Figure 2.4 Directions' Land Use Map]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 12 3.0 POPULATION 3.1 Growth The 1980s and 1990s were a period of rapid growth for East Fishkill. As Table 3.1 indicates, the Town grew by 13.6% between 1990 and 2000. Its proximity to major highways and regional employment centers explains most of the town's increase. The Town of East Fishkill has consistently been one of the fastest growing communities in Dutchess County. Table 3.1 shows the population figures for the town, surrounding towns, and the county and compares the different growth rates. The southwest corner of the county, of which East Fishkill is a part, has experienced significant growth rates. Judging by the amount of new residential construction in town, its population will continue to increase, though it will be at a slower rate as the community matures and less land becomes available for development. Table 3.1 Population Figures Years Percent Change 1980 1990 2000 1980-90 1990-00 1980-00 East Fishkill 18,091 22,101 25,589 22.17% 13.63% 41.45% Beekman 7,139 10,447 11,452 46.34% 8.78% 60.41% Fishkill 13,951 17,655 17,994 26.55% 1.88% 28.98% LaGrange 12,375 13,274 14,928 7.26% 11.08% 20.63% Wappinger 22,621 26,008 26,274 14.97% 1.01% 16.15% Dutchess County 245,055 259,462 280,150 5.88% 7.38% 14.32% Source: US Bureau of the Census While there has been an overall increase in population within the town, the increase has not been uniform across all age groups. The following page contains the population pyramid for East Fishkill. This diagram illustrates the different gains and losses occurring within specific age cohorts from the period 1980-1990.(1) For both men and women, the largest population gains occurred throughout the 35-64 year old age groups. The 35-44 year olds increased 49.7%, the cohort 45-54 grew 67.4%, and the 55-64 group grew 40.02%. Those East Fishkill residents 35-54 years old reflect in microcosm the national baby-boom trends. Born between 1946 and 1964 with the peak birth rate in 1957, baby boom children are now older but not having the number of children that their parents had. While there have been significant increases in younger children, much of that increase is due to in-migration of families, not large household sizes. Other substantial percentage increases in the total population include the 75-84 year olds (up 46.13%), which also reflects the national trend with an increasing elderly population. ------ (1) Population breakdown by age and sex for the 2000 Census had not been released at the time this Master Plan was adopted. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 13 [Figure 3.1 Population Pyramid]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 14 3.2 Households Data from the 1990 census(2) indicates that the average number of persons per household was 3.24. This number is well above the Dutchess County level of 2.89 persons per household and reflects the large number of families with children that find East Fishkill an attractive place to live. Following national population trends, however, the number of people within an East Fishkill household has consistently declined over the years, and population projections indicate that this trend continues, declining slightly to about 3.14 persons/household by 1995. The size of the household has implications for schools and classrooms, recreational space, and commercial demand. 3.3 Race and Ethnicity According to the 1990 census, minority groups represent a very small percent of the population. However, each group showed modest growth. The following chart shows the racial and ethnic composition of East Fishkill. [Chart 3.1 Racial and Ethnic Composition - 1990 & 2000]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) Source: US Bureau of the Census ------ (2) 2000 Census data was not available at the time of adopting the Master Plan. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 15 3.4 Homes Building Permits Along with the general increase in population, East Fishkill has seen a concomitant increase in the number of dwelling units within the Town. According to the 1990 census, East Fishkill had 6,791 dwelling units. By 1998, the town had added another 1,120 units, raising the figure to 7,921. Information provided by the Planning and Zoning Board Secretary indicates that 530 lots have been approved by the Planning Board bringing the total number of units to 8,450. This significantly exceeds the Dutchess County estimate of 7,597 dwelling units for the year 2000. This new figure reflects the strong upturn in the real estate industry in the later half of the 1990s as well as a re-invigorated employment sector represented by a recovery of IBM and other companies from the recession in the early 1990s. Since 1993, East Fishkill has led all other towns in Dutchess County in the number of building permits issued each year for new homes. Between 1990-2000, the town issued 1534 building permits for new homes. East Fishkill and its surrounding neighbors have comprised about 55% of all building permits issued for new homes throughout the entire county since 1993 (Chart 3.2). That figure grew rapidly from 1990 when they comprised only 40% of the countywide permits. Table 3.2 Number of Residential Building Permits Issued for New Homes, 1990-2000 SW Dutchess 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 sum Beekman 56 70 67 43 57 46 84 98 142 206 152 1021 East Fishkill 64 68 95 71 124 144 152 192 210 231 183 1534 Fishkill 57 105 190 56 63 31 22 17 27 23 26 617 LaGrange 26 31 47 27 50 37 47 66 89 109 95 624 Wappinger 21 32 45 24 26 20 22 32 39 37 25 323 Dutchess County 589 686 832 420 566 516 621 753 856 1009 858 7706 source: Dutchess County [Chart 3.2 Number of Residential Building Permits Issued for New Homes by Towns in Southwest Dutchess County as a Percentage of All Towns in Dutchess County] ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 16 Home Prices Towns in southwest Dutchess County have some of the highest average home prices in the County. Homes in East Fishkill sell for far more than the County average, though surrounding towns have surpassed East Fishkill in the average cost of a new home. Home sales for the last six months of 2000 indicate that East Fishkill has an average sale price of $193,342, which is in the middle range for the six towns in southwest Dutchess County. Table 3 shows the residential sales (under 5 acres) statistics for July-December, 2000. Table 3.3 Residential Sales Statistics (Jul-Dec, 2000) No. of Average Sales Price Beekman 100 $207,791 East Fishkill 69 $193,342 Fishkill 62 $171,858 LaGrange 92 $202,302 Pawling 31 $211,097 Wappinger 95 $186,902 Dutchess County 1135 $172,087 Source: Dutchess County Department of Real Property Tax 3.5 Income and Education As a rural/suburban community, East Fishkill's present population is relatively well educated and affluent. In 1990, according to the U.S. Census report, approximately 5,200 (38% of those over 25) persons held a college degree or had done some postgraduate work. Almost 90% of those over 25 years old held at least a high school diploma. In 1990, about 23% of all households earned less than $30,000, one-third of East Fishkill's households earned between $30-60,000, another one-third earned $60-100,000, and the last 10% earned more than $100,000. 3.6 Place of Work In 1990(3), nearly 25% of East Fishkill residents worked and lived within Town. About 62% of working residents commuted within Dutchess County while another 20% traveled to Westchester County. Only about 5% of workers each commuted to Putnam County and New York City. The remaining 8% worked in Connecticut, New Jersey, and other parts of New York State. IBM's employment figures peaked at about that time. Today, it is likely that fewer residents work in town. Figure 3.2 illustrates the commuting patterns for East Fishkill residents according to the 1990 census. ------- (3) 2000 Census data was not available at the time of adopting the Master Plan. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 17 3.7 Conclusions East Fishkill's proximity to employment centers, highway transportation, and its regional setting all work together to make East Fishkill a desirable place to live. This desirability is now evident with the high number of building permits in town, the strong real estate market, and strong population gains in the 1990s, which typically were much lower in other parts of Dutchess County. But with the increase in population comes problems of traffic, accommodating school children, and providing infrastructure services to these new residents. The challenge now is to integrate new growth into the community and maintain existing or improved levels of community services. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 18 [Figure 3.2 Commuter Patterns]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 19 4.0 LAND USE This chapter of the Master Plan examines the Town's current land uses, how they have changed over time, and how they might change in the near future. Presently, residential uses dominate the town's landscape. The predominance of single-family homes is evident by driving through the town as well as by examining land use and zoning maps. Population growth has transformed East Fishkill from a rural, agricultural community to one that is now a suburban community. The most obvious manifestation of this growth has been the conversion of open space, farmland, and forestland into residential subdivisions. Land use is therefore critical to the Master Plan because it influences the type of development that will take place. 4.1 Land Use and Zoning General land uses have been broken down into the following categories: residential, commercial, industrial, public/institutional, agriculture, parks, and vacant land. Figure 4.1 illustrates the location of the different land uses within East Fishkill. Residential land is highlighted in yellow, commercial in red, and industrial land in purple. Public/institutional land is shown in dark blue. Land identified within this category includes uses such as churches, town buildings, fire and police stations, and cemeteries, for example. Orange represents agricultural land. The land depicted as agricultural on figure 4.1 is coterminous with active farmland that has been placed within the Active Farm Overlay zone. Parks are identified with a green color. Private lands that serve a recreational purpose, such as golf courses, ski areas, or campgrounds, have been shaded a light green. Dark green has been reserved for town/state/federal lands that are protected from development. The vacant category represents land that has the potential to be developed but currently remains idle. The Town of East Fishkill comprises approximately 36,850 acres or 57.5 square miles.(1) Table 4.1 shows the 1981 and 2001 land use categories within the town, the number of acres in each category, and the number of acres as a percent of town land. The comparison between uses in 1981 and 2001 illustrates the growth of the residential sector from 30% to 42% of the land. The commercial and industrial sectors grew by approximately 500 hundred acres. The amount of parkland in town has more than tripled, but that has been offset by losses in the agricultural and vacant sectors. In 1981, an estimated 21,000 acres (roughly 2/3rds of the town) remained unbuilt. Today, the amount of land being used for agriculture, parkland, camps, recreational use, or simply lying vacant has decreased 23% to about 16,000 acres. Approximately 6,000 acres of prior vacant or agricultural land has been transformed into residential areas for approximately 2,300 homes. East Fishkill has grown increasingly suburban over the years with the number of dwelling units rising from 5,700 in 1980 to an estimated 8,450 in the year 2000. Most of the units are located in subdivisions built in north and central East Fishkill, though the number of new residences in the south and east has grown rapidly. Many of the highest densities of single-family houses exist surrounding the many lakes in town. Most of these residences were converted years ago from summer vacation homes to permanent, year-round residences. Approximately 10% of the Town remains in agricultural uses. ------- (1) According to the East Fishkill GIS Department's database and Dutchess County. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 20 Table 4.1 Existing Land Uses, 1981-2001 LAND USES ACRES - 1981 PERCENT PERCENT TOTAL ACRES- 2001 TOTAL Residential 9,636 29.9% 15,450 41.9% Commercial 144 0.4% 350 0.9% Industrial 637 2.0% 900 2.4% Public/Institutional 195 0.6% 500 1.4% Parks/Recreational 1,075 3.3% 3,450 9.4% Public 1,320 Private 2,130 Active Agricultural 5,650 17.5% 4,100 11.1% Vacant 14,873 46.2% 9,550 25.9% Residential 7,860 Commercial 260 Industrial 620 Agricultural 810 Roads N/A 2,550 6.9% Total 36,850 100.0% *The number of acres in each category was taken from the Town's GIS calculations. Roads were excluded from the GIS program. They are estimated by deducting all other categories from the total. **1981 figures were calculated roughly from 1"=2000' maps and are not considered as accurate as the new GIS calculations of 2001. They are presented here for comparative purposes only. Source: 1980 numbers from Raymond Arnhold, Town Planner; BFJ, May 1981. 2001 numbers from East Fishkill Assessor's Office Shopping, professional offices, automobile services, and other services are concentrated in the Hopewell Junction neighborhood, as well as other hamlets in town, remnants of older, compact neighborhood commercial centers. A number of commercial enterprises also exist along Routes 376 and 52, supplementing commercial activities in Hopewell Junction. Industrial and larger commercial activities have located near Interstate 84 to take advantage of the convenient transportation access. The land uses in town, as well as their location, are a function of the present zoning code. Figure 4.2 shows a generalized zoning map for the town while table 4.2 lists the different zones and shows the approximate amount of land dedicated to each zone. Commercially zoned land accounts for 2% of East Fishkill's land whereas industrially zoned land represents 6.5% of the total land area. The remainder, over 90%, is zoned residential. The R-1 and R-2(1) zones, respectively, account for almost all of the residentially zoned land. -------- (1) R-1 zone criteria requires each new dwelling unit to have one acre of land. R-2 requires each dwelling unit to have two acres of land. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 21 [Figure 4.1 Existing Land Uses]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 22 The zoning regulations provide for twelve districts: four residential, three commercial, and five industrial. With the exception of the Conservation Residential Development (CRD) zone, these are the same zones that existed in 1982. The Town Board adopted the CRD zone in 1988 to replace the Planned Residential Development (PRD) zone. The Town Board has now mapped the CRD zone on land known as Mulford Farm or Deer Run, within Hopewell Junction. The PRD designation remains because one parcel was zoned to PRD before the adoption of the CRD zone.(2) That designation is no longer appropriate, however, because the allowable density exceeds the recommended density for the Hopewell Hamlet area, and the property contains significant amounts of environmentally sensitive lands, which could be adversely impacted by dense development. The CRD zone is an attempt to allow greater flexibility of subdivision design and to establish design controls over future development. In October, 1997, as part of the Master Plan process, East Fishkill undertook a public opinion survey to help give direction to the Master Plan. Of those that responded, 48% indicated that they do not want to "encourage additional suburban type development." Another 80% agree "East Fishkill should tighten design and construction standards to enhance aesthetic development." Table 4.2 Zoning Acreage Zones Acres* % Total Commercial B-1 670 B-2 60 PCP 40 Total 770 2.10% Industrial I-1 1480 I-1S 155 I-2 85 I-3 140 PRDP 40 Total 1,900 5.17% Residential R-1 21,540 R-2 12,030 R-1/3 375 PRD 110 Total 34,055 92.73% Source: Acreage figures from East Fishkill GIS Department *Acreage figures include adjacent roads and water bodies. ------ (2) Chapter 9 of the plan recommends rezoning the sole PRD zone to CRD. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 23 [Figure 4.2 Zoning Map]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 24 East Fishkill still has considerable room for development. Thirty percent of the town lies vacant while another 15% could be converted from agriculture or private recreational land to a residential use. Paying attention to the changing demographics, market forces, and lifestyles, East Fishkill can plan to accommodate future growth that strengthens the existing built fabric. Without controls, however, views will be despoiled, neighborhoods will lose an ability to create individual character, and services will not be provided where needed. In the next section, the Master Plan examines the development potential for the town and discusses various means to control and direct growth. 4.2 Development Potential Over 90% of the land in East Fishkill is zoned for residential purposes. That does not mean that all of the land is developed. But it does indicate that if the entire town were to be built out under the present zoning code, 90% would be for residential uses. Because the residential sector comprises such an overwhelmingly large portion of the town, it is useful to break it down into its various components. Chart 4.1 illustrates the percentages of built and unbuilt residentially zoned land in Town. Currently, about 55% of the residentially zoned land has been developed. One-third remains vacant; and the final 14% consists of agricultural land. The 11% of homes on lots over 10 acres represent another 2,500 acres that could be subdivided further. To provide residents with an idea of what the town could look like under a build-out scenario, it is useful to calculate a "saturation population", or the population that is possible if all the land were developed according to the present zoning code. [Chart 4.1 Residential Zones By Intensity of Use]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 25 Table 4.3, on page 27, presents the saturation population and summarizes the amount of vacant, developable land remaining in East Fishkill. It also categorizes it by zoning district. According to the data, if the underdeveloped residential land in the above chart were to be fully developed, East Fishkill's population could almost double with an estimated increase of 23,674 people. The table also shows that there exists a significant amount of commercial and industrial land in town that, if developed, could increase the need for greater services in East Fishkill to supply a large daytime working force. In order to calculate the acreage and population/employee figures for Table 4.3, we created a map (see figure 4.3) of all the vacant land in East Fishkill and then superimposed the wetlands and steep slopes over the vacant land. The environmentally sensitive acreage was then subtracted from the total amount to arrive at the gross developable area (GDA). Roads, design inefficiencies, parking, and other factors limit the development capabilities of any parcel of land. To account for these constraints, the net developable area (NDA) equals the GDA multiplied by 0.75 to arrive at the number of acres that can then be used to calculate the development potential of a given zone. Multiplying the net developable area times the underlying zoning results in the number of additional dwelling units that could be built under the present zoning code NET DEVELOPABLE AREA = (Vacant Land - Environmentally Sensitive Land) * 0.75 Once the additional number of dwelling units has been calculated, then multiplying that number by the expected average size of a household results in the "saturation population", or the maximum anticipated population of the town given a complete build-out scenario. The assumptions for the additional residential and employee populations are stated at the bottom of Table 4.3. The "saturation population" equals 24,428 (1998's estimated population) plus 23,674 (potential residents) for a grand total of 48,102 residents. Additionally, Table 4.3 states that an additional 1,152 acres are found in the commercial and industrial districts. This land could hold an additional 17,646,156 square feet of floor space if the business and industrial acreage were built out, and an additional 48,000 employees could swell the town's daytime population. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 26 [Figure 4.3 Developable Land]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 27 Table 4.3 Development Potential of Vacant Land Zone Vacant Land Net Developable Potential Additional Acres Development Population Residential CRD * 160 120 360 units 990 residents PRD * 95 45 270 units 742 residents R-1/3 ** 135 73 219 units 657 residents R1 ** 8,655 5,500 5,500 units 16,500 residents R2 ** 5,315 3,000 1,500 units 4,500 residents Total 14,360 8,738 7,849 units 23,389 residents Commercial B-l A 257.5 160 2,787,840 sq. ft. 13,940 employees B-2 A 2.5 2 34,850 sq. ft. 175 employees Total 260 162 2,822,690 sq. ft. 14,115 employees Industrial I-1 AA 450 310 5,401,440 sq. ft. 10,800 employees I-1s AA 155 110 1,916,640 sq. ft. 3,830 employees I-2 AA 15 10 174,240 sq. ft. 350 employees I-3 AA 100 65 1,132,560 sq. ft. 2,265 employees PRDP *A 37 15 261,360 sq.ft 1,045 employees Total 757 510 8,886,240 sq. ft. 18,290 employees Assumptions: * potential development equals netdevelopable area times 2.75 persons per household ** potential development equals net developable area times 3 persons per household A potential development equals FAR 0.4 * net developable area and 1 employee per 200 sq. ft. AA potential development equals FAR 0.4 * net developable area and 1 employee per 500 sq. ft. *A potential development equals FAR 0.4 * net developable area and 1 employee per 250 sq. ft. The amount of developable land, current zoning laws, and subdivision regulations have implications for the town's population and development patterns. Recently the Town has seen a significant amount of building activity, but a significant amount of land could still be developed. The town will need to think about what kind of infrastructure it needs to support such an additional population: such as roads, schools, water, sewer, etc. It also must think about the other qualities of another 7,900 dwelling units. Will these look like existing subdivisions, houses on one-acre lots? Will they be cluster homes set back from the road? What about the existing views and open space? What will be the environmental impacts? The transportation impacts? The neighborhood character impacts? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 28 5.0 ENVIRONMENT This chapter describes the environmental characteristics of East Fishkill. East Fishkill enjoys a wide variety of terrains, offering diverse plants, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. The environmental components listed below (slopes, surface water, soils, and ground water) are all interconnected. Water features interact with and connect topographical environmental systems as well as those underground. An understanding of the interrelated qualities of the various environmental components will make it easier to make decisions based upon this chapter. The Town, roughly triangular in shape, can be divided into two fairly distinct physiographic zones: a stream valley and an upland zone. The southeast comer of the Town and a narrow band running along the southern boundary comprise the upland zone that includes a portion of the Taconic Mountains. This area contains approximately one-third of the entire Town's area and is characterized by relatively high elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet, steep slopes, and shallow soils. The remaining two-thirds of the town is essentially a stream valley consisting of fertile soils, lower elevations, gentle hills, and containing a number of water bodies. Fishkill Creek and Whortlekill Creek (a tributary of the Fishkill) are the predominant lowland environmental features. This lower lying area holds most of the Town's developed land. The Town has retained Hudsonia, an environmental research institute for the Hudson Valley, to provide a biodiversity study of the flora and fauna within East Fishkill. The biodiversity study will examine present conditions as well as identify potential threats to local and native species. The report will include maps of local habitat and aid in the land use decision-making process. 5.1 Slopes Approximately half of the land in the upland zone has slopes in excess of 25%. These areas, as shown in Figure 5.1, are considered unsuitable for intensive development for several reasons: - Construction in these areas is difficult and expensive. - Generally accepted planning standards state that roads should not exceed a 10% grade whenever possible with 15% being a maximum, and only when necessary. - Clearing of vegetation for development on these steep slopes increases the rate and volume of surface runoff and soil erosion resulting in potential septic problems and problems in ground water availability. As a result of the difficulties inherent with development on steep slopes, the Master Plan recommends a different development standard for steeply sloping areas. The soils cannot support the same level of intensity as flatter lands, and should therefore not have the same development density. This Plan proposes reducing the allowable development density from 100% to 50%. This means that when calculating the lot area, the developer must count steeply sloping land 50% towards the lot area, rather than its full 100% value. 5.2 Surface Water, Wetlands, and Floodplains The main surface water feature in East Fishkill is Fishkill Creek, which flows from east to west through the north-central portion of the Town. Sprout Creek, Whortlekill Creek, and Wiccopee Creek are all tributaries. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 29 [Figure 5.1 Slopes]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 30 [Figure 5.2 Water Resources]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 31 The area along these streams, especially in the lowland zone, is characterized by extensive wetlands, swamps, and marshes, as well as by areas that are susceptible to flooding. The 100- year flood plains and wetlands, as delineated in Figure 5.2, are considered to be unsuitable for development for several reasons: - Areas that are prone to flooding represent a very real hazard to life and property. - Wetland areas pose serious constraints to development in terms of difficult and costly construction practices as well as providing inadequate septic fields. - Wetlands reduce the danger of flooding downstream by acting as natural detention basins during peak runoff periods. The biological activity in wetlands helps to maintain water quality by absorbing excess nutrients. - Wetlands play a vital role in the ecosystem by providing habitat for various wildlife and flora. Wetlands, like steep slopes, have development constraints. Similarly, this Plan recommends that wetlands count 50% towards the lot calculation for development purposes. Reducing the allowable density within wetland areas still allows the developer to retain his property and development rights, but it recognizes the specific inadequacies of wetland soils for development purposes. Wetlands over 12.4 acres in size are mapped and protected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). As shown in Figure 5.2, many of East Fishkill's freshwater wetlands have been designated and mapped by the NYSDEC. Any construction activity that might impact these wetlands (excavation, filling, building, obstructions, potential pollution sources, etc.) is regulated, whether or not the activities occur on the wetland itself or on land adjacent to the wetland. 5.3 Soils East Fishkill can be subdivided into four fairly distinct soil groups (Figure 5.3). - AREA 1 includes two evenly distributed soil types: Venango gravelly silt loam and Cambridge gravelly silt loam. These two soil types tend to be deep, moderately well drained, and have slow permeability. They may be fine for some agriculture, but they have severe limitations for buildings. - AREA 2 is dominated by the Hoosic gravelly loam. These soils are deep, well drained, and have rapid permeability. They are good for agriculture and have few limitations for construction. - AREA 3 is a mixture of soil types. These soils consist of a variety of different types, with limited agricultural use and some limitations for construction. - AREA 4 is comprised of the Hollis-Chatfield Rock Outcrop complex and the Nassau shaly silt loam-Rock outcrop complex. These rocky soils are located in the upland zone and have severe limitations for agriculture and buildings. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 32 Depth to bedrock and soil permeability are significant in terms of development and land use. Shallow soils with rock at or near the surface and/or impervious soils represent a development constraint for the following reasons: - Construction costs for buildings and roads can increase sharply if rock excavation is required. - Installation of on-site waste disposal systems such as septic tanks may be difficult or impossible in shallow soils. - Soils that are essentially impervious are unsuitable for surface drainage systems and septic tanks as well. Mapped areas, which delineate shallow depth to bedrock, are mainly in the southern third of the Town (AREA 4). Areas with slow permeability are dispersed throughout the Town. 5.4 Groundwater Resources East Fishkill has a tremendous amount of groundwater resources. A 1961 US Geological Survey report concluded that "the overall [groundwater] supply is adequate [in Dutchess County] to meet present needs and for much larger withdrawals in the future". According to a 1988 aquifer map prepared by Leggette Brashears & Graham Inc., it appears that groundwater supplies in East Fishkill should be sufficient to support a population of 50,000. East Fishkill has such an abundance of groundwater supplies because of its underlying geologic formations. The Town sits above a number of rock types that allow water to permeate beneath the surface to form aquifers (figure 5.4). Topographically, stream valleys offer the most favorable conditions for groundwater wells. In East Fishkill, these conditions are relatively abundant across the northern portion of Town and they represent significant ground water potential. Groundwater cannot be taken for granted, however. It is susceptible to contamination and requires replenishment. Contamination can take place from septic fields or industrial spills. All well fields, especially those public or community wells serving a number of households, should be protected by a minimum 100-foot buffer. Likewise, any possible uses that could contaminate the groundwater should be sited to minimize any potential negative and harmful effects. The groundwater is replenished from rain that percolates through the soil into the ground, and from recharge areas, such as wetlands. Both wetlands and the soil serve to filter the water and make it safe for drinking when it is pumped back to the surface. The quality of the environment on the surface, therefore, affects the quality of the water beneath the surface. Paved areas near recharge areas should be limited in size to allow water to seep into the ground and wetlands should be protected to allow water to collect and percolate beneath the surface for drinking later on. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 33 [Figure 5.3 Soils]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 34 [Figure 5.4 Aquifer]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 35 5.5 Environmental Summary As discussed in the previous chapter (table 4.1), active agricultural land and open space land have decreased considerably within East Fishkill over the past two decades. As the Town's population increases, there is less open space and natural environment for the residents to enjoy. And much of the Town's remaining open space land contains sensitive environmental lands, such as wetlands and steep slopes, which represent constraints to development. It is because of these constraints that the Plan recommends reducing the development density within steeply sloping area and wetlands. Chapter 7, Community Services, discusses the fact that centralized water and sewer systems are becoming more common in East Fishkill. These systems allow greater flexibility for subdivision design and may allow superior developments that protect the environmentally sensitive land while maximizing the developable portions of property. Over 80% of respondents to the 1997 Master Plan survey indicated that the Town should tighten design and construction standards. Chapter 8 contains a design section (8.4) and advocates for the retention of woodlands, meadows, streams and wetlands, within future developments, to preserve the natural environment and local biodiversity. The Town's open spaces and natural environment create the "small town, rural character" that over 85% of the respondents to the survey wish to retain. The addition of the Hudsonia biodiversity study will provide additional information regarding the local environment and will provide a cohesive and interdependent view of the Town's setting. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 36 6.0 TRANSPORTATION 6.1 Introduction The transportation section of the Master Plan is based upon the East Fishkill Traffic Circulation Plan dated March 2001. The March 2001 traffic study has more extensive information and data that the reader may refer to.     
View the East Fishkill Traffic Circulation Plan
The purpose of a town's transportation system is to efficiently move people and goods in, out and around the town. A transportation network is comprised of several different components that connect and complement each other. This chapter describes the transportation system and network in the Town of East Fishkill, outlining existing deficiencies and proposing possible improvements. East Fishkill's transportation network is comprised of highways and streets, public transit routes, railway tracks and sidewalks. However, the Town's rural, multi-center nature, as well as its employment patterns, has favored the growth of auto-related transportation and resulted in a dependence on the automobile. That is to say, most of East Fishkill's residents drive to work, drive to the store, etc. ISTEA and TEA-21 Two key pieces of transportation legislation were enacted since the 1982 Master Plan. The first was the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, which was designed "to develop a national intermodal transportation system that [was] economically efficient, environmentally sound, provide[d] the foundation for the nation to compete in the global economy and [would) move people and goods in an energy efficient manner."(1) The Act provided funding authorizations for highways, highway safety, and mass transportation for the ensuing six years. Its focus was on maintenance, alternative forms of transportation, and the environment, as opposed to the construction of new roads. In 1998, Congress renewed the 1991 Act by passing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), which built on the initiatives established by ISTEA. One of the provisions of both ISTEA and TEA-21 was the establishment of a National Highway System, consisting primarily of existing interstate routes, to focus federal resources on roads that are most important to interstate travel. Those road systems considered most important to the interstate travel network are those classified as "collector" and "arterial." Consequently, state and local governments, including the Poughkeepsie-Dutchess County Transportation Council (PDCTC), were urged to refine their functional classification systems to better accommodate the provisions set forth by ISTEA and TEA-21. 6.2 Existing Roadway System and Traffic Volumes The Town of East Fishkill is well served by regional highways and has a relatively developed network of local roads. Interstate 84, the Taconic State Parkway and State Routes 52, 82, 216 and 376 traverse the Town. Interstate 84 traverses the Town in an east-west direction and the Taconic State Parkway traverses the Town in a north-south direction. Together these highways form the backbone of East Fishkill's transportation system. ------ (1) The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 37 Functional classification, or the classification of roads into different operational systems, groups, streets and highways according to the level of service they are intended to provide to the road user and the surrounding area. For example, limited access highways are designed for through traffic, higher speeds and greater travel mobility than are local access routes, which are intended to operate at lower speeds and provide direct access to abutting land uses. An important consideration for a town such as East Fishkill is the degree to which a road impacts the surrounding environment, for example a road that passes through a residential neighborhood should be designated differently to a road that avoids residential areas. The 1982 Master Plan established three classifications of East Fishkill's streets: limited access highway, state highway and county highway. This classification was updated in 1991 by Dutchess County to conform to the ISTEA legislation and established different classifications depending on whether the area is rural or urban, see table 6.1 (for additional information, see Traffic Study). Table 6.1 County Functional Road Classification Urban Rural Interstate Interstate Principal Arterial (Expressway) Principal Arterial Principal Arterial (Street) Minor Arterial Minor Arterial Major Collector Collector Interstate Interstates provide regional access for vehicles traveling to and from East Fishkill. They are high-speed roadways where access is limited to grade separated interchanges. The only Interstate in East Fishkill is Interstate 84 (I-84), traversing East Fishkill in an east-west direction. Interstate 84 begins in Sturbridge, MA where it connects with Interstate 90, and goes west to Scranton, PA where it connects with Interstate 380. Generally it is a four-lane road with two lanes in both directions. It also has the highest traffic volumes in East Fishkill as can be seen from Figure 6.1, which shows 24-hour traffic volumes for various roadways in East Fishkill. Principal Arterial (Expressway) Principal Arterial (Expressway) is similar to the Interstate classification in terms of providing high-speed regional access but differs in terms of the level of access and restrictions on vehicle types. At-grade intersections may exist on a Principal Arterial but not on an Interstate. The only principal arterial in East Fishkill is the Taconic State Parkway. The Taconic State Parkway begins in Westchester County and heads north to Interstate 90, near Albany. The Taconic State Parkway has four lanes in the Town of East Fishkill. No commercial vehicles are allowed on the Taconic State Parkway, though there has been a recent change that allows pickup trucks weighing less than 5,000 pounds and registered as passenger vehicles to use the Parkway. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 38 [Figure 6.1 1988 Daily Traffic Volumes]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 39 Although the Taconic State Parkway is a 55 mile-per-hour expressway, many stretches are below the current design standards. New York State Department of Transportation has an ongoing plan to upgrade the whole parkway to meeting current design standards. Principal Arterial Principal arterials provide for traffic movement between East Fishkill and the surrounding towns and also give access to adjacent properties. The major arterial streets in East Fishkill are NYS Routes 82 and 376 as well as NY State Route 52 west of the intersection with the Taconic State Parkway. Minor Arterials Minor arterials provide options for alternate traffic movement and may also serve to connect major arterials. Some through service is provided but traffic volumes are lighter than along the major arterials. The minor arterial streets in East Fishkill follow: - Lime Kiln Road (County Route 27) north of Interstate 84 - Palen Road (County Route 31) - Beekman Road (County Route 9) - Carpenter Road and Clove Branch Road (County Route 29) - Hillside Lake Road (County Route 33) - Old Hopewell Road (County Route 28) - NYS Route 52 east of the Taconic State Parkway - NYS Route 216 Collector Roads Collector Roads work as connectors between local roads and arterials, generally they are a little wider than local roads and are better equipped to cope with heavier traffic flows. The collector roads in East Fishkill are as follows: - Robinson Lane - Lake Walton Road - Hosner Mountain Road - Miller Hill Road - Fishkill Road - Shenandoah Road - Fishkill Hook Road Local Streets Local streets provide direct access to the properties located along them. All streets in East Fishkill not detailed in the above classifications are considered local streets. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 40 6.3 Park and Ride Lots There are two park and ride lots in East Fishkill: the first is on Lime Kiln Road just south of I-84 (see photograph 6.3), and the second is at the intersection of the Taconic State Parkway and Route 52 (see photograph 6.4). As part of the Year 2001 Master Plan, the users of each park and ride lot were surveyed. The object of the survey was to identify commuter patterns and to identify improvements that could be made to the park and ride lots. [Photograph 6.1 - Lime Kiln Road / I-84 Park and Ride Lot] [Photograph 6.2 - Taconic State Parkway Park and Ride] Users were also asked to suggest improvements that could be made to the park and ride lots. The largest single issue is increasing the number of parking spaces at the Taconic State Parkway park and ride lot where there is a shortage of spaces. According to the State DOT, they are in the process of enlarging this lot. Other important issues included signalizing the intersection between the Taconic State Parkway northbound on/off ramp, Route 52 and the Taconic State Parkway park and ride lot and increasing the number and quality of telephones at both lots. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 41 64 Safety, and Circulation Issues Road Accidents Vehicle crash records for East Fishkill covering the period 1995-1998 were obtained from New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). The records covered the town Roads as well as the state Roads. BFJ summarized the crash data by location and severity (fatal, injury or property damage only). A total of 1525 crashes were detailed, of these, 721 accidents were at an intersection (47% of all crashes) and 804 occurred on stretches of Rd. (53% of all crashes). Of the intersection accidents, 277 resulted in an injury or fatality (38% of intersection crashes). Of the accidents occurring on road stretches 255 resulted in an injury or a fatality (32% of road stretch crashes). These numbers reflect the rural aspect of East Fishkill, where drivers tend to speed more on open stretches of roads and so increase the risk of crashing. The total number of accidents is high for a town with the population size of East Fishkill, as is the number of crashes that result in a fatality (5 such crashes). This may be explained by the high dependence on motor vehicles for transport in East Fishkill, the rural nature of the Roads in East Fishkill that result in drivers increasing their speeds, and the presence of four at-grade intersections with the Taconic State Parkway. Additionally, the Town receives a large amount of through traffic, which adds to the volume of cars on the road, and may therefore increase the likelihood of accidents along East Fishkill roadways. High Accident Locations In order to concentrate on the most dangerous locations the highest fifteen crash locations were selected for both road stretches and intersections (Table 6.2). From these the intersection accidents were summarized and are detailed in Figure 6.2. It was noticed that there were three areas in East Fishkill where clusters of crash locations formed. These are detailed in Table 6.3. Table 6.2 High Intersection Crash Locations (1995-1998) Map Location At Fatal Injury Property Total No. Damage Reportable Only 1 Taconic State Parkway Miller Hill Rd* 0 20 24 44 2 Taconic State Parkway NYS Route 52 0 21 18 39 3 Taconic State Parkway Carpenter Rd (CR 29) 0 21 13 35 4 Taconic State Parkway NYS Route 82 0 11 7 18 5 Taconic State Parkway Hosner Mountain Rd 2 9 6 17 6 Hillside Lake Road (CR 33) Clove Branch Rd (CR 29) 0 12 5 17 7 NYS Route 82 NYS Route 376 0 7 6 13 8 NYS Route 82 Palen Rd (CR 31) 0 9 2 11 9 NYS Route 82 Clove Branch Rd (CR 29) 0 6 4 10 10 Beekman Rd (CR 9) Carpenter Rd (CR 29) 0 7 3 10 11 NYS Route 82 Lake Walton Rd 0 7 2 9 12 Taconic State Parkway Stormville Rd 0 8 1 9 13 Beekman Rd (CR 9) NYS Route 82 0 4 2 6 14 Palen Rd. (CR 31) Harrigan Rd. 0 3 1 4 15 Moore Rd. Philips Rd. 0 4 0 4 *Miller Hill intersection was redesigned and rebuilt 1999-2000. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 42 [Figure 6.2 Highest Traffic Accident Locations]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) Intersection Accidents Location at Total Reportable 1 Taconic Parkway Miller Rd 44 2 Taconic Parkway NYS 52 39 3 Taconic Parkway Carpenter Rd(29) 34 4 Taconic Parkway NYS 82 18 5 Taconic Parkway Hosner Mtn Rd 17 6 Hillside Lake Rd(33) Clove Branch Rd(29) 17 7 NYS 82 NYS 376 13 8 NYS 82 Palen Rd(31) 11 9 NYS 82 Clove Branch Rd(29) 10 10 Beekman Rd(9) Carpenter Rd(29) 10 11 Taconic Parkway Stormville Rd 9 12 NYS 82 Lake Walton Rd 9 13 Beekman Rd(9) NYS 82 6 14 Palen Rd(31) Harrigan Rd 4 15 Moore Rd Philips Rd 4 (9) County Road 9 (29) County Road 29 (31) County Road 31 (33) County Road 33 Road Stretch Accidents Location between and Total Reportable 1 NYS 376 NYS 52 Kent Rd 16 2 NYS 82 Foster Rd Clove Branch Rd(29) 15 3 NYS 52 Roethel Dr Lakeview Dr 13 4 NYS 376 Entry Rd Ferland Rd 11 S CR 216 Gold Rd town line 10 6 NYS 376 Clove Branch Rd(29) Lake Walton Rd 10 7 NYS 82 Trinka La Unity St 10 8 NYS 376 Oak St Fishkill Rd 10 9 NYS 52 Lakeview Dr Palen Rd(31) 10 10 Philips Rd Moore Rd 500m west 7 11 Clove Branch Rd(29) Doran Brush Dr Beekman Rd(9) 6 12 Philips Rd Moore Rd Park Pl 4 13 Carpenter Rd(9) Valdemar Rd 200m north 4 14 Lake Walton Rd Montfort Rd Homestead Dr 4 15 Clove Branch Rd(29) Henry Dr NYS 82 4 (9) County Road 9 (29) County Road 29 (31) County Road 31 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 43 Table 6.3 High Crash Location Clusters Property Total Injury Damage Reportable Cluster 1 Only Crashes Lake Walton Rd between Montfort Rd. and Homestead Dr. 4 0 4 Lake Walton Rd at Montfort Rd. 2 1 3 Lake Walton Rd at Homestead Dr 3 0 3 Lake Walton Rd at Brown Rd. 1 0 1 total 10 1 11 Cluster 2 Carpenter Rd. between Valdemar Rd. and 200m north 4 0 4 Carpenter Rd. between Beekman Rd. and 100m south 0 1 1 Beekman Rd. between Carpenter Rd. and Augusta Dr 1 0 1 Beekman Rd. at Carpenter Rd. 4 2 6 Beekman Rd. between Martin Rd. and Clove Branch Rd. 0 1 1 Clove Branch Rd. at Beekman Rd. 3 1 4 Clove Branch Rd. between Doran Brush Dr. and Beekman Rd. 4 2 6 total 16 7 23 Cluster 3 Philips Rd. at Park Pl. 2 1 3 Philips Rd. between Moore Rd. and 500m west 2 5 7 Philips Rd. between Moore Rd. and Park Pl. 4 0 4 Moore Rd. at Philips Rd. 4 0 4 Moore Rd. between Philips Rd. and town line 2 0 2 total 18 6 24 Taconic State Parkway At-Grade Intersections By far the most dangerous intersections in East Fishkill are the at-grade intersections with the Taconic State Parkway. In total, there are three at-grade intersections: 1. at Carpenter Road; 2. at Hosner Mountain Road; and 3. at Stormville Road. Collectively these intersections account for 105 reportable accidents of which 58 resulted in an injury and 2 resulted in a fatality. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 44 Hopewell Junction Traffic in the Hopewell Junction Hamlet represents the major circulation issue in East Fishkill. Hopewell Hamlet is the historic center of East Fishkill and today is the commercial and administrative center for the Town. As was shown in the East Fishkill Traffic Study, Hopewell Hamlet has seen the largest increase of traffic in East Fishkill during the last decade and has become more congested. Traffic movements in the Hopewell Hamlet are concentrated around the intersection of NYS Route 376 and NYS Route 82. This has become a congested and unpleasant intersection. This is good neither from a transportation perspective, a commercial perspective, nor an environmental perspective. An additional circulation problem in Hopewell Hamlet is the commercial strip area on NYS Route 82 near Trinka Lane. As in most commercial strips, each property has its own driveway and to get from one retail establishment to another shoppers often have to drive out one driveway and get in on another driveway. The overall result is one of lack of accessibility and unfriendliness for pedestrians and bicyclists. Potential solutions to the circulation issues in Hopewell Hamlet are addressed in the Future Road Network section. 6.5 Safety Improvements Carpenter Road At-Grade Intersection This intersection was the third-highest crash location between 1995-1998 in East Fishkill. One problem was that Carpenter Road was not visible to drivers approaching the intersection on the Taconic State Parkway. For northbound drivers, the visibility was partially obstructed by vegetation on the central portion of the Taconic State Parkway, see photographs 1 and 2. This obstruction has been partially cleared by the NYSDOT and a flashing light has been installed. Another problem at this intersection is the lack of deceleration and acceleration lanes. Vehicles wanting to turn off the Taconic are afraid to slow down too much because of the rear-end hazard created by higher speed vehicles. These vehicles then turn too quickly into the side street. [Photograph 6.3 - 500 feet from Carpenter Road on northbound approach of the Taconic State Parkway] [Photograph 6.4 - 500 feet from Carpenter Road on southbound approach of the Taconic State Parkway] ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 45 A grade-separated diamond interchange should be constructed at this location. This interchange would serve central East Fishkill and could possibly provide access to a commuter rail station on the MNR Beacon line. This improvement becomes important if and when the Stormville Road access further north is discontinued. Hosner Mountain Road At-Grade Intersection This intersection is the fifth highest in terms of total crashes and the highest in terms of fatalities: two fatalities occurred at this intersection in the period of 1995-1998. This intersection is particularly dangerous as the site distance on the eastern approach is limited both for drivers on the Taconic State Parkway and for drivers on Hosner Mountain Road. The road should be grade- separated from the Taconic State Parkway and should be rebuilt as an underpass under the Taconic. If access from the Taconic to Hosner Mountain were eliminated, cars would need to use the Route 52 exit and then turn left onto Hosner Mountain Road. For northbound vehicles on the Taconic, this would require two left turns. More cars would pass through the Route 52 intersection, which already suffers from inadequate sight distance. The amount of vehicles making these two left turns would adversely impact travel along Route 52 and create safety hazards. A full diamond interchange is not needed here, but an offramp for northbound Taconic vehicles to exit onto Hosner Mountain Road would provide an important connection to that section of East Fishkill. Stormville Road At-Grade Intersection This intersection was the twelfth highest crash location in East Fishkill with a total of nine crashes in the period of 1995-1998, eight of which resulted in a serious injury. This intersection is scheduled to be eliminated. This access should be closed as soon as the new interchange at Carpenter Road is built. West of the Taconic the section of Stormville Road between Pellbridge Road and the Taconic can be abandoned, and on the east side a turnaround should be built near the last driveway east of the Taconic. NYS Route 52 - Taconic State Parkway Intersection This interchange represents the second highest crash location in town. Although this is a grade separated intersection it is hazardous for two reasons: 1. the on-off ramps begin and terminate at stop controlled intersections where visibility is severely limited due to the Taconic State Parkway bridge; and 2. there are no acceleration or deceleration lanes on the Taconic State Parkway for vehicles entering or exiting at this location. A solution that would increase safety and capacity at the intersections with Route 52 would be to construct a modern roundabout at each intersection. Modern roundabouts have much smaller diameters (11O' for a single-lane roundabout) than older traffic circles and are being effectively used as a safe alternative to signalized intersections. Modern roundabouts represent the safest type of at-grade intersection. Apart from increased safety at this location modern roundabouts have the added benefit that the over-pass would not have to be re-built, as would be the case if the intersections were signalized. This would represent substantial cost savings. Appendix IV includes a description of modern roundabouts. NYS Route 82 - Taconic State Parkway Intersection ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 46 This interchange represents the fourth highest crash location in town. It is very similar to the interchange with Route 52 and suffers from similar traffic safety problems. As for the Route 52 interchange, we recommend to study the feasibility of modern roundabouts at the two intersections of the Taconic ramps with Route 82. This is the safest type of traffic control and it avoids the reconstruction of the overpass. Hopewell Hamlet A location of concern within Hopewell Hamlet is the Z-bend on NYS Route 376 just north of the intersection with NYS 82. This is a high crash location that includes a fatality in the period 1995- 1998. Previous plans have recommended a road re-allignment at this location. Until a re- allignment can be made we recommend that short-term measures such as rumble strips, extra lighting and larger reflectorized warning signage be used to highlight this location as being dangerous. Recently a driveway has been added at this location for the St. Colomba school and church. This driveway is currently one-way outbound at this location. 6.6 New Roadway Segments and Roadway Improvements Hopewell Hamlet Traffic movements in the Hopewell Hamlet are concentrated around the intersection of NYS Route 376 and NYS Route 82. Roads through the hamlet follow historic traffic patterns and are constrained by development patterns and environmental factors such as the proximity of Whortlekill and Fishkill Creeks. As a result, this is a congested intersection and Hopewell Hamlet is percieved as being one of the most congested areas in East Fishkill. To resolve this situation, two by-pass roads are proposed (see Figure 6.3). The first is a north-south by-pass that allows drivers traveling along Route 376 to avoid the existing Routes 376/82 intersection in Hopewell. Existing traffic movements along Route 376 require maneuvering two 90-degree turns with Route 82 and a z-bend curve within one-quarter mile of each other. The new road will be much straighter and easier to follow. The proposed by- pass road creates a new intersection with Route 82, west of the existing intersection. Traffic traveling east along Route 82 meets the north-south by-pass west of Hopewell Junction, allowing traffic that is destined for Route 376 to be diverted away from the Hamlet center (this was first outlined in the 1982 Master Plan). The proposed road would cross Route 82 in the vicinity of where the Whortlekill Creek currently passes underneath. The biggest constraint to this new road, therefore, is Whortlekill Creek. Approximately 600 feet of the new roadway would be constructed very close to the stream, necessitating costly construction techniques to minimize any impact to the creek and any associated wetlands. The second road is an east-west by-pass road that would extend Fishkill Road from its existing terminus at Route 376 east to connect with Route 82 at the intersection with Beekman Road (CR 9). As part of this by-pass, the existing southern terminus of Fishkill Road at its intersection with Route 82 would be re-aligned to connect with Palen Road (CR 31). The east-west by-pass would provide a more efficient route for east-west traffic. Together, the by-pass roads would greatly reduce congestion in Hopewell Hamlet and would also provide the ability to develop greater pedestrian connections within the hamlet. A loop road is proposed behind the commercial buildings fronting along Route 82. This service road would provide customers with an alternative to using Route 82. Customers driving between stores would not have to enter/exit onto Route 82 and disrupt through traffic. Furthermore, a ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 47 connection from the service road to Route 376, south of the Route 82 intersection, is shown as a way to reduce delays at that congested intersection. It may be possible to connect the service road with the other bypass roads to further enhance traffic movements within the Hamlet and reduce traffic along the existing state roads. A fourth new road is proposed in the area of Fishkill Creek. This would be an east-west road connecting NYS Route 376 and Palen Road (CR 31). This road would function both as an east- west by-pass road and to provide access to future developments in the local area. All new roads, except the service road, should be collector roads with 60 foot rights-of-way. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 48 [Figure 6.3 Possible Layout of Future Road Extensions in Hopewell Hamlet]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 49 New Stormville Road / Route 216 Link The 1982 Master Plan proposed a new Stormville Road connection that would link NYS Route 216 in Stormville Hamlet with Hosner Mountain Road just as it goes under I-84. This road would provide more access in the eastern sector of East Fishkill and will help to reinforce Stormville Hamlet as a local center. Route 52 and Fishkill Hook Road Fishkill Hook Road branches into two roads as it approaches Route 52. Each branch is controlled by a stop sign at the intersection with Route 52. As for any side street along this stretch of Route 52, turning delays can be quite long. To improve the situation, it is recommended that a traffic signal be installed at the easterly branch of Fishkill Hook Road. Some realignment of this road may be desirable as part of rebuilding the interchange. The intersection of the west branch of Fishkill Hook Road with Route 52 could then be rebuilt to restrict access and turning movements onto/from Route 52, including the possibility of creating a cul-de-sac at the end of the west branch and blocking off the intersection. 6.7 Functional Classification of Future Roadway System For the future we propose a road classification system that is basically the same as today's except for the new roads and road extension. The extended Fishkill Road is proposed to become a minor arterial, extending two other minor arterials (Beekman Road and Palen Road) and connecting to Rte 376, a principal arterial. Fishkill Road could in effect become an extension of County Route 9 (Beekman Road). The other new roads will all be collector roads, except for the shopping plaza service road in Hopewell hamlet which will be a local road. Figure 6.4 shows the potential future road classification system. We recommend that the Town pursue a more aggressive control of the functional classification of the road network. Access control along the arterial roads (see page 38) is very critical to provide and should be implemented at every possible level. The Town has the authority to control access to arterial roads through the master plan, subdivision, and site plan approval mechanisms, even when a project is located on a State Highway. NYSDOT can only refuse a new driveway when the State can only prove an overwhelming hazard. The new roadways proposed in the Plan do not alleviate the need to control access along the State highways. They make the access control process easier by providing alternate access points to some of the commercial properties. Creative planning techniques should be used to encourage safe, efficient and realistic access plans. The following actions may be considered: - allowing only partial access (i.e. right-turn-in and right-turn-out only); - offer connecting routes to other roads either directly or through adjacent properties whenever possible; - request or require applicants to consolidate or share driveways; - request applicants to provide easements to adjacent properties in perpetuity, so that in the future, when the neighbor applies for site plan approval combined driveways or interconnections can be provided; - encourage development of other parallel by-pass roads that can attract the through traffic and thus eliminate part of the conflict. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 50 [Figure 6.4 Future Functional Road Classification]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 51 On the other end of the scale there are situations where heavy through traffic uses local streets and affects the residential quality of those streets. Typically traffic calming measures can be implemented on those streets to limit traffic speeds and the amount of through traffic. Generally traffic calming measures consist of speed humps, pinch points, chicanes, or neckdowns that force drivers to slow down. Neckdowns can be installed on arterials. These other measures would be most appropriate on local streets. Appendix V of the Traffic Study includes more detailed descriptions of traffic calming techniques. 6.8 Public Transportation Bus Network Dutchess County Loop Bus system operates three bus services that pass through East Fishkill. These services have a variety of different origins and destinations (see Figure 6.5). The following table details bus loops. Table 6.4 Bus Routes Service Number/Stop Origin Destination Loop 3A Galleria Food Court Wappingers Loop 4 Hopewell Junction Dutchess Mall Loop 8S Amenia Poughkeepsie It should be noted that only one of the three routes operates on weekdays, the Loop 4 route. This route provides access to Fishkill where passengers can make connections to buses going to other destinations, specifically the Leprechaun Connection to White Plains and Poughkeepsie. It is of some concern that there are no direct bus connections to either the MNR Harlem Line or the MNR Hudson Line. Rail Network East Fishkill, especially Hopewell Junction, was the center of regional rail activity for many years in the late 1800's / early 1900's. In total, four railroad lines came together in East Fishkill: - the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad, - the Dutchess County Railroad, - the New York and New England Railroad and - the Clove Valley Railroad. As a result, a number of railroad right-of-ways, most notably the Maybrook Corridor (formerly the Dutchess County Railroad) and the Beacon Line (formerly the New York and New England Railroad), still pass through East Fishkill, see Figures 6.6 and 6.7. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 52 [Figure 6.5 Local Bus Service]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 53 [Figure 6.6 Regional Rail and Trail Network]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 54 [Figure 6.7 Local Rail Map]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 55 The Maybrook Corridor was actively used for freight rail service until 1974 when a fire damaged the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge. It was then lightly used until its abandonment in 1983. At this point, Dutchess County acquired the 13-mile segment of the Maybrook Corridor within Dutchess County. After studying various possibilities, the County recently concluded to move forward with a rail-to-trail conversion that will create a linear trail between Hopewell Junction and Poughkeepsie. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently purchased the Beacon Line from Danbury Terminal Railroad Company (DTRC). Metro-North recently abandoned the rail line for freight purposes, but continues to retain the rights for passenger service.. This 47-mile rail line connects the City of Beacon, NY in the west with the City of Danbury, CT in the cast. As such, the Beacon Line could provide a connection between its commuter rail lines - the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines. MTA and its commuter rail division - Metro-North Railroads (MNR) - studied the feasibility of initiating passenger rail service between East Fishkill and Brewster North along the Beacon Line. The report concluded that extending passenger service would not be practical due in part to various infrastructure improvements that would have to be made before the rail line could be effectively used. These include: track rehabilitation, activation of grade crossings, repairs to bridges and culverts, and clearing of right-of-way. In the future, if MTA should decide that providing passenger rail service along this line is feasible and warranted, then a railroad station would be appropriately located within the Town of East Fishkill. One possible location for such a station would be outside of Hopewell Junction, near the Taconic State Parkway. It should be noted that Putnam County currently plans to construct a trailway parallel to the Beacon Line between Brewster and the Dutchess County-line. A shared bikeway and active rail line may not be the most ideal situation, but there are currently no plans to run trains along the rail line. Should that change in the future to accommodate a growing commuting population, the number of trains is estimated to be infrequent enough to allow pleasurable use of the trailway. The trailway would be built on the second track (the beacon line has two tracks) and would be built in three phases: Phase 1 NYS Route 164 to Dutchess County Line Phase 2 Brewster then to Danbury, CT Phase 3 NYS Route 164 to Brewster Since the study concluded that passenger rail service is not feasible at this time, the Town should actively promote a trailway along the Beacon Line that would connect with the proposed trailway in Putnam County. If built, this trailway would connect Poughkeepsie with Putnam County and points south, into New York City. 6.9 Pedestrian Policy Sidewalks are usually not needed in the types of low-density areas that predominate throughout East Fishkill. However in areas of mixed use such as Hopewell Junction, sidewalks can encourage safe pedestrian movement and increase the life and vibrancy of the commercial areas. The Town of East Fishkill and Dutchess County Planning Department have begun a pedestrian study for the Hopewell Hamlet. This report is expected to be completed by 2001. This pedestrian study could complement this plan's future vision for Hopewell Hamlet that foresees pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use, developments. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 56 6.10 Bicycle Policy In March, 1996 the Poughkeepsie-Dutchess County Transportation Council (PDCTC) adopted a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan as part of the County's Transportation Plan. The plan was developed in response to the federal ISTEA regulations and its purpose was to complete separate plans for bicycle and pedestrian issues. The plan, "identifies projects and actions needed to increase the number and improve the condition of sidewalks, crosswalks, paths, walkways, bike lanes, shoulders and other facilities used for non- motorized transportation. " This chapter is based on the findings and recommendations laid out in the PDCTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, but also adds more recommendations specific to East Fishkill. Figure 6.8 shows the bicycle network as proposed by the PDCTC plan and also bicycle improvements proposed as part of this master plan. The PDCTC plan designates eight roads in East Fishkill as being part of the County bicycle network these are: NYS Route 52; NYS Route 82; NYS Route 216; NYS Route 376; Lime Kiln Road (CR 27); Clove Branch Road (CR 29); Palen Road (CR 31) and Lake Walton Road. A number of engineering improvements were recommended as part of the plan, these are detailed in Table 6.5. Table 6.5 Recommended Bicycle Road Improvements Road Recommended Improvement Funding Source NYS Route 52, 82 Widen Shoulders Make Signalized Intersections Bicycle Sensitive State Install Bicycle Friendly Drainage Gratings NYS Route 216 ---- ---- NYS Route 376 Widen Shoulders Make Signalized Intersections Bicycle Sensitive. State County Routes 27, 28, 29 Widen Shoulders and 31 Make Signalized Intersections Bicycle Sensitive State, County Lake Walton Road Resurface Make Signalized Intersections Bicycle Sensitive State, County, Town The plan also designates the Maybrook Corridor as a potential rails-to-trails route. This route goes from Hopewell Junction to Maybrook in Orange County passing through Poughkeepsie and will be both a good recreational trail and a potential commuter route for dedicated cyclists. A further local improvement would be to install bicycle-parking facilities at the Hopewell Junction commercial area, Town Hall, the town park-and-ride lots and town recreational areas such as the Hopewell Recreation Area. Bicycle parking facilities are usually located in visible, well-lit areas and as a minimum include some form of identification signage and a bike rack. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 57 [Figure 6.8 Bicycle Trails and Pedestrian Routes]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 58 7.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES As East Fishkill's population continues to grow and to change, its anticipated needs must be taken into account to ensure availability of proper levels of community services. Those services currently available to the Town are discussed below. 7.1 Town Government The East Fishkill Town Hall is located on Route 376, at the southern edge of Hopewell Junction. The present building was built in 1967 and houses a number of town offices. It also serves as the courthouse. One of four fire departments in town, the Hopewell Hose fire house, is situated on land adjoining the Town Hall while the Police Department is located a few miles to the south at the intersection of Routes 376 and 52. Figure 1 illustrates the various locations of the town's police, fire, town hall, and library. The increase in the town's population has brought about a greater demand in the number of services and personnel needed in the town. Given the expected level of growth in East Fishkill over the next 10 years, it is unlikely that the current Town Hall facility will be able to accommodate the increased demand for Town services and personnel. The Town Board is currently considering ways in which this future demand can be met. Present facilities could be expanded or a new site identified. This Plan recommends that any new site option continue to be in the Hopewell Junction area, because of its central location. 7.2 Library The East Fishkill library has been in operation since 1934. The present building dates to 1988 and is located adjacent to Town Hall. The present library has about 7,000 square feet of floor space, including a community room capable of seating 75 people. It is one-story and completely accessible to the handicapped. It operates under contract to the town and is a member of the Mid- Hudson Library System. A 5,000 square foot expansion of the library building has been completed. The expansion will accommodate future acquisitions, provide an additional conference room, and allow the library to place computers and new technology in a more suitable, comfortable, and accessible area to patrons. An expanded reading room is also part of the addition, According to the Mid-Hudson Library System Statistical Report for 1997, East Fishkill serves a population of 22,100 and had 178,000 library visits with 7,300 transactions. There are 15,100 registered borrowers. It has over 60,000 books for a per capita ratio of books to residents of 3.0. According to the American Library Association, for a town of East Fishkill's size the ALA recommends a ratio of 2.5 to 3 volumes per person. This is the second largest library, measured according to book holdings, in Dutchess County, after Poughkeepsie's. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 59 [Figure 7.1 Public Facilities]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 60 7.3 Police Protection The East Fishkill Police Department currently employs twenty-three full-time officers, including two Lieutenants, four Sergeants, two detectives, and the patrol division. Eight civilian employees handle the dispatching responsibilities and provide the necessary administrative support. The Department has certified four EMTs, three D.A.R.E. officers, six bicycle patrol officers, four S.C.U.B.A.-qualified officers, as well as other fields of expertise and professionalism. Officers on bicycles regularly patrol Town parks. The East Fishkill Police Department utilizes ten patrol cars, eight of which are marked, plus two marked, four-wheel drive vehicles, all of which are fully equipped. The Department also has an emergency-services vehicle that is capable of providing crime scene, accident scene, and disaster support. The Department has three defibulators, which the entire department is trained to use. The officers have up-to-date equipment, including laptop computers for access to immediate information as well as the ability to perform all paperwork while on patrol. A modem and updated computerized network maintains all police records and keeps track of the approximately 1,500 monthly service calls. 7.4 Fire Protection The Volunteer East Fishkill Fire Department provides firefighting, rescue squad, and fire police protection. The Department has about 100-130 active members, though it has an enrollment of around 400. The districts respond to approximately 2,000 calls/year. The fire district has a variety of equipment, including: one 95-foot platform one hose truck one rescue truck four utility trucks eleven engines two staff cars one hazardous materials transport one multi-purpose vehicle one fire investigation van one fire police van three tankers with a 2,500 gallon capacity The Department is organized in accordance with the New York State Fire District Regulations. The Town is divided into four districts, each with their own firehouse. These include Hopewell Hose, Stormville, Hillside Lake, and Wiccopee Fire Companies. Two fire substations have also been added at Stormville Mountain and I-84 at Lime Kiln Road. Sloper Willen Ambulance Service responds to certain calls along with our ambulances to provide paramedic service to the residents of East Fishkill. Fully adequate fire protection is provided for the entire town, including the IBM plant, which has its own fire department and water storage tank on-site. Though no major problems have been cited, on-going concerns include: - Shortage of Fire Department Volunteers. The number has dropped by nearly 100 since 1982. Several reasons for the decline include increased training time, personnel burnout, and liability/lawsuit issues. - Response Time. The firehouses and sub-stations are centrally located to service the entire town. It takes about 5-7 minutes to arrive at the scene after a call has been placed. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 61 7.5 School Facilities An educational system of high quality is one of the greatest assets of a residential community. Planning for and operating the school system is the function of the school district, not the Town government. However, it is important for the Town to consider these plans and operations in its land use plans. Both agencies need to be aware of the goals, policies, and trends of the other in order to function together. The Town of East Fishkill is serviced by four school districts: Wappinger Central, Arlington, Carmel, and Pawling School District. Most of the Town lies within the Wappinger Central School District and most school-age children attend its schools. The Arlington School District occupies portions of the northern edge of town while the Carmel School District includes part of the southern portion of East Fishkill. Only a few households in the extreme southeastern corner of East Fishkill are included in the Pawling District. In addition to the public schools, East Fishkill has St. Columba's Catholic School in Hopewell Junction and the Bethel Christian Academy south of Interstate 84. The table below shows the enrollment for the four public school districts that serve East Fishkill residents. Table 7.1 School District Enrollments Enrollments School District 1984-85 1996-97 1999-2000 Arlington 6,955 8,130 9,276 Carmel 4,502 4,428 4,715 Pawling N/A 1,234 1,278 Wappingers 12,090 10,849 11,369 TOTAL 11,457 24,641 26,908 Only the Wappingers School District has fewer students than it did fifteen years ago. The Arlington District has shown an appreciable increase in the number of children attending its schools and appears to be short of classroom space. Although there has not been steady growth for the Districts over the past fifteen years, the recent trend has been for school enrollments to increase. These enrollment increases are in agreement with the population projections of the different districts. Wappingers School District has seen a 7% increase in the past three years while Carmel has experienced a 6% rise. Arlington has seen a 14% increase in the same period. Enrollments are in keeping with the school district's population projections. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 62 [Figure 7.2 School Districts]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 63 Neither Pawling, Arlington, nor Carmel School Districts have schools within the boundaries of East Fishkill. Only the Wappingers School District maintains a physical presence within the Town (see Figure 2). Table 7.2 lists the four public schools located in East Fishkill and gives attendance figures for the 1999 school year. Table 7.2 Local School Characteristics School Year of Use Capacity 1999 Construction Enrollment Gayhead Elementary 1965 1,096 1,050 Fishkill Plains Elem. 1956 672 614 Van Wyck, Jr. H.S. 1965 1,237 1,203 John Jay High School 1969 1,874 1,874 For the 1996-97 school year, the Arlington, Wappingers, and Pawling School Districts all spent about the same amount of money per student, roughly $5,000. This was slightly under the state average of $5,335. Carmel, however, spent about 50% more per student - $7,393.* East Fishkill, LaGrange, Beekman, and other neighboring towns within these three districts are all experiencing population growth. The school districts that serve these towns have seen a recent trend of rapid growth in the number of school-age children enrolling each year. Based upon the number of building permits being issued in these towns and the number of families moving there with school-age children, attendance figures are expected to increase further. 7.6 Recreation East Fishkill has a wide variety of public, quasi-public, and private recreational facilities available to its residents. Public facilities include neighborhood parks and public recreational areas that serve the entire community. Quasi-public facilities include those provided by the Wappingers School District. Private facilities range from tennis courts and other facilities that are reserved for the residents of specific subdivisions to golf and tennis clubs. This section provides a review of the public facilities in East Fishkill and the recreational opportunities they offer all residents. Figure 7.3 illustrates the location of the seven recreation areas currently operated by the Town. The facilities are: Hopewell Recreation Area [photo - Hopewell Recreation Area] The Hopewell Recreation Area is the centerpiece of the East Fishkill system of parks. The recreational area serves the entire community and is the most frequently used park within the Town. The park is located on Route 376 in Hopewell ------ * Financial figures from the New York State School Report Card Fiscal Accountability Supplement. These figures represent the costs of general education and do not take into account special education costs. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 64 [Figure 7.3 Recreation Facilities]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 65 Junction immediately north of the Town Hall. A wide variety of facilities are located within the park, including ball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, in-line skating rink, play areas, picnic facilities, an ice skating pond, and an entertainment pavilion. Some of the fields have been lit to allow nighttime playing. Fishing opportunities are also available in the Fishkill Creek that borders the recreation area to the east. A privately operated concession stand is located in the park. Programmed activities at the park include fishing, summer playground, and Friday night entertainment. Baseball, softball, football, basketball, volleyball and roller hockey leagues also are held in the park throughout the year. A Community Center is located within the recreation area that offers programs for seniors and meeting space for community groups. The Town is currently considering expanding the recreational opportunities within the Park to include a variety of walking trails. Two types of trails are proposed. One path will circle the parks open spaces, following the trail used by the utility and maintenance trucks. This area is suitable for a paved trail as the area is flat, graded, and groomed. It will be accessible to all residents. The second type of trail will be similar to a nature trail, meandering through the wooded part of the park, offering residents the opportunity to walk down by the creek and amongst the vegetation. This trail will not be paved. Red Wing Park [photo - Red Wing Park] Red Wing Park is the only public swimming facility within the Town of East Fishkill. It is located on Old Farm Road off Route 82 in Hopewell Junction. The main feature of the park is an eight-acre lake with swimming beach. Accompanying facilities include a bathhouse with restrooms, a playground, picnic areas and pavilion, and volleyball and basketball courts. Parking for over 200 vehicles can be accommodated on site. The park is open late May through early September. Season passes to the park are required. Passes are available on an individual or family basis. The park is primarily for the use of Town residents, but a limited number of non-resident passes are sold each year. Programmed activities at the park include swim instruction, fishing, occasional summer concerts, and a swim team. The park is also available for family picnics and business parties on a rental basis. The Recreation Department organizes summer fishing groups on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings in the summer. Route 52 Recreation Complex The Route 52 Recreation Complex is the main facility for soccer programs in East Fishkill. The 40-acre complex is located on Route 52 in the southwestern portion of the Town. The Soccer ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 66 Complex is divided into three distinct areas: East Field, Back East Field and West Field. These areas surround an old farm- house. The farmhouse will be deeded to the Town in the future and will eventually be converted for recreational use. The East Field contains four soccer fields and is not irrigated. The four soccer fields are used on a rotating basis to prevent overuse and deterioration of the grass. The Back East Field, located behind the farmhouse, is newly developed. Irrigation equipment has been installed and a new soccer field constructed. The West Field, which is not irrigated, has one full-size soccer field and several micro-fields used on a rotating basis. The micro-fields are for children from 5 - 8 years old. Parking capacity for the Soccer Complex is approximately 130 spaces. The main lot on the east side holds 97 cars. There are an additional 20 to 30 undesignated spaces located in a lower lot adjacent to the West Field. The Complex also has a bathroom and concession stand. The Soccer Club sponsors an annual summer camp as well as a seasonal intramural soccer program. In addition, the Soccer Club organizes two tournaments, the Annual Memorial Day Invitational Soccer Tournament and the Dutchess Cup Intramural Tournament every June. Brettview Brettview Recreation Area is located on Nineham Avenue in the northwest portion of Town. The 13.85-acre recreational area contains a variety of passive and active facilities. There are four baseball fields available for community use. Two of the fields have been set aside for "Pee Wee" use. Two basketball courts are also located nearby. The playground has two sets of swings. Other facilities on the site include a small storage building and portable toilets. Drainage problems may limit the use of the baseball and peewee fields of this facility. The Sprout Creek creates the western border of the Brettview Recreation Area. A generous greenway, which is available for fishing and walking, runs next to the Creek the length of the park. Leetown Road The Leetown Road Recreation Area is a five-acre neighborhood park surrounded by a residential neighborhood in the southeast portion of Town. A section of the former Appalachian Trail followed Leetown Road through the park until it was moved in 1991. The Park contains one basketball court, one soccer field, and one unlit baseball field in addition to open space. The playground has a large sandbox, a swing set and two seesaws. Wiccopee The Wiccopee Recreation Area is comprised of four acres located on West Hook Road, The park contains one softball field and accompanying bleachers. There is also a children's playground here. The field has a picturesque view of nearby Honness Mountain. One Port-o-San Toilet is available for the public use on the grounds. A small memorial is also located within the recreation area. The park facilities are in good condition. [photo - Wiccopee Recreation Area] ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 67 Appalachian Trail In addition to the above facilities, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a regional recreational facility located in East Fishkill. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,100-mile, continuously marked trail, which traverses the Appalachian Mountain chain between Georgia and Maine. Well over 3 million people use the Trail each year. Public and private efforts to develop and maintain the entire Appalachian Trail are coordinated by the Appalachian Trail Conference. In East Fishkill, the entire trail was, until 1991, a patchwork of local roads. Now, a new Trail (with a 500-foot wide protected corridor) has been inaugurated. Schools There are four public schools located within the Town of East Fishkill, all of which are part of the Wappingers Central School District. These facilities provide limited recreational opportunities to the Town's residents because the use of District's facilities must be authorized first. Recreational facilities typically found at the schools include baseball, soccer and football fields, and basketball courts. Playground equipment is also located at the elementary schools within the Town. The Town of East Fishkill has initiated a discussion with the Wappinger Central School District whereby the Town and the District would share recreational facilities. Rather than spend money to buy and build athletic fields, the Town would upgrade the school facilities, such as soccer and ball fields at the elementary schools, and continue to maintain them. Town programs would then be able to use these fields during the evenings or afternoons, when the school does not use them, and scheduling conflicts don't arise. The Town is also considering lighting the John Jay ballfield in return for the right to use it. IBM The Town is also negotiating with IBM to acquire rights to use the IBM recreational facilities. The IBM fields contain two lighted softball fields, two lighted basketball courts, four tennis courts, a handball court, child's playground, nature trail, and a recreation center with changing facilities. The town has proposed to maintain the facilities in exchange for using them perhaps five days per week, and allowing IBM teams to use them two days per week. 7.7 Cultural Resources East Fishkill is rapidly becoming suburbanized; but its roots, and architectural heritage, belong to an 18th century farming district. East Fishkill's most important historic resources are outlying farm buildings. Figure 7.4 shows that the Town has numerous buildings of architectural and historic significance that are worth saving. Many of these buildings may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The individual farm buildings have survived intact better than the older buildings found in the historic centers of Hopewell Junction and Stormville. The older buildings in town centers have frequently been altered so that the cultural and historic quality of the structure has been lost. However, the scale, architectural features, and setting are worthy of preservation; and, in fact, many buildings have undergone successful "adaptive reuse." ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 68 There are several preservation strategies that the Town has pursued to preserve East Fishkill's historic buildings. These include: - A Town Map of historic facilities showing historic buildings. The Town Planning Board may seek to preserve these while reviewing subdivision, highway, and other plans. - Special exceptions for listed structures with regard to use or number of accessory units. - An Architectural Review Board to advise the Planning and Town Boards on planned modifications to historic structures. East Fishkill enjoys a variety of 18th, 19th, and 20th century architecturally significant styles. In order to preserve this rich cultural heritage, and to remember its agrarian roots, the Town has undertaken an update to the 1984 'Historic Structures Survey'. This report is expected to be completed in 2001 and should continue to encourage the reuse and preservation of the Town's historic legacy. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 69 [Figure 7.4 Historic Structure Location Map]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 70 7.8 Water and Sewer Districts Water The Town of East Fishkill benefits from an abundant supply of groundwater from aquifers that generally follow the surface watercourses: Fishkill Creek, Sprout Creek, Whortlekill Creek, and Wiccopee Creek. Most residents rely on these aquifers to supply water to their individual wells. A growing number of new developments, however, are installing central water systems that the homes will hook up to (Figure 7.5). Development pressures have forced the town to rethink the policy of multiple, individual wells versus a number of community wells serving a wide geographic area of the town. Confronted with a number of smaller water systems and individual wells, the Town has acquired five independent water systems: Hopewell Hamlet, Pinewood Knolls, Little Switzerland, Brettview, and Dogwood Knolls. The town is now looking into the possible expansion of the Hopewell Hamlet water system to connect that system to the surrounding service areas and to connect the water systems into one large, central system. According to the Town's Engineer, the advantages of a central water system include greater reliability and improved fire protection. The threat of groundwater contamination further lends support to the idea of a central system with multiple wells so that a few can be shut down if contamination occurs, without disrupting service to all residents. The additional demands of new development will require additional well fields and these should be consciously planned and developed to protect the water supply. The Town's Engineer, Morris Associates, in conjunction with Hazen and Sawyer, conducted a Water Plan for the town in 1988. In 1992, the Town prepared a report for the establishment of an East Fishkill Water Improvement Area. The 1992 study proposed a phased approach to supplying water in East Fishkill. Figure 7.6 illustrates the different phases and the various built and proposed water service systems in Town. The first phase would include many of the existing water systems and would include a majority of residents within Hopewell Junction and Hillside Lake. All areas in Phase I would have direct access to the water main. Phase I would have excess capacity for future expansion of the water system and would be constructed to accommodate future expansion, both within Phase I and to Phases II and III. Phase I would extend from the northern boundary of East Fishkill to the Hudson Valley Research Park. The Hudson Valley Research Park currently has its own water system but will require additional water to satisfy planned process needs. Phase II would include adjacent areas that would benefit from a nearby central water system. Phase II would benefit from excess and storage capacity within Phase I, so it would not be necessary to initially provide all of its own wells or storage tanks. Phase III will not initially be serviced by water, but water may be expanded to this phase after completion of Phase II. Complementing the above studies, East Fishkill and Dutchess County have formed a Task Force consisting of representatives of the County Government, the County Water and Wastewater Authority, local municipalities and interested private users to review the feasibility of developing a pipeline along the County-owned, former rail corridor running from Poughkeepsie to East Fishkill (see Figure 7.7). The goal is to transport excess water from the jointly owned City/Town of Poughkeepsie water plant on the Hudson River to public and private water systems within towns, including East Fishkill, along the former rail corridor. This could include the Hudson Valley Research Park. The Poughkeepsie plant has indicated that it may have 4.0 million gallons of existing capacity for the project with the possibility of additional capacity in the future. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 71 [Figure 7.5 Water Systems]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 72 [Figure 7.6 Potential Water System Interconnection and Phases]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 73 [Figure 7.7 Dutchess County Central Utility Corridor Water Supply Project]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 74 If the pipeline is constructed, it could connect directly into the Low Zone proposed in the 1988 study. The 1988 study indicated a projected average daily demand for the Low Zone users of 1.8 million gallons with a maximum one-day demand of 4.07 million gallons. The Town of East Fishkill is considering The Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Plan of 1992 notes that "The Town of East Fishkill should develop a groundwater system to ultimately serve as a water supply for the Towns of East Fishkill and Beekman. Linkages with Fishkill, LaGrange, and Wappinger should also be provided. East Fishkill should be a participant in any efforts to develop a southern Dutchess regional water system." Sewer Similar to the water supply, most residents rely on individual septic systems to treat their effluent. Very few community sewage systems exist in East Fishkill (Figure 7.8). Currently Wildflower Hills, Beekman Country Club, and Sagamor and Forest Hills have wastewater systems, while some other proposed developments, such as Twin Creeks, have proposed central sewer systems. IBM (Hudson Valley Research Park) also has a very large wastewater treatment facility. As development expands in East Fishkill and more homes are built, discharging more waste into the ground, the potential for groundwater contamination increases. There are localized areas within the town where problems with the quality of the groundwater have already arisen. A municipal wastewater system offers advantages over many individual systems including reliability and possible environmental benefits. The creation of a municipal wastewater system requires the location of a discharge point for the treated effluent. In 1988, the Town's Engineers prepared a Wastewater Plan that examined the possibility of connecting a sewer system to existing treatment facilities in Beacon or Wappinger. The 1988 Wastewater Plan service area also considered discharging effluent into the Fishkill Creek and its principal tributaries, namely Shenandoah Creek, Whortlekill Creek, Wiccopee Creek, and along the Sprout Creek, which forms part of the western Town boundary. A current option now under study involves a proposal by the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority to run sewer pipes to a new treatment facility with the proposed effluent discharged into the Hudson River. Since the 1988 Wastewater Plan was prepared, development patterns have changed. Housing demand is putting development pressure on lands with relatively poor soil conditions to the east of the Taconic State Parkway, and to some extend south of Interstate 84. Development in these parts of Town has resulted in the construction of small service area sewage collection and treatment systems. The portion of East Fishkill in the NYC watershed faces additional constraints to satisfy the water pollution prevention requirements of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP). The NYCDEP requirements are typically more stringent than Dutchess County Department of Health. It is therefore increasingly likely that central sewers will be constructed in all parts of East Fishkill, but the core areas along the Fishkill Creek are the most likely systems for connection to a trunk line and a large wastewater treatment plant. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 75 The Town Board has requested that all new subdivisions should be laid out with the individual lot septic drainfield system in the front yard, in order to facilitate connection to any future sewage collection system installed along the frontage road. Lacking a mandate to design for future central sewers, typical engineering practice has been to site the drainfield on the lot wherever there is suitable soil (for an underground leach field) or a suitable space (for an aboveground fill pad leach field). The subdivision designs do not consider any potential sewage collection system trunk and collection line layout. Each development in East Fishkill should give consideration to the limited life span of the septic drainfield system (SDS) and its leach field. In recognition of the limited life span of the SDS for the last several years, the DCDOH has required a 100% reserve area on each lot for construction of a replacement leach field. An SDS should be considered a temporary measure until the development density in some potential service area can economically support a central sewage collection system and treatment facility. An important contribution to the Plan for future needs would be to establish the most logical layout for sewer trunk and collection lines and to establish utility easements for the Town to use if central facilities are constructed. When a central sewage system is proposed for a commercial property or subdivision and the treatment plant is the first facility in the neighborhood, the plant and collection system should be designed to connect to and serve future development of adjacent and nearby land. A modular treatment plant design could accommodate both the present as well as future needs. Similarly, when a commercial development or subdivision is proposed near an existing sewage treatment plant, every effort should be made to connect to (and upgrade if required) the existing plant. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 76 [Figure 7.8 Sewer Systems]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 77 8.0 MASTER PLAN The 2001 Master Plan seeks to adjust and fine-tune the existing 1982 plan to better reflect the Town's present planning context. There are three major underlying concepts of this plan: 1) centers, 2) clusters, and 3) conservation. Centers - To maintain community identity and to prevent strip development, community retail services should be concentrated in centers at convenient locations, especially Hopewell Junction and, to a lesser extent, other historic hamlets. Industrial and major office development should be concentrated in discreet, marketable areas with good highway access, such as along I-84. Clusters - To increase energy efficiency, to preserve open space and environmentally sensitive lands, and to provide for future needs cluster housing development should be encouraged, as discussed in section 8.3. Subdivision and site standards can be formulated to encourage development consistent with East Fishkill's character. Conservation - The best features of the Town's built and natural environment should be preserved to a significant degree. Further growth should be channeled into the land that can best accommodate it so as to minimize adverse environmental impacts to the Town. The purpose of the Master Plan process has been to provide a framework for the future development and improvement of the Town of East Fishkill. This plan began with a community- wide survey in 1997 and continued throughout 2000 involving public meetings. East Fishkill residents have participated in these meetings and their comments have been incorporated into this report. These comments can be grouped into nine categories: growth, environment, transportation, utilities, housing, shopping/services, industry/offices, public facilities/recreation, and historic preservation. These categories form the framework of the Master Plan. Each category has been further broken down into findings and goals that are based upon the issues, studies, and findings raised in the preceding chapters. The findings and goals are represented visually on the future land use plan map. Compared to the 1982 map, this map includes significant revisions such as lower densities and new roads. Hopewell Junction has been a major focus of this report and a section devoted to East Fishkill's town center has been added. 8.1 Findings and Goals The following is a list of specific goals and policies for the Town to consider over the coming years. These goals reflect the results of the Master Plan Survey, comments from citizens, and from Town Board and Committee members. Town Growth Findings: East Fishkill currently has a population of approximately 25,000. Present residential building activity indicates that the population is increasing. If all residential land in Town were built out, the population could increase by 20,000 people for a total population of 45,000. The ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 78 results of the Master Plan survey and comments at the public workshop indicate that residents want to better manage this growth to minimize potential adverse impacts such as traffic, views, design, and the environment. Goals: A major goal of the Master Plan is to adjust allowable densities within the Town, in keeping with land characteristics, while at the same time providing for a reasonable mix of land uses. Ordinances that offer greater design flexibility will enable the Town to better preserve its local character through the careful control of densities and architectural elements. - Create Scenic/Conservation Overlays that establish design guidelines and setbacks. - Establish new residential R-3 zone for Honess Mountain/NYC watershed area. - Establish R-1.5 zone within Active Farm Overlay. Environment Findings: East Fishkill has 14,000 acres of vacant, open space, or agricultural land (see table 4.1, page 18 for a breakdown of this acreage). Steep slopes, wetlands, and floodplains limit the development potential of these parcels. These open spaces provide a rural character that attracts people to East Fishkill and enhances the small-town charm that residents like. Agricultural practices retain large tracts of open land and tie residents to the Town's rural past. The Town Board adopted the Active Farm Overlay law to recognize and support properties under cultivation. East Fishkill supports the concepts found within the 'Greenway Connections: Greenway Compact Program and Guides for Dutchess County Communities', as specified in the design section. Goals: Environmentally sensitive places shall be carefully regulated in the subdivision process. Regulations shall recognize the suitability of the land for development, as well as the underlying zoning. Land uses, such as agriculture, summer camps, and recreation, that preserve East Fishkill's open space and natural resource lands, shall be encouraged. - Reduce allowable densities in wetland and steep slope areas (over 20%) by 50%. - Acquire development rights and conservation easements to preserve open space land. Transportation Findings: Residents desire an efficient circulation system and seek ways to improve the existing road system. There is significant traffic in East Fishkill and there are many intersections with significant deficiencies. Goals: New roads shall be planned and designed to improve traffic flow within East Fishkill and intersections shall be upgraded where appropriate to relieve delays and enhance movement within the Town. A comprehensive circulation system shall include alternative forms of transportation including rail, pedestrian, and bicycle paths. The Town shall strive for an interconnected pedestrian and bicycle network with other towns and counties. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 79 - Create an official Town Map showing the location of new roads within East Fishkill. - Construct service roads behind commercial buildings within Hopewell Junction. - Upgrade major and minor arterials to appropriate standards to improve traffic movement and safety along roadways. Utilities Findings: East Fishkill has adequate groundwater resources for current and future population projections. There are a number of community water systems but most of the Town relies on individual wells and septic systems. Some contamination of private wells has occurred within the Town. Community/public water systems offer a measure of protection against contamination because there are multiple well sites. The Town is moving forward with public water and sewer systems for areas of Town that can support them. Citizens have spoken out regarding unsightly aboveground utility lines. Goals: East Fishkill's adequate groundwater resources need to be protected from contamination. . New developments shall anticipate future utility connections and install appropriate pipes and infrastructure where necessary. Public water/sewer systems shall be designed to accommodate current and projected future needs. - Identify future water systems, placement of water tanks, and well fields. - Land along streams and creeks shall be considered for the possible location of treatment plants. - Utility lines shall be buried. Housing Findings: Since the last Master Plan, more than 7,000 acres have been converted to residential uses. During the past decade, over 1,500 homes have been constructed In East Fishkill. The resurgent economy has resulted in a strong labor market that has invigorated the local housing market. This has reinforced concerns over suburban sprawl and lack of open space, design quality of the subdivisions, and environmental impacts. Goals: Maintain diverse housing environments and options within East Fishkill, such as village centers, suburban homes, and rural homesteads. The Town seeks to offer housing choices to a wide array of households so affordable housing provisions shall be studied for inclusion into the subdivision regulations. Subdivision regulations shall provide greater design standards to offer a variety of housing types and to preserve views, environmental land, community character, and quality of life. Cluster housing shall be considered preferable to standard subdivisions where there are clear benefits to clustering, such as the preservation of large tracts of open space, views, and environmentally sensitive lands. - The CRD zone should allow multi-family and affordable housing. - Cluster housing should be encouraged wherever possible but especially within large subdivisions. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 80 Shopping / Offices Findings: Strip shopping areas and isolated professional offices have developed along major arterials within Town. Many of these developments have not invested in adequate landscaping. Traffic volumes and a lack of interconnected parcels along Routes 376 and 82 in Hopewell Junction can make shopping within the center difficult. The strong economy and the town's population increase will result in greater demand for commercial services. Goals: Discourage strip development to preserve open space networks, community character, and to conserve energy. Focus future local commercial development in hamlet centers to build variety and density of services. Integrate pedestrian and bicycle transportation into commercial developments. Commercial development as part of larger residential projects shall be considered in order to reduce the need for some convenience shopping in Hopewell Junction. - Hopewell Hamlet Pedestrian Plan. - Reduce number of curb cuts and encourage shared driveways. - Encourage placement of buildings near the street with parking in back. Industry Findings: The number of developed industrial acres has risen from 637 (according to the 1982 Master Plan) to 800 acres (according to East Fishkill's 2001 GIS zoning layer). However, much of the industrial-zoned land in the northern part of town has remained vacant since 1982. In 2000, East Fishkill commissioned an industrial zoning study of the entire Town. As a result of that study, the Town retained approximately 200 vacant, industrial-zoned acres and rezoned 457 industrial-zoned acres to residential uses. The rezoned lands are in the Hopewell Junction and Stormville vicinity, along railroad tracks that have been abandoned for freight service. The growth of industry and offices has occurred near Interstate 84. Goals: Identify land with marketable sites and good interstate highway access in order to attract high-value industry. Industrial zoning shall continue to be maintained near the interstate and reduced near the railroads. - Permitted uses within industrial zones shall be reviewed and updated. - Ensure traffic impacts are compatible with roadways. Public Facilities Findings: The current Town Hall is inadequate to accommodate the growth in town services and personnel. The library has recently completed an expansion. School districts have seen increases in student populations in the past few years and expansion within East Fishkill is anticipated. Additional schools and churches may become necessary as the population continues to increase. Other public services are adequate for the foreseeable future. Goals: Expand public facilities as needed to meet local service needs. Public facilities, schools, and churches shall be sited to support the quality of life in East Fishkill. - Locate any new Town Hall facility near population center to bolster center and to encourage availability of services there. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 81 Open Space / Recreation Findings: Open space is being lost at a significant rate (23% since 1980). The loss of open space has coincided with an increase in the demand for recreational areas. Surrounding towns in Dutchess and Putnam County have plans to convert existing rail beds into bicycle and pedestrian trails. These trails could pass through East Fishkill and form an extended trail network. The Taconic State Parkway has been designated a New York State Scenic Byway and creates a linear park-like setting through East Fishkill. The State DOT is currently conducting a corridor management plan for the Taconic. Goals: Encourage the acquisition of open space land through outright purchases or the acquisition of development rights and provide for long-term open space networks with more recreational facilities. The Town is especially interested in preserving and protecting its water bodies. The Town shall encourage land along streams, creeks, and lakes to be preserved and possibly incorporated into open space networks. There shall be a policy of creating large, centralized recreational complexes and a move away from creating small recreational areas disbursed throughout the Town, as discussed in the 1999 Recreation Study. As more land is developed, the Town shall seek more imaginative planning of new developments so as to preserve open space, and create open space buffers. Developments near the Taconic State Parkway shall take into account the scenic byway designation. Views along the Taconic shall be protected including ridgeline vistas. The Town shall encourage intergovernmental cooperation and participation regarding a corridor management plan for the Taconic State Parkway. - Easements for passive recreation should be sought along waterways. - Establish building setback along the length of the Taconic State Parkway. - Coordinate with other Towns and County to build and extend bike trails. Historic Preservation Findings: East Fishkill has lost some of its older buildings through lack of financial investment or development pressures. Many of the older buildings in Hopewell Junction have undergone alterations that have compromised their historic integrity. Goals: Preserve the best examples of East Fishkill's historic built environment, particularly structures visible from public roads. Encourage the private maintenance and restoration of these buildings. Encourage the establishment of historic districts. - Update 1984 historic structures survey in 2001. - Investigate funding sources for restoration/maintenance of historic properties. - Establish local scenic roads. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 82 8.2 Future Land Use Plan The land use plan (figure 8.1) is a conceptual map of East Fishkill that illustrates future development potential throughout the town. The Plan incorporates the goals of the previous section in order to protect the Town's character and quality of life. In order to be effective, the Plan must recognize existing land uses, zoning, environmental constraints, development trends, and proposed infrastructure. However, the land use plan is general in nature, recognizing generally defined areas and a range of densities, not individual lot lines and site-specific development. The most important change from the 1982 Plan is that the centers have been changed to reduce the number of developable dwelling units. Parts of Hopewell Junction had a mapped density of 4-6 dwelling units to the acre; this plan lowers that figure to 2-4 units/acre. The outlying centers (Stormville, Gayhead, Fishkill Plains, and Wiccopee) have been reduced from 2-4 units/acre to 1- 2 units/acre. In addition, a new center, Arthursburg, has been added at the intersection of the Taconic State Parkway and Route 82. Much of the land around Hopewell Junction is also environmentally sensitive and will require creative developments, of a lesser magnitude, in order to preserve and protect the sensitive lands near the center. This Land Use Plan suggests that industrial land belongs primarily near the interstate highway system. This is in recognition of the old Maybrook freightline, which brought rail freight through East Fishkill and over the old Poughkeepsie rail bridge, but has not been operational for a decade. Dutchess County is now converting the rail line between Poughkeepsie and Hopewell Junction into a walking and bicycling trail. Thus, industry in East Fishkill is now primarily dependent upon truck traffic, which can most easily access the Town from Interstate 84. Low-impact and smaller industrial users, however, may be appropriate for the hamlets and existing locations along state roads, such as Ryan Drive, when their impacts do not exceed those of commercial users and their presence would bolster the center or existing uses. Commercial areas remain the same as in the 1982 Plan. Although businesses have appeared along some arterials, this Plan recommends that commercial activities coalesce near existing centers. Stores that are in close proximity to each other can save residents' time and energy by reducing the number and length of trips to run errands. This plan adds two new categories not contained in the 1982 Plan. First is a conservation density area (requiring 3 acres of land per home), which covers the southeast part of Town. This area includes the New York City watershed lands, the Appalachian Trail, and Stormville Mountain. Second, agricultural preservation areas have been added as a result of a 1999 study of farmland within East Fishkill. These areas are outlined in green on the Future Land Use Plan and shown separately in Figure 8.2. Reflecting the rural nature of these agricultural areas, the Plan recommends a maximum density for the active farmland of 1.5 acres per dwelling unit. In other areas of the Town, the Plan maintains the 1-3 acres/unit densities. The density, however, says nothing about the particular type of development. This land use map should not be read as a zoning map encouraging the sprawl of one or two acre lots. Rather, the plan is meant to illustrate low residential densities throughout most of the town and higher densities in the centers. Development within low residential areas should be carried out through the implementation of cluster development (see section 8.3) where deemed appropriate by the Planning Board and the Town Board. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 83 [Figure 8.1 Future Land Use Plan]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 84 [Figure 8.2 Active Farm Overlay]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 85 Table 8.1 Future Land Use Plan Distribution Land Use Acres % of Town Conservation Density 7,500 20.5% Rural Density 3,400 9.2% Low Density 14,100 38.3% Low-Medium Density 750 2.0% Medium Density 400 1.0% Total Residential 26,150 71.0% Commercial 700 1.9% Industrial 1450 3.9% Public/Institutional 550 1.5% Parks 2,500 6.8% Open Space 5,500 14.9% Total Non-Residential 10,670 29.0% TOTAL 36,850 100.0% In the town-wide survey conducted in 1997, 49% of respondents said that they do not want additional suburban-type development; 31% favor cluster developments; and 80% of those responding support the need to tighten design and construction standards to enhance aesthetic development. East Fishkill does have the ability to control its future development form and can create zones to address the type and density of growth that adds to its community character. With a growing appreciation of the need to conserve environmental resources, rising construction and land costs, limited energy resources, and the trend towards smaller families, forms of housing other than the standard subdivision are becoming desirable in the region. 8.3 Elements of the Plan The Land Use Plan maps a variety of uses and densities throughout East Fishkill. This section discusses the various components of the Plan and how they fit together. Residential The Land Use Plan shows a range of housing densities. This Land Use Plan advocates the highest residential densities in Hopewell Junction with lower residential densities in outlying areas, but it also encourages greater design controls, creative housing types and subdivisions, and environmental protection. Conservation Density and Rural Density The intent of these two zones is to preserve the environmentally sensitive lands in this part of East Fishkill, the rural character, and to preserve historic views of the mountains. Development potential should relate to the suitability of the land to accommodate development (wells and septic systems), as well as to protection of the environment and safe drinking water. The Conservation Density (R-3) zone is suggested for the southeast portion of Town. This would represent a new zone corresponding with the area east of the Taconic State Parkway and south ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 86 and east of Interstate 84. The Rural Density (R-2) zone would remain across the remainder of the existing R-2 lands, which corresponds with the Taconic Mountain Range. The intent of this zone is to preserve the environmentally sensitive lands in this part of East Fishkill, the rural character, and to preserve historic views of the mountains. Agricultural Preservation Area These designations reflect a study of active farms within the Town that was completed in 2000. This designation reflects the desire of the Town to preserve active farms and to support agricultural districts and tax deductions for active farms. If these areas were ever developed, the Plan suggests a maximum density of 1.5 acres per unit. Low Density The vast majority of the Town retains its one dwelling unit per acre designation. One acre per lot is the principal land use in Town. The current zoning code and Land Use Plan concur with the level of density across much of East Fishkill. The low-density zone has been amended from one unit per acre to 0.66-1 unit per acre. This change reflects the Agricultural Preservation areas, which have a minimum lot size of 1.5 acres. Low-Medium Density This designation applies to outlying hamlet centers. The previous plan allowed a density of 2-3 units / acre but consistent comment from the public and Town officials indicated that that level of density was too high for the historic hamlets. The purpose of the zone is to allow denser developments in older hamlets where there is a clear benefit to the Town in terms of open space, aesthetics, infrastructure and environmental protection. Medium Density The area around Hopewell Junction has been designated for residential densities of 2-4 units / acre. This area meets the following criteria: near major arterials and planned new roads, available and suitable land for development, and similar housing patterns and densities and the planned provision of public water and sewer. In addition to roads in the Hopewell area, the Master Plan recommends a proposed east-west road connecting Palen Road and Route 376. The future Land Use Plan also identifies a new road between Hosner Mountain Road and Stormville. This road would provide an alternative travel route for residents to reach other parts of East Fishkill as well as another access to the area for emergency vehicles. The Town must also ensure sufficient access to the Taconic State Parkway so that drivers do not overburden the road network with too few access points. Carpenter Road is an example of this and should be kept open, ideally grade separated, to ensure that surrounding access points do not become unnecessarily congested. Allowing some sort of access from the Taconic with Hosner Mountain, should that become grade separated, should also be considered. Commercial Areas The Land Use Plan continues the placement of commercial areas in Hopewell Junction and nearby hamlets. Hopewell Junction is the primary center in East Fishkill due to its size, central ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 87 location, and proximity to populated areas. A mix of uses - parks/recreation, town services, and medium density housing - is proposed to enhance the center's commerce and services. Other centers (i.e. Arthursburg, Fishkill Plains, Gayhead, Stormville, and Wiccopee) have a mix of homes and some commercial enterprises shall be encouraged to grow and to provide convenience retail to service population areas. These retail areas will support, rather than detract from, more specialized retail in Hopewell Junction. A significant goal of encouraging retail within these hamlets is to reduce the number of convenience shopping trips into Hopewell Junction to reduce the levels of traffic there and to increase mobility throughout the Junction. As stated earlier, this plan is not a map of existing land uses. This plan does not show the number of strip retail developments that have cropped up, particularly along Route 52. This plan has the goal of encouraging development within existing centers. This plan serves to encourage and support commercial establishments in centers by encouraging a higher density of housing in those areas, thus encouraging a larger potential market. It also seeks to provide convenient transportation access to these areas. The automobile is the most prevalent form of transportation, but this plan strives to provide convenient pedestrian connections and safe bicycle routes so that people have various options to comfortably arrive at the center and shop. Industry Industry is shown along Interstate 84 around the current Hudson Valley Research Park. This area attracts high value industrial, research and development space as well as office uses because it meets the most important location criteria: 1) highway visibility, 2) interstate highway access, and 3) well drained, relatively flat large parcels of land. A smaller industrial area is shown at the southwest comer of Interstate 84 and the Taconic State Parkway. This is suggested as a less intensive area for industry because of limited road access. Local access requires passing through established residential neighborhoods and expansion of the area is partly contained by existing housing developments. Visual issues are also important because of views from Interstate 84 and the Taconic State Parkway. This plan suggests that a gateway overlay zone be applied to this area so that industrial expansion is done in an aesthetically pleasing manner and within the existing roadway capacity. Open Space and Recreation The Land Use Plan shows a long-term program for preservation of open space and designation of active and passive recreation sites. East Fishkill contains a number of linear parks / open spaces, namely: the landscaped areas along the Taconic State Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, abandoned railroad beds, and stream corridors and floodplains. With careful planning and foresight, these disparate pieces can link to one another in order to form a continuous and integrated open space network connecting different land uses and offering a variety of recreational opportunities. The network can connect schools, centers, residential areas, employment locations, and larger recreational facilities. Active recreation areas, with sports facilities and organized activities, belong in areas 1) next to or very near major arterials for ready access, 2) near hamlets and higher density housing to provide activity space and a central "common", and 3) near schools in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of facilities. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 88 Road System The Land Use Plan shows a number of existing and proposed roads in Town. New roads are particularly needed around Hopewell Junction so that people can move safely and efficiently through this area. Major improvements in Hopewell Junction include an east-west bypass road as well as a north-south one. In addition, a circular rear service road behind the existing commercial area will greatly relieve congestion along Route 82 and aid turning movements. Many public comments have focused on the danger and delays of turning left onto Route 82 from the parking areas. The east-west bypass road will intersect Route 82 and Palen Road and result in the construction of a new intersection at that location. The bypass will then use the existing Fishkill Road, though road improvements to the existing street will be necessary to accommodate the increase in traffic. An extension of Fishkill Road will connect to Beekman Road (County Route 9). The north-south bypass will run along a corridor west of Hopewell Junction and represents a series of new roads. Construction of these roads may be difficult due to the amount of extensive wetlands in the vicinity of the proposed crossing with Route 82. 8.4 Design The Future Plan does not attempt to control development lot-by-lot within East Fishkill. The Future Land Use Plan offers broad categories and general policy strategies in order to allow flexibility and creativity to specific proposals. The Plan recognizes that land with good soils could be developed differently than land with poor soils, and vacant land abutting a commercial area has different issues than farmland. Therefore, it offers a range of densities and recognizes different development patterns throughout East Fishkill. However, the Plan acknowledges that growth affects community character and the attractiveness of the community. The Future Plan calls for greater design controls and standards for developments within East Fishkill. Two new residential zones (R-1.5 and R-3) are proposed here which would allow developers to cluster projects. Clustering presents greater design options than the traditional subdivision, increasing the likelihood to have more attractive and pleasing developments. The Plan also advocates the use of gateway or scenic overlays that would have additional design controls for land that is visually sensitive to the community. The Master Plan recognizes that East Fishkill has chosen to become a member of the 'Greenway Connections' program, which contains design suggestions for local communities. And the Plan advocates design improvements for Hopewell Junction to make the hamlet more attractive, drawing more people to the area and improving the commercial environment there. The Future Land Use Plan recommends land use decisions that incorporate design strategies to enhance development and make it more beneficial to the community. 8.4.1 Cluster Subdivisions Cluster subdivision provides an alternative to the standard subdivision, yet the standard subdivision is what most people are familiar with. Figure 8.3 illustrates the development of a traditional subdivision. It shows the parcel before development, the site plan, and what the land looks like after build out of the traditional subdivision. The lots in a standard subdivision are typically of the same size and conform to the underlying zoning. Environmentally sensitive lands are divided by individual property lines, the subdivision provides little common open space, no walking trails, and only a few lots have unobstructed views of the surrounding hills and forests. However, New York State law does allow for other types of subdivisions and has defined cluster ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 89 development as "an alternative method for the layout, configuration and design of lots, buildings and structures, roads, utility lines and other infrastructure, parks, and landscaping in order to preserve the natural and scenic qualities of open lands" (NY State Town Law Section 278 1(a)). Figure 8.4 illustrates the same land as in figure 8.3, but this time presents a cluster development. All drawings in figure 8.3 and 8.4 are courtesy of Randall Arendt. The cluster development contains the same number of building lots as the traditional subdivision. The lots are smaller, but the configuration and design of the lots, and placement of the homes, provides expansive views, preserves open space, offers walking trails, and thus provides the homeowner with a park-like setting. More importantly, it preserves, significant open space and avoids the appearance of suburban sprawl. The purpose of a cluster subdivision is to allow flexibility of design in order to preserve and protect the scenic and natural resources of the land (figure 8.5). The cluster subdivisions advocated by this Master Plan support the same density as a conventional subdivision in East Fishkill, but the cluster principle allows flexibility of lot design in order to maintain the scenic and natural resources of the land. Frequently, the scenic and natural resources of the land, such as woodlands, steep slopes, and wetlands help to define the character of the community. A new cluster-zoning ordinance, therefore, would allow East Fishkill to "protect what is important to [the) community, while encouraging ... development that is compatible in character".(1) The open spaces associated with cluster developments provide environmental benefits as well. These undisturbed areas act as buffers to help filter stormwater runoff. Greenways offer habitat for a variety of species, increasing homeowners' contact with nature and bolstering the feet of a rural area. Over time, these open spaces, both meadows and forested areas, can become interconnected wildlife corridors offering opportunities for numerous species to dwell there or to move through. Traditional subdivisions do not provide common space and often do not respect the natural characteristics of the site. Cluster developments offer economic advantages over the conventional subdivision. Streets are frequently shorter in cluster developments, saving on engineering and construction costs. Utilities also have shorter runs, decreasing their costs as well. Preserving more of the site as open space and undeveloped land will also cut down on erosion, storm water runoff, and their associated expenses. Finally, cluster developments offer amenities not found in traditional subdivisions, more lots have "rural views" of open space, woodlands, or hills, and therefore often sell at prices equal to or higher than conventional subdivisions.(2) Economic benefits do not belong solely to the developer however. Shorter streets and utilities can reduce the municipality's maintenance costs. A major constraint on the development of open space or cluster subdivisions is the necessity to provide sufficient land for septic fields. For this reason, the application of cluster developments can be more readily achieved in very low densities (3, 2, or 1.5 acres per unit) where individual house lots can be 3/4 of an acre to 1-acre and still have functioning septic fields. Cluster development is feasible at higher densities but usually requires common septic or a sewage treatment system. This is the reason for allowing 2-4 units per acre in Hopewell Junction. This plan foresees a public sewage system to serve the hamlet in the future. ------ (1) Dutchess County Planning Department, Rural Development Guidelines, October 1994, p. 3. (2) Arendt, Randall. 'Designing Open Space Subdivisions'. Natural Lands Trust, Media, PA, 1994, p. 7- 8. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 90 [Figure 8.3 Traditional Development]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 91 [Figure 8.4 Cluster Subdivision]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 92 [Figure 8.5 Cluster Subdivision Principals]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 93 Design shall be a consideration of the cluster ordinance. Good site planning and design can create a livable and attractive housing development. Potential development areas, views, lot layouts, roads, and driveways need to be identified (figure 8.5 illustrates how to apply these principles). Some key issues are noted below: - Building Arrangements. The form and layout can be designed to ensure that the development retains a character and quality similar to conventional single-family housing areas. Housing groupings should be kept small to reduce the perceived density of the development. Townhouses can be limited to a maximum of six units to a row, and mixed with two to four unit blocks, duplexes and quads. Layouts should provide for staggered setbacks and variety in the treatment of different units. - Roads. The planning and design of the main access or collector roads, together with lighting, signage, and appropriate landscaping should contribute to the overall image and character of the development. Roads should be limited in width and provide for connections where appropriate. Curvilinear roads help to reduce traffic speed. - Open Space. An effective open space system should unify a number of diverse recreational activity areas, strengthen a sense of community and help to define neighborhoods. Existing features such as major tree or water areas should be preserved. Footpaths and bike routes help spread open space among residents, while at the same time creating a pedestrian linkage system safe from vehicular traffic. Open space buffers can preserve vistas from roads and privacy between developments. Cluster subdivisions represent a distinct contrast to the traditional subdivision that has been the development status quo in East Fishkill for decades. This plan recognizes that cluster developments need careful review because lot sizes will need to be adequate for septic fields, or common sewer systems will need to be provided. 8.4.2 Gateway and Scenic Overlays Gateway and scenic overlay districts represent land use techniques that have been used in other communities to protect important characteristics and qualities. The purpose of the overlay districts is not to prohibit development, but rather to establish specific design controls that minimize potential adverse impacts from development. Some design controls may include architectural styles, landscaping, size of structures, and/or building setbacks. Any regulations in the overlay districts would be specific to the district and supplement existing regulations. The 2001 Future Plan does not map potential overlay areas. Specific areas should be decided by the Town Board, with appropriate design regulations that reflect the special character of the area to be protected. Areas of Town that may qualify for gateway or scenic overlays include, but are not limited to, historic farmlands, creeks and water bodies, roads, or the slopes of the Taconic Mountains. No exhaustive study of potential overlay zones has been conducted, but the 1982 Master Plan discussed the image-making quality of the Taconic Parkway-Interstate 84 intersection and the need to control the aesthetics of new development visible from the Interstate. The Jackson Farm, Bailey Farm, the Taconic Parkway, I-84/Taconic Parkway interchange, and Hosner Mountain have been mentioned throughout the 2001 Master Plan process as possible locations for overlay districts. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 94 8.4.3 Greenway Connections In March 2000, the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council approved 'Greenway Connections' for Dutchess County. All thirty municipalities in Dutchess County, including East Fishkill, have elected to become voluntary members of the Greenway Compact. The Greenway Compact Program strives for coordination amidst state, county, and local actions that affect the region. It believes that economic development can be improved throughout the region through better protection of the natural resources, increased design, and integration with the surrounding area. The Program champions "design principles that emphasize trail connections, waterway access, farmland and open space protection, tree-lined streets, and compact, walkable centers based on traditional settlement patterns embedded in the area's history and landscape."(3) Under the Program, the region is divided between rural, suburban, and hamlet or urban centers. The Greenway Program provides site-sensitive guides for new development so that it fits the appropriate context. Guidelines show how to redesign residential subdivisions to protect open space, minimize visual impacts, help retain farmlands and meadows and support existing centers. There are recommendations for commercial areas to improve the visual appearance of strip developments through the increased use of street trees, access management, better architectural design, and redesigned parking lots. Connections within centers are an important theme for the Program. Pedestrian connections should link different stores and walkways should be clean, attractive, and pleasant. The Program also discusses ways to turn major roads into boulevards and to redesign intersections to make them more pedestrian-friendly. There are also recommendations for natural areas such as stream corridors. 8.4.4 Hopewell Junction Hopewell Junction is the largest commercial center in the Town, with retail stores and other businesses concentrated on both sides of Routes 82 and 376. The St. Columba Church and School are strategically located at the junction of Route 82 and 376. The main retail section along Route 82 involves a series of continuous, small-scale shopping plazas including Park Plaza, Jeffwood Plaza, Heritage Plaza and the Trinka Lane Plaza. The Post Office occupies a central location on the north side of Route 82. The shopping plazas provide a mix of retail, restaurant and personnel service establishments. Also along Route 376 is a gas station, the Hopewell Auto Parts building and a bank. [photo - Pedestrian negotiating traffic on Route 82] The individual treatment of the various businesses along Route 82 results in a series of vehicular entry and exit points along both sides of the street (Figure 8.5). Vehicles entering and leaving the frontage lots interfere with passing traffic and contribute to the congested traffic conditions that often occur along this stretch of Route 82. Sidewalks for pedestrian use occur on only the north side of Route 82. There are no marked pedestrian crossings across ------ (3) Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council. 'Greenway Connections, Greenway Compact Program and Guides for Dutchess County Communities', March 2001, p.3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 95 [Figure 8.5 Hopewell Junction Existing Conditions]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 96 [Figure 8.6 Photographs of Hopewell Junction] (1) Overhead utility lines and signage dominate views alone Route 82. (2) Unscreened parking located along Route 82. (3) Underused parking areas to the rear of the stores. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 97 [Figure 8.7 Hopewell Junction Proposed Improvements]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 98 Route 82. In general, The Hopewell Junction business district does not present a positive image for shoppers and for motorists passing through the area. Individual buildings and storefronts represent a range of architectural styles and scales with little visual cohesion or design unity. The strip of open parking lots, the variety of signs, overhead utility lines and the lack of a coordinated landscape treatment all combine to project an untidy and fragmented image. An exception is the bagel store and landscaped lot at the southern entry to the district. Proposed Improvements The proposed development of Unity Plaza, including a supermarket, to the rear of stores on the north side of Route 82 provides a unique opportunity to improve the service circulation of businesses in this section of Hopewell Junction. As shown on Figure 8.7, the proposed service access loop could be extended westward before connecting with Route 82 opposite Trinka Lane. A similar service loop could also be constructed to connect businesses on the south side of Route 82, connecting Trinka Lane with Unity Street. This loop road would utilize the service and parking areas that exist to the rear of existing businesses (see photo (3), Figure 8.6). Both of these proposed loop roads would facilitate auto access between individual properties. As a result, the number of curb cuts along Route 82 could be significantly reduced, allowing for additional landscape treatment that would improve the streetscape quality of this stretch of Route 82. Figure 8.7 also indicates possible locations for marked pedestrian crossings. These would be designed to encourage pedestrian movement between businesses on either side of Route 82 rather than relying on auto trips within this area. 8.5 Conclusion The Master Plan provides an outline for future development and improvement of East Fishkill. The Future Land Use Plan is a visual representation of the general strategies and implementation policies outlined in the Plan. Many of the goals discussed in Section 8.1 are not site-specific, however, so they are not shown on the Future Plan. Some of the goals are more easily implemented than others. Undertaking an update of the 1984 Historic Buildings Survey can be accomplished immediately, while building a service road around the commercial buildings in Hopewell Hamlet will take a much longer timeframe. There are a number of goals that the Town Board could consider implementing soon after adopting the Master Plan. Some of these recommendations include: - Establishing the R-1.5/R-3 residential zones - Placing a Gateway Overlay Zone over the I-84/Taconic Parkway interchange - Reducing allowable densities of wetlands and steep slopes - Implement affordable housing guidelines - Revise CRD zone to incorporate multi-family dwellings Long-term goals will require more time to plan, finance, and/or implement and include: - New bypass roads - Create access management plan for arterials - Revise allowable uses within Industrial zones - Coordinate future water systems and treatment plants - Acquire additional open space/recreation parcels ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 99 These goals, particularly the long-term ones, will also need to be revisited from time to time to make sure that they are still appropriate. This Plan seeks to find ways to accommodate future growth while maintaining and enhancing East Fishkill's community character. This plan suggests areas for residential, commercial, and industrial growth while at the same time promoting design controls, better traffic circulation, and recreational facilities. By connecting aesthetics, scale, density, and site planning with new development, this Plan strives to accommodate future growth while preserving the attributes and characteristics that attract people and business to East Fishkill. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 100 9.0 IMPLEMENTATION The Master Plan has made findings and listed goals, offered recommendations, and suggested courses of action. By itself, however, the Plan does not change zoning or assure implementation of the goals in the preceding chapter. A necessary first step in putting the Master Plan to work is for the Town Board to adopt the Master Plan as its recommendations for the future growth and improvement of the Town. Once adopted there are many strategies that the Town can utilize to implement the individual components of the Plan. These components include roads, zoning/subdivision controls, utilities, environment, and open space and agricultural protection. Some strategies are already in place to enact changes, others need to be further developed and adopted to ensure enforcement and implementation. Once adopted, however, the Master Plan is not meant to be a rigid document. By its nature, the Master Plan recognizes and is a proponent of change within the community. But the policies, findings, and goals within the Plan reflect a snapshot of the Town at the time the Plan is adopted. In order to maintain the integrity and viability of the Plan, it will have to change along with the changes in the community. Therefore, the Master Plan shall be updated periodically to guarantee that the existing Plan serves the needs and values of residents. 9.1 Official Town Map The Official Town Map forms a foundation on which the Town shall base its road policies. This Master Plan identifies a number of new roads for different areas of the Town. These proposed roads shall be placed on the Official Town Map to ensure consideration by developers and County and State agencies of these planned improvements. Placement on the Official Map does not obligate anyone to build the roads, but it does obligate any future developer to reserve the road right-of-way as part of a subdivision. Some of the bypass roads around Hopewell Junction may take many years before they are completed. Other roads, such as the service roads behind the existing commercial buildings in Hopewell Junction may be finished sooner but they will need a private/public effort between the local owners and the Town Board. 9.2 Zoning/Subdivision Regulations Zoning controls the way that land is used and developed. Subdivision regulations guide the layout and design of new roads, lots, and buildings. Following the adoption of the Master Plan, revisions to the zoning and subdivision regulations should be considered in order to ensure that its provisions remain in accordance with the Town's development policies, as established in this Plan. Zoning and subdivision regulations serve as a major instrument in carrying out the recommendations of the Plan and the Plan acts as a firm base on which to justify specific provisions of the regulations. Land Use R-1.5 and R-3 This Master Plan recommends the creation of two new residential zones in East Fishkill. The first proposed zone, R-1.5, sets a minimum lot size of 1.5 acres per dwelling unit. The plan suggests that this be a floating zone (thus it is not mapped on the future land use plan). This zone would be appropriate for agricultural land or other rural lands outside of the hamlet centers. The purpose of this zone is not to create large, single-family lots but to be able to effectively design ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 101 cluster subdivisions where homes rely on the suitability of the land for septic systems and individual wells. Therefore, this zone is suggested for large, undeveloped lands, such as farms and rural tracts, where clustering, as opposed to the traditional subdivision, would provide flexibility as well as superior design, environmental, and open space benefits to the Town. Farm owners may be willing to have the R-1.5 zone applied to their property in return for other benefits such as the purchase of development rights listed below. There are extensive agricultural parcels in East Fishkill as shown on Figure 8.2. The second recommendation is for an R-3 zone, which would have a minimum lot size of 3 acres per dwelling unit. This zone is suggested for application to the southern part of East Fishkill covered by the Taconic Mountain range and the New York City watershed. The purpose of the R-3 zone is to recognize the environmentally sensitive lands throughout the mountains and the limitation of the soils to support individual wells and septic systems. In addition, the R-3 zone recognizes the need to protect the quality of storm water run-off that flows into the watershed. Unlike aquifers, which draw water from the ground and benefit from soil filtration, watersheds rely on surface water, which is easily contaminated, to recharge reservoirs. Planned Residential Development (PRD) Zone This plan recommends that the Town Board eliminate the PRD zone and rezone all PRD land to Conservation Residential Development (CRD). The maximum development density of the PRD zone (6 units/acre) is inconsistent with the land use policies of this plan. The PRD zone is currently mapped on the Twin Creeks property (former Hercer) parcel. Conservation Residential Development (CRD) Zone The Conservation Residential Development (CRD) Zone is presently allowed solely within the Hopewell Junction area, on land parcels greater than 100 acres in size. The Mulford Farm site (also known as Deer Run) is the only property currently zoned CRD. Any development considered for the CRD zone shall connect to a central water and sewer system. As part of a comprehensive plan to allow a variety of housing types in Town, multi-family housing should be considered for inclusion within the CRD zone and lot sizes for single-family homes could be established in the range of 7,000-7,500 square feet per unit. Overall CRD densities shall be limited to 2 dwelling units/acre unless public benefits accrue to the Town such as new roads, parks, and affordable housing. In this case, the Town Board may permit up to four units per acre. Cluster Subdivisions This Plan has advocated the adoption of cluster subdivisions for East Fishkill. It is the conclusion of this Plan that cluster subdivisions are preferable to traditional subdivisions within hamlet areas, on subdivisions of large acreage, and in low-density areas because they can preserve open space, protect environmentally sensitive lands, and preserve views and rural, scenic characteristics. One advantage to clustering is that it allows houses to be set back from the road and screened from view. Not all subdivisions are ideal for clustering, however. For example, some soil types won't support septic systems that are placed close together. This Plan advocates the use of clustering where there are identifiable benefits, e.g. aesthetic design, open space, scenic views, etc. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 102 Average-Density Subdivisions According to East Fishkill Section 67-13.1, subdivisions in the R-2 zone may employ lot size averaging when designing subdivisions. This technique allows minimum lot sizes in the R-2 zone equal to one acre. However, this section does not provide for the same regulations as a cluster development regarding road frontage, setbacks, protection of steep slopes, and other planning issues. Therefore, the Master Plan recommends that the Town remove this provision from its codes and require that all conventional subdivisions in the R-2 zone have a minimum lot size of 2 acres. This Plan recommends that any proposed lot size reduction from the underlying zone should take place through the approved cluster ordinance. Purchase of Development Rights and/or Transfer of Development Rights This approach is particularly suited to farmland and lands of particular ecological importance. Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) implies that the town would utilize either its capital budget or special funds to acquire some or all of the development rights from owners of sensitive property who for estate or tax reasons may wish to utilize this option. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) permits the transfer of building rights between separated parcels of land. The owner of an open space area could transfer the development rights from that area (the sending area) to another parcel of land (the receiving area). Thus, more intense development would take place on land more suited for it. One option for a receiving area is the Conservation Residential Development (CRD) Zone, which is currently a zone that could be applied in Hopewell Junction. Consolidation of Commercial Zones and Reduction in FAR There are currently five commercial districts in the East Fishkill Zoning Code. These are: B-1: General Business PCP: Planned Commercial Park B-2: Central Business PRDP: Planned Research and Development Parks PBN: Planned Business Neighborhood This plan recommends that the commercial districts be consolidated into three districts: B-1: General Business OR: Office/Research B-2: Highway Commercial The B-1, or general business, would approximate the current B-1 for Hopewell Junction and other hamlet areas. The B-2 would be oriented to highway corridors with strict setbacks and landscape controls. The Office category would combine the current alphabet soup of PBN, PCP, and PRDP. This plan recommends a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) control for all commercial development. Floor area ratio is explained on the accompanying chart. The suggested commercial FARs follow: Business Zone Proposed FAR B-1 0.35 B-2 0.30 OR 0.25 A FAR of 0.25 is also recommended for all industrial zones. (See Figure 9.1 for an understanding of Floor Area Ratio) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 103 [Figure 9.1 Floor Area Ratio]      See the image described above (Then use browser BACK button to return here.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 104 9.3 Natural Resource Protection Scenic Resource or Conservation Overlay Throughout the Master Plan, many have spoken out in favor of protecting East Fishkill's community character, rural attributes, and open spaces. To further these goals, the Town Board may want to add a chapter to East Fishkill's Zoning Code to include Scenic Resource or Conservation Overlays. The list of scenic resources or conservation areas could include: roadways, slopes, ridgelines, farms, fields and meadows, streams and water bodies, cultural places, and trees or stands of trees. This chapter would identify the various scenic resource categories, the process by which areas would be designated as scenic, and the regulations that development of these areas must follow. Areas of particular interest include the Taconic Parkway (particularly the area around the interchange with Interstate 84), Interstate 84, the land between the Fishkill and Sprout Creek, various farms, and the Taconic Mountain ridgeline. Scenic overlays could require a 100-foot landscaped buffer between development and the protected resource (e.g. the Taconic State Parkway). This list is not exhaustive of possible scenic regions, but it does represent areas that have been discussed for scenic or conservation overlays. Environmentally Sensitive Areas Zoning codes can restrict the amount of wetlands or steep slopes that may be counted towards the allowable density of a particular property. This Plan recommends limiting the development capacity of sensitive areas to 50% of the allowable density permitted by zoning. All acreage in slopes greater than 20% shall not count more than 50% towards development density. All wetlands shall not count more than 50% towards development density as well. These regulations would apply to all new subdivisions in East Fishkill and within all zones. This Plan recommends a reduction of 50% because wetlands and steep slopes are typically not fully developable and merit protection. For instance, wet soils and steep slopes generally do not support septic fields. To apply the formula, if a 100-acre property in a one-acre zone had 10 acres of slopes greater than 20% and another 20 acres of wetlands, then the development density permitted would equal: (10 acres x 50%) + (20 acres x 50%) + 70 acres = 85 developable acres Imposing a restriction on the developable density of environmentally sensitive land does impact the developer. In the above example, the application of reducing the density by 50% lowers the potential number of homes by 15. State and federal courts have upheld the right of the municipality to enforce land use laws that support environmental protection (wetlands and slopes) but do not deny property owners all of their development rights. Subdivision Regulations There are five areas for which the 2001 Master Plan seeks to continue to regulate through the subdivision process: Wetlands and Stream Buffers, Aquifer Protection, Drainage Controls, and Erosion-Sedimentation Controls. This Plan calls on the Planning Board to continue to diligently review and enforce the Town's subdivision regulations. One regulation that shall be added to the subdivision code is the elimination of flag lots in East Fishkill. A flag lot is a lot that has its developable portion of land set back from the road, usually behind another lot, and connected to the road by a narrow strip of land that includes the driveway. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 105 Affordable Housing Although there have been a number of new subdivisions in East Fishkill, many residents can not afford to buy new homes in their own community. Zoning regulations can make it more attractive for developers to provide some units more inexpensively than others. Bonus incentives can be written into subdivision rules so that builders may create more dwelling units than they normally could under the standard rules if they sell those extra units at below market costs. In no case, however, shall the number of affordable housing units exceed 20% of the total number of market rate units. The affordable units shall be constructed to the same standards as the market rate units, be visually indistinguishable from other units in the same subdivision, and be evenly distributed throughout the development. Affordable housing provisions shall be included within all residential zones in East Fishkill. Historic Overlays Historic overlay zones can apply to historic districts or individual parcels, depending on the number of properties in an area. Historic overlay controls usually strongly control the architectural style, setting, and integrity of the building(s). This may be appropriate in an area that has an existing built pattern or on a farm that is undergoing conversion but the town wants to preserve the old farmhouse and its setting. Historic and cultural resources shall be catalogued on the Town's GIS database to facilitate the establishment of overlay zones. A 2001 study will update the 1984 report. Once mapped, the updated information may suggest areas that may be suitable for an overlay district. 9.4 Capital Improvements Program / Land Transaction Public investment has a major effect upon the development of the Town. Parks, recreational facilities, open space, schools, roads, utilities, and municipal buildings are all examples of public investment. Which projects get funded go a long way towards shaping the character of a community. East Fishkill may undertake a public or capital improvement program to list and prioritize the projects that the Town will undertake and fund over a specified period of years. This is a systematic scheduling of projects based upon need, available financing, and community benefits. Six to ten years is a common projection period in use by many municipalities. Projects scheduled for the first year should be incorporated into the Town's proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Each year the program would be restudied to determine the appropriateness of funding in that fiscal year. Such a program would provide a continuously updated picture of estimated future improvement needs and costs facing the Town. It could also help to give greater stability to the tax rate by spreading improvement costs systematically over a period of years. Although the Town has no control over the School Boards, State Agencies, Counties, or surrounding Towns, cooperation between these boards and levels of government shall be encouraged to the benefit of all. Acquisition Acquisition is one component of a Capital Improvements Program. The East Fishkill Town Board is very sensitive to the need for acquisition, be it for open space, parkland, agricultural properties, road improvements, or municipal buildings. Alternative acquisition strategies are described below in further detail. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 106 Direct Acquisition Direct acquisition is the most direct and effective method of obtaining open space. It is also the most expensive. The Town shall look into using grant money to help purchase land whenever possible. Confronted with a greater need than the budget allows, acquisition by the Towns are most advisable for agricultural lands, scenic areas, active and passive recreation, or of critical environmental concern. Easements An easement is a property right that frequently allows one to use or pass through a piece of property without actually owning the land that the easement describes. Conservation easements can be a particularly beneficial way for the Town to preserve open space, historic properties, or scenic vistas. In conveying a conservation easement to the Town (perhaps for a fee), the owner of a property agrees to restrict the activities that can take place on the land. The Town does not acquire or own the land, however. The property remains in private ownership, but the easement guarantees that the land will benefit a public purpose. If property owners establish easements and covenants on their property, as described above, assessors can take such agreements into account when establishing the tax rate on this property. The owner will continue to pay taxes, but the real estate taxes could be adjusted downward to reflect any reduction in the development value of the property. Reduced valuation can be incorporated into some sort of maintenance agreement with the land as well. First Refusal Option A first refusal option means that at the time a property comes up for sale, the Town has the first opportunity to acquire the land. Of course the Town must pay full market value for that land. This approach works well when the Town wishes to obtain specific parcels of land that will benefit the entire town. Some examples of a first refusal option might include land adjacent to established parks, land that will be necessary for roadway improvements, or land currently used for private recreational purposes. Information Technology Systems East Fishkill has undertaken a capital improvement program to computerize its governmental functions. Geographic Information Systems have been purchased to track land use changes within the town. The Town shall continue its investment in high technology so as to provide efficient service to residents. Subdivision Set-Asides New York State presently permits municipalities to require that a portion of the land within new subdivisions be set aside for park or recreation purposes. These set asides may be run as private parks by a homeowners' association or dedicated to the Town. In lieu of dedication, municipalities may require a fee instead. That money is then utilized to acquire recreation areas elsewhere in Town. Set-asides have been used successfully in East Fishkill over the years though the Town Board and Recreation Commission have preferred to exact a relatively modest fee to expand and centralize park and recreational facilities rather than have a multitude of small parks scattered throughout Town, as discussed in the 1999 'Recreation Study'. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 107 9.5 Real Estate Tax Inducements Owners of large land holdings frequently find that these increasing costs become prohibitive and are forced to sell their land for development purposes sooner than they might otherwise have. Farms, with their large expanse of land ideal for development, are particularly susceptible to these pressures, as are historic properties on large acreage. One means of reducing burdensome real estate taxes on large parcels is described below: Agricultural Districts Under the New York State enabling legislation, Dutchess County farmers can, as a group, petition the County legislature to form an Agricultural District. County farms did petition and create Agricultural District 22 in the 1970s. Many of East Fishkill farms are included within the District. The primary benefit of an Agricultural District designation is a reduction in property taxes. Should an owner seek this designation and then develop the property, that owner would face a tax penalty equal to the tax that was forgiven over the past five years. The District designation also hinders the town from acquiring the property through eminent domain, assessing taxes for capital improvements (such as sewer or water lines), and from restricting common agricultural practices through zoning. Under the legislation, the districts must be reviewed every eight years. 9.6 Private Development and Philanthropy The great bulk of development in East Fishkill has been and will continue to be carried out by private individuals and organizations. Therefore, it is private action that is the most important element in developing the community, guided and regulated by the Town as described earlier. Neither the Town Plan, zoning or subdivision regulations, nor the Town agencies that administer these regulations can force any private individual to develop a particular piece of land for a particular use. But where there is a good Master Plan, and it is continually followed, reviewed, and updated, private enterprises have a more reliable foundation upon which to plan and build. This encourages good development, as well as helps to accomplish some of the specific recommendations of the Town Plan. The active solicitation of donations of property easements to a private land trust is an increasingly successful open space and landmark preservation implementation device. For many landowners, such donations can be the source of a significant tax credit. Also, donations and easements can guarantee the property owner that the land will remain as they wish it to be preserved. Private organizations such as the Dutchess Land Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, the Nature Conservancy, and the Audubon Society have played an active role in open space and landmark preservation in many communities by seeking land or easement donations or, alternatively, by purchasing properties. Locally, the Nature Conservancy and Scenic Hudson own and administer a number of parcels for the benefit of the general public.
END OF MASTER PLAN

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